Our State Park System

It's no secret that Wisconsin is full of hidden gems; whether it's an old restaurant on a county road or a cabin nested in the woods, I believe our state parks are the best gem because they feature our diverse landscapes and provide a wide range of experiences for people to enjoy.

Wisconsin's extensive state park system is made up of 66 parks, forest and recreation areas that cover more than 60,000 acres. From waterfalls tumbling over basalt rocks to bluffs surrounding a lake full of kayaks and swimmers, it's important Wisconsin works together to fund our state parks again. 

In 2015, the legislature cut 4.6 million dollars, about twenty-eight percent of the total parks budget. This resulted in the parks having to survive on fees alone, which isn't feasible if we want our state parks to be clean, easy to use, and accessible. 

Governor Evers' budget includes efforts to re-fund our state parks:  

Funding Initiatives 

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal program that encourages states to create and maintain outdoor recreational opportunities by covering 50 percent of costs. 

Evers' budget aims to use these federally allocated funds along with state money to strengthen our state park system.  

 Funding Breakdown

• An additional $2.8 million in funding over the biennium 
  
  • $931,000 annually for a $1.50-an-hour raise for seasonal park workers 
    • Includes a new Office of Outdoor Recreation to promote partnerships with outdoor related businesses 
  • $500,000 annually for park maintenance 

Economic Benefits  

A study on the Wisconsin State Park System found that the overall economic impact is more than $1 billion a year:

• On average, state park visitors spend over $90 per day
• Non-local visitor spending exceeds $580 million
• Provides 8,200 jobs and $350 million in income for Wisconsinites 

Overall

While visiting the parks, visitors spend money in nearby communities, mostly at rural small businesses - a revenue source these businesses heavily rely on. It's clear our state parks do a great job boosting Wisconsin's economy by attracting tourists, workers, businesses, and retirees. 

I'm committed to protecting our natural resources and outdoor heritage so Wisconsin can continue to be a unique place to live, work and play. 

What's Happening in Madison?

• I met with members of our community on Conservation Lobby Day to discuss the issues impacting our area. It was great to catch up. 
   

• A few Civil Air Patrol members stopped by my office to discuss the progress their organization is making. I even got to wear my Civil Air Patrol shirt! 

• High school students from all around the state attended a Ways and Means Committee hearing. It's awesome to see young people engaged in their government!

• The legislature received the State of the Tribes Addressed on April 10th. This is a long standing tradition that improves the working relationship between our state government and the eleven sovereign tribal nations in Wisconsin. 

   

• I had the chance to congratulate, Karl Schultz, on receiving a Hometown Hero Award for his service in the National Guard! I'm glad Senator Jennifer Shilling shared this experience with me. 

DNR Update

Spring is here and that means it's time to clean! The most recent statewide DNR survey on household electronic recycling shows that most Wisconsinites are managing unwanted electronics responsibly, but many are unsure how to recycle electronics. Thankfully, the DNR offers an online list of E-cycle Wisconsin collection sites, including newly added information on free manufacturer mail-back programs. 

Upcoming Medicaid Expansion Town Halls

There are a variety of Town Halls occurring around the state regarding Medicaid Expansion. I will be attending the Town Hall in Viroqua on Tuesday, April 30th, from 7:00 - 8:00pm with Senator Jennifer Shilling and Rep. Jill Billings. I hope to see you there!

I am providing you with other Medicaid Town Hall events happening around the state in case you happen to be in the area; please feel free to share this information with friends and family! 

Green Bay 

• Tuesday, April 16th, 5:30-7:00pm
• Brown County Central Library, 515 Pine St. Green Bay, WI 

Madison 

• Wednesday, April 17th, 5:30 - 7:00pm
• Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St. Madison, WI 

Brookfield 

• Wednesday, April 17th, 7:00 - 8:00pm 
• Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N Calhoun Rd. Brookfield, WI 

Chippewa Falls 

• Thursday, April 18th, 7:00 - 8:00pm 
• Chippewa Valley Tech College Room 112, 770 Scheidler Rd. Chippewa Falls, WI 

Viroqua

•  Tuesday, April 30th, 5:30 - 7:00pm 
• McIntosh Library, 205 S. Rock Ave. Viroqua, WI

 Budget Update 

As the agency briefings finished up last week, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) wasted no time and hit the road to discuss Evers' budget proposal across the state. 

The most important issues discussed at these briefings were transportation, healthcare, and education. Departments did not make any new requests at these hearings. For a refresher on what was discussed, please refer to my previous budget e-update. 

The budget process is a slow one, but I will make sure to keep you updated as progress is made. 

Until next time,

Steve