Healthcare Budget

While the 1st Assembly District may be best known as a tourism destination because of our ideal location and beautiful landscapes, we are also a place where people like to retire and spend the rest of their lives.

That presents some rather unique challenges to our region, especially when it comes to providing the resources that are needed to care for our elderly. Low reimbursement rates have made it especially difficult for providers to pay competitive wages to attract workers.

That is why I am so pleased by the Joint Finance Committee’s decision this week to spend $200 million more in state money over the next two years in programs helping the elderly and the disabled.

The plan approved by JFC members includes increases of $30 million for nursing homes, $37 million for personal care workers, $27 million for Family Care direct care givers and $30 million for aids to children and families.

Those totals are all more than what Gov. Tony Evers proposed in his budget.

JFC members also approved a 6 percent increase in nursing home reimbursement rates for the first year of the biennium and a 1 percent acuity rate increase. This is three times what the governor’s budget called for.

In addition, we are increasing payments to hospitals and funding an additional 25 to 30 mental health workers.

We know that when people are able to receive care at home rather than at a medical facility they have a better quality of life. It also results in significant taxpayer savings. The Joint Finance Committee’s vote will increase the rate that personal care providers are reimbursed by 9 percent from $16.73 to $18.24 per hour. This balances the need of caring for our residents while also doing it in a fiscally-responsible manner.

With how we are investing this $200 million, we are prioritizing people over programs, which will go a long way toward helping us offset workforce shortages in these particular industries.

Health organizations have overwhelmingly applauded these changes. If you are interested in seeing the positive things these groups in the state are saying about the Joint Finance Committee’s budget proposal, please click here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Assembly Citations 

I was honored to hand-deliver two separate Assembly citations this week that celebrated a local community member’s accomplishments and commemorated an important milestone.

The first citation was given to Barbara Husch, who has spent the past 25 years reputably serving our friends and neighbors at the Forestville Branch of the Door County Library System.

Instilling a love of reading in our young people so they become life-long learners is perhaps the most important thing we can do to assure their future success. We really can never do enough to honor people like Barb who have made this their life’s work.

She truly has been inspiration to both young and old and we are so fortunate to have her.

The second citation recognized the 150^th anniversary of the Baileys Harbor Range Lights, which were built in 1869 to keep ships off the treacherous reefs and shallows at the entrance to the town.

The range lights were removed in 1969 but were reinstalled on June 11, 2015 and will remain lit permanently as functional navigation aids.

If you know of a local person or event that you believe should be celebrated with an Assembly citation, please contact my office.

June Dairy Month

I would like to remind all of you that June is National Dairy Month.

Wisconsin's dairy industry contributes more than $43 billion to our state's economy each year, and we owe a great deal of gratitude to all our farmers who work tirelessly every day to supply us with our dairy products.

 Please consider celebrating Dairy Month by attending a local farm breakfast or other related event.

The Kewaunee County Breakfast on the Farm is being held on June 16 at Kinnard Farms in Casco. The 38th annual Dairy Breakfast in Door County is taking place on July 7 at the Valmy Thresheree Grounds in Sturgeon Bay.

Information on other Dairy Month events in the area can be found by clicking on this link.

Upcoming District Events!

What: Door County Lighthouse Festival
Where: Throughout Door County
When: Friday, June 7, through Sunday, June 9
Details: "The Annual Door County Lighthouse Festival includes boat excursions and guided land-based tours to all 11 historic Door County, Wisconsin lighthouses. This much-anticipated festival gives visitors access to lighthouses that aren’t typically open to the public, including Chambers Island, Plum Island and Sherwood Point lighthouses. This event sells out quickly."

What: Goat Parade
Where: Downtown Sister Bay, Highway 42, Sister Bay, WI
When: Saturday, June 8, starting at 10:30 a.m.
Details: "All goats and wanna-be's are invited to participate in the parade. Goat costumes, goatees, Viking hats, and other creative endeavors are encouraged. Parade line up begins on the SE corner of Hwy 42 and Mill Rd. Free."

What: Door County League Baseball
Where: Throughout Door County
When: Sunday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m. 
Details: "All games at 1:30pm. Institute @ Washington Island. Sister Bay @ West Jacksonport. Kolberg @ Maplewood."