Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


 August 5, 2015

 

Contact Me

 

418 North State Capitol

P.O. Box 8953

Madison, WI 53708

 

PH: (608) 266-7521

TF: (888) 534-0078

FAX: (608) 282-3690

 

rep.subeck@legis.wi.gov

Website


   

 

Things happening in the district & around Madison

 

Drop-In Preschool Storytime

Thursday August 6

9:30am to 10:15 am

Alicia Ashman Library

 

Come to the Alicia Ashman Library for preschool storytime. Enjoy a happy blend of stories, songs, and fingerplays that help preschool children develop vocabulary, letter knowledge, and narrative skills all while having a great time. No registration required.

 


Book Discussion of The Human Age

Thursday, August 6

2pm to 3:30pm

Alicia Ashman Library

 

Join a fun and rewarding adult book group for discussions on a variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction. The next title is The Human Age by Diane Ackerman and can be picked up at the reference desk while supplies last.

 


Super Smash Bros. WiiU Teen Tournament Qualifying Round

Thursday, August 6

2:30pm-6pm

Meadowridge Library

 

For grades 6-12 at the Meadowridge Library. Up to 20 slots. 1st/2nd/3rd place winners go on to the all-city championship August 12.

 


LEGO Ninjago Party

Friday, August 7

1:30pm

Meadowridge Library

 

Celebrate all things Ninjago while you put your own ninja skills to the test. Families. Please register for this event. Kids grades K-5. 

 


West Side Farmers Market

Saturdays, April 18th to November 14th

7AM - 1PM

Hill Farms DOT Building Parking Lot

University Ave. & Segoe Rd.

 


Dane Dances

Friday, August 7

5:30pm-9:30pm

Monona Terrace

 

Great dancing & eclectic food. Bring a blanket or lawn chair; rooftop seating is limited. Lake Vista Cafe open. Food vendors open. Picnic baskets are welcome. No carry in alcohol. August 7 D.J. Ace/Kinfolk/MadiSalsa.

 


Voter Education Ambassador Training Session

Friday, August 14

2:30pm-4pm

Madison Water Utility

119 E. Olin Ave.

 

The City Clerk’s Office provides its Voter Education Ambassadors with voter outreach kits—resources to help determine where someone votes, Voter ID brochures, fliers, absentee request forms, and election schedule cards. If you plan to attend one of the upcoming sessions and would like a voter outreach kit, please email the city clerk at:

MWitzel-Behl@cityofmadison.com

 


Health Insurance Enrollment and Exemption Application Assistance

Thursdays, until August 31st

10 am - 3 pm

 

Dane County Job Center

1819 Aberg Ave., Madison 

 

Consumers can walk in for assistance or make appointments by calling Covering Kids & Families at 608-261-1455.

 


Visiting the Capitol

Whether you are planning a visit to the state Capitol as part of a large group, small gathering, or just by yourself, our office can assist you in scheduling a free guided tour of the Capitol building during normal business hours.

 

Free tours are offered daily, year round. Tours depart from the ground floor Information Desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 am and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 pm; and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 pm. A 4:00 pm tour is offered Memorial Day through Labor Day. The sixth floor museum and observation deck are also open during the summer months.

 

 
 

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

It is a lot quieter around the Capitol during the summer months, but that does not mean our work is done. I am taking a little time off to spend with family and will be busy the rest of the month meeting with constituents, attending committee hearings and meetings, and preparing to be back on the Assembly floor in September.

 

In this week’s newsletter, you will find information on the latest attacks on women’s health care access, news regarding the Penokee Hills mine, an update on WEDC, and information about protecting yourself from home repair scams after storms.

 

If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office. 

 

Sincerely,

Lisa Subeck

State Representative

78th Assembly District

 


Republicans Launch Attack on Planned Parenthood

Last month, Governor Walker signed into law a blatantly unconstitutional 20 week abortion ban that takes medical options away from women facing complicated pregnancies and the most tragic circumstances.

