E-Update: Session in Review & Tax Information
While the wheels of government can seem to move slow, I'm pleased to share that I've been able to help speed those wheels up down in Madison again this session. I've been proud to continue my role as the Chairman of the Forestry, Parks & Outdoor Recreation Committee where I helped review and...
E-Update: Reading Test Bill & Newsletter
Sometimes in the Legislature, we come across a law that has been on the books for a while but no longer makes sense or has become outdated and needs to be updated or corrected. That's what happened with the Foundations of Reading Test law in Wisconsin. Since 2014, people applying for an initial...
End of Session Newsletter
When the 2021-2022 Legislative Session began, there was a lot of uncertainty about what the
next two years would look like. The country had gone through a tumultuous election and we
were still battling a pandemic, which was impacting our economy and collective well-being. As
I do at the start of...
E-Update: Bills Signed & Redistricting Update
In another testament to my efforts this session, Governor Evers recently signed three more of my bills into law. At this time, I've had 9 bills signed into law this session and a few more still awaiting his signature, which is quite an accomplishment when you have a Republican majority in the...
E-Update: Taxpayer Savings & Upcoming Newsletter
At the end of every legislative session I like to mail out a newsletter to share a summary of what I’ve worked on in Madison. While it doesn't cover all my bills and votes, it's a nice brief update that lets me share the major items that have been accomplished...
E-Update: Redistricting Ruling & Esports
Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued its long-awaited ruling on the state's Legislative and Congressional redistricting maps. The court ruled in favor of Governor Evers' submitted maps as they stated that they reflected the 'least change' and largely preserve the current...
E-Update: Oconto County Leadership & Final Five Voting
This week, participants in the Leadership Oconto County program made the trip down to Madison to meet with legislators and officials from all levels of state government. I was pleased to be able to meet with the group again this year and enjoyed our discussions on the legislative process, state...
E-Update: Mursau Bills Pass & PFAS Testing
This week was a busy week in Madison, with three session days that were kicked off by the State of the Tribes address, given by Shannon Holsey, President of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band. I was pleased to hear the personal insights she shared into Wisconsin's state-tribal relations, especially as...
E-Update: Evers' Speech, Stronger Workforce & Elections
In the State of the State Address this week (which can be read here), Governor Evers doubled down on his plan to use a portion of the projected budget surplus to send Wisconsinites $150 checks, a $1.7 billion plan which has not been warmly received by many in the 36th Assembly District...
E-Update: Financial Literacy & Gender Program Votes
I've always said that hearing from residents of the 36th Assembly District has an important role in the legislative process, and this week only highlighted that. In past weeks, I've had questions of the week on two different bills that were introduced and up for consideration, Assembly Bill (AB)...
E-Update: Bill Signing & School Gender Programs
I'm proud to share that this week, two bills that I worked on for many months this session were just signed into law. It's taken a lot of work and many long hours, but it's great to see it has all paid off and that I was able to create legislation that could bridge the partisan divide currently...
E-Update: Budget Surplus & $150 Checks
Each January, to keep track of how our state is doing, the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) does a review of the state budget and publishes the findings for the Legislature and public. This year, we've got some good news coming out of that review. Based on their analysis of spending...
E-Update: Law Enforcement, Restaurants & Savings Accounts
As you may remember, a few weeks ago I mentioned a package of bills that was introduced to help support our struggling law enforcement departments. These days, local departments are facing staffing issues, and are stretched then while facing an increase in crimes. Wisconsin sadly has outpaced the...
E-Update: Assembly Vote & ACT/SAT Tests
Next week will be a busy one down in Madison. We'll be voting on a long list of bills on Thursday in the Assembly. We will start off by recognizing the victims of the attack on Pearl Harbor and, more recently, the attack on the Waukesha Christmas Parade and then proceed to vote on a long list of...
E-Update: Law Enforcement & Restoring Voting Rights
Law enforcement personnel play an essential role in enforcing our state's laws, maintaining public order, and managing public safety. However, we currently only have 13,576 law enforcement officers in Wisconsin....
E-Update: Christmas, Forestry & Financial Literacy
Christmas is almost here, and from my family to yours, I wish you a very peaceful and bright time this Christmas, and a prosperous New Year. This past year has been full of many new challenges, but we've persevered and come out stronger for it, and for that I believe we have good reason to...
