Week of January 19, 2015
REGISTER TODAY! WCA Government Affairs Staff to Give State Budget Briefing at the WCA Legislative Exchange February 4

Concourse The Wisconsin Counties Association's Legislative Exchange is one of our biggest educational events of the year, bringing legislative and state leaders in front of county officials to brief them on key topics.  The event will be held February 3-4, 2015 in Madison.

This year, Governor Walker is slated to give his 2015 State Budget Address in the State Capitol the evening of February 3.  On the morning of February 4 at the WCA Legislative Exchange, our WCA Government Affairs staff will give us their budget briefing (after staying up until the early morning hours analyzing the document).

This is a critical presentation for counties and all county officials are encouraged to attend.   There is still time to register for the February 3-4, 2015 event!

The WCA Legislative Exchange will be held at the Madison Concourse Hotel, 1 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI  53703.  Please note that the Madison Concourse Hotel Room Block is now closed; however, you can still book a room at the regular rate.

Tentative Agenda:
View the 2015 WCA Legislative Exchange Tentative Agenda here.

To learn more and register for the 2015 WCA Legislative Exchange, click here.

For questions contact WCA Marketing and Events Manager Cheryl Fleck at 866.404.2700.

Watch: WisOpinion.com Unveils "The Insiders," a New Web Show

WisOpinion.com has released a new web show, "The Insiders."  The show is hosted by former state senators Chuck Chvala and Ted Kanavas. 

The pair have been former guests at the WCA Legislative Exchange and WCA Annual Conference and we encourage you to take a moment to watch this insightful, informative and entertaining pair of insiders give their take on the latest news coming out of our State Capitol and Wisconsin's political landscape.

Mark Your Calendars for WCA Regional Legislative Meetings

Each odd-numbered year, the Wisconsin Counties Association holds legislative briefings across the state to educate members on legislative issues affecting counties.

This year, our legislative briefings will include a discussion on WCA's 2015-2016 Legislative Agenda, a review of the 2015-2017 state biennial budget, as well as answer member questions regarding legislative initiatives.

These Regional Legislative Meetings are free and open to all members of the county family. There is no need to pre-register for these meetings. Please join us in March for this informative event.

If you have any questions about the meetings, please contact Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Deputy Director of Government Affairs, at 608.663.7188.
Reduced WCA Member Rate for  WisPolitics.com "Breakfast in Washington, D.C. Featuring Marquette Pollster Charles Franklin"

wispolitics If you're attending the NACo Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. February 21-25, be sure to mark your calendars for a WisPolitics.com event.  There is a discounted rate of $14.50 for WCA Members attending the event.

"Breakfast in Washington, D.C. Featuring Marquette Pollster Charles Franklin"
Tuesday, February 24
Check-in/Continental Breakfast at 8:15 a.m.
Program: 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  
  
Franklin, a former UW-Madison political scientist who directs the Marquette Law School poll, will discuss: "What election year 2014 tells us about the 2016 presidential race."

Click here to register and pay the $14.50 fee for WCA Members (put "Feb. 24 DC event" in purpose of payment line). 


Highlight on WCA Associate Members

The role and relationship of government with the private sector has changed in recent years. The creation of the WCA Associate Member Program is one more way WCA is reaching out to bring together the public and private sectors.

The WCA Associate Member Program helps to foster the critical and growing relationship between government and business. We believe that helping to nurture a strong partnership with private businesses and organizations will prove to be beneficial to all of Wisconsin.

WCA Associate Members include:

AECOM
American Transmission Company, LLC
Discover Mediaworks
General Motors  
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
Baird

We encourage you to learn more about our WCA Associate Members by clicking here. 

For more information about this program please contact WCA Marketing and Events Manager Cheryl Fleck at 866.404.2700.    
IN THIS ISSUE
REGISTER TODAY! WCA Government Affairs Staff to Give Budget Briefing at Event
New WCA-Sponsored Web Show: "The Insiders"
WCA Regional Legislative Meetings
Reduced Rate for WisPolitics.com's D.C. Breakfast
Highlight on WCA Associate Members
CAPITOL WATCH IS BACK WITH WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

With the start of the new session comes the resumption of Capitol Watch, the Wisconsin Counties Association's weekly update of legislative issues impacting counties.

To see the first two issues, click here. 

To receive Capitol Watch in your inbox, contact Amy Dias at WCA at 866.404.2700.
SAVE THE DATE: ACE REGIONAL MEETINGS

The Agricultural Community Engagement (ACE) Regional Program pertains to ALL local leaders, educators, dairy farmers, neighbors, conservationists and others who care about the future of Wisconsin and rural America.

This event will include discussion of real issues - land use, water quality, technology, nutrient application, road and transportation at this full day seminar.

ACE is a partnership between the Wisconsin Towns Association and Wisconsin Counties Association that keeps producers and community leaders engaged in dialogue about important agricultural issues at the local level.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!

If you haven't already, be sure to "Like" the Wisconsin Counties Association on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @wiscounties.

For questions on social media, contact Michelle Gormican Thompson at WCA at 866.404.2700.
MEMBER SERVICES: WISPOLITICS AND THE WHEELER REPORT

Members of WCA are eligible for a free email subscription for WisPolitics.com and The Wheeler Report. These daily email updates are an invaluable resource for those interested in keeping up with the day-to-day activities of the Legislature and include in-depth "insider" information on state politics.
 
To begin your free subscription, please contact  Amy Dias via email of WCA at 866.404.2700 or
with your name, your county name and the email address where you would like subscriptions sent.