Republican 8th District Caucus passes resolutions

By the Waupaca County Republican Party Republicans from across the 8th Congressional District met recently at Stubborn Brother’s in Shawano. Speakers included State Sen. Eric Wimberger, Representative Elijah Behnke, U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson. Other state representatives were also in attendance as well. Waupaca County had six members in attendance as […]

Joan Ellis Beglinger announces run for Governor

Middleton, WI — Joan Ellis Beglinger announces she is running for governor of Wisconsin as an Independent candidate in 2022. A registered nurse and hospital administrator, currently retired, Beglinger attributed her decision to run to her belief that “we are a country in serious decline.  Changes have been subtle over decades, and many of us […]

Pandemic unemployment

By State Rep. Kevin Petersen In a legislative session requested by Governor Evers, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed Special Session Senate Bill 1 with wide bipartisan support that addresses Wisconsin’s unemployment crisis and protects Wisconsin businesses. Most importantly, this bill provides Governor Evers with a simple roadmap to move forward in upgrading the Unemployment Insurance […]

The Bottom Line

By State Rep. Kevin Petersen Whether you agree or disagree with the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed at the federal level, Wisconsin will be receiving $3.2 billion in discretionary spending over the next 4 years. Although it lacked many details, Gov. Evers on Monday laid out his plan for how he intends to spend […]

State Sen. Ballweg reacts to Govenor’s budget address

By State Sen. Joan Ballweg Thanks to responsible budgeting by Republicans last cycle, our state is on good fiscal footing to recover from the pandemic. COVID-19 hit state governments hard, but it devastated many of our friends and neighbors who are still dealing with long waits for their unemployment, losing their jobs and seeing their […]

Protecting recipients of the Paycheck Protection Program

By State Rep. Kevin Petersen On top of all the adversity, hardship, and changes COVID-19 imposed on the state’s employers over the last year, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) recently determined that over 108,000 businesses who utilized the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans would be required to pay millions of dollars in taxes […]

Open letter to Gov. Tony Evers on mask mandate

By State Sen. Joan Ballweg Dear Governor Evers, As a past co-chair of the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules, I have strong regard for the structural process of creating the laws, rules and guidance documents that dictate how we govern this great state. In the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am […]

Introduction from your new state senator

By Sen. Joan Ballweg As the new state senator for the 14th Senate District, I wanted to introduce myself and my new office. I am here to serve my constituents and want to thank you for the faith you have shown in me. I am committed to being your voice in the state Capitol and look […]

17th Annual Joan Ballweg Leadership Scholarship

Each year, State Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) offers scholarships to qualifying high school seniors in her 14th Senate District, which includes Waupaca County. This will be the first year she will offer scholarships as a state senator. Previously, as the state representative for the 41st Assembly District, she offered five $500 scholarships. This year she will […]

Mobile Covid-19 testing Nov. 18 and 23

There will be mobile Covid-19 testing at ThedaCare Medical Center – Waupaca on Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is a 3-to-5-day results turnaround test. The drive-through testing is free and is available to all community members experiencing symptoms, those who believe they may have been exposed […]