This week's survey question

 This week's survey question was submitted by Bob in the Town of Jackson. If you have ideas for survey questions that you would like included in the e-update, do not hesitate to contact me. 

The 2019-21 biennial budget included increases in title and registration fees for automobiles, while simultaneously, increasing funding for local road aids by 10 percent and funding for local road construction by $65 million. Additionally, the budget:

• Added $90 million to the Local Road Improvement Program, which resulted in a tripling of the program
• Appropriated more local road aid than any legislature in history
• And, contained the lowest level of bonding since 2001. 

Beginning October 1, vehicle registration and title fees will increase. 

This week's survey solicits your opinions on how to best increase highway funding. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, individuals with car registrations expiring after September 30, are subject to increased fees. 

The fee increases are as follows:

• The vehicle title fee will increase from $62 to $157
• The fee for transferring a vehicle title after the death of a spouse or partner will also increase from $62 to $157
• For automobiles, the annual registration fee will increase from $75 to $85.
• An annual surcharge of $75 will apply to all hybrid and electric vehicles. 

Please, take a moment to answer my one-question survey on highway funding. 

Click here to take my survey

Highway 33 update

Earlier this week, I participated in a Highway 33 and County Road I Safety Audit meeting with members of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Ozaukee County Sheriff's Department, and architects. The field review was the first step in helping key stakeholders determine additional short-term and long-term solutions for improving safety at this intersection. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in this Safety Audit meeting. Your participation and feedback was insightful and appreciated. According to the engineers working on the project, one accident occurs for every one million vehicles that enter the intersection. Furthermore, 78 percent of all accidents have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. 

Please continue to provide my office with suggestions for improving safety at this intersection. 

Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's survey question relating to Second Amendment issues. In total, 132 individuals took the survey. Results from the survey are as follows: 

First Responder of the Year Award

State Assembly offices are now accepting applications for the First Responder of the Year awards. This week, the Assembly announced a new recognition program for the public servants in our police, fire, and EMS departments. Wisconsinites, including local leaders, are asked to submit nominations for the First Responder of the Year award to their state representative before early September. State representatives will each select a district winner who will be recognized during an October floor session as part of First Responders Appreciation Month.

To nominate an award recipient in the 60th Assembly District, fill out the nomination form that can be found at the following link: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/60/brooks/first-responder-of-the-year-award-nomination-form/

It is important that we honor our first responders who serve and protect our communities every single day. We appreciate their dedication and would like to express our gratitude for putting their lives on the line for the safety of others. 

The nominee can be a police officer or sheriff's deputy, a firefighter or any level of EMS provider. It can also be a paid volunteer public servant. The nomination can be predicated on a variety of factors including a specific heroic action, a significant professional achievement, community work and/or length of service.  

Public Hearing

This week, the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 44, "The School Safety and Protection Act of 2019," that I authored with Senator Duey Stroebel. Several members of the Cedarburg Police and Fire Departments testified on behalf of this legislation. 

In the wake of last year's tragic school shootings, local officials across the nation collaborated with law enforcement and fire officials to develop targeted measures designed to "harden" school facilities and increase the safety students and staff. One strategy promoted by local, state, and federal law enforcement is the employment of barricades and blocking devices that deny room entry to active shooters.

Unfortunately, doors that open outward and into hallways and common areas are difficult to secure against forced entry. There are several commercially available devices on the market today that allow users to turn an outward swinging door into a barricade. Under the current fire code, however, use of these simple, low-cost devices is prohibited. 

Senator Stroebel and I introduced Assembly Bill 44 at the behest of a school district in the 60th Assembly District that expressed interest in employing barricade devices during active shooter drills (for training) and events. These devices were recommended to the district by local law enforcement and fire officials. 

Assembly Bill 44 would allow schools to employ temporary barricade devices if:

• The school obtains approval from local law enforcement and the local fire department.
• The device is removable and unlockable from the outside by use of a special key, tool, or electrical or electronic means.
• The use of the device is specifically outlined in the school's safety plan. 

The United States Department of Homeland Security has included door blockers--temporary barricades--in its list of recommended actions that schools could take to harden facilities and increase safety. 

Thank you to the law enforcement officials from the City of Cedarburg and Ozaukee County, who testified in favor of this legislation.

Testifying on behalf of Assembly Bill 44 before the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

Local law enforcement officials testifying on behalf of Assembly Bill 44.

60th District Events

The following are events that will be held this week in the 60th Assembly District. If you have any upcoming events that you would like included in our e-update, please contact my office. 

Saukville Farmers Market, August 25, Saukville

Unfolding your Wings, August 25, Saukville

Kettle Moraine YMCA 20th Anniversary Celebration Picnic, August 24, Cedarburg

Port Washington Outdoor Farmers Market, August 24, Port Washington

Music by the Lake on the Newport Shores Patio, August 24, Port Washington 

St. John XXIII's Music on the Hill Lunchtime Series featuring Susan DeMarco, August 23, Port Washington

Milwaukee Light Engineering Society Summer Train Rides, August 25, Cedarburg

Junction 45 Music Festival, August 24, West Bend

Stay up to date

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