Clark Named Chair of Forestry Comm.

Representative Fred Clark (D-Baraboo) was named the new chair of the Assembly Committee on Forestry by Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan.  Rep. Clark, who was serving as Vice Chair of the committee, will continue to put his 20-year background as a Wisconsin forester to use on legislation affecting the forestry and wood products industry.

“I’m honored and excited to continue the work I’ve been doing on the Forestry committee in my new capacity as Chair,” said Rep. Clark.  “Forests are a major natural resource for our community and a 20 billion dollar industry for our state.  We need to find new ways for unleashing the potential of our forestry industry so we can create additional jobs aimed at getting Wisconsin workers back on their feet.”

Clark, who was awarded his post after less than a year in the State Assembly, has been a leader on a number of economic development issues.  Clark authored the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin bill, legislation that would require local and state governments to purchase a certain percentage of products they use from Wisconsin businesses. 

Earlier this year, Representative Clark played a key role in passing $200 million dollars in new meat processing and cheese making business expansion incentives and as Forestry Committee Chairman, Rep. Clark is looking for new proposals geared toward expanding forest product-based businesses.  

“The 42nd Assembly District is home to many forestry based businesses such as Glenn Oak lumber in Montello, Meister Forest Products in Endeavor, the Glennville Timberwrights in Baraboo and many others.  Finding new opportunities for these companies to expand will give our working families the jobs we so desperately need and the local economy we deserve.

“I appreciate the trust that my colleagues have put in me,” said Rep. Clark.  “And I will continue to honor the trust that my constituents have put in me.  I am looking forward to playing a larger role as the Forestry Committee Chair, so we can create new jobs using one of Wisconsin’s largest and most productive sectors of the economy.”

Briggsville, Dells to host February Fundraisers

District residents are cordially invited to a pair of re-election fundraisers for Rep. Fred Clark in early February.

The “Five for Fred” events are scheduled for Thursday, February 11 at the High Rock Cafe, 232-1/2 Broadway in Wisconsin Dells, and Monday, February 15 at Briggsville’s Pheasant Inn, N415 County Road A.

A minimum campaign contribution of $5 per person is suggested for each event, both of which will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Appetizers will be served, and a cash bar is available.

Local hosts Jim & Debbie Kinder, Arlene & Hiroshi Kanno, and John & Shirley Tollaksen will welcome Rep. Clark to the Dells, and speak briefly about local issues such as groundwater, schools, economic development, and legislative initiatives to address them.  In Briggsville, Craig & Susan Hilliard, Anita & Donald Nelson, and Nels Nelson & Sarah Lloyd will host the event.

“One goal of these events is to build momentum toward the 2010 election,” said Rep. Clark, “but they are also further opportunities to connect again with my constituents in the northern portion of the district and discuss their concerns and ideas in an informal way.”

Rep. Clark is serving his first term in the Wisconsin Legislature, representing the 42nd Assembly District, which includes Briggsville, Endeavor, Montello, and Oxford, as well as Portage, Baraboo, and Wisconsin Dells.

Reservations are encouraged, though not required, and can be made at 608-356-7662 or online.

Child Safety Legislation Passes Assembly

The State Assembly voted unanimously on Jan 26 to pass Assembly Bill 219, authored by Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo). This bill would increase safety on Wisconsin’s waters by requiring personal flotation devices (PFDs) be worn by children in recreational boats.

“We have seen consistent evidence that the majority of boating fatalities are the result of drowning, and 80% of the victims were not wearing life jackets,” said Clark. “Due to their size and physical development, young children are highly vulnerable in boating accidents, and this bill provides common sense protection for them.”

Over the past 10 years, there were three children under the age of 12, and 24 children under the age of 18 who died of boating fatalities in Wisconsin that could have been prevented if the victims were wearing a PFD. Currently, Wisconsin and Virginia are the only states in the country that do not have a PFD requirement for children. AB 219 aligns Wisconsin law with existing federal law.

“We took a strong step today for improving the safety of our children," said Clark. “This is a bipartisan, public safety proposal that I believe will prevent these tragedies that are both unnecessary and preventable.”

AB 219 would prohibit a person from operating a recreational boat that is less than 26 feet in length unless every person on the boat who is 12 years old or younger is wearing a PFD, is in a cabin space, or is below deck. AB 219 now goes to the Senate for consideration.