Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


 April 12, 2016

 

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, April 14

9:30 am – 10:15 am

Alicia Ashman Library

733 High Point Rd.

 

A happy blend of stories, fingerplays and songs that help preschool children develop print and phonologic awareness, vocabulary, letter knowledge and narrative skills. Groups welcome. Siblings welcome. No registration required.

 


West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches

Thursday, April 14

9:30 am – 2:00 pm

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond Rd.

 

Nutritious meals are offered to those 60 and older, the suggested minimum donation is $4.00 but please pay what you can afford. Transportation to the meal is available by donation. Meal and bus reservations or cancellations should be made by noon the preceding day by calling 238-0196

 


Literacy Network SCALE Program

Thursday, April 14

5:45 pm – 8:00 pm

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond. Rd

 

Literacy Network SCALE Program - Improve Reading, Writing and Computer Skills. Call Ezi (608)244-3911 to register. Space is limited.

 


Job Connect with the Worksmart Network

Friday, April 15

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Alicia Ashman Library

733 High Point Rd.

 

Get help with job search, resumes, & interviewing, and get connected with a full range of workforce and community resources and services. Sessions are one-on-one with a professional Employment Specialist from the Worksmart Network. Advance registration is required and you must call library staff to schedule a time.

 


Farmer’s Market on the Square

Saturday, April 16

6:00 am – 2:00 pm

Capitol Square

 

The Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square is back! You’ll find the season’s best bounty of vegetables, flowers, meats, cheeses, and specialty products from 160 members, and all agriculturally related items are produced by fellow Wisconsinites.

 


Westside Farmers’ Market

Saturday, April 16

9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Hilldale Shopping Center

702 N. Midvale Blvd

 

Enjoy the bounty of our local farms, cheeses, meats, baked goods, honey, maple syrup as well as value-added local farm products such as sheep and alpaca wool and knitted pieces, honey skin care products, jams & jellies, pickles, pesto and salsa made from our summer vendors' produce.

 


Envisioning a New World: Lussier Radio

Saturday, April 16

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond Rd.

 

Kids and Teens think about social issue in a new world, reflecting upon radio. Record spoken word, rapping, beatboxing and storytelling in this dynamic workshop held in a partnership with UW-Madison and WWMV-LP 95.5FM radio.

 


For Love of the Earth Walk

Sunday, April 17

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

UW Arboretum Visitor Center

1207 Seminole Hwy.

 

This week marks Earth day and John Muir’s birthday. Join the naturalist to search for signs of spring and renewal.

 


Preschool Storytime

Monday, April 18

10:30 am – 11:00 am

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond Rd.

 

A happy blend of stories, fingerplays and songs that help preschool children develop print and phonologic awareness, vocabulary, letter knowledge and narrative skills. Registration not required.

 


Maker Monday: TBA

Monday, April 18

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond Rd.

 

Join us every Monday for a maker-based activity or craft!

 


Literacy Network SCALE Program

Thursday, April 21

5:45 pm – 8:00 pm

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond. Rd

 

Literacy Network SCALE Program - Improve Reading, Writing and Computer Skills. Call Ezi (608)244-3911 to register. Space is limited.

 


IRS Free File

Through Free File, all taxpayers who made $62,000 or less in 2015 can visit www.IRS.gov/freefile to prepare and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost.

Free File also helps taxpayers with the new health care requirements. Using Free File, most taxpayers will simply have to check a box to report health care coverage for the entire year.

 

Free File is made possible through a public-private partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a non-profit coalition of leading tax software companies. To learn more about the program, visit www.freefilealliance.org or www.IRS.gov/freefile.

 


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,

 

This will be my last e-newsletter until after the November election. The legislature has a rule that limits the ability of legislators to use state resources to communicate with constituents via mass communications during the election cycle. Please rest assured that I can still respond to your emails and inquiries, as only mass communications are impacted by the rule.

 

Today is Equal Pay Day, and in this newsletter you will find information about how women fare in the workplace, news of a court decision regarding so-called “Right to Work” legislation, and an update on a piece of legislation I authored to improve access to taxicabs for disabled individuals.

 

 

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

 


Equal Pay Day

Today marks the 20th anniversary of Equal Pay Day, the day this year when women’s pay finally catches up to what men were paid last year alone, due to the ongoing wage gap between men and women. In Wisconsin, women earn just 78 cents on the dollar compared to men. African American and Latina women fare even worse, with African American women earning just 64 cents on the dollar and Latina women earning just 55 cents on the dollar.

 

Here is a release I sent out to media earlier today about the wage gap:

 

On 20th Anniversary of Equal Pay Day, Wage Gap Persists for Wisconsin Women

 

MADISON – Today marks the 20th anniversary of Equal Pay Day, the day this year when women’s pay finally catches up to what men were paid last year alone, due to the ongoing wage gap between men and women. In Wisconsin, women earn just 78 cents on the dollar compared to men. African American and Latina women fare even worse, with African American women earning just 64 cents and Latina women earning just 55 cents on the dollar.

 

“It is shameful that in 2016 women are not compensated with equal pay for equal work,” said Representative Lisa Subeck (D – Madison). “More women than ever before are the primary breadwinners for their families, making the wage gap a significant issue of economic security for Wisconsin families.”

 

Wisconsin is just one of six states in the nation, and the only state in the Midwest, without a law on the books banning wage discrimination. Wisconsin’s Equal Pay Enforcement Act, enacted in 2009, was subsequently repealed by Governor Walker and Republicans in 2012.  The only five other states that do not guarantee women equal pay for equal work include Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Utah.

