This Saturday November 23rd marks the opener of the gun deer hunting season, one of Wisconsin’s great annual traditions. The season runs through December 1st. Wisconsin has the second-highest number of whitetail deer in the nation, and will attract an estimated 650,000 hunters this deer season.

The deer season is also an incredible economic driver in Wisconsin. The 9-day season will generate an estimated $2 billion in economic activity, and provides an incredible boost to retail stores, restaurants and taverns – particularly here in northern Wisconsin.

New to the 2013 season are several initiatives designed to improve the overall quality and enjoyment of our deer hunt. The WI DNR is working to increase hunter numbers, by offering a $5.00 discounted Gun Deer License to first-time hunters or those who have not purchased a license in more than ten years. For all others, the license is just $24.00.

There also is a new mobile app designed for Wisconsin hunters, a joint effort from the DNR and ParksByNature Network. The Wisconsin Fish & Wildlife Pocket Ranger app will operate on both iPhone and Android smartphones. The app has been released just in time for deer season and includes information on land open to hunting, rules and regulations, license and permit information, and a Trophy Case feature to upload your own photos of the deer harvest.

Finally, there is a special effort to recognize youth and other first-time hunters, with an offering of a Certificate of First Deer from the DNR.  Hunters who harvest their first deer can register online to receive an emailed certificate, with a photo upload of their deer and a signature of authentication from DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp.

Whether this is your first hunt or your fiftieth, I wish you all a safe and successful deer hunt this season in Wisconsin’s great outdoors!

Congratulations to Mr. Jim Draeger of Antigo, who was selected out of a statewide search to provide this year’s Capitol Christmas Tree. Jim and his team delivered the 25-foot tree from Kempster to the Capitol yesterday, along with several smaller trees that will also grace the Governor’s Executive Residence.

The tree will be decorated and set up for display in the Capitol Rotunda on December 2nd.  Below are a couple photos of the tree arriving at the Capitol yesterday.

Thank you Jim, for your generosity to Wisconsin.  Here is a great article from Fox 55 out of Wausau with Jim’s story.

Last week, the State Assembly passed a package of bills addressing mental health reform. These bills were a result of the Speaker’s Task Force on Mental Health that held hearings around the state earlier this year.

Roughly one in four American adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year and an estimated 50% of inmates in this country suffer from mental illness. It is also estimated that untreated mental illness could cost the US around $105 billion in lost productivity annually.

The task force heard testimony from mental health advocates and health experts. An overwhelming majority discussed the need for increased access to care and the importance of improved coordination between treatment providers.  This package was the most comprehensive mental health reform in state history, and has now moved to the state Senate for its consideration.

Several highlights from the package passed include:

• AB 452 – Creation of a Child Psychiatry Access Line – models successful efforts in Massachusetts and Minnesota, offering consultation line to primary care doctors to better provide mental health services.

• AB 457 – Mental Health Treatment and Diversion (TAD) – provides funding to expand TAD to include offenders with mental health disorders, so they can be treated, rather than locked up.

• AB 454 – Primary Care and Psychiatry Shortage Grant Program - encourages practices in underserved areas.

Extending Medicaid Coverage to WI Residents

In response to the myriad problems of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) rollout since October 1st, Governor Walker has announced a Special Session for a three-month extension to provide more time for Wisconsinites to make a transition to the federal health care exchanges.

The proposal will include:

• Three-month delay in implementation of the Wisconsin plan. The Wisconsin model reforms Medicaid to preserve it for our state’s neediest, while protecting taxpayers from the uncertainty related to federal government funding.
• Three-month extension of State’s Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan, known as HIRSP, to provide a safety net during the transition for some of the state’s most vulnerable.
• The Governor will request the federal government to allow citizens to use the federal subsidies on any health plan, not just those available on the federal exchange.

The legislature is expected to take up the MA extension in early December.

Rural Schools Task Force Website Now Available

The Assembly Rural Schools Task Force continues its work, meeting earlier this month in the Mauston and Elroy areas.  In December, we will hold a hearing at the State Capitol in Madison and January the task force will travle to the 35th Assembly District, for meetings in Elcho and Antigo.

To help interested citizens around the state keep up to date on our activity, the Task Force now has a website available.  It includes information and testimony from the public hearings, and will be updated frequently. 

Rep. Czaja and members of the Rural School Task Force November 6th in Mauston