West central part of state has voice through Bernier

State Sen. Kathy Bernier (R-Lake Hallie), is now able to serve her constituents in a new way, as she was appointed Dec. 1, to serve on the Wisconsin Legislatures’ Joint Finance Committee for the 2021-22 legislative biennium. She will be the first person to represent this part of the state on the committee, in more than a decade.

“I am honored to work with my colleagues in setting fiscal priorities for the next two years,” said Bernier.

The Joint Committee on Finance is a statutory, 16-member standing committee of the Wisconsin Legislature. The committee’s primary responsibility is to serve as the principal legislative committee charged with the review of all state appropriations and revenues, as well as facilitating the biennial state budget.

“It is always difficult to set financial priorities, however, I am eager to focus on how we can effectively address our most pressing challenges,” said Bernier. “One of my top priorities will be addressing mental health needs.”

In the previous budget, 22 proposed mental health beds were vetoed, something Bernier wants to change.

“I am still focused and hopeful,” said Bernier, “that those in-patient beds located in our area, and serving all of northern, western and central Wisconsin, will become a reality in this biennium. Mental healthcare for any area of the state, is a win for the entire state.”

Bernier represents Wisconsin’s 23rd State Senate Seat, including all of Chippewa, Clark, and portions of Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Marathon, Trempealeau and Wood counties. She was elected to the Senate in 2018, for a four-year term.