|
Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River,
Minocqua, Phelps, Florence and Forest County. |
District Dialogue |
February 21st, 2014 |
Propane
Shortage Update: Assembly Republicans Draft Legislation |
As your state representative, I wanted to ensure you had this important
information regarding the propane shortage that I know is impacting many
of your lives. On Monday February 17th, I co-sponsored legislation
that will help middle class families pay for the high cost of propane.
Below is our press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2014
For More Information Please Contact:
Representative John Nygren 608-266-2343
Heating Assistance Loan Program Unveiled
MADISON: A group of legislator’s introduced legislation this afternoon
to create a heating assistance loan guarantee program in order to
alleviate the financial burden the propane crisis has placed on
Wisconsin residents. The bill will help middle-class homeowners acquire
low-interest loans, guaranteed in part by the state, to purchase propane
and other heating supplies.
“Thousands of people across our state understandably did not budget for
this crisis and do not have enough money to pay their heating bills.
While assistance is currently available for low income individuals, this
bill will help ensure those in the middle class are also able to pay
their propane bills and heating expenses,” said Rep. Czaja.
In January, Governor Walker declared a state of emergency due to the
propane shortage and established a $3 million loan guarantee program,
administered through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development
Authority (WHEDA) which has provided propane dealers with financing so
they can quickly purchase and distribute propane to those in need.
Assembly Bill 770 works by targeting assistance at consumers that don’t
qualify for low income assistance through the Wisconsin Home Energy
Assistance Program (WHEAP).
Homeowners will be able to acquire low-interest loans to purchase
propane or other heating supplies that are approved by (WHEDA). Similar
to the drought assistance program that currently exists, WHEDA will
guarantee the loans and pay a portion of the interest rate charged. The
loans cannot exceed $2,500 and to be eligible a borrower’s household
income cannot exceed 200 percent of the median family income in the
county in which they reside.
“Not only have people had difficulty getting propane, they also do not
have the resources to pay their heating bills due to the unexpected jump
in price we have seen,” commented Senator Tiffany. “Creating a loan
guarantee program will help people get approved for loans in order to
pay their bills on time and avoid high interest charges and penalties.”
Assembly Bill 770 was introduced on Monday and has been referred to the
Joint Committee on Finance. The legislation is authored by the following
legislators: Senators Tiffany, Petrowski, Darling, Harsdorf and
Representatives Nygren, Czaja, Bernier, Marklein, Mursau, Murtha, Kulp,
Krug, Nerison, Petryk, Swearingen, Tranel.
###
|
Keep Wisconsin Warm
Fund |
On Monday, February 3rd, Senator Tiffany
and Representatives Mursau, Czaja, and I each donated $100 dollars to
the Keep Wisconsin Warm fund. Keep Wisconsin Warm is a non-profit that
allocates donations to those who need heating assistance in Wisconsin.
Please see our press release below.
Pictured Above from Left to Right:
Representative Jeff Mursau, Senator Tom Tiffany, and Representative Rob
Swearingen.
12th Senate District Lawmakers
Donate to Those in Need during Propane Shortage and Challenge
Constituents to Do the Same
Madison – State Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), State Representative
Mary Czaja (R-Irma), State Representative Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) and
State Representative Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) are asking Wisconsin
residents to make a donation to those in need during this propane
shortage after pledging their support at a press conference in
Rhinelander.
“As a result of numerous constituent contacts throughout this
unprecedented propane shortage asking how people can help and where they
can donate, we all wanted to make a donation and reach out to our
constituents in the hope that those who are able will do the same,”
Tiffany said. “We want to reach out because even though the holidays
have passed, there are still families in need this winter.”
“I have personally heard from constituents about the impact that this
shortage is having on their family, friends, and neighbors,” commented
Czaja. “We want to give back to ensure that people can stay both safe
and warm and will not have to choose between heating their home and
feeding their family.”
“Today, we are asking residents all across the state to make a
contribution to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund or contact their County
Clerk to make a donation to the County Department which will provide
needed resources throughout this shortage,” added Mursau. “During times
like these, Wisconsin residents have shown their generosity and we hope
that during these bitterly cold days they will find it in themselves to
do the same once again.”
“We appreciate the leadership and all the efforts of Governor Walker to
ensure that crisis benefits and loan guarantee programs are available as
well,” said Swearingen. “This shortage is impacting residents all across
the Midwest and we want to do our part to help those in need navigate
this difficult challenge.”
Contributions can be made to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund by donating
online to www.kwwf.org/donate
or by calling 1-800-891-9276.
|
Mental Health Bills Signed into Law |
On Thursday February 6th, Governor Scott
Walker signed a number of Mental Health Bills into law. This package of
legislation is from the Speaker's Task Force on Mental Health.
