Mark Bednar; 202-738-0744  WASHINGTON, D.C. – Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy, Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, today released the following statement after the House passage of the Farm Bill: “Wisconsin farmers produce the best agricultural products in the world, and they deserve certainty in the marketplace. This Farm Bill includes important reforms like the Dairy Risk Management program, which provides higher coverage levels and lower premiums for the first five million pounds of milk. However, I will continue to fight for a Farm Bill that includes commonsense work requirements for able-bodied adults. There are a million more job

CONTACT AshLee Strong 202-225-0600 WASHINGTON—Following the passage of the final version of H.R. 2, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) released this statement: “At a time when America’s farmers and ranchers face steep challenges, this farm bill delivers. It provides relief and certainty to guard against the volatility of the agricultural economy. It includes vital provisions to support rural families like expanded access to broadband. And it includes important reforms to better manage our forests. “With this farm bill, we are also making important progress to alleviate poverty. By including reforms to encourage work and expand opportunity, we are moving our

Contact: Aaron White Phone: 202-225-5506 Aaron.White@mail.house.gov La Crosse – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind voted against the 2018 Farm Bill, the Conference Report of H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act. His statement is below: “This Farm Bill maintains a status quo that will drive more family farmers out of business. It fails to rein in wasteful subsidies and crop insurance programs that lead to overproduction by big Agribusiness, and sends taxpayer dollars to billionaires on Wall Street, and in Chicago and San Francisco. It cuts $800 million from vital conservation programs, and does nothing to address the damage caused by the President’s trade

Rep. Mark Born (608) 266-2540 December 12, 2018 Weekly Radio Address: Budgeting the Wisconsin Way Madison…Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) discusses the budget process and successes in the Weekly Radio Address for Wisconsin State Assembly Republicans. “Hello, I’m State Representative Mark Born, member of the Joint Committee on Finance. As we head into the new year, the focus in Madison begins to turn to the upcoming state budget. We will kick-off our committee work by traveling throughout the state to hear important testimony directly from people like you. This process allows us to know your priorities so we can make

CONTACT:           Kris Tazelaar, Communications Manager, Second Harvest Foodbank, 608-216-7206, krist@shfbmadison.org MADISON, WI  (December 12, 2018) – Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin announced today that they received a $320,000 grant from CUNA Mutual Group Foundation to support its Mobile Pantry and Kids Cafe programs. “Our Mobile Pantry and Kids Cafe programs are vital components of our effort to end hunger in the communities we serve,” said Dan Stein, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “The connection between long-term health and life outcomes, and having access to enough nutritious food is clear, and thanks to this generous gift by the CUNA Mutual Group

Contact: Matt Sliker (414) 937-3251 Milwaukee, WI – Time Magazine and the hit television show ‘Ellen’ are each recognizing Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) Driver Natalie Barnes for her kindness and remarkable compassion. Barnes made international headlines in November when a MCTS Excellence video went viral, showing her taking extraordinary steps to help a homeless man. Barnes bought the man food, let him stay warm on her bus, offered to go shopping for him, and ultimately connected him with a safe place to live. Time Magazine is honoring Barnes as an ‘Everyday Hero of 2018’ in its annual ‘Person of the Year’ edition,

Contact: WisDOT Office of Public Affairs 608-266-3581 opa.exec@dot.wi.gov To discourage impaired driving and support public safety, law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin will patrol in greater numbers for longer hours during the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” holiday campaign that begins Friday and continues through New Year’s Day. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is utilizing federal funds to support the stepped-up law enforcement efforts, public education and outreach. “The goal of this federal, state and local initiative is to prevent needless tragedies along our roadways and help ensure that everyone has a safe, enjoyable holiday season,” WisDOT Secretary Dave Ross

Contact: Michelle Vetterkind (608) 255-2600 Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association is establishing a Legislative Committee made up of WBA members in each of Wisconsin’s eight Congressional Districts. The committee was approved by the WBA Board to increase member involvement in legislative issues. Members of the committee will be involved in planning the WBA State Legislative Day in January, the WBA’s Washington DC trip in February, and other events and meetings as needed. “WBA members have always been strongly invested in our association and this committee gives them the opportunity to get even closer to the legislative process,” WBA President

Contact: Rep. John Nygren (888) 534-0089 Madison–State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), Co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, and author of 30 pieces of legislation aimed at combating the opioid epidemic released the following statement: “Yesterday, it was announced that 16 county jails are eligible for a medication-assisted treatment program funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). I am happy to see our efforts put into action. Programs like this save lives and help those in recovery stay on the path towards success.” The funding for these grants was provided in the most recent round