This week, the Assembly took an important step to help fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by passing Assembly Bill 1. This bill provides much needed support to hospitals and creates an "all hands on deck" approach to vaccination distribution. It provides liability protections to schools and businesses that could otherwise be the subject of frivolous lawsuits, forces the Governor to create a plan to solve the backlog of unemployment claims, and ensures that families can visit their loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
AB1 includes provisions that prohibit the DHS, local health officials, and employers from mandating vaccinations and prohibits churches and places of worship from being forcefully closed. I am proud to have co-sponsored this crucial bill that keeps Wisconsin moving forward while protecting our individual freedoms.
Nonetheless, the Senate has made some additional changes to AB1. We are doing our due diligence and will review these changes in anticipation of our next floor session.
Vaccine Distribution Update
On Tuesday, I voted for a pair of bills that will tremendously improve our state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution process by removing barriers for healthcare providers and prioritizing the most vulnerable populations.
Assembly Bill 4 increases vaccination opportunities by allowing pharmacy technicians and trained pharmacy students to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. This bill ultimately increases vaccination opportunities and ensures that Wisconsin will not be hindered by a lack of healthcare workers.
Assembly Bill 5 ensures that people over the age of 60 receive the highest priority for vaccination. In addition, AB5 also requires the Department of Health Services to come out with a plan for vaccinating the general population and offer a timeframe for availability by March 15th.
Wolf Harvesting Season
As many of you know, President Trump de-listed the gray wolf this past November, which is a huge win in rural communities like our own. Since the last wolf harvesting season in 2014, Wisconsin’s wolf population has nearly quadrupled. Wisconsin law calls for wolf hunting and trapping season to run from early November to late February. While this change officially took effect on January 4, 2021, Governor Evers’ Department of Natural Resources has yet to initiate the wolf hunt. Last Friday, the DNR rejected Republican legislators' requests to begin the wolf hunt immediately. Instead, wolf harvesting season is set to begin next November.
It's Officially Winter Sports Season In The Northwoods!
(Picture Courtesy of Vilas County News Review)
Recently, I attended the 32nd Annual Badger State Games Torch Ride and Opening Ceremonies and the 58th World Championship Snowmobile Derby in Eagle River! I enjoyed every moment celebrating this classic Northwoods tradition and was happy to see so many familiar faces in the crowd. Congratulations to Blaine Stephenson on making history winning his fourth consecutive championship! Blaine is now in elite company, being only the second racer ever to win four championships.
Also in attendance was two-time World Snowmobile Champion Mike Trapp, who celebrated his 50th anniversary of his first world championship victory by lighting the ceremonial cauldron at the Badger State Games. Thank you, Mike, for all that you’ve down to advance our beloved winter sports and congratulations on your 50th anniversary!
Thank you to all the snowmobilers, engineers, employees, volunteers, and fans who made this weekend such a success. I am looking forward to seeing you all at next year’s World Championship!
(Pictured Left to Right: Congressman Tom Tiffany, Sen. Mary Felzkowski, Rep. Rob Swearingen)
District Meetings
Today, I had the opportunity to meet with Chairman Mark Hartzheim and Senator Mary Felzkowski to discuss issues pertaining to the Town of Minocqua. As always, it was great to get caught up on what's going on in Minocqua and I'm looking forward to working together on important issues in the area.
Staff Changes
(Pictured Left to Right: Legislative Assistant Chris Parnell, Speaker Robin Vos, Rep. Swearingen, Research Assistant Taylor Corkran)
Yesterday, my staff and I had an opportunity to meet with Speaker Robin Vos. We are looking forward to working closely with the Speaker and his office on issues impacting the Northwoods.
I would also like to take the opportunity to introduce our office’s new Legislative Assistant, Chris Parnell. Originally from San Francisco, CA, Chris attended University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in Philosophy and History and has made the Badger State his home ever since. He brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role, having prior experience interning in the state legislature and working with political non-profits and campaigns. Chris is an avid traveler, having visited over twenty states and nearly ten countries. He is beyond excited to begin working with the constituents of the 34th Assembly District!
Welcome to the office, Chris!
Travel Wisconsin Winter Trail Condition Report
While mother nature has not been the kindest to us this year, I am happy to announce that Oneida County snowmobile trails open this week! The trails are not in the best of shape due to lack of snow, but we're still happy that they are open.
This week, the Assembly took an important step to help fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by passing Assembly Bill 1. This bill provides much needed support to hospitals and creates an "all hands on deck" approach to vaccination distribution. It provides liability protections to schools and businesses that could otherwise be the subject of frivolous lawsuits, forces the Governor to create a plan to solve the backlog of unemployment claims, and ensures that families can visit their loved ones in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
As many of you know, President Trump de-listed the gray wolf this past November, which is a huge win in rural communities like our own. Since the last wolf harvesting season in 2014, Wisconsin’s wolf population has nearly quadrupled. Wisconsin law calls for wolf hunting and trapping season to run from early November to late February. While this change officially took effect on January 4, 2021, Governor Evers’ Department of Natural Resources has yet to initiate the wolf hunt. Last Friday, the DNR rejected Republican legislators' requests to begin the wolf hunt immediately. Instead, wolf harvesting season is set to begin next November. 
