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6/17/2016
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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!
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Keeping
Our Minds On the Road
Summer is a great time to travel all over the state of Wisconsin. Whether
you are traveling to visit family, attend a festival, paddle our waters or
camp with your family, many of us will take off in the family car to journey
across the state.
Depending on your route, you may discover some rough roads in parts of our
state, especially in the rural communities of the 17th Senate District. I
want you to know that my mind is still on the condition of our roads and the
funding needed to maintain our infrastructure. I understand, I share your
frustrations and I hear you.
During the last budget cycle, I advocated for increasing transportation
revenues and for finding a long-term solution to the transportation funding
issues we face. Despite some recent announcements by the Department of
Transportation (DOT), I believe that the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) will
have very thorough and thoughtful discussions about these issues next winter
and I will continue to fight for a sustainable solution that enables our rural
communities to have safe, efficient infrastructure. We need to do things
differently. Borrowing is not the answer.
With that said, it is important to remember that there are a couple of new
laws that were passed during the last legislative session that impact travel
and transportation. As many of you know, the speed limit increased to 70
miles per hour on some roads. We also made it illegal to use a hand-held cell
phone in a construction zone and now require all drivers to turn on their
headlights during times of low visibility.
Speed Limit Increase to 70 mph - A year ago, the Department of
Transportation (DOT) installed 470 new 70 mph speed limit signs on 726 miles
of rural interstate after Act 19 was signed into law. The speed limit was
increased on roads that do not have at-grade crossings, such as Interstate
90/94.
The Wisconsin State Patrol has observed that most drivers have conservatively
increased their speeds in response to the change in limits. For example, a
driver who drove 73 mph when the limit was 65 mph is now driving 76 mph. They
are not increasing their speed by as large a margin. Most people have a
certain level of comfort while driving and most people will not exceed the
speed at which they are comfortable.
According to the DOT, the traffic fatality rate in Wisconsin, overall, has
gone up this year, but it has not been on the roads where the speed limit
increased. In fact, a quick analysis tells us that the increase in fatalities
has occurred on rural roads and more accidents are involving motorcycles and
bicycles than they have in the past.
Despite the change in speed limit on some roads, the mission of the State
Patrol has remained the same; to enforce traffic laws that help to keep
everyone safe on our roads. With the increase in speed, it is especially
important to remember that the left lane is designed for passing, while the
middle and right lanes are for driving.
It is also imperative that we respect the “Move Over” law. This law requires
drivers to shift lanes or slow down in order to provide a "safety
zone" for a squad car, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck, utility
vehicle, or highway maintenance vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road
with its warning lights flashing. Violations of this law can result in a $263
citation. Observing these guidelines increases the safety and efficiency of
all of our roadways.
Hand-held Cell Phones in Construction Zones - The legislature also
passed a law this session to make it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone
while driving in a construction zone. This law goes into effect in October
2016 and the fines range from $20-40 for first offenses and $50-100 for
subsequent offenses within a year.
Start practicing safety now! Beginning in October, law enforcement will issue
tickets for drivers seen talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving
through a construction zone. But you don’t have to wait! If you avoid using
your cell phone in construction zones or opt for hands-free operation now,
you won’t have to change bad habits come October. And you will be giving our
state’s construction crews a safer environment all summer.
Headlights in Inclement Weather - While many of our cars automatically
turn-on our headlights at night, the law now states that we must turn our
headlights on during times of limited visibility. Limited visibility means
you can't see something 500-ft away, which is a little less than two high
school football fields.
Law enforcement is currently issuing warnings for failure to turn-on
headlights during inclement weather situations. Beginning October 1, 2016,
they will be able to ticket motorists up to $160 for failure to comply with
the law.
Since the law went into effect in March, the State Patrol has issued 1,695
headlight warnings during low visibility and nighttime hours. The Department
has not itemized these warnings for times of low visibility yet, but the
State Patrol, and other law enforcement, has always encouraged drivers to
operate headlights to increase safety and visibility while driving in any
sort of weather. Operating headlights during times of limited visibility and
inclement weather is especially important to protect you and other drivers.
