As a State Representative, I make decisions with the understanding that public policy affects every aspect of our society. The actions that occur in the state capitol should be made to expand the freedom of our citizens. Governor Walker's recent decisions, unfortunately, have restricted the ability of Wisconsinites to access necessary health care. Despite the administration's insistence that there would be no coverage gap in Wisconsin, 38,000 people will have no health care for the remainder of 2014.

In addition to this, Gov. Walker and the Department of Health Services will no longer enforce the contraceptive equity law in our state due to the Hobby Lobby decision by the Supreme Court. However, legal experts have proven that the Supreme Court's ruling does not invalidate the Wisconsin law.

I will continue to support my constituents and all citizens freedom to access health care free of the restrictions that Governor Walker insists on pursuing.

As always, please contact my office if you have any topics you would like included in future issues of the Sargent Voice.

Wisconsin's Health Care Coverage Gap

Enrollment numbers released today by the Walker Administration show that over 60% of the roughly 63,000 Wisconsin residents kicked off BadgerCare were unable to sign up for Marketplace coverage by the June deadline. Citizen Action of Wisconsin has long argued that this policy of denying affordable health coverage will have dire ramifications for the rest of the state.

Despite Governor Walker’s talking points to the contrary, these new numbers prove that Wisconsin does in fact have a large coverage gap for tens of thousands of residents. Roughly 38,000 residents will be barred from accessing marketplace coverage at Healthcare.gov in 2014 and are ineligible for BadgerCare because of the Governor’s policies.

The Governor and the Legislature’s decision to reject what amounts to $1 million federal Medicaid dollars a day and force thousands of our friends and neighbors off BadgerCare must be reversed. The State has the opportunity to accept our federal Medicaid funds at any time. Failure to do so means thousands of Wisconsinites will needlessly go without access to preventive services and vital treatments.

These numbers show the human toll of Walker’s reckless healthcare policies,” said Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin.

Governor Walker must accept that his policy is a failure and has only led to higher costs to the State, higher insurance premiums and now left tens of thousands stuck in a new coverage gap,” said Kevin Kane, Lead Organizer of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “Because of this politically motivated decision, some of Wisconsin’s most hard pressed working families will be forced to choose between health care, food, rent, and other basics.

Governor Walker Limits Freedom to Women's Health Care

Women must have the freedom to access necessary health care coverage. This week, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) under Governor Walker’s administration announced via a media interview that the state will no longer enforce Wisconsin’s birth control coverage law that ensures prescription drug plans cover birth control the same as other prescription drugs.

Governor Walker justified this move in light of the Hobby Lobby decision by the Supreme Court in June.

Legal experts with the National Women’s Law Center, however, have released an analysis that concludes the Hobby Lobby ruling does not invalidate Wisconsin’s contraceptive coverage law and it must therefore be enforced. Unfortunately, the Walker Administration’s move is just the latest in a long line of efforts to reduce women’s access to everything from sex education, cancer screens, and birth control to safe and legal abortion.

Governor Walker’s latest effort to unilaterally end the enforcement of Wisconsin’s contraceptive equity law shows just how far he is willing to go to restrict women’s access to essential health care.

Thank you to Planned Parenthood for standing up for women across our state.

Firestation 13 Grand Opening

I commend Fire Chief Davis and the amazing MFD members on the grand opening of Firestation 13. This is an important addition to the Eastside as it will provide safety and a community gathering point for years to come. It was a fantastic event, and I was honored to join Congressman Pocan, Mayor Soglin, and Mahlon Mitchell in the opening festivities.

WEDC Outsourcing Jobs with Taxpayer Money

A recent investigation by WKOW-TV found that at least two companies that benefitted from taxpayer assistance through WEDC, outsourced jobs overseas rather than keeping them here in Wisconsin. Communities across the state are suffering under Walker and Republicans’ failure to create jobs and they vitally need these investments to create jobs here in Wisconsin. I urge WEDC to take immediate action to ensure that not a dollar of financial assistance goes to support companies to outsource our jobs.

WEDC needs to be more successful in its efforts to spur economic development, encourage entrepreneurship and start-ups, and create jobs in Wisconsin. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, since Governor Walker took office Wisconsin ranks 35th for private sector job growth, and 10th of 10 states in the Midwest. Despite Wisconsin trailing the Midwest and the nation on job creation, WEDC returned millions of unutilized economic development funds in January.

In addition, WEDC’s new jobs reporting system gives the appearance that WEDC is downgrading its commitment to creating jobs in Wisconsin. In 2012, Walker’s WEDC stopped reporting strictly on actual jobs created and now typically reports on jobs “impacted.”

Historic Preservation Tax Credit Update

Across Wisconsin, we pride ourselves on our rich history and our small businesses that have watched generations of men and women work tirelessly to provide a better future for their children. My Democratic colleagues and I believe that an investment in Wisconsin’s historic buildings is an investment in both the heritage and the future of our state.

We must revitalize our main streets, downtowns, and small businesses. We know that investing in our economy by providing our local businesses with opportunities to remain at the heart of our historic neighborhoods is the right way to move Wisconsin forward.

That is why when Governor Walker blocked businesses and individuals from claiming the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, Democrats and local stakeholders pushed him to reverse his reckless decision.

When we should be investing in our local communities, according to reports, Walker and his administration are giving our money to corporations that outsource job opportunities and lay off their local workers. By putting a halt to the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, Walker continued his irresponsible pattern of failures in job creation and lack of accountability in state investments.

I am relieved that Governor Walker came to the decision to reinstate the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, however it should never have come to the delay in the first place. Playing politics with our economy benefits no one. We must move forward working together towards a better future rather than pandering to partisan ideology.

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July 28, 2014
Issue 38

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708

Office: (608) 266-0960

Email:
Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov