By Hoven Consulting  – WiHPCA’s lobbying firm

• New Marquette Law School Poll Released on October 12

On October 12, Marquette Law School released a new statewide election poll, which was conducted between October 3-9.  The following poll findings may be of interest:

Gubernatorial Race

This poll asked likely Wisconsin voters about their preferred candidate for this year’s governor’s race.  The poll found the following:

·         Governor Tony Evers (Democrat): 47%

·         Tim Michels (Republicans): 46%

·         Joan Beglinger (Independent): 4%

o   NOTE:  Joan Beglinger ended her gubernatorial campaign in early September and endorsed Republican candidate Tim Michels.  However, her name will remain on the November general election ballot.

The October poll also asked respondents if they approved or disapproved of how Governor Evers is handling his job. The poll found the following:

Governor Tony Evers

·         Job Approval:  46%

·         Job Disapproval:  48%

·         No Opinion:  5%

U.S. Senate Race

This poll asked likely Wisconsin voters about their preferred candidate for this year’s U.S. Senate race.  The poll found the following:

·         Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes (Democrat): 46%

·         U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (Republican): 52%

The poll also asked respondents if they have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson.  The poll found the following:

Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes (Democrat)

·         Favorable: 39%

·         Unfavorable: 40%

·         Haven’t heard enough: 15%

·         Don’t know: 6%

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (Republican)

·         Favorable: 41%

·         Unfavorable: 45%

·         Haven’t heard enough: 9%

·         Don’t know: 4%

• ·         WiHPCA Presents Legislative Awards

Under WiHPCA’s legislative awards program, state and/or federal legislators who demonstrate support for policies that advance hospice and palliative care in Wisconsin and are aligned with WiHPCA’s mission are eligible to receive one of WiHPCA’s legislative awards. WiHPCA has the following two award categories:  1) Champion of Hospice and Palliative Care and 2) Friend of Hospice and Palliative Care. The awards are given out every two years, following the end of each legislative session.

The selection process for WiHPCA’s legislative awards is based on several factors, including bills authored and co-sponsored, responsiveness to WiHPCA issues, voting record on legislation important to WiHPCA, and legislative leadership and key committee positions.

Award Selection Process

Lawmakers who display exceptional support of WiHPCA and hospice and palliative care in Wisconsin are eligible for recognition as a Champion of Hospice and Palliative Care.  Lawmakers who display general support of WiHPCA and hospice and palliative care in Wisconsin are eligible for recognition as a Friend of Hospice and Palliative Care.

WiHPCA has unveiled a list of lawmakers the organization is honoring for their work during 2021-2022. 

The following lawmaker has been recognized as a Champion of Hospice and Palliative Care:

·         U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin)

WiHPCA has recognized the following lawmakers as Friends of Hospice and Palliative Care:

·         State Rep. Rick Gundrum (Slinger)

·         State Rep. Donna Rozar (Marshfield)

• ·         Legislative Council Study Committee on Occupational Licenses - Update

This study committee’s most recent meeting occurred on Wednesday, October 12.  During the meeting, committee members expressed frustration with the state Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) for their ongoing occupational license processing delays, as well as the limited amount of information the agency has provided to the study committee.  As such, there was discussion of potentially moving the responsibility of processing certain licenses to other state agencies (e.g., moving health care-related licenses to the state Department of Health Services). 

Other committee members stated their support to provide authority to DSPS to use more of their fee revenue to hire additional employees to assist with processing delays.  Interestingly, Committee Chair/Senator Rob Stafsholt noted that he does not oppose providing DSPS with the authority to hire more staff.  However, he would like the agency to provide the legislature with data to justify that.  Also, Chair Stafsholt and Vice Chair/Rep. Shae Sortwell noted their support for universal licensure recognition. 

A list of committee members, the full meeting agenda, as well as written presentations may be viewed on the legislature’s website.  This committee’s next public meeting will occur on Tuesday, November 15 in Madison.