Legislative Update

Speaking of Wisconsin’s beautiful outdoors, the Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Committee met on September 2, 2021.  We received an informational update from The Office of Outdoor Recreation which was established in 2019 to support and uplift the outdoor recreation industry and its partners for the economic health and overall well-being of the state and its residents. The Office of Outdoor Recreation partners with a variety of stakeholders to create engagement and alignment around four key tenets:

Invite residents, visitors, businesses, and workforce talent to live, work, and play in Wisconsin - to experience the state's natural places and vast outdoor recreation offerings - to stimulate economic development. 

Connect people to Wisconsin's natural places and outdoor recreation opportunities through access and education with a focus on inclusion. 

Thrive when active lifestyles and outdoor recreation are promoted to create healthy individuals and communities.

Sustain Wisconsin’s invaluable natural assets by encouraging outdoor recreation, the connection to place, and the preservation of healthy lands and waters.​

With 800 miles of freshwater coastline and half of the state covered by forest, outdoor recreation is becoming an increasingly important part of our state’s economy. Wisconsin is fifth in the nation in outdoor recreation manufacturing jobs and one in every $40 spent in the state is a result of outdoor tourism. I appreciated the opportunity to learn ways we can help support this growing sector.

Mental Health Beam Signing Event

Accessible community-based mental health services took a big leap forward in Milwaukee County with the beam signing ceremony for the new Mental Health Emergency Center.  When opened in 2022, it will provide adults, adolescents and children with 24-hour crisis services, plus inpatient, peer support and counseling.

This new facility is a welcome addition and will help meet our communities’ increasing mental health care needs.  I was pleased to take part in the signing ceremony, and I am grateful to all of the partners that made it happen.

During the budget process, I asked Governor Evers to include more funding for CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training which can improve the outcomes of interactions between individuals experiencing a mental health crisis and law enforcement professionals.  I am pleased that the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Wisconsin) is coordinating two CIT Advanced Trainings in August and September.

Fair Maps Rally in Green Bay

I was proud to attend a rally in support of Fair Maps at the Bay Beach Amusement Park in Green Bay on August 28th!  Thank you to our friends at Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition for inviting me to speak about AB-395 and why this bipartisan redistricting bill deserves a hearing.

Connecting With You!

My office team and I have been visiting neighborhoods and knocking on doors throughout the 23rd District to hear directly from you, our constituents!  We’re also asking you to take a few minutes to complete our Legislative Survey so that we can learn more about your priorities.

We continue to offer Office Hours in the district each week on Friday mornings from 9 am--12 pm.  You can click here to sign up to talk with me about issues that are important to you.

• September 10 at Friendship Circle Café in Fox Point
• September 17 at the Grafton Arts Mill Coffee Roastery

Helping Afghan Refugees

If you would like to help incoming Afghan individuals and families, consider volunteering or donating clothing, footwear, and other essentials to Catholic Charities or Team Rubicon. You can also organize fundraisers, advocate for refugees and even connect with them personally. For more information, please visit this website. 

$100 COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program Extended

Did you hear the news? If you haven’t gotten your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine yet – there’s still time to get your free vaccine AND get $100! Learn how to get your $100 reward by visiting the DHS COVID-19 Vaccine Reward webpage or by calling 844-684-1064 (language assistance is available).

How can I get my $100 reward?

• Be at least 12 years of age
• Live in Wisconsin
• Get your first COVID-19 shot from a vaccine provider in Wisconsin, Michigan, or Minnesota between August 20, 2021 and September 19, 2021

Request your $100 U.S. Bank Rewards Card at 100.wisconsin.gov or by calling 844-684-1064 (both the website and call center are available in English, Hindi, Hmong, Mandarin, Somali and Spanish).

I-43 Update

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), as part of the I-43 URT (Union Refrigerator Transit Company) bridge project, has begun reconstructing 1.5 miles of I-43 between Capitol Drive and north of Hampton Avenue.

The following work is scheduled to begin early September 2021:

Hampton Avenue, under I-43 NORTH-SOUTH is scheduled to close overnight, intermittently through mid-September, while crews work to set girders and place formwork decking.

Oak Leaf Trail, along Hampton Avenue, under I-43 NORTH-SOUTH is scheduled to close through late September.

The following work is scheduled to begin late September 2021:

Glendale Avenue, under I-43 NORTH-SOUTH, is scheduled to close overnight, intermittently, through late September, while crews work to set girders and place formwork decking

Alternate Routes:

Motorists are encouraged to use Silver Spring Drive or Capitol Drive to get around the Hampton Avenue and Glendale Avenue closures.

Trail users are encouraged to use the Oak Leaf Trail - Zip Line Trail route over I-43 NORTH-SOUTH to get around the Oak Leaf Trail - Milwaukee River Trail closure.

Please note that all work is weather dependent and subject to change.

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.