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Wisconsin Assembly passes Fair Coordinator bill

The Wisconsin State Assembly unanimously passed Assembly Bill 418 on Thursday. The bill requires the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to maintain the position of Fair Coordinator.

Wisconsin established a full-time fair coordinator in 1945. In 1972 the position was moved to DATCP. The position was reduced to part-time and limited-term when current Director Bob Williams retired in 2000. Williams continues as Fair Director and says he has no intention of slowing down. Vruwink’s bill is designed to make sure the position continues should Williams’ status change at some point in the future.

Representative Amy Sue Vruwink, who authored the bill, says it will not cost taxpayers any money. “We all realize how important are these fairs are to our agricultural community, and that’s why I introduced this legislation. The position needs to be put into the statutes so our fairs will remain represented throughout the state.” The Milladore Democrat hopes the State Senate will pass the bill within the next few weeks.