It’s a beautiful time of year in West Central Wisconsin! Every year, as the change in season brings in fall colors, I’m always amazed by the breathtaking natural beauty we’re so very fortunate to have and experience in our part of the state.

I’m pleased to report that the state budget has passed both houses of the Legislature and has been signed by the Governor. I’m especially happy with the historic K-12 Education investment that has been included in this session’s biennial budget. This is something I’ve advocated for since I started in the Legislature last session. In addition, the budget includes an 8.5% increase for local transportation projects and a 9.5% increase to general transportation aids. Also, local bridge program funding increases by $7.5 million annually and transportation bonding levels are at their lowest level in 10 years. For a more thorough summary of my thoughts on this year’s state budget, please view the short video above and click here for the release I put out after the budget was passed. Believe it or not, after eight hours of floor debate on the budget, no one had mentioned our farmers and the $88 billion agricultural economy we have in our state. I didn’t think that was right. Here’s an additional video clip of me on the floor saying a little something about that - www.wiseye.org/Video-Archive/View-Video-Clip.

Now that the budget has passed, the fall legislative session is gearing up. Last week, I had the opportunity to testify before the Assembly Committee on Health on two pieces of legislation I’ve authored. The first piece of legislation I testified on was Assembly Bill 500 – The enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. The enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact provides an opportunity for nurses in Wisconsin to receive a multi-state nursing license and allows nurses from other states to quickly fill vacancies in Wisconsin without having to obtain a duplicative single-state license. Nearly all Wisconsin nurses currently enjoy the benefits of an interstate license authorized by our compact and will continue to have the benefit of an interstate license under the new compact. The bill allows Wisconsin to continue offering a voluntary, alternative process to expedite multi-state nurse licensure and will not interfere with Wisconsin’s ability to hold any nurse practicing in Wisconsin accountable for meeting all Wisconsin nurse practice laws. The enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact bill has received tremendous support from across the state and also in the Legislature. There are over 95 legislators from both houses of the Legislature, Democrats and Republicans, that have co-sponsored the legislation!

The other piece of legislation I testified on last week before the Assembly Committee on Health was Assembly Bill 305 – Relating to grants for language interpretation in healthcare settings. This bill requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to create a program to provide grants to reimburse medical clinics and hospitals for language interpretation services provided to patients and to be eligible, the clinic or hospital must be located in a rural area or service medically underserved populations. Both proposals will help to increase access for our residents and also empower our medical professionals to continue provide excellent care, right here in our local communities. I’m pictured above with Kathryn LaDue, a public health professional from Jackson and Clarke County (who came to Madison and delivered enthusiastic and passionate support testimony to the committee on Assembly Bill 305. Thanks again Kathryn!). I'm also pictured above with leaders from Southwest Health in Platteville and the Wisconsin Hospitals Association, and Sheryl Krause, Chair of the Wisconsin Board of Nursing.

Finally, 2017-2019 Blue Books have arrived! If you’d like one, please contact me or my office to make sure we can get it to you! Click here or the graphic above to request a copy!

 

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.