Key Reads

We end the week with a flurry of activity from Madison, but as we’ve said, a lot of these initiatives will either not see the light of day in the other house of the legislature, or will be vetoed by the Governor. So take any stories about a piece of legislation ‘passing’ on a party line vote with a grain of salt. Plus, sometimes the Republicans in one house disagree with their peers in the other.

Take for example the push for medical marijuana. It gained a lot of attention earlier this year when Republicans offered a plan. It’s just too much for some GOP State Senators, so it’s dead for this year.

Vos: Medical marijuana not going to happen this year– The Center Square

Speaker Robin Vos told reporters Thursday there are too many different views of marijuana to find a consensus on a strict-medical only plan.

“I think we have now seen, unfortunately, people who from the very beginning have said that they have concerns that this will lead to widespread recreational marijuana and many of my colleagues on the other side continue to say that that is their goal which of course that’s their right,” Vos said.
The Center Square

But when the powers that be decide something must happen, they move with amazing speed, and can even pass sweeping legislation without debate or even a recorded roll call.

Bill limiting competition for transmission lines passes state Assembly – WPR

A bill limiting competition between companies building new power lines in Wisconsin will head to the state Senate, after passing the Assembly on a voice vote Thursday with no debate.

The legislation would give owners of transmission lines in the state the right of first refusal to build new lines that connect to their existing infrastructure. It comes after the Midwest grid operator approved $10 billion in work on new transmission lines over the next decade, with about $2 billion in Wisconsin.
WPR

However, even with split control in Madison, there is one way to advance measures that doesn’t require the Governor’s cooperation.

Wisconsin Assembly passes constitutional amendment to limit diversity effort – AP, WKOW

The measure is the latest effort targeting DEI efforts nationwide, but it is a long way from becoming law in Wisconsin. It must also pass the Senate this year and then the full Legislature next session before it would go to a statewide vote to be added to the Wisconsin Constitution.

The Senate is only expected to be in session a couple more days before ending its work for the year in March.

Wisconsin Republicans have been proposing more constitutional amendments because they don’t require a sign off from Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. He has vetoed more bills than any other governor in state history, serving as a block on the agenda of Republicans who have strong majorities in the Legislature.
WKOW

Moving from politics to some good news, northern Wisconsin was graced with some actual Winter weather which is a godsend for the tourism sector.

The weather comes just in time for the Birkie. While snow cover in the Cable – Hayward area remains a concern and has caused course changes, Dave Kallmann has a wonderful story about a competitor who has participated in every race since its inception

Wisconsin cross country ski icon Ernie St. Germaine’s 50 years of Birkebeiner stories – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Talking cross country skiing, of all things, the energetic 76-year-old commands the attention of his audience of one with tales of how blueberry pancakes led to him learning to ski. Of how he was drafted into the first American Birkebeiner, vowed to quit and then got sucked into the second. Of the clown who nearly ended his streak. Of preparing for a bittersweet, record-extending 50th with no snow in the Wisconsin Northwoods.

As the Birkie evolved from 35 people racing from Hayward to Cable to an international gathering of more than 10,000 headed the other direction, St. Germaine has been the one constant.

Next week he will clip boots into bindings and set off on his 50th Birkebeiner as the only skier to participate in every one.

Then he’ll have another story to tell.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

To be sure, the lack of snow is not only concerning to those who rely upon Wisconsin winter tourism.

Northeast Wisconsin farmers worry about impact that lack of rain, snow will have on crops – WLUK

Farmers say they’ve noticed their swampy areas, creeks and ponds are lacking moisture or have lower water levels than usual. And with below average snow totals for this time of year, snowmelt won’t provide much moisture-rich soil heading into spring.

“We were really wet last spring and we had a good late snowfall that saturated into the ground,” Clark explained. “This year, if we don’t get some of those spring weather events, the farmers are not starting with that bank of moisture like we had last year.”
WLUK

We’ll continue to follow this story. After all, the weather is far less predictable than the politicians in Madison.

Have a wonderful weekend. We’ll be back with new Key Reads on Monday.