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JOINT FINANCE LAST WEEK
SeniorCare
- With last week's decision, SeniorCare will be held harmless -- funding will be maintained at the current level.
- The JFC voted to eliminate the governor's proposal to require SeniorCare participants to purchase a Medicare Part D plan.
- The JFC also voted to reject the governor's proposal to reduce SeniorCare funding by nearly $94 million over the biennium.
- Additionally, the JFC froze the program's enrollment fees and co-pays at the current levels.
- This helps to ensure that seniors who utilize the program will continue to be able to afford their prescription medications.
Additional JFC Highlights:
- Following the governor's call to delete the WEDC/WHEDA merger and the DFI/DSPS merger from the proposed budget, the JFC followed suit. The two mergers have been removed from the budget by the Committee.
- The JFC provided funds for a grant via WEDC for the Northcentral Technical College to be used to purchase commercial stoves, ovens, and other equipment for its Culinary Arts program and business incubator facilities.
- The Committee funded a grant via WEDC for the Marathon County Economic Development Corporation to be used for a revolving loan fund to support minority-owned businesses in Marathon County.
- The JFC allocated funds for a grant via WEDC for Prosperity Southwest Wisconsin for a new revolving loan program in the southwest region of the state to promote regional economic development.
- The Committee provided funds for fraud protection -- specifically for procurement and implementation of an advanced analytics system for the purpose of minimizing provider and beneficiary fraud in the state's MA program.
- The JFC expanded the enhanced dental services reimbursement pilot program to include Marathon County.
Last Thursday, JFC completed its ninth 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 THIS WEEK
This week should be the final in a long series of executive sessions over the last couple months. The following are items are that are planned for action on Wednesday. The items to be taken up on Friday have not been released yet, but they will include the UW System and Transportation.
Wednesday, May 27th:
Blood Withdrawals -- Intoxicated and Reckless Flying Violations
Building Commission
Building Program
Program Supplements
Department of Administration -- Transfers
Department of Tourism -- Office of Marketing
Department of Workforce Development -- Worker's Compensation
Department of Workforce Development -- Unemployment Insurance
Department of Health Services -- Long-Term Care Services
JUNE DAIRY MONTH
This week marks the beginning of June Dairy Month here in our great dairy state! Please visit the following website (www.dairydaysofsummer.com) by clicking here to find dairy breakfasts and events in your area. Attending these events is a great way to see what Agriculture in our state is all about, specifically Wisconsin's $43.4 billion dairy industry.
If you have any questions about dairy or any events in your area, please let me know!
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.