Legislative Exchange Brings County Officials to Madison to Affect Change
 The 2010 Legislative Exchange was a huge success and one unlike any other in recent years.
County officials from every corner of Wisconsin gathered to hear state officials, ask questions of legislative leaders, meet with their own legislators in the Capitol and testify before the Senate Committee on Economic Development on a piece of economic development legislation, SB 399.
To view a media release on the legislation from WCA, click here.
The event was covered by WisconsinEye from start to finish. Go to it here and click on "2.10.2010 Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Exchange."
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WCA Legislative Update: State Public Defender Bill
The Senate has passed and the
Assembly appears poised to pass a bill, SB 263/ AB395, that would update eligibility standards
for state public defender representation. This has been a longstanding WCA
priority.
Due to the fact that eligibility standards have not been updated
since 1987, a number of indigent persons who cannot afford counsel have been
unable to qualify for services by the state Public Defenders Office, and
counsel has therefore been appointed at county expense. In 2008, counties spent
more than $7.6 million for attorneys to represent these individuals.
In the course of discussions on this issue, concerns were also
raised over proposed funding cuts for district attorneys. WCA is sympathetic to
these concerns, but believes they should be addressed in separate legislation
apart from the Public Defenders bill. WCA looks forward to working with
legislative leaders on these proposed reductions in the future. For questions on this issue, please contact WCA Legislative Associate Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf 866.404.2700.
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Longtime Waukesha County Lobbyist Krahn Retires This Week
 For the past 20 years, Waukesha County Lobbyist Dave Krahn has paved a well-worn path between the Waukesha County Courthouse and the state capitol in Madison. He retired this week from the position after two decades of service, but not before he was recognized by his peers from around the state. Dave (right in photo) was presented with a plaque at the Wisconsin County Executives and Administrators Association meeting last week, held following the WCA Legislative Exchange on February 10, 2010 at the Madison Concourse Hotel. "It's been a pleasure to work with Dave Krahn over the years on a wide range of county issues," said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O'Connell. "We wish Dave and his family the best in the years ahead and will miss him greatly." |
Government Employee Marketplace Now Available to Public Employees and Retirees
 The National Association of Counties (NACo) is pleased to announce the Government Employee Marketplace as a benefit to their members.The website is a free service available to public employees and retirees.The
Marketplace aggregates various government employee discount programs,
features pre-negotiated discounts with major suppliers and aggregates
other discounts and limited offers. Learn how you can start saving by clicking here. |
Register Today for Sustainable Communities Public Policy Forum
Learn how cities and villages across Wisconsin are going
green and how your community can do so as well at the Sustainable Communities
Public Policy Forum March 25 and 26 at UW-Fox Valley in Menasha.
Representatives of communities already making strides as sustainable
communities will share what's working in La Crosse, other areas of Wisconsin
and beyond, such as Northfield, Minnesota.
David Morris of the New Rules Project will explain why the
old rules undermine local economies and ignore the cost of our decisions on
future generations. He'll stress how communities can design and implement
intelligent policies to promote sustainable energy production and consumption
locally. The New Rules Project is a program of the Institute for Local
Self-Reliance co-founded by Morris, who also has served as an advisor or
consultant to the energy departments of Presidents Ford, Carter, Clinton and
George W. Bush.
But you don't have to be a presidential advisor - or, like
Michael Dombeck, the recipient of a presidential award - to make a difference
in your community. Former chief of the U.S. Forest Service and now professor of
Global Conservation at UW-Stevens Point, Dombeck will explain how any Wisconsin
resident can influence policy to help create a healthy environment. He'll
review significant achievements to date and outline major policy areas that
must be addressed to help create a more sustainable world.
That's just a look at the first day. The forum will continue
March 26 with a half-day including Satya Rhodes-Conway, a senior associate with
the Center on Wisconsin Strategy based at UW-Madison. Her presentation will
address green economic development opportunities and approaches to get involved
in local government. During breakout
sessions, participants will put what they've learned to work as they contribute
ideas for advancing policy in the great state of Wisconsin.
Registration: Click here to register and learn more
Information: Sandra Kallio, sandra.kallio@uwex.edu
Phone: 608-712-9868
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Hazardous Materials Management Training
The Wisconsin Department of Administration will be offering "Hazardous Materials Management & Waste Disposal Awareness Training," which is a free training opportunity for county officials.
8:45 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.
March 2, Mendota Conference Center, Madison
March 3, Volk Field Air Nat'l Guard Base, Camp Douglas
March 5, UW-Waukesha
March 10, UW-Sheboygan
March 16, UW-Green Bay
March 17, UW-Fond du Lac
March 18, UW-La Crosse
March 31, Mendota Conference Center, Madison
April 6, UW-Marathon County, Wausau
April 13, UW-Superior
April 14, UW-Stout, Menomonie
For more information, click here.
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Grant Availability Through DATCP
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is accepting applications for its Agriculture Development and Diversification (ADD) grant program, which supports new enterprises and opportunities in the food and agricultural industry through innovation and growth. Proposals must be received by 5 p.m., March 15, 2010. The 2010 ADD Grant materials are available online at the DATCP Web site, www.datcp.state.wi.us. Search "ADD grants" or call Mike Bandli at 608-224-5136 for more information.
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To Ponder...
The percentage of average decrease in revenue localities are anticipating from payments from the state, according to a report by the International City/County Management Association: 16 percent. Source: ICMA
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U.S.Census News
There has been debate recently about the U.S. Census Bureau using taxpayer dollars to advertise for the 2010 Census. Read an article from the bureau on this topic by clicking here.
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