January 12, 2006

HIGHLITES FROM THE SENATE

SENATOR MARK ZIEMAN

Happy New Year!

As I sit down to write the first newsletter of the 2006 legislative session, it does not seem possible that another year has passed and we are again back at the Capitol.

Many positive developments have occurred since adjournment last May. “When are our roads going to be repaired?” has been one of the most frequently asked questions during the interim. The good news is that several different projects will take place in this four county district.

Highway 26, from Lansing to New Albin, will have work done starting this summer. Hopefully, during this initial phase, the Department of Transportation will have the time it needs to plan for a major upgrade to this important highway. Highway 24 will have bridge work this summer, which is necessary before widening and resurfacing begins. Highway 9, from Davis Corners into Cresco, is scheduled for improvement and will likely be closed for a time this summer. Highway 18, east of Fredericksburg, is on the radar screen also, although those plans are yet to be finalized. The other good news is that Highway 63 will get some much needed funding for improvement.

Even with all this good news, there is some bad. Due to rising costs, road monies do not go as far as they did in the past. I must compliment the DOT and its employees for stretching their limited budget to address so many needs.

The Governor delivered his final State of the State address on Tuesday. I give him credit for his ability to dream large, even during his last year in office. He presented his fifty minute speech without referring to a single note, which was amazing to me.

We are now analyzing the budget that the Governor submitted this week to the legislative branch. There are sure to be areas of agreement and areas of contention. The timeliness of his budget presentation is much appreciated, so discussions can start sooner rather than later.

Representative Gipp and I will host a forum on Saturday, January 21st. Please plan on joining us from 9 to 10:30 that morning at the Winneshiek County Farm Bureau offices in Decorah.

For further information or clarification, please contact me at the Capitol (515) 281-3371 or at my home (563) 864-3104.