 

Days after the Governor signed the abortion ban into law, Representative Andre Jacque (R-DePere) circulated three bills for co-sponsorship directly attacking Planned Parenthood and other providers of women’s health care. The trio of bills could block access to needed health care for women across Wisconsin through further defunding of trusted health care providers.

 

Representative Jacque’s bills take aim squarely at Planned Parenthood. Two of the three bills would further defund Planned Parenthood by taking away their Title X funding and making changes to Medicaid reimbursements. The third bill would add unnecessary targeted requirements for providers of abortion services.

 

During the last four years, Republicans have passed laws limiting access to birth control and abortion and defunding Planned Parenthood at the state level. Representative Jacque’s bills would further limit women’s health care access and likely result in the closure of additional women’s health centers.

 


WEDC Update

Last week, months after a scathing audit centered on scandal at Governor Walker’s Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the Joint Legislative Audit Committee announced it will hold a hearing on the recent audit. The announcement comes after Democrats insisted on a hearing and called for the resignation of WEDC Secretary and CEO, Reed Hall. Further media reports detail widespread mismanagement and potential pay-to-play corruption within the agency.

 

The two Republicans who serve on WEDC’s board, Sen. Rick Gudex and Rep. Rob Hutton have remained silent throughout the last few months as Democrats on the board called for action. Shortly after the Audit Committee’s hearing was announced, Sen. Gudex and Rep. Hutton broke their silence and circulated a bill that would remove all four legislators from WEDC’s board, leaving the quasi-governmental agency with no legislative oversight.

 

Especially given WEDC’s rocky beginning and ongoing problems, oversight by those directly accountable to our taxpayers is critical. This move by Gudex and Hutton is one of many recent attempts to limit government transparency at the expense of taxpayers.

 


Penokee Hills Mine Update

A few months ago, we shared good news regarding the proposed mine in Northern Wisconsin. Gogebic Taconite announced that it was ending its efforts to build an open-pit iron mine in the Penokee Hills. Unfortunately, news surfaced over the weekend that Iron County officials met last week with representatives from La Pointe Iron Company to discuss their interest in pursuing a mine. La Pointe owns most of the land that Gogebic Taconite was going to use to mine for iron.

 

Environmental experts and residents continue to express serious concerns about the recently passed mining legislation that was written to meet the needs of one business and passed by legislative Republicans at lightning speed without any regard for what the environmental impact would be to northern Wisconsin’s wetlands, trout streams, lakes, wild rice beds, majestic forests, and drinking water. La Pointe Iron Company wanting to step in where Gogebic left off is bad news for those who fought against this mine and its impact on our natural resources.

 


“Ban the Box”

I recently joined efforts of state and local elected officials from all over the country by sending a letter to President Obama, asking him to issue an executive order that would “ban the box” on federal work applications and to require the same for those who contract with the federal government. The “Ban the Box” movement seeks to eliminate the check box commonly found on job applications that indicates whether an individual has a criminal record. These check boxes open the door for discrimination without any regard for whether a past offense has any bearing on the job for which the individual is applying, thus lowering the chances of an individual even being offered an initial job interview.

 

The City of Madison has already banned the box from city applications and is currently taking steps to require companies who contract with the city to do the same. 60 other cities and counties nationwide have already adopted Ban the Box ordinances.

 

There is still more to do, and that is why I have sent a letter to President Obama asking him to sign an executive order to Ban the Box at the federal level by limiting consideration of conviction history in federal government employment decisions and extending these limits to federal contractors.

 

I am committed to making it easier for individuals to reenter the workforce and their communities after incarceration. It is clear that ex-offenders are less likely to reoffend if they have access to employment opportunities. Banning the box gives these individuals a fair shot at getting a foot in the door toward employment.

 

Click here to learn more about the national campaign to “Ban the Box.”

