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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Assembly may not be in session this month, but Capitol business is still ongoing, as focus shifts from the state budget to legislation that will be considered in the fall.

In this week’s newsletter, you will find information about several bills I have recently introduced, an update from the Adoption Task Force, some tips from DATCP, and a fun Wisconsin fact.

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 Weeks Update:

Reinstating the False Claims Act


Safe Storage for Gun Safety


Adoption Task Force Update


DATCP Recommends Precautions after Major Storms


Wisconsin Fun Fact


Whats Happening?


Contact Me:

418 North, State Capitol

P.O. Box 8953

Madison, WI 53708

Phone: (608) 266-7521

Toll-Free: (888) 534-0078

Fax: (608) 282-3690

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Reinstating the False Claims Act

This week, I introduced a bill to reinstate the False Claims Act, which Republicans repealed in 2015.  The bill would restore the ability of individual whistleblowers to bring lawsuits against companies that are defrauding the state’s Medicaid program. It would also reward whistleblowers in successful cases where the state recovers funds lost to fraud. Governor Evers’s 2019-21 state budget proposal included a provision reinstating the False Claims Act, but Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee removed it from the budget.

 

Prior to 2015, the False Claims Act was one of Wisconsin’s most effective tools for deterring fraud in the Medicaid program. As a result of the False Claims Act between 2012 and 2014 alone, Wisconsin recovered $28 million from companies who were caught defrauding the state’s Medicaid program. According to one estimate, the law’s repeal has cost taxpayers over $11 million in settlement money. Most notably, as a direct result of repealing the False Claims Act, Wisconsin collected $695,430 less than it should have in the national settlement against the drug manufacturer Mylan for underpaying Medicaid rebates.

Governor Evers was right to reinstate this important protection in his budget proposal.  When Republicans stripped the False Claims Act from the Governor’s budget, they sided with unscrupulous corporations and big pharmaceutical companies against Wisconsin taxpayers.   

In the name of preventing fraud, Republicans have it more difficult for our most vulnerable neighbors to access services like Foodshare and BadgerCare, but they turn a blind eye when wealthy special interests cheat taxpayers out of millions. It is time to get serious about ending fraud in Medicaid and holding those who take advantage of taxpayers accountable for their actions.

 

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Safe Storage for Gun Safety

This week, I also introduced a package of five bills designed to keep guns out of the hands of children and those who intend to use them for harm.

Gun violence plagues our nation, posing a serious public health and safety crisis. As legislators, we have a responsibility to enact safety reforms to prevent gun violence in our state. My “Safe Storage for Gun Safety” package of legislation includes common sense measures to keep guns out of the hands of our children and out of the hands of dangerous individuals.  

LRB-1027 would require businesses that sell firearms to secure all firearms when the business is unattended. This legislation would prevent criminals who break into a gun store from simply walking off with as many handguns as they can carry.

LRB-0975 would require reporting of lost or stolen firearms within 24 hours of discovering they are lost or stolen. This legislation enables law enforcement to trace guns more effectively, and makes for the successful prosecution of users of stolen guns more likely.

LRB-0978 would require that at the time of sale or transfer of a firearm, the seller provide the individual receiving the gun with a secure lockable container or trigger lock for the firearm.

LRB-0979 would require a gun owner to store firearms in a locked container or have a locking device engaged if a person who cannot legally possess a firearm lives in the residence.

LRB-0984 would require a gun owner to store firearms in a locked container or have a locking device engaged if there is a child living in the residence or if a child is present in the home.

Wisconsin families deserve the peace of mind that their children are safe whether they are at home, school, or out in the community. The “Safe Storage for Gun Safety” package would make our communities safer by preventing gun violence and accidental deaths at the hands of those who should not have access to firearms.


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Adoption Task Force Update

The Task Force on Adoption is continuing to hold hearing across the state as we gather information to make policy recommendations. We are focused on addressing the barriers facing biological and adoptive parents in the adoption process.

This week, the Task Force held a productive hearing in Balsam Lake, where we heard from the school district, tribal leaders, law enforcement, and families about their experiences and recommendations.

More upcoming hearings are being planned around the state and will be announced soon. For updates, follow my Facebook page or my e-newsletters, and please feel free to share your stories or thoughts on the Task Force website.

