Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Florence and Forest County.

District Dialogue

March 7th, 2014

The Speaker’s Task Force on Rural Schools held its final public hearing on Wednesday, February 26th in the Cuba City High School gymnasium.  It was great to hear from parents, teachers, and superintendents about the issues that rural schools are faced with in southwestern Wisconsin. 

The Task Force has now completed all of the public hearings and school tours.  Our group will now be working together to decide what recommendations should be considered in the final report for Speaker Vos (R- Rochester).  I am hoping that the report will be completed by March.

To follow the progress of the Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools, please visit our website by clicking here.

The website also provides information on Task Force members, press releases, hearing notices, and pictures from previous school tours.
 

Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools in Cuba City.

Darlene Machtan from Sugar Camp speaking to the Task Force about her experiences as an educator for 30 years.

On Tuesday March 3rd, I testified with Senator Frank Lasee in favor of legislation that we introduced last fall.

Assembly Bill 511 is a simple bill that would allow handicapped motorcycle riders to use handicap parking spaces. Currently anyone with a handicapped parking permit issued from the Department of Transportation may use designated parking spots. However, this is not true for those who ride motorcycles.

Assembly Bill 511 and Senate Bill 387 would remove the term “other than a motorcycle” in several sections of current statute, and add the term “motorcycle” to the list of accepted vehicles.

This bill received great support in the Senate Committee on Transportation, Public Safety, and Veterans and Military Affairs public hearing.

To read our bill, please click here.
 

On Friday February 28th, the Governor visited Northstar Steel Fabricating in Rhinelander.  Governor Walker discussed his Blueprint for Prosperity, a plan that will benefit hard working taxpayers with income and property tax relief throughout Wisconsin.  It was great to tour the facility with Governor Walker and the Northstar employees.  The Blueprint for Prosperity has passed both the Assembly and the Senate. 

Governor Walker Speaking at Northstar Fabricating Steel.

Governor Walker and Rep. Swearingen touring Northstar Fabricating Steel.

Below is a press release from Governor Walker's office about his visit to Rhinelander.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2014
Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 267-7303

Blueprint for Prosperity: Governor Scott Walker Hosts Brown Bag Visit at Northstar Steel Fabricating

Rhinelander – Today, Governor Scott Walker discussed his Blueprint for Prosperity with employees at Northstar Steel Fabricating, Inc. in Rhinelander.

“My Blueprint for Prosperity plan puts more money back into the hands of hard-working taxpayers and invests in worker training, so that companies like Northstar Steel can continue to create jobs,” Governor Walker said. “I would like to commend members of the Denis family for their collaboration with Nicolet College to help train the workforce of the future.”

Peter Denis and his son, Mark, founded the Rhinelander-based company in 1981, specializing in operator cabs for off-highway equipment, engine mounts, control panels, and custom fabrications. The company employs more than 40 workers in a six-building campus that encompasses more than 200,000 square feet. Each employee is skilled in at least two positions for maximum efficiency and overall product knowledge. The Denis family has a long-running partnership with Nicolet College, where they offer key guidance, mentoring, and equipment for manufacturing training.

Governor Walker introduced his Blueprint for Prosperity during the 2014 State of the State address, following news of the state’s $911 million surplus, created by a strong economic recovery and long-term structural reforms.

Blueprint for Prosperity:

Cut property taxes by $406 million. The typical homeowner will see an actual reduction of $100 dollars on their next property tax bill.

Cut income taxes by $98.6 million. Targeted to the lowest income tax bracket. Savings for a typical family of four making $40,000, will be $58. No one will get a bigger savings than that.

Adjust withholding for state income taxes by $322.6 million, so you can keep more of your hard-earned paycheck. Beginning in April, a typical family of four will see $57.90 more in their paychecks each month.

Increase the Wisconsin Fast Forward program by $35 million to focus on three new areas:

• Invest in technical colleges to eliminate waiting lists for high demand fields including manufacturing, agriculture, and Information Technology;
• Help high school students get training in high demand jobs through dual enrollment programs between our high schools and technical colleges;
• Support the Year of the Better Bottom Line initiative, which helps people with disabilities enter the workforce.

For more information on the Blueprint to Prosperity, go to Prosperity.WI.gov.

