This week the Department of Workforce Development released the November jobs report. The indicators show that Wisconsin's economy continues to recover and grow. Our state unemployment rate dropped to 5.2% in November, the lowest level since October of 2008. Wisconsin also added 16,500 new private sector jobs.

The current 5.2% is below the national rate of 5.8% and is more than a full point lower than one year ago, when state unemployment stood at 6.4% in November 2013. Our rate in both Lincoln and Langlade counties hovers slightly above the statewide average, showing there is still room for improvement locally. That's why I am focused on working to bring increased broadband access to allow our businesses to be more competitive, and why I am consistently advocating for DNR reforms that will bring more certainty to the permitting process to give our job creators more confidence when considering possible expansion and investment.

Property tax bills arrived in the mail this week, and for the fourth straight year the typical  homeowner will see a lower property tax rate. This past spring the Legislature approved a $406 million buy-down of the technical college portion of the property tax. In our area, here is the breakdown:

• Nicolet Area Technical College District: $99.95 in savings, a reduction of 69.9 percent.  They received $14.8 million to reduce their levy.

• Northcentral Technical College District: $99.95 in savings, or a reduction of 40.8 percent.  They received $13.2 million to reduce their levy.

This comes out to real savings of at least $100 on average for homeowners in our region. Depending on local municipalities and school districts, the savings could be even greater. For example, the city of Tomahawk in Lincoln County saw each of the 5 largest taxing bodies having a lower levy and rate. This included the state of Wisconsin, Lincoln County, the City of Tomahawk, the Tomahawk School District, and Nicolet College.

While the continued downward trend in the property tax is welcome news, we also saw a reminder this week that there is still a long way to go. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance released a report that shows Wisconsin still ranks as the 12th highest taxed state in the country and third highest in the Midwest. This puts our state at a tremendous disadvantage when we attempt to bring new business investment and makes it very difficult to attract new residents and families that would reverse the declining enrollment trends in our schools. The new legislative session begins in just a couple short weeks and further tax relief will continue to be a top priority.

Rep. Rob Swearingen, Rep. Mary Czaja, Sen. Tom Tiffany & Rep. Jeff Mursau

 This week your northern legislators gathered at the Capitol to meet with Governor Walker as part of the state budget process. He asked for our ideas as he puts together his budget proposal, and we were able to offer our regional perspective as he considers issues with a statewide impact like transportation and taxes. We also focused on DNR reform and our rural schools agenda including additional resources for broadband across the north.

I also wanted to share a personal holiday greeting with all of you, as we reflect on all that has happened in 2014 and look ahead to the new year.

Click the photo above for the video to play

Merry Christmas!

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