Neubauer News - December 2021
December 10, 2021

Dear Neighbor, 

The holiday season is upon us! As 2021 comes to an end, I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends and enjoying traditions new and old, from baking cookies to holiday shopping downtown. While you prepare for your family’s holiday rituals, remember that the best gift of all is keeping our loved ones safe from COVID-19! There’s still time to get your COVID-19 vaccine or booster.

This is my last e-update of 2021, and I’m glad to be taking this moment to share some legislative updates with you all. This e-update includes highlights from the last month, upcoming events, policy updates and more! Below you’ll find:

✔️ December Legislative Office Hours

✔️ Get Vaccinated for the Holidays

✔️ DNR Summer Student Diversity Internships

✔️ Exciting Bill Highlights

✔️ Wisconsin Blue Books: A Great Holiday Stocking-Stuffer!

Thank you for reading along and keeping up-to-date on my work in Racine and Madison! I am continually grateful that you are staying informed about our state and local affairs, supporting our neighbors, and helping to build a better future for our community. Check out the update below and don’t hesitate to reach out and share any questions or concerns that you may have.

In Solidarity,

2018 NEUBAUER Signature.jpg

Greta Neubauer

State Representative

66th Assembly District


December Legislative Office Hours

 

With the year winding down, I would love to hear from you about the issues and legislation that you care about! Whether you want to talk about infrastructure, climate, racial justice, healthcare, or any other legislative topic, I’m eager to hear what you have to say.

My December drop-in office hours will be held on the second floor of the Racine Public Library at 75 7th Street, Racine from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Remember, face masks are required in the library! 

If you would like to schedule a one on one virtual meeting instead, please reach out to my office at (608) 237-9166 or at Rep.Neubauer@legis.wisconsin.gov.


Racine’s Annual Holiday Parade

It was great to see so many smiling faces at Racine’s annual Holiday Parade last month! I had a wonderful time seeing so many families enjoying downtown and spreading some holiday cheer. 

Happy Holidays!


Get Vaccinated for the Holidays!

Wisconsin is making progress in our fight against COVID-19, but we aren't out of the woods yet. It’s going to take all of us getting vaccinated to finish off this virus. As the Omicron variant spreads, it is vitally important for everyone to get vaccinated and to get their booster shot for the holiday season!

COVID-19 vaccines don’t require insurance, ID, or payments – they are available at no cost to you.

Racine’s vaccination reward program is still going on! Get your free COVID-19 vaccine at Regency Mall, City Hall, or a pop-up clinic and you'll receive a $50 gift card with your first dose and another $50 gift card when you return for your second. If you get the one-shot Johnson and Johnson, you get your choice of two $50 gift cards.

Plus, if you're already vaccinated, you can bring a friend in to get vaccinated and get a $50 "Good Neighbor" gift card! 

Find more information for this program as well as pop-up clinic locations at https://www.racinecoronavirus.org/


DNR Summer Student Diversity Internships

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have opened applications for their summer Student Diversity Internship Program!

There are more than 50 internship opportunities available across each of the department’s six divisions around the state, including positions like fish and wildlife biologists, hydrogeologists, natural resource educators, communications specialists, air management specialists, and more!

This paid internship is for students from culturally diverse groups with various lived experiences. Students who identify as women, students with disabilities, military veteran students and students of color are especially encouraged to apply. 

Explore the open positions at DNR’s website. Interested students should submit their completed applications through wisc.jobs by January 21, 2022.


Policy Corner: Updates on Exciting Bills

Every biennium, there are thousands of bills introduced in the legislature — here in the policy corner, I like to highlight some of the most interesting, important, or controversial bills that have recently been circulated in the Capitol!

Bipartisan Bill Alert!

Expanding Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) Programs (LRB 4556)

Lead Authors: Rep. Tittl, Rep. Goyke, Sen. Jacque, and Sen. Ringhand

Am I a cosponsor or author? Yes, I am a cosponsor

What it would do: Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) programs help non-violent offenders with a substance use disorder enter support programs instead of jail time. This bill extends the program to include people who have mental health diagnoses. 

Why it’s important: TAD programs offer important alternatives to a jail or prison sentence for non-violent offenders. Not only do these programs help keep people out of jail or prison, but they also help to increase public safety and reduce repeat offenses. Additionally, these programs help to facilitate partnership at the local and state levels for creating community-based support services that help decrease costs and increase efficiencies. 

In an important step forward for criminal justice, this bill extends TAD programs to include those who have a mental health diagnosis, so that instead of facing a jail or prison sentence, they can enroll in specifically-tailored support programs.


Blue Book Requests

Each legislative session, the State of Wisconsin issues a new and updated Wisconsin Blue Book — your official guide to Wisconsin state government. It includes everything from biographies and contact information for current legislators and elected officials to special features on Wisconsin’s history, updated for your reference every two years. 

You can request a copy of the 2021-22 edition using this form. Blue Books will be mailed or delivered directly to you!