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JOINT FINANCE THIS WEEK
Long Term Care Announcement:
Yesterday, Republicans on the JFC announced the Committee will not approve the governor's proposed plan for long term care.
Instead, the JFC is working with stakeholders and the public to formulate a plan with specific parameters for the Department of Health Services (DHS).
Parameters include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Require public and stakeholder input before any changes are made.
2. Require self-directed care with budget authority, to be defined in statute.
3. Require a regional model with multiple Integrated Health Agencies (IHA) per region.
4. Require an independent actuarial study to set rates.
5. Require the acceptance of “any willing provider” for a multi-year transition.
6. Preserve ADRC services.
7. Require final approval of any waiver application by the Joint Finance Committee before submission to the Federal Government.
This plan requires public input, includes a self-directed option, and gives patients choice between competing providers. Integration of care provides better care for customers and doctors, as well as a better value for taxpayers.
Once DHS comes up with a plan that fits within the parameters set by the JFC, DHS will come back before the JFC for approval of their plan before submission to the Federal Government and, finally, implementation.
The Committee has not voted on these issue areas yet; these votes will be taking place in a JFC executive session possibly as soon as next week.
Additional JFC Highlights:
There was bipartisan support for Rep. Czaja's TEACH budget motion, which provides more money for rural schools and digital learning.
The JFC adopted a number a provisions that increase funding for programs that help victims of abuse and sex trafficking.
The Committee increased funding for domestic abuse grants by $5 million GPR.
JFC increased funding for services for victims of sex trafficking by $2 million GPR.
The Committee adopted a motion that increased funding for post-adoption resource centers by $225,000 GPR.
JFC also supported motions that help low income families via temporary assistance for needy families (TANF).
The JFC supported an increase in funds from the TANF block grant to be used by DCF to support general education development testing and preparation to TANF eligible individuals.
The Committee unanimously supported a motion that provides $41,600 annually to DCF from the TANF block grant to support adult literacy grants.
The JFC unanimously supported another motion that provides $500,000 annually under TANF for a grant to the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation (WTAF).
WTAF is to use these funds to distribute annual awards of up to $75,000 to programs that provide civil legal services to low income families with civil legal needs related to domestic abuse and sexual abuse.
So far this budget, we've:
Reduced all funds by $71.4 million
Reduced GPR spending by $48.9 million
Yesterday, JFC completed its seventh executive session for this budget cycle. While I've included the highlights, there are numerous motions I did not mention. If you have any other questions about what was taken up this week, please email me and I can get you more information.
JOINT FINANCE NEXT WEEK
Next week Tuesday and Thursday, the Joint Finance Committee will continue their votes on various areas of the Governor's Budget. Here are the issue areas, please let me know if you have any questions concerning any of them.
Tuesday, May 19th:
Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority
Medical College of Wisconsin
Budget Management and Compensation Reserves
Employee Trust Funds
Drug Screening and Testing
Corrections -- Departmentwide
Corrections -- Adult Corrections
Corrections -- Community Corrections
Corrections -- Juvenile Corrections
Public Instruction -- General School Aids and Revenue Limits
Public Instruction -- Categorical Aids
Public Instruction -- Choice, Charter, and Open Enrollment
Public Instruction -- District Operations and Standards
Public Instruction -- Administrative and Other Funding
Thursday, May 21st:
Health Services -- Departmentwide
Government Accountability Board
Financial Institutions and Professional Standards
Financial Institutions
Safety and Professional Services -- Agencywide Provisions
Safety and Professional Services -- Program Transfers
Forward Wisconsin Development Authority/Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Transportation -- Transportation Finance
Transportation -- Local Transportation Aid
Transportation -- Local Transportation Assistance
Transportation -- State Highway Program
KEITH RIPP CAMPGROUND BILL PASSES THE ASSEMBLY
Madison- The Wisconsin State Assembly passed a bill Wednesday authored by Representative Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) that would create a new dwelling code specifically for camping units on permitted campgrounds.
Ripp has continually worked with campgrounds over the last two years who have recently encountered regulatory challenges because their seasonally-occupied cabins, or “camping units,” are currently considered and regulated under the dwelling code as if they were residences that are occupied throughout the year. This means that these camping units are held to the same electrical and plumbing requirements as primary residences.
To address this issue, AB 121 directs the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) to develop rules for the dwelling code that would apply only to these camping units as long as the camping unit is located in a permitted campground. This code will allow for necessary regulation while still providing adequate flexibility to allow campgrounds and the tourism industry to thrive.
“The current dwelling code does not give flexibility to campground owners that would like to provide a rustic camping experience without also providing all the amenities of a year-round home,” Ripp said. “For example, if a campground owner were to install a toilet in one of these camping units, they would also be required to install a shower and a sink with both hot and cold running water. In many cases, this can be unnecessary because campgrounds are required to have amenities like showers within a certain distance of each campsite.”
Current law allows camping units similar to these to be built in other states and then brought to Wisconsin as prefabricated units adhering to the same standards as RVs. If built in Wisconsin, they would need to adhere to the one and two-family dwelling code, which would add large expenses for each unit.
“With a change in the dwelling code, we can start building these units in Wisconsin with our own materials and our own workers, allowing our state to benefit from the jobs and revenues involved,” Ripp said. “To me, this bill is a no-brainer. Campers are looking for these types of camping opportunities, and we should be providing them in a great tourist state like ours.”
The Wisconsin Assembly approved this bill with broad bipartisan support. It now goes to the Governor’s desk for signature.
68th ALICE IN DAIRYLAND
I just wanted to wish Teyanna Loether a big "congratulations!" as she was named the 68th Alice in Dairyland last weekend! Teyanna will begin her duties as our state's official Agriculture Ambassador on June 1st.
Teyanna will graduate this Spring with a master's degree in animal sciences from UW-Madison, where she is studying reproductive physiology. She grew up on a dairy farm and showed horses, chickens, and swine at the Sauk County Fair, where she served as the 2010 Fairest of the Fair. During graduate school, she worked as a teaching assistant, and tutor, and earned a Delta Certificate in Research, Teaching, and Learning.
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.