Wisconsin State Senator Joan Ballweg

25/07/2024

The Wisconsin Initiative for Agriculture Exports (WIAE) has done a great job of promoting Wisconsin world-class agricultural products around the world. I am proud to have authored 2021 Wisconsin Act 92 with Representative Tony Kurtz, a bipartisan and public/private initiative.

MADISON (WKOW) -- When it comes to crop and meat exports across the country, Wisconsin ranks 11th in the nation, State Senator Joan Ballweg announced Wednesday. This is an improvement

24/07/2024

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Bindl Farm near Plain in Sauk County with Senator Howard Marklein. Roger Bindl showed us some of the conservation practices he has incorporated on his farm and Melissa Schlupp, the Conservation Manager for Sauk County, performed a soil health demonstration with their "rainfall simulator." Thank you Wisconsin Counties Association and Wisconsin Land+Water Conservation Association for organizing!

23/07/2024

Congratulations to Lauren from Pardeeville High School, she received one of my 20th Annual Joan Ballweg Leadership Scholarships. I wish you the best of luck in the future!

18/07/2024

Happy 40th Birthday Culver's! A great Wisconsin business based in Sauk City.

18/07/2024

Congratulations to Alyssa from Waupaca High School, she is one of the recipients of my 20th annual Joan Ballweg Leadership Scholarships. I wish you the best in the future!

16/07/2024

It was great to explore the Goose Pond Sanctuary in Arlington, WI. I learned about the 730-acre property, which is home to 270 bird species and rare plants like the Purple Cornflower (pictured). Thank you to Mark Martin and Sue Foote-Martin for inviting me!

15/07/2024

Thank you, Terry Quam and Don Ness, for your 29 years of service to the Lodi Agricultural Fair! Best wishes on your future endeavors.

Yesterday at the Lodi Ag Fair, I had the privilege to award citations from myself and Senator Ballweg to Don Ness and Terry Quam. They have served as Vice President and President of the fair board for the past 29 years! God bless and thank you for your leadership!

11/07/2024

It was great to celebrate touring Saputo! Thank you to Miles Groeschel and Saputo Inc. for hosting, and Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association for welcoming me on the tour.

10/07/2024

I’m happy to help welcome the new Kwik Trip distribution center to the Village of DeForest. My office was able to join the Kwik Trip family and village officials at the ground breaking ceremony this morning. This will be the first distribution center outside of La Crosse. Welcome to the 14th Senate District!

09/07/2024

Today, I was happy to support the funding for branch campus grants during our Joint Finance Committee meeting. These funds are vital for communities, like Richland Center. I’d like to thank my colleagues for joining us in approving this effort.

CAMPUS GRANT BILL FINISHED! Richland County (and others) can now apply for $2 million for redevelopment of campus! (NOTE: WEDC just told us that applications will be available as of 8/1/24).

Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan), Representative Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and I voted “yes” today to finish our work on legislation to provide $2 million Campus Community Transition Grants for communities where a University of Wisconsin (UW) System branch campus will no longer be used for academic purposes. The Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) approved the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC’s) request for the funding and structure in a 13.10 meeting today.

“As members of the JFC, we were all honored to vote ‘yes’ on the WEDC’s request for funding for the Campus Community Transition Grant program that we championed throughout the last legislative session. We are thrilled that this legislation – and now the grant program – have successfully completed the legislative process. Richland County, and other communities, will now be able to apply for $2 million grants to support their redevelopment efforts.”

“When the UW System notified the Richland County community that they were going to close the UW-Platteville Richland campus to in-person instruction due to declining enrollment, we were all shocked and saddened. But, in the midst of our disappointment, the community has rallied and they have been working hard to move forward with new ideas and initiatives to use the property in innovative ways.”

“At UW-Platteville Richland all of the buildings are owned by the county. This is the case at most, if not all, of the two-year campuses across the state. Richland County has been working tirelessly to determine what the county will do with the buildings now that the campus is closed. They have lots of ideas, but some of these ideas require investment and this grant will support the community in their efforts.”

Act 250, authored by Marklein and Kurtz, co-sponsored by Ballweg, directs the WEDC to create and award $2 million Campus Community Transition Grants. These grants are designed to help a county plan and redevelop underutilized campus buildings and property in the event of a campus closure. The money may be used for economic development, housing, infrastructure and any other redevelopment efforts the community pursues.

