Rep Quinn, Assembly District 75 (R - Rice Lake) - This week the Assembly Natural Resources and Sporting Heritage Committee held a hearing on AB 61, a bill I co-authored with Rep. Jarchow, which sunsets the deer feeding ban. Under the current law, the DNR must prohibit deer feeding in counties where chronic wasting disease or bovine tuberculosis are confirmed, and any counties that are within 10 miles of the animal. This bill clarifies this law so that if no new cases are found, the feeding ban cannot be in effect for longer than 36 months in the county where the animal was found or 24 months in a neighboring county. Click HERE to see the full video. | | |
This week's featured bills, all of which are a part of the Rural Wisconsin Initiative health care package, are: - LRB 2476: This bill is one of four bills that is in the health care package for the Rural Wisconsin Initiative. LRB 2476, which I authored, requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to distribute grant money to hospitals and clinics that provide training opportunities to advanced practice clinicians such as nurse practitioners. In determining which hospitals receive grants, preference is to be given to rural hospitals and clinics for first-time grants.
- LRB 2202: This bill requires DHS to distribute grants to hospitals, health systems, and educational entities that form health care education and training consortia for allied health professionals. The grants can be used for curriculum and faculty development, tuition reimbursement, or clinical site expenses.
- LRB 2259: This bill requires DHS to distribute $500,000 in grant money to hospitals in rural areas or health systems, clinics, or medical centers staffed by physicians who admit patients to a hospital located in a rural area. There are a minimum of two grants from this amount and the applicants must show that they can match the funds given.
- LRB 2525: This bill requires DHS to distribute $100,000 in grants to the Wisconsin Hospital Association Foundation Quality Improvement Fund to increase rural hospital participation and broaden quality improvement activities.
Budget Listening SessionsAs I did two years ago, I will once again be holding listening sessions across the district to get your input on Governor Walker's proposed budget. Here is the schedule: - March 23, 6:30 - 7:30 pm at the Chetek City Hall-Council Chambers (220 Stout Street, Chetek)
- April 1, 4:00 - 5:30 pm at the Barron City Hall (1456 East La Salle Avenue, Barron)
- April 7, 6:00 - 7:30 pm at the Rice Lake City Hall Lakeshore/Council Room (30 E Eau Claire Street, Rice Lake)
- April 8, 10:00 - 11:30 am at the Clear Lake Community Center (560 5th Street NW, Clear Lake)
The Joint Committee on Finance also holds listening sessions around the state to get public input about Governor Walker's budget. The session that is closest to our district will be on April 18th, at Spooner High School, 801 Co. Hwy. A, Spooner, WI 54801. Starting time for the listening session is not yet known, but once we find out we will update you. | |