Headlights help you to see what is in front of you, but they also help other
drivers to see you as you approach and as they approach you. Remember, when
you do not have headlights on, your taillights are not on. Even if you have
day-running lights, drivers approaching you from behind may not see you until
they are right on top of you. It may be an extra step to turn on headlights
when the weather is poor, but it could make a big difference for your safety
and the safety of other drivers who share the road with you.
As you travel throughout the state this summer, keep these new laws in mind
and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Again, my
mind is on our roads too and I appreciate your input as I work on ways to
improve the safety, efficiency and experience on all Wisconsin roads.
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Continuing Our Recognition of Dairy Month
Throughout the month, I have been
attending Dairy Breakfasts on the Farm all over the 17th Senate District. I
have enjoyed all of the conversations, tours and experiences shared with me.
These breakfasts, and other similar events, are a terrific way to connect
with agriculture in our state. I am always thrilled when a novice
experiences something new and takes away a greater appreciation for the dairy
industry that supports so many of our families.
In continuing recognition of
Dairy Month, I wanted to share the following quote/sign by W.D. Hoard,
founding editor of Hoard's Dairyman and Wisconsin's 16th Governor. I feel
that this quote embodies the way that every farmer feels about his or her
herd. Our animals are very important to us. Hoard recommended posting
this sign in every barn and it continues to be available for purchase in the Hoard's Dairyman store online.
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In The 17th Senate District
I presented Jerry Baryenbruch
with a proclamation in recognition of his 59 years of service to the Spring
Green EMS and Fire Department. Jerry started to volunteer for the
Spring Green EMS in 1958, before the community had its own ambulance and EMS
facility. Jerry and his wife Mary Lou have owned and operated the
Hometown Market in Spring Green for more than 50 years. Jerry responded to
the call the night my dad died, like he has responded to so many other calls
during his service to our community.
Sen. Marklein met with the Mound
City Bank Personal Economics Program (PEP) committee to discuss financial
literacy, local growth and agriculture in our local economy.
Pictured is Human Resources
Officer Kari Geyer, Marketing Officer Barb Winkler, President/CEO Donna
Hoppenjan, Senator Howard Marklein, VP- COO John Digman, VP- Retail Banking
Nancy Salzmann & SVP- CLO Pete Mumm.
An airplane, piloted by Alaine
Olthafer-Lange, cut the ribbon for the renovation of the terminal at the
Platteville Municipal Airport this week.
Pictured is Barbara Daus (City
Council representative on the Airport Commission), Bill Kloster (Airport
Commission President), Alaine Olthafer-Lange, Sen. Marklein and Andy Lange.
Alaine and Andy manage the Platteville airport, and own and operate A&A
Aviation.
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Useful
Information
2014
Midwest States Incarceration Rates
During the most recent budget deliberations regarding funding for the
Wisconsin Department of Corrections, several legislators inquired about the
incarceration rate in Wisconsin compared to other Midwestern states.
Following is the data collected by the Federal
Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). This table also features data
from the Federal
Census Bureau to determine the total state populations for the same time
period as the BJS data (July 1, 2014).
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State
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Total Incarcerated
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Incarceration Rate*
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Total Probation or Parole
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Probation or Parole Rate*
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Total State Population
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Illinois
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67,200
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680
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151,800
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1,530
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12,880,580
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Indiana
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47,100
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940
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128,100
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2,540
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6,596,855
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Iowa
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12,700
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530
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35,500
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1,490
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3,107,126
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Kansas
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17,000
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780
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20,400
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930
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2,904,021
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Michigan
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59,400
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770
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199,000
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2,580
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9,909,877
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Minnesota
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16,200
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390
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104,300
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2,490
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5,457,173
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Missouri
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43,700
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930
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65,800
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1,400
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6,063,589
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Nebraska
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8,500
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600
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14,000
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990
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1,881,503
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North Dakota
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3,200
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550
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6,200
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1,070
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739,482
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Ohio
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71,200
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790
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256,200
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2,850
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11,594,163
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South Dakota
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5,100
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800
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9,400
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1,460
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853,175
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Wisconsin
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34,600
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770
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64,500
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1,440
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5,757,564
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US Total
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2,188,000
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890
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4,708,100
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1,910
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320,282,544
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*The rates for each data set are per 100,000 US/state residents age 18 or
older.
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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
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State Capitol - Room 8 South -
Post Office Box 7882 - Madison, Wisconsin 53707 - Phone: (608) 266-0703
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