I hope you're having a wonderful summer! The Assembly is still in recess, but I have been busy this week with meetings, committee hearings and press conferences.
In this week’s newsletter, you will find information on background checks, maternal health and safety of incarcerated women, the Department of Administration's Community Ambassador Program, and more!
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
This week I stood with Governor Tony Evers, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Attorney General Josh Kaul, and my Democratic legislative colleagues to support universal background checks for all firearm purchases. The proposed legislation closes the loophole that allows the purchase of firearms without a background check by buying it from someone other than a federally licensed dealer.
Consistency in the sale of guns is a common sense update to Wisconsin’s statutes because no matter how or where a firearm is purchased, the process should be the same, and the buyer should be required to pass a background check. By closing this loophole will help keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them and who are intent to do harm.
No one should need to worry that they or a loved one will be harmed by gun violence. Requiring background checks for every gun sale will make our schools, our workplaces, and our communities safer.
On Wednesday, I presented testimony on Senate Bill 316 to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. This legislation would restrict the shackling of pregnant women and girls in prisons and jails. Currently in Wisconsin, there is no guidance for how prisons and jails can restrain pregnant women, and this has led to some shameful instances of women being shackled during childbirth. Because of this grey area in the law, I authored this bill to give incarcerated women access to much needed maternal support services so their baby has a healthy start in life. I believe that no woman should be unnecessarily restrained during labor and childbirth, and no baby should be born to a mother in shackles.
On Wednesday, I heard testimony on two bills before the Assembly Committee on Health. In an effort to expand access to dentists in rural Wisconsin, we first heard testimony on AB 258. This bill would fund scholarships to students of dentistry at Marquette University who agree to practice outside Brown, Dane, Kenosha, Milwaukee, or Waukesha Counties for a certain amount of time once they have graduated.
We then heard AB 304, which would allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptive patches and oral hormonal contraceptives. Under current law, women can only get birth control with a physician prescription. With this bill, women seeking contraception would still need to fill out a questionnaire and have a blood-pressure screening before receiving contraception. However, giving women more choices for reproductive healthcare at pharmacies opens access and can reduce unplanned pregnancies. Currently nine states and the District of Columbia have similar regulations that allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives. Assembly Bill 304 represents the progress we have made as a legislature on women’s health, as this bill is a bi-partisan effort.
The Adoption Taskforce also met this week at Vincent High School in Milwaukee. Speakers at this meeting included representatives from Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, adoption attorney Steven Hayes, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, the Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services, and Kids Matter, Inc. with a few members of the public delivering testimony as well. We have received great recommendations from all the speakers on how to address some of the concerns with the adoption process that were originally highlighted last session from the work the Task Force on Foster Care did.
The Adoption Task Force will continue its work on Monday at Waukesha County Technical College (327 E. Broadway, Waukesha) starting at noon, and the following week will hold a final meeting away from Madison on August 28th at UW Platteville – Richland (1200 US-14, Richland Center) beginning at noon.
On Monday, I had the opportunity to take part in a panel before nine Community Ambassadors in the Department of Administration’s Community Ambassador Program. This program aims to help the next generation in the workforce by developing marketing and recruitment skills. This summer, the Ambassadors have worked with 13 State Agencies, the Governor’s Office, and the other Ambassadors to learn about working in state government. Those of us on the panel presented our different backgrounds, what it is like to be a legislator, challenges we face in the job, and where we make the biggest difference.
People have been living in the Madison lakes region for almost 12,000 years, leaving artifacts that give historians clues about their lives. Some of the most impressive artifacts still seen today are effigy mounds. Built in the Late Woodland Period around 650 – 1200 A.D., historians estimate that there were between 15,000 and 20,000 effigy mounds in Wisconsin with 1,500 of these were concentrated around Madison’s four lakes. While many mounds contained central burial pits, many others were used for other purposes such as communal worship sites, or as markers delineating hunting, fishing, and gathering grounds.
Effigy mounds represent an important piece of Wisconsin’s history, illuminating information about the lives and architectural genius of Indigenous Peoples in the region. Following concerns from Madison residents about mound destruction, effigy mounds have been protected under state law since 1985. Today, around 4,000 effigy mounds survive in Wisconsin, providing a window into the area’s past.
