As your Representative, I make it my mission to ensure that our state government is a force for good and advocate for all of my constituents. In an effort to serve you, my office sent 1,508 letters to constituents whose names are listed in the State of Wisconsin’s Unclaimed Property Program.
Unclaimed Property is any financial asset that has been inactive for a period of a year or more. It could be a savings or checking account, a rebate check, a life insurance policy, or other type of asset that a bank or other holder has turned over due an address update, name change, or other reason.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) administers the Unclaimed Property Program. While we sent letters to constituents with property that has been added to the registry in the past seven years, there are older assets in the system as well. I encourage you to visit their websiteto see if you have unclaimed property and submit your claim. The process takes only a few steps, and claims are processed within 8 weeks. If you would like to speak to the DOR Unclaimed Property Section directly with any questions, you can reach their office at (608) 264-4594.
Newsletter Moves from "Delivery" to Pick up!"
A special welcome to first-time eNewsletter recipients! Many constituents who received our recent legislative mailing have subscribed to our e-news, and we welcome our new readers! Until now, we have been sending our email update every two weeks directly to inboxes. However, due to state statute, our delivery model is required to change.
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, so this will be the last issue of the eNews delivered directly to your inbox until after November’s election.
We will continue to publish our eNews on our website on the first and third Fridays of every month beginning May 6thand we invite you to “pick up” a copy at your convenience. Please check this link at our website www.RepAndraca.com for our latest eNews and access to previous editions, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
I’m happy to report that the Governor has signed into law three more bipartisan bills that I co-sponsored:
Act 228 (AB 874) makes changes to state law to facilitate federal reimbursement for services provided through the Medical Assistance program by both privately owned and public ambulance services.
Act 252 (SB 520) allocates $40 million to build a new juvenile correction facility in Milwaukee, and closes the Lincoln Hills School for Boys.
Act 222 (AB 686) allows an advanced practice social worker or independent social worker to treat substance use disorder as a specialty and hold themselves out as a substance abuse counselor should they satisfy certain educational and supervised training requirements.
It’s gratifying to see bills move through the legislative process that will positively impact the people of Wisconsin!
"Safer Wisconsin" Legislative Package
Though the Legislature has concluded its regular business, there is still work to be done on behalf of the people of Wisconsin. With crime and gun homicides at record levels, I joined Attorney General Josh Kaul to urge support for the “Safer Wisconsin” legislative package to strengthen our communities by investing in data-driven solutions. AG Kaul is calling on the Wisconsin state legislature to invest $115 million—a small portion of the state’s record surplus—in public safety and making new and previously introduced statutory changes.
Safer Wisconsin would strengthen community trust and prevent crime, help keep guns out of the hands of people who’ve been shown to be dangerous, address substance use disorder and mental health crises, and help hold offenders accountable:
Strengthening community trust and preventing crime. Safer Wisconsin proposes significant investments in community policing and prosecution, violence prevention programs, victim services, and re-entry programs that reduce recidivism. It also would provide additional funding for law enforcement training and ongoing state funding for the Office of School Safety and the Safe at Home program, which assists people in staying safe through address confidentiality.
Keeping guns out of the hands of people who’ve been shown to be dangerous. Gun violence has been the primary driver of the spike in homicides in Wisconsin during the pandemic. Safer Wisconsin would expand background checks, prohibit ghost guns, increase the felony classification for repeat felon-in-possession and straw purchasing offenses, and authorize judges to issue extreme risk protection orders.
Addressing Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Crises. Safer Wisconsin would expand treatment and diversion programs, by facilitating the creation of mental health and veterans courts, expanding substance use disorder treatment in prisons and jails, providing ongoing funding for regional drug prosecutors, and investing in crisis response teams to enable communities to respond more effectively when people are experiencing mental health crises.
Holding offenders accountable. Safer Wisconsin includes several proposals that would help in holding offenders accountable, including reforms that would ensure that sexual assault kits are submitted to the state crime labs, update state law regarding obstruction of justice, create a hate crime hotline, invest in violent crime investigators and prosecutors at DOJ, and create a grant program to support officer recruitment and retention programs.
