Reps in the News: Birth Control, Workforce Development

Representative Joel Kitchens

“I am extremely grateful that the Wisconsin State Assembly passed my bill this week that would, under specific conditions, allow pharmacists to prescribe certain forms of birth control,” Rep. Kitchens said after the Assembly passed AB 304. 

Under current state law, hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives – including common birth-control pills – are available only through a prescription from a physician or an advanced practice nurse who has met the required qualifications. Kitchens’ bill, AB 304, adds pharmacists to the list of health-care providers who are allowed to prescribe contraceptive patches and pills in Wisconsin.

“I respect that people may have a moral objection to birth control,” Kitchens said. “Nevertheless, it is not the role of government to impose our morality onto others, especially when there is no medical basis to do so. I put my trust in the medical experts who have vast experience and knowledge in this area.”

The state Senate must pass the bill before it can be signed into law.

Source: Kitchens newsletter

Senator André Jacque

Sen. Jacque released this statement last week: “Earlier this week, the Senate passed two of my workforce-development bills: Senate Bill 44, Tools of the Trade, along with Senate Bill 72, Comprehensive Youth Apprenticeship Opportunities Act. The two measures significantly help youth working toward a career in the trades. 

“Senate Bill 44 creates a grant program for students participating in apprenticeships to purchase tools for their education. Senate Bill 72 requires the Department of Workforce Development to develop [curricula] in all 16 occupational areas as a ‘career cluster’ for the youth apprenticeship program. 

“My goal with these two bills is to make a career in the trades more accessible, and I look forward to the Assembly joining me.”

Source: Jacque newsletter

Governor Tony Evers

Gov. Evers joined Mary Kolar, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs; and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in unveiling an educational exhibit Nov. 7 at the state Capitol rotunda that highlights the military service of dozens of Wisconsin women veterans. 

The I Am Not Invisible traveling exhibit features 32 banners, each six feet tall, with portraits and stories of Wisconsin women veterans. It will remain on display in the Capitol through Nov. 15; then it will become part of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum’s collection of traveling exhibits, which are easy-to-assemble, pop-up banners that are made available to libraries, historical societies, schools and community spaces statewide upon request. 

There is no cost to reserve or host the exhibit; only shipping costs apply. Learn more about hosting the exhibit by calling 608.261.0541 or emailing [email protected].

Source: Evers press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

Sen. Baldwin joined nine of her colleagues in calling for action following alarming incidents of veterans receiving inadequate care or mistreatment at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) medical facilities. In a letter to VA Secretary Wilkie, the senators voiced their concerns about serious, high-profile cases of veteran abuse and employee misconduct within VA facilities across the country. 

“We are concerned about systemic issues that may be present within VA, affecting veterans’ ability to receive high-quality, timely health care,” the senators wrote. 

Source: Baldwin press release