Building Commission Meeting at Wisconsin State Fair
On August 7, the Wisconsin State Building Commission held its monthly meeting at the Wisconsin State Fair to discuss administrative and UW-System building projects. The higher education subcommittee, which I serve as vice-chair, discussed several projects for the UW-System.
The projects that were approved by the higher education subcommittee include:
UW-Madison land purchase, which will house a new academic/research facilities and a parking ramp;
Renovations to UW-Oshkosh Albee Kinesiology Hall and Harrington Hall Geology Lab;
UW-Stevens Point science building renovation, which will increase accessibility to and within classrooms;
Other various maintenance and repair projects to UW-System facilities.
After the higher education subcommittee meeting, the full commission met and approved projects from both the administrative affairs subcommittee and the higher education subcommittee. In addition to the items mentioned above, the commission also approved the following items from the administrative affairs subcommittee:
Authority to construct maintenance and repair projects for the State Capitol Building;
Construct facility maintenance and repair to the Department of Natural Resources for Devil’s Lake State Park and Grand River Marsh and Wildlife Area;
Authority for the Department of Transportation to construct maintenance and repair to Onalaska and West Bend DMV Service Centers;
Authority to construct a new fire sprinkler system for the Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center at State Fair Park.
Full Building Commission Meeting at the State Fair
The Building Commission is a bipartisan, eight-member body chaired by Governor Evers, along with six legislators and a citizen member. The group's mission is to plan, oversee, and approve building projects around the state.
The Wisconsin State Fair runs until August 11. If you plan on visiting Milwaukee or want to know more information please visit https://wistatefair.com/fair/.
Rep. Swearingen with Governor Evers promoting a Wisconsin State Fair tradition, cream puffs.
Rep. Swearingen with RJ Binau. RJ is the Deputy Administrator to the Department of Administrations Division of Facilities Development and Management.
Always great to see UW-Systems President Ray Cross.
Got a chance to see the Wisconsin Department of Tourism booth. Regional Tourism Specialist Drew Nussbaum was there hard at work.
Welcome our Intern Mike Kowalski
Joining us as an intern for a couple of weeks from Representative Summerfield’s office is Mike Kowalski. From the city of South Milwaukee, Mike is a senior double majoring in economics with a math emphasis and history at UW-Madison. His family has a cabin in Woodboro, so he has been coming to the district all his life. After finishing his bachelor's degree, he will attend law school at a school to be determined.
Welcome to the office, Mike!
Congratulations to Speaker Vos on becoming NCSL President
Speaker Robin Vos became the 47th president of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) at the annual Legislative Summit in Nashville. I along with many of my colleagues in the Assembly had the chance to attend the summit.
This year, over 6,000 legislators and staff were in attendance for the Legislative Summit, the largest and most substantive meeting of its kind in the nation. More than 200 organizations including federal and state local government agencies; trade associations; interest groups; and consulting firms make up the exhibition.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves legislators and staff of states, commonwealth, and territories. They provide research, technical assistance, and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of states.
Speaker Robin Vos speaking at the NCSL Summit in Nashville.
NCSL President Speaker Robin Vos alongside new Staff Chair Martha Wigton from Georgia.
Wisconsin was well represented at NCSL.
DNR Update
The 2019 fall deer hunt is just around the corner!
Operation Deer Watch, an annual citizen-science survey that collects information on Wisconsin’s white-tailed deer is now underway.
DNR will be expanding the Adopt-a-Dumpster and Adopt-a-Kiosk programs in 2019 to offer more residents, organizations and businesses across the state the chance to support deer hunters having their deer tested for CWD and to help prevent the spread of the disease.
The Department is urging the public to be aware of recent online hunting and fishing license scams. The DNR is aware of at least two websites appearing to offer fishing or hunting licenses. After paying a fee, consumers only receive information on how to apply for a hunting or fishing license. These sites also collect sensitive personal data as part of their unauthorized transactions.
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