One of the best parts of my job is making connections in the district: meeting with constituents, learning more about local businesses and institutions, and recognizing the achievements of my neighbors.
My fellow legislators Senator LaTonya Johnson,Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde and I recognized constituent and friend Dr. Julie Doniere with a citation from the Wisconsin State Assembly. Dr. Doniere and her colleagues were honored for the incredible work they have done throughout the pandemic, as well as the work they do every day fighting opioid addiction and gun violence in our communities. Read more about their work.
I had the good fortune to talk about teaching with Dr. Wanda Routier, Director of Graduate Special Education Programs at Concordia University. Dr. Routier shared an overview of the University’s Visual Impairment Teacher Licensure Program—the only one in the state. Earlier this year I co-sponsored AB-490, a bill that would have created a registry to provide resources for children from birth to age 3 who are visually impaired. Though the legislature did not bring AB-490 forward for a vote, I learned more today about how this bill could support families and I hope that it is reintroduced in the future. While I was on campus, I also received updates from Diane Ames, Dean of the Department of Nursing, Matthew Hurtienne, Interim Dean of the Business School and Steven Taylor, VP of Student Life. Thanks to the Concordia team for a great visit!
And I can’t think of a better way to celebrate National Library Week than by being a guest storyteller at theFrank L. Weyenberg Library in Mequon. And when story time is on election day, it only makes sense to vote for our favorite stories!
This vote would not have been needed in the first place if the legislature's Joint Finance Committee would have stepped up, held a public hearing, shared who is behind the "anonymous objection" to the project and taken a vote on the project's merits.
This week, the Joint Finance Committee met to discuss other items, but their agenda did not include Cedar Gorge Clay Bluffs or any of the other fivex Knowles-Nelson stewardship grants that have been held up by “anonymous objections.” There will be objections to projects, and that is why the legislature holds public hearings. The robust exchange of ideas is a hallmark of our democracy. But denying a request that is overwhelmingly supported by local elected officials and our constituents, without any public input or discussion, is an insult to everyone who believes in our democratic process.
The committee co-chairs, Senator Howard Marklein and Representative Mark Born, have received letters urging them to take up the stalled grants from DNR Secretary Cole, Democratic members of the committee, from me, and hundreds of constituents and conservationists from around the state. Some of the Knowles-Nelson objections have been waiting in committee for more than two years without the hearing required by statute.
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 22nd at Grafton Arts Mill Coffee Roastery
April 29th at Friendship Café and Bakery in Fox Point
May 6th at Fiddleheads in Mequon
May 13th at Fiddleheads in Thiensville
May 20th at the City Market Cafe in Whitefish Bay
State Agency Updates
COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing Still Free to All and Available
Due to a lack of funding, the federal government’s Health Resources and Services Administration recently announced that its COVID-19 Uninsured Program will no longer accept claims for reimbursement of costs associated with administering COVID-19 tests or vaccines to uninsured and underinsured individuals. DHS wants to assure Wisconsinites that you do not need insurance or an ID to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Wisconsin vaccine providers must administer the COVID-19 vaccine regardless of your ability to pay COVID-19 vaccine administration fees or your insurance coverage status.
COVID-19 vaccines remain safe, free, and widely available. DHS recommends everyone 5 and older to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. It’s a great time to get vaccinated!
Testing helps stop the spread of COVID-19 and protects individuals, families, and communities. The good news is that many free testing options are available. These includeordering free at-home tests from the federal government and getting tested at anycommunity testing site in Wisconsin.
To find a COVID-19 vaccine provider in your community, visitVaccines.gov, or dial 211 or 877-947-2211. For additional information about booster doses, additional doses, and help accessing your COVID-19 vaccine record to determine when you may be recommended for a booster, visit the DHS Additional Doses and Booster Doses webpage.
The Road Construction "Get Around Guide"
When warmer weather returns to the state, so does road construction!
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 and sign up for updates at: https://projects.511wi.gov/43north-south/schedule/
Contact Our Office
There are several convenient ways to share your thoughts and concerns with us:
Call our office at (608) 266-0486
Email us at Rep.Andraca@legis.wisconsin.gov
Visit our website to learn more about constituent services, legislative priorities and to share your comments or concerns.
