Birth Record Free If Needed for Voter ID, Holperin Legislation Says

Legislation introduced this week by State Senator Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) requires the state Department of Health Services or County Registers of Deeds to provide copies of birth certificates free to individuals who need the birth record to get a state I.D. card for voting purposes. Copies of birth certificates normally cost $20.

“When legislation was approved earlier this year requiring most citizens to present a photo I.D. in order to vote, the intent was that there be no cost associated with obtaining a state-issued I.D. card,” Holperin said. “In fact, the voter I.D. law required the state Department of Transportation to issue I.D. cards for free if the card was to be used for purposes of voting.”

Overlooked, however, was the fact that state law also required a copy of a birth certificate costing $20 to be presented in order to get the “free” state I.D. card.

Senate Bill 323 corrects this oversight by assuring that birth certificates as well as the I.D. cards are both available at no cost,” Holperin said.

Holperin said he was encouraged by Governor Walker’s indication this week that Walker thought the free birth certificate legislation seemed reasonable and would likely sign it if passed by the legislature.

Rhinelander BadgerCare Hearing Set for December 8

A public hearing focused on a state agency’s plan to make $554 million in cuts to the state’s health care programs for eligible seniors, children, families and the disabled will be held at Nicolet College in Rhinelander on Thursday, December 8.

State Senator Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) said the hearing is one in a series being held around the state to solicit comments, answer questions and accept advice regarding the future of Wisconsin’s BadgerCare health insurance program.

“Health care for the elderly, disabled and children is the state’s 2nd largest program (behind school aid) and there’s no question additional efficiencies must be identified for the program to remain viable,” Holperin said. “But is the Department of Health Services making the right choices? Are the cuts they’ve proposed to the federal government the right ones? This is a topic we need to hear more about.”

The Rhinelander BadgerCare hearing will be held in the LRC Theater on the Nicolet College campus starting at 4:30p.m. on Thursday, December 8. The hearing will last 2 hours, or until everyone who wishes to speak has done so.

Specifics on the Department of Health Services proposal to cut $554 million from the Medicaid/BadgerCare programs can be found at www.savebadgercare.org. Click on About BadgerCare.

Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services (DHS) has instituted a “no exceptions” rule which ends participation in the state’s BadgerCare Plus Basic Plan for anyone who is late sending in their monthly premium, State Senator Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) warned constituents this week.

“I’ve been contacted by several individuals who made premium payments that were late by a couple of days, and in every case their BadgerCare Plus Basic policies were cancelled outright…no questions asked, and no exceptions allowed,” he said.

“There are grace periods for Wisconsinites receiving BadgerCare for children and families, but those policies are subsidized by the state,” Holperin explained. “The BadgerCare Plus Basic Plan is supported only by participant premiums and so it is essential that enrollees send in their premium payment by the 5th of every month to continue receiving health insurance.”

“I’ve tried to intervene in several cases where payments were inadvertently late or where there were other mix-ups, but the Department has made it clear there will be no exceptions made for individuals who do not pay on time. Plus Basic enrollees who do not pay on time will be dropped from the Plan at the end of the month they last paid for and will not be able to reenroll,” Holperin added.

The 12th district legislator noted that the BadgerCare Plus Basic Plan stopped accepting new applicants in March and is being phased out over time. Those currently enrolled in the program will continue to receive coverage so long as they pay on time, but the program is basically closed.” Holperin explained. “The one strike and you’re out policy is obviously designed to end the program as soon as possible,” he said.

In August, the Basic Plan premium increased from $200 per month to $250 per month.

Holperin Votes “No” On Budget That Shifts State Resources North to South

“The 2011 – 2013 state budget imposes disproportionate spending cuts on northern Wisconsin schools, communities and services, while providing corporate and business tax breaks that small main street businesses will never benefit from,” said State Senator Jim Holperin in explaining why he voted “no” on the budget.

“The new budget spends $1.1 billion more than the budget we passed two years ago, but very, very little of that new spending will find its way to northern Wisconsin,” Holperin asserted. “One good example is road spending, which will go up 15% statewide, yet every single local unit of government in the 12th Senate District will have its road aid cut or frozen. Much of new money is basically going into freeway projects in Milwaukee County and southcentral Wisconsin.”

Holperin also pointed to technical college aid which will be cut by 30% over the next two years. “Technical colleges have a proven record of effectiveness in educating the students and training the workers our northwoods businesses need to succeed and thrive,” he said. “This unprecedented reduction in state support will drive up the cost of tuition, create waiting lists for many courses and create additional obstacles to those who want to improve their skills in order to find a better paying job.” Holperin pointed out that the 12th Senate District has no University campuses, but is served by three technical colleges.

“Most retail businesses that sustain our northern small town economies will never benefit from the many corporate tax reductions, tax credits and and other big business tax favors crammed into this budget,” Holperin declared. “But the one state service that has led to improved economic growth and vitality for many small communities, Wisconsin’s Main Street program, gets cut by almost 40%. Unbelievable!”

