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Friends and Neighbors,

With snow on the ground and a chill in the air, it's clear that winter has officially arrived. While the legislative session has ended until early 2014, my office has been busy introducing legislation, reaching out to constituents, and ensuring that the 48th Assembly District is well represented in the State Capitol.

This issue of the Sargent Voice will discuss my bill to allow counties to accept the federal Medicaid expansion funds, my continued effort to support our local fast food workers, and opportunities for people to give charitably this holiday season.


As always, if you have any items you would like included in the Sargent Voice, or if you have questions about state government please contact my office at Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov or call 608-266-0960.

Sincerely,

Counties Medicaid Bill

Gov. Walker and the Republicans caused this health care crisis by rejecting federal money. Accepting it would save taxpayers money and give more people access to healthcare. Our state could cover 85,000 more people and save $86 million in this biennium alone by expanding BadgerCare by accepting federal resources.

I call on my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to honor local control by supporting this bill which allows the government closest to its citizens the opportunity to provide health care opportunities.

See statewide coverage of the bill roll-out: HERE

and HERE

Charitable Giving Options

To get in the spirit of the holiday season, I hope people will consider giving to one of these fantastic charities in our community. While our gifts to each other make the season fun, there are those with less in society who could greatly benefit from even a small donation.

Kennedy Heights Community Center
In 2012 the Kennedy Heights Community Center refocused their efforts to strengthening entire families because a strong community starts with the families in it. The Community Center offers many resources for adults and children, and they rely upon donations to keep their programs running. If you would like to donate please go to www.khcommunitycenter.org

Porchlight, Inc.
Porchlight is centered around providing shelter for the homeless members of our communities. Since its inception, it has provided more than 780,000 nights of shelter and more than two million meals. This organization is looking for donations in order to extend the services they offer.
Please visit www.porchlightinc.org

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
This organization relies on donations in order to help people in our communities that have either suffered, are suffering, or fear that they will suffer from domestic abuse. Your donation is an investment in the safety and future of domestic violence survivors across Dane County.
Please visit www.abuseintervention.org

Operation Fresh Start
Engaging youth in conservation work in Dane County for over eighty years, Operation Fresh Start aims to give our young ones the skills and knowledge to keep our environment growing and healthy. Please visit www.operationfreshstart.org

Rock River Coalition
The Rock River Coalition monitors 68 streams throughout the Rock River Basin through the Stream Monitor Program and are looking for ways to increase involvement and understanding of streams through education. This coalition relies solely on donations from concerned Wisconsinites.
Please visit www.rockrivercoalition.org

Community Groundworks
Educating community families about healthy, hand grown food is the main goal of this nature based organization. In 2013 alone, Community Groundworks has produced 3,685 pounds of produce, all stemming from donations. Please visit www.communitygroundworks.org

Madison Trust for Historic Preservation
The mission of the Madison Trust for Historic Preservation is to provide support for historic places that enrich the city; “We believe that a city’s identity and sense of place are closely tied to its multi-generational places and architecture.” Please visit www.madisonpreservation.org

Workers’ Rights Center, Inc.
The Workers’ Rights Center works to educate and maintain the rights of workers in the Madison area. Please visit www.wrcmadison.org

Fair Wisconsin Education Fund
Fair Wisconsin Education Fund was established to build a fair and inclusive Wisconsin for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people by advancing, achieving, and protecting LGBT civil rights and workplace equality through education, movement capacity building, grassroots organizing, civic engagement, research, and legal challenge preparation. To give to this organization please visit www.fairwisconsineducationfund.com

Fast Food Walkout

Along with many community leaders, I have continued to advocate for the fast food workers in our area. Last week, workers at the Taco Bell on East Washington Avenue walked off the job in protest of their low wages.  <--(Rep. Sargent at the Taco Bell Walk-out last week)

I have urged these corporations to raise the wages of their workers to give them a higher standard of living. Raising the minimum wage would also save the taxpayers money. The statistics in regards to the fast food industry tell the story:

• More than half of the families of front line fast food workers are enrolled in one or more public assistance program.
   

• Nationally, the cost of public assistance to families of workers in the fast food industry is nearly $7 billion per year.
   

• McDonald’s alone costs taxpayers an estimated $1.2 billion.
   

• In Wisconsin alone, the public cost of low-wage fast food jobs is $166 million.
   

• The 10 largest fast-food companies along made more than $7.4 billion in profits in 2012.
   

• They also awarded more than $53 million in compensation to their highest paid executives.

The fast food industry is making these profits, and these bonuses on the backs of the hard working men and women who are on the front lines working for them.

I implore these corporations to pay these workers a living wage. A $15 per/hour ladder into the middle class will have a wide-reaching positive impact on our society.

Affordable Care Act Press Conference

I was pleased to join citizens and other community leaders last Friday to tell the stories of how real people in Wisconsin are now able to access affordable health care coverage. With two weeks until the deadline to enroll for January coverage, two young people from Wisconsin spoke about how the Affordable Care Act is benefiting them.

The event was held at the Dane County Job Center, where counselors have been meeting with people and walking them through enrollment.

As President Obama has said about the Affordable Care Act time and time again, young people need to sign up in order for this law to be successful. We, here in Dane County are lucky to have groups like our local OFA teams such as the Northside Action Team who are passionate about successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act. There is some positive momentum happening right now with this law, and I know we are moving in the right direction towards more people having affordable, accessible health care in the United States.

Unfortunately, we have a Governor here in Wisconsin who has refused to accept federal Medicaid money which would have insured 85,000 more Wisconsinites and saved millions in taxpayer dollars. Despite these issues we are facing, we need to celebrate the great strides towards providing affordable insurance for the people of our state and country.

UW Women's Rights Forum

I had a great discussion last Wednesday at the UW Madison / Young Progressives Women's Rights Forum. I was inspired by the engaged students who presented with passion and determination to make their voices heard. I know that these leaders for our next generation will continue to push for women's health care access as well as equality in the work place.

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December 11, 2013
Issue 23

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708

Office: (608) 266-0960

Email:
Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov

On the Web: sargent.assembly.wi.gov
 

The world mourns the loss of Nelson Mandela this week. His contributions to all humankind will be remembered for generations to come. "We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right." -Nelson Mandela