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Friday, June 7, 2019

Busy Week

As always, this has been another busy week in Madison, not only for Rep. Dittrich but for the rest of the legislature.

Rep. Dittrich attended multiple committee hearings on a wide range of topics including sales tax remission, wireless placement, and homelessness Additionally, she met with constituents in her Madison office. Finally, the Senate passed two of her bills, sending them to Governor Evers desk.

The Joint Finance Committee met twice this week to take up individual budget motions including DHS, Medicaid, and DOT.

Rep. Dittrich will share more in-depth information regarding their actions on Monday in the special edition e-update.

Removing Obstacles

This week, the Assembly Committee on Workforce Development met to discuss AB 250examinations and licensure of sign language interpreters, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures.

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Oconomowoc's own Michael Maffucci, joined by Katie Voss, shared powerful testimony in front of the Assembly Committee on Workforce Development. Testimony like this along instills hope that this will pass through committee quickly for a floor vote with bipartisan support.

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This week was also Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, & Deaf-Blind Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Rep. Dittrich had a great opportunity to meet new advocates and even got a little time to chat with Democrat colleague, Rep. Jonathan Brostoff, on areas of consensus on removing barriers for these members of the disability community.

Pro-Life Bills Pass Senate

The pro-life package of bills passed by the Assembly last month were passed by the Senate this week. Rep. Dittrich authored 2 of the 4 bills that were passed and will be presented to Governor Evers.

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Senator Testin/Representative Dittrich: AB 182/SB 173  - Sex-selective, disability-selective, and other selective abortions and providing a penalty 

This legislation will prevent abortions from being performed solely because of the race, color, national origin, ancestry, or sex of the unborn child or solely because the unborn child has been diagnosed with or has a potential diagnosis of Down syndrome or another congenital disability.

Senator Stroebel/Representative Dittrich: AB 183/SB 187 - Prohibiting DHS from certifying certain abortion providers as qualified providers under the Medical Assistance program

This bill will ensure that taxpayer funds do not subsidize abortion providers in any way. The bill directs DHS to de-certify or not certify as a qualified provider under the Medical Assistance program (BadgerCare) any entity or affiliate of an entity that provides abortion services. The deadline for implementation is the middle of the next biennium in order to facilitate an orderly transition. Hospitals that comply with current statutory provisions would not be denied certification. Additionally, DHS is authorized and required to submit the appropriate waivers necessary to carry out the mandate in accordance with the provisions of 2017 Wisconsin Act 370.

Senator Kapenga/Representative VosAB 180/SB 174 - A Woman’s Right to Know Act 

This bill requires a physician to make women aware that ingesting the first pill in the regimen of the "the abortion pill" may not result in an abortion, and that she should review the materials and consult a physician about her options to continue the pregnancy if she is having second thoughts.  By adopting this language we will ensure that any woman who is prescribed this regimen who may have a change of heart understands that she can still have her baby, even after taking the first pill.This bill also adds to the information required to be reported for induced abortions.

Senator Roth/Representative SteinekeAB 179/SB 175 - Born Alive Protection Act

This bill would require any health care provider present at the time of an abortion or attempted abortion that results in a child born-alive to exercise the same degree of professional skill to preserve the life and health of the child as they would render to any other child. A provider must also ensure that a child is transported and admitted to a hospital. Further, this bill requires that any healthcare provider or employee of a location where abortions are performed to immediately report to law enforcement the failure of an individual to provide care to an infant.  

A mother may not be prosecuted, fined, or otherwise punished under this legislation, nor does this legislation provide for new burdens in obtaining an abortion.

New Intern

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Rep. Dittrich's office welcomed a new office intern, Sophie! She is a force to be reckoned with and arrives just in time to add more support as we prepare to launch the Speaker's Task Force on Adoption. You will find Sophie in our office on Wednesdays throughout the summer.

Republicans Increase Medicaid Spending by $200 Million

Republicans make increases to state money directed to Medicaid without expansion of program. These initiatives make strategic investments in the healthcare workforce and hospitals to improve access and affordability of healthcare. The budget compromise includes the increased caregiver dollars for which Rep. Dittrich fought. It also increases Wisconsin's horrible reimbursement rates.

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"The $200 million includes $30 million more for nursing homes, $37 million for personal care workers, $27 million for direct care givers and $30 million for aids to children and families.

The investment also increases payments to hospitals, including those in rural areas, and funds 25 to 30 mental health workers.

Some of the increases, such as for nursing homes, Family Care direct care givers, personal care workers, some behavioral health services, Food Share’s work requirement program and some hospital payments, are greater than what Evers called for." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Child Welfare Services

This week, the Joint Finance Committee approve an additional $30 million for child welfare services funding in state and federal dollars, exceeding the increase Gov. Tony Evers sought over the next two years.

The action, including the child welfare funding raise, comes as counties have logged increasing costs to the child welfare services they provide largely due to the ongoing opioid and meth epidemic ravaging the state.

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From the early discussions Rep. Dittrich has been having for the Speaker's Taskforce on Adoption, this will be very welcomed news for workers on the front lines of child welfare Wisconsin. 

Constituent Corner

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Rep. Dittrich stopped in to chat with members of the Watertown Rotary

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After the harrowing experience and stand-off this week during the I94 shutdown, Rep. Dittrich dropped off care packages to local first responders at Village of Summit Police DepartmentWestern Lakes Fire District, and the Oconomowoc Police Department.

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Rep. Dittrich was excited toconnect with Shannon, a faithful supporter of local first responders as they waited for the law enforcement relay for Special Olympics