Things happening in the district & around Madison:
Sweet Corn Festival August 15 - 18, 2019 Fri. 6 - 10 PM, Sat. 12 PM - 12 AM, Sun. 12 PM - 10 PM Angell Park 100 Park St., Sun Prairie
This annual event includes craft show, carnival rides, concessions, family stage, beer tent with live bands, kiddie korner activities, petting zoo, and lots of sweet corn on Sat & Sun. The third annual Prairie Pull-Off Tractor Pull, Sat 4-8:30pm featuring South Central Tractor Pullers and Tri-County Pullers.
Modern Plant Embroidery Workshop Aug. 21, 2019 6 PM - 9 PM Revel 107 N. Hamilton, Madison
These aren't just any old embroidery hoops! We'll use modern houseplant displays for inspiration and you can choose from either classic white or trendy chambray for the fabric on your hoop. Perfect for gals with a not-so-green thumb ;) Hang your handiwork in your office or on your gallery wall to add a pop of texture and something special!
Yum Yum Fest August 18, 2019 3 PM - 7 PM 202 S. Ingersoll St.
Yum Yum Fest gives Madison’s chefs an opportunity to highlight their creative cuisine in a community-engaging, visually stunning environment. Yum Yum Fest is an annual end of summer celebration organized by the Madison Area Chefs Network (MACN) to benefit food-related programming for children in Madison Central Park. The festival features dishes and drinks from twenty-four of the most celebrated restaurants in the Madison Area with exciting regional and national music acts.
UW Organic Vegetable Variety Research Showcase Aug. 22, 2019 2 PM - 5 PM West Madison Agricultural Research Station 8502 Mineral Point Rd., Verona
At this field day, scientists will share the results of vegetable variety trials for organic systems including tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, sweet corn, beets, peppers, squash, and melons. Attendees will be able to tour the station's 10+ acres of certified organic land and participate in a vegetable flavor evaluation.
Orangutan Conservation Day August 19, 2019 10 AM - 2 PM Henry Vilas Zoo 702 S. Randall Ave., Madison
Join us in celebrating our favorite redheads at the zoo! Come learn about Henry Vilas Zoo's efforts in orangutan conservation and celebrate Datu, Kawan and Chelsea as we raise awareness for issues orangutans face in the wild.
4th Annual Glow Paddle at Brittingham Boats Aug. 23, 2019 7 PM - 10 PM Brittingham Park 701 Brittingham Place, Madison
Don't miss this awesome annual event! Only one Brittingham Glow Paddle every summer! Deck yourself out with anything that glows and paddle down John Nolan Drive to the Monona Terrace to listen to live music on the water. Paddle board, kayak, and canoe in fashion with your friends. Prizes go to the best decorations!
Cancellation Policy: We offer full refunds up until 48 hours before the event starts.
Please note that online registration closes the night before the event. If you are looking for last minute tickets, or our boats are all sold out, please do not purchase from anyone that you do not personally know. Also know that the ticket cannot be transferred to another person without the original person emailing us at wingra@madisonboats.com with the new registrants full name.
Vernardo's Circus Aug. 21 - Sept. 2, 2019 6:30 PM - 8 PM West Towne Mall
Created by former Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Kevin Venardos, this animal-free circus features a cast of aerialists, acrobats, comedians, jugglers, contortionists and daredevils hailing from around the world. The Broadway-style opening and closing singing and dancing add another level of storytelling and magic to the experience. Tickets are $5 more at the door than prices shown online, so save time and money and buy online in advance. When we sellout online there are no tickets available at the door.
TICKETS: www.LiveYourCircusDream.com DATES: Aug 21st - Sept 2nd LABOR DAY: 12pm and 3pm on Monday, Sept 2nd.
Dane Dances Aug. 23, 2019 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM Monona Terrace 1 John Nolen Dr., Madison
Kick off your heels and get down on the rooftop with these fun community dances that have become a Madison tradition. These concerts were created to help break down racial barriers and bring people of all backgrounds together through music. Food vendors and cocktails are available for purchase beginning at 4pm. Feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair; seating on the rooftop is limited. Picnic baskets are also welcome. Sorry, no carry-in alcohol. In the case of inclement weather, concerts will be moved inside unless otherwise noted.
