Press Release

County Officials Gather This Week for WCA Legislative Exchange

Wisconsin county officials are gathering in Madison this week for the Wisconsin Counties Association’s (WCA) Annual Legislative Exchange.  The event focuses on the key issues facing Wisconsin’s 72 counties and includes speakers from state government, the legislature and other governmental representatives, as well as Capitol visits.

Tuesday, February 9 and Wednesday, February 10, 2010
8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Tuesday; 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Wednesday
The Madison Concourse Hotel
One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI

Highlights of Tuesday’s agenda include:

8:35 a.m.-Fiscal Wisconsin: The Economy, Budgets and the New Year Ahead


Todd Berry, President, Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance



10:15 a.m.-On the Brink: Service Delivery in Tough Economic Times


Karen Timberlake, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Reggie Bicha, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Senior Legislative Associate, Wisconsin Counties Association


12:30 p.m.-Challenges and Innovations: Case Studies from Wisconsin Local Government


Allen Buechel, Executive, Fond du Lac County

Ron Chamberlain, Highway Commissioner, Adams County

Russ Kottke, Board Chair, Dodge County

Dave Frohling, Supervisor, Dodge County

Jason Witt, Deputy Director, Rock County Human Services Department



2:00 p.m.-Legislative Briefing


Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Staff


John Reinemann, Legislative Director


Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Senior Legislative Associate


David Callender, Legislative Associate


Liz Stephens, Legislative Associate



3:00 p.m.-Capitol Visits

Highlights of Wednesday’s agenda include:

8:35 a.m.-Legislative Leadership Roundtable
Russell Decker, Majority Leader, Wisconsin State Senate
Scott Fitzgerald, Minority Leader, Wisconsin State Senate
Michael Sheridan, Speaker, Wisconsin State Assembly
Jeff Fitzgerald, Minority Leader, Wisconsin State Assembly
Mark D. O'Connell, Executive Director, Wisconsin Counties Association

9:35 a.m.-J.B. Van Hollen, Attorney General, State of Wisconsin

9:50 a.m.-Michael Morgan, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Administration

10:35 a.m.-Wisconsin Way
Jim Wood, President, Wood Communications Group

11:35 a.m.-Executive Director's Remarks
Mark D. O'Connell, Executive Director, Wisconsin Counties Association