Friends and Neighbors,
February signifies the beginning of our biennial budget process here in
Wisconsin. Tonight, the Governor will introduce his proposed
state budget to a joint legislative session. We have already seen a sneak preview of a few noteworthy items. As a 4th generation UW-Madison graduate, I am appalled at the proposed $300 million cut to our University of Wisconsin System. We cannot sell short our future generations who want to experience our world class universities here in Wisconsin. Today's students are tomorrow's leaders and the Governor's cut shows a short-sighted decision to say the least.
I have also been involved in discussions related to President Obama's proposed EPA rules to lower carbon emissions by 2030. Again, we need to exercise long-term vision when discussing something that will affect the future of our state and the world. For my children and yours, we must be good stewards of the place we call home.
As always, if you have any topics you would like to see discussed in future issues of the Sargent Voice, please contact me at 608-266-0960 or Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov.
Sincerely,
Melissa Sargent
State Representative
48th Assembly District
Looming $300 million cut to UW-System
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Investing in our future and
those who will lead us there doesn't come from
pulling $300 million from our public university
system. If we are serious about giving everyone the opportunity to access an excellent education and the ability to achieve their dreams this isn't how to do it. I knew the governors budget would not match my priorities - but this proud 4th Generation Badger is astonished at this proposal. Our future is on the line here. |
These proposed cuts are believed to be the largest in the history of the university and go against the Wisconsin Idea. In the past, large cuts have always been mitigated by additional tuition revenue from resident and non-resident students. The proposed cuts, on top of the reduction in the last state budget, would result in a more than 15 percent decrease in state funds to the university over a four-year period. Fully absorbing these cuts would have a harmful impact on our students and their educational experience.
Energy Committee Considers EPA Rules
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As a member of the Energy and Utilities committee, I am excited to learn about this important aspect of state government: powering our communities while balancing the responsibility of protecting our air and water. We have a moral obligation to protect our environment at a fair cost to our citizens. If we want our kids to grow up and stay, have families, and work here, we must find collaborative, pragmatic solutions for a clean, safe Wisconsin. |
President Obama's announcement that the EPA will be requiring a reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 was discussed at an informational hearing last week in the state capitol.
I was dismayed at the Republicans
reaction to this rule that will protect our land, lakes, and
air—the bedrock of our agriculture and tourism industries. We
should be taking a proactive approach to being good stewards of
our natural resources.
Even if Republicans and their WMC cronies aren’t willing to
acknowledge global warming, we can all agree that the plan has
positive benefits and goals. Furthermore, we need to do this the
Wisconsin way, where we are proactive in developing a plan to
continue reducing emissions, protect our waters, and preserve
air quality in a way that is sensible and tailored to our state.
Upskirting
Bill Passes the Assembly
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I am proud to announce that a bill I coauthored passed on a voice vote out of the Assembly last week. If signed into law, AB8 would create a felony offense for the act of “upskirting”—using a camera or video recording device to take photos or videos up a person’s skirt or underneath a person’s clothing without their knowledge or consent. |
Simply put, this is a creepy act that must be stopped. People in our communities should not be afraid of public spaces. They should not feel unsafe grocery shopping, riding the bus, or standing in line at the movies.
I hope that my Senate colleagues act
swiftly to close this legislative loophole. Penalizing
upskirting isn’t a partisan issue—it’s something we can all
agree on.