E-Update: Lena Centennial & Drunk Driving
In addition to the many listening sessions Senator Felzkowski and I had around the district this week, I was proud to be a part of the Village of Lena's Centennial Celebration Kick-Off Event this past Monday. Lena has quite the interesting history, going back all the way to 1870s when Swiss and...
E-Update: Listening Sessions & Firearm Law
Join me and Senator Mary Felzkowski next week as we travel around the 36th Assembly District for a number of listening sessions. While I'm always happy to hear from folks through phone calls, letters and emails, these listening sessions are a great opportunity to hear from you directly about your...
E-Update: Capitol Christmas Tree & Vandalism Bill
Every year, the Wisconsin State Capitol puts up a Christmas Tree in the rotunda to celebrate the holiday and bring joy to visitors. This tradition has been going on for over a century, with communities around the state donating a tree to be displayed in the State Capitol...
E-Update: New District Maps & Solar Farms
Every ten years after the Census, state Legislatures are tasked with redrawing legislative and congressional district maps to reflect population changes. As someone living in a district that had major changes when redistricting happened in 2011, I can understand the challenges and worries that...
E-Update: Fighting for Forestry & Veterans
I've mentioned two important forestry bills I've been working on recently in my earlier e-updates. This week, both the Timber Direct Sale Threshold bill and the bill to help the Verso and Park Falls paper mills took another step forward in the legislative process with Public Hearings in the ...
E-Update: Supporting Forestry & First Responders
You'll likely remember from last week's e-update celebrating Forest Products Week the importance of forestry to our state. Wisconsin’s forest products industry has an economic impact of over $24 billion and supports 64,000 full and part-time jobs in the state and impacts all 72 counties...
E-Update: Bovid Bill & Upcoming Assembly Votes
This week, my Farm-Raised Game Bovid Bill (Assembly Bill 598/Senate Bill 563) in the Sporting Freedom Package took another step towards the Governor's desk. The Senate Committee on Sporting Heritage, Small Business and Rural Issues held a public hearing on the bill, where I joined Senator Testin...
E-Update: Sporting Freedom & First Responder Announced
This week, I joined a group of my fellow Republican colleagues from the Senate and Assembly to announce the Wisconsin Sporting Freedom Package of 13 bills to preserve and enhance our state's rich sporting heritage. This package of bills highlights the economic relationship and historic partnership t
E-Update: ATV Speed Limits, Cybersecurity & Housing
Our outdoor trails and parks regularly draw locals and tourists to the Northwoods to enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities. One of the few good things that came out of COVID-19 is that we've seen an increase in people getting outdoors to hike, hunt, bike or ride ATVs and UTVs...
E-Update: ABLE Accounts, Timber Sales & WI Constitutional Amendment
This session, I've worked with a number of legislators on an important bill that I believe will help individuals with disabilities improve their financial situations and options. Individuals with disabilities are unfortunately told to keep assets under $2,000 or they will loose access to Medicaid...
E-Update: First Responders & Drivers Road Tests
My office is now accepting nominations for the 2021 First Responder of the Year Award from the 36th Assembly District. This award highlights and recognizes the brave work our emergency service providers do for our communities. Our first responders play an essential role in protecting...
E-Update: Tribal Relations Bills & Wolf Hunt
This week, I spoke before the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee during the Public Hearing to support two bills that came out of the Special Committee on State-Tribal Relations that I chaired, Senate Bills 419 and 420. These bills were crafted after hearing from members of the public...
E-Update: Remembering 9/11 & Blue Book Pre-Orders
It feels like almost everyone of a certain age can remember where they were on September 11, 2001, though for the younger generation it is something they learn about in history class. That tragic day lives on in our memories, and this Saturday marks the 20th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks...
E-Update: Outdoor Recreation & Vaccination
This Thursday, I appreciated the chance to hear from the Department of Tourism at our Forestry, Parks & Outdoor Recreation Committee Informational Hearing. The Department of Tourism shared an update from their Office of Outdoor Recreation that was created in the 2019/21 budget and renewed...
E-Update: Tribal Relations & Organ Donation
As you may have been aware, I was once again honored to serve as the chair of the Special Committee on State Tribal Relations. The special committee is directed to study issues relating to American Indians, tribes and bands in Wisconsin to develop specific recommendations and proposals related to...
E-Update: Draw Your District & Veteran Resources
Every ten years, once the Wisconsin legislature receives the federal Census data, we are responsible for drawing new district boundaries to reflect updated population changes. Our state Constitution requires that these lines are drawn through the legislative process, but it doesn't mean we can't...
