September 16, 2011
 
Cell Phones for Soldiers

Representative Scott Krug will be hitting the airwaves to promote Cell Phones for Soldiers on September 16th at noon on WFHR with Carl Hilke and the first half hour of the September 30th" Morning Magazine" at 10:00.

Please call in at these times with any questions or concerns you might have for the Representative.

"Cell Phones for Soldiers are a very easy way for us to show our gratitude toward our service men and women who are serving away from their homes this summer," says Krug. "Keeping the lines of communication open between our service personnel and their loved ones is so important for morale, particularly during a time of year when many of us are taking the time to enjoy the summer with our own families."

Cell Phones for Soldiers were founded in 2004 by teenagers Brittany and Robbie Bergquist as a way for military families to keep in touch with family back home. To date they have collected more than 7.5 million cell phones and provided military personnel with more than 90 million minutes of pre-paid calling cards. The program's main revenue stream comes from the recycling of used cell phones.

“Bulls Eye Credit Union was gracious enough to help us be the collection point of this charity drive,” states Krug. “My sincerest thanks go to the employees and especially President David Stark for being so accommodating”

Collection dates will be from October 3rd through the 31st your Bulls Eye Credit Union locations on 8th street and Stevens Point.

Frac Sand

This week I attended a meeting in Wood County regarding Frac Sand Mining in our area.  My staff was also present at a meeting in Madison to discuss Frac Sand.  It is a hot topic in our area because of the quality of our sand.  We are in demand; businesses in Texas and other areas love Wisconsin Frac Sand and want to mine it and transport it to various natural gas deposit areas across North America.

What does it mean for our area?  Jobs!!!  It involves trucking, rails and the construction industry.  If they are allowed to mine in our area, it is possible that will gain 600 jobs within the first year of mining. 

The difference between this and the last 600 job promise from legislators past is that our sand will go towards an established industry with amazingly high demand for our product.

While I know there is concern that after they mine, they will take their jobs elsewhere, and leave a big hole for the local government to take care of it is simply not true. 

Frac Sand Mining is not a fly- by- night business.  Once they start mining, they are here for 8 to 15 years.  They have a vested interest in keeping our roads in top shape to move their product and there is permitting involved in non metallic mining that focuses on reclamations. In layman’s terms they can’t just leave a big hole behind; they have to beautify the area when they have completed their work.

Our local Wood County officials this week met with local businesses and Frac Mine representatives for several hours.  Many issues, questions and concerns were brought up such as fees/taxation and keeping our roads in working condition. 

Wood County is asking for a fee/tax from the Frac Sand companies above and beyond what they do other businesses because of the alleged potential harm that can be done to the local roads.  I understand their concern, and I applaud their forward thinking in protecting the taxpayers in our area. 

In fairness the board are more than willing to accept suggestions, which is great because I have some concerns. For example, is it right to tax a Frac Sand company when we aren’t taxing other companies in our area that haul heavy loads?

My other concern is keeping local control; always has been and always will be.  I want the Frac Sand community and the Wood County officials to work towards a compromise so we can bring much- needed jobs to this district and our taxpayers can breathe easier knowing that their roads will be taken care of by all businesses and taxpayers who use them. 

If we don’t work together, the possibility is out there that legislators in Madison will want to take control away from local governments so they can mandate how the roads are used and what sand-haulers will have to do to pay for use. I don’t see that turning out as well for the involved parties as working together will.

I would like to see a process in which a sand-hauler can take out a bond at a fraction of the cost of making an upfront deposit guaranteeing that they realize the county’s concern surrounding road damages. We need these jobs, we need this development, and we need a boost.

For this reason, I urge you to talk to your local officials and stay active in this and other issues.

It’s not about coroner rules, cougar issues or novelty lighters right now as one legislator recently wrote (that time will come). It’s about jobs, jobs, jobs.

  

We want your feedback!!!

