Hello Everyone!

I hope you are all doing well! I want to start out by saying that due to Wisconsin Statute, Section 11.1205, this will be the last E-update until after Election Day. Under s. 11.1205, a Representative who becomes a candidate for office may not use public funds to distribute 50 or more pieces of substantially identical material after the first day for circulation of nomination papers, and that applies to these E-Updates. Now back to the update!

My first term in office was filled with many big pieces of legislation such as the continuation of the HOPE Agenda—which tackles the growing problem of heroin and opioid addiction in our state—a package of bills to help those struggling with dementia and their families, the Rural Wisconsin Initiative, and the balancing of our state budget with no tax increases.

These are great victories for the taxpayers of Wisconsin, but at times, they overshadowed some great things we did in other areas. That is why I am including a list of bills I authored or co-authored that have been signed into law during my first term as your representative. In addition, I will be including legislation specifically crafted for our veterans and Wisconsin's agricultural industry.

I’m proud of the many things we accomplished this past legislative session, and I look forward to continuing that work and achieving even more in the future. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me for any reason.

VanderMeer Legislation Signed into Law

Assembly Bill 253 will enable Wisconsin to enter into an Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which will provide a new, expedited, licensing option for physicians seeking to practice in multiple states. This legislation will increase access to health care, and help to alleviate the physician shortage in our state, especially in rural areas like the 70th Assembly District.

Assembly Bill 299, co-authored with Senator Lassa (D-Stevens Point), helps school districts fill much needed positions by allowing school board members to act as unpaid volunteer coaches or supervisors of an extracurricular activity in their school districts.

Assembly Bill 351, co-authored with Senator Lassa (D-Stevens Point), is relating to Wisconsin’s Children First Program, administered by the Department of Children & Families. This will provide non-custodial parents who are unemployed or underemployed a pathway for training and future employability. It is a way to develop our workforce and give more opportunities for families.  

Assembly Bill 541 creates a $500,000 grant program to improve employment outcomes for veterans by focusing on veteran entrepreneurs, incentives to hire veterans with a service-connected disability, and job training. (More information below).

Assembly Bill 609 is relating to libraries and delinquent accounts. Due to privacy protections, libraries have no means by which to collect from those who are abusing their borrowing privileges. Since libraries are supported through tax dollars, the financial loss of unreturned library materials and unpaid fines ultimately falls on taxpayers and other library users. This legislation will provide libraries with a method to collect fines and reimbursement for overdue materials on delinquent library accounts.

Assembly Bill 610 will allow courts to impose a more fitting penalty for crimes against the elderly or disabled. Under certain conditions, the bill will allow a court to impose a supplement forfeiture for certain violation. This will help protect and shield Wisconsin’s most vulnerable citizens.

Assembly Bill 664 permits licensed treatment professionals to provide mental health services in schools without establishing a branch office in the school. Reducing red tape will make it easier for mental health professionals to provide services at schools. When mental health therapy is available at school, students are more likely to access treatment and miss less class time than when they have to travel to an off-site clinic.

Assembly Bill 744 is part of the College Affordability Legislative Package to address student loan debt and increase the success of college students. This will require all higher education institutions to send students an annual letter with information regarding educational costs and financial literacy so students and families can make better decisions about their financial future.

Senate Joint Resolution 45, co-authored with Senator Lassa (D-Stevens Point), proclaims February 2016 as USO Wisconsin Month to celebrate the organization’s 75th anniversary and raise awareness of the services it provides for military members and their families.

Focusing Veterans

My colleagues and I in the legislature worked hard this session to make some great strides in caring for and supporting our state’s veterans. As Vice-Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans & Military Affairs, I would like to share some of this session’s highlights with you.

Allowing More Veterans to Qualify for the Veterans Employment Grant (Assembly Bill 541)
Currently, Wisconsin operates a Veterans Employment Grant designed to help bridge the gap between local employees and veterans looking for work. Unfortunately, the grants in place previously were never used due to excessive eligibility requirements. This grant is far too important not to be working properly for veterans of this state and I am proud to have authored Assembly Bill 541 which will create a new program to better meet the intent and expected results of the original program. This will ensure that veterans in our state are able to benefit from these grants.

The Wisconsin Veterans Employment Initiative (Assembly Bill 441)
All too often, hurdles remain in place for veterans returning to civilian life and in search of a job. I believe that government agencies should be encouraged to hire qualified veterans because of the positive attributes they bring to a position due to their military training and experience. That’s why I’m proud to have supported this bill that creates a program designed to increase the number of veterans holding permanent state government positions.

