The Assembly Committee on State Affairs has been busy the last two weeks! The committee met last week and earlier this week to hold a public hearing and an executive session on three pieces of legislation. The meetings addressed state leases of real property, closing the “social loophole” for underage drinking, and the review of administrative rules and enactments by state agencies.
Assembly Committee on State Affairs Meeting on Wednesday, May 17
AB 205: Relating to: state leases for real property.
Passed Committee: 10-4 vote.
Under this bill, the Department of Administration (DOA), when entering into or renewing a lease, must conduct a cost-benefit analysis comparing the proposed lease to the purchase of the space or another suitable space and must evaluate comparable lease options within a 10-mile radius to ensure that the proposed lease rates do not exceed lease rates on comparable properties or the market rate by more than 5 percent. In addition, under the bill, if a proposed lease involves an annual rent of more than $500,000, it must be signed by the secretary of administration and DOA must submit the proposed lease, as well as the cost-benefit analysis and evaluation of comparable lease rates, to the Joint Committee on Finance for a 14-day passive review.
The bill was amended in committee to read that if there are no comparable properties within a 10-mile radius, the state can expand beyond that radius as needed to find an appropriate cost estimate.
AB 275: Relating to: the prohibition against adults knowingly permitting or failing to take action to prevent the illegal consumption of alcohol beverages by underage persons.
Passed Committee: 15-0 vote.
Current law prohibits an adult from knowingly permitting or failing to take action to prevent the illegal consumption of alcohol beverages by an underage person on “premises" owned by the adult or under the adult's control. “Premises" is defined as the area described in a license or permit for the sale of alcohol beverages. The law does not currently address properties that an individual owns.
This bill prohibits an adult from knowingly permitting or failing to take action to prevent the illegal consumption of alcohol beverages by an underage person on property owned and occupied by the adult or occupied by the adult and under the adult's control. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the property is covered by an alcohol beverages license or permit.
AB 317: Relating to: review by state agencies of administrative rules and enactments; an expedited process for repealing rules an agency no longer has the authority to promulgate; retrospective economic impact analyses for rules; and reporting by the Legislative Reference Bureau on rules in need of revision.
As I have mentioned in my previous e-update, the Assembly has been tasked with reviewing administrative rules through the Red Tape Review Initiative to make sure administrative code is up-to-date. AB 317 builds on this initiative to review current administrative code and remove unnecessary, burdensome, and outdated regulations.
Passed Committee: 10-5 vote.
Assembly Committee on State Affairs Executive Session on Wednesday, May 24
Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry Update
Last week, the Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry held a meeting to vote on one bill and hold a public hearing on two additional bills. Assembly Bill 230, relating to fences on closed managed forest land, passed the committee on a 12-0 bipartisan vote. During the public hearing, the committee discussed legislation that focused on the remediation of contaminated lands and wells. If you would like to review these bills further, please click on the links below.
The Assembly Committee on Environment and Forestry Meeting on Tuesday, May 16
Executive Session
AB 230: Relating to: fences on closed managed forest land.
Under this bill, the prohibition on a fence that prevents the free and open movement of wild animals across managed forest land (MFL) does not apply if the fence is used for dog training on closed MFL owned by a nonprofit organization that holds a dog club training license.
Public Hearing
AB 179: Relating to: remediation of contaminated land; air pollution control requirements for certain manufacturing facilities constructed on formerly contaminated land.
This bill is intended to eliminate barriers to the redevelopment of underutilized or abandoned brownfield sites. A brownfield sites, as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, is “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” By eliminating hurdles to begin remediation and development of brownfield sites, communities can revive property, thus increasing property values and creating jobs.
AB 226: Relating to: local assistance for remediating contaminated wells and failing wastewater treatment systems and award limits for contaminated well grants.
This bill provides that a city, village, town, or county may remediate a contaminated private well, fill and seal a contaminated well, or rehabilitate, replace, or abandon a failing private on-site wastewater treatment system, in agreement with the owner of the well or wastewater treatment system, or may make a low-interest or interest-free loan to the owner of a contaminated well or failing wastewater treatment system for these purposes. Under the bill, if a city, village, town, or county takes any of these actions or provides a loan for these purposes, the city, village, town, or county may recover the costs of the action or collect the loan repayment as a special charge or special assessment.
Governor Walker Signs Music Festival Bill
On Wednesday, May 24, I attended a bill signing ceremony for Assembly Bill 194, legislation that addresses underage individuals being present on alcohol licensed premises at a music festival.
Governor Walker Signing Assembly Bill 194 into law on Wednesday, May 24
For decades, large music festivals throughout Wisconsin have allowed both unaccompanied minors (under 21) and those 21 and older to be on the same premise where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed. However, due to a technicality in Wisconsin law, many of these large music festivals would no longer be able to operate in this capacity and would be forced to make the decision of halting the legal sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages or banning unaccompanied minors from attending the festivals. In fact, 40-60 percent of the current attendees would fall into the group that cannot attend these festival if this technical change was not made, which would lead to a substantial economic loss for these festivals and local economies.
