Sen. Patrick Testin

Wisconsin’s beef is a cut above the rest. Well done, local ranchers. You are in rare company.

According to the latest reports, more than 16,600 Wisconsin residents have died from an opioid overdose since 2000. With the goal of reversing that trajectory and saving countless lives, the Wisconsin Legislature in 2013 created the Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (ePDMP), which aids healthcare professionals in their prescribing and dispensing decisions by providing valuable information on the controlled substance prescriptions already being distributed throughout the state. Wisconsin-licensed physicians and other prescribers must review a patient’s records in the ePDMP database before issuing them an order for a monitored prescription drug. The program also supports the ability of pharmacies, healthcare officials, law enforcement agencies and public health representatives to work together to reduce the misuse, abuse and diversion of prescribed controlled substances. However, two provisions in the ePDMP were set to expire in 2025, ensuring the end of the program if we did not take any action. That is why I authored a new law this session that extends the ePDMP until 2030. I found it important to lengthen the duration of the ePDMP since it is one of the most effective prevention tools we have in our fight against the opioid epidemic. Because registrations have increased tenfold over the last several years, there is obviously a tremendous benefit to continuing the program. The ePDMP is working as intended and I am glad that healthcare providers and law enforcement officers are able to keep using this life-saving resource. For next week’s “Testin’s Throwback Thursday,” I will be discussing my seed potato legislation that was signed into law this past December.

Do you want to know the current tick activity in Wisconsin so you can better protect yourself from Lyme disease? Then please check out the latest tick surveillance report from the state Department of Health Services: dhs.wisconsin.gov/library/collec…. The site is updated every two weeks.

BREAKING NEWS: The Joint Committee on Finance just approved a bipartisan bill that returns a majority of the state’s budget surplus to taxpayers. Please click on the following link to read my full statement: legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/24/test…

Don’t miss your chance. You have only 19 more days to apply for an opportunity to obtain a 2026 elk hunting license. dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/relea…

I am glad we were able to reach an agreement on a deal that will benefit the hard-working taxpayers of Wisconsin. wkow.com/news/state/gov…

It’s National Police Week. This is a time to recognize the valiant men and women who put on the badge and serve our local communities around the clock, each and every day of the year. We honor their courage, integrity and commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe. We also remember the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and keep their families in our thoughts. Please join me in thanking all our law enforcement professionals for putting their lives on the line to protect our family, friends and neighbors. Their service should not go unnoticed. policeweek.org

I would like to wish all the moms out there a Happy Mother's Day.

Are you a business owner in Wisconsin who is interested in having military veterans join your workforce? If this is the case, please consider applying for the Vets Ready Employer Initiative by July 31. In order to be eligible for recognition in this program, business owners must prioritize hiring veterans, connecting the veteran community and offering veteran support services to employees. If you would like to apply to be included in the initiative, please use the following link: dwd.wisconsin.gov/veterans/hirev…. Selected employers will be announced this November on Veterans Day. I think this is the perfect opportunity for our local businesses to give back to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure our country remains the land of the free. Plus, military veterans are known to be high-value employees given their past experiences in navigating complex, chaotic and fast-paced situations. It’s a win-win for everyone.

After several years of failed attempts, I was finally able to get the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Modernization Act across the finish line this legislative session. It took a lot of hard work and compromise, but I am pleased that qualified nurses can now operate at the highest scope of their practice, which is leading to increased healthcare access in rural areas and lower medical costs. Under 2025 Wisconsin Act 17, APRNs are authorized to treat patients independently and without a collaborative agreement with a physician – so long as the cases do not fall outside their areas of expertise. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, close to 40 percent of Wisconsin’s need for primary care providers is currently unmet. In 10 years, the state will likely require more than 740 additional primary care professionals to fulfill the growing demand for care. However, by 2035, Wisconsin’s supply of primary care physicians is expected to grow by just 4 percent. We are all fully cognizant of the workforce challenges we face in our state when it comes to the healthcare industry. APRNs are helping to close that gap by stepping up and providing quality care to everyone in Wisconsin. Approximately 30 states – both red and blue – have also enacted policies comparable to my APRN Modernization Act. For next week’s “Testin’s Throwback Thursday,” we will talk about the new law I authored that reauthorizes the Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

Did your local municipality miss out on the first round of Agricultural Roads Improvement Program (ARIP) funding? Well, they have another chance because ARIP applications are now being accepted for the second and final cycle of the 2025-27 biennium. If you would like to learn more about the program or submit an application, please click here: wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bu…. The deadline is 5 p.m. on June 29. Created by the Wisconsin State Legislature in 2023, ARIP awards funds to local governments for the purpose of upgrading the rural roads and bridges that are the critical link between farmers, their fields, processing facilities and the businesses that provide essential feed and supplies. A total of $150 million in ARIP funding was included in the 2025-27 state budget.