“Anyone who looks at this budget will see some pretty astonishing math,” Holperin said. “It’s page after page of subtraction from small rural communities for programs like school aid, bicycle trail funding, homestead tax credits, at home care for the elderly, recycling, and on and on. But, again, state spending overall goes up by $1.1 billion. I simply couldn’t support that kind of inequity.”

Northern Wisconsin Legislators to Hold Antigo Hearing on the State Budget

State Senators Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) announced today he will host a public hearing on the 2011 – 2013 state budget on Friday, April 29 from 3:00pm till 6:00pm at Antigo High School’s Volm Theater, 1900 Tenth Ave.

Holperin said the Antigo hearing is one in a series of similar sessions being hosted by Democrats statewide in response to the Joint Finance Committee scheduling only four “official” budget hearings statewide, the fewest in 25 years, and none in far north central Wisconsin.

“Governor Walker’s budget proposal contains more significant policy changes and more program cuts than any two year budget in recent memory,” Holperin said. “In order for legislators to make informed decisions on these proposals we need to hear specifically what impact the changes and reductions might have on localities and on programs in different parts of the state.”

All area legislators have been invited. The public, including local elected officials, are encouraged to share their reactions, opinions and advice on the various program changes proposed in the budget.

The hearing is open to the public and the media.

Northwoods Session on State Budget Draws Over 150

Dozens of northwoods residents turned out on Saturday, April 16, to testify or register their opinion on a variety of provisions proposed as part of the 2011-2013 Wisconsin budget.

The hearing, at Nicolet Technical College in Rhinelander, was hosted by State Senators Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) and Bob Jauch (D-Poplar). Other legislators on hand included Rep. Janet Bewley (D-Ashland) and Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville).

On topics ranging from local libraries and statewide recycling to road aids and technical college funding, most speakers acknowledged the need to reduce the state’s “structural deficit”, but questioned achieving that goal solely by cutting programs…especially aid to local units of government.

Town of Aurora Chairman Bill Dyer said it is troubling that his town will lose 3% of its annual road aid while state transportation spending will go up and several multi-million dollar road projects in southeastern Wisconsin will get accelerated funding. “That just doesn’t seem very fair to small rural townships,” Dyer said.

Robert Frederickson of Rhinelander said a 30% cut in state aid to Wisconsin’s Technical Colleges is too drastic, especially considering the Wisconsin business community’s growing need for employees with special skills. “It seems to me counterproductive to cut tech college support by 1/3 when unemployment is stuck at 7.4% statewide and even higher in many northwoods counties,” Frederickson said.

Thomas Brem of Wabeno said school aid cuts of $850 million, when combined with restrictions on other sources of school revenue, could very well result in the dissolution of several small school districts across northern Wisconsin. “Who will want to move to a small rural community without a local school?” Brem asked.

Gary Meister of Eagle River said the budget’s proposed elimination of funding for statewide recycling, the proposed repeal of rules limiting the discharge of phosphorus into state waters, and a virtual freeze on the Stewardship land acquisition program will reverse years of progress on these important environmental issues. “I’m very troubled by these and other budget provisions which attack the quality of life in our state,” he said.

26 of the 150 plus who attended the Saturday hearing made comments for the record regarding their opinion on a variety of budget provisions, while 46 registered their support for or opposition to the budget generally. The legislature’s Joint Finance Committee will begin to craft amendments to the budget during the last week in April and the revised document will be voted on by both houses of the legislature during June.

Northern Wisconsin Legislators to Hold Rhinelander Hearing on the State Budget

State Senators Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) and Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) announced today they will host a public hearing on the 2011 – 2013 state budget on Saturday, April 16 from 10a.m. till 1p.m. at Nicolet College (LRC Theater) in Rhinelander.

Holperin said the Rhinelander hearing is one in a series of similar sessions being hosted by Democrats statewide in response to the Joint Finance Committee scheduling only four “official” budget hearings statewide, the fewest in 25 years, and none in far north central Wisconsin.

“Governor Walker’s budget proposal contains more significant policy changes and more program cuts than any two year budget in recent memory,” Holperin said. “In order for legislators to make informed decisions on these proposals we need to hear specifically what impact the changes and reductions might have on localities and on programs in different parts of the state.”

All area legislators have been invited. The public, including local elected officials, are encouraged to share their reactions, opinions and advice on the various program changes proposed in the budget.

The hearing is open to the public and the media.

Offers Education in Leadership, State Government

The Wisconsin State Senate Scholar Program is now accepting applications for 2011. The week-long program provides a unique opportunity for students to experience the inner workings of state government.

During their week in Madison, scholars meet with senators, attend Senate floor debates and committee hearings, and engage in mock legislative activities such as policy and fiscal analysis, bill drafting, constituent relations, and lobbying. Students discuss the media’s involvement in the legislative process through a media roundtable and learn about the Governor’s duties through a presentation by the Governor and his staff. Scholars also attend seminars conducted by the UW-Madison Robert M. LaFollette School of Public Affairs on Wisconsin political history and the role of the Legislature. 

Wisconsin high school and homeschooled students who are 16 to 18 years of age are eligible to apply. The program accepts 33 students throughout the state who have strong academic records and letters of recommendation. Students are accepted for one of three sessions. The tentative dates are: April 10-15, April 17-22, and May 1-6.