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Governor Walker with the Denis Family.

As a member of the Assembly Committee on Tourism, I traveled to the Governor's Conference on Tourism in Lake Geneva last week.  I attended several forums about the expansion and importance of the tourism industry in our state.  In the Northwoods, the tourism industry is the lifeblood for many our small communities.  

Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett and Rep. Swearingen.

Additionally, Travel Wisconsin released a number of advertisements for the upcoming tourism season.  Please click on the link below to view the first of a series of advertisements.  I'm sure you will recognize a few faces from the classic movie "Airplane". 

Please Click Here

Be sure to visit the Travel Wisconsin website for travel tips, ideas, and information about Wisconsin tourism!

I would like to congratulate Mike Aus of Rhinelander Toyota and his Toyota Team on their new facility.  Thank you for investing in the Northwoods!

Rep. Swearingen and Mike Aus of Rhinelander Toyota.

Another Utility Bill Email Scam Making the Rounds

As your state Representative I wanted to pass along a press release sent to my office from the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. 

DATCP CONSUMER ALERT: Another Utility Bill Email Scam Making the Rounds
Release Date: February 25, 2014

Media Contact: Jerad Albracht, Senior Communications Specialist, 608-224-5007 or Jim Dick, Communications Director, 608-224-5020

MADISON – That utility bill you received by email for $500, $524 or $524.30? It’s a fake. Delete it and never click the link in the message.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has received a handful of complaints from consumers who received a fraudulent bill for utility services from “Energy Billing Service” or “Energy Billing System.” The email addresses from which the scams originate are different, but many of the addresses appear to be based overseas. In addition to the complaints received by DATCP, WE Energies informed the agency that more than 50 of its customers have reported similar messages to the company’s call center.

The email messages include a link to “view your most recent bill.” Clicking that link could cause you to accidentally download a malware package or could direct you to a scam website where you are prompted to turn over personal or banking information. As with any other unsolicited email or text message from an unknown source, simply delete it and take no further action.

For additional information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-422-7128.

Connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wiconsumer.

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Alice in Dairyland Visits Madison

Last week the Assembly recognized Kristin Olsen.  Kristin is Wisconsin's 66th Alice in Dairyland.  Kristin will be traveling around the state to discuss the importance of the dairy industry in Wisconsin. 

Please click on the following links for Upcoming Community Events!

Porcupines and Porcupets Program and Hike (1:00p.m.-3:30p.m.) March 8, Manitowish Waters

Lions Kids Fisheree (11:00a.m.-3:00p.m.) March 9, Conover

Winter Bird Photography (9:00a.m.-11:00a.m.) March 12, Manitowish Waters

Winter Farmers' Market (12:30p.m.-5:00p.m.) March 12, Eagle River

Corned Beef & Cabbage Benefit (4:00p.m.-8:00p.m.) March 17, Conover

Fun with Fathers (5:00p.m.-7:00p.m.) March 20, Eagle River

Harley Davidson Spring Break Out American Style (6:00p.m.-12:00a.m.) March 15, Rhinelander

Full Moon Snowshoe (7:00p.m.-8:30p.m.) March 15, Manitowish Waters

Full Set: A St. Patrick's Celebration (4:00p.m.-6:00p.m.) March 16, Minocqua

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day (9:00a.m.-3:00p.m.) March 17, Arbor Vitae

Team Trivia Night (8:00p.m.) March 19, Minocqua

The Tartan Terrors (7:30p.m.-9:30p.m.) March 21, Rhinelander

Keyes Peak Snowmobile Hill Climb and Hill Cross Races (9:00a.m.) March 15-16, Florence

Community Appreciation Day (12:00p.m.-5:00p.m.) March 9, Minocqua

Cafe Accordion Orchestra (7:30p.m.-9:30p.m.) March 8, Rhinelander

Meat Raffle Fundraiser (2:00p.m.-3:00p.m.) March 9, Eagle River

Northwoods Combat Challenge Cage Fight (11:00a.m.-10:00p.m.) March 15, Eagle River

Please contact me at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates

Office of Representative Rob Swearingen

Room 107 West

PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708

Office: 608-266-7141

Toll Free: 888-534-0034