Posts under ‘Politics’

Deputy Terry Tifft and K9 Riggs receive Hometown Hero Award

From the office of state Rep. Amanda Nedweski: On Tuesday Jan. 16th, Deputy Terry Tifft and K9 Riggs of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department were presented with the Hometown Hero Award by Rep. Amanda Nedweski (R-Pleasant Prairie). In a ceremony before the Wisconsin State Assembly at the State Capitol, Rep. Nedweski introduced Deputy Tifft and Riggs with […]

US Rep. Steil brings flag from US Capitol to Brighton War Memorial

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville) was in Brighton Monday to deliver a flag for the Brighton Veterans Memorial. From a news release from the congressman’s office: Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) delivered a U.S. flag that was flown over the Capitol to the Brighton War Memorial.  “I’m committed to honoring and supporting our nation’s veterans. Whether it’s […]

Rep. Kerkman retains position in Assembly majority leadership

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) has retained her position in Assembly majority leadership. From a news release from Kerkman’s office issued Wednesday: In caucus elections held Tuesday, Representative Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) was re-elected to the position of Majority Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms for the 2021-2022 legislative session. “I am humbled by the trust placed in […]

Biden to visit Kenosha Thursday

Joseph Biden, former vice president and current Democratic candidate for president, will visit Kenosha Thursday, multiple media sources are reporting. The visit will be two days after President Donald Trump visited Kenosha to meet with law enforcement, tour damaged areas of the city and meet with business owners whose businesses were destroyed in rioting last […]

State Supreme Court rules 4-3 to overturn Safer at Home extension

The Wisconsin State Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Health Services secretary overstepped their constitutional authority in extending the Safer at Home to May 26. Consequently, it appears there is no statewide restriction in effect on COVID-19 related measures such as business closings and public gatherings, other than what […]

Local agencies urge legislators to pass bills to help homelessness problem

Representatives of five agencies that work to limit homelessness in all forms throughout Kenosha County met with county and state legislators Monday at The Sharing Center in Trevor to discuss the issue and urge passage of legislation that will help the agencies in their work. Attending were state Sen. Van Wanggaard and state Rep. Samantha […]

Bristol Deputy David Gomez honored with 2019 First Responder of the Year Award for 61st Assembly Dist.

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) presented the First Responder of the Year Award for the 61st Assembly District to Kenosha County Sheriff’s Deputy David Gomez at a ceremony in Madison on Thursday. Gomez joined 79 other first responders at the State Capitol to receive this award and be honored by the Wisconsin State Assembly.  Deputy […]

Rep. Kerkman to host in-district listening session March 26 in Paddock Lake

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) will be holding an in-district listening session on Tuesday, March 26. From 9:30 to 11 a.m.,  constituents can meet for “Coffee with Kerkman” at Cozzi Café & Bake Shop 24123 75th St. in Paddock Lake. Constituents are encouraged to attend to discuss their thoughts, observations, and opinions about Wisconsin State […]

Rep. Kerkman to host listening sessions Monday

Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) will be holding in-district listening sessions on Monday, Feb. 25. In the morning, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., constituents can meet for “Coffee with Kerkman” at Bodi’s Bake Shop at 306 E Main St, Twin Lakes. In the afternoon, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., state Sen. Van Wanggaard will join Rep. Kerkman […]

Rep. Kerkman to return as Assembly chair of Joint Legislative Audit Committee

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman, whose district includes most of Western Kenosha County, will return to the Assembly chairmanship of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee: From a news release from Kerkman’s office: State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) has been re-appointed Assembly Chair for the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Rep. Kerkman has served continuously on the Joint Audit Committee […]

U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan announces he will not run for re-election

We don’t post a lot of state level or beyond politics here at westofthei.com, but we felt the announcement by U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan — who also happens to be the Speaker of the House — that he will not run for re-election warranted an exception. Ryan made the announcement Wednesday. The First Congressional District […]

Rep. Kerkman bill on unemployment fraud signed by governor

A bill authored by state Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) that addresses unemployment insurance fraud with stiffer penalties was signed into law this week by Gov. Scott Walker. Kerkman’s district includes most of Western Kenosha County. From a news release issued by Kerkman’s office: Governor Walker this morning signed Assembly Bill 710, a bill authored by […]

Rep. Kerkman to hold office hours Dec. 15 in Bristol and Somers

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) will be hosting two office hours sessions Friday, Dec. 15 at: Bristol Municipal Building, 19801 83rd St., Bristol from 1 to 2 p.m. Somers Municipal Building, 7511 12th St., Kenosha from 10 to 11 a.m. Constituents are invited to come with questions, and to share any state-related concerns they may have with Rep. Kerkman. “I am […]

Legislators schedule listening sessions for May 3

State Sen. Van Wanggaard and state Rep. Samantha Kerkman will hold three listening sessions on May 3, to gather constituents’ feedback on Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2017-2019 state budget proposal. Taxpayers are welcome to attend any of the listening sessions to share their thoughts on the governor’s proposal and share their budget priorities. The May 3 listening sessions […]

Rep. Kerkman comments on presidential visit

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem Lakes) issued the following statement about President Donald Trump’s visit to Kenosha Tuesday: Any time the President comes to town, regardless of political identity, it is a big deal. I think that a reason Kenosha County voted Republican in 2016 for the first time since 1972 was because of his […]

