Governor Signs Nurse Licensure Compact Legislation

Recently, Representative Tranel, Senator Marklein, and I welcomed Governor Walker to Southwest Health in Platteville to sign Assembly Bill 500 making Wisconsin a member of the enhanced nurse licensure compact (eNLC). The compact allows nurses licensed in neighboring states to work in Wisconsin without the need for an additional license. It is always a great day when we are able to remove unnecessary regulations!

Taking on the Opioid Crisis

On Tuesday, Attorney General Brad Schimel, Senator Howard Marklein and I were part of a round table discussion in Richland Center focusing on the drug epidemic and mental health needs in rural areas. Local officials gathered to offer suggestions and share their experiences with these issues. Events like these allow Senator Marklein and I to gather valuable information and bring it back to Madison as we work on these issues.

On Wednesday, my staff and I sat down with local officials in Lafayette County to discuss a plan to implement a drug court. Juvenile Intake Worker Kris Fleming, Lafayette County District Attorney Jenna Gill, Circuit Court Judge Duane Jorgenson, Lafayette County Sheriff Gill, Deputy Sheriff Loeffelholz, and Green County Public Defender Jane Bucher provided some great ideas to get this project off the ground. Looking forward to continued work with you all!

In the District

On Monday, I spent the morning with Jim Birkemeir & his employees at Spring Green Timber Growers. The company manufactures high value wood products from timber harvested in SW Wisconsin. Known for their sustainable products and practices, Spring Green Timber Growers only harvests dead and dying trees and uses solar powered kilns to dry their lumber. They have a retail store and shop in Spring Green, along with a mill north of the village. A very impressive small business. Thanks for the invite Jim!