This week, activity in the legislature is picking up steam. More bills are being unveiled and introduced, committees are meeting, and we look forward to Governor Evers delivering his first State-of-the-State speech this coming Tuesday.
Read on for more about a bill related to preexisting medical conditions that was passed by the Assembly Committee on Health, some information about legislative priorities for the Assembly Democrats, an update on one of the court challenges to voting restrictions recently enacted, and timely tax filing advice. This newsletter also contains information about the Free Fishing Weekend and the inaugural Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest that is now underway for fourth through sixth grade students.
This coming Monday, people around the state and nation will come together to celebrate the life of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Some people will attend ceremonies, while others engage in community service activities.
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
In This Week's Update:
Standing Up for Democracy
Protecting Wisconsinites with Pre-Existing Conditions
Free Fishing this Weekend
Tax Preparation Season Begins Soon
Lame Duck Voting Restrictions Fail First Court Test
The people of Wisconsin want clean and open government, and fairness in the political process. I agree, and that is why I joined my Assembly Democratic colleagues this week to introduce a package of bills to restore open, transparent government and pro-democracy policies that put people first.
The bills are focused on four simple principles:
Redistricting Reform -Wisconsinites have a constitutional right to choose and be fairly represented by their elected officials, regardless of their political affiliation. We will introduce legislation for nonpartisan redistricting based on the Iowa model.
Preventing Power Grabs - The legislature should not be allowed to change the powers of another branch of government during a lame duck session. We will introduce a constitutional amendment to prohibit changing the powers of one branch of government during a lame duck session.
Open and Accessible Government - The democratic process requires democratic input. The voice of the people must have its chance to be heard. We are introducing legislation to enshrine the open meetings law in the state constitution and eliminate special treatment for the legislature under the law.
Campaign Finance Reform - Powerful special interest groups and wealthy corporations continue to have a growing influence on elections across Wisconsin and nationwide. It’s time we make elections about everyday people, not billionaires and corporations, by repealing onerous provisions in state law put into place in 2015 and adopting changes advocated for by nonpartisan organizations.
Protecting Wisconsinites with Pre-Existing Conditions
We must provide stability and protection for Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions should Republican efforts to overturn the Affordable Care Act be successful. This week we heard a bill in the Health Committee, AB 1, which unfortunately does not go nearly far enough. Absent other key provisions of the Affordable Care Act, AB 1 could leave many Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions without access to the care they need. It is my hope that this is only a first step.
I strongly support Governor Evers’ efforts to work in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen this bill. I hope that Speaker Vos and Majority Leader Fitzgerald will put politics aside to make AB 1 better and protect Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions.
If nature cooperates and the ice is safe, this weekend you can head out to our lakes and take part in the Free Fishing Weekend. With a few exceptions, all other inland waters and Wisconsin's side of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River are open for you to test your skills and try your luck.
Given the relatively mild winter to date, please exercise caution before heading out on the ice. The Department of Natural Resources is reminding anglers to be aware of the "honeycomb effect," which occurs after freeze-thaw-freeze conditions, that weakens ice. Stay safely on shore and cast into open water if ice conditions are questionable.
Employers will soon be providing copies of W-2 forms to employees. Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, the Internal Revenue Service has confirmed it will process tax returns beginning January 28, 2019 and provide refunds to taxpayers as scheduled. If you minimize errors by using professional, reputable tax preparer or prepare your own returns electronically, then you should receive a refund just as quickly as you have in past years. Do not trust anyone who tries to provide you with an expensive Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) by claiming the federal government shutdown is going to delay your refund.
As in past tax years, neither the Wisconsin Department Revenue nor the Internal Service will take any of these actions:
Initiate a phone call or email to ask for personal information. Nor will they call or email to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer.
Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
Demand that taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
Criminals often alter caller ID numbers and emails to make it look like the Internal Revenue Service or another official agency is contacting a taxpayer and the IRS has reported an increase in email scams this year. Scammers may use employee titles, a person’s name, address and other personal information to sound official.
This week U.S. District Judge James Peterson ruled the newly created restrictions on early voting and other voting-related measures passed by Republicans, and signed into law by former Governor Walker, were inconsistent with a federal court order issued in 2016.