I am proud that 10 schools in the 24th Senate District have received the inaugural Wisconsin Purple Star designation for their efforts in supporting students of military families. Those 10 schools are: · Camp Douglas Elementary School in Camp Douglas · LaGrange Elementary School in Tomah · Lemonweir Elementary School in Tomah · Miller Elementary School in Tomah · Oakdale Elementary School in Tomah · Tomah Area Montessori School in Tomah · Tomah Middle School in Tomah · Tomah High School in Tomah · Warrens Elementary School in Warrens · Wyeville Elementary School in Wyeville The overall goal of the program is to help learning institutions with the unique challenges our military-connected youth face when they move between schools with different curricula, expectations, standards, course offerings, extracurricular opportunities and graduation requirements. Most students of military families attend six to nine different school systems during their PK-12 educational career and transition more than twice during their high school years. I would like to commend the 10 aforementioned schools for going above and beyond to take care of our military children. They are among the first 17 schools in Wisconsin to be recognized with the Purple Star distinction. I also want to encourage all of our schools in the 24th Senate District to consider applying for this program.

This week is National Small Business Week. For more than 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has celebrated National Small Business Week, which acknowledges the critical contributions of our country’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Here in Wisconsin, small businesses make up 99 percent of our state’s companies and employ roughly half of our private-sector workforce. Wisconsin’s small businesses also generate over $6.6 billion in annual export value. So, please be sure to thank the small businesses in your community by shopping at their stores this week. americassbdc.org/nsbw/

Good luck, anglers.

I want to make sure everyone is aware that the Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital is hosting a Pregnancy Expo on May 13 for expecting mothers, their partners and family members. The free event, which runs from 6 to 7 p.m., is being held in the hospital cafeteria at 900 Illinois Ave. in Stevens Point. No registration is required. The purpose of the Pregnancy Expo is to provide the community with a welcoming space to review birthing materials and connect with experts. Attendees will have the opportunity to do the following: • Learn about important pregnancy and newborn care topics • Discover community resources and support programs • Experience interactive displays and hands-on demonstrations • Tour the Aspirus Birth Center and meet care team members Throughout the event, Aspirus will be offering a free sibling class for children ages 2 to 7 so they can also receive information about new babies.

Since 2019, Gov. Evers’ hand-picked members of the state Public Service Commission have approved increasing utility fees by more than $2 billion, resulting in Wisconsin having one of the highest electricity rates in the Midwest. Unfortunately, the state Legislature does not have the constitutional authority to involve itself in the PSC’s decision-making process. However, in the 2025-27 state budget, my legislative colleagues and I did what we could do to help lower costs by eliminating the state sales tax on your electricity and natural gas bills. This exemption, which went into effect last October, is saving ratepayers an estimated $179 million over the biennium. Speaking of, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you to check your utility bills to make sure the sales tax has been removed. Some residents are reporting that the sales tax is still appearing on their accounts. You are encouraged to contact your energy company if you find any discrepancies. Starting with next week’s “Testin’s Throwback Thursday,” we will begin to look at some of the bills I authored this legislative session that have been signed into law.

Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Conservation Congress held their annual Fish and Wildlife Spring Hearings in each county of the state. The results of the hearing questionnaire are now available and can be reviewed by clicking here: dnr.wisconsin.gov/about/wcc/spri…. According to the DNR, more than 6,800 people responded to this year’s survey. The feedback will be considered by members of the Conservation Congress at their yearly convention in May.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wants to hear from you regarding the drafting of its 2026-36 Fisheries Management Strategic Plan. Your feedback will help provide direction to the DNR on how our state’s fisheries resources are administered and maintained over the next decade. The DNR is responsible for overseeing Wisconsin’s 160 fish species, 15,000 lakes, 42,000 miles of perennial streams and rivers, two Great Lakes and 260 miles of the Mississippi River. If you would like to fill out the appropriate online form, please click here: research.net/r/2026_FSP_Pub… The deadline is Sunday, May 10.

Would you like to provide your input on a proposed safety improvement project along State Highway 54 between Wisconsin Rapids and Plover? If so, you will get your chance tomorrow during a public involvement meeting that starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Plover Municipal Center, 2400 Post Road, Plover, WI 54467. A brief presentation will begin at 6:30 pm. Department of Transportation officials are looking to enhance the intersection of State Highway 54 and 110th Street because of safety concerns. The project will consist of installing an acceleration lane along eastbound Highway 54 east of 110th Street and also a Through Route Activated Warning System. If you are interested in learning more about the project, please click here: #location" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">projects.hub.wisconsindot.gov/pages/15200101…

It appears that fraudsters are out in full force in Wisconsin. Earlier this week, I let you know about a scam involving Department of Motor Vehicles impersonators trying to obtain personal information through phishing text messages. Now, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is reporting an increase in cases where swindlers are making phone calls pretending to be utility providers warning of overdue accounts. The imposters are threatening to disconnect utility services unless they receive payment immediately. Both residential and business customers are being targeted in this scam. If you are interested in additional information, please click here: datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Med…