5/13/2016

In addition to this weekly
E-Update, I also invite you to connect with me on local radio and TV. The schedule follows: 

Monthly Radio Shows

WEKZ - 93.7 FM

Wednesday mornings during the Lafayette County News

WRJC - 92.1 FM

1st Friday, 7:30 a.m.

WRCO - 100.9 FM

3rd Monday, 9 a.m.

WRDB - 1400 AM

3rd Friday, 10 a.m.

Monthly TV Shows

Reedsburg Utility Commission Cable Channel 12

Check Local Listings

2015-16 Blue Books

2015-16 Blue Books are a useful summary of information about our state.  These books are printed every session and are complimentary for every resident of Wisconsin. 

If you would like one delivered or shipped to you (no charge to you), please reply to this email and include your street and mailing address.

The full content of the book is also available online.  Click Here!

May is Beef Month!

May is Beef Month in Wisconsin! Most people think of Wisconsin as “The Dairy State,” but there are actually more beef producers in Wisconsin than licensed dairy producers. There are approximately 14,800 beef producers and 11,000 dairy producers in Wisconsin. As the most agriculture-dependent senate district in the state, the 17th Senate District and our communities rely on the success of the beef industry.

According to the Wisconsin Beef Council, beef production and beef processing provides more than 35,000 jobs annually to Wisconsin while contributing $2.1 billion in total income. For every 10 jobs in beef production, there are an additional 4.5 jobs supported in other industries. For every $100 of income from beef production, an additional $117 of income is generated elsewhere in the Wisconsin economy.

The beef industry generates almost $7 billion in on-farm processing in our state. Beef production also generates $200 million in state and local government revenue, which can be used to support education, roads, and other programs in our communities.

Wisconsin is one of only 10 states that has seen an increase in their herds since the 1980s, despite the fact that according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the country is at the lowest beef cattle inventory since the 1950s. While the cow inventory in the U.S. has decreased in the past few decades, the production of beef cows in Wisconsin has grown considerably, an increase of 44%!

Wisconsin ranks 11th nationally in beef production. The average size of a herd in Wisconsin is around 18 cows. According to the USDA, 70% of beef operations in Wisconsin have fewer than 20 head of beef cows. Around 46% of Wisconsin producers have less than nine. In Wisconsin, many individuals can maintain a small operation with a herd of 30-50 cows while working at an off-farm job. In other cases, landowners that have property that may not be conducive to growing crops can use the land for grazing cattle.

Much of the beef cow herd in the state is located in Southwest Wisconsin. Grant County is the top producer of beef cows in Wisconsin, with nearly 10% of all beef cows. Of the top seven beef cow producing counties in Wisconsin, six of them are in the 17th Senate District: Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Vernon, Monroe, and Sauk. The production in these counties make up more than 75,000 head of cattle in Wisconsin.

The steep hillsides and fertile river valleys in Southwest Wisconsin may not be great conditions to grow crops, but they are perfect conditions to raise a herd. According to the Kickapoo Grazing Initiative, a collaboration among Trout Unlimited, Valley Stewardship Network, Vernon County Land & Water Conservation, and UW-Extension: Crawford County, managed grazing of beef is a sustainable farming practice that is good for the land in the Driftless Region. Grazing helps to build organic matter and promote fertility in the soil. Another benefit of grazing in this area is that it protects the land from erosion. This can protect the land’s fertility on a long-term basis. Grazing also uses less pesticides and fertilizers, which can release harmful pollutants into the local water resources. Raising cattle seems to be a good choice for our area!

As you sit down with your family to enjoy your next steak or hamburger, think of all that goes into contributing to this prolific industry. Thank you to all of the dedicated farmers who put food on our tables, support our communities, and give us the beef!

League of Wisconsin Municipalities Names Marklein
Municipal Champion for 2016

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities has named Senator Howard Marklein one of thier Municipal Champions in the Legislature this month. The May issue of the League’s magazine, includes a list of legislators we designated as either Municipal Champions or Strong Municipal Supporters for their efforts in the State Legislature. 

"I am honored to be recognized by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities," Marklein said. "Working with the League and their members in the 17th Senate District has enabled me to work on meaningful legislation that truly improves our communities. I look forward to continuing to partner with local members in the new session in 2017."

Sen. Marklein spoke to the Urban Alliance of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities about transportation issues on Thursday, May 12, 2016.

In The 17th Senate District

Sen. Howard Marklein met with Andrew Peterson of Plain for the Board for People With Developmental Disabilities, Take Your Legislator to Work Day at Sauk Prairie Health Care Center.  Pictured - Liz Kennedy, Joe Scales, Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville), Andrew Peterson, Sen. Howard Marklein.

Sen. Howard Marklein (right) and Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville, left) congratulated Eagle Scout Justice Hendrick

in Mineral Point on Sunday, May 1, 2016. (photo courtesty of The Democrat Tribune).

In The Capitol

Highland Elementary School visited the State Capitol on Thursday, May 12, 2016.

Useful Information

Wisconsin Local Employment and Unemployment Estimates

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) estimates of unemployment and employment statistics for metro areas, major cities and counties in Wisconsin. The estimates include local unemployment rates for March 2016.

Wisconsin's preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.5% remained below the national rate of 5.0% in March and below the state's rate of 4.6% in March 2015.

The following table shows the local unemployment rates from March 2015 and March 2016 for the counties in our district. Click Here to view a PDF of all of the data available to us.

Local Unemployment Rates

County	Mar-2015 RATE	Mar-2016 RATE
Grant	5.2	5.1
Green	4.7	4.4
Iowa	5.8	5.2
Juneau	6.4	6.0
Lafayette	4.5	4.6
Monroe	5.3	4.9
Richland	5.3	5.5
Sauk	5.1	4.9
Vernon	5.1	5.1

*Source: Department of Workforce Development

Senator Howard Marklein is pleased to provide this legislative E-Update for the constituents of the 17th State Senate District. Please feel free to share this update with other interested citizens and taxpayers. You are receiving this update because you have either subscribed or contacted Senator Marklein directly.

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State Capitol - Room 8 South - Post Office Box 7882 - Madison, Wisconsin 53707 - Phone: (608) 266-0703