A Welcome from Rep. Nancy VanderMeer

I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather. It's been a busy few weeks since the last update. I have been busy going to events, visiting with constituents and touring local businesses. In Madison, the Assembly was on the floor last week and I continue to work with my Assembly colleagues to improve the proposed state budget. A lot has changed since I penned my Budget Column that many of you hopefully had the opportunity to read.  This will be a good opportunity to fill you in on what's been going on.

Memorial Day

Before I begin with the update, I would like to remind everyone that Memorial Day is on Monday. As most of you know, Memorial Day is a holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.

Whatever your plans may be, make sure to remember that more than 1.2 million American soldiers have perished as a result of military conflicts. Because of them, we are able to live in a free society. It's important to take time to mourn the loss of those men and women, as well as those who have passed on after their military service ended. I hope everyone has a good Memorial Day weekend!

Public Education is a Top Priority

Joint Finance Committee’s K-12 education funding plan that will restore funding by $150 per pupil in the first year and add an extra $100 per pupil in the second year. That’s an added investment of over $200 million over the biennium.

This plan keeps our commitment to our local schools. We know that in order for our children to have access to the best education, they need to be provided with the necessary resources. Even though our state’s budget is tight, my colleagues and I have made finding ways to invest in our public education system our top priority. A strong education system translates into a strong workforce equipped for the challenges of the 21st century economy.

I’m grateful that the leaders of the Joint Finance Committee responded to the concerns of teachers, administrators and parents all across our state by repealing the cuts to education included in Governor Walker’s budget. My goal is that the final version of the state budget is one we can all be proud of. Today’s action is a major step in the right direction as the Legislature prepares to vote on the budget in the coming weeks.

Supporting Rural Schools

I am pleased to see that the Joint Finance Committee has focused on rural initiatives to help our students succeed. In the 70th Assembly District, our rural schools face unique challenges due to geography, especially in the areas of transportation costs and technology. Providing the necessary resources is essential for rural schools to provide a quality education to our students.

Last session, the Assembly Speaker’s Task Force on Rural School was created to study issues related to financial stability, declining enrollment, transportation needs and other rural school issues. The bipartisan taskforce submitted a report with numerous recommendations to Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) in the spring of 2014.

The following task force recommendations have now been approved by the JFC to be included in the final state budget bill:
                       • Allow school districts to share certain grades without consolidation
                       • Encourage internet providers to extend high-speed internet access throughout Wisconsin
                       • Create a new version of the TEACH program to provide digital learning tools
                       • Increase funding for high-cost transportation aid by an additional $5 million
                       • Increase funding for sparsity aid by an additional $8.4 million
                       • Allow flexibility in teacher licensing to provide more technical education classes

It's important that students in our rural district receive every opportunity that is available to those who attend school in a more urban area. I commend the JFC for recognizing how important these additional investments are to the future of our young people, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to stand up for rural schools.

FamilyCare & IRIS

I am happy to report that the Joint Finance Committee’s has made the decision to repeal Governor Walker’s Long Term Care proposal included in the 2015-2017 state budget. Ever since the Governor introduced his budget plan, I’ve been working to reverse these unnecessary changes to our state’s successful Long Term Care programs. 

In removing the Governor’s changes to FamilyCare and IRIS, the new proposal gives the Department of Health Services limited authority to negotiate with the federal government on potential changes to FamilyCare to better integrate long term and medical care. The process would include several notable components, such as: mandatory public and stakeholder input, robust, self-directed care with budget authority, preservation of ADRC services, and final approval of any federal waiver applications by legislative Joint Finance Committee.

As a former board member of Handishop Industries, a community-based organization dedicated to facilitating the developmental, social, vocational, and transportation needs of people with special needs, I know how important Long Term Care programs like IRIS are to individuals. I’m glad to have been able to work with the Joint Finance Committee members in making these changes.

SeniorCare

Wisconsin’s FoodShare Program

Promoting a Drug-Free Workforce

I also voted for two bills that will help individuals fight substance abuse and ultimately, be ready for the workforce. Assembly Bill 191 and Assembly Bill 192 allow for screening of recipients on government job training programs within FoodShare and Transitional Jobs or are receiving unemployment insurance benefits. If there is a reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use, the individual would submit to a drug test. Then, those who test positive would receive the necessary treatment to help them become employable citizens in Wisconsin. There are thousands of jobs available that are going unfilled and these bills provide the funding and treatment for individuals who need the help, which will then place them on a path toward employment.

Recently, I had the honor of raising the flags in Sparta for the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. This year, the Elroy-Sparta State Trail is celebrating its 50th anniversary since its establishment in 1965. The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is considered to be the first rail-to-trail in the country, and its 32.5-mile route contains three rock tunnels and passes through five small communities across Monroe and Juneau counties.

Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail's 50th Anniversary Ride & Ceremony

On June 6th, the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail's will have its 50th Anniversary Ride & Ceremony. The celebration starts off with the 50th Anniversary Bike Ride on the trail. 50 riders from each of the 5 communities along the trail - Elroy, Sparta, Kendall, Norwalk and Wilton - will be part of the ride. You can join the ride free by registering on www.50elroyspartabiketrail.com. Bicyclists will ride the trail in the morning and then all will meet at Tunnel #1 between Wilton and Kendall for a group picture. The 250 riders will ride together to Kendall at 1:30pm for the 50th Anniversary Ceremony at the Kendall Depot at 2:00pm.

Featured speakers at the Ceremony include former WI Governor Tommy Thompson, WI Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett, Kurt Thiede from the WI Department of Natural Resources, and Friends of the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail President Dave Heilman. I hope to see you there!

Recently, I had the privilege of meeting with Alliant Energy employees at the company's Tomah Operations Center. I also had the opportunity to meet with employees at Cardinal Glass IG and tour their interior glass facility in Tomah, which is undergoing an expansion. It was a great experience learning about two excellent local businesses in the 70th Assembly District. I want to thank Alliant Energy and Cardinal Glass IG for their hospitality!

Sincerely,