Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Florence and Forest County.

District Dialogue

February 21st, 2014

As your state representative, I wanted to ensure you had this important information regarding the propane shortage that I know is impacting many of your lives.  On Monday February 17th, I co-sponsored legislation that will help middle class families pay for the high cost of propane.  Below is our press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2014
For More Information Please Contact:
Representative John Nygren 608-266-2343

Heating Assistance Loan Program Unveiled

MADISON: A group of legislator’s introduced legislation this afternoon to create a heating assistance loan guarantee program in order to alleviate the financial burden the propane crisis has placed on Wisconsin residents. The bill will help middle-class homeowners acquire low-interest loans, guaranteed in part by the state, to purchase propane and other heating supplies.

“Thousands of people across our state understandably did not budget for this crisis and do not have enough money to pay their heating bills. While assistance is currently available for low income individuals, this bill will help ensure those in the middle class are also able to pay their propane bills and heating expenses,” said Rep. Czaja.

In January, Governor Walker declared a state of emergency due to the propane shortage and established a $3 million loan guarantee program, administered through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) which has provided propane dealers with financing so they can quickly purchase and distribute propane to those in need. Assembly Bill 770 works by targeting assistance at consumers that don’t qualify for low income assistance through the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP).

Homeowners will be able to acquire low-interest loans to purchase propane or other heating supplies that are approved by (WHEDA). Similar to the drought assistance program that currently exists, WHEDA will guarantee the loans and pay a portion of the interest rate charged. The loans cannot exceed $2,500 and to be eligible a borrower’s household income cannot exceed 200 percent of the median family income in the county in which they reside.

“Not only have people had difficulty getting propane, they also do not have the resources to pay their heating bills due to the unexpected jump in price we have seen,” commented Senator Tiffany. “Creating a loan guarantee program will help people get approved for loans in order to pay their bills on time and avoid high interest charges and penalties.”

Assembly Bill 770 was introduced on Monday and has been referred to the Joint Committee on Finance. The legislation is authored by the following legislators: Senators Tiffany, Petrowski, Darling, Harsdorf and Representatives Nygren, Czaja, Bernier, Marklein, Mursau, Murtha, Kulp, Krug, Nerison, Petryk, Swearingen, Tranel.
 

###
 

Pictured Above from Left to Right: Representative Jeff Mursau, Senator Tom Tiffany, and Representative Rob Swearingen. 

12th Senate District Lawmakers Donate to Those in Need during Propane Shortage and Challenge Constituents to Do the Same

Madison – State Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), State Representative Mary Czaja (R-Irma), State Representative Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz) and State Representative Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander) are asking Wisconsin residents to make a donation to those in need during this propane shortage after pledging their support at a press conference in Rhinelander.

“As a result of numerous constituent contacts throughout this unprecedented propane shortage asking how people can help and where they can donate, we all wanted to make a donation and reach out to our constituents in the hope that those who are able will do the same,” Tiffany said. “We want to reach out because even though the holidays have passed, there are still families in need this winter.”

“I have personally heard from constituents about the impact that this shortage is having on their family, friends, and neighbors,” commented Czaja. “We want to give back to ensure that people can stay both safe and warm and will not have to choose between heating their home and feeding their family.”

“Today, we are asking residents all across the state to make a contribution to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund or contact their County Clerk to make a donation to the County Department which will provide needed resources throughout this shortage,” added Mursau. “During times like these, Wisconsin residents have shown their generosity and we hope that during these bitterly cold days they will find it in themselves to do the same once again.”

“We appreciate the leadership and all the efforts of Governor Walker to ensure that crisis benefits and loan guarantee programs are available as well,” said Swearingen. “This shortage is impacting residents all across the Midwest and we want to do our part to help those in need navigate this difficult challenge.”

Contributions can be made to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund by donating online to www.kwwf.org/donate or by calling 1-800-891-9276.
 

Mental Health Bills Signed into Law

On Thursday February 6th, Governor Scott Walker signed a number of Mental Health Bills into law. This package of legislation is from the Speaker's Task Force on Mental Health.

I was proud to cast my vote in support of all of these bills. The legislature wanted to make sure that everyone can receive the care they needed, no matter what part of the state they live in. These mental healthcare reform bills will assist underserved areas of the state like the Northwoods.