Northside Equity Forum
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I was proud to participate in the Northside Racial Equity Forum last Monday night. Community leaders, concerned citizens, and organizations were present to discuss the alarming racial disparities that
we see in Dane County and
around our state. |
Wisconsin is only Midwest
state to refuse Medicaid Expansion
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Less than a week before Governor
Walker releases his state budget, Indiana’s Republican
Governor reached a deal to accept enhanced
federal dollars to strengthen its Medicaid program. Indiana’s forward step puts additional pressure on Governor Walker to take the federal money to strengthen the state’s popular and successful BadgerCare program. Wisconsin is the only state in the Great Lakes region to refuse the dollars, now that Republican Governors in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana have all moved forward. |
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Office visit by the Credit Union League
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Credit Unions are an important part of our
communities in supporting our working families - in
fact there are 40,670 credit union members in the
48th Assembly District. I had a wonderful office visit from those in our community who work at and run credit unions. I thank them for their visit and for all their hard work. |
Dane County Youth in
Government seeking Nominations
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Youth voice is so important to me
as a legislator. While those under 18 cannot vote, they
still have the right to be heard. That is why I helped
to found the Dane County - Youth in Government (YGP)
program while I was on the County Board. YGP is currently seeking nominations for our 2015-2016 cohort. |
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Nominations can be made by anyone who works with youth, so
please share this information widely! We look forward to
receiving your nominations and another successful year of YGP.
For more information on the Dane County Youth Governance
Program, please visit our website at
http://fyi.uwex.edu/youthgovernanceprogram/.
If you would like to have your
name removed from this email list, please reply to this message with “Unsubscribe” in the subject line.
February 3, 2015
Issue 46
Contact Me
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
Listening Sessions
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I am holding my first day of listening
sessions for the 2015-2016 session all across the 48th
Assembly District. I hope you'll join me to discuss any
state business on your mind, or just to say hi and have a
cup of coffee! Hope to see you at one of these
locations/times. I will also be scheduling some listening sessions in the evening in the near future for those who are not able to attend during the day. Friday, February 6th Manna Cafe 10a.m.- 11a.m. 611 N. Sherman Ave. Heritage Bakery 11:30a.m - 12:30p.m. 4674 Cottage Grove Rd. Java Cat 1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. 3918 Monona Dr.
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10,000 Doors??
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I can't do my job as a
State Representative without hearing from you. One of my
favorite things to do is to get out and hear from my
constituents. Last session, I knocked on over 10,000
doors and it is my goal to do the same this session.
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In the District
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Daddy Daughter
Dance at Warner Park Feb 7 3-5pm and 6-8pm Cost: $15.00 Registration Details: The event will be held at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center on the north side. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time. Tickets can be purchased over the phone at (608) 266-4711 or (608) 245-3690 x0, or in person during hours of operation. Tickets are $15 per couple and $5 for each additional daughter. Space is limited and this event usually sells out, so be sure to buy your tickets early. You will choose to attend either the 3-5pm event OR the 6-8pm event. Cherokee Marsh Annual Meeting Communities that come together and work to protect our environment for today and tomorrow are special and important. I was glad to be able to again join the Friends of Cherokee Marsh at their annual meeting and pollinator presentation. Having this natural wonder in my backyard is priceless.
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Good News for Drivers
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2014 had the lowest number of
traffic deaths in 71 years Wisconsin ended 2014 with 492 traffic fatalities, which was the lowest number of deaths and the first time below 500 fatalities since 1943 when 417 people in died in crashes, according to preliminary statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). State traffic deaths in 2014 also were down 35 (approximately a 7 percent reduction) from 2013 when 527 people died.
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Eagle Scout Ceremony
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Investing in the future and the
character of our young leaders is imperative. I
had the high honor and privilege of participating in an
Eagle Ceremony last week. Congratulations to Stephen, his family,
his friends, and his mentors - job well done. If you or someone you know is reaching an accomplishment in Scouting, please contact my office if you would like a citation or if you would like me to attend the ceremony. Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov or 608-266-0960.
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Did You Know?
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Bald eagles, once listed as endangered on both state and
federal endangered species list, have since recovered after
regulations were put into place to protect the species and
following a ban on the pesticide DDT. The remarkable
recovery of our nation's symbol in Wisconsin represents the
success of conservation efforts by the state and our
partners. |
Internships with Rep. Sargent
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Team Sargent has had the great fortune
of coming across some fabulous interns. This semester is no
different. I welcome Travis Reese, Alexandra Aaron, and
Jennifer Johnson to our office and look forward to working
with them over the next few months. If you know of anyone who would like to intern in my office in the future, feel free to reach out to my office.  |