Eligible counties must apply through the WEDC and include community letters of support and funding from local sources for the project. Act 250 requires WEDC to make awards to Richland, Fond du Lac, Washington and Marinette counties, which are the current counties with finalized or pending closures. Additional counties may qualify.

05/07/2024

If you live in or are traveling to Waupaca County and the Manawa area, please be mindful of this developing situation.

https://www.nbc26.com/news/local-news/flash-flood-warning-issued-for-waupaca-county?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2MxSnAN-Ro-m9evRETCm4w0RKhX3lgF5UN4UsD25wz8xYbdAIdZfDdXG0_aem_DTnwqNjaPjyYIYm_Pco8vw

The NWS of Green Bay said a dam break on the Little Wolf River below the Manawa Dam in Waupaca County was imminent. Crews partially dismantled the dam to relieve pressure.

04/07/2024

Have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day! 🇺🇸

02/07/2024

There are several events happening around the 14th Senate District this week to celebrate our Independence Day!

01/07/2024

Helping Badger Mining Corporation celebrate 75 years of business today! I was happy to present this great company with a Legislative Commendation on behalf of Wisconsin State Senator Joan Ballweg, Representative Jon Plumer and the Wisconsin Legislature!

28/06/2024

At the Columbia County Board of Supervisors June 19 meeting board members approved a resolution recognizing the efforts of state leaders in managing the region’s energy future. The resolution, signed

27/06/2024

I enjoyed attending the City of Reedsburg Ambulance's dedication of their Safe Haven Baby Box. I am happy to have authored legislation to allow for installation of these boxes in the state.

15/06/2024

I am proud to have authored what is now 2023 Wisconsin Act 79 with Representative Ellen Schutt which allows for newborn infant safety devices to be installed in the state of Wisconsin. It’s great to have the state’s first baby box available in the 14th Senate District.

13/06/2024

Congratulations to Henry, one of the recipients of my annual leadership scholarship. I wish you the best in the future.

11/06/2024

An important update from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. For more information visit datcp.wi.gov.

10/06/2024

Wisconsin State Senator Joan Ballweg and I joined Murph on 92one WRJC this morning to give a legislative update.

04/06/2024

June is Dairy Month! 🐄
Take time to enjoy one of the many dairy breakfasts in the 14th Senate District.

03/06/2024

Celebrate with our next featured WCMA Cheese Champion, Wisconsin State Senator Joan Ballweg! As a dedicated member of the Joint Finance Committee, Sen. Ballweg has been a driving force in securing funding for the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports and the Dairy Processor Grant program. This session, she led the successful push in the Senate to increase liquid dairy hauling capacity on state roads, continuing her longtime support of Wisconsin dairy processors. Thank you, Senator Ballweg!

31/05/2024

Mark your calendar for Free Fun Weekend, June 1-2, 2024!

Head outdoors in Wisconsin for the 12th annual Free Fun Weekend, when state park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes are waived for all visitors.

Wisconsin is home to 50 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams, roughly 15,000 lakes and so much more. For the first weekend every June, you can explore it all with state park admission fees, fishing licenses and trail passes waived.

If you’ve never visited a state park, forest, trail or recreation area, or tried fishing in Wisconsin, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the outdoors in our state.

Head to our website to learn more about what you can expect from Free Fun Weekend: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/93416

30/05/2024

27/05/2024

Today we remember and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

25/05/2024

Congratulations to Madchen from Wisconsin Dells High School, she is one of the recipients of my 20th annual Joan Ballweg Leadership Scholarships. I wish you the best in the future!

23/05/2024

This week’s eupdate is all about Memorial Day and has a story about my ride on Amtrak’s new Borealis line.

https://mailchi.mp/legis/memorialday2024?e=88a371585b

There is also an article about the new train in this week’s edition of the Lodi Enterprise and Poynette Press.

https://www.hngnews.com/lodi_enterprise/news/government/borealis-takes-first-trip-through-columbia-county/article_aee04f38-1844-11ef-bd61-07ae126c1ba9.html

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public that the state's most popular parks will likely have heavy crowds during the holiday weekend. The DNR encourages visitors to explore hidden gem properties and reduce crowds at the most attended parks. With over 20 million visit....

22/05/2024

12/05/2024

Happy Mother’s Day!

09/05/2024

On May 7th I was awarded the "Friend of Heart" award from the American Heart Association. See their press release in this week’s e-update: https://mailchi.mp/legis/financial_literacy.