Dear Friends,

As Summerfest comes to a close, the Wisconsin State Fair is right around the corner. The 171-year-old tradition kicks off on August 4th. The 11-day event will feature more than 80 brand-new food items - including a gummy bear bratwurst.

This year you can find all of the 800+ food items to try at 150+ locations by visiting the State Fair Food Finder. This helpful website will make sure you don't miss your favorite items.

Also, the fair is currently holding a job fair for everything from ticket sellers to security. For more information visit here. This year's fair looks to be better than ever. I hope to see you there.

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!
Koreen's Law
When someone is sick, the last thing they need is to have to jump through hoops to get the medications their doctor prescribes. Too often, patients are suddenly finding out their insurance won't cover their treatment. This session, I introduced a bill with Representative Tony Kurtz of Wonewoc to stop this.

"Koreen’s law" is named after Eau Claire resident Koreen Holmes. Koreen was eight months pregnant when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Soon after giving birth, she began chemotherapy treatments.

Months into her treatment, Koreen’s insurance company told her they wouldn’t pay for the medication provided by her hospital any longer. Instead, her medicine would need to be shipped to the hospital from a specialty pharmacy chosen by the patient’s insurance company, outside of the hospital’s normal supply chain. 

I will try again to make this important bill law next session. Click on the video below to learn about her story and why we need to ban white bagging in Wisconsin.
Protecting Wisconsin's Elections
 
Even though there was no law on the books, the unelected Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) allowed unregulated and unmonitored drop boxes in the middle of the 2020 electi0n.
 
I'm grateful that this ruling finally brings clarity and security to our electoral process. Our statutes were already obvious that voters could only mail their ballot or vote in person. 
 
While this ruling is a victory for the rule of law, the state's highest court has been inconsistent with its rulings. That's why I authored legislation this session to create a safe and secure way to use drop boxes. Ultimately, my bill did not pass the Legislature this session.
 
The ruling also showed the need to reform WEC. I authored Senate Bill 943 to make WEC more accountable by requiring weekly reports to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCRAR) of guidance given to clerks. JCRAR will be able to review that guidance and decide whether or not it must be promulgated as a rule and go through the already established rule-making process.  
 
The bill also states that any guidance documents sent to clerks must contain a disclaimer that includes the definition of a “guidance document” and that the guidance documents, unlike administrative rules, do not have the force of law.  
 
I hoped that my bill would help restore confidence in our electoral process and provide better oversight of WEC while promoting transparency in their decisions. Unfortunately, the governor vetoed it. I will continue to fight for this important reform.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Starting this weekend, anyone can 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.
Road Closures in Brown Deer Area
Around the 8th