 

“The Republican repeal of Wisconsin’s Equal Pay Act was a disgrace. How can these Republican legislators look their daughters, sisters, and mothers in their faces and tell them that their work is not as worthy?” said Rep. Subeck. “On the 20th anniversary of Equal Pay Day, one thing is crystal clear: For Wisconsin women, 78 percent is not enough.”

 

Click here to watch (and please share with others) our video message that 78 percent is not enough.

Click here to sign and share our petition.

 


Court Strikes Down So-Called “Right to Work” Law

Late last week, Dane County Circuit Court Judge C. William Foust ruled that Wisconsin’s so-called “Right to Work” legislation, passed last March, violates the Wisconsin State Constitution. The bill Republicans rushed through the legislature last year takes away the freedom of working individuals across the state to organize and negotiate collectively for safety and economic security, and does nothing to put a single Wisconsinite back to work. In states where these so called “Right to Work” laws have been enacted they have driven down wages and stunted economic growth. The court ruling restores some of our state’s tradition of protecting worker freedom, which is a victory for hard-working Wisconsinites across the state. We should not celebrate too quickly, though, as Attorney General Brad Schimel has already announced that he will appeal the ruling.

 


Breastfeeding Advocate Award

On Friday, The Breastfeeding Coalition of South Central Wisconsin presented me with their annual Breastfeeding Advocate Award. The award honored my work to advance the Healthy Babies, Working Mothers Act (AB 882).

 

The bi-partisan Healthy Babies, Working Mothers bill would ensure that nursing mothers do not face unnecessary barriers in the workplace. The bill would bring Wisconsin law in line with federal employment regulations regarding breastfeeding and provide additional accommodations to ensure that nursing mothers do not have to choose between breastfeeding and returning to work. The bill also ensures that nursing mothers who take unpaid breaks to express breast milk do not lose their health care coverage by counting any unpaid break time taken for that purpose toward meeting eligibility thresholds for employer sponsored health benefits.

 

It is an honor to be recognized by the Breastfeeding Coalition of South Central Wisconsin. I appreciate their work and look forward to reintroducing the Healthy Babies, Working Mothers Act next year. Given the bill’s importance to families and its strong bi-partisan support, it is my sincere hope that we can pass this bill in the next legislative session. Working mothers and their babies need and deserve our support.

 


Governor will Sign Disabled Taxicab Loading Bill this Week

I have an exciting update to share regarding AB 358/SB 275, 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. Governor Walker has announced he will be signing the bill into law on Friday. This bill getting signed into law will be a step forward in ensuring that those with disabilities have barrier-free access to transportation options

 


The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin  

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting and touring The First Tee Learning Center of South Central Wisconsin, located at Vitense Golfland. The organization partners with various state and national organizations to provide educational programs to help Madison area youth learn life skills like communication, self-management, goal setting, and overcoming challenges through the game of golf. The program is connecting business leaders, educators, and parents in our community to work on addressing the opportunity gap that exists between impoverished students and middle-income students. I was able to tour the center and learn about this incredible program in our community that is making such a positive impact.

 


Visit from Our Redeemer Lutheran School

Last week, I met with a group of 1st and 2nd grade students from Our Redeemer Lutheran School who came to visit the Capitol. I enjoyed meeting with the students in the Assembly Chamber and answering all of their questions. They were also treated to a tour of the Capitol where they got to explore and learn about the history of the building.

 

 

 


You Ask, I Answer

“You Ask, I Answer” is a feature of my weekly newsletter where you can get your questions answered. From time to time, a constituent emails or calls with a question that may also be of interest to others. Therefore, I created this feature, allowing constituents to email me questions for consideration in a future newsletter.

 

Please feel free to email your questions to Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov, and we may share the answer in a future e-newsletter.

 

This week’s question was submitted by a constituent who wanted to know why we cannot send out newsletters between April 15 and the fall election.

 

Read on for more details.

 

Question: I’ve heard that State Legislators can only send out limited materials during election season.  Could you explain this further?

 

Answer: The Wisconsin Legislature has a rule known as the “49-piece rule,” which stipulates that members of the legislature are not permitted to send out 50 or more identical pieces of material using state funds between April 15 and the November election.  This includes newsletters, blue books, highway maps, etc. It also include electronic communications.  The purpose of the law is to prevent incumbents from using taxpayer money and state resources for electoral gain.  The rule will remain in effect until the end of the election cycle in November. As a result, I will not be publishing this newsletter again until after the November election, but I will continue to answer your questions and assist you with your concerns on an individual basis.

 


Busiest Time for Income Tax Filing

As the April 18th deadline for filing individual income tax returns approaches, it is important to remember that processing tax returns filed in April can take up to 8-12 weeks due to the volume of returns currently being processed.

 

This marks the busiest time of the year for tax filing. More than a half a million tax returns will be filed in the two weeks before the tax deadline (weeks 15 and 16 in the chart below). In total, the Department expects to process about 3 million tax returns this year.

 

The chart above illustrates the number of income tax returns filed by week through the income tax deadline. There is a spike in filing when the tax season opens in late January, and another jump at this time of year as the income tax deadline approaches. Taxpayers filing their tax returns should remember to allow time for DOR to process their return.

 


Fun Wisconsin Fact

The Legislative Reference Bureau was founded in 1901 by Charles McCarthy, author of The Wisconsin Idea. The nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau has now become an agency that provides legal, research, and information services to the Wisconsin Legislature.

 

The Legislative Reference Bureau drafts all legislation for introduction in the legislature, prepares analyses of legislation, conducts legal and information research, and maintains the legislative library.

 

The Legislative Reference Bureau is the official reference source for information about the Wisconsin Legislature and its proceedings.  The Legislative Reference Bureau publishes the Laws of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations, the Wisconsin Administrative Code and Administrative Register, and the Wisconsin Blue Book.

 

Click here to visit the Legislative Reference Bureau’s website.

 

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