State Representative Travis Tranel joined Senator Howard Marklein to discuss issues affecting rural communities

State Representative Travis Tranel joined Senator Howard Marklein on Tuesday (March 24) at the Crawford County Towns Association meeting to discuss issues affecting rural communities across southwest Wisconsin. Representative Tranel thanked town chairs, supervisors, clerks, and treasurers for their continued leadership and dedication to serving their communities. “Our town officials are on the front lines of local government, and they do an outstanding job delivering services efficiently and responsibly,” said Tranel. “We appreciate the feedback they shared and their partnership in helping to strengthen our rural communities.”

Discussion at the meeting focused on several priorities included in the bipartisan state budget, such as increased shared revenue for local governments, expanded funding for the Ag Road Improvements Program (ARIP), increases in General Transportation Aids, and continued support for local infrastructure. The conversation also included proposals to restore local control over large-scale wind and solar projects, co-authored with Senator Marklein, and ongoing concerns about the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) proposed 765 kV transmission line through the Driftless Region. “The 765 kV line is a bad idea driven by flawed MISO policy that prioritizes massive amounts of intermittent industrial wind and solar power instead of focusing on reliable, common-sense baseload Wisconsin generation,” said Tranel. “The Driftless Region is a unique part of our state, and it should be preserved and protected.”

Tax relief for seniors and utility ratepayers was also highlighted, including eliminating the state sales tax on utility bills and exempting up to $24,000 in retirement income. Representative Tranel, Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, represents Wisconsin’s 49th Assembly District, which includes Crawford County, most of Grant County, and part of Vernon County.