LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

Monday, June 9, 2008

Administrative Center – Room 3220

11:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Charles Spiker, Bridget Flood, John Medinger, Sharon Hampson, Roger Plesha

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Ann Fisher 

MEMBERS ABSENT:   None  

STAFF & GUESTS PRESENT:  Sarah Diedrick (WCA Sr. Legislative Associate), Steve O’Malley, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Committee Vice Chair Spiker called the meeting to order at 11:32 a.m.  

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Plesha/Spiker to approve meeting minutes of May 5, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; Fisher excused.

SARAH DIEDRICK, WCA SENIOR LEGISLATIVE ASSOCIATE

Steve O’Malley introduced Sarah Diedrick, WCA Senior Legislative Associate.  He noted the Legislative Committee as being a fairly new committee; the committee would like to get more involved legislatively as well as get tips on how the County Board can lobby effectively. 

Sarah shared information relating to her education, experience and being an employee of WCA for the past 17 years; she noted how WCA values the partnership with La Crosse County.  Sarah reviewed some of the history of state politics – liberals/conservatives.  It was easier to lobby when the state had money.  All forms of government need to work together in order to be more effective; need to be in constant communication.  Vice Chair Spiker expressed his concern with the State using transportation funds and the setting of levy limits in order to carry out state mandated programs.

Discussion on ways of keeping informed on legislative issues; suggestions as follows:

• Attend the Wisconsin Way Forum on July 29 at the Omni Center.
• Attend monthly Cracker Barrel meetings with area legislators as sponsored by Chamber of Commerce.
• Become a member of WCA Steering Committees; there are seven committees:  1) County Organization & Personnel, 2) Environment & Land Use, 3) Health & Human Services, 4) Judicial & Public Safety, 5) Taxation & Finance, 6) Transportation & Public Works, and 7) Agriculture.
• Attend WCA district/regional meetings with other counties.
• Attend the Annual WCA Conference; counties’ resolutions are considered and these are the basis for WCA legislative platform.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

None mentioned.

NEXT MEETING

Not determined.   

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Plesha/Flood to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Fisher excused.  The meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder