Representative John Nygren Named 2014 “WCA Friend of County Government”

Representative John Nygren Named 2014 “WCA Friend of County Government”

The Wisconsin Counties Association has named Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) as the 2014 recipient of their “Friend of County Government.”

This is the highest honor given by the Association to an individual that has performed outstanding service to county government in their official capacity. Representative Nygren was honored September 16, 2014 at the WCA Annual Conference in Sauk County.

“As this biennium wraps up, it was very clear to us that Representative Nygren stood out and was a tremendous leader on county issues,” said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O’Connell. “He has gone above and beyond on critical county issues and because of his efforts, all of Wisconsin has benefitted.”

According to O’Connell, in his role as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, Rep. Nygren was instrumental in ensuring county interests were protected throughout the budget process.

He played a major role in restoring funding to county child support agencies that was lost in previous budgets. Rep. Nygren also authored legislation that provided increased funding to counties for the Treatment, Alternatives, and Diversion  (TAD) program during this most recent legislative session.

In addition, he was the lead Assembly author of razing legislation, as well as played a significant role in the expansion of Family Care to Northeastern Wisconsin.

During a Joint Committee on Finance Sec. 13.10 meeting, he led the way in ensuring funding was released for CCS implementation on a statewide basis, as well as ensured county highway departments received a supplemental appropriation to reimburse counties for additional work on the state highway system over the winter months.

“Rep. Nygren is an exceptional legislator and he is always willing to go the extra step. For instance, he shared some personal stories along the way in his efforts to combat heroin use in the state of Wisconsin through the introduction of his H.O.P.E. (Heroin, Opiate Prevention and Education) legislation,” said O’Connell. “We are proud to name him our 2014 Friend in County Government and look forward to working with him when the new legislature convenes in January.”

The Wisconsin Counties Association began the Friend of County Government Award in 1990. This award is given to an individual that has performed outstanding service to county government in their official capacity.