Talking Dairy

During my time as your state representative, concerns about low milk prices and the struggles of small family farms are ones I hear a fair amount about.   Wisconsin is America's Dairyland.  According to the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, the dairy industry contributes over $43 billion dollars to our state’s economy each year.  In addition, dairy is also important to the local economies of many communities around the 87th District.

Because of dairy's importance to our state, it is important for legislators to learn more about the issues facing the dairy industry so that we are able to advocate for policies that help them address these issues and that strengthen the industry.  On Tuesday, the Assembly Committee on Agriculture held a joint hearing with the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Revenue, and Financial Institutions to do just that.  The committees heard testimony from experts about the dairy market crisis and other production issues facing Wisconsin producers.  I found this hearing very informative and I look forward to continuing the conversation with constituents, colleagues, and stakeholders on how to strengthen our state's dairy industry as the session progresses.

Under the Dome

Middle-Class Tax Cut Moves Forward

This week, the Joint Finance Committee voted to send the Republican middle-class tax cut proposal, Assembly Bill (AB) 4, to the full legislature for consideration.  Thanks to responsible budgeting by Republicans over the last eight years, our economy is in good shape and our state has a $588.5 million surplus.  I believe that one of the best ways to use this surplus is to provide income tax relief for Wisconsin's middle-class.  AB 4 is scheduled to be considered by the State Assembly this upcoming Tuesday.  I look forward to supporting this bill and sending it to the State Senate.

Reaffirming Wisconsin's Commitment to Life

Earlier this week, I joined many of my Assembly Republican colleagues at a press conference to reaffirm our state's commitment to protecting the life of the unborn and to condemn the recent efforts to legalize late-term abortions that we have seen in other states around the country.  As a part of this press conference, we asked our Democratic colleagues to not bring any bills like this forward.  I was moved by my colleagues' stories during that press conference, and I encourage you to listen to it as well.

I am proud to stand with my Assembly Republican colleagues to say that anti-life legislation like a bill many Democrats brought forward last session will not move forward in Wisconsin.  Life is a blessing and something to be treasured.  You have my commitment that as long as I serve as your state representative, I will always stand for life.

Click on the picture to watch a video of the press conference

Around the 87th

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend both the Sawyer and Western Marathon County Towns Association meetings. In Sawyer County, I talked with folks about broadband issues and the need for a second judge in the county. At the Western Marathon County meeting, I listened to a discussion about probation and parole dynamics within Marathon County, and I talked with residents about the local zoning issues in the Town of Holton.  

Keep Wildlife Wild Poster Design Contest

The Department of Natural Resources is inviting students to participate in the 1st Annual "Keep Wildlife Wild" Poster Contest.  The contest is open to public, private, and home school students in 4th-6th grades.  The deadline for submissions is February 22nd.  Click here for more information.

Stay Up to Date

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.