Conservatively Speaking
State Senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) represents parts of four counties: Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Walworth. Her Senate District 28 includes New Berlin, Franklin, Greendale, Hales Corners, Muskego, Waterford, Big Bend, the town of Vernon and parts of Greenfield, East Troy, and Mukwonago. Senator Lazich has been in the Legislature for more than a decade. She considers herself a tireless crusader for lower taxes, reduced spending and smaller government.
The New Berlin Lions Club Serving Up Corn for a Great Cause at the Wisconsin State Fair August 2 through 12, 2012
Wisconsin State Fair preparations are in their final days. Deliveries are taking place and the grounds are filling with supplies and beginning to hum with activity.
E-Update from the Desk of Governor Scott Walker
Following the 2000 election, the country waited for one state to determine the next president. Florida officials stumbled through their recount, taking weeks to sort through voting irregularities. Eventually the US Supreme Court intervened. Florida became the target of jokes and international scrutiny. To avoid a similar fate for Wisconsin, we need election problems addressed before November. Governor Walker issued Executive Order 81 that all United States and Wisconsin State flags be flown at half staff today, August 6, 2012, and on the date of each victim’s funeral. EXECUTIVE ORDER #81 Wisconsin's partisan primary is Tuesday, August 14, 2012. The purpose of the August partisan primary is to select party nominees for the November 6, 2012 general election. Partisan primary elections allow political parties to nominate candidates the political party will support against the nominees of other political parties. This primary date is changed from September to August to allow time between the primary and the November general election to accommodate military and overseas voters. August 14, 2012, voters may vote within one political party for the entire ballot, sometimes called straight ticket voting. The November General Election is not straight ticket and allows mixed party voting. August 14, 2012, voters will be provided primary ballots that include multiple political parties, predominantly Democrat and Republican; however, a voter may cast votes only for one party. Wisconsin's open primary law does not require voters to make a public declaration of party preference as required in other states. Yesterday was the first meeting of the Wisconsin Legislative Council Special Committee on Supervised Release and Discharge of Sexually Violent Persons. We are directed by the Joint Legislative Council to review the current process for granting supervised release and discharging persons committed as sexually violent persons under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 980. For years I have fought to keep our communiities, particularly Franklin, safe from sex offenders. I look forward to continuing that mission and am pleased to be joined on the committee by Waukesha County Judge Michael Bohren, Retired Milwaukee Court Commissioner Frank Liska, Franklin Chief of Police Rick Oliva, and Shari Hanneman, a Franklin resident representing Citizens for a Safe Wisconsin. Wisconsin summers are all about the outdoors. From sipping cold beverages while tending a grill to taking the Harley for a long afternoon ride, we like to make the most of the snowless season. With August comes Wisconsin State Fair. Beginning in Janesville in 1851, the original Fair showcased a 200-pound squash and a plowing competition. With up to 18,000 people attending the two day event, it was the largest gathering ever reported in Wisconsin. Since then, the Fair has become a time for friends and neighbors to gather and celebrate all things Wisconsin. Greenfield Avenue/Wisconsin Highway 59 from 124th Street to 106th Street improvements begin August 13, 2012. Improvements include resurfacing pavement and updating intersections. The Wisconsin Department Transportation (DOT) reports the project will include: · Adding left turn lanes, extending existing turn lanes at 108th Street (WIS 100) intersection. · Extending existing turn lanes at 124th Street and 116th Street intersections. · Improving traffic signals at 108th Street, 116th Street and 124th Street. · Converting existing parking lanes to bicycle lanes. · Improving pedestrian and transit facilities. The road will be open to traffic and all area businesses will be accessible. Some lanes will be closed during construction. Work on Greenfield Avenue is expected to be completed during November.
