Inside the Capitol — August 2024

Yesterday, August 13, the partisan primary election took place in Wisconsin.  Voter turnout yesterday, which was 26 percent, was the highest presidential-year primary election turnout since 1964, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

WAFP’s government relations professionals have drafted this memo to provide you with results for federal and state legislative races of interest.  It is also important to note that new state legislative districts were put in place earlier this year via legislation that Governor Evers signed into law. As such, a number of state legislative races are more competitive this year.  

On August 1, WAFP unveiled a list of state legislators selected as “Friends of Family Medicine” for the 2023-2024 state legislative session.  At the completion of each two-year legislative session, the WAFP identifies an exclusive group of lawmakers for their exceptional work to promote effective health care policy and support of family medicine.

The 2023-2024 “Friend of Family Medicine” recipients are the following state legislators:

• Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester)
• Rep. Donna Rozar (R-Marshfield)
• Rep. Clint Moses (R-Menomonie)
• Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam)
• Rep. Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield)
• Rep. Barb Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) 
• Rep. Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah)
• Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine)
• Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison)
• Rep. Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay)
• Rep. Jimmy Anderson  (D-Fitchburg)
• Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa)
• Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg)
• Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk)
• Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac)
• Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green)
• Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee)
• Sen. Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton)
• Sen. Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska)

In recent weeks, DHS asked Wisconsinites to complete a survey addressing maternal and child health needs. DHS conducts this comprehensive, statewide survey every five years due to the related federal funding the agency receives.  The survey addresses a variety of issues, such as prenatal care, access to health care, and maternal mental health.  The agency offers two separate surveys – one for individuals and one for organizations.

This survey will be available until September.  If you are interested in filling out this survey, please go to the DHS website.  

Beginning October 1, 2024, businesses in Wisconsin will pay 10.5 percent (on average) less in workers’ compensation insurance premiums. This will be the ninth year in a row that these premiums have decreased. It is estimated that this will result in $206 million in savings for firms.  These rates are adjusted each year, per the recommendations of Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau actuaries, which are approved by the state Commissioner of Insurance.