August 21, 2014

Dear Friends and Neighbors -

Students are getting ready to head back to school, the Packers are gearing up for another Super Bowl run and the fun in western Wisconsin is just getting started. As summer is nearing an end, I've been busy across the district meeting with residents and enjoying many of the local events, festivals and parades.

This e-newsletter features an update on the state's potential BadgerCare savings, my upcoming office hours in Bangor and Onalaska and some useful back-to-school tips from the Wisconsin 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

Pay More, Get Less – The New “Wisconsin Way"

If you were forced to pay $100 more for your health care coverage, you’d expect to get better benefits, see a health care provider sooner or receive improved coverage. Right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case in Wisconsin where families are paying more and getting less. While other states are expanding access to coverage and holding down costs for taxpayers, Wisconsin is moving in the wrong direction.

A recent update from the legislature’s highly respected and non-partisan Fiscal Bureau revealed that Gov. Walker’s rejection of federal health care dollars has already cost Wisconsin taxpayers $206 million and will cost between $261 and $315 million more over the next three years. That’s roughly $100 from every man, woman and child in our state. This hidden health care tax hasn't improved care or expanded access either. In fact, tens of thousands of individuals have already been removed from the state’s popular BadgerCare program.

While Gov. Walker has described this plan as the “Wisconsin Way,” the reality is that dropping people off their health insurance and forcing taxpayers to pay more while getting less is the “Wrong Way.”

The impact on Wisconsin families has been well-documented. Estimates show that 3,367 eligible residents in Brown County have been denied coverage. 4,489 in Dane County, 1,566 in Eau Claire, 4,193 in La Crosse, 2,010 in Marathon, 21,959 in Milwaukee and 2,297 in Winnebago. All across Wisconsin, real people who are working hard to make ends meet are being denied health care coverage.

Rather than blocking these workers from accessing affordable coverage, we should work together to improve care and lower costs for everyone.

Last year during the 2013-2015 state budget debate, Democrats offered an alternative, commonsense plan. This plan was supported by many of the state’s respected hospitals and health care providers, the Wisconsin Medical Society, the Wisconsin Nurses Association, the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, and thousands of health care advocates. Not only would this plan have provided coverage for 87,000 additional Wisconsin residents, it also would have saved state taxpayers hundreds of millions.

Fortunately, we still have an opportunity to support this sensible and cost-effective plan in the next state budget. Rather than be an outlier, Wisconsin can join the majority of states that have implemented similar health care reforms, lowered health care costs and improved coverage for their residents. As Wisconsin’s economy continues to lag behind our neighbors and our budget deficit continues to grow, it’s critical that we move past the partisan bickering and support commonsense policies that save taxpayer dollars and provide real benefits to working families across the state.

We know that Wisconsin does better when we all do better. And we all do better when our children, our families, our neighbors and our co-workers have access to affordable health care. Instead of rejecting a sensible, cost-effective plan because of petty partisan politics, we should work together to strengthen BadgerCare, save taxpayers money and give families the freedom to live healthy and productive lives.

- Jennifer Shilling

Bangor and Onalaska office hours

Meeting with community members face-to-face and keeping in touch with local residents helps me to best represent our shared values in the legislature. I value your opinions and I always welcome your feedback on issues that are important to you.

I'm pleased to announce that I will be holding local office hour meetings in Bangor and Onalaska next Tuesday, August 26th, at both the Bangor Library and Onalaska Library. Anyone who would like to sit down with me and talk about legislation, budget proposals or any other state government issues is welcome to attend.
 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014
4:00pm-5:00pm
John Bosshard Memorial Library
1720 Henry Johns Blvd.
Bangor, WI 54614
 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014
5:30pm-6:30pm
Onalaska Public Library
741 Oak Avenue South
Onalaska, WI 54650
 

I am always available to help, and these local meetings are one more way for me to serve local citizens. If you aren't able to attend either of these events but still have any thoughts you'd like to share, you can always contact me via email at Sen.Shilling@legis.wi.gov or by phone at 1-800-385-3385.
 

Around The District

Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging

I enjoyed speaking at the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources training in La Crosse last week. These leaders are stepping up to advocate for seniors and advance policies on a wide range of issues including health care access, transportation assistance and affordable housing.

National Health Center Week

I recently met with the Scenic Bluffs Health Center Board of Directors during National Health Center Week. Their clinic in Cashton employs 70 people and helped 8,000 patients with 20,000 visits last year. Scenic Bluffs and all of our Community Health Centers play an important role in our communities and I've been proud to support their efforts.

