SAVING FOR OUR FUTURE
By: Representative Don Vruwink (D-Milton)
Member of Committees on Agriculture, Colleges & Universities, Education, Rural Development & Mining, Tourism
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For many years now, research has exposed a storm brewing in Wisconsin. Demographic trends point to rapid growth in our senior population (of which I am a member) and almost no growth among those ages 18-64.
Population changes have profound effects on the economic health of our communities and state. Younger generations are critical to our state's productivity and our ability to fill and create jobs.
Wisconsin's population is getting older because of aging Baby Boomers who have lived here all or most of their lives, not because seniors from elsewhere are moving here. In 2005, we had 674,000 people 65 or older. By 2017, that number reached 946,000, a 42 percent increase.
So as Wisconsin's population skews older, what does that mean for the state's economy and fiscal health? Elderly poverty is on the rise because of the significant expenses retirees face compared to their relatively flat incomes. Due to advances in medicine and healthier lifestyles, many more Wisconsinites than ever are living 15, 20, or 30 years after retirement. Many are not financially prepared for extended retirement.
Retirees spend significantly more on housing and health care than non-retirees. Even though approximately 80 percent of people over age 65 no longer have mortgage payments, retirees rent housing or move to retirement communities, assisted living, or long-term care facilities. In Wisconsin, these costs are significant. The median cost of assisted living is $51,600 per year. The median cost for nursing home care is $100,000 per year for a shared room.
Elderly health care is also a significant expense as Medicare does not cover the cost of dental care, hearing care, or vision care. Medicare beneficiaries must pay monthly and out-of-pocket for their Part B and Part D premiums as well as deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments.
According to a 2013 AARP study, the median portion of retirement income spent for out-of-pocket health care costs was 17.2 percent. In fact, one in 10 Medicare beneficiaries spent nearly 75 percent of their total retirement income in out-of-pocket health care costs.
The high costs of health care and housing, along with inadequate retirement savings, are driving up elderly poverty in Wisconsin. Thirteen percent of those 65 and older have annual incomes below $15,000 and 30 percent have annual incomes below 25,000. In Wisconsin, the average retiree receives $1,443 from Social Security each month. The annual cost of living adjustments do not reflect the inflation experienced by all retirees who find the purchasing power of retirement income slowly eroding.
As the number of elderly in Wisconsin increases and the poverty rate for elderly - especially rural elderly - increases what can we do as a state? Wisconsin law already excludes Social Security from taxable state income, grants a higher personal exemption to people over age 65, and provides Homestead Tax Credit for low-income renters and homeowners.
Beyond that, one measure we could take is to freeze the school portion of property taxes when a retiree reaches age 70 if married or at age 67 for a single person. The tax freeze would apply only if the retirees own just one home. I have drafted legislation to that effect and I am seeking support for it.
Because of our worker shortage, we should incentivize employers who hire retirees part-time and be flexible with their hours to help stretch out their Social Security benefits.
This pas September, Gov. Tony Evers created a Task Force on Retirement Security. The task force is charged with identifying obstacles that prevent workers from saving for retirement and recommend a path for Wisconsin to provide a state-administered retirement savings vehicle for workers.
An October report by the Legislative Reference Bureau concluded, "Any legislative action that encourages or requires plan participation in the private sector will lead to improved retirement savings rates and decreased elder poverty in the decades ahead."
I believe state legislators are best position to understand the growing problem of elderly poverty because we see it every time we see retirees at their doors, at cafes, gas stations, and pancake breakfasts. We must find bipartisan solutions to keep our seniors in their homes and help them pay for their health care and prescription drugs. We must help them find ways to stretch their incomes by encouraging work beyond retirement age but making it physically bearable. Our elderly have given so much to the state of Wisconsin, let's make it a place they want to stay.
State Rep. Don Vruwink represents parts of Rock, Walworth, Jefferson, and Dane counties. These include the communities of Whitewater, Milton, Edgerton, Footville, the Town of Janesville, part of the Village of Oregon, and surrounding townships. He can be reached at 608-266-3790, Rep.Vruwink@legis.wisconsin.gov, and P.O. Box 8953, Madison WI 53708.
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NEWS FROM THE CAPITOL AND AROUND WISCONSIN
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On behalf of WPT's staff and membership, we would like to wish all of our members who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces a much-deserved and Happy Veterans Day on this cold November evening.
We appreciate your sacrifices for our nation and your commitment to our shared American values.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
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EVERS CHOOSES 'SCIENCE' AS THEME FOR RENAMED CAPITOL 'HOLIDAY' TREE
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Every year, the Wisconsin Governor puts out a call to the state's schoolchildren, asking for their assistance in creating the ornaments for the beautiful tree that stands tall in the Capitol Rotunda. This year was no exception, but a few changes were made that sparked headlines moving into last weekend.
