Here & Now

Secretary Designee Update, PFAS and F35 Jets in East Madison

Zac Schultz:

Now for an update on stories we’ve been covering over the past few weeks and months. It took ten months, but the Republican-controlled State Senate confirmed the first of Governor Evers’ cabinet members this week. The first five confirmed secretaries include Revenue Secretary Peter Barca, Financial Institutions Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld, Administration Secretary Joel Brennan, Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr and Veteran Affairs Secretary Mary Kolar. The Senate has yet to confirm 11 of Evers’ designees. In other state news, a report from the Department of Natural Resources found high levels of unsafe chemicals known as PFAS in Madison’s Starkweather Creek. The highest levels reached 13 times the recommended standard. One known source of the chemicals are firefighting foams used on the Truax Field National Guard Airbase near the creek. The DNR is working with local partners to take action against the contamination. Speaking of Truax Field, the State Senate passed a resolution in support of bringing new F-35 fighter jets to Madison. Some Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the impact of the jet’s noise on the local community. Others believe the jets are an economic asset to Madison.