Lafayette Co. presented with joint resolution commemorating First Territorial Legislature

Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) presents Lafayette County Clerk Carla Jacobson, who was accepting on behalf of the County Board, with a joint resolution commemorating the 185th anniversary of the first meeting of Wisconsin’s Territorial Legislature in Belmont. An additional copy will be sent to the Town of Belmont and the State Historical Society.

BELMONT — A joint resolution commemorating the 185th anniversary of the first meeting of Wisconsin’s Territorial Legislature in Belmont was recently drafted and passed.

Representative Todd Novak drafted and introduced the resolution in coordination with Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green). The 185th anniversary occurred on Monday, October 25, 2021.

“I am proud of our history here in Southwest Wisconsin and was happy to see so many of my fellow lawmakers join to sponsor the resolutions on a bipartisan basis and then vote for adoption in both the Assembly and the Senate,” Novak said.

In 1836, the Wisconsin territory was formed by an act of Congress. President Andrew Jackson appointed Henry Dodge as the first territorial Governor who then subsequently selected Belmont to be the first meeting place for the territory’s first legislature. Many important decisions were made during that first meeting including the formation of a judicial system, designation of a permanent capitol in Madison, the establishment of a university, identification of various infrastructure projects, and outlining the internal workings of the newly formed government.

Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly constructed Main Street/Wis. 23 in Darlington. Novak was joined by local officials and residents, and the event was organized by Darlington Chamber Main Street.

novak ribbon cutting — Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly constructed Main Street/Wis. 23 in Darlington. Novak was joined by local officials and residents, and the event was organized by Darlington Chamber Main Street.

Advertiser Tax Credit Bill introduced

Last week, Novak and Senator Roger Roth (R-Appleton) introduced legislation that creates a franchise tax credit for businesses to place ads in local media outlets.

“We worked closely with stakeholders from The Wisconsin Newspaper Association to craft this bill,” Novak said.

The bill establishes a 50% tax credit for small businesses to purchase advertising in local media outlets. The credit would be capped at $5,000 and sunset after five years. Qualifying advertising would have to be placed in Wisconsin-based media outlets including newspapers, radio stations, television stations, and internet news sites.

“I drafted this bill as a solution to help businesses and local media outlets rebound from the negative impacts of COVID-19 pandemic,” Novak said. “The dual blows of the COVID-19 pandemic and the worker shortage have taken an incredible toll on many small businesses in our state. Main street businesses in all sectors across Wisconsin have faced challenges on a level never seen before. Our local media outlets have not been immune to the negative impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent workforce challenges. Community focused family-run businesses, including newspapers and radio stations, are in the same perilous position as many retail, hospitality, and small manufacturers.”

The advertising incentive creates a win-win scenario for small businesses that want to advertise, customers and workers, and for local media, Novak said. Similar legislation has been introduced on the federal level with bipartisan support.