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BLUEPRINT FOR PROSPERITY
As I am sure you have all heard by now, Wisconsin is expected to see a $1 billion surplus! This surplus shows that Wisconsin is going in the right direction and that our tough decisions are paying off. I wanted to give you more information about Governor Walker's "Blueprint for Prosperity" plan that will put more than $800 million back in the hard-working taxpayer hands.
1. The plan will reduce property taxes by $406 million. This is more than four times larger than the property tax relief we passed last year, and it is vitally important to protect working families, senior citizens, farmers, and small businesses. The typical homeowner will see an actual reduction of $101 dollars on their next property tax bill.
2. The plan will reduce income taxes by $98.6 million.
3. Governor Walker has already directed Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler to adjust withholding for state income taxes by $322.6 million, so you can keep more of your hard-earned paycheck. This will put more money in the hands of consumers and will continue to stimulate the economy. Starting in April, a typical working family of four will see $57.90 more in their paychecks each month. By the end of this year, that's more than $520 dollars.
4. The plan will increase the Wisconsin Fast Forward program by $35 million to focus on three new areas:
Invest in technical colleges to eliminate waiting lists for high demand fields including manufacturing, agriculture and Information Technology;
Help high school students get training in high demand jobs through dual enrollment programs between our high schools and technical colleges;
Support the Year of the Better Bottom Line initiative, which helps people with disabilities enter the workforce
Governor Walker has called for a special session in both houses to make sure the most of the surplus is returned to the people that earned it in the first place. Please let me know if you would like any more information about this plan.
RIPP VOTES FOR H.O.P.E. AGENDA
Assembly passes group of bills that would combat heroin epidemic
Madison, WI– Rep. Ripp voted for four bills aimed at taking important steps to help attack a skyrocketing problem of heroin and opiate addiction in Wisconsin.
“If you look at what is happening in many of our Wisconsin communities, heroin has become a highly destructive power,” Ripp said. “The number of heroin-related deaths reportedly rose roughly 50 percent last year to nearly 200 people. That is unacceptable and we took important steps today that will help combat this significantly addictive drug.”
The H.O.P.E agenda, or Heroin and Opiate Prevention and Education, is a four-bill package geared to address addiction problems before they begin and target abuse after it has occurred.
AB 446: Naloxone for Overdoses. The bill allows those who are properly trained to administer naloxone, the drug used to counter the effects of an opiate overdose. This will allow an overdose to be more quickly counteracted, potentially saving lives.
AB 447: 911 Good Samaritan. The bill grants limited immunity for a person who calls for help for someone who has overdosed from a controlled substance.
AB 448: Drug Disposal Program. The bill promotes the safe disposal of unused prescription and over-the-counter medicines by allowing for local governments to have community drug disposal programs.
AB 445: ID for Prescription. The bill requires individuals to show proper identification when picking up certain types of narcotic/opiate prescription medications and keeps track of this record.
“Since 1995, the number of teens between the ages of 12 and 17 who have tried heroin has increased by more than 300% nationally,” Ripp said. “This package of bills gives our communities much needed assistance in dealing with this dangerous epidemic."
All four bills passed with broad bipartisan support and move to the state Senate for consideration. The Wisconsin Department of Justice has documented the increase in the number of heroin cases by county over the last three years on its website. The state recently kicked off a heroin awareness campaign called, “The Fly Effect.”
KEITH RIPP PASSES "NO CALL LIST" INITIATIVE
Legislation provides potential savings to the state
Madison-Legislation authored by State Representative Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) passed the State Assembly that would combine the Wisconsin No Call List with the Federal Trade Commission No Call List.
Senate Bill (SB) 155 would transfer all telephone numbers currently on the Wisconsin No Call List to the list maintained by the federal government. While the Wisconsin list must be renewed every two years, the federal list is permanent for the remainder of time that number is in service or associated with the current consumer. Although the state list is updated quarterly, the federal list is updated daily, ensuring that those who sign up are protected immediately.
“Combining the state and federal lists requires less work for the consumer while still offering the same amount of protection,” said Ripp. “Wisconsinites will continue to benefit from additional safeguards provided under Wisconsin law, but they will only need to sign up once.”
The bill also has the potential for substantial savings to the state each year. Currently, there is an annual cost of roughly $190,000 to contract with a vendor and to maintain the Wisconsin No Call List. If the bill is signed into law, those vender and maintenance expenses will no longer be necessary.
“Combining the lists allows for the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection to focus more on enforcement of our current solicitation laws,” said Ripp. “It is a great day at the Capitol when we can pass legislation that helps and protects consumers and saves the state money at the same time.
The bill passed the Assembly with unanimous support and now goes to the Governor’s desk for signature.
PROPANE SHORTAGE INFORMATION
As the propane shortage in the Upper Midwest continues to affect Wisconsin citizens, I wanted to update you with important information. The shortage was caused by 3 main factors: unusually cold winter temperatures, a major pipeline supplying propane to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa was temporarily closed for maintenance from November 28 – December 18, and a wet fall increased propane demand for grain drying, which lowered the overall supply heading into winter.
Governor Walker has declared a State of Emergency in response to this shortage, which directs all state agencies to be on alert and to assist as needed. In addition, the Governor has issued several Executive Orders allowing propane transport drivers to log additional hours to transport more propane. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Department of Administration has authorized a weight limit relief order for vehicles transporting energy in the state in order to increase the amount of propane carried in a single trip.
The Department of Administration’s Division of Energy Services(DES) has released $8.5 million in additional Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis Benefits dollars. Also available to low income households is the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP).
The Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund (KWWF) has agreed to temporarily allow an increase in their income limit for propane households from 60% of the State Median Income to 80%. They will also allow propane households to potentially receive an increased maximum benefit of $600 and has temporarily adjusted their policy to allow propane households the ability to potentially receive two benefit payments in a year.
Governor Walker has directed the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority to proceed with $5 million and $3 million loan guarantee programs, respectively, to help providers who have exhausted their current lines of credit.
The DES call center has expanded to provide information on conservation, warming centers, propane dealers, actions to take if you must leave your home, and other important information. Please call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947) for more information.
The National Guard is also ready, if necessary, to go door-to-door to check on people, help establish local warming shelters, and support state and local emergency management efforts.
As a community, I urge everyone to look out for their family, friends, and neighbors. If you are able, please consider donating to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund to assist those impacted by the crisis.
Please forward this information along to your friends and neighbors, and do not hesitate to contact my office with questions.
IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY LEGISLATION
Many of you may have already heard about the Implements of Husbandry Legislation that Senator Jerry Petrowski and I are moving forward this session. The legislation focuses on updating our laws to reflect the reality of modern agricultural operations and equipment. We believe it creates a regulatory structure that will ensure the continued success of the largest single industry in the state while providing strong public safety standards and maintaining our infrastructure.
The bill (AB 648 and SB 509) received a Joint Public Hearing in the Senate and Assembly Transportation committees this last Tuesday. I encourage all of you to contact me any of your questions, concerns, or thoughts on the bill. I would also be happy to share any additional information you may need.
CONTACT ME
As in the past I would continue to encourage you to contact my office with ideas for this next legislative session and on individual pieces of legislation. Now more than ever your ideas and opinions need to be heard, so we can begin to get Wisconsin back to work. Please contact my office at 608-266-3404 or email me at Rep.Ripp@legis.wisconsin.gov, or stop by my Capitol office at 223 North. I look forward to hearing from you. As always, I will continue to work across the aisle to find common ground and move legislation forward.
Please share this update with your friends and neighbors within the 42nd Assembly District and if there is anyone you know who would like to be included, please respond to this email with their email address.