Yesterday, Rep. Deb Andraca and I introduced a bill that would disclose the cost of the voucher program on property owners’ tax bills. All of us are paying for voucher school program. And you should have the right to know how much it costs you. www.youtube.com/shorts/lFcY9... #Wisconsin

“It is not about Democrat or Republican. This is about people that we owe every available resource to, to be sure that they are able to recover or to have housing.” chippewa.com/news/state-r... #Wisconsin #chippewafalls #veterans #eauclaire #menomonie

I'm proud to be part of the Build a Stronger Wisconsin bill package that was released today. It's up to the majority party now to move forward with these ideas. The ball is squarely in their court to do what’s right for Wisconsin workers. #wisconsin #chippewavalley

The story of Gail Zeamer is one of courage, advocacy and heartbreaking injustice. Her legacy lives on through the hope of passing Gail’s Law (SB 264). I support Gail’s Law, which passed out of the Sen. Health Committee June 2nd, so let's get this done. youtube.com/shorts/bxRZ3ewZI9o?feature=share

Happy National Dog Day to all of the fellow dog owners out there! #nationaldogday

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund is a 35 year old program that makes public land available for all Wisconsinites to enjoy. Today, I am proud to co-author a bill to reauthorize this program for the next 6 years. knowlesnelson.org #wisconsin #knowlesnelson

Childcare shouldn’t be a luxury or a patchwork solution. It should be a foundational part of our state’s economy and our families’ futures. We can't keep relying on short-term fixes. Let’s make affordable childcare a permanent part of Wisconsin’s promise. www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz4y... #wispol

Thanks to River Source Family Center for taking time out of your day to host Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez and me to learn more about all of the incredible work you do to support families in the Chippewa Falls area. Keep up the great work! #wisconsin #chippewavalley

On Tuesday, I accompanied @govevers.wisconsin.gov on a tour of the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic to learn about their incredible work, which is primarily fueled by volunteers. I’ll keep you all updated as we hear more about the impacts of federal cuts. www.weau.com/2025/08/05/g... #wisconsin

Thank you, @govevers.wisconsin.gov, for your steady leadership during some very tumultuous times. You are a man of integrity who cares deeply about doing the right thing for the future of Wisconsin.

It's been quite a week with the news on Monday of the closure of Klein Hall for homeless veterans in Chippewa Falls on Sept. 30th. Yesterday, I introduced a bill to prevent the closure, but we need Republicans support to move it forward. I hope they will! #Wisconsin youtube.com/shorts/gUJjK...

“The reaction I’ve gotten is it’s shameful that politics has gotten in the way of housing our veterans, and I agree with them... This seems to be something that has alarmed people on both sides of the aisle. Republicans have a chance to redeem themselves.” www.leadertelegram.com/news/daily-u...

“It’s careless and callous to leave veterans out in the cold at a time when they need us the most,” said Smith, who represents the greater Eau Claire and southern Chippewa Falls area. chippewa.com/news/state-r... #Wisconsin #veterans

“We introduced an amendment on the floor during the budget hearing, or budget debate and they voted that down as well... It’s not unexpected, they were told this was going to happen, and it is happening now.” www.weau.com/2025/07/16/w... #Wisconsin #wisconsin #veterans

***For Immediate Release*** Closure of Chippewa Falls and Green Bay VHRP Facilities Looms Without Immediate Action #Wisconsin #chippewavalley #veterans #endhomelessness

“Nevertheless, Republican lawmakers ultimately rejected Gov. Evers’ request, instead approving $0 in new funding for the program, which will now cause two of the three VHRP locations to close." www.leadertelegram.com/news/daily-u... #veterans #Wisconsin

Here is my official statement about the recent announcement of the closure of Klein Hall for homeless veterans in Chippewa Falls: #Wisconsin #chippewavalley #Veterans

“It meant a lot that we passed the bill in time so that we raised our hospital assessment from 1.8% to 6%,” State Senator Jeff Smith, (D) Brunswick, said. “What that does is bring federal money into the state and into our hospitals.” www.weau.com/2025/07/07/h... #wisconsin

Today, I voted yes on the bipartisan state budget agreement negotiated by Governor Evers and legislative leaders... our number one priority was shoring up our healthcare infrastructure. www.youtube.com/shorts/lcOgv... #Wisconsin

Here's the press release on my vote for the budget compromise bill tonight:

"I want to work together and be able to say we worked together to pass good legislation," Smith said. "You can't pass something without funding and say that you did something, because if it isn't funded it isn't real." wqow.com/news/wiscons... #Wisconsin #WIPolitics #WILeg

"Why should we pretend and deceive the people of Wisconsin when they're never going to see the result?" Eau Claire Sen. Jeff Smith (D) said. www.news8000.com/news/lawmake... #Wisconsin

“We’re supposed to trust that bills are going to get passed with no funding because they are going to get funded later,” Smith said, adding that “when there is no funding behind the bill it’s hollow. It means nothing.” wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/06/19/b... #Wisconsin

"When there is no funding behind a bill, it's hollow. It means nothing." youtu.be/IvEAw9oxm5o #wisconsin

Today on the floor of the Senate, we’re debating several bills that enhance safety for schools, bolster emergency services, and more. Who could argue with those things? But if you take a closer look you’ll notice something important is missing: money. youtube.com/shorts/DM0Bz... #Wisconsin

The Senate floor session is about to begin (likely at 1:30pm now)... feel free to follow along via @wisconsineye.bsky.social at the link below: wiseye.org/2025/06/18/w...

