The Assembly convened for a floor session this week to debate and vote on several pieces of legislation. Here are a few of the bills that I am proud to have voted in support of:
Senate Bill 266: Relating to requiring political subdivisions and Marquette University to pay health insurance premiums for survivors of a law enforcement officer who dies in the line of duty and making an appropriation.
Senate Bill 433: Relating to designating the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial Highway and directional signage for the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial and Education Center.
Assembly Bill 469: Relating to a non-refundable volunteer fire fighters and emergency responders tax credit.
Assembly Bill 471: Relating to grants for Next Generation 911 and granting rule-making authority.
Assembly Bill 472: Relating to an exception from local levy limits for certain amounts levied for charges assessed by a joint emergency medical services department.
First Responder of the Year Award
I was honored to present Jim Javenkoski with a citation from the legislature in recognition of his service to the Rhinelander area as a first responder and volunteer fire fighter with the Pine Lake Fire Department. Jim was honored during the Assembly floor session along with other first responders from across Wisconsin. On behalf of the 34th Assembly District I would like to thank Jim again for his selfless service and sacrifice to keep our residents and community safe. Thank you to all our great first responders for the important work you do everyday.
Rep. Swearingen presenting Jim Javenkoski with the First Responder of the Year Award on behalf of the State Legislature.
All of the First Responder of the Year Award recipients being honored in the Assembly Chambers.
Rep. Swearingen Supports F-35 Base in Wisconsin
This week, Representative Swearingen proudly voted in support for Wisconsin to be the home of next generation freedom fighting aircraft. The Air Force has selected Truax Field in Madison as the preferred location for Air National Guard F-35s. The mission is estimated to have an over $3 billion impact ranging from improvements to the Dane County Airport to numerous construction jobs. Bringing the F-35s to Wisconsin will help the long-term viability of the military bases already in the state.
Northwood's Economic Development Tour
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to join Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes as they toured Nicolet College and Printpack in Rhinelander. It was great to speak with local business leaders, as well as members of Grow North Regional Economic Development Corporation and the Oneida and Vilas County Economic Development Corporations respectively. I would like to thank Nicolet College and Printpack for their continued investment in the Northwoods.
Rep. Swearingen with Governor Evers and Printpack Production Manager Scott Hetland.
Printpack Plant Manager Pat Marquardt presented those in attendance with a great overview of Printpack's operations.
Rep. Swearingen with Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes (Center) and Oneida County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Stacey Johnson (Left).
Local business leaders and members of Grow North along with Oneida and Vilas County Economic Development Corporations discussing Northwoods issues with new WEDC CEO Missy Hughes.
Building Commission Briefing
As a member of the State Building Commission, I recently received my monthly briefing on proposed State and UW-System building projects throughout Wisconsin. The Building Commission will convene next week to vote on the proposed projects.
Rep. Swearingen being briefed by DOA Administrator of Division of Facilities Development and Management Naomi De Mers (Center) and Deputy Administrator RJ Binau (Left).
2019 Wisconsin Ring-necked Pheasant Season Opens Oct. 19
MADISON, Wis. - The fall Wisconsin pheasant hunting season opens statewide at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, and will run through Jan. 5, 2020.
Several other seasons also open that day, including bobwhite quail, Hungarian partridge and ruffed grouse in Zone B. Like pheasant, the bobwhite quail and Hungarian partridge seasons open at 9 a.m. The ruffed grouse season opens at the start of legal shooting hours.
"Pheasant hunting offers a fantastic means to experience the outdoors, and it complements the other upland bird hunting opportunities in Wisconsin very well," Department of Natural Resources Upland Wildlife Ecologist Mark Wietcha said. "Pheasant hunting offers the chance to explore landscapes and habitat types you might not otherwise see."
Pheasants are one of the most sought-after game birds in North America, and populations do best in the agricultural landscape of southern and western Wisconsin, provided there is habitat present in sufficient quantities to meet their food and cover needs throughout the year, according to Witecha.
In addition to existing wild pheasant hunting opportunities, DNR wildlife management staff plan to release approximately 80,000 pheasants from the state game farm on more than 100 public hunting grounds, slightly more than were released in 2018. Pheasants raised by conservation clubs as part of the Day-old Chick Program will also be released this fall.
The 2019 spring pheasant surveys in Wisconsin show that pheasant abundance is above the five-year average with the highest pheasant detection rate in the northwestern part of the state. The average number of pheasants detected during each stop was up 0.64 pheasants per stop compared to 0.59 pheasants in 2018.
To pursue wild pheasants, hunters should look for areas that contain adequate winter cover, such as cattail marshes and dense brush, intermixed with cropland, hay and idle grasslands that provide food and nesting cover. It will be necessary for hunters to identify areas with high-quality habitat, concentrating their hunting efforts in those areas, according to Witecha. Hunters are reminded to be polite and notify the landowner before hunting on private property open to public hunting as part of the Volunary Public Access program.
During the 2018 pheasant hunting season, an estimated 50,831 hunters went out in search of pheasants and reported harvesting approximately 403,766 birds. The top counties for harvest included Kenosha, Jefferson and Waukesha.
The Mentored Hunting Program allows any hunter, born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, to obtain a hunting license and hunt without first completing Hunter Education, provided they hunt with a mentor and comply with all the requirements under the program. For additional information and the requirements of the program, visit the DNR website and search the keyword "mentored hunting."
Wisconsin's pheasant stamp program uses funds derived from stamp sales to create and maintain the habitat required for pheasants to survive and reproduce year-round. For more information on the pheasant stamp program, go to the DNR website and search keyword "stamps."
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