I'm happy to report that over the past few weeks, I've been able to conduct eight in-district, state budget listening sessions in all four counties that comprise the 70th Assembly District, and also had a chance to attend a full Joint Finance Committee state budget listening session in Ellsworth. I've had the opportunity to hear from a number of citizens and elected officials from all across the district to find out what's important to them as this session's state budget process moves forward. Local transportation aids and the importance of making sure that our public schools have the tools they need to allow students to be successful are two of the primary issues that were discussed repeatedly. If you remember, two of the main reasons I wasn't able to vote for the 2015-2016 state budget was because I believed that budget didn't provide enough funding for transportation and education. Currently, the state's Joint Finance Committee is in the process of holding public hearings to accept, modify, revise, and make additions to the Governor's proposed budget. The Joint Finance Committee's recommendations will then be sent to the full legislature and the Governor for approval. I remain cautiously optimistic that we will have a state budget that I can vote for this session.

It's Police Week. Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week is an observance in the United States that pays tribute to the local, state, and Federal Peace Officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty. The Memorial takes place on May 15, and Police Week is the calendar week in which the Memorial falls. Police Week was created in 1961 when Congress asked President John F. Kennedy to designate May 15 to honor peace officers. I had the tremendous honor to attend and speak at a number of Police Officer recognition services recently. I am pictured above at Sparta's Law Enforcement Recognition Ceremony which took place Monday. What an absolute privilege it is for me to have the opportunity to work closely with the outstanding municipal, county, and state Peace Officers we have in our communities. They perform their duties in an exemplary and honorable manner and the sacrifices their families make for us to allow them to serve are truly humbling.

I'd also like to share that I have introduced legislation to create a grant program for language interpretation services provided in medical clinics and hospitals that are located in rural areas or that serve medically underserved populations. Federal law requires clinics and hospitals that receive federal funding to provide language interpretation services to patients with limited English proficiency. However, medical providers in rural and underserved areas don't always have sufficient access to such services. It is difficult for some hospitals to find and retain interpreters, especially in urgent care or emergency situations, which creates a real safety concern for patients and also creates additional confusion in an already stressful situation. The intent of the grant program is to reimburse medical clinics and hospitals for language interpretation services provided to patients, while still requiring the State Department of Health Services to seek any federal Medical Assistance funds that are available to match the grants.

Finally, 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,


Nancy VanderMeer
70th Assembly District Representative