The theme of this year's tree is "Celebrate Science."
"I first began my career as a science teacher in Baraboo, so I know how important science is to the future of our state," Gov. Evers said in a
statement. "From computer science to dairy science, to clean water and natural resources, to sustainability and renewable energies, this year we want students to make holiday ornaments that celebrate what science means to them, their families, and their communities."
The Governor also renamed the tree a "Holiday Tree," which sparked outrage from several prominent elected officials, including former Governor Scott Walker and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald.
Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald called the move "PC garbage." Former Governor Scott Walker, who renamed it a "Christmas Tree" in 2011 after 25 years of being called a "Holiday Tree," posted a picture of a Christmas Tree on his social media accounts with the caption: "This is a Christmas Tree that is bused by people celebrating Christmas. This is not a holiday tree."
Governor Evers' office did not respond to media inquiries about why the name was changed.
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STATE GOVERNMENT, UW-MADISON EMPLOYEES TO SEE MINIMUM WAGE HIKE
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The State of Wisconsin and UW-Madison announced last week that they intend to increase the minimum wage for their hourly employees to $15 per hour, according to Governor Tony Evers.
UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank said "The increase in our minimum wage is a key part of our strategy for helping the university recruit and retain high-quality workers." The current minimum wage for University of Wisconsin-Madison workers is $13.27.
The State of Wisconsin released its intentions Friday for a 2% increase in wages for its tens of thousands of employees around the state in 2020 and another 2% raise in January 2021. The total cost is over $80 million.
Republicans approved the measure as part of the State Budget. But the pay scale for the lowest-paid workers in state government has not been finalized and is subject to the approval of the Joint Committee on Employee Relations.
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EVERS' OFFICE DENIES OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS
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According to WITI Fox 6 Milwaukee, Governor Tony Evers' office is saying no to providing copies of the Governor's e-mails to reporters who request them under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. According to the
report, staff for the first term Democrat governor said "the decision saves taxpayer resources."
WITI said that it routinely requests e-mails from lawmakers, which help the press track who is calling the shots when it comes to taxpayer resources and other should-be public information. In their report, they cite a recent instance where an open records request uncovered the use of personal e-mail addresses to communicate about sensitive government information.
When WITI Fox 6 requested four weeks of e-mails between Governor Evers and his Chief of Staff Maggie Gau, they were denied. They narrowed their request to one week, but they were again denied. Finally, the reporters narrowed the request to one day, and were denied a third time.
Governor Evers' attorney told WITI that their requests will be denied if "they do not contain search terms or wording she can turn into search terms." Fox 6 explains, this means that specific topics need to be requested, but not specific dates.
The attorney for Evers also told the media that "Wisconsin taxpayers should not be asked to pay the salary of a state employee to work exclusively on an insufficiently specific request for weeks, to the detriment of all other requests, requesters, and job responsibilities."
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GOV. EVERS ISSUES EIGHT MORE PARDONS
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In a private signing on Friday, Governor Tony Evers issued eight more pardons for individuals who were convicted of crimes relating to tax fraud, theft, and marijuana, bringing the total number of pardons to twelve. Former Governor Scott Walker issued zero pardons in his eight years in office.
The crimes were committed as recently as 13 years ago, and as long ago as 30 years. All of the individuals have served their complete sentences, according to the Governor's office, and have changed their lives and contributed to society.
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, which is the official newspaper of record of Wisconsin state government, "A pardon doesn't clear a conviction from someone's record, but it is an official grant of forgiveness that restores certain rights, such as the ability to own a gun, serve on a jury, hold public office and hold certain professional licenses or positions."
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UPDATE: CITY OF MILWAUKEE CASH HANDOUT PLAN DRASTICALLY ALTERED
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Last week, WPT reported that Milwaukee Alderwoman Chantia Lewis has proposed a new pilot program that would take $100,000 directly from the Milwaukee Police Department, and give $500 per month to 50 Milwaukee families along with financial literacy education.
The Council voted to scrap the program, and instead "study" the idea and seek private dollars to fund the "basic income" plan.
In the same day, the Milwaukee Common Council voted to scrap 60 police positions next year through attrition, though several amendments were offered that would have restored some of those jobs.
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ASSEMBLY TRIES TO OVERRIDE EVERS THREE OF EVERS' BUDGET VETOES
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Along a party line vote, but narrowly, the State Assembly last week upheld three of Governor Tony Evers' budget vetoes, which halted $15 million from being used for a new mental health facility.
