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Study suggests drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants

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A new report suggests Wisconsin’s undocumented migrants should be allowed to get drivers licenses. The report from Kids Forward claims Wisconsin will be safer for everyone if lawmakers allow that.

“All immigrants deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of their documentation status,” said Tamerine Cornelius, an analyst for the Wisconsin Budget Project. “Allowing them to get drivers licenses would be an important step towards that.”

AUDIO: Tamerine Cornelius :30 

Cornelius noted that there’s an interest here, for the state’s signature industry. “Anybody who’s concerned about the well-being of dairy farms in Wisconsin also needs to be concerned about the well-being of dairy farm workers.”

According to the study, lawmakers in 12 other states have allowed licences for undocumented immigrants.
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Marijuana is on the ballot in Wisconsin

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Marijuana is on the ballot in many Wisconsin communities Tuesday. Voters will join in a national debate for or against legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use.

Advisory referendums are on local ballots in 16 counties and two cities – Waukesha and Racine. All were approved by county boards or city councils.

Marijuana legalization advocates claim these referendums will provide a measure of public opinion that can be shared with the state Legislature. Governor Scott Walker, Attorney General Brad Schimel and Republican legislative leaders all oppose legalization of pot.

Test your livestock feed and silage for flood damage

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Floods across Wisconsin have damaged homes and roads, but they can also damage crops and animal feed.

DATCP Spokeswoman Donna Gilson says the same sorts of dangers that people face when it comes to flood waters will affect your livestock as well.

“Flood waters can have a lot of stuff in them like sewage, bacteria, pathogens, pesticides, all kinds of stuff that could damage crops that are intended for animal feed.”

Gilson says if you think your crops have been damaged in the field or in a silo, talk with your local extension office.

“Have them come out and look at it and just get some good expert advice whether it’s salvageable, and whether it’s worth getting it tested.”

If you are going to lose your crop, make sure you contact your insurance or extension office to find out how best to proceed.

DNR offers assistance to landowners planting native plants

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Wisconsin landowners and homeowners hoping to help improve habitats for bees and other pollinators can do a lot by just planting some native Wisconsin flowers and plants.

There’s some major efforts underway to specifically help out the Monarch butterfly, which summers in the state. DNR Conservation Biologist Jay Watson says there’s plenty of things you can plant to help foster monarch butterflies in your home and garden.

“Milkweed, which we have multiple species growing across the state, and the other thing is nectaring resources that they need for survival as an adult and their migratory route.”

While there are ‘generic’ wildflower mixes on the market, you should be planting rasses and flowers that are native to Wisconsin, so there’s less risk of spreading invasive species.

Watson says you can find out just what sort of plants you need with a little bit of help.

“There’s great resources on the DNR’s website that you can find out more information on what species, and where they grow, and what type of soils and how much shade that they would need.”

There’s a number of greenhouses and seed libraries across Wisconsin that also provide native plants and wildflowers.

You can find out more online at https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/endangeredresources/pollinators.html.

 

More Wisconsin farmers feeling the squeeze from tariffs

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Wisconsin farmers are feeling the squeeze as the trade war intensifies.

Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association Executive Director Tamas Houlihan says specific tariffs on frozen potato products are going to make it to Wisconsin farmers.

“Wisconsin does not export a lot of potatoes, but when our friends out west, like Idaho, Washington, Oregon, when they can’t export then their potatoes have to stay on the domestic market which hurts everybody in the US.”

Houlihan says he’d much rather be able to not have to deal with retaliatory tariffs. “Our goal is to expand potato trade. It’s a priority over these mitigation efforts.”

Those mitigation efforts include a plan to distribute $12 billion to American farmers.

Houlihan says he’d much rather see better trade deals and reductions in tariffs rather than aid packages. He says a loss of trade now might never be restored.

Wisconsin senators react to proposed farmer bailout package

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The Trump Administration is planning to deliver a massive payout to American farmers hurt by a trade war.

That’s in line with a letter Senator Tammy Baldwin sent to the Ag Department earlier on Tuesday that called for farmer assistance.

“On top of every other challenge that our agricultural economy faces, especially dairy, the retaliatory tariffs are causing major harm.”

