Assembly Passes Affordable Housing Package
On Tuesday the Assembly passed a package of bills aimed at addressing Wisconsin’s housing shortage. Low housing inventory is driving prices up. Median home prices have more than doubled in the past decade, from $160,500 in 2015 to $338,000 today, putting homeownership out of reach for first-time and middle-income buyers. That’s why the median age of a first-time buyer is 38.These housing bills will expand Wisconsin’s “missing-middle” housing—smaller, attainable homes that are not being built today but are critical for our workforce, families, and seniors. I authored Assembly Bill 455, the Condominium Conversion Reimbursement Grant Bill. AB 455 is a smart way to tackle this by encouraging the development of owner-occupied condominiums, but our state’s condo rules haven’t kept up in decades. The goal is simple: provide the funding boost needed to ease housing shortages by making it easier and more rewarding for developers to build owner-occupied condos through these targeted incentives. Tuesday was a big step in the right direction towards solving this crisis.
Wisconsin-Ireland Trade Commission Meets
I serve as the Chairman of the Wisconsin Ireland Trade Commission which held its quarterly meeting on Wednesday. We dealt with a variety of issues, but the primary topic was Agricultural trade. On my recent trip to Ireland I met with companies that recycle corn that’s been used for ethanoyl, and companies that produce safe food dyes. Both have established footholds in Wisconsin and are looking to expand operations. The Commission is working with WEDC and the UW who are able help. This will spur some economic development between our state and the Republic of Ireland. In the picture above I’m sitting with my staffer, and Clerk of the Commission, Mike Pexa.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This disease touches too many lives—our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, and friends—and I’m urging everyone to spread awareness, encourage early screenings, and support local efforts like fundraisers and walks.
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State Capitol Tours
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The best way to experience the beauty and grandeur of Wisconsin’s Capitol building (located at 2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53702) is to see it for yourself. It is open to the public weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends and holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Free tours are offered daily, year round except on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas. Tours start at the information desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m.; and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. A 4:00 p.m. tour is offered weekdays (Monday – Friday), excluding holidays, during Memorial Day through Labor Day. Plan on spending 45-55 minutes for a tour. The sixth floor museum and observation deck are open during the summer months. Groups of ten or more can make an on-line reservation for a tour of the State Capitol or call (608)266-0382.
