CONSIDINE CONNECTS

Capitol Updates from State Rep. Dave Considine

June 19, 2015

Dear friend,

 

I hope this finds you well. This summer is already a busy and exciting one for the 81st District. Locally, our Baraboo
T-Birds baseball team finished a historic season at the state tournament, and many communities are enjoying summer art fairs, concerts, and more. In Madison, the budget process continues with discussion and debate on transportation funding and the Bucks arena.

 

As always, if you have any questions, thoughts, or concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime. My email is Rep.Considine@legis.wisconsin.gov, or you can give my office a call at (608) 266-7746 or send a letter to PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708. I would be glad to hear from you!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Rep. Dave Considine

81st Assembly District

 


 

In this issue:

  • State Budget Update: What's the delay?

  • Wine Walks: What they are, what's happening and how you can help

State Budget Update: What's the delay?

As you may know, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has not met since May 29th - nearly a month ago. In that time, members of Republican leadership have been unable to come to an agreement on two key pieces of the budget: transportation funding and the Milwaukee Bucks arena.

 

While we wait for these issues to be resolved, I have been working hard with my Democratic colleagues to discuss various options for amending some of the most concerning proposals in the budget. Restoring support for our public schools and educators is one of my top priorities, along with removing the recent changes to tenure in the UW System. These, along with so many other budget provisions, need to be fixed, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to try and do just that. If you have any questions or comments on any part of the budget process, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email: Rep.Considine@legis.wisconsin.gov or (608) 266-7746.

 

Wine Walks

This week, I sat down with 27 News to discuss this issue and what's being done about it. See the coverage here: http://www.wkow.com/story/29346815/2015/06/17/baraboo-business-owners-and-lawmakers-working-to-save-the-wine-walks.

 

What They Are:

Wine Walks are a great way for communities to promote local and small businesses, stimulate their economies, and bring friends and neighbors together. At a wine walk, participants who have purchased tickets move from store to store in the downtown area, sampling a different wine at each business. This gives community members the opportunity to learn more about the businesses that drive their local economy while enjoying a night out.

 

What's Happening:

Recently, the Department of Revenue (DOR) issued a clarification stating that wine (and beer) walks are not permissible under state law. As a result, many communities have been forced to hold or cancel previously planned events later this year. I know how important wine walks are to the cities and towns that host them, both financially and socially, and I want to help find a solution so that these events can continue while still being in accordance with state law. I have already begun considering different legislative options, but I am always open to suggestions, and I look forward to discussing this issue further with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

 

How You Can Help:

More information on wine walks is available at the Downtown Baraboo website. If you have ideas for a solution, questions, or comments, I would be glad to hear from you! Please feel free to send me an email, call my office, or write me a letter - as your State Representative, I am here to listen:

 

Rep. Dave Considine

PO Box 8952

Madison, WI 53708

Rep.Considine@legis.wisconsin.gov

(608) 266-7746

 

June Photo Updatee

 

Check out these photos and more on my legislative website and Facebook page!

 

 

 

After a great meeting with Jared and Melissa from the Sauk Prairie FFA. Thank you for coming by to talk with me about how we can support agricultural education and our rural schools!

 

 

I was honored to volunteer at the Wisconsin Dental Association's Mission of Mercy in Fond du Lac this month. Since 2009, this event has provided $8.12 million in free dental care to over 14,000 patients!

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