Memorial Day
The long-awaited Memorial Day weekend is almost here. For most people, Memorial
Day signals the start of summer and provides a much appreciated 3-day weekend to
enjoy with family and friends. It has become a true American tradition to plan
the first camping weekend, fire up the grill, or dig into yard projects on the
last weekend of May.
While I hope everyone will enjoy the great spring weather and get to spend time
with family this weekend, I also want to encourage us to remember the reason we
set aside the last Monday in May on our calendar. Originally called Decoration
Day, and officially established by General John Logan in 1868, Memorial Day is
the day we remember and honor those members of our military forces who have made
the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. From the revolutionary times
to the present day, our nation has relied on men and women who have been willing
to wear the uniform and serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of
America. Whether they came from farms, small towns, or cities, the sacrifices
made by mostly young citizens of this country have ensured both our freedom and
our continued safety. As a nation, we owe all veterans a great debt of
gratitude and Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to pay our respects to those
who never made it home. With members of our armed services still serving in
harms way, I hope we all take some time this Memorial Day to reflect on their
sacrifice, and if given the opportunity, say “thank you” to a veteran.
Veteran’s organizations and communities across Wisconsin will be sponsoring
Memorial Day events in the coming days, and all citizens are welcome to
participate.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the event called LZ Lambeau held
at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The LZ stands for “landing zone”, and the event
was organized as a belated welcome home for Vietnam Veterans. Although I wasn't
able to be there for the entire weekend, I was glad that I had a chance to
witness the moving ceremony on Saturday evening. It was an emotional experience
for the thousands of veterans in attendance, but every veteran I talked to said
they were happy they made the trip to Lambeau.
http://lzlambeau.org/
Department of Veterans Affairs Event at Lakeshore Technical
College
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) will be conducting a
Supermarket of Veterans Benefits at the Lakeshore Technical College in
Cleveland, Wisconsin on June 4-5, 2010. The event runs Friday from noon - 7 p.m.
and Saturday from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The WDVA, in partnership with other providers, has conducted these events since
2001 and has assisted thousands of veterans. The Supermarkets truly are a
one-stop-shop where veterans and family members can learn about and apply for
benefits and services they may have not known about in the past.
Provided is a link to the “I Owe You” page with information on the program to
include the Supermarket of Veterans Benefits.
http://dva.state.wi.us/IOweYou.asp
Mandatory Auto Insurance
During the last state budget process, Governor Doyle and his allies made
significant changes to the laws regulating auto insurance coverage. Wisconsin
drivers and owners of motor vehicles will be required to have an automobile
insurance policy and carry proof of insurance after June 1, 2010. Your
automobile insurance policy must provide the following minimum liability
coverage: $50,000 for injury or death of one person; $100,000 for injury or
death of two or more people; and $15,000 for property damage (currently
$25,000/$50,000/$10,000). The law also requires uninsured and underinsured
motorist coverage each with minimum limits of $100,000/$300,000 for bodily
injury coverage.
Operating a motor vehicle without insurance could result in a fine of up to
$500. Drivers and owners who fail to show proof of insurance at the time of the
stop/accident could be fined up to $10. As predicted, these changes have had a
negative effect on auto insurance premiums for most Wisconsin drivers. I did
not support the efforts of Governor Doyle and the trial lawyer lobby to force
Wisconsin families to pay more for their car insurance. If raising insurance
rates on our hard-working families was a pressing public policy issue, it should
have been introduced as separate legislation and subjected to the committee
review process, not buried in the state budget bill.
http://oci.wi.gov/faq/auto.htm
Final E-Update Until After the November Election
Effective June 1, no candidate for state office can distribute 50 or more
identical items paid for by state funds. This includes highway maps, Capitol
guide books, flags, stickers, magnets or any other items purchased through an
office account or with state moneys.
Specifically, Section 11.33 of the Wisconsin Statutes reads: (1)(a) No person
elected to state or local office that becomes a candidate for national, state or
local office may use public funds for the cost of materials or distribution for
50 or more pieces of substantially identical material (e-updates are included in
this definition).
Having said that, please feel free to keep in touch with my office if there
is any state government issue we can assist you with. You can contact us
toll-free at 1-888-529-0027.
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In This Issue
Memorial Day
Veteran Services
Auto Insurance Changes
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