Thank you for taking the time to read this week's e-update. I always strive to include information you find interesting and informative as it relates to my work in Madison and the 60th Assembly District.
My most important goal remains serving you, my constituents. Helping you find solutions to difficult problems when it seems like the state is unresponsive is the single greatest reward for my staff and me. I take constituents' input seriously and continually work hard on your behalf.
I always have your thoughts and concerns in mind when deciding whether or not to support legislation. Furthermore, I appreciate when you take time out of your schedules to contact me.
Have a great week,
Highway 33-County Road I safety
Last weekend, State Highway 33 and County Road I was the site of another fatal accident. Since the accident, meetings have been taking place and plans are being made for new signage or other methods to immediately improve the safety of those utilizing this intersection.
DOT Secretary-designee Craig Thompson assured me that funds are available and his staff will act quickly to take corrective measures.
In the interim, please realize that this is currently a 55-mile-per-hour intersection located at the bottom of several hills and traffic on Highway 33 often exceeds the speed limit, as a result of gaining momentum going down the hill. Please be patient and allow plenty of time to get through the intersection safely.
I have had multiple conversations with DOT and am taking the severity of this situation seriously. DOT has agreed to provide my office with frequent updates as new information becomes available. Together, with DOT and our local partners, I am confident that we will find a solution to increase public safety at this intersection.
Please, take a minute to answer my one-question survey relating to future plans for the intersection. If you have additional feedback or would like to discuss your suggestions in greater detail, please contact my office.
Your input is crucial in improving our community's safety.
Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's survey question regarding CWD research studies by private deer farms. In total, 96 individuals responded to the survey, with 52 percent opposed to taking $100,000 from the DNR license fee generated by the hunting and fishing account, to support CWD resistance research studies conducted by private deer farms. Conversely, 41 percent believe these funds should be used to support CWD research. Just 7 percent responded "other."
Some of the responses from those who selected "other", are as follows:
"The private deer farms should be required to do the testing themselves."
"Allow the scientists at DNR to determine how best to spend research dollars."
"Let the professionals at DNR decide the focus and scope of agency research."
Local Transportation Aid
If you recall, from last week's e-update, Governor Tony Evers vetoed the $90 million local road aids by $15 million and erased the restrictions on the grants, allowing them to be better allocated for transit and transportation needs. We know that our roadways need the help and these dollars were going to grants in the Local Road Improvement Program.
What is even more troubling is the fact that Governor Evers' veto removes limitations on where and how these dollars can be used, and instead authorizes the Department of Transportation to determine and prioritize the most "critical transit and transportation needs, which could end up being bicycle and pedestrian path--and not roads.
It is simply ludicrous that the governor would turn his back on Wisconsin drivers everywhere and allow these local road grants to go to transit, bike paths, and other projects. We need these dollars to fix roads and bridges.
Established in 1991, the Local Roads Improvement Program has been assisting local governments in fixing seriously deteriorating county highways, town roads and city and village streets. However, Governor Evers' veto essentially created a slush fund where the money could be used to improve transit services in Milwaukee and Madison rather than repair our roads in other areas of the state--the exact purpose for which the program was designed.
This week, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that local governments can soon apply for the aforementioned transportation grants and opened up the possibility that these dollars can be used for the streetcar in Milwaukee.
Due to concerns of a partial veto override, Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation have stated that the money designated for local transportation will not be used for the Milwaukee trolley.
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.
One of the best ways to date with what is happening in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking system. This service affords you with the opportunity to track legislative activities in Madison. Upon creation of a free account, you can sign up to receive notification about specific bills of committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject (i.e., health care, education, etc.).
If you have any comments regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Rep. Rob Brooks State Capitol, Room 216 North P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0060 or (608) 267-2369 Rep.Rob.Brooks@legis.wi.gov| |