The vote was 62-34, only two votes shy of overriding the Governor, which would have then sent the measure on to the State Senate. That chamber is also controlled by Republicans, who hold a large majority, just shy of the two-thirds needed.
The $15 million will instead go towards the closing of the embattled Lincoln Hills School for Boys, a juvenile detention facility in Central Wisconsin. Democrats decried the override attempt as the GOP obstructing Governor Evers, while Republican Speaker Robin Vos grilled the Democrat members of the Assembly, accusing them of putting their political ideology ahead of their constituents.
The GOP-dominated State Assembly last month changed its procedural rules to allow for them to attempt a veto override multiple times. Theoretically, this measure could come up before the body again.
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By clicking the link, you acknowledge that it is the policy of WPT, Inc. to publish all comments that are submitted by members each week, often including broad differences of opinion within the weekly responses. Our organization values our role in fostering dialogue within our membership, but does not take responsibility for the individual views and opinions expressed herein. It is the right of WPT to remove responses that what the organization deems to be vulgar, hateful, or inflammatory language.
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WEEKLY MEMBER POLL RESULTS
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After reading Senator Dave Craig's guest column, what are your thoughts?
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It depends, what is the extra spending for?
The only laws the GOP wants are those that benefit them and punish the other side.
No increases in spending with line item vetoes!
Lets have government thoroughly debated by the legislature, not push the Democratic agenda through without discussion. This means we are unfairly represented in this way. It is government by the people, not just the governor's power. And the future legislation would make it also reprehensible by all parties involved.
A limit of line item veto powers when regarding increasing spending is important
Something needs to be done, Its not okay to just spend money without the consent of the people & Senaters.
Would this be a loop hole that Ever's found to do what he wants and ignore the process?
as in the pass Governors increase spending over was voted on which should not be allowed
Evers needs to be remembered for his power grab on this, get the amendment moving, it would be nice to vote on the amendment when we elect our new governor.
Thank you Governor Evers for spending more of our money!
I'm not surprised. Evers doesn't care about the state. He has an Anti-Scott Walker agenda and anything in it's way will be critiscized
Amendment badly needed.
We must keept the executive branch from encrouching on the legislative duties.
it should never have come to needing an amendment. i don' t know why our Governor pulled this stunt but i see no reason to do something so divisive.
I wish they would've done it with Governor Walker still in office, but they didn't need to worry about Governor Walker increasing spending. Not a partisan play, support in full.
What was Evers' thinking , not a good judgement call.
Jusyt another partisan hack job. If he and Rep. Kuglitsch were so concerned they could have overridden the budget and startd over!
I agree, Can our state go bankrupt? guess we will find out.
A governor should mo be able to go against the wishes of the assembly and the senate
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If you were Governor, would you rescind your nomination of Brad Pfaff to Secretary of DATCP, or would you run the risk of him being fired by the State Senate?
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A bipartisan bill is being crafted that would allow for collegiate athletes to make money through various means (sponsorships, endorsements, etc.) Where do you stand on this issue?
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This will bring up even more issues, but I think an athlete should own his face and name and should not be used by the colleges.
Super complex issue. Will there be bidding wars for the top 100 kids? Will middle tier schools be outspent?
I was able to go through schooling on a workstudy program. They have great talent, but it should be limited to some degree.
Its not that they should make money off their faces/names...it will limit the explotation by others that does NOT benefit the athletes...
This will only lead to the ruin of college sports, AND watch how fast this works its way down to High School sports!! Why should the WIAA be the only people to profit off of the high school athletes. It'll get ugly.
I disagree with paying college players as they get alot of benifits now
The reason I have tended to enjoy college sports rather than pro is for this exact reason. Now the pandora box is opened so there goes college sports!
I don't have the option of "No this should not be allowed to happen." College is about gaining an education, not making money off sports!!!!
Seems to me this might be the opening of Pandora's box. Where this will go from here is anybodies guess.
Okay, but no good ground rules to guide this!
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What do you think of Milwaukee Alderwoman Chantia Lewis' proposal that would take $100,000 from the Milwaukee Police Department and give $500/month cash handouts to 50 low-income families?
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I'm for improving health care, education and child care in this country and preserving jobs for our citizens. This will help families even more than $500 a month. Schools need to do more with training people in financial literacy. Everyone needs it.
Universal Basic Income is inevitable. Robots will be doing so much work in the future, there will be mass unemployment. I don't know if that's in 20 years or 50, but it is inevitable.
