Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


 October 20, 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 Side Farmers Market
Saturdays, Through Nov. 4
7:00 am – 1:00 pm

New location: 750 University Row
Behind the UW Health Digestive Health Center
 


Fall Book Sale
Saturday, October 21
9:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Lots of Books for Everyone!
Join the Friends of the Meadowridge Branch Library for a Fall Book Sale on Friday, October 20th from 5:30-7:30 and Saturday, October 21st from 9:00-1:00. Bag Sale beginning at noon, buy a bag'o'books for five bucks!
 


Colors of Nature
Sunday, October 22
1:30–3:30 p.m.

UW Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway

Hike and explore the colorful forest and prairie, then draw, paint, and write about your discoveries. Naturalist-led hike from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., indoor activities from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
 


Movement in Your World: Family Dance
Tuesday, October 24
9:30 am - 10:00 am


Join Madison Ballet for a fun Creative Movement experience for the whole family! Toddlers and parents dance together while focusing on rhythm, movement, music and fun. Call 824-1780 to register.
 


West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches
Tuesday, October 24
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.
 


Hidden Voices: African American Writers in Wisconsin
Tuesday, October 24
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Join three Madison-area African American writers - poet Fabu, novelist Sherry Lucille, and playwright and novelist Catrina Sparkman - as they discuss their poetry and prose in relation to the work of three African American literary giants who also lived and worked in the Madison area during the 20th century: novelist Jean Toomer, playwright Lorraine Hansberry, and poet Sarah Webster Fabio.


AnjiPlay Date
Wednesday, October 25
10:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Lussier Community Center
55 S. Gammon Rd

The library will provide play and art materials especially chosen to encourage highly engaged, self-determined play. When kids are done, they'll create a Play Story depicting their play that day. Messy clothes recommended. Open to all ages.
 


Downtown Madison Family Halloween
Wednesday, October 25
3 pm - 6 pm

122 W Washington

An afternoon of Halloween family fun and free or low-cost activities for kids 12 and under! Special Kids in the Rotunda shows and festive Halloween photos at Overture Center, Madison Parks Hay Rides around the Capitol Square, crafts, spooky stories, art projects, stories and songs, trick or treat at more than 75 participating businesses, and more!
 


Chess Club
Wednesday, October 25
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Learn how to play chess and play against others with varied levels of experience. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult.
 


Read to a Dog
Thursday, October 26
4 pm - 5:30 pm

Alicia Ashman Library
733 N. High Point Road

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.
 


West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches
Thursday, October 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.
 


Knitting at the Library
Thursday, October 26
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Learn to knit or bring your current project. Supplies provided. Children under 8 must have an adult present.
 


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,
 

Thank you to all who came to one of my scheduled office hour events in the district this week. It was great to see many of you and to have such great discussions about what is happening in the state Capitol and in our community.

In this newsletter, you will find an update on a bill I’m working on to restrict the use of shackles on incarcerated women during labor and childbirth, information about a possible merger between UW’s two year colleges and four year universities, and shocking news from the Public Benefits Reform Committee.

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

 


Senate Hearing on Shackling of Incarcerated Pregnant Women
Yesterday, I testified before the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety in support of Senate Bill 393, a bill I authored with Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) to restrict shackling of incarcerated women during labor and childbirth. The bill would also ensure incarcerated women have access to needed maternal support services including the supplies for pumping breast milk, postpartum health care, and testing for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The legislation was introduced in response to reports of multiple incarcerated women being shackled while during labor and childbirth in Milwaukee County. Federal facilities and 18 states already have policies that prohibit or restrict shackling pregnant women, but Wisconsin lacks any statutory guidelines on the practice.

Click here for a short video from the hearing.
<https://www.facebook.com/RepresentativeSubeck/videos/1758215384478719/?hc_ref=ARRrm2ffONWx1Vn2CXKtWzjw9hzMeiS6KciTIu-IMFd_DaUzKyu4w5MtambLwWqMwZ0&pnref=story.unseen-section>
 


A Tale of Two FoodShare Bills
On Tuesday, the Public Benefits Reform Committee held a public hearing on AB 501 and AB 530, two bills which would make changes to Wisconsin’s FoodShare program. FoodShare is what most people know as food stamps for low-income individuals and families. The program serves predominantly seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children. The two bills are now scheduled to be voted on in Committee next Tuesday.

The first bill, AB 501 would create a pilot program that provides 2,000 FoodShare households across Wisconsin with discounts on purchases of produce and other healthy food options at participating retailers. The program would provide half-price fresh produce and discounts on other healthy foods as an incentive and to increase the buying power of FoodShare participants. One of the challenges low-income families and individuals face when trying to make healthy eating choices is that fresher, healthier foods typically costs more. This approach of incentivizing healthy purchases is well researched by the USDA and others, and the evidence shows it has positive health outcomes for FoodShare users. The bill has received bi-partisan support with both Republicans and Democrats sponsoring the bill.

AB 530 takes the opposite approach by imposing restrictions on purchases by those using FoodShare. The bill restricts foods and beverages “that do not have sufficient nutritional value,” without defining what “sufficient nutritional value” is. A food that is sufficiently nutritious for a senior citizen might not be for a small child and vice versa. This broad and undefined approach shows that the bill is not about nutrition. Rather, it is nothing more than an attempt by one of the most extreme right-wing Republicans to score political points in a political atmosphere where ordinary Wisconsinites struggling to make ends meet are too often made out to be villains. The result is that our most vulnerable neighbors become pawns in a political game of who can make the most conservative so-called reforms. Most importantly, evidence-based research has shown this approach does not result in positive results.

