If you are having trouble viewing this email, or are using Outlook, please click here to view this email in your browser.
  
VanderMeer_webBNR_2014rev.jpg

News from Nancy

3.31.17 Queen of Apostles School + Nancy.jpg (1)
Things continue to ramp up in the 70th Assembly District and at the State Capitol in Madison. As I mentioned in my last message to you, it's state budget season. I'm continuing to meet and speak with constituents from all across our area in order to find out what's important to you as we move forward. Last week the Joint Finance Committee held hearings in Madison where they heard from individual state agencies regarding this session's budget. This month, the Joint Finance Committee is 'On the Road,' holding listening sessions all across the state. Here's a link with the full schedule, taken from the Wisconsin Legislature - Schedule of Committee Activities website (also a good general resource): https://goo.gl/cpFlgZ 
I want to hear from you! Please take a look at the bottom of this message to learn about the upcoming state budget listening sessions I have in the district.
On Tuesday, I voted on a number of bills related to increasing access to medical care with common sense reforms and the Governor's Special Session to Fight Opioid Abuse. This legislation continues the Assembly Republican efforts on the Heroin, Opioid, Prevention and Education - or HOPE - Agenda. The legislature has unanimously approved 17 HOPE Agenda bills that became law during the past two sessions.
In case you missed it, I've included a copy of a recent column I wrote - published in the Monroe County Herald and Tomah Journal - for Consumer Protection Week and the resources available to us here in our state. 
And last, but surely not least, I want to thank the Queen of the Apostles School (Tomah) 4th and 5th graders for the energy, curiosity, respectfulness, and humor they brought with them on their capitol tour last Friday! As you can see above, we got to take a fun picture with all of the students in my office.
Please continue to utilize my legislative website, legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/70/vandermeer, and follow Rep. Nancy VanderMeer on Facebook to communicate with me and receive up to date information and communication.  

Sincerely,

VanderMeer Sig.png
Nancy VanderMeer
70th Assembly District Representative

HopeAgendaSpecialSession3-2 (002).jpg


 

Consumer Protection Week

 (published 3/14/17)

Did you know that last week was Consumer Protection Week across the nation and in our great state of Wisconsin? The Federal Trade Commission has declared the first week of March as Consumer Protection Week since 1998. The coordinated consumer education campaign is in its 12th year. The goal of the annual campaign is to encourage individuals across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights.

Even though the education campaign was formally recognized last week, I wanted to take the opportunity to make sure that you and your family members, friends, and neighbors are aware of some common issues that individuals run into and the excellent resources we have here in Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, the state agency authorized to oversee issues relating to consumer protection is the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Their mission specifically related to consumer protection is to promote a fair marketplace. The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is the state’s primary consumer protection agency and the Bureau of Consumer Protection has broad authority to regulate unfair business practices.

Last week, our Bureau of Consumer Protection released the ‘Top 10’ complaints filed by consumers in Wisconsin for the calendar year 2016.

They were (in order, most complaints filed to least complaints filed): Telemarketing, Landlord/Tenant, Telecommunications, Identity Theft, Home Improvement, Gas Pump Accuracy, Motor Vehicle Repair, Motor Vehicle Sales (Used and New), Computer & Equipment, and Warranties.

Hopefully you don’t have to deal with any consumer protection issues, but if you’re having issues, my office is more than happy to help. We’re able to work with a wide variety of inquiries including consumer protection issues. Examples of inquiries we’ve run across recently include: problems with phone/internet providers and coverage, auto-subscription renewal inquiries, and questions about the ‘Do Not Call’ list. Many times, we’ll help to facilitate a conversation with a representative from the Bureau of Consumer protection in order to obtain facts of the situation, record complaints or issues if applicable, and to offer potential solutions. In some instances, it will be necessary to refer an inquiry to our Federal Bureau of Consumer Protection/The Federal Trade Commission.

We’re fortunate to have an outstanding and responsive team at our state Bureau of Consumer Protection. If you’d like to contact them directly, you can easily reach them via phone or email.

Wisconsin’s Consumer Protection Hotline phone number is: 1-800-422-7128

Wisconsin’s Consumer Protection email address is: DATCPHotline@Wisconsin.gov

You can sign-up to receive consumer reports via email or text on the Bureau of Consumer Protection website. Additionally, the bureau publishes “Wisconsin’s Guide for Landlords and Tenants” which answers commonly asked questions about landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities in simple language.

The “Ready Reference Guide,” also published by the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection, includes more than 200 pages of useful consumer contacts. Examples of contacts included are local, state, and federal agencies, Wisconsin district attorneys, and Better Business Bureau offices.

Another useful publication from the Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection is the “Senior Guide.” This publication has long been a trusted source of information on consumer issues and scams that the state’s elderly residents face. The Senior Guide contains more than 50 pages of information to help Wisconsin seniors through difficult consumer issues or to help them identify scams. These publications are available for free download on the bureau’s website and hard copies are available by request through the Consumer Protection Hotline.

As a consumer, a business owner, and a member of the Assembly Committee on Consumer Protection, I understand that recognition of consumer rights and the integrity of businesses and service providers are valuable pieces of a vibrant economy. It’s important to know what your rights are, and what resources are available to you.

Upcoming State Budget Listening Sessions

  • Friday, April 7th: Reps. Krug & VanderMeer at the Charles & JoAnn Lester Library - 100 Park Street, Nekoosa (Noon-1pm)
  • Monday, April 10th: Reps. Loudenbeck & VanderMeer at the Pittsville City Council Chambers - 5318 1st Ave, Pittsville (1-2pm)
  • Monday, April 17th: Reps. Pronschinske & VanderMeer at the Millston Town Hall - W6621 US-12, Millston (4-5pm)
April Events in the 70th
Arpin Community Easter Egg Hunt!
Kandy Kane Park
Saturday, April 8th: 11:15 am registration; noon-1 pm egg hunt

Red Cross Blood Drive
Lions Club, 5572 Fourth Ave, Pittsville
Tuesday, April 11th, 1:00-6:00 pm
Bingo!
Sparta Barney Center, 1000 E Montgomery St.
First and Third Fridays at 12:15 pm
Taste of Art and Wine
Whitetail Ridge Ski Area, Fort McCoy
Friday, April 7th: 6:00 pm 

 

Facebook Website
facebook  website
Madison mailing address is:
Suite 11 West
PO Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708

Phone: 608-266-8366


Email: Rep.VanderMeer@legis.wisconsin.gov