Dear Friends,

Congratulations to Froedert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin. They earned the top spot on the U.S. News and World Reports ranking of best hospitals in the Milwaukee area and are ranked second in Wisconsin. They are also nationally ranked in three areas; Ear, Nose, and Throat; Urology; and Rehabilitation. Aurora Medical Center - Grafton (#3 in Milwaukee and #4 in Wisconsin) also made the list. Congratulations!

We are one week away from the 2022 Wisconsin State Fair. This year's event will be better than ever. Click on the picture below to plan your trip to this great Wisconsin tradition.

As always, if you have any concerns or ideas on how to improve our great state, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 608-266-5830 or by email at Sen.Darling@legis.wisconsin.gov.

On, Wisconsin!
Combatting Drunk Driving
This session, we took an important step in stopping repeat drunk drivers thanks to a bill I authored that is now law.

It's difficult to see the astounding number of repeat drunk driver stories in Wisconsin. It's far too common to hear about someone committing their 3rd, 4th, or even 7th offense.

I have worked hard to try to reduce these crimes with tougher penalties and more funding through the Treatment Alternatives and Diversion Program. Right now, courts must order someone convicted of drunk driving to submit to an assessment of their use of alcohol or drugs and develop a driver safety plan for that person. Substance abuse treatment can be a part of that safety plan.

2021 Wisconsin Act 155 allows for targeting treatment. If a safety plan recommends substance abuse treatment, it must include an evaluation to see if medication-assisted treatment will help that person recover. By connecting people with the treatment that best suits them, we may be able to reduce drunk driving and the costs associated with that crime.  

I am hopeful this new law will help provide targeted treatment to remove drunk drivers off our roads.
Protecting Wisconsin's Elections
When you vote, your ballot is important. It's crucial that, as much as possible, your vote is handled by only you and your local clerk. That hasn't been the case in our state.

There are groups all across the country that engage in what's called "ballot harvesting." They offer to take your ballot to a drop box or clerk. Ballot harvesting means your vote could be compromised.

I co-authored Senate Bill 203 with Senator Duey Stroebel of Saukville to protect the integrity of absentee voting by banning ballot harvesting and in-person absentee ballot collection events. 

Our bill states that only a family member may return a family member’s absentee ballot, or a person may designate in-writing another Wisconsin voter to return their ballot. A person may only return the absentee ballots of two non-family members.

Unfortunately, Governor Evers vetoed this common-sense reform.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Anyone can now text or call 988 to connect with a counselor from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
 
Help is available anywhere in the United States. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day to help with mental health emergencies and substance abuse issues.
 
You can also call on behalf of someone else. Counselors can offer guidance on helping someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
Wisconsin State Fair Schedule
Around the 8th