Rep. Thiesfeldt's E-Update

SeniorCare is a prescription drug program created by Republicans about a decade ago. The Budget proposal submitted to the Legislature suggested we make Wisconsin's SeniorCare a secondary coverage to Medicare Part D--the federal program. As some may have claimed, the SeniorCare program was never going to disappear.

Based on constituent feedback and a majority consensus of legislators the Joint Finance Committee has vowed to change the program back to the status quo of having SeniorCare as a primary coverage. It is a program that has worked and is far superior in helping our citizens obtain prescription drugs.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: No cuts to SeniorCare funding, GOP lawmakers say

Wisconsin State Journal: Assembly speaker says SeniorCare won't be cut

Jobs Increase as Unemployment Rate Declines

According to numbers released by the state Department of Workforce Development Thursday, Wisconsin added 3,000 new jobs in April.

The new numbers mean that since the Republican's regained majorities almost 25,000 new jobs have been created in 2011—a bulk of which have come in the private sector.

In addition to 3,000 new jobs, Wisconsin saw its unemployment rate decline again last month, down to 7.3 percent. One year ago, the rate sat at 8.8 percent.

With CEO’s nationwide starting to view the Badger State in a favorable light and a legislature that is committed to pro-growth measures that will grow Wisconsin out of its deficit and get our state working again, we can expect more favorable jobs reports in the months ahead.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Private sector added 3,000 jobs in April

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: APRIL JOBS, UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ANNOUNCED; WISCONSIN

Reps. Jerry Petrowski and Mike Endsley led the charge against raids on our state’s transportation fund Tuesday when they helped pass a proposed constitutional amendment that will guarantee taxes and fees levied to pay for transportation programs will be used for that purpose.

The measure passed with widespread bipartisan support—82-11 in the Assembly and 26-6 in the Senate.

Last fall, 54 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties passed advisory referenda supporting the constitutional protection of the transportation fund.

In order to become a part of the constitution, the amendment will have to pass both houses of the legislature in 2013 or 2014 and then be approved by voters in a statewide referendum.

This will help end the raids out of this fund we have seen from the previous administration of over $1.3 billion used for unrelated purposes.

Voter ID passed the Assembly 60-35 last week with my support. You can review my press release on the passage of the voter ID bill here.

Earlier this week, Governor Scott Walker chaired the first meeting of the newly created Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

The corporation was created earlier this year as part of a reorganization of the state Department of Commerce.

By voting to approve the creation of the board, Assembly Republicans made sure that the Commerce Department’s sole purpose will now be job creation.

On a local note, the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation president has accepted a position in the Walker administration. Brenda Hicks Sorensen is leaving the FCEDC after accepting a position with the newly formed Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation as vice president of economic and community development. Sorensen has been with the FCEDC for nearly seven years and was promoted to president of the corporation in 2006.

"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." -- Benjamin Franklin

About nine-tenths of Wisconsin's population is of northern European origin. Those of German descent are most numerous, followed by those of Irish, Polish, Scandinavian (primarily Norwegian), and British heritage. Persons of German ancestry are widely distributed but are more concentrated toward the east and in Milwaukee. Irish groups are found mainly in Beloit, Fond du Lac, and Sturgeon Bay. Wisconsin's Polish community is large but mainly concentrated in the Milwaukee and the Stevens Point areas. Norwegian Americans are more numerous toward the west and south, Swedish Americans more toward the north and northwest, and persons of Finnish descent in the northernmost counties near Lake Superior. (this was taken from History.com, link here.)

My office has responded to 2140 constituent concerns, inquires, position statements, and ideas since January 3, 2011. Thank you for all your input!