December 27, 2011
Transit Tour a Success!

Last month I had the opportunity to meet with constituents while holding office hours on the bus. I appreciated hearing the concerns of people who depend on transit for meeting their transportation needs. Thank you to Beloit Transit Director Michelle Gavin and Janesville Transit Director Dave Mumma for making the transit tour possible.

Beloit Transit Director, Michelle Gavin, shows me the new Beloit Transfer Center.

SeniorCare Update

Almost 100,000 low-income Wisconsin seniors rely on SeniorCare to help pay for prescription drugs. There is no denying that SeniorCare provides cost savings to both seniors and taxpayers. The average federal cost per SeniorCare member in 2010 was $509. That is less than half of the $1,484 it costs the federal government to subsidize individuals enrolled in the Medicare Part D program. For these reason I signed a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner requesting an extension of Wisconsin's SeniorCare Pharmacy Plus Waiver.

Public Assistance Fraud and Abuse Hotline

Recently a new fraud hotline was created within the Department of Health Services to report the misuse of public resources. If you suspect fraudulent activity in public assistance programs in Medicaid, FoodShare, Women Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental food program and the state portion of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) please call 1-877-865-3432.

Apply for the Governor's Business Plan Contest

The Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest is accepting entries online for the 2012 competition. To enter, submit your 250-Word IDEA Abstract now through 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2012. The contest's finalists will share in more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind prizes.  Participants have the chance to win seed capital and valuable services that will help them launch or grow their businesses. Wisconsin residents 18 years old and older are eligible, as are teams from Wisconsin-based businesses and organizations. Entries from outside Wisconsin from people or companies planning to relocate in the state may be accepted. The contest is free to enter at www.GovsBizPlanContest.com. More than 2,000 entrepreneurs from 100-plus communities took part in the 2004-2011 Governor's Business Plan Contests. They shared in $1 million in cash and in-kind prizes - as well as valuable exposure, investment opportunities and mentoring.
Donate Mittens at Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center

Our WI Department of Tourism has launched a new campaign with the state of Michigan to collect mittens for those in need across the state. I hope that you will join in this effort by dropping off gently used or new mittens at the Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center located at the I-39 Northbound/I-90 Westbound Rest Area in Beloit. For more information on how the WI Department of Tourism is working to promote this important industry, please visit www.TravelWisconsin.com.
Happy New Year!

As your representative, I make it a priority to act as a resource and an advocate for the citizens of our district.  My legislative assistant, Lonna Morouney, and I are pictured above with a portrait of  "Old Abe" at the governor's mansion.  We both wish you a very Happy New Year and encourage you to contact us anytime with your questions or concerns!

January Session

The upcoming January Legislative Session begins on January 17th.

My Capitol office at 209 North is here to help you with general inquiries as well as questions and concerns regarding legislative matters. Feel free to contact me or my legislative assistant, Lonna Morouney.  We are always ready to assist you in your needs. Please visit my website for press releases and other Capitol updates.  

As always, if you have any comments or thoughts regarding the subject of this
E-Update, please feel free to contact me.

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State Capitol Room 209 North- PO Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708
Toll-Free (888) 534-0045 or (608) 266-9967
Email: Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wi.gov