Friends and Neighbors,

I hope you are enjoying your summer. This summer we have been busy with the 2021-23 Biennial State Budget. On Tuesday the Assembly voted on the budget, and the Senate was in on Wednesday. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me on this topic and other issues at the state level. If you have not yet received a response from me, there will be one coming your way soon. 

As always, please contact my office if you have any questions or concerns. Continue reading for updates on the budget, new pollinator legislation, grant programs, and more.

Sincerely,

One way I have been enjoying the summer - in my garden!

Assembly Passes the Budget Bill 

On Tuesday the Wisconsin State Assembly convened to debate and pass the AB 68, the 2021-23 Biennial Budget bill. 

The budget passed 64-34. I voted against the budget bill because it needlessly chooses winners and losers. Our state is in a great spot fiscally and we continue to bounce back economically. Due to this, we should have maintained the investments Governor Evers proposed in education, agriculture, conservation, and mental health. Instead the budget that passed the Assembly was a missed opportunity to strategically invest in Wisconsin's future. 

The budget passed the Senate on Wednesday June 30th and is now headed to Governor Evers. 

Read my full statement on the passage of the budget HERE

Watch my speech on Assembly Amendment 5 to AB 68 regarding energy, agriculture, environment HERE.

Watch my speech on final passage of the budget HERE.

Pollinator Protection Package

Last week Rep. Snodgrass and I introduced the Pollinator Protection Package which prioritizes pollinator health. This package includes:

  • LRB 2436 - allows local governments to regulate pesticides for the purpose of protecting pollinators and pollinator habitats. Current law prohibits this.
  • LRB 2476 - prohibits the use of insecticides in the neonicotinoid class by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) within a one mile radius of any pollinator habitat that is maintained by the DNR.
  • LRB 2871 - prohibits a person from selling a plant labeled as pollinator-friendly if the plant has been treated with insecticides. 
  • LRB 3097 - designates June 2021 as Pollinator Awareness Month in Wisconsin in order to bring attention to the many impacts our actions have on pollinators and their importance for our health and the health of the earth.

It is my hope that these bills will gain bipartisan support as they are crucial for pollinators, healthy ecosystems, and agriculture.

Speaking at the Pollinator Protection Package Press Conference 

Tourism Grants

Governor Evers recently announced more than $140 million in grants for Wisconsin tourism and entertainment industries.

These grants will be funded through ARPA dollars and will help industries that were hit hard by the pandemic. I have heard from many of you in the tourism industry about the issues facing your industry due to the pandemic and I am encouraged by this investment.

Read Governor Evers' full announcement HERE.

Beyond the Classroom Grant Program

Governor Evers directed $50 million of ARPA funds towards a Beyond the Classroom Grant Program. This program will assist with mental health support for school-age children and additional learning opportunities this summer and next. Applications for the grant program are due next Thursday July 8th and grants will be issued this summer.

All interested organizations should sign up HERE to receive notifications regarding the Beyond the Classroom Grant program. Email any questions about this program to BeyondtheClassroom@wisconsin.gov

For more information, go HERE.

Gender Neutral Option for Parents

This week Governor Evers and Department of Health Services announced that parents will now have the option to use gender-neutral terms to identify themselves on birth certificates. On birth certificates, a parent can choose to be identified as a parent as opposed to a mother or father. This reflects the fact that some families have two moms or two dads, and it's an easy way for the state to offer inclusive options.  

Read the full announcement HERE.

Independence Day

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend celebrating Independence Day! State offices will be closed on Monday for the holiday. My office will be open again on Tuesday at 9AM.

People's Maps Commission

The People's Maps Commission is still working to ensure Wisconsinites across the state will have fair maps this time around. They recently updated their submission website. I encourage you to submit written testimony, submit your own districting plan, or draw your community.

For more information, go HERE.

Organic Cost Share

Organic food producers and processors in Wisconsin can now apply to get 50% reimbursement of organic certification costs for expenses from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. Applications are due by October 31st. 

The application and more information can be found HERE. For any question you may have, contact Andre Bernhardt at datcporganiccostshare@wi.gov or 608-572-0512. Send your application to the email address above or to the Organic Cost Share Program, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708.

COVID-19 Update

As of this week, 50% of all Wisconsinites have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with __% of Wisconsinites fully vaccinated. Thanks to this effort, COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths are low. In all four counties of the 81st Assembly District, there is medium COVID-19 activity. Unvaccinated individuals are still encouraged to wear a mask inside when they are in close contact with others. 

Source: Department of Health Services

DNR Update

The Department of Natural Resources has made recommendations to stop the spread of invasive species in Wisconsin. Follow these tips to prevent the spread of invasives:

  • Clean mud and dirt off shoes and remove seeds and burs from clothing before visiting other places. 
  • Use local firewood to avoid moving pests to new places.
  • Anglers and boaters can help protect vulnerable areas from aquatic invasives by cleaning recreational equipment and gear after every use. 
  • Drain all water from gear before leaving a site and wash it with 140-degree water or steam to remove invasives too small to see. Drying gear for five or more days between use also helps destroy invasive organisms. 
  • Gardeners are encouraged to plant and promote beautiful native plants that can benefit pollinators, birds and other wildlife or traditional gardening plants that are noninvasive. Gardeners can also look for and remove potential problem plants.

Read more on invasive species HERE.

 

In addition, this weekend as you celebrate independence day remember to take precautions while using fireworks to prevent wildfires. Exploding fireworks such as firecrackers, m-70s, bottle rockets and roman candles cause the most fireworks-related wildfires.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Resources

If you ever need assistance, please reach out. You can call 211 for assistance on many topic such as paying your bills, mental health resources, and more. 211 is a resource managed by the United Way of Wisconsin. Call 2-1-1 or visit their website.

Office of Crime Victim Services

End Abuse Wisconsin 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233, text LOVEIS to 22522, or go to thehotline.org for free and confidential support.

Disaster Distress Hotline 

Coping Resources for Kids and Parents Amidst COVID-19 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Veterans Crisis Line 

Vets for Warriors 

Military One Source 

Resilient Wisconsin

Department of Corrections Helpline: The call center can be reached by members of the public Monday through Friday from 7:45am–4:30pm at (608) 240-5700.

Wisconsin Farm Center 

24/7 Farmer Wellness Hotline

LGBTQ Crisis Line 

HopeLine Text Service 

Wisconsin Elder Abuse Hotline 

Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline 

I encourage you to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns during this time. It is important to me to hear from you on issues at the state level.