Welcome to Wisconsin, Vice President Pence and Secretary DeVos!
During the annual National School Choice Week celebration our state welcomed Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to the Capitol on Tuesday. The celebration marks 30 years of the School Choice program that started right here in Wisconsin under former Governor Tommy Thompson.
The celebration consisted of performances by students who participate in the program from schools throughout the state. Furthermore, two students were honored by the Vice President for their academic achievements.
The visit from V.P. Pence and Secy. DeVos was the first time in Wisconsin history that a sitting President or Vice President stepped foot in our State Capitol. I am proud to have witnessed such a historic event!
Lending a Hand to the Homeless
Earlier this session several of my colleagues and I introduced a package of bills that aim to lend a hand to the homeless population here in Wisconsin. This week, Assembly Bill 119 was the first of the eight bills from the "A Hand for the Homeless" package to be signed into law. The legislation, now 2019 Wisconsin Act 76, in conjunction with the biennial budget, increases funding for homeless shelter grants and simplifies the process for the Department of Administration to receive the additional funding from the Joint Committee on Finance.
Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs) Bill Advances
Earlier this week the Assembly Committee on Health voted to approve my bill, Assembly Bill 558, which provides simple and necessary updates to licensure for Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCPs). The statutory updates bring our licensure process up to speed with the changes the field has undergone in the past several years. As a member of the Health Committee myself, I was happy to vote in favor of the bill, and even more pleased to see the bill pass through the committee on a unanimous vote of 15-0.
The legislation now goes to the Assembly Committee on Rules for scheduling a vote on the Assembly floor. I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law before the session ends!
Risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. The good news is everyone can lower their risk for heart disease by having a healthy diet and regular physical activity. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has several easy to read fact sheets available on their website to help you learn more about heart health.
In addition to recognizing American Heart Month all throughout February, national #WearRedDay is a country-wide effort to wear red and show support for the awareness of heart disease. Let's all do our part to spread awareness of heart disease by wearing red on Friday, February 7th!
Constituent Spotlight
Last night I had the pleasure of meeting Cadet Captain Katelyn Budzisz, who was receiving the Civil Air Patrol "Amelia Earhart Award." The award is given to cadets who have completed numerous achievements for the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program and passed comprehensive exams in Leadership and Aerospace Education. I presented a citation commending her for this honor on behalf of the Wisconsin State Assembly. Katelyn, who is a resident of South Milwaukee, will be entering the U.S. Air Force Academy in June. I thank her for her willingness to serve our country and wish her the best in her future endeavors!
Don’t Miss These In-District Events!
American Heart Association #WearRedDay - Friday, February 7
Lions Club Winter Blood Drive – Wednesday, March 18 from 2pm-6:30pm – South Milwaukee City Hall, South Chambers
Bet on the Arts! Game Night – Saturday, March 28 at 7pm – Pat’s Oak Manor, South Milwaukee – All proceeds benefit the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center https://southmilwaukeepac.org/event/fundraiser/
Rep. Rodriguez State Capitol, Room 204 N PO Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0021 or (608) 266-0610 Rep.Rodriguez@legis.wi.gov| Read Online |
