Despite the fact I've already seen leaves changing color, Monday marks the Fall Equinox and thus the official first day of fall! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy 2019's last weekend of summer.
This week in the capitol, the Health and Children & Families committees met,
there was a Gun Safety Day of Action, and the State Superintendent of Public
Instruction gave the State of Education address. Read on in my e-Update for
other news from the Capitol and 78th Assembly District.
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
On Wednesday, the South West Madison Employment Center had its ribbon cutting ceremony. This was a special day for me because when I was first elected to Madison’s Common Council, it was one of the very first projects I proposed. It wasn’t easy to convince my colleagues, but Madison is a city that invests in our neighborhoods so we made it happen.
This project ended up being many years in the making, and would not have been possible without the great work done by neighborhood residents, Alderwoman Barbara Harrington-McKinney, the Urban League of Greater Madison, and community partners like Exact Sciences to make our vision a reality.
The Center, located at 1233 McKenna Blvd will be open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Mondays and Wednesdays, there will be extended hours until 7 p.m. The Center will be open 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.
The new job center will provide a number of resources to the community such as: onsite job training, skills development, resume’ and job search support, computer work stations for job searching, on-site Urban League Employment Specialists, Dane County Economic Support Specialist onsite four days a week to assist people in applying for public assistance programs including W-2, FoodShare, BadgerCare/Medicaid, childcare and Madison Metro bus passes.
Governor Launches Task Force on Retirement Security
Wisconsin's aging population is expected to grow by 60% by 2030, yet many working people have no means to save for retirement. To combat the growing concern about retirement security, Governor Tony Evers and State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski this week announced the formation of a special task force to examine barriers that Wisconsinites are facing when it comes to saving for retirement.
The goal of the task force is to consider ways to improve retirement options for working people and provide recommendations on how best the state can address the retirement crisis.
The task force will include individuals representing the business community, financial services industry, organized labor, retirees, and state officials.
The task force will visit communities around the state to listen to citizens, academics, and professionals on ways to improve retirement security for all working people. Treasurer Sarah Godlewski explained that as leaders, “we want to do everything we can to make sure the state and the people are set up for financial success.”
The Governor’s Task Force on Retirement Security plans to hold public meetings starting in October to assess retirement concerns. It will examine the state’s Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) as well as employer-sponsored and individual retirement plans. The task force will also consider best practices in place in other states, with the goal of developing recommendations.
Extreme Risk Protection Order Legislation Introduced
This week Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), sometimes known as “Red Flag Law” legislation was introduced by my democratic colleagues, Governor Evers, and Attorney General Josh Kaul. ERPOs are designed to place a hurdle in the path of those intent on committing suicide by firearm. States such as Connecticut and Indiana have seen vast success in decreasing suicide by firearm by 13.7% and 7.5% due to their red-flag legislation.
Since the beginning of 2018, 12 states and Washington DC have passed Extreme Risk laws, bringing the total number of states with these laws to 17. Despite these laws being relatively new, an analysis of Extreme Risk orders found that at least 3,900 order petitions were filed between January 2018 and August 2019. In Wisconsin, the latest Marquette University Law Poll found that ERPO legislation has 81% approval.
The University of Wisconsin High School, a public high school in Madison, WI that was opened in September 1914, is now closed and lives on in the memories of its former students. Wisconsin High was created an maintained by the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and served as a practice teaching facility for the School of Education as part of a teacher education program for educational experimentation, observation, and to practice teaching of seventh to twelfth grades.
After 50 years of serving as the UW's on campus high school, Wisconsin High closed its doors in 1964 in order to make way for new building for the university. The former high school is now the current School of Social work and Institute on aging.
Things happening in the district & around Madison:
UW Badger Game Saturday, September 21, 2019 11:00 AM Kickoff Camp Randall Stadium 1440 Monroe St., Madison
Watch the Badgers play Michigan.
Wisconsin Cheese Mart Grand Opening Saturday, September 21, 2019 11:00 AM Wisconsin Cheese Mart 119 State St., Madison
Come over to the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Wisconsin Cheese mart, free cheese will be available. A must-do activity for any Wisconsin resident.
UW Arboretum Walk Sunday, September 22, 2019 1:00 PM UW Arboretum Visitor's Center 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison
Spend your Sunday afternoon walking about the arboretum and observing the transitions from summer to autumn in the community. Woodland focused walk.
Green Card Voices September 23-27, 2019 All Day James Madison Memorial High School
Week long exhibit documenting Immigration stories from Madison and Milwaukee High school students. Generating awareness for immigrants’ narratives in the state of Wisconsin.
Playdough Party Tuesday, September 24, 2019 10:00 AM Madison Children's Museum 100 N. Hamilton St., Madison
Bring your kids of all ages for fun and hands-on activities at the children’s museum for a midweek school break from stress.
Indigenous Studies Panel Tuesday, September 24, 2019 12:30 PM UW-Madison Ingraham Hall 1155 Observatory Dr., Madison
UW Latin American, Caribbean & Iberian Studies panel discussion by Jessica Hurley, Reynaldo Morales & Armando Muyolema, Room 206.
Yappy Hour Wednesday, September 25, 2019 4 PM - 7 PM High Noon Saloon 701 E. Washington Ave., Madison
Meet adoptable and adorable dogs at High Noon saloon accompanied by 1$ tap beer Wednesday night.
Attic Angel Clothing Sale Friday & Saturday, September 28 & 29, 2019 9 AM - 4 PM Attic Angel Association 640 Junction Rd., Madison
Come to not-for-profit Attic Angel association’s event to find women's new & gently worn clothing/accessories. Their mission is to benefit children and elderly people of Dane County’s accessibility to health and a happy way of life in the community.