Hi folks! Welcome back to Tammy Tuesdays, our weekly update email on Tammy’s work and the big fights she’s taking on for Wisconsin families.
Tammy knows that there’s more that unites us than divides us. She understands that Wisconsin’s working families all want good-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and the same freedoms their parents and grandparents had.
Read below for highlights of what Tammy worked on this week:
Keeping Wisconsinites Connected
In the digital era, it’s essential that every Wisconsinite has access to reliable high-speed internet regardless of where they live. Access to high-speed internet strengthens our economy, opens the door to more educational opportunities for our children, and keeps us connected to our loved ones. That’s why Tammy is working harder than ever to invest in our state’s broadband.
Recently, Tammy won big for our broadband by securing over $1 billion from the Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment (BEAD) Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with the goal of making sure that every home and business across the state has access to high-speed internet. By investing in Wisconsin’s infrastructure, Tammy is working hard to strengthen our Made in Wisconsin economy and guarantee a brighter future for the next generation of Wisconsinites.
Repairing Our Roads and Bridges
Tammy knows that strong bridges and safe roads aren’t partisan issues. Wisconsinites use bridges and roads everyday to go to work, school, or to run errands. Our bridges and roads keep our communities connected and our economy going strong. And the past couple of weeks, Tammy has stood up for Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure.
In Superior, Tammy visited Blatnik Bridge to voice urgency in replacing the bridge and highlight her work with Gov. Tony Evers in securing funds to get us closer to that goal. Tammy was able to secure over $7 million for the project and is working hard to secure more federal funding. The Blatnik Bridge, which has connected the communities of Superior, WI and Duluth, MN since 1961, is traveled by more than 33,000 vehicles on a daily basis. Tammy knows that this bridge is a lifeline for Superior and Duluth, and is going to keep working hard to get it replaced.
And in Milwaukee and Kenosha, Tammy was proud to secure nearly $35 million for critical bridge and road projects. Wisconsinites want to know that they can get from Point A to Point B safely, that’s why Tammy is going to keep working hard to invest in our transportation infrastructure.
Fighting for Clean Water
Every Wisconsinite needs access to clean drinking water, and should have peace of mind that their water sources aren’t going to get them sick. But too often drinking water in Wisconsin’s small, rural, and underserved communities are contaminated with PFAS and other harmful contaminants.
Right now, Tammy is working hard to add two bipartisan bills in the next Farm Bill, which will address PFAS contamination in our rural communities. Because access to safe, clean drinking water is a human right and where you live shouldn’t determine whether or not your water is safe to drink.
Standing Up for Our Small Businesses, Agricultural Industries
Everyone knows that Wisconsin is a small business powerhouse with the best agricultural industries in the world. Our small businesses and agricultural industries keep our economy going strong and provide countless jobs. But in order for our small businesses and agricultural industries to thrive, they need reliable, strong supply chains.
Time and again, our freight rail companies have been providing unreliable services and are raising their costs with no explanations. This lack of accountability over freight rail companies has been disrupting our supply chains and hurting small businesses and farmers who rely on these services. That’s why Tammy is working across the aisle to pass legislation that will keep these companies accountable, and ensure that our small businesses and farmers can transport their goods as efficiently as possible.
Supporting Tribal-Owned Small Businesses
Tammy is focused on uplifting Wisconsin’s tribal communities, which are central to our state’s identity, history, and future. And a part of uplifting our tribal communities is ensuring that they have access to good-paying jobs and economic opportunities.
Building on Tammy’s work to secure $550 million in new funds for minority-owned businesses, Wisconsin’s tribal communities are receiving an additional $22 million to fund small-business growth on reservations. Tammy knows that our tribal communities have faced economic marginalization for generations, and that’s why she is working hard to support our tribal-owned small businesses right here in Wisconsin.
