Midwest Flyer Magazine

y Dave WeimanOn July14, 2012,I hadthe privilege ofattending anAOPA “PilotMix & MingleSocial NetworkingEvent” atWisconsin Aviationin Madison,Wisconsin, hosted by AOPA GreatLakes Regional Manager Bryan Budds.If you have not met Bryan, be sure youtake the opportunity when it presentsitself. He is working hard to representyour interests, protect ourairports, and increase ourpilot population.Bryan first introducedhimself and briefed uson legislative issues,NextGen aircraftequipment requirements,and AOPA initiatives.He then introducedWisconsin Senator MarkMiller (D) who was justelected the majorityleader following the recall elections ofboth Governor Scott Walker (R) anda select group of legislators. GovernorWalker kept his seat, but some of thelegislators were not as fortunate. Therecall had to do with the eliminationof collective bargaining by stateemployees.Since the recall, Governor Walkerhas been trying to mend the fences,and admits that although he feelsthe legislation was necessary, thingscould have been handled differently.Democrats still contend thateliminating collective bargaining wasnot necessary. Regardless, the twoparties realize that they need to worktogether on both partisan and nonpartisanissues.Senator Miller served in theWisconsin Air National Guard forAviation Is Non-Partisan, Says State SenatorDave WeimanAOPA Great LakesRegional ManagerBryan Buddsmost of his career, flying F102s, A37s,and A10s, and concluded his careerflying the C-26 Metroliner, retiringin 1995 with the rank of LieutenantColonel.I was pleased with the senator’spresentation. No politics…just pilottalk and suggestions on how best tomove aviation’s agenda forward.In his presentation, Senator Millerurged pilots to get to know theirelected officials and to keep theminformed. We need to tell our electedofficials how their local airport is aneconomic generator, employs people,and attracts tourism, noted thesenator. But the thing that SenatorMiller said that resonatesWisconsin SenatorMark MillerWisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed aproclamation recognizing the impact EAAAirVenture has on the state!s economy.Dialoguewith me the most is that he feels thataviation is a “non-partisan” issue andtherefore we are more apt to get thesupport we need, whether that’s forairport development, airspace, piloteducation, or the aircraft maintenanceprograms in our technical schools.I have met Senator Miller on anumber of occasions over the years,but we really have not talked muchabout aviation issues. It sometimestakes a meeting like AOPA!snetworking event to get betteracquainted and start the dialogue, andfor that, I am grateful.During the question and answerperiod, I asked Senator Miller if heattends EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh,Wisconsin, and he saidthat he hadn’t for years,but hoped to this year.Following the meeting, Itold him how enthusedthe governor is aboutAirVenture, that heattended in 2011, andschedule permitting, hewould most likely attendagain this year. I thenencouraged the senatorto fly with the governorto AirVenture, especially consideringthat aviation is a non-partisan issueand something both leaders support.Senator Miller smiled andhesitated briefly before responding,but said that he would contact thegovernor’s office to see if he could joinhim on the flight. This flight can bea step in the right direction for theState of Wisconsin and aviation ingeneral.I will report back to you in thenext issue to let you know if thissymbolic flight took place. In themeantime, I urge you to get to knowyour state representatives and keeppushing our aviation agenda.Wisconsin GovernorScott WalkerEDITOR’S NOTE: Email your commentsto dave@MidwestFlyer.com. #$%$&'(&)*')+,)-"./0."""+123)&'"456)-"+#%#718)""":