WEEK OF MARCH 20, 2017
2017-2019 STATE BIENNIAL BUDGET:
JCF RELEASES PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE

Last Thursday, the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) released a statement outlining the timeline for statewide public hearings on the 2017-19 state biennial budget.

The JCF will be holding six public hearings at the following locations:
  • Monday, April 3 - UW-Platteville, Platteville
  • Wednesday, April 5 - State Fair Park, Milwaukee
  • Friday, April 7 - Berlin High School, Berlin
  • Tuesday, April 18 - Spooner High School, Spooner
  • Wednesday, April 19 - Ellsworth High School, Ellsworth
  • Friday, April 21 - Marinette High School, Marinette
More information regarding the times of the public hearings will be released at a later date.

All members of the county family are highly encouraged to attend the public hearings. Check your inbox later this week for talking points, prepared by the WCA Government Affairs Staff, for your use at the public hearings.

The co-chairs also released the schedule of agency briefings. View the schedule here.

WCA REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS CONTINUE THIS WEEK! 

WCA's Regional Legislative Meetings continue this week. Four meetings are on the docket. Please feel free to attend whichever meeting is most convenient for you. There is no need to preregister for the meetings. Please join the WCA Government Affairs Staff for these informative sessions on the 2017-19 state biennial budget, as well as other legislative issues affecting county government.

Southern District
Monday, March 20, 2017
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
North Star Conference Center at Comfort Inn & Suites
5025 County Road V
DeForest, WI 53532
Counties in District: Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, and Sauk

Northwest District
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Flat Creek Inn & Suites
10290 Highway 27 South
Hayward, WI 54843
Counties in District: Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn

West Central District
Thursday, March 23, 2017
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Holiday Inn Eau Claire South
4751 Owen Ayres Court
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Counties in District: Barron, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix

Western District
Friday, March 24, 2017
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Radisson Hotel La Crosse
200 Harborview Plaza
La Crosse, WI 54601
Counties in District: Adams, Buffalo, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Marquette, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Vernon
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 20, 2017

Note: The Committee hearings and bills listed below reflect action on legislation impacting county government.  For a complete listing of weekly hearings, please visit here .

Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Assembly Committee on Energy and Utilities, 1:00 p.m.
Assembly Bill 123 - the information technology block grant program, the broadband expansion grant program, waiving certain fees and appraisals, and making an appropriation. WCA supports this bill.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Assembly Committee on Health, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 151 - community paramedics, community emergency medical technicians, community emergency medical services providers, and services provided by emergency medical technicians. WCA is monitoring this bill. 
 
For a listing of all bills impacting county government and WCA's positions on those bills, please visit the WCA website. 
UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS
HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE SESSION WITH US?

wispolitics
As a member-benefit, the Wisconsin Counties Association offers access to The Wheeler Report, WisPolitics, and WisconsinEye.

If you would like to subscribe to any one of these news services, please contact Amy Dias, Office Manager at dias@wicounties.org or at 866.404.2700.
QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about anything happening at the state level, please feel free to contact any member of the WCA Government Affairs Team:

Kyle Christianson, Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
christianson@wicounties.org

Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Deputy Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
diedrick@wicounties.org

Dan Bahr, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
bahr@wicounties.org

Marcie Rainbolt, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
rainbolt@wicounties.org

Chelsea Fibert, Government Affairs Assistant
608.663.7188