That person who agrees with you 80 percent
of the time is a friend and an ally, not a 20
percent traitor.
---Ronald Reagan

Join us at our Republican County party booth at the Fair August 22-27

Bring your children, grandchildren under 12 to say the Pledge of Allegiance and pick a special school supply.

Stop by, you may be lucky to visit with one of our legislators - Paul Tittl will be there on Tuesday from 4 - 4:45. US Representative Glenn Grothman plans to be there Saturday; however, we do not have a specific time.

We will have information about current topics in our community, political items for sale, and the opportunity to sign up to be a poll worker for the next election season.

SEE YOU AT THE FAIR!

January Caucus 2017

Manitowoc District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre, Representative Paul Tittl, 9th District State Senator Devin LeMahieu and Jim Falkowski

Shae Sortwell, Jim Falkowski and Roger Vander Logt

Officers for 2017-2019 were elected at the January 21st caucus. Donald Zimmer, County Chairman,

Sulynn Moore, County Vice-Chairman, Ann Wolf, Treasurer and Gail Clifford, Secretary.

2017-2018 Legislative Session

The 2017-2018 Legislative Session started on Tuesday with the inauguration of 4 new and 12 returning Senators. With the start of the new legislative session, committee assignments were announced late last week.

This session I will be chairing the Senate Elections and Utilities Committee. As the Chairmen of the Senate Elections Committee last session, we were able to address a lot of important election issues. We will continue to ensure the integrity of our election process through this committee.

Now that utilities has been added to the elections committee, I look forward to working with providers to preserve access to affordable utilities for all Wisconsin ratepayers.

In addition to the Elections and Utilities Committee, I will serve on the following committees:

Revenue, Financial Institutions, & Rural Issues (Vice Chair)
Health & Human Services
Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules
Law Revision Committee

Department of Revenue Report

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Members in the News

Pete Kappelman, front right, and his wife, Shellie, back center, and their daughter Bethany Gierke, from left son, Mitch and son-in-law, A.J. Kenneke.

The Kappelman Family of Meadow Brook Dairy in northern Manitowoc County was featured in the local news this week. The family has been farming for over a half century, but Pete and Shellie’s farm is very much one of this century. Two of their children and a son-law are actively involved in the farm. Their herd is a mixture of registered Holsteins and brown Swiss – three of their brown Swiss heifers are listed first, second and sixth in the country.

Congratulations to the family and their commitment to farming. Peter is quoted saying, “I think in general it’s a really rewarding, satisfying lifestyle.”

As Wisconsinites, we love our state's natural beauty. Many of us are hunters, like the new Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan. Personally, I'm a fisherman -- and I always enjoy boating and trolling for walleye on LakeWinnebago We all want a pristine environment. Bit we also need to find a balance between protecting ourenvironment while allowing our manufacturing and agricultural industries to thrive - and the liberals in Washington seem to have forgotten that.

A study commissioned by the Small Business Administration showed that it costs Americans $1.7 trillion to comply with federal regulations every year.

And if that wasn't bad enough, the Senate recently voted against an onerous Environmental Protection Agency rule that would give the federal government the power to regulate a puddle in your backyard. That is not a joke --- this rule would give the federal government regulatory authority over 92 percent of the land in our state. This is the kind of government overreach that many agree is a threat to our freedom and economic prosperity.

These out-of-control regulations would strangle family farms with red tape and make it more expensive for manufacturers to create good Wisconsin jobs.

I'm doing my part to fight back against this overreach - but unfortunately Senator Feingold is not only supportive of this absurd overregulation, he actually laid the groundwork for it by championing a similar proposal during his 18 years in the U.S. Senate.

I work for the people of Wisconsin, not for unelected bureaucrats in DC. I know how irrational it is to give the federal government control over 92 percent of the land in our state. And I will continue to fight against this kind of overreach - and I ask you to stand with me.

REFORMS ARE WORKING!

WISCONSIN ENDS FISCAL YEAR WITH BUDGET SURPLUS OF $135.6 MILLION

Wisconsin’s rating remains high across all three of the major credit rating agencies.

Aa2 - Moody's

AA - Fitch

AA - Standard & Poor's

The reforms that we are making in Wisconsin continue to prove successful and the overall financial health of the state is in a good position.

Have a great weekend,

Manitowoc Holiday Parade 2015

I want to express my most heartfelt thanks to those hardy Republicans who ignored the predictions of bad weather and marched in the city of Manitowoc Thanksgiving parade. I have never seen so many people lining the sidewalks of Manitowoc for any parade.

And they saw us Republicans marching proudly, our Manitowoc GOP banner at the head of our group, being held by two of our Hmong Republicans, part of the Hmong contingent who showed up in their traditional colorful costumes. These brave people know what it is like to risk their lives fighting against tyranny. They are great Americans and unhesitant to show their love for our wonderful country.

Also among our marchers were: 9^th district state senator Devin LeMahieu, 25^th district assemblyman Paul Tittl; 2^nd district assemblyman Andre Jacque with three of his children, Caleb, McKenzie, and Langston (I hope I got the names right) marching alongside their proud dad; our Manitowoc County district attorney Jackie LaBre; our acting county party treasurer Bonnie Shimulunas and her formidable Republican dog, a St. Bernard named Patches with a small wooden keg around its neck (I didn’t ask what was in the keg); our county party secretary Lori Stolz and her daughter Gracie; Pete Christiansen who drove our parade vehicle; my wife Marge who rode alongside Pete and kept us supplied with candy to pass out to eager children, and of course, yours truly.

What a great night to show our colors!! The predicted bad weather never appeared and the parade was a complete success.

The local Democrats were nowhere in sight. Of course, I wouldn’t have expected them to join in such a classic celebration of America, which is also an expression of thanks to God for our blessings. A May Day parade is more in keeping with their political and cultural inclinations.

Statewide Republican Training Conference

Three members of the Republican Party of Manitowoc County, chairman Don Zimmer, vice chairman Sulynn Moore, and acting treasurer Bonnie Shimulunas, attended the Training Day sponsored by the Republican Party of Wisconsin which occurred on November 14 in Wausau.

One of the highlights of the day was an appearance by Senator Ron Johnson who, as we all know, is locked in a tight battle for reelection against former senator Russ Feingold. As Senator Johnson reminded us, his race against Feingold is going to be a very challenging campaign. The Democratic Party will pull out all stops to defeat Johnson. That is why we Republicans need to rally our voters to get out and vote for Senator Johnson in 2016.

Brad Courtney, the chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin reminded us that Wisconsin has not been won for a presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan did so in 1984. Therefore, much is at stake in 2016. Courtney and Senator Johnson believe that If we can win Wisconsin for our presidential candidate, Johnson’s victory is almost certainly assured as well.

Courtney also introduced to us the current staff at party headquarters in Madison. Several of this dynamic, young staff conducted classes for attendees. I must say, I was impressed by this group of dynamic and knowledgeable young people who included those who will staff our several field offices located throughout the state. Those offices will provide direct assistance to we who will establish campaign offices in each county.