Eau Claire, Wis. – On Tuesday, August 25, State Senate candidate Michele Magadance Skinner and Senator Jesse James (SD-23) held a press conference at the former HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire where they detailed exactly how Jeff Smith’s votes and lack of action closed two essential hospitals in the Chippewa Valley. Here’s what they are saying about Michele Magadance Skinner and Senator Jesse James’ press conference and the importance of electing a Senator who will actually work for the Chippewa Valley: 

WEAU/NBC13: Michele Magadance Skinner blames Sen. Smith for gridlocking $15M for healthcare funding

Republican candidate for Wisconsin’s 31st Senate District, Michele Magadance Skinner, is calling out her opponent for failing to secure healthcare funding for the Chippewa Valley.

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“That money should have been brought back right here to the communities most in crisis. Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls. Common sense. That’s all it is. It doesn’t make sense that we were gonna hand it out to Western Wisconsin. The need was here. The need should have been addressed here. The money should have came here,” said Skinner.

Leader-Telegram: Skinner campaigns with Sen. James with discussion on Chippewa Valley hospitals

“One of the most devastating things that happened in my four-year tenure as a state senator was the closing of these hospitals in our Chippewa Valley, and that was meeting the closing of Sacred Heart,” James said.

“In all aspects of the health care system, it was shocking and devastating, and we’re still recovering from it. But we’re proud of where we were and where we’re at today with awesome movement.”

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“We had the legislation drafted ready to go: $15 million that was already allocated for mental health for St. Joe’s project was going to be used to help remedy some of our emergency services that we’re dealing with Marshfield and Mayo Clinic,” he said.

“When we did the veto override, Jeff Smith voted no. When we tried to schedule the bill for the floor through the Senate [Org.], Jeff Smith voted no. Jeff Smith voted no four times…

“We need somebody that is willing to work with people, just as [Skinner] has on the Eau Claire County Board. She knows how to communicate and get things done, like she’s done with Lake Altoona. She contacted our offices to get a dredging operation going to Lake Altoona to try and address some of the pollution and the algae and all the buildup and the sand that was piling up there.”

Skinner said, “When I saw that Lake Altoona was dying, I didn’t write a complaint letter. I made sure that I became chair of the Lake Authority Board. I made sure that I got on the county board so that I could do things and protect that lake. And a due course brought in $1.5 million in grant monies to protect that lake. I don’t sit. I do. I fight. The Chippewa Valley needs a senator who has your back every day.”

WQOW/ABC18: Magadance Skinner criticizes Democrats on expired healthcare funding in front of closed HSHS hospital

At a press conference Tuesday in front of the former Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire, Skinner said the funding should have been kept specific to Chippewa Valley hospitals, and by not supporting overturning Evers’ partial veto, Democrats allowed the strain on local emergency rooms to continue.

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At the press conference, outgoing Sen. Jesse James endorsed Skinner for the State Senate seat, and criticized Smith for blaming Republicans for the loss of the hospital funding and the closure of Klein Hall veterans’ home in Chippewa Falls.

“He can say the Republicans are in charge and stuff, but let me remind you Jeff Smith is also the assistant minority leader who has power with their caucus and with the governor,” James said. “He has a voice, and where did it go?”