MADISON — Representative Todd Novak (Dodgeville) has been appointed once again to serve as Chairman of the Committee on Local Government. He will also serve as a member of the Committee on Agriculture, Committee on Environment, Committee on Rural Development, and the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
This marks Rep. Novak’s third term as Chairman of the Committee on Local Government, a committee with a strong emphasis on local and rural development within the state. Rep. Novak has been recognized for his work on local government issues throughout his tenure in the state legislature. In previous sessions, Rep. Novak was named a Municipal Champion by the Wisconsin League of Municipalities and Legislator of the Year by both the Wisconsin Counties Association and Wisconsin Towns Association.
“I am honored to be re-appointed chair of the Committee on Local Government” said Novak. “I am excited to lead legislative efforts affecting local governments throughout the state this next session. I believe my strong background in local government is a valuable asset as we work to solve complex issues many local governments face.”
This will be Rep. Novak’s fifth term as a member of the Committee on Agriculture, as a member of the Committee on Rural Development, and the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. It will be his third term as a member of the Committee on Environment.
Marklein re-appointed to Senate committees
MADISON — Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) announced appointments to Senate Committees and Joint Committees on Thursday, December 15, 2022. Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) was re-appointed to serve in the following roles:
● Joint Committee on Finance (JFC), Co-Chair
● Senate Committee on Agriculture & Tourism, Member
● Joint Legislative Audit (JLA) Committee, Member
● Joint Legislative Council, Member
● Joint Committee on Employment Relations, Member
“I am truly honored to be reappointed to serve as Co-Chair of the legislature’s budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance as well as the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Tourism and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. All of these committee assignments utilize my skills, expertise and background. They also provide me with major opportunities to include the voice of rural Wisconsin in major decision-making.
“We have our work cut out for us this session and I am excited to lead the JFC, contribute to the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Tourism and participate as a member of the JLA. I do not take any of these roles lightly and will do everything I can to make sure the people of the 17th Senate District are heard and served in the state legislature.”
Marklein and Kurtz receive Friend of Grocers Award
State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Representative Tony Kurtz (R—Wonewoc) were presented with “Friend of Grocers” awards from the Wisconsin Grocers Association. The awards were presented to Sen. Marklein and Rep. Kurtz at Viking Village Foods in Reedsburg, WI.
The “Friend of Grocers” award is given to legislators who score highly on the WGA’s Legislative Scorecard — an extensive study of all legislators’ performance in the 2021-2022 Legislative Session. Lawmakers are graded according to their actions on certain issues that are especially important to the grocery industry, including: alcohol pickup and delivery, personal property tax repeal and several other key business issues.
Senator Marklein and Representative Kurtz have received numerous Friend of Grocers awards over the years. “Senator Marklein and Representative Kurtz have been strong advocates for all small businesses through their efforts and leadership to repeal the personal property tax,” said Mike Semmann, WGA Vice President Government Affairs, who presented the award. “In addition, specific to the grocery industry, Sen. Marklein and Rep. Kurtz have provided exemplary constituent services to WGA members, and supported legislation that strengthened communities through enhanced marketplace competition. These are key issues for the association, and we appreciate Sen. Marklein’s and Rep. Kurtz’ leadership.”