Although the Assembly currently stands in recess, I remain busy with work in Madison and at home in Racine.

I would like to remind you that Wisconsin's spring election is on April 5th, and that early voting is now open. Don't forget to bring a valid voter ID card when you go to vote! For more information on polling locations, voter registration, and voter ID laws, visit https://myvote.wi.gov.

I hope that you all enjoyed the first official day of spring and are prepared for the snow coming our way this week.

President Obama Visits Milwaukee

This year the City of Milwaukee won a national health insurance enrollment contest by signing-up over 38,000 previously uninsured citizens through the Affordable Care Act. President Obama cam to Milwaukee to speak about the importance of providing quality healthcare to all Americans, and praised Wisconsin for enrolling enough people to fill Lambeau Field. I was honored to briefly meet with President Obama while he was in town.

Frank Lloyd Wright Trail Officially Law

Last week, the Wisconsin State Senate passed Assembly Bill 512, which became a Wisconsin Act 270 when Governor Walker signed it into law this Monday. I am so pleased that with a bipartisan effort, the state Legislature was able to create an historic trail that will honor Frank Lloyd Wright and his architectural legacy. Gov. Walker signed the bill into law sitting at Frank Lloyd Wright's desk in Taliesin, his home in Spring Green.

photo by Mark Hertzberg ©

Invitation to Attend a RootWorks Community Meeting

In an effort that involves local, state, and federal partners, the RootWorks Initiative is a project designed to revitalize Racine's urban river corridor. This week partners are holding an interactive community meeting to update the public on project progress and new initiatives. Please consider attending!

Who: RootWorks
What: Community Meeting
Where: 21st Century Preparatory School Auditorium
             1220 Mound Ave #102 Racine, WI 53404
When: Wednesday, March 23rd, 6:00-7:30

Empty Bowls

As in years past, I was honored to volunteer at the Empty Bowls event to help raise awareness and funds to address hunger in our community. Since the first event in Racine 19 years ago, this organization has donated around $200,000 to organizations in our area. My wife and I enjoy volunteering and participation in the event as a family, sharing the spirit of community and charity with our children.

Celebrating Empty Bowls 2016 with Gateway President and CEO Dr. Bryan Albrecht and my daughter Eleanor

Waukesha Water Diversion

The Great Lakes Compact is an interstate compact that allows Great Lakes States and their governments to protect our most valuable natural resource: water. The City of Waukesha is applying for an exemption from the Compact's ban on diversions of the Great Lakes water outside the Great Lakes Basin. Their proposal diverts water to the city and surrounding communities via pipeline, and sends 10 million gallons a day of treated sewage water back to Lake Michigan by way of the Root River. This proposal has received criticism from both citizens and environmental experts who are concerned about the environmental consequences of the diversion. As the chairman of the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus, I was pleased to join a bipartisan group of over 90 legislators who urged our respective governors to oppose the Waukesha proposal in its entirety. 

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have questions about anything happening here at the Capitol or in the district. You may reach me toll-free at (888) 534-0066 or via email at Rep.Mason@legis.wi.gov.