On June 9th, the State Assembly passed legislation I authored that enables timely emergency response across state lines.  AB249 is the first bill that I authored.

Rep. Novak Commends the Passage of Ambulance Licensure Bill

I was very pleased with my legislative colleagues when the state Assembly and Senate both passed this bill.  The bill addresses an interstate license reciprocity concern along the Wisconsin/Illinois state line where ambulance services may be unnecessarily delayed.

In medical emergencies, time is of the essence. When a life is on the line, citizens shouldn’t have to wait because of government red tape.  At the request of concerned constituents, I brought forward this bill to make sure that emergency services can be delivered in a timely fashion”.

The issue was first brought to light after the state Department of Health Services determined that because of a licensure difference between the two states, an ambulance from Illinois cannot provide service in Wisconsin – even if it was the closest responding unit.

There are already real world examples of lives being placed in jeopardy because of the licensure disagreement. This legislation provides a narrow exemption to current requirements and allows an ambulance service provider licensed in another state that make ten or fewer patient transports per year that originate and terminate in Wisconsin.

This bill takes a meaningful step toward working to provide timely emergency services for southern Lafayette County.  The health and safety of our communities shouldn’t be jeopardized because of government paperwork.

Recently, Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill testified in support and answered questions before the joint hearing of the state Assembly Committee on Health and the state Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

 
The bill was passed unanimously by both the Senate and Assembly, and will now go to the Governor’s desk for his signature.
 

New Member of the State Historical Society Board of Curators

Recently Appointed to the Wisconsin State Historical Society Board of Curators

Did you know that the 51st Assembly District is home to a number of state historical treasures?

Earlier this week, I was thrilled to announce my recent appointment to the State Historical Society Board of Curators.  I was appointed by Speaker Robin Vos to represent the state Assembly on the Board. The Wisconsin Historical Society helps people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. It promotes a wide appreciation of American heritage; highlighting the collection, advancement, and spreading of knowledge of the history of Wisconsin.

I’m proud to have been appointed to the Historical Society Board of Curators, it’s an honor to belong to such a storied organization that connects people to the past.  The Historical Society is the home to our state's memory and our foremost storyteller.  Southwest Wisconsin includes many historically significant places from the first state Capitol, the birthplace of Wisconsin’s territorial government, and Wisconsin’s oldest courthouse.

The Wisconsin Historical Society was founded in 1846, two years before Wisconsin became the 30th state.  It is also ranked as one of the largest, most active, and diversified state historical societies in the nation.
 

It's no wonder the dairy industry chose June, a month that provides perfect summer days as the ideal month to celebrate all foods dairy, and the dairy farms that make it possible.  There are few things I enjoy better than a nutritious and refreshing glass of cold milk.  Providing calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and the protein to keep us going through the day, milk is a great choice for the active days of summer.  More enjoyable than that, are the foods produced from milk; the cheese over our grilled burgers, or that scoop of ice cream for a nice summer dessert.

Wisconsin's dairy industry is a major economic contributor to local communities.  The cows you see in Wisconsin's countryside have a significant impact on strengthening local communities.  Each of Wisconsin's more than 1.2 million dairy cows generates over $34,000 a year in local economic activity, in turn supports local businesses, providing jobs, and help to grow local economies.

I recently had the pleasure to attend and serve people at two local Dairy Breakfasts; Iowa, and Lafayette County.  It's hard to beat a Dairy Breakfast on the farm. Enjoy the rest of Dairy Month, but every day in Wisconsin is a day to celebrate dairy.
 

Some statistics and facts demonstrating the significance of Wisconsin's Dairy Industry:

--The dairy business in Wisconsin directly supports 78,900 jobs. Plus, the employment multiplier for dairy is 2.23, which says that every job in dairy supports an additional 1.23 jobs elsewhere in the Wisconsin economy.
 

--Dairy means more to Wisconsin than lobsters to Maine or syrup to Vermont. It's a $43.4 billion industry here, a steady economic engine throughout the state.
 

--Based on financial benchmark information from UW-Madison's Center for Dairy Profitability, a 250-cow Wisconsin dairy farm will spend, on average, about $675,000 annually in supplies, products and services that are purchased from local businesses and retailers.
 

--63 percent of U.S. dairy products are produced in urban-influenced areas. With our population spreading out across Wisconsin, it's becoming increasingly common for dairy farms to operate with neighbors nearby.

--Wisconsin leads the nation in number of cheese plants--several of which are right here in the 51st Assembly District!
 

--Dairy is the largest segment of Wisconsin agriculture. Total Ag = $88.3 billion; dairy = $43.4 billion

--Wisconsin cheesemakers produce over 600 varieties, types and styles of cheese. runner-up comes in second with 250 varieties.

--Wisconsin cheesemakers earned 39% of all awards presented at the 2014 World Championship Cheese Contest, more than five times as many as the nearest competitor (Switzerland with 21 awards)!

--Wisconsin has more licensed cheesemakers than any other state, and Wisconsin's cheesemakers produce more than 2.8 billion pounds of cheese each year.
 

--Wisconsin is the only state with a Master Cheesemaker program, a rigorous three-year course committed to superior quality, technical skills and craftsmanship. There are now 58 Master Cheesemakers at work throughout the state.

Serving visitors of Iowa County Dairy Breakfast. (Nels-Vale Farm, Jerry & Deb Nelson)	It was great to be out talking and helping at the Lafayette County Dairy Breakfast (Village View Farm - Kevin & Rae Ann Makos Family)

Sincerely,