Happy 2020 – I hope everyone had a great holiday season and good start to the new year! I've enjoyed spending more time in the district and with family and friends.
The Assembly is getting back to work after the holidays, and committees have been holding public hearings and voting on legislation. Earlier this week, I attended the Committee on Substance Abuse & Prevention’s public hearing on the HOPE (Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education) package of opioid epidemic prevention bills, all of which I’ve co-sponsored. The full Assembly is scheduled to meet on January 15 for the first session day of 2020.
This January and February, before the session comes to a close, I’m especially focused on moving bills that I’ve co-authored through the legislative process. This includes bills on water pollution notification, insulin price caps, opportunity zones, and a few other bills that I’ll hopefully be releasing in the next couple of weeks.
Please continue reading to learn about recommendations published by both the Water Quality Task Force and Governor Evers, Radon Action Month, a new census website, and the Governor’s Business Plan Contest.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns. You can always contact my office by calling (608) 266-5780 or emailing me at Rep.Billings@legis.wi.gov.
Best Wishes,
Jill Billings State Representative 95th Assembly District
Water Quality Task Force & Governor Evers Release Recommendations
Earlier this week, the Water Quality Task Force published their recommendations for improving Wisconsin’s water quality, and introduced a legislative package of bills that includes funding for research, assistance to farmers, support for county conservation tools, additional tools for remediation, and public education. As part of the report, the Task Force recognized and supported the Water Pollution Notification bill that I co-authored with Senator Shilling. If you’re interested in reading the full report published by the Water Quality Task Force, I encourage you to view it online.
Governor Evers declared 2019 as the Year of Clean Water, and also released a report earlier this week on what his administration has accomplished in pursuit of this goal. The report is available online and focuses on clean drinking water, nitrates, lead service lines, and PFAS. These issues are pertinent to the La Crosse region as well as the entire state of Wisconsin, and I am looking forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure everyone in our state has access to clean water.
Test Your Home for Radon This Month
January 2020 has been designated as Radon Action Month to encourage citizens to test their homes for radon. Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that can enter homes through cracks in foundations, dirt floors, and openings around joints and pipes. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
In the past five years, test results have found that 1 in 3 homes in the Coulee Region contain high levels of radon. La Crosse County’s Health Department is offering radon test kits for $10.00 at the following locations:
La Crosse County Health Department
All La Crosse County Library Locations
Monroe County Health Department (Sparta)
Testing is simple, quick, and inexpensive. If your house has high levels of radon, a licensed mitigation contractor can fix the problem. Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services has more information online on how to test for and reduce radon, and how to find a contractor.
2020 Census - Make Sure You Count
Late last year, Governor Evers launched the WICount 2020 census website. This website was created aid Wisconsin residents in participating in the 2020 census, and to help encourage outreach to others. Governor Evers hopes that this website will encourage as many Wisconsin residents to participate as possible, and keep up the consistent participation from the last census.
In addition to participating in the census, there are many employment opportunities available with the upcoming census. Census jobs are ideal for those 18 or over looking for full or part time employment with flexible hours, including evenings and weekends. There are also many opportunities available for people with Spanish language skills or Hmong language skills. Job details can be found here.
Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest Now Open
From now until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, the Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest is accepting submissions. Wisconsin residents and those living outside of Wisconsin with intent to start a business in our state are invited to submit an entrepreneurial idea in the form of a 250 word abstract. This is the first step in a competition with more than $100,000 awarded to finalists. After an initial review, 50 of the abstracts will be chosen to advance in the competition, at which point they will need to submit an executive summary. The top 20 contestants will then write a 15-20 page business plan, and twelve finalists will be chosen to give oral presentations on their business ideas.
I would strongly encourage anyone with a potential business idea to apply. Contestants receive access to mentors, which is an invaluable resource regardless of the outcome of the competition. Additionally, contestants can review judges' comments and feedback to learn from the experience. For more information about the Governor's Business Plan Contest or to enter the competition, click here.
Rep. Billings in Madison
Earlier this week, I attended a public hearing for the Assembly Committee on Substance Abuse and Prevention.
