Governor Evers Signs Bills to Combat Opioid Crisis and Opportunity Zone Legislation into Law

On Tuesday, Governor Evers signed a series of bills from the Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) agenda into law in La Crosse. I co-sponsored this bill package (Assembly Bill 645, Assembly Bill 646, Assembly Bill 647, and Assembly Bill 650) to increase access to care and treatment options for Wisconsinites. These laws are an important step to ending this epidemic, but I know from serving on the Assembly Substance Abuse and Prevention committee, State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (SCAODA), and the previous administration’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse that the work does not end here in our fight against this epidemic.

Governor Evers also signed Assembly Bill 532 into law on Tuesday. As noted in previous E-Newsletters, I authored the Opportunity Zone legislation because it will encourage state investors to keep their dollars local and spur economic development and job creation in Wisconsin communities. There are two qualified opportunity zones in La Crosse—the Lower North Side neighborhood and the area between West Avenue and 7th Street from Zeisler to Jackson Street. With this law, La Crosse can maximize investments in our region, rather than across the river in Minnesota.

Local Fourth Graders Testify at Assembly Public Hearing

On Wednesday, Summit Environmental School students made a trip to the State Capitol to attend a public hearing and testify in support of Assembly Bill 634, which would designate the Spring Peeper as Wisconsin’s State Amphibian. I worked with the students over the past several months to research, draft, and introduce this legislation. Summit Elementary is an environmental-based school, aptly located next to Frog Pond. The students and teachers, Mrs. Franzini and Miss Beecher, were a joy to work with on this legislation.

The spring peeper (pseudacris crucifer) is a small tree frog native to Wisconsin that dwells in marshy woods and regions near marshes, ponds, and swamps. As its name suggests, the spring peeper is known for its chirping call that marks the beginning of spring. It is found in all 72 counties.

You can learn more about the spring peeper at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource website.

Funding for the New UW-La Crosse Fieldhouse and Soccer Facility Project Approved

The Wisconsin State Building Commission approved funding for the UW-La Crosse fieldhouse and soccer facility project. As the Chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the State Building Commission, I am pleased this project moved forward because of the positive economic impact for UW- La Crosse and for the community. A project of this size is estimated to have a total local economic impact of $94 million and produce over 800 jobs. It was nice to have UW-La Crosse's Vice Chancellor, Bob Hetzel, in attendance to address potential questions from the commission.

The current fieldhouse was constructed in 1965 and meant to serve 3,000 students. It now serves over 10,000 students. By updating the facility, UW- La Crosse will be able to host NCAA competitions and have opportunities to host other athletic events that can increase tourism spending in the region. The updated facilities will also provide needed classroom space for UW-La Crosse’s acclaimed and rapidly growing Exercise and Sports Science program. The project is supported with student segregated funds. 

March is Women’s History Month and March 8^th is International Women’s Day

March is Women's History Month and is dedicated to recognizing the significant impact women have had on the history of our state. In recognition of the centennial of the 19th Amendment, the 2020 theme celebrates the women who fought for women’s right to vote in the United States. We honor the women from the original suffrage movement and the women who continued the fight against poll taxes, literacy tests, voter roll purges, and other forms of voter suppression to ensure equal voting rights for all. March 8^th is also International Women's Day—a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women across the world. The day also serves as a call to action for accelerating women's equality worldwide.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the significant contributions Wisconsin-native, Carrie Chapman Catt, made to women’s suffrage. Catt directed the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) and founded the League of Women Voters (1920). In 1892, Catt unsuccessfully asked Congress to support an amendment to the Constitution that would grant women full voting rights. Years later, in 1917, Catt addressed Congress again, “behold our Uncle Sam floating the banner with one hand, ‘Taxation without representation is tyranny,’ and with the other seizing the billions of dollars paid in taxes by women to whom he refuses representation.” Two years later, on June 10^th of 1919, Wisconsin became one of the first states to ratify the 19^th Amendment.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Provides Timely Information about Coronavirus

With the incidence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) growing nationally, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has been working closely with state and local partners as well as the CDC to monitor the coronavirus and prepare communities if an outbreak were to occur. One Wisconsinite has tested positive for coronavirus. Fortunately, on February 28, 2020, CDC confirmed that the person was clear of the virus and was no longer under isolation. The immediate health risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low.

The Department of Health Services and Center for Disease Control encourages people to practice good hygiene habits year-round. Similar to the hygiene practices promoted during flu season, the following techniques can help public officials combat the spread of the coronavirus:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds often. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water is unavailable.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
3. Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze. Immediately throw away tissue.
4. Avoid contact with people who are sick if possible, and stay home if you are sick.
5. Clean and disinfect surfaces thoroughly and frequently (cell phones, TV remotes, desks, tables, door knobs, railings, keyboards, computer mouse, etc.)

Again, the risk to the Wisconsinites is currently low but as the situation evolves, you can receive up-to-date information at the following resources:

La Crosse County Health Department, What You Should Know

The Center for Disease Control’s COVID-19 Situation Summary

Wisconsin Department of Health Services, What is COVID-19?

Message from Governor Evers and Department of Health Secretary Designee Andrea Palm

Rep. Billings in La Crosse and Madison

At the Wisconsin Constitutional Officers Reception, I visited with La Crosse County Officers: Amy Twitchell, Ginny Dankmeyer, and Cheryl McBride and State Treasurer, Sarah Godlewski.

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism awarded Country Boom a $40,000 Joint Effort Marketing Grant.

It was great talking with Girl Scout members about issues that are important to them, like water quality and youth vaping.

I enjoyed meeting with local residents during the annual Xcel Energy Legislative Day.

Thank you to Bob Kellogg and his daughter, Brittany, for inviting me to Advanced Plumbing Systems, their North Side family business.