Every two years, your state government crafts a budget that impacts everything from your local schools to our roads and healthcare. That’s why I strongly support budget listening sessions, because good government starts with listening. www.youtube.com/shorts/b6AqL... #Wisconsin

If you're in Chippewa Falls today at 5:00 PM, I hope you can join me for a discussion about the current status of the state budget. facebook.com/events/10325... #chippewafalls #chippewavalley

"Republican lawmakers who now claim to prioritize mental health are the same ones who’ve repeatedly blocked $15 million in emergency funding for hospitals across the Chippewa Valley.” www.leadertelegram.com/news/daily-u...

Today, I was in Superior meeting with families who rely on Medicaid. Republicans want to take that lifeline away from tens of thousands of Wisconsinites.

On May 22nd, US House republicans cut $700 BILLION from Medicaid which could mean over 228k Wisconsinites will lose their health coverage. Now's the time to call US Senator Ron Johnson and @baldwin.senate.gov at (202) 224-3121. youtube.com/watch?v=zheH... #Wisconsin #Medicaid

Memorial Day not only marks the beginning of summer, but to honor a solemn purpose: to remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. youtube.com/shorts/C5mr-... #MemorialDayWeekend #Wisconsin

The first five years stay with a child forever. JFC Republicans threw out @govevers.wisconsin.gov's proposal to continue the Child Care Counts program, so now it's up to the full legislature to act. I'm proud to co-sponsor LRB-3324 & 3322 today. Let's fix their mistake and get this passed.

As spring turns into summer, the importance of protecting Wisconsin’s native pollinators cannot be overstated. Learn more about a series of bills I introduced to protect our pollinators. www.youtube.com/shorts/15Ipr... #Wisconsin #eauclaire #chippewafalls #menomonie #chippewavalley

Thanks to everyone who came to our budget presentation and listening session in Eau Claire over the weekend! www.weau.com/2025/05/10/s... #Wisconsin #chippewavalley #eauclaire #wispol

After the Joint Finance Committee wrapped up their final budget listening session, it begs the question — why don’t they hold these listening sessions after they propose a budget? www.youtube.com/shorts/OFOPz... #Wisconsin #wispol #chippewafalls #eauclaire #chippewavalley #menomonie

This week, the Department of Health Services said Wisconsin could lose up to $16.8 billion over the next decade if new cuts proposed by the US House pass into law. Taxpayers will be forced to make up the difference, or we’ll be forced to cut benefits. www.youtube.com/results?sear... #Wisconsin

The State Senate did something that’s rare these days —we came together, Republicans and Democrats, and passed a bipartisan bill to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage beyond 60 days to a full year. Now it is up to the State Assembly to pass it as well. www.youtube.com/shorts/S8pKA... #Wisconsin

Please join State Representative Jodi Emerson and I this Friday, April 25th, at the Augusta Memorial Public Library for our Budget Presentation from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Hope to see you there!

"One in four Wisconsin child care providers could close their doors if the state’s ongoing support isn’t replaced after it ends in June, according to a state-commissioned report released Thursday." wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/04/11/s... #Wisconsin

“It pays off to put millions of dollars in campaigns because they’re going to make money in the end if they win,” Smith continued. “We need Congress to reevaluate this role of corporations and billionaires and their role in money and politics.” wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/04/11/w... #wisconsin

In my video update this week, I discuss the ballot referendum my Democratic colleagues and I introduced to give you the power to speak up and demand an end to Citizens United on the Nov 2026 ballot. www.youtube.com/shorts/-EYB_... #Wisconsin #ChippewaValley #EndCitizensUnited

Did you know about the Joint Finance Committee's public hearings being held around the state? WisconsinEye has been covering each of these important events, and you can watch each testimony at the link here below. wiseye.org/budget-2025/... #Wisconsin #JFC

I was honored to stand with my colleagues this morning to introduce an advisory referendum so voters can ask Congress to overturn the US Supreme Court's Citizens United decision in 2010. It's time to get BIG money out of our politics. This is just the beginning, folks. #wisconsin

Research in the Rotunda this week was a great chance to meet with some of the brilliant minds we have at the UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stout. The future is bright with students like these in the Chippewa Valley! www.wisconsin.edu/research-in-...

The focus of my update this week is on need to support @govevers.wisconsin.gov's $856 million budget proposal for higher education. Wisconsin ranks 43rd in public funding for higher ed. We could turn that around this year if the JFC does the right thing. www.youtube.com/shorts/SEqtu... #wispol

Click here for all of the details for budget listening sessions being held by the Joint Finance Committee in April. If you can't attend, feel free to submit your own comments. legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budge...

“I think this has really shined a light on a system that is broken, it’s a for-profit health system that we live in” Smith said. “The update is we’re running out of time. The $15 million is in the budget until the end of June.” www.weau.com/2025/03/22/o... #Wisconsin

It has been a year now since HSHS closed its doors in the Chippewa Valley. The Wisconsin Legislature repurposed $15 million to address the HSHS closures and now the Joint Finance Committee has until July 1st to release these funds. #Wisconsin #ChippewaValley www.youtube.com/shorts/q8HYx...

In my video update this week, I raise awareness about upcoming legislation that would ensure Wisconsin-based utilities get to bid for contracts to make upgrades to our electric grid. Wisconsin is not for sale, folks! www.youtube.com/shorts/Sxtlc... #ROFR #ChippewaValley #Wisconsin