 


Look out for “Storm Chasers”

As we have seen over the last couple of weeks in Wisconsin, summer storms can cause some serious damage. As we face severe weather in these summer months, the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection urges you to be on the lookout for transient home improvement workers looking to scam vulnerable homeowners. These contractors will charge high prices for shoddy work or offer a low price to get an upfront payment and then run off with your money.

 

A Wisconsin state law called “The Storm Chaser Law” gives the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection the enforcement ability to protect consumers and honest businesses and prevent insurance fraud. Highlights of the law include:

  • Contractors cannot promise to pay all or some of a property insurance deductible.

  • Contractors cannot represent or negotiate with the customer’s homeowner’s insurer on behalf of the customer. The contractor can, with the consent of the customer, discuss damages and costs associated with the repairs with the insurer.

  • Before entering into a contract with a customer, the contractor must give the customer a questionnaire to determine whether the work requested is related to an insurance claim.

  • Customers have a right to cancel the contract within three business days of being notified that their insurer has denied all or any part of the claim for work. Contractors must notify customers of this right.

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection provide these tips for homeowners with storm damage:

  • Hire a contractor based on referrals. Ask friends and neighbors for recommendations and ask contractors for references. Before you sign a contract, contact DATCP to see if we have received complaints about the business.

  • Try to get a local contractor. Ask contractors if they are subcontracting your job. Be careful if local contractors are using outside subcontractors.

  • Get lien waivers from anyone you pay for home repairs. Lien waivers protect you if the person collecting the money does not pay the suppliers or workers.

  • Get a written contract with a start date and completion date and warranty information. Also, make certain that the contract states exactly what work is to be done and what materials are to be used. Never rely on a verbal commitment.

  • Ask to see the contractor’s state registration card. Make sure that any contractor you are considering hiring shows you their state registration card.

  • Have someone watch the work being done. Check with your local building inspector to see if the work requires a permit. Make sure an inspector visits the job site before you make a final payment.

  • Request a copy of the contractor's certificate of liability insurance.

 

For additional information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-422-7128.

 


Verona Road (US 18/151) Project

This weekend (August 7-9), Verona Road (US 18/151) and Midvale Boulevard will be closed nightly at the Beltline interchange as crews set girders for the new eastbound Beltline bridge over Verona Road. For everyone’s safety, access will be restricted under the Beltline and only right turns at the interchange will be permitted on:

Friday night – 10 p.m. Friday (Aug. 7) to 9 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 8); Saturday night – 10 p.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday (Aug. 9); and Sunday night – 6 p.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday (Aug. 10).

 

View the map of access restrictions. There will be no restrictions on the Beltline. The interchange will be open the remaining times of the weekend.

 

Motorists are advised to plan ahead, use alternate routes and follow the signed detour routes for the closed movements. Note: this work is weather dependent and subject to change.

 

STAY INFORMED: Verona Road Project website | Project Facebook page

 


Holy Name Seminary

The Wisconsin Historical Society recently added the Holy Name Seminary at 702 South High Point Road, in the 78th Assembly District, to both the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

 

In 1946, Bishop William Patrick O’Connor became the first bishop of the Diocese of Madison. In 1963 Bishop O’Connor opened Holy Name Seminary. Holy Name Seminary was a full minor seminary with four years of high school and two years of general college studies until its closure in 1995.

 

After the Seminary closed in 1995, the building was renovated and became the diocesan center. It was renamed the Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center in 1998.The Bishop O’Connor Catholic Pastoral Center is now being redeveloped, but will maintain diocesan offices and chapel, along with several other historic features, while adding a vibrant new residential community.

 


Fun Wisconsin Fact

Did you know that Carrie Chapman Catt, the well-known American suffragist and peace advocate was born in Ripon, Wisconsin? Carrie Chapman Catt became the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in 1900 and led the campaign to win suffrage through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. After the ratification of the 19th Amendment, she organized the League of Women Voters and the International Woman Suffrage Alliance.

 

 

 

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