Kickapoo River tubing

My family and I recently had an opportunity to go tubing on the Kickapoo River. It's nice to have so many outdoor activities to choose from in the Driftless Region and I want to thank Kettner's Riverfront Cabins for helping to arrange a fun-filled afternoon!

Crawford County Fair

It was great to see so many friends and neighbors out at the Crawford County Fair this year. We had great weather for a weekend of food, fun and festivities at the fair!

Shilling recognized for legislative accomplishments

MADISON – Supporting commonsense policies, helping working families and strengthening the middle class continue to be top priorities for Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). After being recognized by several statewide organizations this spring for her bipartisan work on issues ranging from job creation to investments in local communities, Sen. Shilling has received another round of honors.

Shilling was recently named a “2014 Environmental Champion” by the Sierra Club, a “2014 Community Health Centers Friend” by the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association, and she received a 100% working families voting record from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.

“Supporting commonsense policies that help working families and strengthen our communities has been my top priority,” said Sen. Shilling. “Neighbors and businesses throughout western Wisconsin want leaders who are problem solvers that stand up for our shared values. Whether it’s raising the minimum wage, fighting for access to affordable health care, or protecting our clean air and drinking water, we must continue working to improve our state and grow our middle class.”

The Sierra Club’s “2014 Environmental Champion” award recognizes legislators who have demonstrated their commitment to preserving Wisconsin’s environment, protecting local control, and maintaining clean air and water.

Shilling was the only state senator honored with the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association’s “2014 Community Health Centers Friend” award. This recognition went to a bi-partisan group of lawmakers who have worked to advance access to medical, dental and behavioral health care.

Shilling’s support of working families also earned her a 100% working families voting record from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. She was one of only eight state senators who were recognized for supporting a minimum wage increase, advocating for Made in America legislation and fighting to restore the Equal Pay Enforcement Act.

Earlier this year, Sen. Shilling was awarded the "2014 Government Leadership Award" from the Wisconsin Rehabilitation Association and Rehabilitation for Wisconsin, the “2014 Friend of Housing Award” from the Wisconsin Builders Association, the “2014 Friend of Family Medicine Award” from the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, the “Conservation Champion Award” from the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, and the “Outstanding Legislator Award” from the Wisconsin Counties Association.
 

WI DNR: Back to school tips for reducing waste, cutting costs

Back-to-school time is right around the corner for many families. Judging from the number of fliers clogging mailboxes, going back to school means new stuff—notebooks, calculators, clothes, backpacks and more. This year, as you embark on your shopping trips, consider these suggestions for reducing waste as you prepare for the school year ahead.

School supplies

• You can reuse many school supplies from year to year. Save and reuse notebooks with paper left in them; folders that are not too battered; and backpacks, binders and calculators.

• Several programs and organizations accept donated school supplies to send to needy schools around the world. If there are items you can't reuse yourself, consider donating.

• When buying new school supplies, look for paper and plastic products that contain recycled content. On notebooks, folders, and other paper products look for statements like "made from recycled content" and "30% post-consumer paper."

• As much as possible, purchase supplies in bulk and with minimal packaging. This keeps materials out of the waste stream and reduces the need for new materials.

Lunches and snacks

• Instead of plastic or paper bags, use reusable cloth bags and plastic containers. Invest in a reusable plastic or metal container for carrying drinks, rather than purchasing single-use water bottles or juice boxes. This will save you money and reduce waste.

Clothing, electronics and other supplies

• Last year's clothes, shoes and backpacks may no longer fit your growing kids. If you have clothing or sporting goods that are in good, usable condition, consider donating them to local thrift stores, charitable organizations or clothing drives. Donating keeps your old belongings out of the trash loop, and helps those in need. If you are replacing computers, printers, calculators or other electronics, consider donating or recycling them. Many organizations will accept donations of working electronics. E-Cycle Wisconsin makes recycling electronics easier by providing a list of collection locations across the state for items like computers, printers, cell phones and more. See how to recycle electronics for more information.

Education

Back-to-school season is a great time to talk to your kids and their teachers about the importance of waste reduction and recycling. When you're going through last year's supplies, talk to your child about how to reduce the amount of waste they create, reuse what they can and recycle the rest, and why this is important. Talk to your child's teacher about teaching and using recycling principles in the classroom.

The DNR's Environmental Education for Kids! (EEK!) has potential recycling activities.

Get more information on waste reduction and recycling at school from our Green and Healthy Schools program.

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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