This week in the Assembly could meet up to three times as it is possibly the final week of session for the body. On Tuesday, business will begin with a joint convention of the legislature as we welcome Wisconsin's 11 Federally recognized tribes for the annual State of the Tribes Address.
I appreciate everyone who has contacted the office for a Blue Book or Highway Map. While our supply is starting to dwindle, we still have plenty if you want to request a copy of one or both.
I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's weekend, and that your work week is off to a great start. 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
Last Wednesday, I was joined by Mara Jarvis, Madison Chapter President of the National Organization for Women (NOW), and several of my Assembly Democratic colleagues for a press conference where we announced the introduction of an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Wisconsin Constitution. Our proposal for Wisconsin’s ERA establishes equal rights on the basis of sex, gender identity, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, age, ancestry, or any other immutable characteristic. The federal Equal Rights Amendment passed through the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 12, 1971, and through the U.S. Senate on March 22, 1972. As the Amendment went to the states for ratification, many states took the opportunity to establish an Equal Rights Amendment in their state constitutions as well. Wisconsin acted as one of the first states to ratify the federal Equal Rights Amendment, doing so on April 26, 1972. However, Wisconsin still does not have a state Equal Rights Amendment in our constitution.
Early in the 2019 Legislative Session AB 214 / SB 200 was introduced as a bill to prevent a future back log of sexual assault testing kits. This bill had been developed by victims, advocates, law enforcement, medical experts and members of the Sexual Assault Response Team. It was a good bill, and co-sponsored by over half of the Assembly; it passed the Senate early on, on a voice vote.
Last Tuesday, the Assembly took up AB 844, a partisan re-write of AB 214/SB 200, an omnibus bill that its own author described as a ‘grab bag’ of partisan policies drafted without input from anyone with any expertise on sexual assault. There is no doubt that this impractical, untenable, unfunded, and divisive bill Assembly Republicans passed was never intended to become law and serves only as a convenient partisan distraction from their own inaction on AB 214/SB 200.
In their ridiculous quest to block any so-called victories on the part of the administration, Republicans have thrown survivors of sexual assault under the bus. Republicans chose to hold public safety and justice for victims of sexual assault hostage in the name of their own partisan political gain. It is unfortunate they chose petty partisan politics over public safety and justice for survivors of sexual assault as AB 214/SB 200 could have almost immediately be signed by the Governor and enacted into law.
During his State of the State Address at the end of January, Governor Evers called for a special session on public education that would invest heavily in Wisconsin's public schools. The special session began on Tuesday, without participation from the Republicans. The Governor’s proposal makes critical investments in school districts across the state while providing $130 million in property tax relief. Republicans continue to refuse to take up provisions that prioritize public schools and the future of our state.
In a Joint Finance Committee (JFC) hearing last week, Republicans abandoned a plan to close the Lincoln Hills Juvenile facility, which has seen numerous safety problems over the past few years under the previous administration. The plan outlined by Department of Corrections Secretary, Kevin Carr, funds two new state-run facilities to replace Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for Girls. This plan will improve the safety and well-being of staff and children by building a sustainable system with programming and prevention services. Democrats offered a plan to fully fund the necessary improvements for Wisconsin's juvenile justice system.
The Week Ahead
On Tuesday, February 18th, is the annual State of the Tribes Address. The Address will be given by Chairman Ned Daniels of Forest County Potawatomi. This is a great opportunity for continued dialogue between Tribal governing bodies and Members of the Legislature. Chairman Daniels will highlight successes of 2019 and discuss issues Native Americans are experiencing in their communities today. Wisconsin has 11 federally-recognized tribes and nearly 54,000 Native American citizens.
To view the complete the calendar of committees, visit here.
It is the FINAL YEAR of the Verona Road (US 18/151) Project in Fitchburg!!
Watch the 2020 Construction Overview video about County PD/McKee Road, between Fitchrona Road and Commerce Park Drive. Construction is currently anticipated to start in late March/early April. Please note this is weather dependent and subject to change.
Permanent restrictions are expected to begin in May at the County PD, Nesbitt Road and Kapec Road intersection. View the map of the permanent turn restrictions. Stop signs will be installed on the local roadways with free-flow left turns from County PD to Nesbitt Road and Kapec Road.
Share this video and email to family, friends and co-workers and encourage them to register for project email updates! You can also share the video on the project Facebook page!
