Lisa Subeck

State Representative

78th Assembly District

Republican Proposals Impact our Most Vulnerable Neighbors

The committee on Public Benefits Reform held a public hearing on two bills last week. The first bill, AB 222, is a Republican proposal that would make it harder for our neighbors in need to access FoodShare assistance and that would cost the state millions to implement.

Republicans are again working to score political points with the most extreme right wing interests at the expense of our communities’ most vulnerable residents. AB 222 would add new barriers for FoodShare participants, making it harder for senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and hard working families to put food on their tables. And this comes at the expense of millions taxpayer dollars.

This change would have serious disproportionate impact on the elderly and people with disabilities, who rely on others to assist them with purchasing food using their FoodShare cards. If this bill becomes law, these elderly and disabled individuals would be forced to find independent means and transportation to get themselves to the grocery store or go without adequate food to meet their nutritional needs.

The second bill before the committee was AB 212. This legislation stands to ban people from the state unemployment program for seven years, if they make simple mistakes filing a claim. This bill is moving forward even though a recent report from the Legislative Audit Bureau showed that 85% of unemployment overpayments are a direct result of unintentional reporting errors. The Department of Workforce Development’s mandatory filing survey includes complex questions and unfamiliar terminology, which the federal government has determined to be problematic. With this bill, Republicans will be punishing individuals who have simply made honest, unintended mistakes.

Republicans are willing to waste taxpayer dollars to make changes to our state’s safety net, creating a system that will do nothing more than burden our state’s most vulnerable and needy residents.

WEDC Funds Accountability Bill

After several instances of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) handing out taxpayer dollars to businesses that outsource jobs, there is now a bill to end this practice. I have joined Rep. Andy Jorgensen (D-Milton) and Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) in their call for increased accountability at WEDC by co-sponsoring AB 304. This legislation would ban companies from applying for state taxpayer assistance for five years if they ship jobs outside of Wisconsin’s borders after receiving state aid.

From the beginning, WEDC has been drowning in a flood of scandals and controversy. Over its brief four-year history, WEDC has been shaken by mismanagement, massive employee turnover, failure to follow board policies and state statues, the loss of millions in taxpayer dollars with inadequate vetting of deals, and the withholding of information from its board of directors. While Republican legislative board members want to walk away by removing legislative oversight from WEDC’s board of directors, Democrats are offering real solutions to address the problems that have plagued WEDC. AB 304 demands that WEDC responsibly and appropriately uses taxpayer dollars for business initiatives that create jobs right here in Wisconsin to benefit hard working Wisconsin families. 

Clean Power Plan

Earlier this month, President Obama and Environmental Protection Agency administrator Gina McCarthy announced the federal Clean Power Plan. The plan is aimed at protecting clean air and water, increasing use of green energy, and providing health and safety for Americans.

Climate change is a problem which must be addressed now to guarantee a sustainable future. President Obama’s Clean Power Plan p calls for a large reduction in carbon pollution from power plants across the country. By the year 2030, states like Wisconsin will be required to cut our emissions by 32% from levels set in 2005.

I look forward to working with experts and my fellow legislators to create a plan for Wisconsin to implement and meet our 32% emission reduction. Implementing a plan for Wisconsin will not only help clean up and protect our environment, but it will also be an opportunity to invest in green infrastructure, businesses, and living wage jobs for hardworking Wisconsinites.

Click here to read 6 Things Every American Should Know About the Clean Power Plan from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. 

New Fake Utility Company Scam

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has recently become aware of a new utility scam. Scammers falsely claim to represent the local utility company and are calling businesses or consumers and threatening them with disconnection of services unless immediate payment is made. If you receive a similar threatening call about your home or business utility account, hang up and do not engage the caller. Contact your local utility provider to inquire about the status of your account and to report the call.

Avoid being tricked in a utility scam by remembering these simple guidelines:

• Utility companies will contact you by mail if your account is overdue. They may also call you if your services are at risk of being terminated, but will NEVER demand immediate payment over the phone

• If a caller demands a utility payment by prepaid debit card or wire transfer, it is a scam.

• Scammers can manipulate your caller ID display to show the local utility company’s name or number when they call.

• If you are unsure of the status of your account, contact your service provider using the number listed on your recent gas or electric bill or visit their website to identify a customer service phone number.

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

Help Starting Your Business

If you are interested in starting a new business, you might want to start by visiting the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR)’s “starting a business” website. There you can find resources you will need such as the “one stop business registration portal” that allows new businesses to register with multiple state agencies in one place.

You can also sign up for a “new business seminar” where DOR specialists will present information  and answer questions on topics such as business registration, sales and use tax, business tax credits, and more. The DOR website is also full of training webinars and videos for business to learn and understand Wisconsin taxes and registration for new businesses.

Take the Survey to Help Shape Wisconsin’s State Service Plan

Serve Wisconsin, a 21-member citizen body appointed by the Governor to support community service and volunteerism in Wisconsin, is seeking public input on their three-year State Service Plan. They are looking for input from communities across Wisconsin in order to address local needs.  Federal AmeriCorps resources from the Corporation for National and Community Service will be awarded to organizations seeking to deliver services using an evidence-based approach to solve identified community needs in counties across the state.

Click here to learn more about AmeriCorps programs and volunteerism in Wisconsin.

Fall Interns

My office is now accepting applications for fall interns. If you or someone you know is looking for a fall internship, we still have openings. You can apply online by clicking here, or submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail to rep.subeck@legis.wi.gov. It is a great way to gain some experience and learn about the legislative process.  

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