Judge Peterson is enforcing injunctions against time limits for in-person absentee voting, restrictions on the use of student identification cards for voting and time limits on the validity of temporary identification cards issued under a process called the ID Petition Process, all of which were provisions in the lame duck session.
As a public official, I want people to exercise their right to vote and strongly oppose barriers to voting.
The inaugural Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest is now underway and students currently in fourth through sixth grades are encouraged to submit a poster to the Department of Natural Resources.
The contest runs through Feb. 22, 2019. First, second and third-place finalists will be selected for each grade level by a panel of judges, and finalists will be announced the week of April 7, 2019 during the second-annual "Keep Wildlife Wild Week." The poster must contain the words "Keep Wildlife Wild 2019" and follow the theme of the Keep Wildlife Wild tagline: "A young wild animal's best chance for survival is with its mother!"
Additional details about contest rules and submission procedures can be found here:
Ole Evinrude grew up on a Lake Ripley farm near Cambridge, Wisconsin. Evinrude is known for the invention of the first outboard boat motor with practical commercial application. The motor was built of steel and brass, and had a crank on the flywheel to start the two-cycle engine. Evinrude’s invention was inspired after rowing a boat on Okauchee Lake, a small lake outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a hot day to get ice cream for his girlfriend, Bess (later his wife).
In 1907, he invented the first practical and reliable outboard motor and the Evinrude Motor Company was founded in Milwaukee that same year.
Things happening in the district & around Madison:
Sunday Jazz at Sequoya 1/20/2019 2 pm to 4 pm Sequoya Library
4340 Tokay Blvd
The 5-Tet with Michael BB. Sunday Jazz at Sequoya is funded via the generosity of the Friends of Sequoya Library. Produced in partnership with the Madison Jazz Society.
WMSC Movie Program: Wonder 1/23/2019 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Alicia Ashman Library
733 N High Point Rd
All shows are free and open to the public.
Adult Board Game Night 1/23/2019 6:30 pm to 8 pm Sequoya Library
4340 Tokay Blvd
Adults of all ages and abilities are invited to socialize, snack and enjoy classic board games at this monthly meeting hosted by Living Our Visions (LOV-Dane) in partnership with the Sequoya Library.
Thursday Book Group: Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf 1/24/2019 1 pm to 2:30 pm Sequoya Library
4340 Tokay Blvd
Sequoya's Thursday Book Group hosts a book discussion of Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf. New members always welcome.
Read to a Dog 1/24/2019 4 pm to 5:30 pm Alicia Ashman Library
733 N High Point Rd
Bring a favorite book (or find one at the library!) and read aloud to a furry friend. Time slots available on a first come, first served basis.
Vegan Valentine's Treats with the Mint Bunny 1/26/2019 11 am to 12:30 pm Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd
Special occasion treats are packed with refined sugars, dairy and cholesterol, but it doesn't have to be that way. Join plant-based nutrition coach Val from The Mint Bunny to learn how to make and indulge in sweet treats in a guilt-free way. Register online or call 288-6160.
Starring Constance Wu, Henry Golding & Michelle Yeoh [PG-13, 2hr, Comedy|Romance, 2018] This contemporary romantic comedy, based on a global bestseller, follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu to Singapore to meet her boyfriend's family.
Roti Paratha with Madame Chu 1/26/2019 3 pm to 4:30 pm Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd
Roti paratha is a fried flat bread that originates from South India. Unlike naan bread, roti paratha is laminated and pan-fried. Learn how to make this delicious crispy, flaky, fried flat bread. Register online or call 288-6160.
Congressman Mark Pocan Town Hall 1/26/2019 10 am to 11 am Union South
Varsity Hal III
1308 W Dayton St
The event is open to the public and no RSVP is required. Feel free to invite anyone who may be interested in attending.
Cartoons and Comics Workshop 1/26/2019 1 pm to 2 pm Sequoya Library
4340 Tokay Blvd
Calling all comic book lovers, graphic novel gurus, aspiring artists, and cartoon enthusiasts! Dive into the world of cartooning and superheroes. Using simple drawing supplies and paper, we will make comics, flip books, and doodle drawings. Get inspired and make your cartooning dream a reality.