The Assembly wrapped up its legislative session this week with two final floor sessions. With a record low unemployment rate, the lowest tax burden in fifty years, and a rainy day fund projected to exceed $1 billion, the state of Wisconsin’s economy is strong. I am proud to have supported the conservative 2019-2021 state budget that invested record amounts into our schools and roads, cut taxes by over $500 million for our hardworking middle class, and increased health care access and affordability. We increased funding for broadband expansion infrastructure grants, ensuring that more communities throughout Wisconsin receive access to high-speed, reliable internet. We passed a package of legislation related to protecting Wisconsin’s ground and surface water. And we passed two middle class tax cuts, letting you keep more of your hard-earned money in your own pocket. Despite operating under divided government, I am encouraged by the fact that more than 90% of the bills approved in the Assembly received bipartisan support. Wisconsin is in great shape, and the Northwoods continues to be one of the best places to live, work and raise a family.
Middle Class Tax Cut
The Assembly and Senate passed Senate Bill 821, a $250 million bipartisan tax relief bill that will return excess surplus funds back to hardworking taxpayers. The bill will also pay down state debt, reduce personal property taxes, and make a rainy day fund deposit. Combining the two middle-class tax cuts passed by the legislature this session, the average filer will save around $300. The bill now heads to Governor Evers’ desk, and it is my hope that he will sign it into law.
Assembly Floor Sessions
Here are a few other highlights of bills passed during this week’s floor sessions:
Assembly Joint Resolution 77:Relating to: A Convention of the States for one or more Constitutional amendments restraining abuses of power by the federal government.
Assembly Bill 114:Relating to: A registration and regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, drug pricing transparency, granting rule-making authority, and providing a penalty.
Assembly Bill 790:Relating to: County conservation staffing and making an appropriation.
Assembly Bill 736:Relating to: Town zoning in shorelands, the scope of county shoreland zoning ordinances, and authorizing partial county zoning.
Assembly Bill 551:Relating to: The presumption of riparian rights on navigable waterways.
Assembly Bill 816:Relating to: Incorporating the Holocaust and other genocides into the state model social studies standards and requiring instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides.
Assembly Bill 841:Relating to: Allowing discounts for prompt payment of health care fees.
Senate Bill 559: Relating to: Bid requirements for public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts. I offered an amendment to this bill that was subsequently adopted to address the issue of PFAS contaminants in Wisconsin. The amendment provides funding to aid in the clean up of PFAS and provide clean water to residents living in an area with PFAS contamination. It also requires the Department of Natural Resources to establish uniform testing and lab certification guidelines for testing PFAS, and directs the University of Wisconsin to study PFAS and report to the legislature.
Rep. Swearingen speaking on the Assembly floor.
Congratulations to the UW-Madison Badgers Football Team
I was proud to support Assembly Joint Resolution 121: Congratulating the University of Wisconsin-Madison Badgers football team on a great season and winning the Big Ten West Division game against the Minnesota Gophers. Looking forward to more success next year!
Representative Swearingen and Representative Wittke with UW-Madison Badgers football players upon passage of the resolution.
Assembly Committee on State Affairs
The Committee on State Affairs, which I chair, held an executive session this week to pass the following pieces of legislation:
Assembly Bill 895: Relating to: construction of or improvements to indoor, athletic or aquatic athletic facilities, granting bonding authority, and making an appropriation.
Assembly Bill 896: Relating to: body cameras on law enforcement officers.
Rep. Swearingen chairing the Assembly Committee on State Affairs.
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association
As a member of Wisconsin’s State Building Commission, I had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Associations to discuss a building project related to UW-Madison’s Center for Dairy Research. Wisconsin’s dairy industry is an integral part of our state’s economy, and I look forward to seeing UW-Madison continue to be a leader in dairy research.
Rep. Swearingen with representatives of the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Associations. Thanks for stopping by.
Travel Wisconsin Snow Report
To keep up to date with the snow conditions and trail openings around the state for snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding, check out Travel Wisconsin's Snow Report.
Community Events
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