News – February 16, 2022

(Madison) In his State of the State address last night, Governor Tony Evers called on Republicans to return part of a projected budget surplus back to state residents. The Democratic Governor will sign an executive order, calling a special session of the Wisconsin Legislature to address his plan to spend about half of the state’s projected $3.8-billion-dollar surplus. Evers wants to send 150 surplus rebate checks to each resident. Republicans have already called the plan an election year gimmick. – WRN

(Beaver Dam) State Representative Mark Born says the governor’s address was disappointing. The Beaver Dam Republican says the governor used the podium to take credit for efforts he fought against. Born noted that Evers proposed increasing taxes by over one billion dollars, and when Republicans passed a $3.4 billion tax cut, he vetoed over one billion dollars.

(Dodge County) There were several local races on Tuesday’s primary ballot. On the Dodge County Board, incumbent Nancy Kavazanjian and Donald Lunak Sr were the top two vote getters with 114 and 42 respectively in the District 5 primary. For the District 19 primary: Beth Huber secured 85 votes and Paul Conway got 72. Each will move on to the spring election.

(Columbus) Dodge and Columbia counties narrowed down the race for Columbus School Board Tuesday night. The top four vote getters combining both Dodge and Columbia counties include Chris Roelke with 138 votes, Joseph Hammer with 115, Mike O’Brien with 108, and Martha Rule with 86 votes. They will move on to the spring election. A link to Dodge County primary results for the Hartford Joint Number One School District and the Hartford Union School District races is at DailyDodge.com.

(Juneau) Dodge County’s chief deputy clerk of courts has announced her candidacy for the top position in the department. Kelly Enright yesterday (Tuesday) declared she is running as a republican candidate for clerk of courts. Lynn Hron is stepping down from the post on May 3rd. Enright has been in the clerk of court’s office for the last 13 years holding numerous positions. She says she understands how important it is to do things right when dealing with matters that are extremely important to the legal system.

(Beaver Dam) The Dodge County Fair Association will be using their share of a state grant to make improvements to their facilities. The governor’s office recently released roughly $27-million-dollars in grants to event venues and live event small businesses. The Dodge County Fair Association received $200-thousand-dollars. The fair board’s Sharon Keil says those funds will go towards barn improvements. She says many of them are leaking and their roof’s need to be resurfaced and repainted.

(Jefferson County) Jefferson County is receiving a portion of the $21.9-million in grants being awarded through the latest round of the Tourism Capital Investment Grant Program. The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, and grants can be used to build, expand, or maintain buildings, travel-related infrastructure, or public attractions. Jefferson County is in line for $242-thousand-dollars which will be used to make on-site improvements and upgrades to Fair Park.