E-Update: E-Cycle Bill Signed & Unconscious Pelvic Exams
Earlier this session, I shared a bit about a bill I'd been working on which made a number of updates to help improve Wisconsin Electronic Recycling (E-Cycle) Program. While the program has been highly successful and has set a standard for other states to follow, there are still too many outdated...
E-Update: Budget Resources & Lifetime Restraining Orders
This week, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) has published a helpful document that describes each of the sections of the state budget signed into law, including all financial modifications recommended by the Governor and Legislature. It's a great way to get a better idea of what work was done...
E-Update: Workforce Recovery & Opioid Settlement
This Tuesday, July 27, I was in Madison for the Assembly session to override Governor Evers' veto of Assembly Bill 336, the bill that ends the supplemental federal unemployment benefits that folks are receiving in addition to their regular unemployment benefit in Wisconsin. The bill was...
E-Update: Shoreland Zoning & Social Media Censorship
This week, I was in Madison to attend a public hearing in the Senate for one of my bills, Senate Bill 387, which would make changes to county shoreland zoning ordinances relating to fences near public highways. The Assembly companion bill (AB 387) received a public hearing a couple weeks ago...
E-Update: Honoring EMTs & GI Bill Changes
This week, I had the opportunity to honor one of our dedicated volunteer Emergency Responders up in the Townsend and Lakewood area. Carla Van Camp is one of the many dedicated EMTs in our district who has given years of her life to help care for and serve her community...
E-Update: Governor Signs Budget & Republican Tax Cut
I'm pleased to share that this week, the state budget has been signed into law as 2021 Wisconsin Act 58 after being passed by both the Assembly and Senate with a historic bipartisan vote. It received 64 votes in the Assembly and 23 in the Senate, marking the most votes in favor of a state budget...
E-Update: 4th of July & Budget Survey Results
Benjamin Franklin once said "Where liberty dwells, there is my country," and I believe that is as true then as it is now. This year marks 245 years of American Independence, so however you celebrate, keep in mind those that came before as you enjoy the liberty and freedom you have today...
E-Update: Budget Vote & Minimum Wage
The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has recently finished their work on revising the Governor's 2021-23 budget proposal, and the amended budget is heading for an Assembly vote this coming Tuesday, June 29th. With each state budget, the version introduced by the Governor always looks different than...
E-Update: Historic Middle Class Tax Cut & School Funding
For the past decade, we have passed responsible budgets with the goal of reducing the tax burden on Wisconsin citizens. Earlier this week, after the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau reported that Wisconsin would see $4.4 billion more than expected in revenues, and so we decided that those...
E-Update: Road Funding & Electric Vehicle Sales
This week, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) worked on transportation funding proposals to include in the budget. Our local and state roads play a major role in our communities and economy, so we have to make sure we are thinking of the big picture and how these funds will impact our communities...
E-Update: Latest Budget Update & Unemployment Audit
This week, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) held an executive session to vote on a number of budget provisions. Each budget session, the JFC reviews budget provisions from the Governor’s budget, as well as motions submitted by legislators. The bipartisan committee reviews the provisions and...
E-Update: Joint Finance Update & UW COVID Policy
This week, the Joint Finance Committee met to work on a number of budget items in the K-12 funding section. Prior to the pandemic, state school aid was at historic levels. Now, federal Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds far exceed traditional state support dwarfing the...
E-Update: Tech Caucus & Length of Service Budget Motion
This week, the members of the Wisconsin Tech Caucus met for the first time. This caucus was created in 2020, and I'm proud to be one of the legislators serving in this group, which aims to work along bipartisan lines to bring ideas and information on technological innovation to the attention of...
E-Update: Assembly Session & Question of the Week
This week, the Assembly was in session and passed a number of bills to improve election integrity and protect children and seniors in Wisconsin. One of the election integrity bills addresses the issue of private organizations providing funding directly to local governments to help administer...
E-Update: Session & Online Budget Survey
This upcoming Tuesday, the Assembly will hold a floor session to vote on a number of important bills, including ones dealing with elder abuse, financial exploitation, and child protection. Making sure those who are most vulnerable to exploitation are protected by the law is something I think we...
E-Update: Committee Updates & Grant Opportunity
This week, I was in Madison for an Education Committee meeting. Following a public hearing and executive session, the committee had the chance to hear from the Department of Public Instruction and the Legislative Fiscal Bureau on the issue of school funding and the counting of students...
