Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


 January 24, 2017

 

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


West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches

Thursday, January 26

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond Rd.

 

Nutritious meals are offered to those 60 and older. The meal is served at noon and participants must arrive on time. The suggested minimum donation is $4.00 but participants are encouraged to pay what they can afford. Transportation to the meal is available with an additional $1.00 donation. Meal and bus reservations or cancellations should be made by noon the preceding day by calling 238-0196.

 


Skills in Computers and Literacy for Employment with Literacy Network

Thursday, January 26

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond Rd.

 

This is a course in computer and employment literacy for adult students who want to improve their reading, writing and general communication skills. Each student will have an individual lesson plan created for them and will work through the semester on completing that plan. Skills learned will help with job searching and applications, completing the GED and improving skills on the computer. Please register for the entire series, January 26-May 11. Contact Ezi at the Literacy Network, (608)244-3911, ext. 33, for more information or to register.

 

These classes are funded through the Literacy Network with computer support from Madison Public Library Foundation. Find more literacy classes at http://www.litnetwork.org

 


After Dinner Mints: MAD MEN Season One Marathon

Friday, January 27

6:45 pm - 8:45 pm

Alicia Ashman Library

733 N High Point Rd

 

Come to the Alicia Ashman Public Library on the fourth Friday to enjoy films with a message, TV Series Marathons, International Films, or Motion Picture Favorites.

 


Covering Wisconsin

Saturday, January 28

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond Rd.

 

Covering Wisconsin is a federally certified and state licensed navigator entity. Our mission is to connect Wisconsin residents with appropriate insurance coverage and other programs that support health, and to promote effective us of these programs. As a Navigator, I provide in-person help to consumers who want to enroll in health insurance and education on how to use health insurance.

 


Winter Wonders

Sunday, January 29

1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

UW Arboretum Visitor Center

1207 Seminole Hwy.

 

Even when the ground is frozen and the air is cold, beauty and activity abound in the natural world. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

 


West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches

Tuesday, January 31

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Meadowridge Library

5726 Raymond Rd.

 

Nutritious meals are offered to those 60 and older. The meal is served at noon and participants must arrive on time. The suggested minimum donation is $4.00 but participants are encouraged to pay what they can afford. Transportation to the meal is available with an additional $1.00 donation. Meal and bus reservations or cancellations should be made by noon the preceding day by calling 238-0196.

 


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,

 

Welcome back to my weekly newsletter about what is happening in the Capitol and in the 78th Assembly District. You may recall that laws governing campaign finance reform required that I suspend distributing the newsletter during the election season. Now that the new legislative session is beginning, I am pleased to once again bring you the latest news.

 

Earlier this month, I was sworn in for another term as your State Representative. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you for the past two years, and I look forward to continuing my work on your behalf in the Wisconsin State Assembly.  

 

In this week’s newsletter, you will find information about the current debate on transportation funding, news of the latest Republican plans to dissolve the Department of Natural Resources, and a look at my committee assignments for this legislative session.

 

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

 


State of the State

Last week Governor Walker gave his State of the State address. Once again the Governor ignored reality and painted an artificially rosy picture of Wisconsin’s current condition. I issued a statement to set the record straight, so please follow the link below to learn more.

 

Click here to read my full statement on Governor Walker’s State of the State address.

 


2017-2018 Committee Assignments

I am excited to continue serving on the Assembly Committee on Health, Committee on Children and Families, Committee on Family Law and  Committee on Public Benefit Reform, each of which I also served on during the last legislative session. I have also been appointed to the Committee on Local Government. I am honored to have been appointed to serve in a leadership role as the Democratic Ranking Member of both the both the Public Benefits Reform and the Local Government Committees. Watch for more news about my work on these committee is future newsletters.

 


Transportation Funding Crisis

Wisconsin faces a serious transportation funding crisis. Republicans have demonstrated a serious lack of leadership on transportation funding, as the Governor and Republican legislators refuse to cooperate to find solutions for the state’s $1 billion transportation budget shortfall. The crisis is so serious that last month the federal Department of Transportation sent the Wisconsin DOT a letter telling the state to hold off on plans for major new road projects and instead complete stalled construction.

 

Although the Walker Administration claims the infrastructure "backbone" of roads in Wisconsin is in good or fair condition, those roads account for only 1.4% of Wisconsin roadway miles.  Former DOT Secretary Gottlieb acknowledged 98.6% of our roads do not meet this standard and are failing.  The Walker administration acknowledged that under the Governor’s own proposed budget path that, in both 2 years and 10 years from now, the road system in Wisconsin will be in worse condition; we will have higher transportation debt; and the safety of Wisconsin drivers will be put at significant risk.

 

Sadly, the Governor and legislative Republicans sent us down a path of unsustainable borrowing to fund infrastructure projects and repairs in their last budget. As the Governor has dug in his heels and legislative Republicans have offered no substantive plans, I fear we may be left with substandard roads and other infrastructure problems. My Democratic colleagues and I will certainly continue to push for sustainable funding solutions as we begin our upcoming budget deliberations.

 


Dissolving the DNR

I have heard from many residents of my district who stand opposed to breaking-up the Department of Natural Resources. I oppose this move led by Republican legislators who would like to see the Department subdivided into two new agencies with the work of some divisions being divided between three other existing agencies. I am glad to report there seems to be bi-partisan opposition forming to this move and it is my hope this effort will be shelved.

 

In recent weeks, we have seen the scrubbing of the Department website to remove references to human-caused climate change only to be replaced with a vague description of a changing earth and natural cycles.  Last summer, a Legislative Audit Bureau of DNR water enforcement efforts showed the agency utterly failed to take enforcement actions 94% of the time polluters were fouling our waters.  

 

Rather than dividing the Department and creating confusion for state residents and greater potential for environmental disasters, I believe we ought to take steps to ensure that staff scientists and engineers presently working for the Department have the ability to make decisions based on science and what is best for our environment in an atmosphere free of political influence. That is why I support legislation which would require the DNR Secretary to, once again, be an appointee of the DNR Board and not a political appointee.  

 


Meet My Staff

I am pleased that Zach Madden (right) will continue working in my legislative office this session. I am also happy to announce the addition of Mike Tierney (left). Mike worked for former Representative Robb Kahl during the last two legislative sessions and is familiar with issues impacting Dane County and the City of Madison. Mike brings an incredible depth of experience, as he has worked in Democratic legislative offices in the State Capitol for 25 years. He is a Wisconsin native and graduate of UW-Madison.      

 


Scam Alert: Fake Warranty Calls

The Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has received a number of calls from consumers and several written complaints about fake auto warranty sales calls.

 

Click here to find more information regarding the fake calls from DATCP.

 


2017 State Parks Pass

Wisconsin has thousands of miles of trails, hundreds of nature hiking opportunities and dozens of beaches that are accessible with a 2017 Wisconsin state park admission sticker or state rail pass. The Department of Natural Resources has passes on sale now.

 

Click here to find more information on obtaining a pass.

 


Spring Interns

My office is now accepting applications for spring interns. If you or someone you know is looking for a spring 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.

 


Fun Wisconsin Fact

In 1900, Wisconsin’s first state park, Interstate Park near St. Croix Falls, was established. Interstate Park provides scenic views of the river and the steep-sided gorge known as the Dalles of the St. Croix. The Ice Age Interpretive Center, located in the park, features a film, photographs, murals and information about the great glaciers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here to unsubscribe