VanderMeer: I will continue to fight for you in Madison

EDITOR’S NOTE: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin will be publishing columns by candidates for contested local, state and national races leading up to the Nov. 8 election.

Two years ago you elected me and I committed to working hard and representing your interests in Madison, and that’s what I’ve done.

I committed to providing our students with the opportunity for a great education. That’s why I opposed efforts to reduce funding for K-12 education and the University of Wisconsin System. I also worked in conjunction with our UW System to reach a compromise to help save a program that provided college course opportunities to our high school students. This will help students get a leg up by earning college credits while helping to reduce tuition costs.

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I committed to finding ways to lower student loan debt. I co-authored legislation that was part of the College Affordability Legislative Package to address student loan debt by requiring all higher ed institutions to provide students with specified information relating to their college loans at the beginning of every academic year.

I committed to protecting your tax dollars, and voted for bills that help prevent welfare fraud and hold companies receiving taxpayer money accountable.

I committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our communities. That’s why I authored legislation to strengthen consumer protection for the elderly and disabled when they are targeted by scammers. I also played a role in preventing proposed changes to the popular SeniorCare program and long-term care for our most vulnerable offered through FamilyCare and IRIS.

I committed to helping our veterans, and I authored a bill creating a veteran’s employment and entrepreneurship grant program.

I committed to creating access to health care in our rural communities. I am proud to have authored legislation that enters Wisconsin into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which provides an expedited licensing option to help alleviate the physician shortage and increase access to health care. I received the Friend of Medicine Award from the Wisconsin Academy of Physicians for my work on this legislation.

I committed to expanding access to mental health services. That is why I co-authored legislation to reduce red tape so licensed clinical social workers and mental health professionals can provide services in schools without establishing a branch office in the school. This will help kids get the early intervention they need. I also authored legislation to reduce the amount of information needed for prior approval and increased the number of mental health therapy visits before requiring authorization for services.

I committed to combating drug abuse and addiction, and voted to pass a package of bills aimed at expanding the Heroin, Opiate, Prevention and Education (HOPE) Agenda. This included legislation to help prescribers, dispensers, and law enforcement gather information and analyze data to reduce problems like overprescribing and the illegal sale of drugs. We also focused on streamlining state regulation so that more people will have access to treatment and increased funding for treatment and diversion programs.

Although I wish I had more space to touch on all the things I was able to accomplish in my first term, I think that many of the items showcase how hard I have been working for you. You put your trust in me to do the right thing and fight for you in Madison, and I will continue that commitment. Let’s keep our community and our state moving forward. Please vote for me, Nancy VanderMeer, on Nov. 8.

Rep. Nancy VanderMeer (R-Tomah) represents the 70th Assembly District. She was first elected to the Assembly in 2014.