AB 194 creates an exception that allows an unaccompanied underage person to enter or be on a licensed premises that is a music festival venue during an event with a projected attendance of at least 2,500 persons. Music festivals, such as Hodag Festival in Rhinelander, have played a major role in the economic vitality of Wisconsin. This bill will allow music festivals across the state to maintain the status-quo and continue operating as they have for years.
I had the opportunity to work with my colleague Representative Rob Summerfield (R- Bloomer) on crafting this legislation and seeing it through the process. I would like to congratulate Rob on his first bill being signed into law!
Northwoods School Visits the Capitol!
One of the most beautiful and historically significant places you can visit in Wisconsin, the state Capitol building in Madison is nothing short of a marvel. This year is the 100th Anniversary of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building. Last week, Zion Lutheran School from Rhinelander visited Madison to take a tour of the Capitol. Capitol tours provide very useful pieces of information such as the history of our state and the different processes and branches of our state government. Thanks for coming to Madison to visit! I hope you enjoyed the trip.
Zion Lutheran School in Rhinelander on Thursday, May 18
Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership
The state of Wisconsin has been led by many great political icons over the years. Earlier this week, GOP leaders announced the creation of the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership at the UW-Madison campus. During the late 1980s and 1990s, Governor Thompson was a pioneer for welfare reform in the state of Wisconsin. Under his leadership, the state also saw the creation of the “BadgerCare” that is aimed at helping to provide health coverage to those families whose employers don't provide health insurance but make too much money to qualify for Medicaid.
The Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership will ensure that different views are expressed and that every voice is heard. Being allowed to have a good debate will only further the opportunity to offer bipartisan solutions. The proposal to create the center was passed by the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) yesterday as part of the state budget.
Boulder Junction Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant Presentation
This past weekend, the Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce was awarded $5,000 in grant funds through the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant program. The funds are going to be used to promote the first annual Forest Frenzy Winter Triathlon, a unique event that will feature a combined 9.5K cross-country ski race, 6K snowshoe race and 9.5K fat bike race. The event will take place February 16-17 in Boulder Junction.
Organizers of the winter triathlon event expect around 600 attendees, generating an estimated $101,900 in visitor spending for the area.
The Department of Tourism Regional Specialist Jeff Anderson with Members of the Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce during the JEM Grant Presentation
JEM grants, awarded by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, are presented to non-profit organizations. The state can provide up to 75 percent in funding of a project’s first year costs, and provide support for second and third year projects until they become self-sustaining. For more information on the JEM Program and application materials, visit http://industry.travelwisconsin.com/.
Nicolet College Spring 2017 Graduation Ceremony
I would like to give a big shout out and congratulations to all of the students, especially my daughter Jennie Swearingen who graduated from Nicolet College last week Saturday. I wish everyone the best of luck in the future and hope that you find fulfillment in your upcoming careers.
Nicolet is a center of higher education in the Northwoods, offering associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, apprenticeship programs and a University Transfer Liberal Arts program. It is also one of only three state technical colleges offering both occupational training and a university-level liberal arts education.
I would like to thank Nicolet College, including President Richard Nelson, the Nicolet College Board of Trustees, and the faculty for organizing a tremendous ceremony to honor each of these hardworking students and for their dedication to higher education.
Is anyone looking for a good dental hygienist?
Amy Swearingen, Jessie Swearingen, Nicolet College President Richard Nelson, Jennie Swearingen, and Rep. Swearingen after the Graduation Ceremony
Nicolet College President Richard Nelson Speaking to the Graduates
Unemployment Rate Hits a New Low!
The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revisions for March and preliminary estimates for April covering employment and job statistics for the state of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.2 percent in April, down from 3.4 percent in March. This is the lowest our state’s unemployment rate has been since February 2000.
Happy Memorial Day!
Memorial Day Column
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who gave their lives in sacrifice for the freedom of this great nation embodied by parades, U.S. flags placed on gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery, flags flying at half-staff, listening to the melody known as ‘taps’ and other recognizable symbols. The symbols aforementioned are just a few of the reminders we as Americans are given so that we can take a few moments out of our day to thank those we’ve lost for their courage and dedication. Symbols are an essential part of any celebration, but when it comes to Memorial Day, the many famous symbols invoke feelings of pride, nostalgia, grief and other emotions.
The infamous trumpet/bugle solo known as ‘taps’ dates back to the Civil War. Arguably one of the most recognizable and emotionally invoked melodies in the world, ‘taps’ was not always used at military funerals or to remember those who have lost their lives. The bugle call was originally used to signal ‘lights out’ for soldiers. Soon after it was written, however, it started to be played at military funerals. The tune became the official song of military funerals in the year 1891. Today, the tune is an unmistaken, somber melody that virtually everyone knows and recognizes to symbolize remembrance of our fallen soldiers.
