I serve as the co-chair of the Apprenticeship Working Group in the Democratic Labor Caucus, so we were very excited to welcome two 23rd district high school juniors from the Ozaukee Youth Apprenticeship program during Youth Apprenticeship Day at the capitol.
Alice is an apprentice in a local hospital, and is certified as a CNA. She is earning clinical hours and plans to continue her studies in nursing. Olivia grew up on a farm, where watching her grandfather repair machinery inspired her interest in welding. She has an apprenticeship with a local manufacturer and looks forward to attending technical college to earn her welding certificate. Both students spoke about how apprenticeship has provided real-world experience and expanded their own expectations. These inspiring apprentices have bright futures ahead!
Kai Lermer Bill Becomes Law
Despite all the news of partisan fighting in Madison, there are days when the legislature comes together for a good cause. Tuesday was one of those days when a bill I co-sponsored to raise awareness of undiagnosed heart conditions became law. I attended the bi-partisan bill signing ceremony at Waukesha North High School for AB 82, named after student and three-sport athlete Kai Lermer. Kai had an undiagnosed heart condition and died in 2019 of cardiac arrest while playing basketball. The new law will help raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest among youth athletes.
The Kai Lermer Bill builds on the work of Project ADAM, which began in 1999 after the death of Adam Lemel, a 17-year-old Whitefish Bay high school student who collapsed and died while playing basketball. Project ADAM has helped schools become more prepared for cardiac arrest with programs such as more CPR certification and AED devices and training.
(photo credit: WTMJ)
We hope you have received our office’s legislative newsletter in the mail recently. This publication was mailed to constituents all across the 23rd district with our survey and office contact information. This is the only district-wide mailing our office undertakes. We welcome your comments and suggestions and we encourage you to fill out our issues survey so we can serve you better.
Welcome to New Subscribers and Publication Changes
Many constituents who received our mailing have subscribed to our e-news, so welcome new readers! Throughout the year we send our email update every two weeks directly to your inbox. However, there are some election-related changes to be aware of starting soon.
Wisconsin’s 50-Piece Rule(WIS. STAT. § 11.1205) states that no elected official who becomes a candidate for state or local office may use public funds for the cost of materials or distribution of 50 or more pieces of “substantially identical” material after a candidate starts circulating nomination signatures for re-election. This year that date is April 15th.
We will continue to publish our constituent newsletter on our website and provide links to new updates on Facebook and Twitter, but we won’t be sending it directly to your inbox. Please check this link at our website www.RepAndraca.com for our latest e-updates and access to all our previous editions too.
Student Mentee Visits the Capitol
As a former teacher I always appreciate opportunities to support young people. I have been serving as a mentor to Audrey, a student at John Long Middle School in Grafton, and last week gave her and her mother Shannon a tour of the Capitol. I am always available to meet with students or visit classrooms who are interested in learning more about our state government. Pictured with me above are Chief of Staff Sandy Saltzstein, Audrey and her mom, Shannon.
In the Neighborhood!
It’s always a great day to meet constituents! I have been knocking on doors in Bayside, introducing myself and listening to your priorities for our state government.
As part of National Library Week on Tuesday, April 5th I will be reading stories to some of our youngest constituents at the Weyenberg Library’s story hour in Mequon! Come celebrate National Library Week with us, for details see https://www.flwlib.org/92/Events
On March 23rd the U.S. Supreme Court threw out Wisconsin's legislative maps, less than three weeks after a narrowly-divided Wisconsin Supreme Court put them in place. The decision leaves incumbent legislators and potential candidates uncertain what maps will be used for the fall elections for the state Senate and Assembly. The Wisconsin high court will now have to revisit the case to decide where to put the lines. Candidates for fall elections start gathering signatures to get on the ballot on April 15th, but can’t file paperwork without knowing where the district lines are or what district they would represent.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court originally selected Governor Evers’ maps, which received an A grade from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project and were more fair than maps submitted by Republicans. Because of a resolution passed by the legislature, any map is required to be based on the 2011 gerrymandered maps with a “least-changes” approach. The U.S. Supreme Court wants the Wisconsin Supreme Court to provide more evidence supporting the need for additional minority districts, but court-watchers are not certain what approach they will take.
This uncertainty – and millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded legal bills – could have been avoided using an independent redistricting commission like the one in the Fair Maps Bill I co-authored with Senator Jeff Smith, AB 395. I have also introduced a fair maps constitutional amendment and will continue to fight for fair redistricting that reflects our population, not political priorities.
The I-43 Get Around Guide
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is underway reconstructing 14 miles of the I-43 North-South Corridor, from Silver Spring Drive north to WIS 60, in Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties. The project is broken into five segments (North End, County Line Road/Port Washington Road Interchange, South End, Mequon Road Interchange, and Port Washington Road).
This Get Around Guide provides a schedule for the I-43 North-South Reconstruction Project for Spring 2022. 2022 construction focuses on expansion and improvements to the North End and County Line Road/Port Washington Road Interchange Segments. I-43 North-South is scheduled to remain open to two lanes, in each direction, during peak travel times. You can view a complete project schedule online at: https://projects.511wi.gov/43north-south/schedule/
Meeting with constituents is the best and most important part of my job! These sessions are opportunities for you to meet your state representative, and for us to learn what matters most to you, your businesses and your families. Office hours are held at small businesses throughout the 23rd District. Click here to reserve your appointment on Friday mornings between 9:00 am--12:00 pm. If you prefer, we can also schedule a phone call or Zoom at a time that works for you.
We look forward to hearing from you!
April 8th at Fiddleheads Coffee in Mequon
April 15th at Friendship Café and Bakery in Fox Point
April 22 at Grafton Arts Mill Coffee Roastery
Contact Our Office
There are several convenient ways to share your thoughts and concerns with us:
Call our office: (608) 266-0486
Email us: Rep.Andraca@legis.wisconsin.gov
Visit our website to learn more about constituent services, legislative priorities and to share your comments or concerns.
