June 4, 2009

Dear Neighbor:

The Legislature is beginning one of our busiest months during the session.  Job #1 is to pass the state budget on time.  This edition will focus on the state budget, but also highlight some potentially good news for Janesville and include information on the reintroduction of the Wisconsin Health Security Act and a bill that I am proposing to help people make smarter food choices when dining out.

Janesville Plant in the Final Three

I am extremely pleased that General Motors is considering the Janesville plant as one of three being considered for production of a new small car line.  Wisconsin has one of the highest quality workforces in the nation and our state is eager to get back to work.  Special kudos to UAW Local 95 workers who made significant contract concessions in order to put the Janesville plant in a position to receive a new production line.  Time and again these workers have demonstrated their dedication and loyalty to GM.  This is positive news in an otherwise gloomy economy.

State Budget Update

As you know, the national economic crisis has had a devastating ripple effect on state budgets across the country.  In fact, 47 states are strapped with significant budget deficits this year.  Wisconsin faces a $6.6 billion shortfall, the largest in its history.  The challenges this deficit presents are daunting, but I know that people like you have sent me to Madison to make the difficult decisions needed to bridge the gap.

Families across Wisconsin and in our community tightening their belts in these tough times, and government must do the same.  The budget plan we are working on features a record $3.2 billion in spending cuts.  This proposal includes 5% across-the-board reductions for state agencies, the cancellation of scheduled raises for state workers, and employee furloughs.

The Assembly is leading the charge on state cutbacks, returning 6% from our own operating budget.  Along with Assembly leaders, I have also taken action to freeze legislators’ salaries, and in solidarity with my staff and other state workers who face furloughs, have decided to give back 16 days worth of pay over the next two years.

These shared sacrifices have allowed us to minimize the impact of this deficit on Wisconsin’s middle class and working families.  Under this budget, more than 99% of all Wisconsinites will see no increase in their income taxes.  We have also been able to avoid a general sales tax increase or a directed property tax increase.  It is critical that we balance this budget while holding the line on taxes.

Additionally, this budget minimizes the deficit impact on key investments, like education and support for community.  We must protect and preserve the programs that make Wisconsin a great place to live and work, and that position our state for a recovery.  By demonstrating responsible leadership, we will get through this fiscal crisis, get this economy turned around, and make our great state even stronger. 

It seems likely that the budget will be before the Assembly next week.  At that time, I will only have a vote on the plan as a whole; I cannot pick and choose budget measures I like or dislike.

When the budget passes the Assembly, it will be sent on to the Senate for a vote.  If there are differences between the budget passed by the Assembly and the budget passed by the Senate, those differences will have to be worked out in a bipartisan conference committee composed of legislative leaders.  Once the same version of budget has passed both houses, the budget bill will be sent to Governor Jim Doyle for his signature.  He also has the authority to make partial vetoes.

The budget process has been a long and deliberative one.  Tens of thousands of Wisconsin residents participated in the process by testifying at statewide hearings, sending emails or calling their legislators.  This was also the first budget to be broadcast in its entirety on Wisconsin Eye.

WISCONSIN HEALTH SECURITY ACT

I am very pleased to announce that I am going to be reintroducing the Wisconsin Health Security Act for the 2009-10 session. 

The Wisconsin Health Security Act is a legislative proposal that establishes a health plan for Wisconsin, under which each state resident shall receive reasonable medical services necessary to maintain health, enable diagnosis, and provide treatment or rehabilitation for an injury, disability, or disease. This bill will ensure that every Wisconsin resident has access to health care.

The bill creates a Department of Health Planning and Finance and six regional offices which are advised by consumers and practitioners at the regional level. This allows accountability and ensures that specific health care needs, problems and concerns of each individual region are being addressed on an on-going basis. In addition, consumers and practitioners at the state level will be involved in determining amounts and sources of funds for payment to providers, applying for waivers and obtaining federal funding, establishing a listing of approved medication and numerous other health-related matters.

Just today the American Journal of Medicine released a study that links medical costs to personal bankruptcy.  According to a story in BusinessWeek, the study shows that, Medical problems caused 62% of all personal bankruptcies filed in the U.S. in 2007…And in a finding that surprised even the researchers, 78% of those filers had medical insurance at the start of their illness, including 60.3% who had private coverage, not Medicare or Medicaid.”

This is inexcusable in America.  Health care, like public education, is a right of all Americans.  As President Harry Truman once said, “The time has arrived to help millions of Americans living without a full measure of opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health - and [to have] protection - against the economic effects of sickness.”

The issue of health care for all is one that you know I am passionate about.  I am in the planning stages of personally traveling to Washington DC (at my own expense) in July to meet with congressional leaders to discuss the importance of a public option in any national health care reform package.  Several of my colleagues have expressed interest in joining me.  Stay tuned.

Making Smarter Choices at the Drive-Thru Window

Obesity is one of the most significant causes of health care problems in America.  According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 34% of Americans over the age of 20 are considered obese.   In addition, an estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents ages 2-19 years are overweight.  The number of overweight children increased from 7.2 to 13.9% among 2-5 year olds and from 11 to 19% among 6-11 year olds between 1988-94 and 2003-2004.  Among adolescents aged 12-19, those overweight increased from 11 to 17% during the same period.

The CDC also indicates that, Obesity has physical, psychological, and social consequences in adults and children. Children and adolescents are developing obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, that were once seen only in adults. Obese children are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and abnormal glucose tolerance. One study of 5- to 17-year-olds found that 70% of obese children had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease and 39% of obese children had at least two risk factors.

Overweight and obesity and their associated health problems have a significant economic impact on the U.S. health care system.  In 2000, obesity related health care costs totaled an estimated $117 billion nationwide.  One can easily extrapolate that that number has only gone up in the current decade.

These are extremely troubling statistics.

In addition to the legislation that was produced by last Falls Legislative Council Study Committee on Performance-Based Disease Management Programs for Large Populations, that I was a member of, I am working on menu labeling legislation similar to the requirements in New York City that is aimed at large national chain restaurants.  The bill would require that nationwide chain restaurants (like for example McDonalds, Taco Bell, Applebees, and Pizza Hut) will have to display clearly the number of calories in each of their menu items on their menus, menu boards, and drive-thru displays.  Wisconsin would not be alone in considering this type of legislation.  In addition to New York City, the states of California, Hawaii and Indiana have all considered or passed similar legislation.

If consumers are offered clear information on the number of calories in a particular menu item, it can and does have a profound impact on their food choices.  I hope to have a final bill draft in circulation later this month.

As always, I look forward to hearing your views and suggestions on issues facing Wisconsin and any other issue that may be of importance to you.   Again, please feel free to forward this newsletter to other interested persons.   If they would like to join my growing list, they can simply send an email to me at Rep.Benedict@legis.wi.gov.

Sincerely,

CHUCK BENEDICT
State Representative
45^th Assembly District