What are you people thinking!!! In one of your articles you are increasing the Sales tax for Milwaukee then in the next you are giving the money away (in Milwaukee) to ONLY 50 families. What idiot is running our state.
I don’t have any idea what is good or not good for the low income people of Milwaukee
I made it to adulthood by working my way through school, never once took welfare, and worked until retirement. THat means I already put alot into the process. How are you going to legislate this and pick candidates. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE POLICE FUNDING. THAT is evidently needed in Milwaukee.
Free welfare money??? no.
The money is needed to keep Milwaukee Police Department update with more Police. Not a good idea at all.
The police department needs all the money budgeted to them. Low income families already have the money they need through welfare. The problem is there not smart enough to manage it and think there entitled to what the rest of us have to work for.
the police department is in bad shape now more hand out is not going to solve Milwaukee problems
Really, come on Milwaukee, you have a huge gap in the racial education process, now you want to pick 50 families to just give money to, you can't keep throwing money at all your problems, get down into these neighbors and help these people! The carrot on a string trick just to get the votes has become old, start acting like a compassinate human being and do something democrats and liberals! Democratic and liberal policies stink to high heaven of the swamp mentality Trump is trying to clean up, that is why the democrats want to impeach him, he is doing the bidding of those of us who want every person, not matter the color of their skin, to have a fair shake in this country, lets quit oppressing our poor and help them join the rest of our country.
"basic income" Wow... so if I quit working and sit at home I can get money given to me, too?
last week milwaukee wanted to raise tax to pay for new officers, how about get a job, SANCTUARY CITY/STATE
if it is such a goo idea, why doesn't she fund it through the aldermans buget
Need more police, not fewer.
no real understanding of the human condition. We are only restained by the force of law. Some learn it early in life, and others learn it the hard way, as adults
Aren't we enabling people enough not to work?
Absolutely insane!
cash handouts, let them work 2 jobs
Better ways to approach this.
Maybe they need the money for police with the constant shootings. Find the money somewhere else if this is that important. What about the low income farmers around the state who are trying to cope both emotuonally and financially!!
so, raise the sales tax to 6.5% to keep police officers on duty then use $100.00 of their money to low income families. I do not understand, am i confused? yes i am.
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Last week, WPT wrote an article about the efforts in the Capitol to make Colby the official Wisconsin State Cheese. There were some varying opinions about the proposal.
So this week, tell us about your favorite WISCONSIN MADE cheese. What kind? Where is it from? What's the best food/dish to eat cheese with. Or do you just like to eat it all by itself? Tell us about your favorite cheese here!
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Grande's provolone and Widmer's Brick cheeses and yes, I just like to eat them by itself.
My #1 complaint is restaurants who don't supply enough cheese curds with your order. I mean, some places charge $9-10 for 20 curds. What, are those curds made of gold? It's an outrage, and I will vote for whatever candidate will put an end to this travesty.
Aged cheddar
SWISS CHEESE .
WIdmer Brick and string cheese are some of my favorites, but Colby is good too.
any 12 year+ aged cheddar. Yum.
Dairy State Cheese in Rudolph is the Sates Best Cheese! Particularly the Colby Longhorn!!
I like Colby and really all the cheeses . I worked with cheese, cutting it, wrapping it, and eating it in my life time. I use Colby, Chedder a lot.
This whole thing is stupid and a waste of tax paper money. Who cares what anyone's favorite cheese is. Jeez!!!
Swiss and cheddar
I love many types of cheese! Swiss, sharp cheddar, pepperjack, cojack, colby, bacon or sausage and cheddar, onion and cheddar. My favorite is Widmer's Brick cheese.
Definitely Cheddar. It goes with and on everything.
Marble from Lynn Dairy
I think we need more done to make sure that what's made here is made here 100% with milk made in wisconsin, too.
Limburger on rye bread with raw onions.
Parmesan is our favorite cheese. My wife and I eat it all by itself although we like it on a variety of foods as well.
Any cheese from Knaus Cheese or Union Star Cheese!
Carr Valley Marissa and Sartori Bel Vitano
Limburger is my favorite but should not be the official state cheese.
Nibbling on 7 year or older aged cheddar from Hennings Cheese is the best!!
I try not to play favorites with this, I don't want to commit to a favorite cheese, know what I mean.
cheddar from Henning's in Kiel
I recently had pancake battered cheese curds that you dip in syrup. Place called Black Sheep in Milwaukee. Best curds I’ve ever had.