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DATCP Recommends Precautions after Major Storms

Following the recent storms across Wisconsin, many citizens have experienced home or business property damage and are seeking repairs. At this time, pop-up contractors are traveling to houses, offering aggressive sales pitches.  The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has a few precautions for citizens seeking contract work to repair damages.

For starters, never let one of these traveling crews into your home, and do not fall prey to their sales pitches. Instead, try to find contractors based on references; ask friends and neighbors for recommendations, and look up the business beforehand to ensure they have the proper permits.  In addition, use a local contractor and make sure you know who specifically who will be doing the work, whether it is the contractor or a subcontractor. Finally, request a copy of the contractor’s certificate of liability insurance, and keep all receipts that document the cost of repairs. For more information and safety tips, visit DATCP’s website here.


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Wisconsin Fun Fact

If you have been looking up in the skies of Madison over the past week, you may have seen some interesting looking airplanes flying overhead. These planes have been flying into Dane County Regional Airport to refuel on their way to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the world’s largest experimental aviation event, July 22nd through the 28th. 

The event draws 500,000 people from 80 different countries to Wisconsin each year to witness the nearly 10,000 aircraft that attend the fly-in. Airplane enthusiasts go to enjoy amazing spectacle and academic workshops, as well as for the chance to talk new and inventive ideas relating to aviation with people from all over the world.

The convention was originally founded in Milwaukee, but had to be moved to a larger space due to its growing popularity. Steve Wittman, an EAA member since its founding in 1953, suggested Oshkosh, which now serves as the annual grounds for the event and is home to Wittman Regional Airport.  

Wittman had a dream to fly all of his life. He served his country with aiding in the Civilian Pilot Training Program during World War Two and was known for his career of building and racing airplanes. In 1953, he became associated with the Experimental Aviation Association and helped orchestrate the change in location for the EAA annual convention to Oshkosh. In 1995, Wittman and his wife tragically died during a cross country flight from Florida to Oshkosh. Their plane crashed near Stevenson, Alabama.

His legacy lives on though the EAA, the Airventure convention, and Oshkosh’s Regional Airport. The event brings in 110 million dollars annually to the state, and promotes ingenuity and experimentation in aviation all across the world.


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Things happening in the district & around Madison:

BLOOMING BUTTERFLIES
July 18, 2019 - August 11, 2019

10 AM - 4 PM
Olbrich Gardens
330 Atwood Ave., Madison


Come to Madison’s Olbrich Gardens to admire more than a dozen species of butterflies in Olbrich’s Conservatory.  Admission is $8 for ages 13 & up and $5 for ages 3 - 12

SUNFLOWER DAYS
July 26, 2019 - August 4, 2019

Pope Farm Conservancy
7440 Old Sauke Rd., Verona



Come visit Middleton’s 105-acre Pope Farm Conservatory to see sunflowers in full bloom.  Admission is $4 per adult, and parking on-site is not available, however, there will be off-site parking and a shuttle bringing visitors to the flowers.  Click here for more info and to purchase tickets in advance.

 

YOUTH JAZZ EXPO
July 27, 2019

9 AM - 10 AM for ages 8 - 12

10 AM - 12 PM for ages 13+
Café Coda
1224 Williamson St., Madison

Each Saturday, Madison youth are invited to join together with Hanah Jon Taylor, to practice, improv, and receive jazz instruction.  Admission is free.

BRUCE BENGSTON
July 27, 2019

11 AM
Overture Center, Overture Hall
201 State St., Madison

 


The Overture Center continues its tradition of free Organ concerts at the farmer’s market.  No tickets or reservations are necessary, and all ages are welcome for the 45 minute program.

 

MOTHERTREES SUPPORT GROUP
July 29, 2019

10:30 AM
Common Ground
2644 Branch St., Middleton


Join this mother’s support group weekly for a safe-space to discuss mental heath and self-care with women who have has similar experiences.

 

HARRY POTTER TRIVIA CHALLENGE
July 29, 2019

6 PM - 9 PM
Middleton Library
7425 Hubbard Ave., Middleton


Kids ages 9-12 are invited to test out their Harry Potter knowledge while competing for awesome prizes.  Registration is required to participate, but all are welcome to watch.

 

SUMMER PICNIC AT ELVER PARK
July 30, 2019

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Elver Park
1250 McKenna Blvd., Madison


Hosted by Moms Demand Action - WI

 

|  | Rep Subeck's Website 

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