News

More news items can be found at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin  and the Democratic National Committee websites.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Rural Schools Receive Sparsity Aid Grants

“Small, rural school districts in the 31st Senate District will benefit from an increased investment in Sparsity Aid,” announced State Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma). “This popular categorical aid will help maintain the lifeblood of our rural communities – our schools.”

In September the Department of Public Instruction will distribute a total of $14.9 million in Sparsity aid to 123 small, rural schools throughout the state. This is an increase over the previous year Sparsity aid funding of $3.5 million.

“I fought for increased investment in Sparsity aid during deliberations on the 2009-10 State Budget,” said Vinehout. “The additional funding can be used for purposes determined by the school district such as keeping core educational programs and quality teachers or paying for operational costs schools can’t control such as fuel, power, heating and health care bills.”

Vinehout worked with former State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster and DPI staff to create the Sparsity categorical aid in the 2007-09 State Budget.

“Senator Kathleen Vinehout’s leadership ensured needed relief for rural school districts struggling with rising costs,” said former State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. “Sparsity aid will support our public schools districts in their important role of educating students in our rural communities.”

Eligibility criteria for Sparsity Aid includes enrollment no more than 725 students, enrollment density less than 10 students per square mile and at least 20 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-priced school meals. In the 31st Senate District, eligible school districts will receive a total of $1,296,762. Those districts include:

Alma $76,595

Alma Center $166,988

Augusta $185,292

Blair-Taylor $186,700

Cochrane-Fountain City $186,418

Eleva-Strum $177,970

Gilmanton $56,320

Independence $105,036

Pepin Area $73,216

Plum City $82,227

“Even with the additional dollars, more and more school districts are running into severe financial difficulties,” said Vinehout. “School funding reform remains a priority and I am pleased our current State Superintendent Tony Evers included increased funding for Sparsity aid as part of his school funding reform recommendations.”

June 24, 2010

Fraud Hotline (1-877-FRAUD-17) is an Important Tool for Good Government

(Madison) The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) today released its report summarizing and highlighting the activities of its Fraud, Waste, and Mismanagement Hotline. Established in April 2008, the hotline offers the public, public employees, and contractors with a confidential means to report suspected fraud, waste, mismanagement, and other improper activities within the scope of state government.

Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) and Representative Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), co-chairpersons of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, described the hotline as an important oversight tool for promoting good government at the state level.

“The Hotline gives people a way to blow the whistle on suspected bad actors without the threat of retaliation,” Senator Vinehout said. “With the tips given via the Hotline we can identify problems and follow-up with action necessary ensure taxpayer dollars are properly spent.”

Any individual may report concerns related to state government activities to LAB by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-FRAUD-17, by mail, or though a secure Web-based reporting form available at www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab  By law, the identity of the individual will remain confidential.

“Using the Hotline, citizens can play an active, front-line role in stamping out fraud and waste in our government,” Representative Barca said. “This report speaks to the value of the service and shows that the calls are receiving thorough attention. I encourage anyone to report areas of concern to the Legislative Audit Bureau for further review.”

Of the 79 hotline reports received by LAB in 2009, 53 were specific to state programs. LAB resolved 16 of the reported concerns, 19 remain under review, and 18 could not be substantiated with available information or required no further action.

Copies of the 2009 report on hotline activity may be obtained from LAB’s Web site at www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab  or by calling (608) 266-2818.

February 10, 2010
Barca and Vinehout Receive 2010 Outstanding Legislative Service Award

Wisconsin Association of County Homes Recognize Representative Peter Barca and Senator Kathleen Vinehout for Outstanding Service

MADISON - Representative Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) and Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma) were recognized by the Wisconsin Association of County Homes and presented with the 2010 Outstanding Legislative Service Award. The association selected one member of the Assembly and one member of the Senate for the award. The Wisconsin Association of County Homes was in Madison to lobby legislators on their legislative agenda and to hold their spring conference.

“It is truly an honor to be selected for such an award,” Representative Barca explained. “I believe it is critical that we protect our county nursing homes so they can continue to provide basic, affordable healthcare services to our aging population. In Kenosha, we are blessed to have a high quality facility like the Brookside Care Center and I will continue to be a strong advocate for county nursing homes in the future.”

Barca and Vinehout were chosen for the award in large part due to their efforts during the state’s biennial budget process last spring to restore funding of the Certified Public Expenditure to county nursing homes. The budget that Governor Doyle had initially introduced called for the state to keep that funding, however the legislature deleted that provision and returned approximately $10.2 million to county nursing homes.

“County nursing homes are vital partners in providing quality care for our frail and elderly citizens,” Sen. Vinehout said. “Even in the face of the most serious budget shortfall, the state simply could not retreat from its commitment to that partnership. Doing so would have jeopardized not only resident care but the economic contributions of our county homes to our communities.”

“The Association of County Homes worked very hard to ensure that the Certified Public Expenditure funding to county nursing homes was restored in the current budget,” said Fran Petrick, Past President of the WACH and Administer of Brookside Care Center in Kenosha. “We were successful because of the support we received from our legislators. When I asked our members about who they believed the key legislative leaders on this issue were, it was their response that Representative Barca and Senator Vinehout should be especially recognized for their contributions.”

Representative Barca and Senator Vinehout were invited to address the association during the lunch portion of their conference.

November 5th, 2009
Legislation Authored by Rep. Danou to Curb Organized Retail Crime & Protect Law Enforcement Clears Assembly
AB 241 & 269 Passed by the Wisconsin State Assembly with bi-partisan support

MADISON - State Representative Chris Danou (D-Trempealeau) is pleased to announce the passage of two key law enforcement bills: AB 241 and 269. AB 241 seeks to curb the problem of Organized Retail Crime (ORC) in Wisconsin. Unlike shoplifting, where the thieves usually work alone and steal items for personal use, ORC involves teams of two people or more who steal merchandise from retailers with the intent to resell the products. These teams work by distracting the sales staff, then stealing small but expensive products. The Wisconsin Grocer’s Association estimates that ORC costs Wisconsin retailers $631 million annually.

“Small business owners can’t afford to absorb the losses they suffer because of Organized Retail Crime - so sadly, the cost of these thefts are often passed directly onto consumers,” said Rep. Danou. “In stopping retail theft rings, we can help support Wisconsin businesses and keep the prices of everyday household goods down for Wisconsin families.”

“As a police officer, Representative Danou had direct experience with this type of crime. His first-hand knowledge of the problem and his perseverance as a legislator has been key to moving this bill through committee,” said Michelle Kussow, VP-Government Affairs & Communications for the Wisconsin Grocers Association.

Assembly Bill 269, dubbed the Police Protection Act, also cleared the Assembly Chamber with wide bi-partisan support. Under this bill, a person who causes bodily harm to a law enforcement officer while the person is resisting or obstructing, is guilty of a Class H felony.

“Law enforcement from around our state puts their lives on the line each and every day to keep Wisconsin’s citizens safe. I am pleased that the Wisconsin State Assembly has joined me in taking action to protect the people who protect us,” said Rep. Chris Danou (D-Trempealeau).

Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association (WPPA) commented: “From starting his career in public service as a law enforcement officer to his public service now as a Wisconsin State Representative, Chris Danou has been working to keeps the citizens of Wisconsin safe and the (WPPA) is pleased to support him in that effort.”