New Grant Program for Services to Veterans and Their Families (Assembly Bill 542)
It is important to ensure that grant money going to non-profit organizations truly provide services and resources for veterans that are in need of help. This bill creates a grant program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for this purpose. Under the bill, DVA may make up to a total of $250,000 in grants to non-profit organizations that provide financial assistance or other services to veterans and their families. An individual nonprofit organization may receive up to $25,000 in grants under this program.

Disposition of the Unclaimed Cremated Remains of Veterans and Their Dependents (Assembly Bill 693)
Too often cemeteries, funeral homes, and crematoria find themselves in custody of unclaimed remains. This bill ensures that veterans who were honorably discharged get the recognition they deserve and receive the proper burial honors. The remains of veterans deserve to be taken care of with the utmost respect, and this bill gives us the chance to show our gratitude for those who served our country by making sure they receive an honorable burial.

Designates Logos for Veteran and Disabled Veteran Owned Business (Assembly Bill 707)
Similar to the “Made in Wisconsin” stickers you may find on many products, this bill provides a standardized tool for veteran-owned and disabled veteran-owned businesses to market themselves as such in their respective communities and throughout the State. These businesses would also be more accessible and identifiable to consumers who wish to support veteran-owned businesses.

The 2015-2016 State Budget Achievements (Wisconsin Act 55)
The state budget also included a number of positive developments for Veterans. The budget helped ensure veterans returning to higher education at technical colleges are better equipped for the transition. To assist this, $1 million was allocated to the Wisconsin Technical College System to develop and expand specialized instruction and support services for veterans enrolled in their programs. It also added a credit to the performance measures for the Wisconsin Technical College System for those veterans who have military training.

Wisconsin’s Annual Average Veteran Unemployment Rate Declines to 3.6% in 2015
Wisconsin’s 2015 unemployment rate for military veterans declined to 3.6 percent and tied for 14th lowest in the country, according to data published by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The annual average unemployment rate for all veterans 18 years of age and older was a full percentage point below the national rate of 4.6 percent, according to the BLS report.

In two years, Wisconsin's annual average unemployment rate for veterans has fallen by more than half, from 7.6% to the current 3.6%. In addition, the state's veteran unemployment rate for veterans 18 years of age and older declined every year since 2011.  I have been committed to helping those who have courageously served our country apply their tremendous skills and abilities toward family-supporting jobs when they return home.

I want to thank all of you who have served this great country and the sacrifices you and your families have made. I am proud of the work the Wisconsin State Assembly has done to help ensure that the veterans in our state receive the care and respect they rightfully deserve.

Focusing on Agriculture

 I want to take the time to thank you everyone involved in Wisconsin’s agricultural industry for their hard work and service. My husband, Dave Hall, is a 5th generation dairy farmer so I know how hard all of you work. Because of your hard work, our state’s agriculture industry contributes $88 billion annually to the state economy, and provides nearly 12 percent of the total jobs in our state. As a member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture, I wanted to share with you some of the proposals that I have proudly supported that help keep our agriculture industry strong.

You’ll be happy to know that the current state budget preserves key agricultural provisions such as the retention of Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boards as citizen boards, and the continuation of the Center for Co-ops. The budget also included funding for Discovery Farms and allowed the Fertilizer Research Council to be supported by industry fees. These programs have been critical in helping our state remain a national leader in agriculture.

Key legislative highlights from this session include modernizing state meat and poultry inspection (Act 243) and food and dairy processing plant licenses (Act 242). We also updated the state’s commercial feed penalty provisions (Act 244). In addition, I supported the passage of Act 235, which extends the seasonal weight exceptions for harvest crop transport – now taking into account that crops are often harvested earlier in the season than ever before.

The Assembly updated state law for several agricultural loan guarantee programs administered by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), such as extending the Agricultural Production Drought Assistance Loan Guarantee Program, increasing loan amounts to reflect current market conditions, and preserving family farms by giving WHEDA the flexibility to waive an origination fee for a Farm Assets Reinvestment Management (FARM) loan.

Moving forward, there are a number of priorities that will need continued work next session. One such proposal is the Implements of Husbandry (IoH) package, addressing issues related to increasingly large and heavy farm equipment operating on Wisconsin roadways. Because of the ever-changing industry needs and the season-by-season importance, it’s essential that this package of proposals meets the expectations of our farming communities.

I was proud to support these agricultural priorities this session because I want to do all that I can to support one of Wisconsin’s most vital industries. Not only is agriculture an essential economic engine, but it is also a part of our identity as a state. Its importance cannot be underestimated, and neither can the hard work and dedication that is needed to successfully operate an agricultural business.

Sincerely,