Hometown Hero: Jim Nick

The Assembly Hometown Heroes program seeks to recognize individuals that give back to their community. This week, Jim Nick of Wausau was recognized as a Hometown Hero by the Wisconsin State Assembly. 

Earlier this year, I nominated Jim for his outstanding work helping homeless youth in our area. This month, Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke selected Jim to be a Hometown Hero to be recognized at the floor session on November 7th. 

Several years ago, when Jim learned about the number of homeless youth in our community, he took action. He began calling friends, family, community members and local businesses to raise cash and supplies for  youth that are experiencing homelessness.

Through the Help the Kids fund, Jim has lead the effort to provide socks, hats, jackets, school supplies and hygiene products; pay off hot lunch balances; fund extracurricular activities; and provide additional meals to students for nights and weekends. 

I was honored to nominate Jim, so that he can get the recognition that he deserves for the good work he has done in our community. You can watch a recording of the ceremony, here. Footage of Jim's award begins at 23 minutes. 

Legislative Update

During the Assembly floor session, in addition to honoring Hometown Heroes, we voted on several important items, including a Resolution that I authored. 

For Assembly Joint Resolution 99, I teamed up with Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) to designate November as Runaway Prevention Month. The number of homeless youth has increased dramatically over the past several years, and it's time that we call attention to this issue. It was fitting that, on the same day that we honored Jim Nick for his efforts, this Resolution would get passed by the Assembly. 

Additionally, the Assembly voted on several specific veto overrides from the biennial budget. I am incredibly disappointed that these measures failed. The three specific provisions that were voted on would have increased access to mental health care for children; provided a grant for a northern Wisconsin regional crisis center; and increased reimbursement rates for Medicaid for mental and behavioral health services and psychiatric services. 

Each of these measure were immensely important to increasing access to mental health care, especially for the northern part of the state. The northern WI regional crisis center would have meant that, instead of individuals in crisis being handcuffed and put in squad car for several hours on a trip to Madison or Oshkosh, they would have access to services right here in northern Wisconsin.

Unfortunately, even democratic members from northern Wisconsin failed to join the attempt to override Governor Evers' veto to get these funds sent to northern Wisconsin instead of Mendota Mental Health Institute in Madison. In fact, one representative from Milwaukee stated that the northern representatives should just be happy that our community members get services at Mendota, and that we shouldn't be upset that these critical services for individuals in crisis aren't available in our part of the state. I fundamentally disagree with the assertion that northern Wisconsin shouldn't have the same access to services that southern and eastern Wisconsinites receive, and I will continue fighting for the availability of crucial services for our community. 

Office Hours!

Next week Friday, November 15th I will be hosting my monthly office hours! Join me between 11AM and 1PM at Vino Latte in Wausau to chat about existing legislation, bring new ideas for legislation forward, or talk about challenges with government agencies. Hope to see you there! 

2019-2020 Blue Books have arrived! The Wisconsin Blue Book contains information on all things Wisconsin: your elected officials; census information; the official state dog, tree, flower, etc.; government processes; and so much more! If you would like a complementary blue book, contact me for your free copy today!