Governor Signs Anti-Democracy Bills into Law

Today, Governor Walker signed AB 387 and AB 388 into law. AB 388 will dismantle our ethics and elections watchdog, while AB 387 will deregulate most election spending by special interests, corporations, and billionaires.

Instead of taking steps to address Wisconsin’s challenges on jobs, infrastructure, education or empowering the middle class, Governor Walker and Republican legislators have pushed a political agenda that they believe will help their election chances. Coupled with their efforts to pass and enact a law that exempts political crimes from certain criminal investigations, Republicans are ushering in a new era of corruption in Wisconsin.
 

Democrats Call for Special Session on Jobs

I have joined my Assembly Democratic colleagues in calling on Republican leaders to hold a special session on job creation and rebuilding Wisconsin’s middle class.

In June of this year, Wisconsin had already seen more layoff notices in the first half of 2015 than we had in the entirety of 2014. Since June, we have faced more layoffs around the state, including 1,000 jobs that will be lost right here in Madison due to the closing of the Oscar Mayer plant.

It is our responsibility as legislators to take immediate action to assist those who have or will be losing their jobs and those who are still looking for work. Democrats have put forward several bills that would create jobs and rebuild the middle class. We have called upon Republican leadership to call a special session to bring these bills forward and finally provide relief for hardworking Wisconsinites who are struggling in our lagging economy.  

Remembering the Victims of Gun Violence

Legislators and local community leaders came together on the steps of the Capitol last week to remember the three victims from the shooting at a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs.

We honored police officer Garrett Swasey, 44, who responded to the shooting; Ke'Arre M. Stewart, 29, who ran back to the clinic to warn others after being shot; and Jennifer Markovsky, 35, who was accompanying a friend to the clinic.

In light of the mass shooting at Planned Parenthood, we also reflect on the long history of violence toward women’s health care clinics and providers and the continuous work necessary to protect women’s access to healthcare. The hateful rhetoric and violence from those who oppose abortion and birth control must end, and we must remain focused on ensuring reproductive healthcare is safely and widely accessible to all.

The tragic shooting at Planned Parenthood, as well as the recent mass shooting in San Bernardino, also highlight the need to get serious about ending gun violence. Gun violence is a nationwide epidemic, and it is simply no longer enough to remember victims and call for an end to the violence. That is why I have sponsored bills to ensure universal background checks are done for all gun purchasers, restore the 48 hour waiting period to purchase a handgun, make our college campuses gun-free, and remove guns from the hands of individuals determined to be a danger to themselves or others. This is also why I am leader an effort to author legislation that would ban the possession of military-style assault weapons.

Unfortunately, Republicans in the legislature have resisted most of our efforts to pass these common sense reforms. I am committed to continuing the fight to keep our communities safe, regardless of such resistance.

Madison Achieves Platinum Status as Bicycle Friendly Community

Last month, the League of American Bicyclists announced it was awarding the City of Madison Platinum Status as a Bicycle Friendly Community. For years, the city has been actively working to improve Madison’s bicycle infrastructure to reach Platinum status. This status is awarded in recognition of the incredible bike paths, bike lanes, partnerships with Trek and B Cycle, cycling amenities and the welcoming nature of Madison to cyclists. We are now one of only five cities in the United States to obtain Platinum status, which is the highest rank achieved by any American city.

I have introduced a resolution in the Assembly to commend the City of Madison for this achievement. The resolution has already received bipartisan support, and I am hopeful that it will be considered by the legislature during our spring session.

Update on Disabled Parking Bill, AB 358

I have good news to share regarding AB 358, a bill I authored to fix a loophole in state law that prohibits a taxicab from pulling into a disabled parking space to load an individual with a disability, even if it is the only good place for the individual to enter the cab. The bill was before the Assembly Transportation Committee and was approved unanimously last week by the committee. The bill will now need to be passed by both the full Assembly and Senate, before reaching the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

Give but Don’t Get Taken: Watch for Holiday Charity Scams

For many people, the holidays are as much about giving generously to different charities as they are about giving gifts to friends and family. For scammers, the holidays are a chance to take advantage of your goodwill through fraudulent charities with high-pressure pitches. Two state agencies are asking consumers to research charities before making a donation and to be on guard against phone- and Internet-based requests for contributions.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reminds consumers that scammers know that aggressive, emotional appeals are effective during the holidays and recommend keeping a level head if asked for an on-the-spot donation.

The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), encouraged consumers to do their homework on charitable organizations when considering a donation by using DFI’s website to determine what percentage of an organization’s donations are used for programs and services versus overhead costs. The information can be found here: www.wdfi.org/CharitableOrganizations.

DATCP and DFI offer up these tips for donors considering a donation to a charitable organization:

• Before donating, check to see if the charity is registered with DFI.

• If contacted by phone, avoid being pressured to make an immediate donation. Don’t hesitate to ask the caller to send you information about the organization and its programs.

• Ask a solicitor to explain the purpose of the organization, what services are provided, how much of the donation goes to fund-raising expenses, whether the donation is tax-deductible, and whether you will be sent a receipt.

• Donate to charities that you trust and are well-established.

• To trick consumers into making donations, scammers will often use names and websites that are similar to those of better-known, reputable organizations. Watch the spelling closely.

• Be wary of unsolicited requests for donations, especially ones received via the Internet.

• Criminals know that many people make year-end charitable contributions for tax purposes, so they may use that as a tool in locking down a payment.

• Never write out a check or give cash to an individual solicitor. Write out checks to the name of the organization or use a credit card.

For more information or to file a complaint, consumers may contact:

• DATCP on the web at datcp.wi.gov; by phone (Consumer Information Hotline) at 800-422-7128; by e-mail at datcphotline@wisconsin.gov; or at www.facebook.com/wiconsumer.

• DFI on the web at www.wdfi.org/CharitableOrganizations; by phone at 800-452-3328; or by e-mail at DFISecretary@wisconsin.gov.

Capitol Christmas Tree

The Capitol Christmas Tree, donated by the Kowieski family of Rhinelander, has found its way to the Capitol Rotunda for the holiday season with the help of the Great Lake Timber Professionals Association. The tree was planted 30 years ago by then 4th grader Brad Kowieski. Brad received the balsam seedling from a DNR forester who was attending his class for a presentation on Arbor Day, and he planted it upon his return home from school. Last month, the now 30 foot balsam fir was cut down and brought to the Capitol.

This year, the tree is decorated with ornaments that feature Wisconsin Sports made by school children from around the state. Be sure to look for symbols of the Green Bay Packers, Badgers, and more when you stop by to visit. Please feel free to stop by my office while you are here to say hello and for a free copy of a Wisconsin Blue Book. We are located in room 418 North.

Blue Books and Maps

My office still has several of the newest edition Blue Books and state maps. If you would like one, you may pick one up my at my Capitol office (418 North) anytime from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are unable to come to the Capitol but would like a Blue Book or map, please email Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov or call my office at 608-266-7521 to have one sent to you.

Fun Wisconsin Fact

Wisconsin’s state animal is a badger. Our state earned its nickname as the Badger State in the 1800s when miners dug tunnels into hillsides searching for lead, reminding people of badger-like behavior. Badgers are found throughout the state.