This week the Assembly convened for a floor session to debate and vote on several pieces of legislation, including a package of suicide prevention bills. I was proud to support these bills that aim to help individuals who are considering suicide receive the help they need. I am thankful for the hard work put in by the Speaker's Task Force on Suicide Prevention that developed and recommended these life saving pieces of legislation. For a full overview of the Assembly’s floor session this week, please click here.
Some of the bills that were successfully passed include:
Assembly 410: Relating to coverage of services under Medical Assistance provided through telehealth and other technologies, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority.
Assembly Bill 178: Relating to eligibility for physician, dentist, and health care provider educational loan assistance programs.
Assembly Bill 524: Relating to farmer tuition assistance grants and making an appropriation.
Assembly Bill 525: Relating to implementing a suicide prevention program and making an appropriation.
Assembly Bill 528: Relating to grants to support peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs in high schools, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.
Assembly Bill 529: Relating to grants to the Wisconsin Safe and Healthy Schools Center and making an appropriation.
Assembly Committee on State Affairs
The Assembly Committee on State Affairs, which I chair, met this week to hold a public hearing on the following two bills:
Assembly Bill 296:Relating to notices of eligibility to receive a prize.
Assembly Bill 459:Relating to incorporating cursive writing into the state model English language arts standards and requiring cursive writing in elementary grades.
I appreciate everyone who came out to testify on these two pieces of legislation.
The committee heard testimony from the public, experts and stakeholders.
Chairman Swearingen during the public hearing.
Joint Effort Marketing Grants Awarded to Boulder Junction and Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce
Congratulations to the Boulder Junction and Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce respectively for each receiving a Joint Effort Marketing Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. Boulder Junction received a $5,000 grant to help promote the third annual Forest Frenzy Winter Triathlon set to take place February 14-16, 2020. The event is expected to attract 375 attendees and is estimated to generate over $120,000 dollars in visitor spending. Minocqua received a $12,000 grant to support the Oneida County Tourism Council’s promotion efforts for the inaugural Taste of Oneida County. The week-long event, which is taking place from November 5-10th, highlights the great culinary options available throughout Oneida County. The event is estimated to attract over 2,900 attendees and generate over $215,000. Congratulations again to both Boulder Junction, Minocqua and the Oneida County Tourism Council for earning these well-deserved grants!
Rep. Swearingen with members of the Oneida County Tourism Council.
Rep. Swearingen with members of the Boulder Junction Chamber of Commerce.
Rep. Swearingen Receives ABC Award
I was honored to receive the Building Wisconsin Award from Pitlik and Wick in Eagle River. The award is given to legislators on behalf of the Associated Builders and Contractors for efforts to increase competition in public construction. I appreciate all the hard work those in the construction industry do every day, and would like to thank Pitlik and Wick for their continued investment in the community.
Thank you again to Pitlik and Wick for presenting me with the ABC hard hat!
Midstate Independent Living Choices Meeting
I had the opportunity to meet with a representative of Midstate Independent Living Choices to discuss pending legislation regarding Wisconsin’s Independent Living Centers. Based in Stevens Point, I appreciated the discussion regarding the services they offer for individuals throughout the Northwoods. Independent Living Centers are a valuable resource and offer services such as helping individuals with disabilities transition from institutions to the community and vice versa.
Rep. Swearingen with Independent Living Program Director Eric Riskus. Thanks again for stopping by!
Veterans Day Ceremonies
It was an honor to attend Veterans Day Ceremonies earlier this morning in Rhinelander and Phelps. Veterans Day is a reminder for all of us that freedom is not free. Those who have served and sacrificed so that we can live in peace are among the very best America has to offer. To all our great veterans, I would like to say Thank You and God Bless You.
Honored to have been invited as the keynote speaker for the ceremony in Phelps.
Rep. Swearingen with Middle and High School Social Studies Teacher Kevin Grafwallner and Vilas County Veterans Service Officer Brian Thomas.
Great to see several local veterans and their families attend the Phelps ceremony.
Big crowd for the Rhinelanderceremony at James Williams Middle School.
Thank you to Jason Dailey of the Oneida County Veterans Services for giving the keynote address.
The JWMS Choir and Band did a fantastic job providing music and song for the event!
I would encourage everyone to attend a Veterans Day Ceremony if you have the chance. Below are some of the Veterans Day events taking place throughout the Northwoods in the next few days. Please consult your local newspaper for additional events.
The 2019-2020 Wisconsin Blue Books and Highway Maps are out now! If you would like one, please call or email my office with your name and address, and we'll make sure to send one your way!
Phone: (608)-266-7141
Email: Rep.Swearingen@legis.wisconsin.gov
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
