Ways and Means Committee Holds Executive Session on AB 105

As I've previously mentioned in Capitol Insight, I introduced Assembly Bill 105 with Representative John Steinbrink, Representative Peter Barca, and Senator Bob Wirch.  This legislation, if enacted into law, will change the requirements for creating a tax incremental financing district in the village of Pleasant Prairie.  Ultimately, this will ensure that Pleasant Prairie has greater flexibility in effectively using the tax incremental district for economic development and job creation, benefitting Kenosha County in the long run.

A public hearing was held a couple of weeks ago in the Ways and Means Committee on AB 105.  This week, the committee voted on AB 105 during an Executive Session, passing the bill by a vote of 10-1.  AB 105 was referred to the Assembly Committee on Rules where it will be considered for referral to the floor for a vote by the entire Assembly later this session.

Rep. Kerkman is joined by Rep. John Steinbrink, Pleasant Prairie Village Administrator Mike Pollocoff, and Todd Battle, President of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, in testifying in favor of AB 105 during a public hearing held by the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means.

Important Changes to Wisconsin Shares

Many of you may recall the fraudulent activity and improper payments made under the Wisconsin Shares program that had been identified within Report 09-15 by the Legislative Audit Bureau in 2009.  Since then, I have been actively involved with monitoring and trying to identify ways of reducing the prevalence of fraud and ultimately eliminating it from the program.

This week, the Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance addressed provisions included in the 2011 - 2013 State Budget, Assembly Bill 40, relating to Economic Support and Child Care programs managed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) such as Wisconsin Shares.  The Committee voted 12-4 to adopt Omnibus Funding Motion #417 which relates to proposed changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) components of the budget.

I would like to highlight two components included within Motion #417.  The first pertains to the Local Fraud Investigation Program.  Under the motion, DCF would be required to establish, by rule, an incentive program that would reward county departments, W-2 agencies, and tribal governing bodies which administer Wisconsin Shares for identifying incidents of fraud in the program.   An entity that identifies fraudulent activity within its operations would be rewarded an amount equal to the average monthly subsidy payment per child during the prior fiscal year, multiplied by the number of children participating in Wisconsin Shares under the care of a provider multiplied by 1.5 months.  Upon receiving their rewarded payment, the entity may use it for any TANF-related purpose.  Essentially, the Local Fraud Investigation Program would replace the current program outlined in Section 49.197(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes.

The second component of Motion #417 is a prohibition imposed on Wisconsin Shares recipients from benefitting from any marketing or promotional offerings made by child care providers in order to attract clients and increase business.  Promotions that I have personally seen advertised in the past include a $300 gas certificate, a vacation getaway, free diapers and wipes, free transportation, and a $250 sign-on cash bonus - all paid for by the taxpayers.  The only marketing and promotional offerings that will still be allowed under this motion are those that will directly benefit an eligible participant's child under Wisconsin Shares.

I applaud the efforts of the Joint Committee on Finance with including common sense provisions in the state budget intended to deter incidents of fraud and abuse in public assistance programs, and ultimately save the taxpayers money in the long run.

Nicholas Manning Earns Eagle Scout Honors

I recently had the privilege of attending the Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony for Nicholas Manning.  He is the son of Julie and Ben Manning of Bristol.   

Since crossing over as a Boy Scout in 2003 after earning the Arrow of Light, Manning earned 25 merit badges and held a number of leadership positions in working toward the rank of Eagle Scout.  He has served as a Troop Guide, a Patrol Leader, and an Assistant Patrol Leader in addition to serving as a Brotherhood Member of the Order of the Arrow.  He completed 2 high adventure treks at Philmont Scout Reservation, one of which was more than 100 miles long, and he graduated from the National Youth Leadership Training Course.  He is also the recipient of the Fifty-Miler Award.

For his community service project, Manning worked with the Town of Salem last summer in building a public fishing dock on Lake Montgomery.  A group of fellow Boy Scouts and adult volunteers helped Manning design, build and install the new dock in addition to cleaning the area of the lake surrounding the dock.

Among those who helped guide Manning in becoming an Eagle Scout is his Troopmaster, Mike Davenport.  After ten years of serving the Boy Scouts of America in this role, Davenport is retiring this year.

In honor of Manning's achievement in becoming an Eagle Scout, Senator Bob Wirch and I presented him with a legislative citation during his Court of Honor ceremony.  He will be graduating this spring from Westosha Central High School and will attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering this fall.  I congratulate Nicholas Manning on a job well done in earning the rank of Eagle Scout and wish him the very best in his future endeavors. 

Representative Kerkman is pictured with Ben Manning, Eagle Scout Nicholas Manning, Julie Manning, and Senator Bob Wirch at Manning's Court of Honor ceremony.

Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast set for June 18th

Mark your calendars and plan to enjoy some quality time with your family in a traditional Wisconsin setting.  Dan and Marie Weis invite you to join them and their family at their dairy farm for the annual Kenosha County Dairy Breakfast on Saturday, June 18th.  Breakfast will be served from 6:30 - 10:30am, and will include scrambled eggs with ham and cheese, pancakes, fresh bread, yogurt, muffins, milk, juice, and ice cream.  Additional festivities planned during that time include milking demonstrations, children's games, a tent featuring Wisconsin products, and a display of antique equipment.

For additional information and to purchase tickets, please contact Rachael Crane from the Kenosha County Dairy Promotion Team at 262-206-8149 or at rnrcrane@yahoo.com.  Tickets are $6.00 apiece, and children 6 and under can attend for free.

Wisconsin Apartment Association holds Legislative Day

Recently, I met with area representatives from the Wisconsin Apartment Association and the Wisconsin Rental Housing Legislative Council during their Legislative Day at the Capitol.  The purpose of their visit to the Capitol was to discuss a variety of issues such as financial literacy, lead paint, carbon monoxide awareness, and the housing industry, including foreclosures.  I appreciated the time these representatives took to discuss these issues with me and their effects on the rental housing community.

Rep. Kerkman (far right) is pictured with Rep. John Steinbrink (near right), Rep. Peter Barca (near left) and Kenosha County representatives of the Wisconsin Apartment Association and the Wisconsin Rental Housing Legislative Council near the Capitol rotunda.

Rep. Kerkman (far left) is pictured with Rep. Bob Turner (center), Rep. Peter Barca (near left), Rep. John Steinbrink (near left), and representatives from the Wisconsin Apartment Association and the Wisconsin Rental Housing Legislative Council.  

If you are interested in tracking the progress of legislation introduced this session, please visit http://legis.wisconsin.gov/ and click on the Notification Service link found on the homepage.