Wisconsin has a workforce shortage, which is impacting communities and employers throughout the state; health care is no exception. In many small and rural communities, access to health care is a significant challenge. That is why I authored Assembly Bill 287, which was heard in the Assembly Committee on Health this week. 

This legislation will ease the burden on communities across the state by allowing advanced practice clinicians to make certain determinations, with a physician, for the purpose of invoking a health care power of attorney or advanced directive. Under current law, only physicians can make these determinations. While Assembly Bill 287 still requires one provider to be a physician, it allows, if the patient chooses, the second provider to be a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse. 

Many patients rely on these types of providers for their everyday care. If it is within the provider's education, training and experience, the law shouldn't be getting in the way of a patient's wishes. I am confident that if this legislation becomes law, it will result in more expeditious, accurate and continuous patient care, especially in our rural and small communities. 

Like all great ideas, this legislation came directly from folks on the ground, and in this case, it came directly from the 85th Assembly District! I appreciate Paul's work in bringing this idea to my office and coming to testify in support. The photo above features Paul testifying, or you can watch the hearing online here. 

The Right Angle

(Rep. Snyder and Majority Leader Rep. Jim Steineke on the set of The Right Angle)

Homelessness is a challenge that communities across the entire state continue to face; in fact, 56% of homeless individuals and families reside outside of Milwaukee, Dane and Racine Counties. During the past two sessions, the Assembly has made combating homelessness a priority. From the creation of the Interagency Council on Homelessness in 2017, to the increase in resources supported earlier this year, we maintain our commitment to helping this segment of our population. 

On Wednesday, I joined Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, who has been a critical advocate on this topic, to talk about homelessness in our state on The Right Angle. Click on this link to hear how I got involved in issues relating to homelessness; what the Assembly is doing to assist; and more facts and myths about homelessness. 

Advocating for our community

Earlier this year, the 2019-2021 biennial budget passed the Legislature, with funding for over 60 new assistant district attorney positions statewide, in response to our overburdened criminal justice system. In the Legislature's budget, the positions were delegated to counties with the highest need, according to a Legislative Audit Bureau workload report. Due to the significant need in our area, the budget included 4.5 positions for Marathon County, including two entirely new positions and funding for 2.5 positions that the county is already paying for.

Unfortunately, Governor Evers vetoed the assignment of these positions, and directed his agencies to reassign them. Under the Governor's plan, Marathon County, like other northern counties, received fewer new positions; instead these positions were assigned to Milwaukee County where staffing was already at 115% of need (for reference, Marathon County was at 62% of need).

While I was disappointed by this decision by the Evers Administration, I was honored to join Marathon County District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon to advocate for Marathon County to continue funding one of the positions it had previously been funding-this is still 1.5 less positions than they previously funded. Regardless of whether the county board accepts this proposal, I was proud to work across the aisle to advocate for our community.  

The Week Ahead

Monday, October 21st, I am hosting my monthly office hours at the new coffee shop, Clean Slate Coffee. Join me between 10AM and 12PM for coffee and conversation about issues relating to state government. 

Community events: 

• It is Wisconsin Science Festival Weekend across the state! On Saturday, October 19th the Marathon County Public Library-Wausau Branch will be hosting an event for the Science Festival. The event will take place from 11AM-2PM in the Aquarium Room. It is free and open to the public. The science experiment/crafts are geared towards children. 
•  Saturday Spotlight: Llamas! At the Marathon County Public Library-Rothschild Branch, kids and families can learn about llamas through crafts, games and other activities. The event will occur from 10AM-2PM; it is free and open to the public. 
• The 44th Annual "Birds in Art" exhibit is on display now at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Pieces from 114 artists worldwide are featured in the avian-themed exhibit. Check out the display between noon and 5PM on Saturday or Sunday; admission is always free! 

The wait is over: 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!