National Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, October 26^th, is National Drug Take Back Day, and here are some things you can do to participate:

Clean out your medicine cabinets and dispose of any unused or unwanted prescription painkillers or medications.

Be sure to check with the seniors in your life to see if they have any unused medications that need to be disposed of properly, and drop those drugs off with your own drop off.

Visit http://doseofrealitywi.gov/find-a-take-back-location/ to find the most convenient drop off location for you.

Back to top

Committee Review

Two of my committees, Children and Families and Local Government, met this week to hear testimony on proposed legislation and administrative rules.

In Children and Families, we discussed whether interest should be added to overdue child support, childcare certification regulations, safety measures for the transportation of children, and other child care best practices.

In the Local Government Committee, we discussed proposed legislation aimed at mitigating suicide by firearm. The proposal would provide grants to organizations that provide information and training on suicide prevention for employees who sell firearms. This training would also help firearms dealders to identify someone trying to purchase a firearm who may be contemplating suicide. Another bill also pertained to suicide prevention by providing grants to organizations, cities, and towns that offer suicide prevention programs.

Back to top

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program

With the weather getting cooler by the day, it’s that time of year when people may be becoming concerned over their heating bills. If you or anyone you know are struggling keeping up with your heating bills, please be aware of the Wisconsin’s Home Energy Assistance Program.

Households with low-to-moderate income may be eligible for assistance from WHEAP for the heating season. Benefits of the assistance include help with budgeting and energy conservation information, emergency furnace repair and replacement for homeowners, and more. The benefits go straight to the fuel or utility supplier, depending on one’s household size and income. Recipients will be informed about their level of eligibility.

For information or to apply for energy assistance, call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947). Funds are limited, so apply early.

Back to top

Wisconsin Civics Games

Too few Americans understand and know about how the government functions or their own role in democracy. Across the country, civics education has been slowly diminishing, and in Wisconsin there is no requirement for civics education in our public schools at all. A lack of knowledge and understanding in public affairs, make one less likely to be active, engaged citizens.

That’s where Wisconsin Civics Games (hosted by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation) comes in to play, and hopes to cultivate a passion for public service among young adults and hope to ignite conversations about civics education in Wisconsin and beyond. Civics Games hopes to spark their curiosity, foster empowerment, inspire future leaders, and hope to broaden their opportunities. The goal of the team-based competition is to get students thinking about what goes on in state government, the legislative process, when to get involved, and advocacy. Last year, in its first games, there were 54 teams from all over Wisconsin to the tune of 200 students.

Back to top

October is Arts & Humanities Month

Last week, Governor Tony Evers proclaimed October as Arts and Humanities Month in Wisconsin! This month is used as a tool to focus on the arts at local, state, and national levels and is a mechanism to encourage individuals and organizations to participate in the arts. Additionally, it allows various levels of government and businesses to show their support of the arts and raise public awareness about the role they play in our communities and lives. Consider using the remainder of this month as a chance to express your creativity and participate in a new artistic activity, or teach your craft to someone else!

There are so many outlets around Madison that focus the importance of music, art, dance, writing, or any other artistic activity you can imagine. Madison frequently hosts local shows, events, and workshops, and is a great way to be exposed to different mediums, participate in the craft itself, and have the added benefit of meeting people in the community you otherwise may not!

Back to top

Wisconsin Fun Fact

Navy Day is this Sunday, October 27^th, and is a recognition of the service and sacrifice of those who have served in the US Navy.  This week’s Wisconsin Fun fact recognizes one Navy veteran in particular, our very own state senator.

As you likely know Senator Fred Risser has served our district, city, and state quite well for a very long time. He was elected to the Assembly in 1956, and then to the Senate in a special election in 1962 and still holds that seat to this day. He is the longest serving state legislator ever in American history, and has left a mark in our community and state such with his work on the enactment of the SmokeFree Wisconsin Act or being a tireless advocate for the University of Wisconsin.

What you may not have known is that Senator Risser served in the US Navy during World War II (1945-1946), and is the last veteran of that war in any legislature in the United States. He began his career in the Navy shortly before his high school graduation, and served as a medic in Rhode Island and the Panama Canal Zone.

One of the US Navy’s mottos is “Non sibi sed patriae” which means “Not for self, but for country.” Senator Risser has definitely lived a life that is a perfect example of that motto.

Back to top