Thank you for your trust and encouragement as I have served as your State Senator during the 2021-2022 legislative session. I am honored to work on your behalf in the Wisconsin Legislature. We have made tremendous progress on the fiscal fitness of our state and promoting the interests of rural Wisconsin.
Without a doubt, I will always remember 2021 as the first year that I served as the Co-Chair of the Legislature’s powerful, budget-writing Joint Committee on Finance (JFC). As a CPA, working on the state budget is very interesting (and dare I say, “fun”) to me.
It was an honor to lead the Senate’s work on the state budget. We funded all of your priorities while returning $3.2 billion to taxpayers in tax cuts. We crafted a great budget for rural Wisconsin that included nearly $120 million for local, rural roads, increased reimbursements for hospitals and nursing homes and provided support for the workers who care for us. Our bi-partisan budget, which was supported by seven democrats, including the Senate Minority Leader, is good for Wisconsin. In fact, the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA) said that this budget is the “best budget for towns in recent history.”
In addition to the budget, I authored 52 bills. As of today, seven of my bills have been signed into law including Act 91, which was signed by the Governor in Necedah to create a new Purple Heart Memorial Highway on Hwy 21. This bill was suggested by VFW Commander and Purple Heart recipient James Starr of Necedah. Two additional bills are scheduled to be signed on Friday, April 15, 2022.
Beyond the halls of the State Capitol, it has been wonderful to be out-and-about with you again. I missed the parades, dairy breakfasts, county fairs, spaghetti suppers and pancake breakfasts that we had to cancel in 2020. Many of these great events rebounded and roared back better than ever. I can’t wait to see you at parades and picnics this summer!
I always gather terrific input and ideas when I am sharing a cup of coffee at a pancake breakfast or flipping burgers at the County Fair booth. This is where very meaningful connections are made and I learn a lot about you and the people I represent.
Again, it is an honor to represent the 17th Senate District in the State Senate. I look forward to continuing to work with you — and for you — in the State Senate.
— Sen. Howard Marklein represents Wisconsin’s 17th Senate District. He can be reached at 800-978-8008 or email Sen.Marklein@legis.wisconsin.gov.
