Capitol Update |
Welcome to my first e-news! I plan to keep you updated on
state issues every other week or so, via my e-newsletter. Former
Representative Michelle Litjens gave me her mailing list, so
that's why many of you are receiving this. If you don't want to
get my e-news, click unsubscribe. My priority is serving my
constituents, and I want to be of help to you and your family.
If you have a problem involving a state agency, please let me
know and I will do what I can to get you a clear answer. I
hope you'll feel free to contact me with questions or comments on state issues that matter
to you. I truly hope you'll call on me when you read news
stories or talk with friends about an issue and want further
information to help you make your own decisions on policy.
You'll find my office contact information at the bottom of this
e-news. |
Inauguration 2013 |
Inauguration for the 2013-2014 legislative
session was held on Monday, January 7th. I was honored and
humbled as I took the oath of office to uphold the Wisconsin and
U.S. Constitutions as your voice in state government. My
wonderful children, wife, mom and brother joined me for this
special occasion.
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Left to right: Daughter Sara, Rep.
Murphy, wife Lynn, mom Beatrice, son Patrick |
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Rep. Murphy and his brother, Jerry |
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Assembly Committee
Assignments |
This session, my committee assignments are as
follows:
In addition to researching all proposed
legislation, I will be especially involved with any introduced
bills that come to my committees. Assembly standing committees
have also been assigned a section of the Administrative Code to
comb through in an effort to weed out old our outdated code and
clean up that portion of our state law. More on this effort,
called Right the Rules, in my next update.
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Priority #1: Regulation of
Iron Mining in Wisconsin |
Assembly Bill 1/Senate Bill 1 are identical
proposals to regulate iron mining (ferrous mining) for the first
time in the history of Wisconsin.
Iron mining differs from sulfide or non-ferrous
mining in one significant way; iron mining uses water and
magnets to separate the iron ore, not chemicals. I usually don't
like more regulation, but in this case I think it makes good
sense. We need to make sure our environment is protected,
maintained and reclaimed, and we also should consider the future
of mining and how those 100 years worth of jobs can stabilize
our Wisconsin families, especially those in the economically
depressed north. Even if this bill becomes law, a prospective
company needs to satisfy state and federal requirements and
decide if it's cost effective to proceed.
On February 2nd, I am joining several other
legislators on a tour of the proposed mine site so many are
talking about, near Hurley. I want to see the area firsthand,
and learn about the vision of what a ferrous mine might look
like if one eventually is built in that area.
You can read the bill
here and I
recommend you look at the
plain language explanation of the
bill which was written by the non-partisan Legislative
Council.
For further information, the Wisconsin
Geological and Natural History Survey provides objective,
scientific informational maps and reports about the geology and
mineral resources of Wisconsin.
The Survey has a website,
http://wisconsingeologicalsurvey.org/iron-mining-in-wisconsin.htm,
that contains downloadable publications, fact sheets and links
on mining.
Anyone can express their views on this proposal
by attending hearings, emailing any member of the legislature,
calling a legislative office, or by sending a letter.
Communicating in any of these ways holds the same weight...you
don't have to be at a hearing to have your voice heard.
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My Madison Office |
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I live in Greenville, but have an
office in the State Capitol in Madison. If you are in
downtown Madison, please feel free to stop in and say
hello! Just go to the information desk in the rotunda,
and they can direct you on how to find my office, 304
North. At the bottom of each e-news, you'll see my
office contact information.
When you call my state office number, you'll usually be
greeted by my staffer, Diane Handrick. Diane has nearly
14 years of legislative experience and has worked for
four previous representatives. She grew up in Superior,
and has a degree in English from St. Catherine
University in St. Paul, MN.
Diane can help with questions on legislation, cutting
through government red tape, and general information on
state agencies, Wisconsin law, and how to get help for
you or your family.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I look
forward to a productive and informative legislative
session!
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