Special Notice: Paddlewheel Bill Hearing Announced
Last session, I'd worked with Rep. Murphy and Senator Jacque on a bill that would legalize the use of paddlewheel raffles for local fundraising events like meat raffles, as they currently are illegal. While unfortunately the bill did not get signed into law last session, because of the continued...
E-Update: Budget Hearings & Vetoed Relief Package
In my last e-update, I talked about the Relief Plan that the legislature passed which would provide transparency and requirements for how the Governor uses the discretionary funds given to Wisconsin under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The federal ARPA relief package provides $3.2 billion...
E-Update: Federal Relief & Holocaust Education
In a past e-update, I mentioned that the legislature passed the Truth in Spending Act, which would have created Legislative oversight of federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Sadly, Governor Evers vetoed the Truth in Spending Act, however Republicans have crafted a federal aid...
E-Update: Senate Hearings & Upcoming Budget Survey
This week was a busy week for committee meetings in Madison, and it definitely kept me on my feet around the building. In addition to regular hearings and executive sessions for committees I serve on, such as the Agriculture Committee and the Education Committee, a number of my bills also received p
E-Update: Bill Updates & Vaccine Expansion
Next week, three of the bills I've been working on this session will be having Public Hearings, where members of the public can share their thoughts and testimony on the proposals. These Public Hearings are an important part of the process, as they allow the committee members reviewing...
E-Update: Limiting Government Overreach & Listening Sessions
This week, the Assembly was in session on Tuesday to debate and vote on a number of important bills, including Senate Bill (SB) 183, which makes sure federal COVID-19 relief funds are properly accounted for and used responsibly. Under current law, the governor has sole discretion of spending of...
E-Update: Vote Recap & In-District Listening Sessions
The State Assembly was in session twice this week, and a number of great bills were brought forward and passed. The bills ranged from protecting Wisconsinites with pre-existing medical conditions to supporting our sporting heritage. A few of note include...
E-Update: Budget, Floor Session & More
With the budget work in full swing, legislators want to know your priorities for the state budget. To that end, the Joint Finance Committee (budget committee) is holding four committee listening sessions throughout the state. The Joint Finance Committee listening session schedule is...
E-Update: Vaccine & Unemployment Update
Finding information about the COVID-19 vaccine and figuring out what locations are offering vaccinations has been a challenge for many folks around the 36th Assembly District. I have been working with our counties and the DHS to help address shortcomings that have been brought up, and will...
E-Update: Modernizing the Unemployment System
Last week, the State Assembly unanimously passed a bill, Special Session Senate Bill 1, during special session that directs Governor Evers to modernize unemployment insurance (UI) information technology systems (IT). Unemployment delays have been causing troubles for folks all around Wisconsin...
E-Update: Budget Reflection & Small Business Support
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit folks hard, and while the federal Paycheck Protection Program loans have been able to help many local businesses, an issue has come up that's putting these local businesses in a difficult position. Last spring, the federal CARES Act created the Paycheck Protection...
E-Update: Mask Mandate & COVID Package Update
Yesterday, I joined my Assembly colleagues in Madison to continue our work on the COVID relief bill, Assembly Bill (AB) 1. The bill has taken some effort to get agreement between both the Assembly and Senate, but I do hope we've finally come to an agreement on its amendments. In our Assembly...
E-Update: Floor Session & COVID Vaccine Update
This week has been quite busy in the Legislature, with two Assembly floor sessions and some important issues up for debate and a vote. On Tuesday, the Assembly considered the COVID-19 Relief Bill, Assembly Bill (AB) 1, as amended by the Senate. My colleagues and I in the Assembly restored some...
E-Update: State of the State & Vaccines
This week, Governor Evers delivered the annual State of the State address, which was pre-recorded and delivered virtually to the Wisconsin Legislature. We've faced a lot of unique problems in Wisconsin recently as a result of the pandemic, and just last week I voted in favor of a new COVID-19....
E-Update: Inauguration & New COVID Bill
This Monday, I was sworn into office for another two year term at the start of the 105th Assembly Legislative Session. With COVID-19 still very much present in our state, I observed CDC social distancing guidance as I took the oath of office during the ceremony on Monday. I look forward to...
Representative Mursau Sworn into Office for Another Two-Year Term
Representative Jeff Mursau (R–Crivitz) was sworn into office for another two-year term in the 105th Wisconsin State Legislature. Rep. Mursau took the oath of office at a ceremony in the Assembly chambers Monday afternoon, which observed the CDC social distancing guidelines...