Navitus 20th Anniversary
Last week I attended Navitus’ 20th anniversary celebration in Appleton. Congratulations on their two decades in business!
The Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin
It’s that time of the year again! The Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest has started to accept nominations. This is the eighth annual competition and any product that is manufactured in our state qualifies for the contest. You can make a nomination by clicking on the image above. Nominations are open through September 8th.
Wisconsin Transportation Funding
Every year the Wisconsin Department of Transportation completes 350 to 400 state highway projects – averaging about $1.5 million each – in addition to passing funds through to local governments for road construction.
The Assembly Republican-authored budget provided over $1.5 billion for new transportation funding. That is more than $130 million in additional transportation aid than Governor Evers proposed and $10 million more in state highway rehabilitation than he proposed. All of that would have been accomplished while bonding by $88 million less.
Local road aids included:
- $31.4 million in general transportation aids, providing a 2% increase in each year of the biennium
- 4% increase each year in the local road improvement program, funded with $4 million over the biennium
- $100 million in the local road improvement program’s supplemental program
- $150 million in a newly created local road improvement program for agriculture roads, to direct funding specifically for roads serving agricultural communities
- 25% increase in connecting highway aids, which helps municipalities with repair costs on roads that connect state highways, funded with $7.5 million over the biennium
Roads and bridges are a substantial part of our state’s transportation system, and we also supported several other types of transportation infrastructure in our budget, including:
- $46 million for the airport improvement program
- $20 million for the harbor assistance program
- $13 million for the freight rail preservation program
- Nearly $1 million for passenger rail operations assistance
Finally, and importantly, we also supported law enforcement on our roads with a $5.00 per hour pay bump for State Patrol traffic officers and motor carrier inspectors.
Do You Have Unclaimed Property?
Did you know 1 in 7 Wisconsinites have unclaimed cash or other assets? The State Department of Revenue receives reports of unclaimed property from financial institutions, insurance companies, and other businesses every year. It’s quick and free to search your name in the Department of Revenue’s database, and if you find that you have unclaimed property, you can immediately make a claim.
To search your name for unclaimed property, visit the DOR database: https://www.revenue.wi.gov/
Capitol Christmas Ornaments
It’s only August, but the 2023 Capitol Christmas ornaments are already available for sale at the State Capitol Rotunda Information Desk for $20. The 2023 Christmas ornaments feature the 40th anniversary of the Concerts on the Square. The information desk also has the 2022 and 2012 ornaments available for $20 and $15 respectively.
Upcoming Events
Greenville Summer Send Off
August 26
Calumet County Fair
September 1-4
Fox Jazz Fest
Jefferson Park, Menasha
September 2-3
Market on Main
Downtown Little Chute
September 9
Fox Cities Irish Fest
Jones Park, Appleton
September 15-16
