KENOSHA COUNTY ⏤ Kenosha County officials Wednesday expressed gratitude after Gov. Tony Evers signed AB 374 into law. The move frees up settlement funds for opioid addiction mitigation and abatement efforts.
2021 Assembly Bill 374 addresses settlement of the multidistrict opiate litigation. In this specific instance, it addresses the multidistrict litigation titled In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, Case No.: MDL 2804.
We are completely funded by donations and sponsorships. As a result, please consider signing up for a one-time or recurring monthly donation to sustain our efforts.
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
EP 14: Do what you can – Inside the Mind of Daniel Thompson
‘Significant sum’ coming to Kenosha County
As a result, a “significant sum” will be coming to Kenosha County, according to County Executive Jim Kreuser.
However, it is unclear exactly how much or what those funds will specifically go toward at the moment.
“We don’t know exactly how much we will receive, but it will be a significant sum and will make a tremendous difference in Kenosha County’s fight against opioid addiction and our efforts to promote recovery.”
Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser
District Attorney Michael Graveley also praised the bill for seemingly bringing funds back to areas that need it. Graveley further called the county “a leader in opioid prevention and in diversion programs that emphasize recovery and rehabilitation.”
“I am a strong supporter of these efforts, and I’m thankful to Gov. Evers and the Legislature for their work on making sure these settlement dollars get into the communities to help us in our ongoing work to address the opioid epidemic constructively.”
Sign up for FREE email alerts whenever we post new content below
Legislative Reference Bureau analysis of AB 374
As explained by the Legislative Reference Bureau in its analysis here, AB 374 is:
A joint settlement agreement of the claims of the state and local governments regarding opioids with any person engaged in the manufacture, marketing, promotion, distribution, or dispensing of an opioid product if all of the following are satisfied: 1) the Joint Committee on Finance approves the proposed settlement agreement under the procedure specified in current law; 2) the settlement agreement identifies 30 percent of the proceeds as payable to the state; and 3) the settlement agreement identifies 70 percent of the proceeds as payable to local governments that are parties to the multidistrict opiate litigation. (AB 474, page 1)
Allocation of state and local funds
The bill also addresses the allocation of state and local funds. The state funds must go to the state Department of Health Services. Those funds will be “for expenditure for purposes that comply with the settlement agreement or court order.”
Local funds must be paid directly only to local governments that are parties to the multidistrict opiate settlement. The analysis further states:
The share of settlement proceeds for such a local government must be deposited by the local government in a segregated account; may not be commingled with other moneys, except for settlement moneys of another local government; must be expended for the purposes identified by the settlement agreement or court order; may be allocated to another political subdivision if used for the same purposes as the local government may expend the moneys; and must be included in the local government’s typical audit process. (AB 374, page 2)
Wisconsin county executives praise new law in letter
Shortly following Evers signing the bill into law, 10 of the state’s county executives released a letter praising the effort.
“We have spoken with national experts and others closely involved in this litigation, and this bill, signed by Governor Evers, is model legislation for states and for county governments across the nation. We are so proud to lead the effort in finding solutions for our communities that have been ravaged by opioids.”
They, likewise, touted the new law as “a great example of the legislature and the governor coming together to do what is best for families in Wisconsin who have been afflicted by the opioid crisis.”
“As a result of this legislation, counties will receive needed resources to assist individuals and families who have been affected by the misuse and abuse of opioids.”
Letter of 10 Wisconsin county executives
“Our urban centers and rural communities have been battling this epidemic, and we are grateful for Governor Evers’ recognition that Wisconsin’s citizens cannot afford to wait even one day longer.”
To learn more about the bill, its history and also any amendments along the way, visit https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2021/proposals/ab374.
Donate to The Uptown Observer Today!
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyObserver Archives
- Last night’s meeting: Council increases bond for inciting violence more than 10 times normal amount; alderpersons object to city methodology
KENOSHA ⏤ During last night’s City Council meeting, alderpersons voted to increase the bond amount for the charge of inciting - Updated: Kreuser finds Kenosha County Board behavior ‘disheartening’; Berg speaks out against Decker
Kreuser reacted to certain County Board members’ actions — specifically, Zach Rodriguez and Erin Decker — - Art and activism: Beautifying, adding meaning to the aftermath of social unrest
KENOSHA ⏤ While the word saw Kenosha as a warzone, many young activists used art to - Art and Activism, Part 2: Jon Linton gives names to the nameless, helps fill the needs of the needy
You’ve seen them. Whether they’re standing at the stoplight near Woodman’s by the interstate, the one - Kenosha Alderman: ‘Our town has changed’
KENOSHA ⏤ Near the end of the Kenosha Common Council meeting on Monday, Ald. Anthony Kennedy had one - State senators praise Wray’s appointment, differ on views of Jacob Blake shooting
KENOSHA ⏤ State senators Bob Wirch and Van Wanggaard agree Noble Wray is the right choice - Kenosha Tavern League decries cabaret license changes
KENOSHA ⏤ The Kenosha Tavern League opposes the changes proposed to the city’s cabaret license requirements. - DKI announces finance committee to oversee business recovery funds
KENOSHA ⏤ Downtown Kenosha Inc. announced Friday that it has put together a finance committee to - Post names KUSD teachers who called in sick Monday
A Facebook page caused outrage Friday by naming Kenosha Unified School District teachers who called in sick Monday. - Friday protest planned, discussions continue on cabaret license changesKENOSHA – The organizer of a planned Friday protest hopes the music and chants give officials
- After two public hearings and 3 comments, a deferral on cabaret
KENOSHA ⏤ Monday, the City Council voted in favor of a deferral on changes to the - Kenosha health officials encourage compliance with Evers’ new order
The message from Kenosha County officials is clear: Follow Gov. Tony Evers’ new COVID-19 emergency order.
Latest Music News
- In the Crowd: Lumphead, Roaming Bear and Codes within Codes
Kenosha Creative Space hosted the talents of three local bands Saturday night: Lumphead (Brittany Lumley), Roaming Bear - Listening To: Spare Animals’ “Better Winds” (review)
If I had to sum up Kenosha County musicians Spare Animals’ latest EP, “Better Winds”, it would - Just a face in the Kenosha crowd: Local music heard in recent months
It’s been quite some time since I’ve shared glimpses of the music created, produced and performed here - Around the Scene: Get out to Public Craft and Kenosha Creative Space (playlist)
KENOSHA – While musicians have a chance to start off their week at Rustic Road and Kenosha - Cold Nights, Warm Lights: Photos from recent open mics
KENOSHA ⏤ Over the winter months, it sometimes seems as though musicians, like certain other types of - Brent Mitchell sings the blues
When I sat down a few days ago to chat with Brent Mitchell, I knew a few
Latest City News
Our Most Used Tags
'What About Last Night' (26) Around the Scene (24) city committees (18) City Council (58) city government (46) City News (110) city of kenosha (86) civil unrest (18) community (26) community resources (18) covid (37) covid-19 (44) covid-19 vaccine (20) daniel thompson (187) From County Chambers … (29) government (33) health (33) Humanity-Centered Stories (43) kenosha (280) kenosha county (120) kenosha county board (22) kenosha county division of health (19) kenosha county sheriff's department (43) kenosha fusion (19) kenosha journalist (162) kenosha music (64) kenosha police (67) kenosha police department (26) live music (59) mental health (24) music (63) musicians (51) music photography (45) music scene (63) open mic (19) open mics (17) photography (20) police (25) rescue (19) social issues (122) social justice (24) thatkenoshajournalist (123) the uptown observer (81) uptown kenosha (18) uptown observer (291)