By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
State budget listening sessions March 5, 8, 12, 19
Howard Marklein
Howard Marklein

MADISON — Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), Representative Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City), Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and Representative Todd Novak (Dodgeville) have announced a series of budget listening sessions:

●  Sen. Howard Marklein (17th) and Rep. Tony Kurtz (50th) — from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. March 5 at Necedah Village/Town Hall, 101 Center St., Necedah and from 1 to 2 p.m. at LaValle Town Hall, 314 WI 33, LaValle.

●  Virtual listening session via Zoom will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. March 8. Email Sen. Howard Marklein at Sen.Marklein@legis.wi.gov to register. Please include your residential address for verification purposes. Only residents of the 17th senate district will be invited to participate. Registered attendees will receive a link to join the listening session with guidelines for testimony based on the number of registrations. Deadline to register is March 6.

●  Sen. Howard Marklein (17th) and Rep. Travis Tranel (49th) — from 1 to 2 p.m. March 12 at Grant County Fairgrounds, Youth and Ag Building, 916 E. Elm Street, Lancaster.

●  Sen. Howard Marklein (17th), Rep. Todd Novak (51st) and Rep. Travis Tranel (49th) — from 1 to 2 p.m. March 19 at Belmont Community Center, 222 S. Mound Ave., Belmont.

The format for the listening sessions are designed for the legislators to receive input and ideas about the state budget. The legislators do not plan to answer questions, debate ideas, challenge the ideas or otherwise comment because they seek to hear every point-of-view equally. The goal is for every attendee to feel comfortable sharing their input.

Depending on the number of people who attend, the session moderator may set a time limit for each attendee to share their thoughts (2-3 minutes) so that everyone has a chance to speak. If there are only a few people, the session may be more casual.

Constituents are welcome to attend to listen to others and submit written ideas, however, facility capacity limitations may impact audience observation. As always, all constituents are invited to call, email or write to the legislators at any time to share thoughts, ideas and concerns.

In the case of inclement weather, please visit Sen. Marklein’s website, Facebook page or call 608-266-0703 to determine if the session will be held.