Joint Finance
Committee Approves Transportation Bonding
The Joint Committee on Finance met this week to vote on several
issues, including a measure to release transportation bonding,
which would provide additional funds to aid in road
construction.
The committee, of which I am a member, approved the measure
allowing for a total of $350 million in contingency bonding with
$200 million available in 2015-16, and an additional $150
million available in 2016-17. This plan was already approved as
part of the 2015-17 budget earlier this year. This week’s vote
simply releases these funds in order to keep our entire state’s
roadways safe for our citizens.
The investment in our state’s infrastructure will provide
support for our state’s local businesses, improve our state’s
economy and will prevent the need for more costly repairs at a
later date. By delaying current and future projects, we are
negatively impacting the commerce of our state and the safety of
our citizens.
I
have heard from many constituents who are negatively affected by
these road ways and who wish to see additional dollars spent on
their maintenance. Although this bonding is not a long-term
solution, it will help us to bridge the gap between revenues and
expenses. I will continue to listen to my constituent and work
with my colleagues here in Madison to find a plausible and
sustainable funding solution.
Opening of
Florence Fab Lab
This week, I had the privilege to attend the opening of a
Fabrication Lab in Florence County.
As
I have written in other E-updates, Fabrication Labs or FAB Labs,
are a new an innovative way to introduce students to
fabrication, manufacturing, and technology, as well as encourage
their development of these technical skills.
My
colleagues and I worked hard during the 2015-17 state budget and
were able to provide $500,000 in grants for these FAB Labs. This
money will aid school districts to purchase the necessary
equipment needed for the computer and manufacturing curriculum
associated with the FAB Lab.
The Florence County School District will be hosting a Public
Open House for their new Fab Lab on Thursday, November 12th,
from 4:30-6:30pm at the Florence High School.
Community members and individuals interested in learning more
about FAB Labs will have the opportunity to see the equipment
firsthand and discuss with staff and students what can actually
be produced using these machines.
Currently the Fab Lab contains 2 Afinia H800 3D printers, a
Roland Mini mill, Vinyl Cutter, Epilog Laser Engraver, Plasma
Cam and CNC Router. Design software includes SolidWorks, Adobe
Illustrator, and Aspire. Items can be made from wood, metal,
vinyl, acrylic and polymers.
Click
here to see News Coverage
Electronic
Registration for Big Game Hunting
Electronic registration allows hunters to fulfill the
requirements of registering their deer or bear using the phone
or Internet, making this task fast, easy and convenient for
hunters while providing the department with timely access to
valuable harvest data. Wisconsin has already successfully
implemented electronic registration for turkey and goose
hunters, and has now moved to accomplish the same for the big
game hunting seasons.
Hunters will have several options
for registering their harvest:
»»Phone: Dial
1-844-GAME-REG (1-844-426-3734) and follow the prompts to
provide harvest information.
»»Online: On a
computer or mobile device, go to
gamereg.wi.gov and enter your harvest information.
»»In Person: Visit
a designated in-person registration station that offers a phone
or computer to hunters for the purpose
of
registering your deer or bear. Participating registration
stations will be listed on the department web site prior to the
start of the fall hunting seasons.
Be
safe and happy hunting!
Governor Announces
Selection of 2015 Christmas Tree for State Capitol
This week, Governor Walker announced this year’s Christmas tree
for the State Capitol rotunda was donated by Brad and Elizabeth
Kowieski of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Brad, Elizabeth, their sons,
Brody and Hank, and Brad’s parents, Bill and Jane Kowieski,
donated a 40-foot tall balsam fir. Brad planted the tree on
Arbor Day in 1985 at his parents’ house when he was in fourth
grade at Nativity Our Lord Catholic School in Rhinelander.
The 2015 Capitol Christmas tree will be decorated with ornaments
that highlight Wisconsin Sports. Governor Walker has requested
the help of students from public and private schools across the
state to craft and create ornaments to decorate the Christmas
tree.
The Capitol Christmas tree must be a full Balsam Fir,
approximately 35-55 feet tall. The tree is selected from
donation requests on a first-come, first-serve basis if the tree
meets all the requirements.
.jpg)
