Assembly Votes to Improve Health Care

This week, I voted to protect people with pre-existing conditions and lower the cost of prescription drugs.  

I was proud to once again support legislation prohibiting insurance companies from denying a person coverage due to pre-existing conditions. I know just how important this issue is for families and I will continue fighting to protect those with pre-existing conditions. I am hopeful that Assembly Bill 34 will finally become law soon.

I also voted for Senate Bill 3 to increase transparency on prescription drug costs by requiring pharmacy benefit managers to provide transparency reports to the State. The bill also prohibits pharmacy benefit managers from penalizing providers for disclosing lower-cost alternative prescription medications to patients.

These bills are incredibly important measures to help Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions and to help keep the costs of prescription drugs low. I will always work to help all Wisconsinites stay healthy.

The Assembly also passed bills to improve state law in several other areas:

Sporting Heritage

Assembly Bill 29 removes the restriction that a person may win the Bear Hunters Association raffle for a bear hunting license once in their life.

Assembly Bill 30 allows bear hunters to place a wood bottom under bait so bears cannot access it from below.  

Drinks-to-Go

Assembly Bill 32 allows a bars and restaurants to provide alcoholic drinks in sealed containers with to-go orders.

Open Enrollment for Virtual Schooling 

Assembly Bill 118 provides school districts flexibility for the 2021-2022 school year by allowing them to offer a virtual option to students.

State and Federal Tax Deadlines Extended to May 17th

This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), announced that the federal individual income tax filing and payment deadline for the 2020 tax year has been extended May 17th, 2021. Because Wisconsin law includes a provision to mirror the federal deadline, the State deadline has been changed to May 17th as well. You can find more information from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue here.  

WPS Scholarship

Scholarship applications now being accepted

The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation is partnering with the Wisconsin Technical College System to provide annual scholarships. High school seniors living in the WPS service area and who plan to enroll at one of the WTCS colleges below are eligible to receive a scholarship.

• Fox Valley Technical College
• Lakeshore Technical College
• Mid-State Technical College
• Nicolet Technical College
• Northcentral Technical College
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Scholarships may be used to earn a one-year technical diploma or two-year associate degree.

How to apply

Interested students can apply for a WPS Foundation technical college scholarship on the foundation’s website. Applications are open through April 30. Scholarships of up to $750 are available, and recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, school and community leadership activities, as well as financial need.

Apply for 2021 Elk Hunt

The application period for the 2021 elk hunt is open through May 31.

Elk hunting season is open Oct. 16-Nov. 14 and Dec. 9-17, 2021. Successful applicants can hunt during either period. Only Wisconsin residents are eligible to receive an elk tag.

Wisconsin residents can purchase elk license applications online through Go Wild or by visiting a license agent. The application fee is $10.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that people with certain medical conditions will be eligible to receive vaccination for COVID-19 on March 29th. People age 16 and older with the medical conditions listed here will be eligible. DHS currently anticipates the general public will be eligible in May.

Additionally, DHS announced that Wisconsinites can now call (844) 684-1064 (toll-free) for personal assistance with their vaccine-related questions.

The new call center will provide assistance to people in finding vaccine locations, answering medical questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, helping them register for vaccination, and includes but is not limited to providers using the Wisconsin COVID-19 vaccine registry. 

2019-2020 Blue Books & maps (paper highway maps or laminated maps) are still available in my office! The Wisconsin Blue Book contains information on all things Wisconsin including: census information, state history, official state symbols, and everything about Wisconsin government! Contact me for your free copy today!