Welcome to my e-newsletter. I will use this to update you on issues in the Capitol and around the state, as well as events taking place in our community. I hope you find it interesting and informative. As always, don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance or just to share your thoughts.
Let Me Know Your Thoughts; Take My Legislative Survey
As a State Senator, it is important to me to hear from you on important issues facing our community and state. Direct feedback from you help me better do my job as a legislator. If you have a second, I'd greatly appreciate if you'd take the time to visit my website and complete my 2019 legislative survey. Make your opinions known. Thank you.
Bill Provides Rental Protections for Student Veterans
In Fall 2018, a bureaucratic glitch at the federal Department of Veterans Affairs delayed rental assistance benefits to as many as 180,000 veterans pursuing college educations. As a result, many of these student veterans were forced to scramble to come up with rent, were slammed with late fees and even faced eviction. This session, I'm co-sponsoring legislation to make sure that, regardless of federal action, Wisconsin's student veterans are never left in this precarious position again.
The Student Veteran Renter Protection Act provides student veterans receiving a housing allowance from the VA a 30 day grace period if they show documentation that their allowance has been delayed and the tenant pays rent within 30 days after the notice from the landlord is received.
As of 2018, there were 4,769 veterans enrolled in the UW System, including 211 at UW-Parkside. These veterans have put their lives on the line for us, and these are benefits that they have earned. If, through no fault of their own, their benefits are delayed, they shouldn't have to decide between food and rent. This is common-sense, bipartisan legislation that I am hoping to see enacted this session.
August is National Wellness Month
Throughout all of August, National Wellness Month focuses on self-care,healthy routines and stress management. Health and wellness are important year round, but National Wellness Month provides people with an opportunity to get more active and make better choices. For instance, set a goal of drinking more water, or try an activity that you've always wanted to try. You'll be amazed how much better even small changes can make you feel.
August Also Recognizes "Back to School" Month
In August, parents, teachers, students and schools begin to gear up to go back to school. There is a lot that goes into back to school preparations, from purchasing school supplies and clothes to adjusting to a different schedule. Along with the excitement comes expense; activities like backpack giveaways and teacher supply initiatives are in place to help bridge some of the gap.
National Back to School Month has been observed since the 1960s. The traditional school year begins in the fall and ends in the late spring/early summer. This was originally done to allow the children of farmers to help with planting and harvesting. Even though most families have moved away from agricultural settings, the traditional school year remains, for the most part.
PBS has published a list of back to school tips for students and parents; check it out.
Car Buying Tips from the Wisconsin DMV
Buying a car is one of the biggest decisions that a person or family makes. There are so many makes, models, and features that the choices can be overwhelming. When you factor in the cost, and the potential for something to go wrong, the decision is daunting. The state Department of Motor Vehicles has published a list of car buying tips to help make the process a little bit easier. Among the tips: Pay attention to the fine print in ads and watch for disclaimers; understand basic financial terms so you won't fall prey to lease tricks; and read an entire ad before making an inquiry. For more information, visit the DMV website or the state Department of Transportation's Vehicle Buying Guide.
Come Talk with Me at My Listening Session
I'll once again be holding a listening session for you to come and talk with me, share your thoughts on state issues and find out about the new legislative session. Come to Kenosha's Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave., on Saturday, July 20, from 2:30 to 4 pm and join the conversation.
Track specific legislation, see the latest bills to be introduced, or found out how your legislators voted on a bill through the Wisconsin State Legislature'slegislation page.
Constituent Services
No responsibility that I have directly affects the lives of the average person, or gives me as much satisfaction, as that of constituent services. These can come in many different forms. Some people contact me because there is a problem with their unemployment benefits; it could be a delay in receiving a tax refund; or maybe someone is having difficulty in getting a state-issued occupational license. These are sometime simple fixes. Then there are more complex problems: things like health care issues; disputes with utility or insurance companies; or problems with a mortgage lender. Whatever the issue is, big or small, I am happy to help or point you in the right direction.
State Senator Bob Wirch 127 South, State Capitol PO Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707-7882 (608)267-8979 or (888)769-4724 sen.wirch@legis.wisconsin.gov||
Upcoming Community Events
