JFC Approves Funding for TMDL
Study
I am
incredibly pleased that yesterday the Joint Finance Committee approved
my motion requesting funding for a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study
for the rivers of Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties and
the streams that lie in and between the Ahnapee River watershed and the
Sauk Creek watershed. I firmly believe that this study will be part of
the long-term solution to the groundwater and surface water
contamination issues that our district is facing. I think that in the
future, when we have restored the rivers of Kewaunee County to their
previous state as great trout streams, we will look back at this day as
the first big step in that process.
I want
to thank the Conservation Departments in Door County and Kewaunee County
for their support for this study, and I want to thank fellow
Representatives Tittl, Kastma, Vorpagel and Krug, as well as Senators
Lasee and LeMahieu, for joining me in submitting this motion and for
realizing the value of this study and its potential impact. I am
grateful to Cathy Pabich and the Friends of Crescent Beach for their
role in getting this effort started.
My
biggest thank you must go to the countless constituents who showed up to
our public hearings on this. Environmentalists, farmers, businessmen and
everyday people came and shared their questions and comments. It was
especially gratifying to hear the agriculture community express their
support and willingness to work toward a solution. For my full statement
on this wonderful news, you can click
here.
Foster
Care Task Force Public Hearing
This Wednesday, the Foster Care Task Force traveled to Wausau to host
our first Public Hearing. It was wonderful to be able to hear from those
directly involved in the child welfare system and talk to them about
their recommendations. The Marathon County Department of Social Services
gave us an in-depth view of their Community Response Program and the
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board gave a very informative
presentation. I am eager to continue to travel around the state with the
task force and further my knowledge of the difficulties that face those
in the foster care system so we can do our best to offer them support.
Here I am
asking a question at the hearing.
WI
Healthcare Quality Ranked #1 in Nation
It was announced this week that the
federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has ranked
Wisconsin's healthcare quality as #1 in the nation. The rankings
are determined by looking at over 130 statistical factors. Our state has
consistently ranked very high and this is a great achievement, the
importance of which cannot be over-stated. This ranking comes on the
heels of other healthcare news from earlier this month that Wisconsin's
rural hospitals were the top Critical Access Hospitals in the country.
This is a sign that our state's commitment to good healthcare is
producing results. I have worked with the Rural Wisconsin Initiative to
release our rural healthcare packet and we are excited that that passed
through the Joint Finance Committee earlier this session. I will
continue to seek new ways to improve our rural healthcare.
State
Budget Update
This week, the Joint Finance Committee
resumed their work and made substantial progress in working through the
remaining budget areas. Next Monday, they will meet to discuss school
funding. As with all Joint Finance Committee hearings, you can tune in
and watch live on
Wisconsin Eye. Leadership from both the Assembly and the Senate are
confident that the budget will be ready to head to the floor for a vote
in September. Please feel free to continue to reach out to my office
with your comments and concerns.
Upcoming District Events!
What:
Death's Door BBQ
Where: Washington Island Airport,
Washington Island, WI
When: August 26, 10:00AM-5:00PM
Details:
"6th Annual Death's Door National BBQ Competition-arts & crafts,
kids' activities, live music and of course lots of barbeque. Free
admission!"
What:
Zoobilee
Where: Bruemmer Park Zoo, E4280
CTH F, Kewaunee, WI
When: August 26, 10:00AM-4:00PM
Details:
"Annual
zoo fundraiser-bring the whole family and enjoy exciting activities and
animals!
Free admission."
What:
Summer Concerts in the Park
Where: Heritage Park, Parkway St.
& Navarino St., Algoma, WI
When: August 31, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM
Details:
"Jazz, polka and folk-there will be music for all! Join the Algoma
Area Chamber of Commerce for their annual summer music series."
In Closing...
