1,000+
Testify before Joint Finance Committee
This week the Joint Finance Committee
concluded our public hearing portion of the budget process.
At each stop we heard from hundreds of people and citizen groups. Everyone who wanted to speak was
heard; no one was turned away. I appreciated the respectful tone and
thoughtful ideas that were brought forth. In total, 1,157 people registered
to speak before the committee during nearly 40 hours of testimony.
March 18th at Brillion High School:
A total of 251 people registered to testify before the JFC.
March 20th at Alverno College Milwaukee:
A total of 360 people registered to testify before the JFC.
March 23rd at UW-Barron County Rice Lake:
A total of 257 people registered to testify before the JFC.
March 26th at Reedsburg High School:
A total of 289 people registered to testify before the JFC.
Main topics that came up at each hearing
included K-12 Funding, Family Care/IRIS long term care systems, and the
future of the UW-System. The committee listened and took that feedback under
advisement. As a result, this week Assembly Republicans announced plans to
preserve our state's SeniorCare system.
We are also carefully analyzing the proposed autonomy and
funding levels for the UW-System
and based on recent events in our state will be providing
additional funds to the Dept of Justice
for handling officer-involved shooting investigations.
We
continue to work on the long-term care issues and school funding. I
realize how many families and individuals rely on IRIS and services of
ADRC's to remain independent, and I appreciate the personal stories that
many of you have shared with me. The revised revenue estimates will be
provided to the legislature in late April, once income tax returns have
been calculated. At that time we will have a clearer picture of revenues
available and K-12 funding will be a main focus for additional funds.
Legislators heard testimony
at Reedsburg Area High School on Thursday
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JFC has also created an email address where additional input
can be heard. This enables individuals that are unable to
attend the public hearings to send their comments,
questions, and concerns regarding the proposed state budget.
Please feel free to send your opinions to:
BudgetComments@legis.wisconsin.gov
The address sends messages directly to the JFC committee
clerk who will compile the information and deliver to every
member of the committee.The email address has been
functional through the entire time of the public hearings
process and will continue to receive messages through April
5th.
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DNR
Announces Three Walleye Bag Limit will include Ceded Territory
This week the
DNR proposed
an emergency rule that will maintain a three walleye daily
bag limit on most lakes and rivers in northern Wisconsin. This comes
in anticipation of the annual tribal spearfishing harvest quotas
being announced soon. The rule will be discussed at the
upcoming Natural Resources Board meeting
on April 8. I support this proposal because it will bring needed
certainty to the resource management of our northern waters and
provide for increased tourism and economic activity. Below is the
statement I issued jointly with Sen. Tom Tiffany and Rep. Rob
Swearingen.
March 26, 2014
Northwoods
Legislators Support DNR Decision on Walleye Bag Limits
Madison…This morning, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), in anticipation of the annual tribal walleye spearing
declaration, announced an emergency rule to be considered by the
Natural Resources Board in April that would change the walleye bag
limit on lakes within Wisconsin’s Ceded Territories. In response
Senator Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), Representative Mary Czaja (R-Irma),
and Representative Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) issued the
following statement:
“I support the DNR’s effort to bring certainty to the sportsman
throughout the state who travel to Wisconsin’s Northwoods for our
world-class fishing. The announcement by the DNR shows our
investment in aquaculture through the Walleye Initiative is paying
off and will bring returns to businesses through increased tourism
and economic vitality,” said Senator Tiffany.
“This initiative is a proactive move by the DNR. By addressing the
walleye bag limit, the Northwoods will attract fisherman from all
over the state, which is essential to growing and securing tourism
dollars for our northern economy,” said Rep. Czaja.
“Each year, concerned anglers and fishing guides reach out to my
office with concerns on the walleye bag limits. I applaud the
Department of Natural Resource’s effort in maintaining the normal
bag limits to spur economic development and promote tourism. This
decision will reinvigorate the Northwoods fishing heritage and put
Northern Wisconsin back on the map as a premier fishing
destination,” said Rep. Swearingen.
Last spring ninety percent of northern Wisconsin lakes within the
Ceded Territories that were declared for spearing had a bag limit of
one or two walleyes per day. This spring, lakes throughout the Ceded
Territories could have a sport bag limit of three walleyes per day.
The Walleye Initiative is a program instituted for the first time in
Wisconsin’s 2013-15 Biennial Budget and to date has invested $14
million in private and state fish farms. That initial investment has
doubled production of walleye fingerlings that have been stocked
back into Wisconsin lakes.
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Badgers
Head to Elite Eight
After a great
win prevailing over North Carolina last night, the Badgers continue their
tournament run tomorrow in the round of Elite Eight. They will take on
Arizona in the West Regional Final at 5:09 p.m. (CST) on TBS. Both teams
have a record of 34-3 overall so this promises to be an exciting game.
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Go Badgers!
Share your ideas at
www.WisconsinAssemblyRepublicans.com and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/WisconsinAssemblyRepublicans. #ForwardAgenda
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