Below are summaries from each of the bills that were signed into law today.

AB 488 –Three-Party Petition Reform
• Provides families and other interested parties the ability to get a 3-party petition in front of judge, even if the county corporation counsel disagrees.
• The corporation counsel would still be free to advocate against the petition, but the family members or other interested parties would receive the benefit of having a judge review their request for help.

AB 457 - Mental Health Treatment Alternatives and Diversion Program
• The TAD program has successfully provided alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for criminal offenders with substance abuse problems.
• AB 457 provides funding to expand TAD to include offenders with mental health disorders, so they can be treated, rather than locked up.
• It promotes public safety, reduces incarceration rates, reduces recidivism

AB 452 - Creation of a Child Psychiatry Access Line
• Pediatric primary care doctors are the main providers of mental health care to children.
• Wisconsin primary care clinicians have been asking for additional help from child psychiatrists, but many counties lack even a single child psychiatrist.
• This recommendation, modeled after successful efforts in Massachusetts and Minnesota, provides much-needed expertise to the front-line physicians who need it most.

AB 453 - Mental Health Care Coordination
• It modifies Wisconsin’s use and disclosure laws to be more consistent with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• It treats mental health treatment records the same as other health treatment records for the purpose of health care professionals who are treating a patient.
• It allows primary care physicians and mental health professionals to work together in order to ensure the best possible care for their patients.

AB 454 - Primary Care and Psychiatry Shortage Grant Program
• Access to care was a problem heard at every single task force hearing across the state. This program helps to encourage primary care physicians and psychiatrist to practice in medically underserved areas.

AB 459 - Individualized Placement and Support
• Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) is a supported employment for individuals with mental illness which studies have shown is three times more effective than other approaches to helping people with mental illness find employment.
• Currently nine counties in Wisconsin have IPS sites, the task force has recommended the creation of regionalized IPS centers in order to provide these services throughout Wisconsin.

To read the Governor's press releases, please click here.

Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools

The Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools held its fifth public hearing in Pepin on January 28th. Our group toured both the Alma and Pepin school districts before the public hearing. I would like to thank both Steven Sedlmayr (Alma School Superintendent) and Bruce Quinton (Pepin School Superintendent) for their insightful testimony and input for rural school solutions. Below are some pictures from the tours and public hearing in western Wisconsin.

Members of the Task Force at the Alma School District.

Members of the Task Force touring the Pepin School District with Superintendent Bruce Quinton.

Members of the Task Force at the Pepin Public hearing.

Our next and final public hearing will be held in Cuba City on February 26th from 1:30 - 5:00 in the school gymnasium.  Our group will hear testimony from area superintendents and the Wisconsin Innovative School Network.

Time will be allotted at the end of the hearing for the public to provide additional testimony.  I invite all concerned citizens, parents and taxpayers to attend so their concerns may be heard.

To read and review testimony from the previous Rural School Task Force hearings, please view our website  The website also provides information on Task Force members, press releases, hearing notices, and pictures from previous school tours.

Please click on the following links for Upcoming Community Events!

Cross Country Cruisers 2014 Cruiserfest (6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)February 7-8, Minocqua

Cross Country Ski Lessons (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.) February 9, Manitowish Waters

Marshfield Clinic Community Blood Drive (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) February 14, Minocqua

Full Moon Snowshoe (7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) February 14, Manitowish Waters

Ride With The Champs (7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) February 15, St. Germain

Spaghetti Dinner Benefit (4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.) February 15, Arbor Vitae

Valentine's Day Bake Sale (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) February 15, Minocqua

WinMan Windigo 5K/10K Snowshoe Stomp (1:00 p.m.) February 16, Manitowish Waters

Community Music Festival (2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.) February 16th, Rhinelander

Chili Ski-in/Snowshoe/Walk-In (10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.) February 8, Florence

LEFF's Annual Keyes Lake Fishing Derby (5:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.), February 8, Florence

9th Annual Labatt Blue USA Pond Hockey National Championships February 7-9, Eagle River

Sani-Sport Youth Hockey Championships (All Day) February 15-16, Minocqua

Three Bear Sled Dog Race (All Day) February 9-10, Land O' Lakes

Please contact me at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates

Office of Representative Rob Swearingen

Room 107 West

PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708

Office: 608-266-7141

Toll Free: 888-534-0034