One of the most important duties I have serving as your Governor is to provide you directly with updates related to the operation of our state government. I also frequently provide updates on Facebook (Governor Scott Walker) and Twitter (@govwalker). Please feel free to share this update with your family, friends, and others who may be interested in state government operations. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced state agricultural exports increased five percent during the first six months of 2012 over the same time span during 2011. Here is a link to more information about Wisconsin’s increase in agriculture exports: http://datcp.wi.gov/news/?Id=630 The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) is conducting a survey of drivers 18 and older about choosing routes, detours or alternate routes, and information about making informed decisions about alternative routes. Here is a link to the survey: http://www.tti-surveys.org/public_html/limesurvey3/index.php?sid=93774&lang=en One of the most important duties I have serving as your Governor is to provide you directly with updates related to the operation of our state government. I also frequently provide updates on Facebook (Governor Scott Walker) and Twitter (@govwalker). Please feel free to share this update with your family, friends, and others who may be interested in state government operations. Members of the Government Accountability Board (GAB) spent Tuesday’s primary election day in Racine County observing voting. The visit was touted as being part of the GAB’s Back to Basics program. The programs goal is to get all poll workers and clerks trained for the November 6, 2012, General Election. Here is the GAB’s release on Tuesday’s Racine County visit: http://gab.wi.gov/sites/default/files/news/65/nr_gab_racine_observations_08_16_12_pdf_17144.pdf Many anxious constituents inquire about the status of Wisconsin voter ID, and sense a subversion of the duly elected Senate, Assembly, and Governor. After approval of 2011 Act 23, two lawsuits were filed resulting in injunctions by two Dane County judges, and two voter ID lawsuits in Wisconsin appellate courts. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) scheduled public information meetings about the I-94 East-West study between 70th Street and 25th Street within Milwaukee County. The study includes one system interchange, US 41/WIS 341/Miller Parkway, and six service interchanges 70th Street/68th Street, Hawley Road, Mitchell Boulevard, 35th Street, 26th Street/St. Paul Avenue, and West Wisconsin Avenue/Wells Street. The open house style meetings are scheduled: The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) provides a website for people interested in teaching, employment as a pupil services professional, or administrator within a Wisconsin K-12 school. More information may be found at: http://dpi.wi.gov/tepdl/licpathhome.html. The upcoming quarterly registration deadline for Wisconsin’s Do Not Call List is August 31, 2012. Wisconsin residents registering telephone numbers by August 31 will be on the Do Not Call List October 1, 2012. Wisconsin’s Do Not Call List manages residential landline, VoIP and cellular numbers and includes protections against unwanted text messages. Consumers may register multiple numbers. Registrations are effective for two years, and consumers may re-register their numbers at any time. The information required for the Do Not Call List is a telephone number and a zip code. Cell telephone numbers are not published, and I caution adding cell numbers to the Do Not Call List. Unscrupulous or foreign actors can obtain cell numbers via the Do Not Call List. To add numbers to the list, visit https://nocall.wisconsin.gov/web/home.asp or dial 1-866-9NO-CALL (1-866-966-2255). The list is updated four times per calendar year, January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. The registration process is continuous. Sign up after August 31, 2012, adds the number list January 1, 2013. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) released the 2012 equalized value report. Here is a link to DOR’s report: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/equ/report2.html Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is filing two petitions with the Wisconsin State Supreme Court regarding Wisconsin’s voter id law. The motions filed with the State Supreme Court will be a Petition to Bypass the Court of Appeals and Motion for Consolidation. The Department of Justice will ask the court to lift injunctions, put in place by two Dane County judges, against Wisconsin voter id law. Lifting the injunctions ensure the voter id law is in place before the general election November 6, 2012. Pennsylvania Judge Robert Simpson threw out a lawsuit challenging that state’s voter ID law. Let’s hope Wisconsin judges follow suit soon and uphold our voter ID law. Here is a link to a Wall Street Journal article about the Pennsylvania law and court ruling: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443343704577553103036704574.html?mod=wsj_share_tweet The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents August meeting will be shown via webcast with live audio and video streaming. The dates and times of the meetings are: Thursday August 23, 2012, 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) is seeking comments about a statewide broadband plan. Here is a link to the State Broadband Plan and Wisconsin’s Playbook for Broadband Progress: http://www.link.wisconsin.gov/lwi/default.aspx?page=56&bhcp=1. