Contact: Rep. Josh Zepnick, 608-266-1707 Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, 608-266-7669 MADISON – Today, State Representative Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee) and JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) presented Milwaukee Police Detective Alexander Ayala and Officer Jose Acevedo with the Hometown Heroes Award at today’s convening of the Wisconsin State Assembly. This honor is awarded to compassionate community members who unconditionally lend a hand whenever needed. In the summer of 2016, Officers Ayala and Acevedo worked together in a search and rescue for a six-year-old boy with autism, who had become separated from his parents while attending a Brewers game at Miller Park.  The Officers were off-duty

Contact: Daniel J. Graber, (608) 264-5158, TTY: (608) 264-5006 Five Other Defendants Who Have Pleaded Guilty, Will be Sentenced in April & May MADISON, WIS. — John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced today the results of a three-year investigation by local, state, and federal law enforcement into the large scale trafficking of methamphetamine in central Wisconsin.  To date, 19 people have pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Madison to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.  Of these 19 defendants, 14 have been sentenced, with the remaining five set to be sentenced in the next 60 days.  The sentences imposed

Contact: Felice Green, 414 291-7500 MILWAUKEE —Interfaith Older Adult Programs will present the first ever Generational Gem Award to Phyllis Brostoff, CEO of Stowell Associates Inc. and her son State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff during the organization’s 12th annual Pearls of Wisdom Celebration and Fundraiser. The award honors persons of different generations who have inspired each other, and as a result, have created new and better ways of providing service to others. The event will be held on Thursday, April 27, at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West in Wauwatosa, WI. “I have known and worked with Phyllis for more than 40 years.

Contact: A.J. Nino Amato, 608-514-3317 The American Medical Association, Hospital Groups and American College of Physicians Say “No” – to Paul Ryan’s Healthcare Plan – to Replacing the Affordable Care Act – to Ryan’s alternative health care disaster. In Paul Ryan’s desire to sneak his new healthcare plan past the American people, he and his fellow Republicans did not get their American Health Care Act reviewed and scored by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO). As a result, Ryan and the GOP-controlled Congress are getting nailed for their lack of public transparency and for not getting an independent, nonpartisan cost

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker highlighted the major K-12 education investments included in his Executive Budget proposal at Gilman High School today. The governor’s proposal includes $649 million in new state aids for all K-12 schools in Wisconsin, increases per pupil categorical aid by $509.2 million, and lifts K-12 investment to $11.5 billion over two years, an all-time high. “Our 2017-2019 budget proposal uses the Reform Dividend to invest more money into public schools,” Governor Walker said. “We invest in rural schools, like Gilman High School, to help them address unique needs like transportation costs. We’re putting $11.5

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker took executive action today to further promote openness and transparency in state government through increased access to public records, performance metrics, and public notices. Governor Walker issued Executive Order #235 ahead of Sunshine Week, which runs from March 12 – 18, 2017. “Last year, our Sunshine Week executive order went above and beyond what was required by law to ensure our citizens have greater access to an open and transparent government,” Governor Walker said. “Today’s proactive order raises the bar once again. The public will continue to receive more access to records and information than

Contact: Brian Rice, (608) 246-3872 brian.rice@dot.wi.gov The COLSAC III, commonly known as the Merrimac ferry, is open for the 2017 season. The ferry shuttles Highway 113 traffic across the Wisconsin River 24 hours a day, seven days a week between Okee in Columbia County and Merrimac in Sauk County. The ferry season lasts as long as the river is free of ice. Today marks the third earliest season opener since the recording data began in 1971. The earliest opening day was February 24, 2006, followed by March 3, 1998. Last year the ferry opened March 25 and closed December 10. The ferry holds

Contact: Matt Adamczyk, (608) 266-1714 Voters of Wisconsin will get Final Approval on Elimination Effort MADISON….State Treasurer Matt Adamczyk released the following statement regarding passage of SJR 3, the constitutional amendment to eliminate the state treasurer’s office. “It is my belief that the Office of State Treasurer in the State of Wisconsin is outdated, not needed, and a waste of taxpayer money.  For this reason, I ran and was elected on the platform of eliminating the treasurer’s office.” “I believe the citizens of Wisconsin deserve the opportunity to amend the state constitution to eliminate the treasurer’s office.  Voters have elected both

Contact: Mike Browne, (608) 444-3483 mike@OneWisconsinNow.org Borrowers Know Ignoring the Crisis Won’t Make it Go Away, Do GOP Legislators? MADISON, Wis. — The latest estimates are that Americans are now burdened with a record $1.4 trillion in student loan debt. Roughly $19 billion of that debt is in Wisconsin from federal student loans that, by law, cannot be refinanced with the federal government. In good news for Wisconsin student loan borrowers, state legislative Democrats have again officially introduced the Higher Ed, Lower Debt Act to help, allowing borrowers to refinance their loans, just like you can with a mortgage. “Billions of dollars in student loan

Contact: Jerad Albracht, 608-224-5007 Bill Cosh, 608-224-5020 Editor’s Note:  It’s National Consumer Protection Week!  The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) recognizes this annual campaign as a way to teach people about their consumer rights and to give them the tools they need to protect themselves from scams. This week, DATCP will look at the top five consumer complaints from 2016, providing insight into the nature of the complaints and safety tips to follow throughout 2017. For a conscientious, law-abiding citizen, there are few things more frightening than having your personal information stolen and misused by a criminal.  And the theft

Contact: (202) 224 – 6225 press@baldwin.senate.gov Bipartisan legislation provides support and resources to the millions of caregivers nationwide who provide care for wounded, ill, and injured veterans WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representative Jim Langevin (D-RI) in reintroducing bipartisan legislation in both the Senate and the House to expand a successful program that helps those who care for wounded, ill, or injured veterans. The Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act would open the program to veterans of all eras, making resources available to more of the family members and