Reps in the News: Jan. 31-Feb. 7

Representative Joel Kitchens

Rep. Joel Kitchens said he is excited that the Wisconsin Assembly passed his bill that releases $5.2 million in Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds.

“Almost 25 percent of that total – or $1.4 million, to be exact – will be coming to Door County to replace the large toilet-and-shower facility at the Tennison Bay Campground at Peninsula State Park,” Kitchen said. “This is sorely needed as the existing amenities are more than 50 years old. AB-134 requires the remaining portion of the $5.2 million to go toward upgrading water fountains, water lines and toilet systems at other state parks. 

“By providing this funding to improve and maintain Wisconsin’s park facilities, we are also enhancing the experiences of our visitors, making it more likely they will frequent our state parks for many years to come.”

Source: Kitchens press release

Representative Mike Gallagher

On the floor of the House of Representatives, Rep. Mike Gallagher discussed the polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in northeast Wisconsin’s water.

“Last week the House passed HR-535, the PFAS Action Act of 2019,” he said. “This important legislation marks a critical step forward in addressing the public-health crisis caused by ‘forever chemicals’ like PFAS. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, certain compounds of PFAS like PFOA and PFOS are known to cause liver damage, thyroid disease, asthma, birth defects and even some cancers. And unfortunately, for many in northeast Wisconsin, this fight is personal.

“Anyone who’s been to our small corner of the country knows that water is part of what makes northeast Wisconsin so special. Unfortunately, this water, which is so central to our way of life, is under threat from chemicals like PFOA and PFOS.”

Source: Gallagher press release

Senator Tammy Baldwin

U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Jim Risch are leading their bipartisan colleagues in standing up for America’s dairy farmers in a letter to Stephen Hahn, the new commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Working on behalf of dairy farmers in Wisconsin, Idaho and across the country, Baldwin and Risch implored Commissioner Hahn to work with Congress to combat the misuse of dairy terms on nondairy products.

“Dairy farmers across our nation work hard to ensure their products are healthy, nutrient-dense and in compliance with FDA regulations regarding the use of dairy terms. However, there are many nondairy imitation products in the marketplace using dairy terms. This represents a clear violation of existing FDA rules,” the senators wrote in their letter. “When nondairy alternatives use dairy terms to describe their imitation products, the imitators are often assumed to have the same health benefits and nutrient levels as real dairy products. This is both unfair to our hardworking dairy farmers and problematic for consumers, making it harder for Americans to make educated decisions regarding what they feed themselves and their families.”

Source: Baldwin press release