Public Policy Achievements By Scott BecherChief of Staff Wisconsin State Rep. Steve Wieckert

Overview • Developed, managed and negotiated implementation

of a legislative portfolio of over 230230 bills during the last two Wisconsin State Assembly legislative sessions for Rep. Steve Wieckert.

Rep. Wieckert discussing a bill on the Wisconsin Assembly floor

Major State Program Developed

Wisconsin Senior CareWisconsin Senior Care

• 33 years to the conception, development and negotiation of the Wisconsin Senior Care prescription drug plan, providing service to over 100,000 seniors through legislation enactment.

Landmark Model Law Cody’s Law- $10,000 Organ Cody’s Law- $10,000 Organ

Donation Deduction LawDonation Deduction Law • Introduced in 2929 states,

enacted in 1313 states. • It was selected as a model

law by both the Council of State Governments (CSG) and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in 2006.

• The subject of a major 2008 John Hopkins School of Medicine study published in the American Journal of Transplantation.

Cody’s Law bill signing, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel -January 31, 2004Cody’s Law bill signing, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel -January 31, 2004

Cody’s Law Across the Nation • Arranged speakers for

Minnesota House of Minnesota House of RepresentativesRepresentatives public hearing.

• Assisted in preparing the bill’s fiscal note in the State State ofof MarylandMaryland.

• Prepared testimony about the bill for the Missouri Missouri State SenateState Senate public hearing.

• Helped develop the bill signing remarks of New York New York StateState Governor George Pataki for its New York New York StateState signing.

Cody’s Law National Presentations

• Presented the law at 2004 AOPO (Association of Organ Procurement Organization) Professional Education Workshop in Washington, DC.

• Rep. Wieckert was selected as a member of the 2004 NCSL’s “State Strategies for Organ and Tissue Donation” Technical Assistance Panel.

• Assisted Rep. Wieckert in presenting at the 2005 Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration’s “An Eye on the Future: Insights into Cultural, Ethical ad Medical Issues of Anatomical Donation” conference in New York City.

Rep. Wieckert and Cody Monroe appearing on the Fox News-November 28, 2005

Model Laws Created

John’s LawJohn’s Law• A subject of a forthcoming 2009 Indiana University Law Review A subject of a forthcoming 2009 Indiana University Law Review

article. article.

Hit & Run Improvement ActHit & Run Improvement Act • Efforts underway to introduce the Wisconsin law in OhioOhio and

TexasTexas.

Jeremy’s Law- Cord Blood Information LawJeremy’s Law- Cord Blood Information Law • The state of The state of TennesseeTennessee adopted adopted the Wisconsin Law. the Wisconsin Law.

Precious Cargo-School Safety Enhancements BillPrecious Cargo-School Safety Enhancements Bill • Developed a Wisconsin bill based on a regional Texas

Department of Transportation program. TexasTexas lawmakers used this bill as the basis for their legislation.

Governor Implemented My Ideas

• Branding Wisconsin (Wisconsin Department of Tourism)

• Film Tax Credit (Film Wisconsin)

• “On the Waterfront”- a state waterfront clearinghouse (Wisconsin Department of Commerce)

Actor Johnny Depp (below) Actor Johnny Depp (below)

in Wisconsin filming the big in Wisconsin filming the big

budget film- “Public Enemy.”budget film- “Public Enemy.”  

National Uniform Laws Put Forward • Rep. Wieckert authored

three National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in Wisconsin:

• Introduced- Debt-Management Services Act (2007)

• Enacted-Athlete Agents Act (2005)

• Enacted-Anatomical Gift Act (2007)

Wisconsin State Journal- Wisconsin State Journal- Anatomical Gift Act Anatomical Gift Act Endorsement- Endorsement- March 11, 2008March 11, 2008

Legislative Council Studies

• Oversaw the creation of 4545 Wisconsin Legislative Council studies during 66 year tenure.

• Rep. Steve Wieckert chaired two Wisconsin Legislative Council Studies-

Special Committee on Debt Management Services, 2006

Special Committee on Performance-Based Disease Management Programs for Large Populations,2008

Performance-Based Disease Management Programs for Large Populations

• Arranged to bring to Wisconsin invited speakers from the US Assistant Surgeon General James M. Galloway to nationally known experts from the (CDC) Center for Disease Control, Emory University and (NCSL) National Conference of State Legislatures.

US Assistant Surgeon General US Assistant Surgeon General James M. GallowayJames M. Galloway

Debt Management Services

• Invited participant to 2007 National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws Uniform Debt Management Chicago conference.

• A research source for the February 2008 State of Hawaii debt management legislation audit review.

Legislative Council Symposiums • Arranged six legislative

symposiums on media relations, economic development, trade, branding and healthcare issues.

Capital Region Business Journal- Capital Region Business Journal- June 2006. June 2006. Business magazine coverage for an Business magazine coverage for an economic forum put on by the economic forum put on by the Wisconsin Legislative Council.Wisconsin Legislative Council.

Transportation Conference

• Produced in association with Wisconsin Department of Wisconsin Department of TransportationTransportation.

• It received media coverage in The The Post-CrescentPost-Crescent, on WGBA -TV-WGBA -TV-Green BayGreen Bay and in the Transportation Development Transportation Development Association of WisconsinAssociation of Wisconsin newsletter.

TDA Newsletter- July 1998TDA Newsletter- July 1998

Branding Conference

• The first event in Curly’s Pub at historic Lambeau Field drew a capacity crowd in attendance.

• Produce in association with WisPoliticsWisPolitics.

• It received extensive print coverage in The Post-CrescentThe Post-Crescent, Green Bay Press GazetteGreen Bay Press Gazette and Green Bay News ChronicleGreen Bay News Chronicle and television news stories on two Green Bay television stations-WLUKWLUK and WFRVWFRV.

Green Bay News Chronicle- September 25, 2003Green Bay News Chronicle- September 25, 2003

Results

• A total of 4949 bills and budget provisions have been enacted during my 10 year tenure.

Anatomical Gift Act Bill Signing- March 17, 2008Anatomical Gift Act Bill Signing- March 17, 2008