Governor Walker's Annual State of the State Speech

Governor Walker delivered his annual ‘State of the State’ speech this past Wednesday to a joint session of the legislature. The governor emphasized the great strides Wisconsin has taken to make our state one of the best places to live, work, play and raise a family. The speech highlighted the state’s thriving economy, its record low 3% unemployment rate, our continued commitment to lower taxes and removal of unnecessary regulations, and the historic investment in K-12 education included in the 2017-2019 biennial budget among many other positive initiatives. This past year was a great one for Wisconsin, and state Republicans have proposed an ambitious agenda for 2018 that will continue to build on these successes by addressing the following areas:

• Encouraging Economic Development by removing barriers to growth, attracting and retaining more workers to Wisconsin, and increasing job opportunities in rural areas.
• Supporting our Schools by increasing rural school assistance and reviewing the state funding process.
• Reforming the Welfare System by promoting independence and helping those individuals who need further assistance enter the workforce.
• Promoting Healthy Families by fighting the opioid epidemic, improving our foster care system, combating Alzheimer’s disease and providing more comprehensive mammogram results.

Additionally, Governor Walker demonstrated his commitment to invest in the expansion of broadband to rural areas across the state and proposed a 2018 Rural Economic Development Fund that would support the development of new businesses in rural communities. The Governor also addressed how Wisconsin will continue to work around federal healthcare issues focusing on senior healthcare, preexisting conditions and assisting individuals stuck with paying high deductibles. Finally, thanks to our budget surplus, the Governor proposed a child tax credit that will give families $100 for each child under the age of 18.

Governor Walker during the 2018 State of the State address to the Legislature.

Please click the video below to watch my reaction to Governor Walker's 2018 State of the State address. 

Rep. Swearingen reacts to the Governor's State of the State speech.

 Assembly Legislative Floor Session Update

The full Assembly was on the floor on January 16^th and January 23^rd to vote on a number of bills for an exciting start to 2018. Below you can find a list of some of the bills that were passed in the last two weeks.

Assembly Bill 565: Relating to: fees related to security freezes on consumer credit reports.

Assembly Bill 572: Relating to: the collection and maintenance of certain public library data by the Division for Libraries and Technology, authorizing small, rural libraries to apply for information technology block grants and educational technology training grants, and making appropriations.

Assembly Bill 520: Relating to: hunting, trapping, and fishing approvals issued to recipients of a medal awarded by the U.S. armed forces that is equal to or higher than the Purple Heart medal in order of precedence and maintenance of a list of such medals by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Assembly Bill 605: Relating to: youth trapping, creating a mentored trapping license, restrictions on taking or appropriating a trap or its contents, and requirements for tagging traps.

Assembly Joint Resolution 97: Relating to: Congratulating the 2017 Wisconsin Badgers football team on the impressive accomplishments for this season.

Assembly Bill 688: Relating to: Establishing a Wisconsin Conservation Corps program.

Assembly Bill 769: Relating to: Requirements for colleges when service member students are called into active duty.

Senate Bill 407: Relating to: Transfer policies for college credit earned by high school pupils.

55th Country Cat World Championship Snowmobile Derby

I had the great honor of attending the 55^th Country Cat World Championship Snowmobile Derby in Eagle River last Friday with Governor Walker and Senator Tom Tiffany.  I would like to congratulate the Decker family for hosting another great championship and all the participants for such a fantastic competition.  The tradition and excitement of the derby proves to be a premier event year after year for the Northwoods. It is a fun time for the whole family, and I look forward to attending many more in the years to come!

Rep. Swearingen speaking with Governor Walker at the Derby

 Legislative Days at the Capitol

I had the opportunity to meet with constituents from several advocacy groups this week, including the Wisconsin Credit Union League. We had a great time talking about the issues affecting Wisconsinites. It is always great to see constituents from the district down here in Madison. Thanks for stopping by!

Rep. Swearingen with representatives from the WI Credit Union League.

DNR Outdoor Report

Published January 25, 2018 by the Central Office

Snow landed across several northern counties this past week, allowing more counties to open snowmobile trails and additional properties to groom ski trails. There now are about 20 counties that have snowmobile trails open or partially open across the north on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Snowmobiles have been out in force over the past couple weeks, taking advantage of the snowfall and amazing trail conditions.

There should be some excellent snowshoeing this weekend in areas like the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest and in Iron County. Cross-country ski conditions range from fair to excellent across the north. Southern Wisconsin received some snow this week, but not enough in most areas to groom ski trails. The Kettle Moraine southern unit groomed some trails, but there were many wet areas at the bottom of hills.

Despite the recent warm-up, multiple reports of strong ice fishing have come in from properties across the state. Slush remains on many Northwoods lakes and plenty of snow on others. Crappies have been biting on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and on lakes in the Flambeau River State Forest. Anglers at Straight Lake are landing trout and those dipping into lakes in Oconto County are finding perch, northern pike and largemouth bass. There is pretty good ice on most of the Bay of Green Bay ranging from 12-18 inches. Anglers pursuing whitefish have been doing pretty well but yellow perch fishing has been spotty.

The beautiful weather last weekend had lots of people taking advantage of free fishing weekend. Fishing was great in some areas and poor in others. Anglers reported catching northern on tip-ups, a variety of panfish, and even a few trout.

The northern zone grouse season remains open for one more week, closing on Jan. 31 and a few hunters got their dogs some exercise over the weekend but not many reported any shooting. The combination of recent snow and warming temperatures also has wildlife up and moving around. Turkeys have been spotted from roadsides and deer have been loitering in active timber harvests, chewing on fresh buds. Along with continuing reports of snowy owls, large numbers of bald eagles have been spotted and a variety of woodpeckers can be seen digging into trees. Tracks and animal sign are particularly visible and abundant currently.

Jan. 31 is the second full moon of January--a "blue moon." This full moon will be closest to the earth in its orbit, making it a "super moon." There will also be a lunar eclipse in the early morning hours of Jan. 31. The eclipse makes the moon appear orange-red in color, hence the nickname the "blood moon."

The largest numbers of candlelight events at state properties will be held over the next three weekends, with six this weekend and eight the next two weekends. This Friday people can ski, snowshoe or hike the Red Cedar State Trail to an illuminated ice wall thanks to 10 inches of snow the trail received this week. On Saturday, Hartmann Creek, Lake Wissota, Point Beach and Rib Mountain will hold events. One schedule for Whitefish Dunes was cancelled due to poor trail conditions and one at Lapham Peak has sold out. We're also moving into the peak of the owl mating season and Richard Bong and Kettle Moraine South are both holding hikes to listen for owl's territorial calling. For all details and a complete list of activities search the DNR website for "Get Outdoors."

Woodruff DNR Service Center area

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - The Northern Highland has a thick heavy blanket of snow from this last blast of a storm. Snow hangs heavy on the evergreens reminding the habitants of what January should look like. It is now snowshoe use time! Those living outside are busy looking for their caches of food, foraging as they normally do, or are hunkered down for a few days! Area bird feeders are very busy with visitors! - Rosalie Richter, visitor services associate

The cross-country ski trail system received 6-10 inches of new snow on Monday afternoon and evening. The Escanaba trail was packed, cut and tracked and in good condition. The McNaughton, Madeline and Raven trails were all packed and tracked on Jan. 23 and are in good condition. The Lumberjack trail Blue and Green loops have been leveled. Several inches of snow have left a soft base. - Dan Jacoby and Tony Martinez, parks and recreation specialists