Happy Halloween! I sincerely hope you and your family enjoy a fun and safe holiday. For those planning their evening, you can find a helpful list of trick-or-treat times across our area right here.
This week in Madison, my staff and I were focused on advancing important legislative initiatives aimed at making crucial reforms in both the health care and education systems.
The Senate Committee on Insurance held a public hearing on the proposal that Representative Dittrich and I authored to make the prior authorization process in health care more efficient and transparent. While prior authorization serves a necessary function—ensuring treatments are medically appropriate, safe, and cost-effective to contain overall healthcare costs—the current system is often slow, repetitive, and inconsistent. When the process becomes a severe barrier to timely care, it stops being a responsible check and starts putting excessive paperwork ahead of patient well-being, leading to delayed diagnoses and interrupted treatment paths. Our bill aims to modernize and fix this broken process, not eliminate necessary regulation.
Separately, the Assembly Committee on Education held a public hearing for my proposal to streamline the dual enrollment process for parents and students across Wisconsin. This bill is the result of extensive collaboration with the UW System, Technical Colleges, DPI, WAICU, and K-12 stakeholders. It provides three essential, interconnected reforms designed to simplify the system and ensure all students have equal access to these life-changing academic opportunities.
A critical structural reform in the bill is the creation of the Council on Dual Enrollment within the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). By bringing all major educational partners—including universities, technical colleges, private institutions, and tribal colleges—to the same table, the Council will guarantee a unified, responsive, and student-centric approach to dual enrollment. Its mandate includes studying existing programs, annually reviewing outcomes, and making recommendations to ensure all pathways to earning college credit in high school are clear, affordable, and attainable for every student.
Closer to home, I was thrilled to attend the Waukau Dam ribbon-cutting ceremony in Omro. This significant $1.7 million project was made possible in part by a $751,900 Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, with the remaining funding provided through the Winnebago County Capital Improvement Program. This will be a wonderful and valuable addition to our area.
I hope you have a good week!
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(Left) Stopped by Goodwill to learn more about their operation! (Right) Waukau Dam Ribbon-Cutting Event
Food Assistance During the Holiday Season
As we march towards the holiday season, including Thanksgiving and Christmas, I wanted to share resources available if your family needs assistance with meals. Click on this link for more information.
Community Events
Here is a list of some events happening around our area in the next few weeks. If you have an event you would like included in future e-updates, email us here!
Friday, October 31st:Â 88th Annual Book Sale
Friday, October 31st:Â Red Robin Free Kids’ Sundaes
Friday, October 31st: American Legion Norris Spencer Post 263 & Auxiliary – Brat Fry
Saturday, November 1st:Â Spooks on Spur New London
Saturday, November 1st:Â Oshkosh Community Jam
Saturday, November 1st:Â Waupaca Holiday Shopportunity
Sunday, November 2nd:Â Waupaca Area Woodcarvers Show: Artistry in Wood
Sunday, November 2nd: Wautoma Game Day Buffet – Pulled Pork/Seafood Buffet
Monday, November 3rd:Â Wautoma Blood Drive
Wednesday, November 5th: New London Public Library – Babygarten
Thursday, November 6th:Â Propel Oshkosh Young Professionals Event
Below are some great resources to learn more about our community and fun events!
Fox Cities Events Calendar
Future Neenah Events Calendar
Oshkosh Chamber of Commerce
New London Chamber of Commerce
Waushara Area Chamber of Commerce
Wisconsin Sensory-Friendly Children Museums
Visit Waupaca County
Travel Wisconsin
Traveling to the Capitol
My office is available five days a week for anyone looking to travel down to the Capitol!
If you are interested in a guided tour provided by my staff, or me, please email Sen.Cabral-Guevara@legis.
Committees
This session, I serve as the chair of the Senate Committee on Health. My number one priority has always been to increase affordability and accessibility in health care for the state of Wisconsin.
Health (Chair)
Universities and Technical Colleges (Vice Chair)
Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Children and Families
Agriculture and Revenue
Joint Legislative Council
Contacting My Office
My capitol office is here to help you with general inquiries as well as questions and concerns regarding legislative matters. Feel free to contact me or my staff. We are always ready to assist you in your needs. Please visit my website for press releases and other capitol updates.
