September 4, 2014

Dear Friends and Neighbors -

It's back to school season and things across Wisconsin are starting to pick up again.

This e-newsletter features an update on the state's budget deficit, new economic numbers, local health care services, the BadgerCoulee proposal and some helpful information from the DNR.

I hope you find this information helpful, and don't forget to get out and enjoy all of the fun upcoming events in western Wisconsin!

Sincerely,

Jennifer K. Shilling
State Senator | 32nd District

$115 million budget deficit looms as Wisconsin's economic struggles continue

Wisconsin families got a double dose of bad news over the past week after it was revealed that revenue collections came in well below the state's conservative budget projections. In addition to the bad budget news, newly released jobs numbers continue to show the Wisconsin economy lagging behind other Midwestern states.

The new $281 million revenue shortfall means that Wisconsin is facing a $115 million budget deficit and lawmakers may need to adopt an emergency budget repair bill to prevent the state from missing its payments. If the economy continues to struggle and family incomes don't increase substantially over the next year, the budget deficit could rise even higher.

Here are a few recent news articles detailing these new challenges:

"If the state doesn't make up this missing money by June 30, 2015 — either through higher-than-expected tax revenue or lower-than-expected spending going forward — the state budget would be $115 million in the red by next summer." - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"An even bigger problem looms for the next two-year budget that begins in mid-2015 and that the Legislature will pass next year. Not counting the lower tax collections reported Thursday, the next budget was already projected to begin $642 million in the hole." - Wisconsin State Journal

"Adding to the bad news, the state Department of Workforce Development reported late Thursday that private-sector jobs grew just 1.3 percent during the 12-month period ending in March." - La Crosse Tribune

Back to School

For many students across Wisconsin, the start of September means it's back to school time. My boys were excited to get on the bus and start school earlier this week and we're all thankful for the dedicated educators and support staff that make our schools great. 

Women's Equality Day 2014

August 26th was Women's Equality Day which marked the 94th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in America. Unfortunately, gender inequality still exists in our country today and there is more work to be done.

Women in Wisconsin are paid 78 cents for every dollar paid to men on average, and for women of color, the disparity is even wider. Politicians continue to play games with women's health by making it more difficult to access birth control and family planning services, eliminating funding for cancer screenings and annual exams, and placing barriers between the ability of women and their doctors to make important, personal healthcare decisions.

As we continue to advocate for our shared family values and greater workplace flexibility, it's important to note the progress that we've made and the long road that lies ahead.

News from Options Clinic

Options Clinic has been busy this summer! Staff members and volunteers have been traveling all over the region to attend farmers markets, dairy breakfasts, and community fairs. The need is great- in just this four county area (Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon) there are an estimated 9,340 women in need of publicly funded contraceptives because they cannot access these services elsewhere, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Community outreach is one of the best ways to build trust, engage communities, and dispel myths about Options Clinic services. That’s why the Options Clinic team has been busy, attending over 40 events in communities all around Western Wisconsin, providing information and answering questions. Options Clinic anticipates serving 8000 clients in 2014.

Options Clinic has also partnered with dermatologist Dr. Stephen Webster of Gundersen Health System to provide free skin cancer screenings in a number of clinic locations. So far this year, Options Clinic has held four skin screening clinics in Viroqua, La Crosse, Sparta, and Whitehall. One hundred and eight people have been screened and 30% of those screened have been referred on for treatment. Due to their popularity and a high level of need, a fifth skin cancer screening is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14th from 9am-2:30pm in Viroqua, WI. No appointment is necessary, walk-ins are encouraged, and the skin cancer screenings are free. “We’re committed to making our communities healthier in every way we can. Family planning services are so important, but so is comprehensive healthcare. We want people to know that we’re a health resource and we’re invested in the improvement of our communities,” says Options Clinic’s executive director, Beth Hartung.

Options Clinic provides the following services on a sliding fee scale:
Annual Exams
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings
FDA Approved Birth Control Methods
STD Testing and Treatment
Pregnancy Testing and Counseling
Emergency Contraception
IUD Insertion and Removal
Implant Insertion and Removal

There are seven Options Clinic locations throughout Western Wisconsin, including La Crosse, Sparta, Viroqua, Prairie du Chien, Richland Center, Whitehall, and Black River Falls. For clinic hours or more information, visit www.optionsclinic.org.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-657-5177
 

Badger-Coulee proposal: Next public comment phase has begun

The PSC recently released the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Badger-Coulee proposal. You can view the draft environmental statement here: Badger Coulee draft EIS. I encourage you to read through the document which was created by PSC staff based on comments and documents provided during the PSC Scoping Meetings and public comment period.