Republicans will have to decide whether they want to incentivize healthy food or add more barriers for those Wisconsinites already struggling to make ends meet. The evidence is clear, and we know that incentivizing healthy eating works, and restricting FoodShare participants only hurts our community’s most vulnerable residents. I will stand up for our neighbors in need to fighting for the right choice on Tuesday.
 


Proposed UW System Merger
Earlier this month, the UW System announced a plan to restructure UW Colleges and UW-Extension. The proposal would merge two-year UW Colleges with four-year UW institutions and UW Extension with UW Madison. The move is being touted as necessary in order to keep UW Colleges afloat in the face of declining enrollments.

In November, the UW System will take the proposal before the Board of Regents and seek approval to move forward with implementation planning. While the proposal, at this stage, does outline which UW Colleges would be merged with specific UW four-year institutions, the lack of greater detail is a cause for concern.

Under the current structure, students have the ability to begin their education in the UW System at any one of 13 two-year UW Colleges. This has been a great option for many students. Not only are students able to save money on tuition and living expenses, but most importantly students have been able to work directly with world-class faculty in smaller classroom settings and have greater access to faculty outside of the classroom. I am concerned about the potential impact to students and families.

Other questions remain, as well. For example, under this proposal, would faculty have to split time between institutions? If so, would this create problems in terms of recruiting and retaining faculty? Of course, there are many other unknown details at this time, as well.

Enrollment decline in the two year schools is cited as a reason for the proposed change. I am hesitant to jump to the conclusion that this change is necessary, given that enrollment data tells more than one story. For example, overall enrollment declined one year while more than half of the system schools saw an increase. Clearly, further analysis is needed before drawing conclusions and before choosing a possible solution.

Finally, prior to making deep and lasting changes to a UW System that has served generations of Wisconsin residents well, the Board of Regents ought to consider how cuts to the UW budget since 2011 are impacting enrollment and tread carefully moving forward.


Audit Reveals Continued Mismanagement at King Veterans’ Home


Wisconsin presently operates three homes for veterans and their spouses. The largest and oldest of these homes is the King Veterans’ Home located near Waupaca. The homes are meant to provide high quality, skilled nursing care and retirement options for veterans and their spouses. While initially created to care for veterans of the Civil War, the people of Wisconsin have continued to operate the home at King to meet the needs of those who served.

Last year, news reports detailed how King is failing to provide adequate care. The Department of Veterans Affairs has been transferring funds from King while failing to properly staff the home. Staff have been subjected to forced overtime, and there is a prolonged nursing aide shortage.

An audit was initiated by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee in response to the media reports, and last week the Committee held a hearing on the completed audit. The nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau released the audit in two parts: one looking at the finances of the home and one examining staff shortages and quality of care. The first audit found that $55 million had been transferred away from King to non-related programs from 2003-04 through 2015-16 and had delayed several capital improvements. The second found that there were still significant staffing shortages and employee morale issues to be addressed.

In May, members of the Joint Finance Committee approved amendments to the budget which were aimed at increasing legislative oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the operation of the home at King. Although the amendments passed unanimously, the Governor vetoed the provisions when he signed the remainder of the bill into law.

It is not possible for Veterans and their spouses to receive the quality care they need and deserve when caregivers are exhausted. Nor is it possible to receive quality care when staff is stretched too thin due to ongoing and continual staffing shortages. I will continue to work with legislators, on both sides of the aisle, to bring attention to this issue and to demand accountability of the Administration on behalf of our veterans.

 


State Capitol’s Centennial Celebration
November 8th 100th Anniversary Gala
It’s a once in a lifetime event- and you’re invited! A night of great music, dancing, hosted cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, history and fun. Assemble under the Dome to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Go back to 1917 and help build the Capitol via the Centennial selfie station, or dance the night away underneath the country’s most beautiful dome-- all at the Centennial Gala on Wednesday, November 8th. Proceeds from the event will go towards restoring the building, and keeping her looking as good as she did in 1917. For more information please visit www.wiscapitol100th.com I hope to see you there!”

November 9th Open House
If you have never been to the Wisconsin State Capitol, or it’s been a while, now is the time to visit! Come tour the Capitol on Thursday November 9th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for our special “open house!” See changes that have been made, and experience some of the areas not on the regular Capitol tour.

You can look forward to:

-The Capitol’s 100th Anniversary Art and Essay Contest Winners displayed on the 1st Floor of the Capitol Rotunda
-Self-Guided Tours – Includes the main areas of capitol as well as some unique rooms not shown on the tour
-Historic slide shows in 411 South and 412 East
-Popping into the Assembly Chambers, Senate Chambers, Supreme Court Hearing Room, Governor’s Conference Room, and the North Hearing Room
 


Fall 2017 Legislative Survey
Recently, you may have received a legislative survey from me in the mail. The survey was on a wide range of legislative issues on which I would like your feedback. I would appreciate it if you would please complete the survey and mail it back to my office.

The legislative survey is also now available online. Click here if you would prefer to fill out the survey electronically. Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond.

 


2017-18 Blue Books Are Here
The newest edition of the Wisconsin Blue Book has arrived. If you would like one, you may pick one up my at my Capitol office (418 North).

My office is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are unable to come to the Capitol but would like a Blue Book, please email Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov or call my office at 608-266-7521.
 

 

 


Fun Wisconsin Fact
Wisconsin has the first electric voting machine in the world installed in the Assembly Chamber in 1917. It was invented by Milwaukee native Bornett L. Bobroff and in 1917 cost the state $11,600. While the technology has been upgraded the same vote register remains in the Assembly chambers (pictured left/right). Bobroff went on to design voting boards for several other state legislatures and was even considered for designing a machine for the United States Congress, but the project ultimately never happened due to Congressmen’s fear that speeding-up voting would eliminate filibusters.
 

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