For more information on the Senate Scholar Program or to obtain an application, please visit: www.senatescholar.com. Applications are due by March 7, 2011.

If you have comments, questions or would like more information, please call me at (608) 266-2509, write to me at P.O. Box 7882, Madison, WI 53707-7882

Special Study Committees Convene

 

This summer and fall the legislature does not meet in floor sessions to vote on legislation.  Instead, legislators use the "off-season" in take an in-depth look at some specific issues which have been identified as of special concern to the state and its citizens.  A list of those issues follows.

For each issue, a "Legislative Council Study Committee" is appointed to meet several times and look at possible ways the legislature might address the matter.  Each study committee is composed of a combination of legislator and citizen members.  There are about a dozen individuals on each committee.

I serve as Vice Chair of the Single-Use Plastics Committee.  I also serve as a member of the Managed Forest Land Committee and the Strategic Job Creation Committee.  If you'd like additional information on any of the committees listed below, or if you would like information and updates on their deliberations, please contact me.

Criminal Justice Funding and Strategies

Review of Emergency Detention and Admission of Minors Under Chapter 51

Health Care Access

Health Care Reform Implementation

Review of Higher Education Financial Aid Programs

Infant Mortality

Strategic Job Creation

Judicial Discipline and Recusal

Law Revision Committee

Local Service Consolidation

Review of Spousal Maintenance Awards in Divorce Proceedings

Review of the Managed Forest Land Program

Nanotechnology

Single-Use Plastics

Public Assistance Program Integrity

Review of Records Access of Circuit Court Documents

Strengthening Wisconsin Families

State-Tribal Relations

Statement on Congressman Obey Decision to Retire

“I, like so many in northcentral and northwestern Wisconsin, was saddened today to learn that Congressman David Obey will not seek another term in the Congress.

“Dave Obey did more good for more people and more communities throughout northern Wisconsin than anyone who has ever served in the U.S. House or Representatives. His record of accomplishment for our state and nation is hard to quantify briefly because it is so vast.

“Congressman Obey brought a passion and intensity to legislating that amazed everyone and, while we may not like it, we understand why after 41 years he characterized himself as ‘bone tired’ and has decided to step down at this time.

“I wish Dave Obey only the best. Through four decades he never held back, aggressively representing ordinary working people and the disadvantaged. They are the ones who are losing their truest friend in Congress today.”

New Fishing/Boating Check-Off To Help Invasive Species Fight

When Wisconsin anglers buy their 2010 fishing license this spring or summer they’ll be asked a new question at the start of the process: “Will you donate $2 to help eliminate the invasive species that threaten Wisconsin waters?”

Those who answer “yes” will have $2 added to the cost of the license and the donation will go directly into Wisconsin’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Control Grant Program, according to State Senator Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River).

Boaters will have the same opportunity to donate when they register their craft.

Holperin, who added the new AIS donation question to the 2010 state budget, said he hoped the strictly voluntary donation would raise at least a half million dollars in new revenue to combat the spread of aquatic invasives in the state’s inland lakes and rivers.

“Wisconsin has had a voluntary fishing license/boating registration ‘check-off’ for over 20 years,” said the northwoods legislator, “but the current $1 donation goes to support ‘lake research’ and I’m not so sure anybody knows what that means.” The current check-off generates about $60,000 annually for lake research.

By increasing the donation to $2, earmarking the proceeds for the AIS grant program, and allowing license vendors to keep 50¢ of every donation as an incentive to ask the donation question, Holperin said he hopes more anglers and boaters will consider parting with an extra $2 when they buy their fishing license or boat registration.

“I think most fishermen and boaters, especially those who spend quite a bit of time on the water, are fully aware of the aquatic invasive threat and how AIS can impact water quality on specific lakes,” Holperin said. “I’m hoping many of these sportsmen and women will agree that $2 a year is a pretty good investment if the money goes directly to control Eurasian Water Milfoil and other invasives.”

Holperin said he has contacted fishing and sports clubs throughout the state to generate awareness and promote the new check-off question. License and registration vendors are also getting the news, but he said one problem with the previous check-off for lake research is that many license clerks simply never asked license applicants the donation question.

“The biggest hurdle might be simply getting license vendors to ask the donation question,” Holperin concluded. “If people get asked I think they’ll respond positively and that will go a long way to ramping up the fight against aquatic invaders.”

Monday, February 22, 2010

10:15-11:15 am

Tomahawk Public Library Meeting Room, 300 W. Lincoln Ave.

11:45 am-12:45 pm

Merrill T.B. Scott Free Library Community Room, 106 W. First St.

1:30-2:30 pm

Athens Village Hall, 221 Caroline St.

Friday, February 26, 2010

9:00-10:00 am

Rhinelander District Library Meeting Room, 106 N. Stevens St.

11:00 am-Noon

Antigo City Hall Council Chambers, 700 Edison St.

12:30-1:30 pm

Wittenberg Village Hall Board Room, 208 W. Vinal