jONline

An e-newsletter from Senator Jon Erpenbach – 7-18-08

State Launches Volunteer Initiative – In the wake of spring floods, the Citizen Corps Council and the Wisconsin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) have launched an initiative to encourage and prepare Wisconsin citizens to volunteer during emergencies and disasters. The partnership will also work with local governments to better use and incorporate volunteers in disaster response and recover plans. Over 35 different nonprofit disaster service organizations and more than 200 local chapters are listed at http://www.WeVolunteer.wi.gov . Additionally, a statewide volunteer registry currently in development will allow citizens to enroll in a volunteer database, giving emergency responders the ability to search for volunteers with particular skills – medical training or permits to use heavy machinery, for example – and call on them when the need arises.

Erpenbach Receives Conservation Champion Award – The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters announced this week their score card on how state Legislators voted on key conservation issues. Twenty-one bills, including the state budget, were included on the Conservation Scorecard 2007-2008. Senator Erpenbach received 100% on the scorecard, making him a conservation champion for the session. Erpenbach said the award was “an honor and a victory for Wisconsin’s environment and for everyone.” You can view all Legislators’ scores online at: http://www.conservationvoters.org/Public/

Local Food Grants Made - Secretary Nilsestuen presented a check for $43,580 to the Research, Education, Action and Policy on Food, Inc., (REAP Food Group) of Madison to expand their Buy Fresh, Buy Local Southern Wisconsin program. The funding is from the state’s first-ever “Buy Local Buy Wisconsin” grant program. This in one of seven projects to receive a total of $225,000.

http://www.reapfoodgroup.org/atlas/index.htm