Rep. Kerkman sponsoring bill to eliminate daylight saving time in Wisconsin

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) is working on spreading a little daylight. No she is not looking to make cloudy days illegal in Wisconsin, but she is, along with state Rep. Michael Schraa (R-Oshkosh) circulating a bill for co-sponsorship that would eliminate daylight saving time here. From a press release announcing the initiative released Friday: “As […]

Sen. Van Wanggaard reappointed Chair of Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) has been reappointed as Chair of the State Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety for the upcoming 2017-18 legislative session. In addition to chairing the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, Wanggaard will serve as Senate Co-Chair of the Law Revision Committee and Joint Survey Committee on Criminal Penalties. “Fostering public safety has […]

State Rep. Kerkman committee leadership positions announced

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman will serve as the Assembly Chair for the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Vice-Chair for the Assembly Committee on Health, it was announced last week. From a news release from Kerkman’s office: Yesterday, Speaker Vos announced Committee Chair and Vice Chair appointments for the 2017-18 Legislative Session. Representative Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) was […]

State Rep. Kerkman re-elected Assembly Republican Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) was unanimously elected Monday by the Assembly Republican Caucus to serve as the Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms for the 2017-2018 Legislative Session. In her fourth term as Caucus Sergeant-at-Arms, Kerkman will be serving the largest Assembly Republican Majority since 1957 as the Republicans have increased their membership by one seat with a […]

Sen. Wanggaard a Wisconsin Professional Police Association “Legislator of the Year”

The Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) recently announced that state Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) had earned one of two “WPPA Legislators of the Year” awards. Wanggaard received this award because of his support and authorship of legislation favored by law enforcement during the previous legislative session. “Although I am honored to receive this distinction, I did not […]

It’s Election Day

It’s Election Day today with federal, state and county partisan offices on the ballot. Of special note locally are: The 61st Assembly District race, which pits current state Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) and Amee Janus (D-Trevor) against each other. Most of Western Kenosha County (except for Wheatland) is in the 61st. All of the partisan county offices are uncontested. Polls […]

Sen. Wanggaard receives National Federation of Independent Business award

The National Federation of Independent Business has announced that Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-21) is a recipient of their Guardian Award. This award, which is NFIB’s highest honor, is reserved for elected officials who have tirelessly stood up for the best interests of small business owners in the Legislature. “Senator Van Wanggaard has been a strong advocate for Main Street […]

Governor signs Kerkman/Wanggaard locker room hidden-camera law

A bill drafted by state Rep. Samantha Kerkman and state Sen. Van Wanggaard that increases penalties for taking clandestine photos or videos of nude adults or children was among over 50 bills signed into law by Gov. Scott Walker Wednesday. From a media release: (Wednesday) Governor Walker signed Assembly Bill 566 into law.  Assembly Bill 566 was […]

Locker room video taping legislation authored by Kerkman & Wanggaard heading to gov.

Peeping Town offenses, including secret video taping in locker rooms, will carry tougher penalties if a bill authored by two local state legislators is signed by Gov. Scott Walker. From a press release issued by state Rep. Smantha Kerkman and state Sen. Van Wanggaard: Early this evening (Tuesday) the State Senate concurred in Assembly action […]

Four bills authored by Sen. Wanggaard signed by gov.

The following was submitted by the office of state Sen. Van Wanggaard: Governor Walker signed four bills authored by Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) into law this morning. The bills authored by Wanggaard help open doors for entrepreneurs and small business, allow on-duty military personnel to carry concealed weapons in Wisconsin, provides civil liability immunity for equine-assisted learning and […]

Kerkman and Ohnstad Good Samaritan passes Assembly

Form the office of state Rep. Smantha Kerkman: Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) along with Rep. Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha) brought forth Assembly Bill 308.  On Oct. 27, 2015, AB 308 passed the Wisconsin State Assembly on a bipartisan vote. Under AB 308, a person who damages a vehicle in order to rescue another individual or an animal would […]

Three Sen. Wanggaard bills awaiting gov.’s approval

Three bills authored by state Sen. Van Wanggaard have cleared their final legislative hurdle and are waiting Gov. Scott Walker’s signature. The bills focus on variable rate loans, off-duty police officers and legal handgun owners. From an announcement Wannggard’s office: The first bill, Assembly Bill 24, allows state chartered banks to offer promotional loan rates below the contracted index […]

Cyberstalking bill authored by Sen. Wanggaard signed by governor

A bill providing protection for victims of cyberstalking was signed into law by Governor Scott Walker this week. The bill, authored by Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton), allows courts to issue protective orders for victims of harassment in Wisconsin even if that harassment originates from out-of-state. “Victims are often targeted through many of today’s […]

Rep. Kerkman: Casino pact ruling puts gov. in better position to approve

The Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs rejection of a contract provision that could have obligated the state to make up any money the Pottawatomietribe might have lost from a Menominee Tribe casino in Kenosha puts Gov. Scott Walker in a better position to approve the Kenosha casino, state Rep. Samantha Kerkman, R-Salem, contends in a statement […]

Kerkman sworn in as 61st Assembly Dist. representative

State Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem) officially began her eighth term in the Wisconsin Assembly Monday when she was sworn in as the State Representative for the 61st Wisconsin Assembly District.  This marks the start of the 102nd Legislature in which Rep. Kerkman is the longest-serving Republican woman Assembly member and fifth longest-serving Assembly member overall. “I […]

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