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BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW OR VETOED
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LRB-4801
Memo
Jaycees (August, Tyler) Recognizing the Jaycees' ongoing commitment to community involvement and commending the organization upon its 100th anniversary of its founding. Deadline: Tuesday, November 5, Noon
LRB-2682
Memo
Home Inspectors (Brooks, Rob) Regulation of home inspectors, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures, providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making authority. Deadline: Monday, November 11, 5 pm
LRB-4807
Memo
Howard Tenim Day (Allen, Scott) Declaring December 10, 2019, as Howard Tenim Day in Wisconsin. Deadline: Wednesday, November 6, 5pm
LRB-4810
Memo
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month (Hesselbein, Dianne) Proclaiming November 2019 to be Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Deadline: Wednesday, November 6, Noon
LRB-4620
Memo
Democracy Day (Crowley, David) Establishing a legal holiday known as Democracy Day and closing state offices on that day. Deadline: Friday, November 15, 5 pm
LRB-4587
Memo
Child Placement (Jacque, Andre) Legal custody and physical placement factors for a child of a service member. Deadline: Tuesday, November 19, 5 pm
LRB-4566
Memo
Admissions Exemption (Jacque, Andre) Exempting veterans and members of the armed forces from admissions application fees at University of Wisconsin System schools and technical colleges. Deadline: Tuesday, November 19, 5 pm
LRB-1488
Memo
Tuition Remission (Jacque, Andre) Tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college. Deadline: Tuesday, November 19, 5 pm
LRB-1490
Memo
Fee Waivers (Jacque, Andre) License fee waivers for veterans' spouses. Deadline: Tuesday, November 19, 5 pm
LRB-1497
Memo
Veterans Service Grants (Jacque, Andre) Grants to counties and tribes for veterans services and making an appropriation. Deadline: Tuesday, November 19, 5 pm
LRB-3806
Memo
Recovery Residences (Nygren, John) Registration of recovery residence and disciplinary action against a state employee who is receiving medication-assisted treatment. Deadline: Tuesday, November 12
LRB-2010
Memo
PDMP (Nygren, John) The prescription drug monitoring program. Deadline: Tuesday, November 12
LRB-4312
Memo
Medication-Assisted Treatment (Nygren, John) Opioid antagonist administration in jails and medication-assisted treatment availability in prisons and jails. Deadline: Tuesday, November 12
LRB-3740
Memo
Physical Health Services (Nygren, John) Physical health services and acupuncture under Medical Assistance program and making an appropriation. Deadline: Tuesday, November 12
LRB-2886
Memo
Peer Recovery Reimbursement (Nygren, John) Reimbursement for peer recovery coach services under the Medical Assistance program and coordination and continuation of care following an overdose. Deadline: Tuesday, November 12
LRB-4530
Memo
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (Nygren, John) Guidelines regarding the treatment of neonatal abstinence syndrome. Deadline: Tuesday, November 12
LRB-4771
Memo
Drug Immunity (Nygren, John) Immunity from revocation of probation, parole, or extended supervision for certain controlled substance offenses. Deadline: Tuesday, November 12
LRB-3571
Memo
Warning Lamps (Ohnstad, Tod) Warning lamps on community service officer vehicles. Deadline: Friday, November 15, 5 pm
LRB-1492
Memo
Fee Exemption (Jacque, Andre) The disability rating at which veterans qualify for certain hunting and fishing authorizations and exemptions from state park and trail admission fees. Deadline: Tuesday, November 19, 5 pm
LRB-4482
Memo
Drive Education Aid (Crowley, David) Aid for driver education courses, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. Deadline: Wednesday, November 20, Noon
LRB-4484
Memo
License Suspension (Crowley, David) Suspensions of operator's licenses for certain nontraffic offenses. Deadline: Wednesday, November 20, Noon
LRB-4485
Memo
License Copies (Crowley, David) Electronic copies of operator's licenses. Deadline: Wednesday, November 20, Noon
LRB-4486
Memo
Traffic Stop Info Collection (Crowley, David) Collection of motor vehicle traffic stop information. Deadline: Wednesday, November 20, Noon
LRB-4329
Memo
Prisoner Medication (Brooks, Rob) Providing medication and a valid prescription to a prisoner upon release. Deadline: Friday, November 15, 5 pm
LRB-4446
Memo
DOC Telehealth (Brooks, Rob) Expanding telehealth mental health treatment to offenders under community supervision. Deadline: Friday, November 15
LRB-3695
Memo
ATV Regulation (Marklein, Howard) Regulation of all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles, all-terrain vehicle projects, and making an appropriation. Deadline: Monday, November 18, Noon
LRB-3455
Memo
Child Abuse Reports (Testin, Patrick) Disclosure of child abuse and neglect reports and records. Deadline: Friday, November 22, 5 pm
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