With the release of the draft EIS, a new public comment period has begun. From now until October 3rd, the public can weigh in and suggest changes to be reflected in the final EIS. This comment period is a chance for the public to comment on the draft EIS specifically. Even if you have already submitted comments to the PSC, I recommend that you review the EIS and submit any comments related to the draft EIS. You may submit comments to the PSC by visiting http://psc.wi.gov/apps40/dockets/comment.aspx and clicking on “File a Comment” under the Badger Coulee project. Comments are also accepted via mail at:

Docket 5-CE-142 Comments
Public Service Commission
P.O. Box 7854
Madison, WI 53707

Comments submitted during this phase will be considered by PSC staff as part of the final EIS which goes to the Commissioners to make their final decision on the application. Once comments to the PSC are assessed and incorporated into the EIS, the PSC will release the final EIS and additional public hearings will be held. The PSC expects to hold the final public hearings in December of 2014 and will likely meet to make their final ruling on this project at a public meeting in the spring of 2015.

The Citizens Energy Task Force (CETF) and SOUL of Wisconsin have highlighted the following as the primary issues of contention in the draft EIS:
• Need,
• Cumulative impacts of multiple transmission lines on some communities,
• Compatibility of proposed routes with local land use plans,
• Individual hardships and property impacts, and
• Reliable transfer of renewable generation resources.
 

SOUL of Wisconsin set up a specific website with information about commenting on the draft EIS which you can visit to learn more or to get more involved in this process: SOUL Draft Impact Statement.

Please let me know if my office can assist you in contacting the PSC or learning more about this process.
 

News from the Department of Natural Resources

Report recognizes importance of groundwater for human health, the environment and economy
An annual report by the Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council highlights the critical role groundwater plays in human health, the environment and economy and supports additional research and cooperation to understand how best to manage the precious resource.

DNR Public Access Lands atlas is perfect for finding public lands to hunt, view fall colors, and enjoy other fall activities
With fall colors, hunting seasons, and cooler weather approaching, outdoor enthusiasts are reminded to check out the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Public Access Lands atlas.

Three new trails open to hikers, bikers this summer in Wisconsin
Hikers and bicyclists have additional trails to explore in Wisconsin this summer and fall with the opening of three new trails this summer.

Updated fish consumption advice now available
Updated fish consumption advice for 2014 is now available from the DNR’s “Eating Your Catch” website.

Want to try hunting? Local ‘Learn to Hunt’ events are the way to go
Have you thought you might like to hunt, but weren’t sure how to get started? Sign up for a Learn to Hunt event.

Sept. 13 marks opening of archery deer hunting season and Wisconsin’s first statewide crossbow hunting season
With fall right around the corner, Sept. 13 marks the opening of the 2014 archery and crossbow deer hunting seasons. These seasons will run concurrently statewide, from Sept. 13 to Jan. 4, 2015.

Crossbow, archery hunters should review safety rules before the first trek in woods
The Wisconsin crossbow deer and archery deer hunting seasons starting Sept. 13 usher in an expanded crossbow license opportunity for any qualified hunter as one of the deer hunting rule changes to help hunters participate in the fall season.

Fall wild turkey, ruffed grouse and woodcock seasons set to open
Prospects are good for both the fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse hunting seasons, both of which open Saturday, Sept. 13.

County Deer Advisory Councils will provide great opportunity for local input and deer herd management throughout Wisconsin
Planning for the 2015 deer hunting season is underway, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Conservation Congress encourage anyone interested in discussing their local deer herd to attend a County Deer Advisory Council meeting this fall.

2014 Wisconsin wild rice harvest season outlook
Reports on the abundance of wild rice across northern Wisconsin vary for the 2014 ricing season, but the season outlook is generally fair, according to state and tribal biologists. Overall, rice maturity will be later due to this year’s weather patterns, and rice found within river systems may be maturing slightly earlier than rice found within lakes and flowages.

Natural gas pipeline lateral project may result in the incidental take of rare species
Construction of a new natural gas lateral in west central Wisconsin may result in the "incidental taking" of several rare species under an authorization the Department of Natural Resources proposes to issue for the project. Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the overall population of the species at risk.

Calendar of Events

I apologize if any upcoming events in the area were left off. If you would like me to include an event in future e-updates, please email me the date, location and a website with details.

Senator Jennifer Shilling
P.O. Box 7882 - Madison, WI 53707

phone: 608.266.5490   

email: sen.shilling@legis.wi.gov

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