20190306 VINING Email Banner.jpg

Weekly E-Update

Dear Neighbor,

Welcome to my latest e-update. Here is a summary from the past week as your State Representative. 

As always, previous updates are available on our website and social media. 

Please contact my office with any questions or concerns.

Forward together,

Robyn Vining  


Governor Evers’ State of the State Address Recap

I applaud Governor Evers’ steady leadership, which resulted in a record low unemployment of 2.8% and an historic projected $3.8 billion surplus that he proposed be used to help families with the costs of childcare and caregiving, and invest in our schools to help kids and educators and families succeed.

This follows Governor Evers’ hard work making sure that Wisconsin residents receive the support they need, when they need it. Using federal pandemic aid, the Governor has invested $1 billion to support our small businesses, farmers, tourism, lodging, and entertainment industry. Under his leadership, Wisconsin is one of the top states nationwide in allocating funding and investments for small businesses.

Governor Evers announced the ‘Get Kids Ahead’ initiative, which would invest $20 million in additional mental health services in our schools and universities. This initiative would increase funding for critical mental health resources for kids and students across the state– access to mental healthcare is the number one priority for many constituents in the 14th Assembly District and I strongly commend Governor Evers for listening to the people of Wisconsin.

Over the last year Governor Tony Evers has led Wisconsin forward, with careful consideration to the needs of Wisconsinites statewide, and with his unique brand of kind and steady leadership. COVID-19 has endangered the lives and livelihoods of our state, and our Governor has worked to balance both, so that when we move forward as a state, we move forward together.

View my full press release HERE.


Words Matter - Thursday Session

I started the “Words Matter” campaign when I first came into office because I believe the way we talk, the words we use, matters. How we talk can shape public discourse. Over the last year we have seen a marked increase in violent rhetoric. This is why I stood and spoke on the Assembly floor last evening in response to a fellow legislator’s speech. We were debating the regulation of businesses, and somehow that shifted to a metaphor using gun violence. As leaders in the state of Wisconsin, people look at us and they listen to how we talk. Words matter.

Here’s an article about last night’s floor session:

https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2022/02/18/gop-democrats-split-on-emergency-powers-unemployment-benefit-programs/


Youth Vaping Prevention Bill

Senator Kelda Roys and I are introducing a bill related to vape shops.

The bill requires retailers who sell vapes to obtain a tobacco license and also provides staff to the Department of Health Services to investigate vape retailers. We believe these are important safety measures. Contact your local Representatives and Senators to co-sponsor LRB-5583!

Here is more information from the Department of Health Services on the risks of vaping:

https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/tobaccoischanging/e-cigarettes.htm


Free Menstrual Products in Schools

Senator Melissa Agard and I are enthusiastic and tenacious authors of a bill that would require all schools to provide free menstrual products (Assembly Bill 920 and Senate Bill 832, along with Rep. Sondy Pope.) Menstrual products are a necessity, and lacking access to them can lead to a number of negative consequences. 

A special shout-out to the young women in high school and middle school who have reached out to my office about this need! I hear you, I agree, and I am proud to work with Melissa & Sondy to create a more fair, just, and equitable Wisconsin. Period.

Contact your legislators to co-sponsor!

Here’s an op-ed written by Senator Agard and Representative Pope you can share:

https://captimes.com/opinion/guest-columns/opinion-menstrual-products-should-be-available-to-those-who-need-them/article_f6407a72-e534-5823-9651-2bdb552880fb.html?fbclid=IwAR2dwSxUQFtLq_qeNt1flXI2w6-QgZLEQhFcYqqOqT9F-tCqsyq0EI73s1U


Health Committee Recap

This past week the Assembly Committee on Health, of which I am the ranking Democrat, held a public hearing. We heard testimony on 4 bills listed below!

  • Assembly Bill 184: Makes pharmaceutical coupons count towards insurance deductibles and out of pocket maximums
  • Assembly Bill 718: Prohibits white bagging, the practice of insurance companies require patients to obtain specialty drugs from specific pharmacies instead of their local care provider 
  • Assembly Bill 745: Prohibits step therapy protocols for certain cancer drugs
  • Assembly Bill 972: Prior authorization for coverage of physical therapy and other services under health plans

All of these bills, except AB 972, had bipartisan support. These bills now await an executive session to determine if the Assembly will bring them to the floor for a vote.


Small Business Development Recap

This past week the Assembly Committee on Small Business Development, of which I am the Ranking Democrat, also held a public hearing! 

  • Assembly Bill 901: This bill would organize the relationship between third-party food delivery services and restaurants.

Constituent Chat

It’s a busy day (Week! Month!) in Madison so it was fun to hug a neighbor many locals will recognize, Tiger! He was at the Capitol yesterday with ABATE— the rotunda was full of motorcyclists!


Session Next Week

The annual State of the Tribes address will be given by President Holsey of the Stockbridge-Munsee Nation beginning at 1:00 PM on Tuesday Feb. 22nd. 

The Wisconsin State Assembly will be in session next week on Tuesday Feb. 22nd at 1:00pm, Wednesday Feb. 23rd at 11:00am, and Thursday Feb. 24th at a TBA time. 


COVID-19 Vaccine Update

As of February 18, 9,243,171 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Wisconsin and 63.8% of Wisconsin residents have received at least one dose, with 60.2% fully vaccinated. Additionally, 1,898,237 additional or booster doses have been administered.

DHS has reported that new data indicates that unvaccinated individuals are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19, are 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19, and die from COVID-19 at 14 times higher rates than fully vaccinated individuals. 

The best protection against any variant of COVID-19, is to get fully vaccinated and get a booster shot. All Wisconsinites ages 5 and over are eligible for a FREE COVID-19 vaccine series. Additionally, all those 18 years or older who had their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, or got their Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least two months ago, are eligible for a free booster shot. Getting your booster shot will provide the best protection from COVID-19, including the new omicron variant.

Find more information of COVID-19 variants HERE.

Find additional information on booster shots HERE.

For more information about where you can get a vaccine, visit the DHS website HERE.

En español, AQUI. ¿Tiene preguntas sobre la vacuna contra el COVID-19? Llame al 844-684-1064 (llamada gratuita)


COVID-19 Update

14th District Counties

Milwaukee - 239,104 Fri, Feb 11, 2022 and 239,656 confirmed cases Fri, Feb 18, 2022 (increase of 552)

Waukesha - 94,976 Fri, Feb 11, 2022 and 95,368 confirmed cases Fri, Feb 18, 2022 (increase of 392)


 

Forward together,

Rep. Robyn Vining

 

Contact Us: 

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708 

PH: (608) 266-9180
TF: (888) 534-0014

Email: Rep.Vining@legis.wi.gov 
Web: www.vining.assembly.wi.gov 


Click  to read this email in a browser

You received this email because you're signed up to get updates from us.