Working on our Workforce Crisis

With an unemployment rate of 2.9% and Gov. Evers’ continuation of COVID-19 related welfare benefits, our state’s employers are in a true workforce crisis. Never before has our state seen the workforce shortage that is before us today. This situation has been a key contributing factor to the out-of-control inflation, empty shelves at businesses, and dangerous staffing levels in core employment areas such as health care, corrections, and transportation.

Last week, the Assembly passed a number of bills aimed at addressing this critical issue. Here a few of the bills that passed that will help move Wisconsinites from government dependence to independence:

AB 883, Relating to: various changes to the unemployment insurance law, a grant program for hiring qualified long-term unemployment recipients, and allocation of federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funding for certain purposes

AB 934, Relating to: disenrollment of ineligible individuals from and redeterminations of eligibility for the Medical Assistance program and database confirmation for public assistance program eligibility.

AB 936, Relating to: failure to accept employment to remain eligible for Medical Assistance

Bill Ends the Exporting of Top Health Care Professionals

Our UW system is a national leader in educating and training many specific health care professionals, including the growing profession of genetic counselors. Our current licensure system in Wisconsin has driven these highly educated scientists to work in other states that support their practice. Wisconsin has only 40% of the genetic counselors needed by Wisconsin residents seeking testing, advice, and direction on conditions that are influenced by one’s genetic make-up, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.  

I worked on a bill with Senator Testin to reverse this trend. Assembly Bill 255, which passed the Assembly floor last week, will provide licensing procedures for genetic counselors in Wisconsin. After hearing from genetic counselors currently practicing in Wisconsin, it became clear that this effort was a much-needed remedy for the difficulties faced by this profession.

Supporting Wisconsin Taverns

I recently had the opportunity to meet with members of the Tavern League of Wisconsin at their 37^th Annual Legislative Day in Madison. TLW members are on the frontlines of Wisconsin’s service industry and play a vital role in our state’s economy. I look forward to working with this organization to support Wisconsin businesses in the future!