Senator Sheila Harsdorf Named 2015 “WCA Friend of County Government”

Senator Sheila Harsdorf Named 2015 “WCA Friend of County Government”

The Wisconsin Counties Association has named Senator Sheila Harsdorf as the 2015 recipient of their “Friend of County Government.”

This is the highest honor given by the Association to an individual who has performed outstanding service to county government in their official capacity. Senator Harsdorf (R-River Falls) was honored at the WCA Annual Conference in La Crosse County recently.

“Senator Harsdorf has been instrumental in addressing county issues during the state budget process, as she sits on the powerful budget writing committee, the Joint Committee on Finance,” said WCA Executive Director Mark D. O’Connell. Often recognized for her advocacy on agriculture and higher education issues, Senator Harsdorf has championed many county issues over the years. In 2014, WCA provided her with an ‘Outstanding Legislator Award’ for her work.”

According to O’Connell, most recently Senator Harsdorf supported legislation aimed at providing grants to counties for emergency services training and equipment upgrades. She also successfully championed additional funding for county conservation efforts, as well as protected local transportation programs in the midst of significant spending reductions.

“Senator Harsdorf has repeatedly responded to the concerns of county government, whether it be her legislative amendment to reduce the burden of DNA collection on county law enforcement or her opposition to the preemption of local control,” said O’Connell. “We here at the Wisconsin Counties Association and all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties thank Senator Harsdorf for her work in Madison that has benefited all of the state.”

First elected to the state Assembly in 1988, Senator Harsdorf represented the 30th Assembly District before being elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2000. The Wisconsin Counties Association began the Friend of County Government Award in 1990.