Dunk Sheila on 4th of July!

We see in the Dunn County News that Sheila Harsdorf will be the first guest celebrity in the Menomonie Optimist Club dunk tank at the Freedom Fest!

So anyone wanting a chance to meet her and cool her off on a nice warm day should be at Wakanda Park in Menomonie at 11am on the 4th of July.

Harsdorf/Freese bill approved by committee

Budget-season fundraisers scrutinized

00:00 am 6/29/05
Patricia Simms
Wisconsin State Journal

Legislators are grabbing more and bigger campaign contributions during this budget-writing season, a citizen advocacy group says.

"There is more fundraising during this budget and for bigger amounts than in the past," Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, said Wednesday. "Currently, as the state budget bill nears consideration by the full Legislature, the campaign fundraising is accelerating.

"Six other states including Minnesota have banned campaign fundraising while their state budgets are being written because it is a huge conflict of interest to be shaking folks down for campaign cash while critical decisions are being made about how $12.7 billion are being distributed from the discretionary part of the budget."

The Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections has approved a bill that would prohibit campaign fundraising by incumbent legislators and statewide elected officials from the first week in January until the state budget is enacted into law - seven months later. Assembly Bill 66, introduced by Rep. Steve Freese, R- Dodgeville, and Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, is now awaiting action by the full Assembly.

Harsdorf: Ethanol interest is still increasing

We see there is a great Op-ed piece written by Sheila Harsdorf in the Burnett County Sentinel this week titled Ethanol interest is still increasing

With gas prices continuing to climb and national security resting on our ability to get energy from other sources, it's good to know Sheila is looking out for us!

Sheila fights for Crackdown on Meth Law

As a parent and former Police Chief I am so glad that Sheila Harsdorf led the fight on the Crackdown on Meth bill! Here's the press release from her office on this important law being signed by the Guv. Dennis.

For immediate release
June 7, 2005
For information, contact
Jack Jablonski, (608) 266-7745

“Crackdown on Meth Act” Signed Into Law

(Hudson) . . .The “Crackdown on Meth Act”, legislation authored by State Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R – River Falls), was signed into law today by Governor Jim Doyle at the Hudson Police Department. The law will regulate access to pseudoephedrine, found in cold-medicines, that is the primary ingredient for making meth.

“The signing of this bill into law will help reverse the tide of meth cooks plaguing our state with meth labs,” said Harsdorf. “For a small inconvenience to consumers, we will take the first step to combating the proliferation of meth labs that is taking a human and financial toll upon our communities.”

The “Crackdown on Meth Act” will restrict access to this precursor drug necessary for meth production. It will require a purchaser of a product containing pseudoephedrine to show photo ID and sign a log book. Additionally, it will limit the total amount of pseudoephedrine that can be purchased in a 30 day period, while creating penalties for those in possession of more than 9 grams with intent to manufacture.

“It is a credit to my colleagues for recognizing the growing dangers of meth proliferation,” said Harsdorf, who co-authored the bill with State Representative Kitty Rhoades (R- Hudson).

Meth is reaching epidemic proportions in northwest Wisconsin, as it already has in border states such as Iowa and Minnesota. Statistics show that the threat is now moving beyond Northwest Wisconsin and into the rest of the state. Similar legislation in other states is credited with reducing in-state meth labs by as much as 80%. Last week, Minnesota also enacted similar legislation.

“I’m pleased that we’ve enacted tough legislation before the entire state is engulfed with meth related crime that already burdens our region,” said Harsdorf. “Building bipartisan support for this strong law was essential to slowing the meth drug problem in Wisconsin.”

In areas where meth has become a primary problem, meth enforcement has begun to overwhelm local government budgets. Meth creates a number of related crimes, and the labs endanger children, unknowing neighbors, and law enforcement. The legislation was supported by the Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs Association, The Wisconsin Pharmacy Association, The Wisconsin Counties Association, the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, the Wisconsin Medical Society, and the Wisconsin Nurses Association.

EC Leader-Telegram story on Harsdorf considering Lt Gov position

For those of you who have not seen this Eau Claire Leader-Telegram story:

Senator eyeing lieutenant governor position
Harsdorf enjoys support of party

3/26/2005 9:13:15 AM
by Tom Giffey
Eau Claire Leader-Telegram
http://www.leadertelegram.com/story.asp?id=53878


Sheila Harsdorf already has had “state senator” and “state representative” in front of her name. Now the Republican from River Falls wants to try “lieutenant governor” on for size.

Harsdorf, who is in her second term in the state Senate, says she is considering running for the state’s No. 2 job in 2006.

“I’m thinking about it. I haven’t ruled it out yet,” Harsdorf said Friday. “What I’m doing is basically looking at the pros and the cons and where and how I can make an impact.”

Harsdorf, 48, was elected in 2000 to represent the 10th Senate District, which includes parts of Dunn, St. Croix, Pierce, Polk and Burnett counties. She also served in the state Assembly between 1989 and 1999.

U.S. Rep. Mark Green of Green Bay and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker likely will vie for the Republican nomination for governor in 2006. Harsdorf served with both men in the state Assembly and praised them as “outstanding” public servants.

Harsdorf said Republican Party insiders asked her to consider running for lieutenant governor. She said her western Wisconsin roots are one of the reasons they approached her. Green and Walker are both from the eastern side of the state.

“It’s important in a position like this that issues from different parts of the state are acknowledged and addressed,” she said.

“We really do need the western voice to come up, and Sheila’s candidacy would do that,” said Dennis Shaw, chairman of the 3rd Congressional District Republican Party.

At a GOP caucus meeting in Menomonie last weekend, Shaw introduced Harsdorf as a potential candidate for lieutenant governor.

“The whole place, nearly 100 people, stood up and gave her a standing ovation,” Shaw said. “She would have a lot of support if she decides to run.”

In the immediate future, Harsdorf said she’s focusing on her work in the state Senate, which includes the 2005-07 state budget and a bill she has sponsored to fight methamphetamine.

Harsdorf said she might make up her mind after the budget is finished. The budget is supposed to be passed by June, but is often delayed.

“I have been thinking about it, and obviously I have not made any announcements,” she said. “It’s just one of the things that can happen.”

Why a "We Need Sheila" blog?

Friends,

We have started this blog because we strongly feel that the Republican
Party needs to have a strong candidate with a proven record of
accomplishment running for Wisconsin's Lt. Governor AND to balance the
ticket that person MUST be from the Western side of the state.

With Dennis serving as immediate past Third Congressional District
Republican Party Chairman and past Chairman of the Dunn County Republican
Party, and with Lisa serving as past Third District Chair for the
Wisconsin Federation of Republican Women and Past President of the
Republican Women of Dunn County, you can imagine that we have had an
opportunity to work very closely with many Republican candidates and
office holders from all over the 19 county Western Wisconsin District and
the state.  We have seen her in action, believe in, and respect what Sen.
Harsdorf has done for her constituents and the state of Wisconsin.  She is
a quality person that will be a valuable partner to either Mark Green or
Scott Walker in Madison!

Sheila has indicated that she will consider this opportunity after the
legislature has completed the work on the state budget.  We understand
that she needs to focus on the job she was elected to do first.  But we
are so excited we can't contain ourselves!

We plan on posting information here about Sen. Harsdorf so that you can
get to know the Sheila we already know and respect.  Hopefully you will
agree with us that Sheila Harsdorf is the best person for the job!  And if
you agree, we hope you will contact the Senator and add your voice to ours
by encouraging her to make the run for Lt. Governor and promising to he on
the Harsdorf team in the 2006 election!!!

Thanks!

Lisa Erickson and Dennis Shaw.