During World War II, the United States Army sent 855 black women, part of the Women's Army Corps to England and France to clear the back log of mail in the European Theatre Operations. They were given six months to complete their operation, and finished it in three. This group of women, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (also known as known as the SixTripleEight). They were the only all-female battalion deployed overseas during World War II and the first female African-American battalion in the Army.
One of these women is Anna Mae (nee' Wilson) Robertson. She grew up in a small town in Arkansas and spent time with the rest of her family working on crops. With her father out of the picture, it was a huge blow when her mother unexpectedly died. Searching for ways to apply themselves, she and her brother both enlisted into the military as a way to get by and as a way to maintain order in their lives.
After returning home from her deployment at the conclusion of World War II, she settled in Milwaukee after having attended a friend's wedding there. She first took work at a Milwaukee fish factory, but later landed her dream job as a nurse aide at the VA Hospital in Milwaukee. Around the same time, she met her husband, a fellow WWII veteran and they went on to have 8 children.
When the 6888th Battalion returned home, there were no parades or medal ceremonies. There was not any formal recognition until 2009 when there was a ceremony held at Arlington National Cemetery, and only three of the woman could be located to attend. Robertson's daughter heard about the ceremony, wondered why her mother was not included, and contacted Congresswoman Gwen Moore's office. In 2014, at the age of 90, Robertson finally recieved her medals and the recognition she deserved.
Things happening in the district & around Madison:
Spring Primary Election Tuesday, February 18, 2020 7:00 am-8:00 pm Find your polling location here.
Polls are open 7 am - 8 pm for the Spring primary election for local races. Please note the spring Presidental Primary election is on April 7, 2020.
RivALZ Bingo for Alzhimers Wednesday, February 19, 2020 6pm-8pm Boulder Brew Pub
950 Kimball Lane, Verona, Wisconsin 53593
Bingo with lots of fun prizes and titto's swag. Proceeds Donated to Rivals
Collections & Connections Thursday, February 20, 2020 Time: 9am-12pm James Watrous Gallery 201 State St., Madison
Help USRWA restore the Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area during our series “4th Saturday” volunteer workdays. In February, volunteers will be removing invasives (buckthorn, honeysuckle) and treating them with herbicide, and helping to burn brush piles accumulated last winter/spring if conditions allow. It’s a great event for all ages and abilities, and it promises to be rewarding, fun, and a great way to experience the outdoors.
Black History Month Open House Friday, February 21, 2020 12pm-1pm Wisconsin Historical Society
In partnership with the Black History Education Conference, the Society will host a variety of programs and exhibits that highlight the history of African Americans. On display will be several African American quilts that tell the stories of African Americans in Wisconsin. Folklorist Janet Gilmore will talk about the traditions of African American quilting in the state. The new exhibit on Womens' Suffrage, "We Stand on their Shoulders: A History of Wisconsin Women & Voting" will also be highlighted. From noon - 1 p.m., Society Reference Librarian Lori Bessler will provide guidance on how to research your family history with a focus on records that help to tell the stories of African American families in the feature presentation, “Researching African American Family History." This event is free of charge and open to the public.
Bock Fest Saturday, February 22, 2020 10:00 am-5:00 pm Capital Brewery & Bier Garten
7734 Terrace Ave, Middleton, WI 53562
Come celebrate the biggest outdoor beer fest in the Midwest – BOCKFEST at Capital Brewery & Bier Garten! Fresh Blonde Doppelbock, Maibock, and other Capital Brewery award-winning brews will be on tap all day long.
Femmestival Sunday, February 23, 2020 11 am - 6 pm Garver Feed Mill 3241 Garver Green, Madison
Femmestival is at its core a festival that celebrates and uplifts womxn, femmes and nonbinary entrepreneurs, artists and producers. Inside the historic Garver Feed Mill, the Femmestival team in partnership with Garver Events and Centro Hispano, will work to create a space that cultivates economic inclusivity, equity and proliferation. We will work to put forth a reimagination of what a festival can be when womxn and allies put themselves, their economic health and their creative energies first.
This event is free to the public. $5 food tickets are available via ticketleap.com. Advance purchase is recommended for a streamlined experience at Femmestival. While food vendors require tickets, artists vendors will be accepting cash and some may accept credit cards.
All donations and proceeds will benefit Centro Hispano and the Culinary Ladies Collective. www.femmestival.com
ERA Yes!
Wisconsin Black History Fact
