Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this edition of my e-update. The full State Assembly was in session again this week to consider a number of legislative proposals, including a few that I helped bring forward. You can learn more about these bills and more below.
Also, a number of exciting events are coming up around the 87th District in the coming weeks. To learn more check out the "Around the 87th" section below.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any thoughts on issues before the legislature or if you need assistance with a state agency.
A Big Step Forward for Our Loggers
Legislation critical for our state's timber industry took a very significant step forward on Tuesday. Assembly Bill (AB) 367, which I’ve brought forward with Rep. Scott Krug and Sen. Patrick Testin, would provide state assistance to support the purchase of the former Verso paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids and the Park Falls Pulp and Paper Mill in Park Falls.
The loss of these mills has affected families in both communities, as well as the timber industry and forestry management across the state. Prior to its closure, the Wisconsin Rapids mill alone consumed approximately 25% of all the pulpwood harvested in Wisconsin. The loss of this major customer has been extremely hard on the timber industry. I've heard from some loggers who lost 50% of their business with the closure of this mill. Getting this facility along with the smaller paper mill in Park Falls up and running would make a big difference for timber professionals across the Northwoods. I was proud to speak in favor of AB 367 during Tuesday's floor session. You can click here or on the picture below to watch my speech on the Assembly floor. For more information on AB 367 click here to read my joint press release with Rep. Krug.
Election Reform Bills Clear the Assembly
Another important part of Tuesday's Assembly floor session was the passage of a number of election reform bills. Over the past several months one of the top concerns I've heard about from people around the 87th District is protecting the integrity of our elections. This issue is something that many of my legislative colleagues have been hearing a lot about from their constituents as well. The package of bills approved by the State Assembly addresses a number of the concerns that were raised by folks in the 87th District and around the state.
The actions taken by the Assembly include closing Voter ID loopholes, standardizing ballot collection procedures, making sure that only the voter makes corrections to their ballot, and establishing uniform distance for recount observers.
The package of bills approved by the Assembly includes the following:
Senate Bill 205 - related to absentee voting in long-term care facilities
Senate Bill 212 - related to correcting defects on absentee ballot certificates
Senate Bill 292 - related to the broadcasting of election night proceedings
For more information on each bill click on the links above.
New Tool to Protect Local Roads Heads to the Governor
This week both houses of the legislature approved legislation I authored, Assembly Bill (AB) 163, that provides a new tool for local governments to protect their roads from damage by beavers and muskrats. This bill would allow the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), or an agent of a local government authorized by DNR, to discharge a firearm within 50-feet of the center of a roadway in order to shoot a beaver or muskrat that is causing damage to a road.
The idea for this legislation was brought to me a couple of years ago by Steve Tiegs the chairman of the Town of Atlanta in Rusk County. His township along with a number of others across the district and northern Wisconsin are experiencing problems with beavers causing damage to their roads. Beavers can dam up culverts or streams near roadways, which can cause flooding in the area and damage the road. In other parts of the state, muskrats are also causing headaches for local officials. While the DNR and local governments do deploy measures to prevent or deter damage from these animals, such as trapping, it is not always effective.
It's important to note that under AB 163 the DNR still has the discretion on whether or not to permit the discharge of a firearm under this exemption and they can only do so if they determine that the discharge does not pose a threat to public safety. This common-sense proposal is another tool in the toolbox to protect our local roads. I am pleased to see this idea from the 87th clear the legislature and I hope to see Governor Evers sign it into law soon.
Around the 87th
Upcoming Events Around the 87th District
One of my favorite parts about serving as your state representative is getting out and interacting with constituents at many of the wonderful community events across the 87th District. Check out some of the upcoming events around the district below. Also, if you know of any other events, please contact my office and let me know, so I can include them in a future e-update and try to attend myself.
Check out some of the events coming up around the district:
One of the best ways to stay up to date with what is going on in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking service. This service allows you to follow legislative activity in Madison. Once you create a free account you can sign up to receive notifications about specific bills or committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject area (i.e. agriculture, veterans). You can sign up for this service at notify.legis.wisconsin.gov.
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If you have any thoughts regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
State Capitol Room 109 West - PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0087 or (608) 266-7506 Email: Rep.Edming@legis.wisconsin.gov