We were discussing that we would like some feedback on legislation that is being introduced in Madison.  So we are going to include some press release or e updates talking about legislation that is being floated around the Capitol and we want your input.  Please e-mail us back with your concerns, comment or questions.

Knodl/Krug Bill Would Protect Taxpayers from False Crime Reports

Bill would allow law enforcement to recoup costs associated with false crimes

MADISON – State Representatives Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) and Scott Krug (R-Wisconsin Rapids) today introduced bi-partisan legislation to give law enforcement agencies the flexibility to recoup their costs when responding to a false report of a crime.

“The time and effort wasted responding to a blatant lie by a criminal should not fall on the backs of those on the front line working to keep our families and communities safe,” stated Knodl. “If a criminal has taken steps to send police on a wild goose chase, they should be liable for those costs.”

Under current law, a person who is convicted of obstructing a law enforcement officer by providing false information to the officer or by placing physical evidence with the intent to mislead may be assessed costs. This legislation would clearly state that a judge has the ability to order restitution to the law enforcement agency for reasonable personnel costs and costs associated with the use of police or emergency response vehicles.

“This is common sense legislation,” stated Krug. “Not only are we protecting our taxpayers from the criminal acts of the few; this bill will also act as a deterrent to those who would lie to law enforcement to protect themselves from the truth.”

On the joint resolution that would essentially get rid of the constitutional amendment that allows politicians to be recalled.
Recall the Recalls Bill........

Representative Vos is drafting a constitutional amendment to have grounds to recall someone, not just because you don't like there vote.  We have received a lot of phone calls from you asking us about the recall that is impending for Scott Walker so we thought this was appropriate to include this week.  Please give us your feedback......

The following is an excerpt from Representative Vos's e update......

 I talk about the need to clarify the statutes regarding recall elections. On Wednesday, my office began drafting a constitutional amendment that would require real grounds for a recall petition.  It should not be triggered by a vote that some special interest group didn't like.  We need courageous lawmakers who are willing to make the tough decisions and not have them worry about getting recalled.  Here's a link to my press release.

 
I have received some positive responses from my constituents and from people around the state who are also frustrated with the recall elections.  I even heard from someone who said he "leans liberal" but supports the proposal "wholeheartedly."  Another person said the recall elections were emotionally and financially draining on our state.  I think most will agree with this legislation.  In fact, in an unscientific poll, the Racine Journal Times found that more than 64% said that there needs to be a specific reason required for a recall election. What do you think?

Governor Walker Appoints Nicholas Brazeau as

Wood County Circuit Court Judge

 Governor Walker announced today that he has selected Nicholas J. Brazeau, Jr. to serve as the next judge for the Wood County Circuit Court.  Mr. Brazeau is a lifelong resident of Wisconsin, having left the state only to complete his legal education. 

“The judiciary must be comprised of men and women who faithfully guard the state and federal constitutions, and who humbly say what the law is and subordinate their personal views to the law,” Governor Walker said.

Mr. Brazeau has practiced law in Wood County for fourteen years.  Mr. Brazeau is a partner at the general practice firm Brazeau, Wefel, Kryshak, & Nettesheim, LLP.  Mr. Brazeau is active in the community serving in numerous roles.  Attorney General Van Hollen appointed Mr. Brazeau to the Wisconsin Crime Victims Council.  Mr. Brazeau is also a member of the Board of Directors for Head Start of Wood County and for the McMillan Library in Wisconsin Rapids.  He also received the 2009 WREA Friend of Education Award.

Mr. Brazeau received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Psychology, and Film Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1993.  He went on to receive his juris doctor from Loyola University-Chicago School of Law, where he was chosen as a Civitas Child Advocate Scholar.   

Mr. Brazeau’s appointment will stand until a judge has been sworn in following the April 2012 spring elections. Mr. Brazeau has the opportunity to run for this seat. 

 

As always, if you have any comments or thoughts regarding the subject of this
E-Update, please feel free to contact me.

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State Capitol Room 316 North- PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-0215
Email: Rep.Krug@legis.wisconsin.gov