E-Update February 24, 2023

Thank you for reading my e-update. This is a special week for me and many Christians as Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent. Christians use this 40 day period to reflect on Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross through fasting and prayer. Many Christians give something up, or fast from something, for the 40 days of Lent. I chose to give up coffee as I seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully.

Blessings on your week.

Representative Schmidt

February is American Heart Month and a good reminder to stay heart healthy. Exercise, reducing stress, eating healthy, and quitting tobacco are great ways to keep your heart healthy. Talk to your doctor about what heart health screenings are best for you.

District Outreach

Volunteering in the District

On Tuesday I volunteered as a poll worker for my local township. It was good to see so many people exercising their right to vote in a primary election.

If you would like to volunteer as a poll worker for your local municipality, contact your local municipal clerk.

Wisconsin law does provide pupils age 16 and 17 who meet certain conditions to work at the polls as election workers. This can be a great way to introduce young people to the political process.

Here are the details. The opportunity is for pupils who:

• Are 16 or 17 years of age
• Are enrolled in a public, private, home-based or tribal school (In 2021 Rep. Jesse James passed legislation to include home-schooled pupils)
• Have the approval of a parent (or guardian)

The chief local election officer must also be willing to appoint the student.

On Sunday, I sold tickets at the door for Wolf River Lutheran High School’s Fried Bread Taco and Bake Sale fundraiser in Shawano. The fundraiser helped raise funds to support the school and students with needed resources.

Constituent Meetings

Meeting with individual constituents is an important priority to me in District 6. If you would like to meet with me, please reach out to my office toll-free at

1-888-529-0006, or email rep.schmidt@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Under the Dome

Lisa Nelson, Walmart’s Public Affairs and Government Relations Director, joined me in my Capitol office to talk about issues affecting the retail industry in Wisconsin.

We discussed the following issues:

• Repealing the Unfair Sales Act of 1939 (minimum markup law) to allow for price competition
• Expanding curbside pickup of alcoholic beverages and allow alcohol delivery
• Lowering Thresholds for felony theft to combat rising organized retail theft
• Exempting prescription drugs, vaccines, and qualified medical devices from Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act
• Expanding scope of practice for many licensed health care providers;they contend this will deliver greater access to health care for customers particularly in underserved and rural areas, while also reducing costs

I met with the Superior Days Delegation on Wednesday for a discussion as part of the 38th Superior Days held at the Capitol.

The delegation is advocating for an evaluation and increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates with regard to mental healthcare and nursing home care. They are also asking the legislature to allow counties and municipalities to keep 20% of the sales tax currently collected by the State of Wisconsin. They are calling for all counties to be allowed to assess a 1% sales tax locally. Amending the Minnesota-Wisconsin tuition reciprocity agreement was also discussed.

Menominee Tribe

Joe Strohl stopped by my office to talk about matters affecting the Menominee Tribe. The social and economic conditions of the Menominee Tribe show poverty, health care problems, and social challenges.

The Tribe’s sources of revenue are a small casino in northern Wisconsin and a forestry operation on the Menominee reservation. Joe said the two revenue sources do not provide the resources needed to address the issues facing the Tribe. The Tribe is proposing a Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha to help with supporting its nearly 9,000 members.

I met with Scott Stenger who represents the Tavern League of Wisconsin. The SafeRide program is an award-winning program established by the Tavern League of Wisconsin in 1985. Patrons who believe they have had one too many drinks can request a voucher from their bartender for a taxi ride home. Last year, the program operated in more than 60 Wisconsin Counties, and has now provided over 1.1 million rides since 2005.

To find out if your local tavern participates in SafeRide, click here.

Listening Sessions

Monday, March 6th

9:30AM-10:30AM

Bonduel Village Hall, Bonduel, WI

11:00AM-12:30PM

Shawano Public Library, Shawano, WI

3:15PM-4:15PM

Muehl Public Library, Seymour, WI

Monday, March 13th

10:00AM-11:00AM

Black Creek Community Center, 507 S. Maple Street, Black Creek, WI

1:00PM-2:00PM

Tigerton Community Center, 221 Birch Street, Tigerton, WI

2:45PM-3:45PM

Gresham Village Hall, Gresham, WI

These listening sessions provide constituents the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts on legislative items, including the 2023-2025 biennial budget that the Legislature will vote on later this year.