Armstrong Votes For Emergency Department Assistance, Refugee Resettlement Transparency

MADISON, WI -- The Wisconsin State Assembly concluded its legislative work for the 2023-2024 legislative session this week, with marathon sessions on February 20 and 22.

“This week capped a legislative session in which Republicans once again fought for lower taxes and offered solutions to Wisconsin’s housing and labor shortages,” said State Rep. Dave Armstrong (R-Rice Lake).

Among the many proposals the Assembly passed this week were three constitutional amendments that increase legislative oversight over federal funds that come to the state, limit the Governor’s ability to use his line-item veto to create or increase taxes, and prohibit state and local governments from closing places of worship during emergencies.

Of more local interest, Representative Armstrong cosponsored, and the Assembly passed, two bills – Senate Bills 1014 and 1015 – that redirect $15 million originally intended for HSHS to expand psychiatric bed capacity to instead shore up access to emergency department services in the wake of HSHS’s withdrawal from Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls.

Representative Armstrong also joined regional legislators in introducing Senate Bill 916, which improves the process for notifying local governments about plans to resettle refugees. The Senate passed SB 916 on February 20, and the Assembly concurred on February 22, so this proposal will now go to Governor Evers for his consideration.

“After the plans to place refugees in the Eau Claire area became public, I heard from a number of local officials and residents who were taken by surprise and felt shut out of the process,” Representative Armstrong said. “Procedures required under federal law weren’t followed – Barron County officials didn’t even get an official meeting until this week. I believe SB 916 will ensure compliance with federal law, make the process more transparent, reduce misinformation, and allow area communities to prepare.”

While the legislative session has ended, Representative Armstrong’s office will continue to assist constituents with state issues.