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THREE BIPARTISAN TASK FORCES FORMED
Assembly Republicans introduced the formation of three bipartisan task forces last week: the Speaker’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Dementia; the Speaker’s Task Force on Urban Education; and the Speaker’s Task Force on Youth Workforce Readiness.
The goal of each bipartisan task force is to explore possible solutions and recommend legislation to the full Assembly. Each task force has an Assembly Republican chair and an Assembly Democratic vice chair. The Speaker has asked the chairs to tap into the knowledge of community experts and those affected in the individual issue areas. The committees will begin this summer with the hope to complete work before the end of session.
The task forces will travel around Wisconsin obtaining input and innovative ideas in order to compile recommendations. For more information regarding these task forces, please click here.
STARTING A BUSINESS?
The Department of Revenue (DOR) is making it easier to start and grow businesses in Wisconsin.
Visit DOR's webpage for "Starting a Business" where all the resources for a new Wisconsin business can be found, including a link to Wisconsin's One Stop Business Registration Portal. The one-stop shop allows new businesses to register with multiple state agencies in one convenient place. When completed, new businesses will be registered with the Department of Financial Institutions, the Department of Revenue, and the Department of Workforce Development (if necessary).
DOR is also working with local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations to present "New Business Seminars" throughout Wisconsin. A New Business Seminar is planned jointly with DOR, and it helps welcome new business owners into the community and ensures that businesses have a basic understanding of Wisconsin's tax regulations. A New Business Seminar is also an opportunity for new businesses to get acquainted with the local economic development groups. At a New Business Seminar, knowledgeable DOR tax specialists will make presentations about key tax topics, including:
Business tax registration
Withholding tax information
Sales and use tax information
Other business taxes
Electronic filing made easy through My Tax Account
Business tax incentives
On Tuesday, August 18, DOR and the Portage County Business Council are hosting a FREE Business Tax Seminar in Stevens Point. This seminar is open to new or existing businesses. Businesses may register by calling (715) 344-1940 or emailing admin@portagecountybiz.com.
To set up a New Business Seminar in your area, or if you would like more detail about planning for a new business seminar, please contact DOR at speakdor@revenue.wi.gov. Also, DOR's Speakers Bureau provides speakers to business, community, and educational organizations free of charge. Department representatives will discuss Wisconsin tax topics at business locations and meetings upon request. Presentations can be targeted to a group's particular areas of interest. To arrange for a speaker, fill out our online form.
BROADBAND EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM
Governor Scott Walker announced the state Public Service Commission is now accepting applications for Fiscal Year 2016 Broadband Expansion Grants. Walker’s 2013-15 state budget tripled the local grants to extend broadband to underserved areas of the state more quickly.
Governor Walker established the program, which provides reimbursement for equipment and construction expenses incurred to extend or improve broadband telecommunications service throughout the state, in the 2011-13 biennial state budget. The recently-passed 2015-2017 state budget triples the total amount of grants to be awarded each year from $500,000 to $1,500,000.
The budget also included changes to increase the impact of the grants—by including consideration of projects that are “scalable,” and giving the PSC more flexibility in its execution of the grants throughout a given biennium.
Applications for the Broadband Expansion Grants for Fiscal Year 2016 are due September 30th, 2015.
Application instructions and additional information may be found at: http://psc.wi.gov/utilityInfo/tele/broadband/grants/bbGrantApplicationPage.htm
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE DISTRICT
Fun District Events
August 14-28, 2015
August 15th
Susie the Duck Days
Features: Come out and celebrate the 32nd Annual Susie the Duck Days. The Lodi Rotary Parade starts at noon and will proceed down Main Street. Following the parade, the Duck Derby will begin with the dropping of 3,000 rubber ducks into Spring Creek as they race to the finish line. The afternoon continues in Habermann Park with the “Taste of Lodi-Lake Wisconsin”, which features tasty food, live music by 5th Gear in the beer garden, wagon rides, shopping cart rides, dunk tank, and much more! Admission is free so enjoy the event with the whole family!
When: 12:00-7:00 pm
Location: Habermann Park, 180 Fair St. Lodi, WI 53555
August 15th
Music Fest
Features: Come out and listen to different bands at Lawton Field by the Fairgrounds. Tickets are $10 each with food and beverage provided at the event. Proceeds go to support the Portage Community Schools Music Departments.
When:4:00-11:00 pm
Location: Lawton Field at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 301 Superior St., Portage, WI 53901
August 18th
Friesland Band Concert and Pie Social
Features: Enjoy some delicious pie while socializing with local residents and listening to different bands.
When: 7:30 pm
Location: Friesland Shelter, Downtown Friesland on County Hwy EF just north of Highway 33
August 19th
Concerts at the Portage
Features: Bring your own chairs and blankets to hear the summer sounds of music from different bands. This concert will feature the Mouthful of Minnows.
When: 6:30 pm
Location: Portage VFW Hall, 215 West Collins St., Portage, WI 53901
August 19th
Concerts in the Park
Features: Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks by enjoying the music of Don Hopkins & Friends!
When: 6:30 pm
Location: Habermann Park, 180 Fair St, Lodi, WI 53555
August 21st-22nd
Taste of Portage Market Fair
Features: Food, live music, kid’s activities, an art and craft show, and a car show.
When: Starts Friday night and runs through all day Saturday
Location: Market Square Parking Lot, corner of Hwy 33 and Adams Street, Portage, WI 53901
August 26th
Concerts at the Portage
Features: Bring your own chairs and blankets to hear the summer sounds of music from different bands. This concert will feature Tony Rocker.
When: 6:30 pm
Location: Portage VFW Hall, 215 West Collins St., Portage, WI 53901
August 26th
Concerts in the Park
Features: Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks by enjoying the music of Mad Rabbit Cover Band!
When: 6:30 pm
Location: Habermann Park, 180 Fair St, Lodi, WI 53555
CONTACT ME
As in the past, I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation. Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work. Please contact my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov, or stop by my Capitol office at 223 North. I look forward to hearing from you. As always, I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward.
Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 42nd Assembly District and if there is anyone you know who would like to be included, please respond to this email with their email address.