I was proud to cast my vote in support of all of these bills. The
legislature wanted to make sure that everyone can receive the care they
needed, no matter what part of the state they live in. These mental
healthcare reform bills will assist underserved areas of the state like
the Northwoods.
Below are summaries from each of the bills that were signed into law
today.
AB 488 –Three-Party Petition Reform
• Provides families and other interested parties the ability to get a
3-party petition in front of judge, even if the county corporation
counsel disagrees.
• The corporation counsel would still be free to advocate against the
petition, but the family members or other interested parties would
receive the benefit of having a judge review their request for help.
AB 457 - Mental Health Treatment Alternatives and Diversion Program
• The TAD program has successfully provided alternatives to prosecution
and incarceration for criminal offenders with substance abuse problems.
• AB 457 provides funding to expand TAD to include offenders with mental
health disorders, so they can be treated, rather than locked up.
• It promotes public safety, reduces incarceration rates, reduces
recidivism
AB 452 - Creation of a Child Psychiatry Access Line
• Pediatric primary care doctors are the main providers of mental health
care to children.
• Wisconsin primary care clinicians have been asking for additional help
from child psychiatrists, but many counties lack even a single child
psychiatrist.
• This recommendation, modeled after successful efforts in Massachusetts
and Minnesota, provides much-needed expertise to the front-line
physicians who need it most.
AB 453 - Mental Health Care Coordination
• It modifies Wisconsin’s use and disclosure laws to be more consistent
with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• It treats mental health treatment records the same as other health
treatment records for the purpose of health care professionals who are
treating a patient.
• It allows primary care physicians and mental health professionals to
work together in order to ensure the best possible care for their
patients.
AB 454 - Primary Care and Psychiatry Shortage Grant Program
• Access to care was a problem heard at every single task force hearing
across the state. This program helps to encourage primary care
physicians and psychiatrist to practice in medically underserved areas.
AB 459 - Individualized Placement and Support
• Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) is a supported employment
for individuals with mental illness which studies have shown is three
times more effective than other approaches to helping people with mental
illness find employment.
• Currently nine counties in Wisconsin have IPS sites, the task force
has recommended the creation of regionalized IPS centers in order to
provide these services throughout Wisconsin.
To read the Governor's press releases,
please click
here. |
Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools |
The Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools
held its fifth public hearing in Pepin on January 28th. Our group toured
both the Alma and Pepin school districts before the public hearing. I
would like to thank both Steven Sedlmayr (Alma School Superintendent)
and Bruce Quinton (Pepin School Superintendent) for their insightful
testimony and input for rural school solutions. Below are some pictures
from the tours and public hearing in western Wisconsin.
Members of the Task Force at the Alma School District.
Members of the Task Force touring the Pepin School District with
Superintendent Bruce Quinton.
Members of the Task Force at the Pepin Public hearing.
Our next and final public hearing will be
held in Cuba City on February 26th from 1:30 - 5:00 in the school
gymnasium. Our group
will hear testimony from area superintendents and the Wisconsin
Innovative School Network.
Time will be allotted
at the end of the hearing for the public to provide additional
testimony. I invite all concerned citizens, parents and taxpayers
to attend so their concerns may be heard.
To read and review testimony from the
previous Rural School Task Force hearings, please
view our website The website also provides information on Task
Force members, press releases, hearing notices, and pictures from
previous school tours. |
Upcoming Community Events |
Please click on the following links for Upcoming
Community Events!
Cross Country Cruisers 2014 Cruiserfest
(6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)February 7-8, Minocqua
Cross Country Ski Lessons (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) February 9, Manitowish
Waters
Marshfield Clinic Community Blood Drive (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) February 14,
Minocqua
Full Moon Snowshoe (7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) February 14, Manitowish Waters
Ride With The Champs (7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) February 15, St. Germain
Spaghetti Dinner Benefit (4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.) February 15, Arbor Vitae
Valentine's Day Bake Sale (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) February 15, Minocqua
WinMan Windigo 5K/10K Snowshoe Stomp (1:00 p.m.) February 16,
Manitowish Waters
Community Music Festival (2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.) February 16th, Rhinelander
Chili Ski-in/Snowshoe/Walk-In (10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.) February 8, Florence
LEFF's Annual Keyes Lake Fishing Derby (5:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), February 8,
Florence
9th Annual Labatt Blue USA Pond Hockey National Championships
February 7-9, Eagle River
Sani-Sport Youth Hockey Championships (All Day) February 15-16,
Minocqua
Three Bear
Sled Dog Race (All Day) February 9-10, Land O' Lakes |
Please
contact me at
Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you
would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates |
Office of Representative
Rob Swearingen
Room 107
West
PO Box 8953, Madison WI
53708
Office: 608-266-7141
Toll Free: 888-534-0034 |