Under the proposal, the Trump Administration would deliver $12 billion in aid to farmers across the country. Baldwin’s letter to the USDA calls for long term fixes, and to instead focus on Chinese money manipulation and Canadian dairy tariffs.

Republican Senator Ron Johnson says farmers “want trade, not aid” while other critics say the administration is putting farmers on “welfare.”

Senator Johnson also suggested in front of reporters from Politico and The Hill that the Trump Administration is steering the country’s free market economy toward a “Soviet-style” system where “commissars” decide how to sprinkle out benefits.

County fair season is starting, says Secretary Harsdorf

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A mainstay Wisconsin tradition is likely starting near you somewhere soon as county fairs get underway this summer.

Many of the fairs around Wisconsin have been operating for over 150 years and state ag secretary Sheila Harsdorf says the county fair is a great time to go and connect as a family. “Go to the fair for fun, getting to know your friends and neighbors, eating great food, and learning more about agriculture.”

She adds that they make a great chance to connect with your friends and neighbors, because they’re probably helping to run the event. “It’s important to acknowledge and recognize the hundreds of volunteers that go into making a fair, whether it’s the local county fair or the state fair, a success.”

Kids looking for something to do this summer should also consider entering a project for their fair. “There’s literally projects for everyone, from computers to rocketry. Even non farm kids can connect with a farmer and have a management project and show an animal.”

The State Fair is set to open next month from August 2nd to the 12th.

You can find out more about that and your local fair online at www.wifairs.com

Baldwin and Johnson split on Senate Farm Bill vote

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Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

The U.S. Senate has passed a five-year farm bill. The measure now heads to what will almost certainly be a contentious negotiating process with members of the House.

“Wisconsin farmers are a key driver of our agriculture economy and rural communities,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. The Wisconsin Democrat voted for the package, and said it included several provisions that she authored.  

Wisconsin Republican, Senator Ron Johnson, voted against the bill. “While the bill voted on today included many worthy provisions, it failed to take even small steps to reform runaway government spending on programs that have little if anything to do with Wisconsin’s farm families.” Johnson said. He added that he hoped to be able to support a final, improved version.The Senate passed its $428 billion bill on Thursday, on a 86-to-11 vote. The House version passed last week with no Democratic support. It imposes strict new work requirements on able-bodied adults seeking food stamps. The Senate version, which needed Democratic votes to pass, does not include major changes to food stamps.

Walker says goal should be no tariffs

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With the announcement that Milwaukee based Harley-Davidson plans to shift production of some motorcycles to Europe due to tariffs on US products, Governor Scott Walker is calling for an end to tariffs across the board. “The interest of the United States is not to put more tariffs on, but rather to create a level playing field where there are no tariffs in the future,” Walker said Monday in Wausau.

The Republican governor said that during a recent trip to Washington he discussed what the tariffs would mean with several other governors and federal officials, and they came to an agreement that the best course of action would be no tariffs at all.

Walker also hinted that another tax break could be coming for residents after the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of South Dakota in a recent case involving the taxation of online purchases. He said the goal would be to offset the online taxation in some way, so it does not become an extra tax on residents. Possibilities included an income tax break or the extension of the upcoming child tax credit.

Walker made the comments in Wausau on Monday after announcing a $500,000 state grant to the Great Lakes Cheese company to help train some 200 anticipated new employees at its Wausau location. Walker — who is running for reelection in November — proclaimed Monday as “Wisconsin Cheese Day.”

DATCP culls CWD positive deer herd

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A deer farm in Iowa County had to be depopulated after animals tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

State officials ordered the move after deer shot in Waupaca County that tested positive for CWD were traced back to the farm.

State ag spokeswoman Leeann Duwe says the culling was required because the only way to test for CWD is after death. “This farm was depopulated, and those 21 CWD positives are a result of those animals being tested.” A total of 103 animals were culled for testing.

Duwe says better testing among game farms is helping the state better track CWD infections. “It allows us to determine to where animals are transmitting the disease, where they are coming from, so we can do traceback from all animals in those locations.”

The farm will now have to undergo cleaning, and won’t be able to be used to raise deer in the future.