Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Florence and Forest County.
District Dialogue
March 21, 2014
On Tuesday March 18th, the Assembly voted in concurrence for the Blueprint for Prosperity. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Walker. The Governor is scheduled to sign the bill early next week.
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.
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.
On Thursday March 20th, Senate Bill 226 gained concurrence in the Assembly after being amended in the Senate.
This bill was drafted and introduced at the request
of a Police chief in Eagle River, WI. Senate Bill 226 allows for a
vehicle to be seized if it is involved in a crime of child enticement.
Currently, vehicles may be confiscated if they are involved with certain
crimes. These crimes include transporting a weapon that was used in a
felony, impersonating an enforcement officer, any crime involving
prostitution, etc. In addition, a vehicle may be confiscated if it
involves certain crimes against children including child abuse,
violating a restraining order, harassment or stalking. This bill adds
child enticement to the list of crimes that would give enforcement
officers the power to confiscate a vehicle.
The passage of SB 226 will serve as a deterrent for offenders to keep our children safer, and will allow law enforcement to thoroughly investigate cases of suspected child enticement.
I was very pleased with the unanimous support in both houses.
Assembly Bill 407:
Assembly Bill 407 authored by Representative Czaja and Senator Gudex will provide much needed funding to the snowmobiling industry across the state of Wisconsin. I was a co-sponsor on this legislation alongside Rep. Czaja and many of my colleagues in the Assembly. Wisconsin is home to over 25,000 miles of snowmobiling trails making it the largest trail system in North America.
Assembly Bill 407 changes the rates for snowmobile
registration and introduces a trail pass for snowmobile riders.
Registration costs for Wisconsin residents will cost $30 dollars for a
three year registration. In addition, snowmobile riders must
purchase a trail pass annually. If you are a member of an AWSC
affiliated club the pass will cost $10/year, otherwise the trail pass
will cost $30/year. Additionally, out of state riders purchasing a trail
pass will be charged $50/year.
Rep. Czaja worked tirelessly to bring all interested parties to the table to find a solution for snowmobile funding. AB 407 passed both houses with overwhelming bipartisan support. Click here to read the legislation.
Assembly Bill 407 being signed into law.
Senate Bill 300:
Legislation to make chemotherapy more
convenient and affordable was amended and passed the Assembly yesterday
after much debate. The amended bill provides parity to oral
chemotherapy medications. This will present insurance companies with the
choice to either provide parity with alternative forms of chemotherapy,
or place a cap on the costs. The costs may not exceed $100 dollars per
month for oral chemotherapy.
This measure is consistent with a number of similar oral chemotherapy
bills recently signed into law in other states like Missouri. Wisconsin
is on pace to become the 28th state to enact an oral chemotherapy law.
I was proud to cast my vote in support of this legislation. I am
confident that my colleagues in the Senate will vote for concurrence in
their next floor period.
Please click on the picture above to listen to my
comments on Oral Chemotherapy.
Assembly Bill 770:
In February I was proud to become a co-sponsor of Assembly Bill 770. The Heating Assistance Bill was much needed in areas of the Northwoods during this brutal winter.
Homeowners will be able to acquire low-interest loans to purchase propane or other heating supplies that are approved by (WHEDA). Similar to the drought assistance program that currently exists, WHEDA will guarantee the loans and pay a portion of the interest rate charged. The loans cannot exceed $2,500 and to be eligible a borrower’s household income cannot exceed 200 percent of the median family income in the county in which they reside.
Assembly Bill 770 passed the Senate House unanimously this month. It currently rests on the Governor's desk awaiting his signature.
Senate Bill 387:
Senate Bill 387 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.
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 passed the Senate and the Assembly unanimously.
To read our bill, please click here.
It has been an honor to assist the Speaker Pro Tempore Tyler August (R- Lake Geneva) during the last few floor sessions. It is quite an experience to be in the chair while presiding over the state Assembly during important debate and votes that affect the people of state of Wisconsin.
I want to congratulate the
Rhinelander High School Mock Trial team for once again winning the State
Championship under the able guidance of coaches Kathy Vick-Martini, Jim
Jacobi, Amy Ferguson, and Judge Mike Bloom.
The Hodags won their 28th consecutive Regional Championship in February,
and broke their own state record of consecutive championship titles.
Rhinelander High School defeated Superior, Lodi, and Christian Life.
RHS qualified for the State Finals before the justices of the Wisconsin
Supreme Court for the 22nd time, and defeated Shorewood in the Finals to
win the State Championship for the 17th time!
Congratulations once again to Rhinelander Mock Trial Team members Erin
Tenderholt, Anna Catlin, Ellie Rickman, Albiona Sabini, Sydney Schallock,
Lydia O’Brien, Mike Anderson, Amber Sheth, and Emily Ditzler. The
Rhinelander Mock Trial team will represent the State of Wisconsin at the
National High School Mock Trial Tournament in Madison, Wisconsin, May
8-10.
Go Hodags!
Members and Coaches of the RHS Mock Trial Team with Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices after winning the State Championship.
On Thursday March 18th, I adjourned in honor of the team, click the photo above to hear my comments.
On March 12th I met with two college students from the Northwoods as they presented their research in the state Capitol rotunda. It was very nice to meet both Rachel Brodhead and Renee Simon. Keep up the great work, congratulations on your research.
UW-Madison student Rachel Brodhead from Lake Tomahawk presenting her project in the state Capitol.
UW-Green Bay student Renee Simon from Rhinelander and Rep. Swearingen posing by her research poster.
Eagle River Elementary Visits Madison
4th Graders from Saint Germain Elementary School in Madison
Rep. Swearingen with Eagle River Elementary students.
Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Rhinelander
It was great to attend the Rhinelander Saint Patrick's day parade on Saturday March 15th. It was great to see some familiar faces in Rhinelander. The parade was a great success!
Rep. Swearingen and Dan McGillis at the Rhinelander Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
Please click on the following links for Upcoming Community Events!
Friday at the Movies (1:30 P.M.) - Minocqua - March 21st
The Tarten Terrors (7:30 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.) Nicolet College Theatre, Rhinelander - March 21st
Gardening Northwoods Style (7:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. - Lac du Flambeau - March 22nd
"Gravity" Winner of 7-Oscars (1:00 P.M.) Three Lakes - March 23rd
Free Tax Help (8:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.) Woodruff - March 24th
Community Blood Drive (3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.) Sugar Camp Community Center - March 25th
Farmer's Market (Noon - 6:00 P.M.) Eagle River - March 26th
Manitowish River Bird Hike (10:00 A.M. - 12:00 A.M.) Manitowish Waters - March 29th
4th Annual Gutter Bowl To Strike Out Cancer Super Bowl & Bar, Crandon - April 4th
For Kids Sake Bowling Event - Hodag Lanes, Rhinelander - April 4th
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