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) provides information for producers to apply for individualized technical assistance to grow their business. Here is more information from DATCP about the program: http://datcp.wi.gov/news/?Id=632 AT&T Resource Groups and River Run Computers are hosting e-recycling drives to benefit Independence First throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) scheduled an open house discussion about Highway 100 reconstruction from St. Martins Road to College Avenue. August 23, 2012 The Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) issued the 2012 Wisconsin Water Fact Sheet. This year’s fact sheet includes information about water usage in 583 municipal water utilities regulated by the PSC. Here is a link to this year’s fact sheet: http://psc.wi.gov/conservation/documents/WaterFactSheet12.pdf Here is an interesting fact: the people working at your polling place during Election Day often have well-known partisan political associations. It surprises many people. Poll workers are supposed to be affiliated with one of the two dominant political parties. It is required by law. Today, the Government Accountability Board (GAB) voted to allow the use of electronic forms of proof of residency. Meaning, people registering to vote will be able to prove residency by displaying a utility bill on a smart phone, for example. The Board came to its decision despite the recommendation from GAB staff that the Board continue with the current requirement that proof of residency be in paper form. The President ordered the United States flag displayed at half-staff, today August 29, 2012, displaying respect for Neil Armstrong. The Federal Department of Labor has verified that Wisconsin created 37,464 jobs from March 2011 to March 2012. Here is a link to the Wisconsin Division of Workforce Development announcement of the federal government’s findings: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/newsreleases/2012/120829_qcew.pdf
The Legislative Audit Bureau today released a report detailing the progress of Milwaukee public school pupils participating in school choice versus those not participating. The report found "separate instances in which the average change in Choice pupils’ test scores from the 2006-07 school year to the 2010-11 school year was greater than the average change in MPS pupils’ test scores." Parents, rejoice! The blistering heat wave is over, the Packers are back in uniform, and most importantly, children everywhere will soon return to school. It’s time once again for bag lunches, big yellow buses, and after school sports.
One of the most important duties I have serving as your Governor is to provide you directly with updates related to the operation of our state government. I also frequently provide updates on Facebook (Governor Scott Walker) and Twitter (@govwalker). Please feel free to share this update with your family, friends, and others who may be interested in state government operations.
Election Problems Deserve Scrutiny
Governor Orders Flags Half-Staff
Wisconsin's Partisan Primary August 14, 2012
Committee Begins Work On Sex Offender Laws
Make Some Room on Your Plate for State Fair
Greenfield Avenue Improvement Project 124th Street to 106th Begins August 13, 2012
E-update From the Desk of Governor Scott Walker
State's Agricultural Exports Increase Five Percent First Six Months of 2012
WI Department of Transportation Asking for Input On How Drivers Choose Routes
E-Update from the Desk of Governor Walker
Government Accountability Board Observes Tuesday's Primary Election in Racine County
Voter ID Still Up In the Air
Wisconsin Department of Transportation Schedules Open Houses For I-94 Stadium Interchange Study
State Fair Park
Tommy Thompson Youth Center, Gate #5
640 S. 84th St., Milwaukee MCTS Route 67
Burbank Elementary School
6035 W. Adler St., Milwaukee
MCTS Route 64 Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Open Avenues for People with Work Experience to be K-12 Teachers
Quarterly Deadline for Do Not Call List August 31, 2012
Wisconsin Department of Revenue Releases 2012 Equalization Value Rates
Wisconsin Attorney General and Department of Justice File Petitions to Get Voter Id Law in Place
Pennsylvania's Voter ID Law Upheld
University of Wisconsin Board of Regents Meeting Webcast August 23-24, 2012
Friday August 24, 2012, 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Public Service Commission Seeking Input, Statewide Broadband
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Offering Producers First Funding
E-Recycling Drive to Benefiting People With Disabilities Throughout Southeastern Wisconsin
Anything with a plug or a battery, including computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets, appliances, televisions and computer accessories such as mice, keyboards and external speakers.
DOT Open House August 28, 2012, Highway 100 Reconstruction
4:00 PM until 7:00 PM
Franklin City Hall
Community Room
9229 West Loomis Road
Franklin, WisconsinPublic Service Commission 2012 Wisconsin Water Fact Sheet
It's a Party at the Polls
GAB Approves Electronic Proof of Residency
US flags to fly at half-staff August 29, 2012 for Neil Armstrong
Wisconsin created 37,464 jobs from March 2011 to March 2012
Audit Report Shows Results from School Choice
Back-to-School Sales in Full Swing