Another symbol that truly embodies the idea of Memorial Day is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tomb is located at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and looks over the city of Washington, D.C. The tomb is dedicated to all of the soldiers lost in battle but who were unable to be identified. An unidentified soldier from World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War rest at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The tomb is guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, no matter the weather conditions. The changing of the guard is among some of the most famous ceremonies. It is considered a high honor to be a guard of the tomb. These soldiers who rest at the tomb gave their lives to combat the forces of evil and to protect the freedoms of this great nation. This monument ensures that even those who cannot be named are still honored and never forgotten.
The third symbol that I believe truly represents the idea of remembrance is flying the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day. On any given day, to remember someone who has fallen, a flag is flown at half-staff throughout the entire day. However, on Memorial Day, the flag is flown at half-staff only until noon. This is to honor the fallen in the morning, and respect the veterans who are still with us today, during the afternoon hours. This tradition is meant to signal that there is hope after death. The history of the flag flying at half-staff dates back to the early 1900s, when an Army manual had rules and regulations in it pertaining to how to fly the flag during a military funeral. Then, in 1924, U.S. Congress codified this tradition when they passed US code Title 4, Section 6, which sets the standards for flag rules.
These symbols are just a few of the many ways to observe the final Monday in May. On this Memorial Day, please enjoy the freedoms that have been protected by all of those brave men and women who are no longer with us. I encourage you to place a wreath at the cemetery and attend a parade with your loved ones. Spend time with your friends and family, wear the red, white and blue with pride, and most importantly, take a moment out of your day to reflect and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you to our service men and women for all that you have done and continue to do for Americans and the people of this great nation. Gone, but not forgotten. God Bless.
Cooler than normal temperatures, clouds and rain dominated the last week and slowed down the spring progression, including bird migrations and fish spawning. However, a warm-up in the next couple of weeks could change that quickly.
River systems across the entire state are running very high, and while the Memorial Day weekend has traditionally been a popular paddling weekend, recreational safety specialists are cautioning that only experienced and properly outfitted paddlers should be on rivers when they are running this high. The Lower Wisconsin River set a flow rate record this week of 42,000 cubic feet per second at Muscoda and there are no sandbars available for camping. The river is running fast and deep, with some boat launches under water.
Fewer anglers were out this week due to the rain and cooler weather and those that were reported mixed success. Along Green Bay one hot spot has been out of the mouth of the Pensaukee River where anglers have been catching limits of walleye. White bass anglers had a great deal of success, with some harvesting more than 20 fish from a few hours of fishing.
Smallmouth bass anglers along Door County have been running all over trying to find active fish. Most are seeing fish cruising shorelines searching for bedding areas and possible mates, but have had a hard time getting these fish to bite. Sawyer Harbor water temperatures seem to have the highest average compared to other bays, with anglers catching greater numbers of bass that have been pushing up close to shore to get ready to spawn.
Lake Michigan fishing was also slower, with some of the best action out of Port Washington where boaters have been targeting coho salmon with many getting limits, along with the occasional rainbow trout or chinook salmon.
Turkey gobbling has decreased rapidly over the past week for the last period of the spring season that ends May 30, but gobblers have still been moving around more looking for hens. Most hens are nesting now and some of the nests found have had 14 eggs in them.
Bear activity has increased again this week with a spike in nuisance calls to wildlife managers. Remove all sources of food and if bears are hanging around make a lot of noise by yelling, honking a car horn, or banging pots and pans to scare them off.
Fawn drop is now at peak. People out and about this weekend should leave fawns alone if they see them in the wild. Does leave fawns alone for long periods of time, so predators are not attracted and fawns can stay hidden. They will return to care for them.
Many warblers continue to be seen statewide and some of the later-arriving species are just getting here. Connecticut warblers were found in above average numbers this week, amid 30-plus other warbler species. Other late migrants, like common nighthawks, cedar waxwings, and cuckoos, have begun to arrive. A Lewis's woodpecker was seen in Bayfield County, marking only the fifth state record of this western species.
Astronomy programs kick off this weekend with the "Starsplitters of Wyalusing" holding their first public program Saturday night and then the UW-Madison Department of Astronomy "Universe in the Park" series of programs begins Sunday night at Kohler-Andrae State Park. Weather permitting telescopes will be available for night sky viewing following short programs on exciting new discoveries in astronomy.
Woodruff DNR Service Center area
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - The northern forest is way behind the rest of the state as far as spring goes! Visitors will be able to experience the pastel greens from all the slowly emerging leaves of the trees and understory. Barren and wild strawberries are in full bloom. Trilliums are out here and there. Wood anemonies and polygalas are dotting the landscape with their dainty white and purple flowers. Cotton grass is starting to pop out in Powel Marsh. Juneberry and Pincherry are still in bloom. The spring migrant birds are blessing us with their song. Rose breasted grosebeaks are gracing area feeders. The hummers are busy defending their territories just as every male bird sings out their territorial songs of "mine,mine,mine". The forest is full of life if one stops to listen. High water are the two words describing area lakes and rivers. Swamps are very saturated. Folks are waiting to see their first fawn of the season or bear cub. Moms are hiding them well if they are out there! - Rosalie Richter, visitor services associate.
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
