In an effort to keep residents informed on upcoming changes to healthcare insurance, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) will be holding town hall meetings around the state. Staff and insurance experts from OCI will be available to provide information and answer questions. These meetings are critically important, as Obamacare will affect coverage on everyone from small businesses, to families, to single individuals.

In our area, the town hall meetings will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd. The times and locations are listed below, mark your calendars for these important events.
 

The next deadline to sign up for Wisconsin’s Do Not Call List is Aug. 31, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. State residents can put their land line phone numbers and cellphone numbers on the list, which means telemarketers won't be allowed to contact you by phone.

The Do Not Call service is free, and remains in effect for two years. Those who enroll by Aug. 31 will be put on the list effective Oct. 1. The next signup period will be on Jan. 1.

To add your phone numbers to the No Call list, click here or call 1-866-966-2255. Both the website and phone are available 24/7.

Last week the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia released its July coincident economic indexes for states. Their data shows Wisconsin has had the third best economic growth in the nation. Additionally, this is the second consecutive month that Wisconsin’s growth has outpaced the national average.

The latest coincident index for July had Wisconsin 3rd in the nation for growth during the last three months. This is best ranking Wisconsin has ever received and Wisconsin is improving at the strongest rate it has since January 1995.

The coincident index is calculated using non-farm payroll employment, average hours worked in manufacturing, unemployment rate, and wage and salary data.

The new Wisconsin State Blue Book  is expected to be available early in September. The Blue Book is the one-stop shop for all information about Wisconsin state government, including profiles of the current members of the legislature, district maps and demographics, and information on both the Executive Branch and State Supreme Court.

Blue Books have proven to be very popular in the past, and are a great tool for staying in touch with your elected officials.  My office will be happy to provide you with a copy.  Please respond to this email with “BLUE BOOK” noted in the subject line, and include your address for delivery.  You can also call my office to order a copy, at 608-266-7694 or toll-free 888-534-0035.  If you have already responded, you are on the list and do not need to send another request. 

Each fall, the State of Wisconsin searches for a Christmas tree to be displayed in the Capitol rotunda in December. Tree donations are based upon requirements listed below:

• Balsam Fir approximately 35 – 45 feet tall.

• Full branches throughout the tree, if possible. Otherwise, a second donated tree may be needed to utilize the branches for filler.

• Tree should be accessible to the necessary logging and loading equipment for removing the tree from the property. In addition, there are often media outlets or groups that like to watch the tree being harvested.

• All of the cutting, loading, and hauling expenses are to be donated.

Wisconsin Department of Administration staff will meet with potential donors to inspect the tree prior to accepting the donation. The first tree that meets the requirements will be selected. The tree is harvested in November and is brought to the State Capitol in late November to early December.

For more information about how to participate, please contact:

Lisa Humphrey, Building and Grounds Superintendent
Department of Administration
17 W. Main Street, Suite 119
Madison, WI 53702
Office: (608) 261-4355
FAX: (608) 264-6684
lisa.humphrey@wisconsin.gov