The more I read into Governor Walker's budget, the more I am concerned about the damage it will do to our state, now and into the future.
An abridged version of the people the budget makes cuts to reads like a sampling of people who live right down the street, our friends and neighbors. The people we love, cherish, and revere are in peril due to one of the most damaging budgets our state has ever seen. There are cuts to seniors, those with disabilities, students, university employees, environmentalists, outdoors enthusiasts, those on BadgerCare, public television and radio devotees, bikers, and low-income individuals who will now be unconstitutionally drug tested in order to receive basic necessities like housing and food.
You or someone you love might belong to one of these groups. This pattern of tearing down our citizens while catering to special interests is what sits at the heart of the matter as to why Wisconsin’s economy lags behind much of the nation.
As Wisconsinites we believe in taking care of our neighbors. We believe in investing in our children. We take pride in our commitment to our communities.
I will always fight for the working families of our state, and I will continue to be an unapologetic progressive voice in the State Assembly.
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
Wage Theft Bill Signed into Law
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I was overwhelmed at the
outpouring of opposition to the Wage Theft Bill that
was rammed through the legislature and passed in
less than two weeks, despite a marathon, 24-hour
Assembly debate. After I posted my petition opposing this harmful legislation on my website the responses came in quickly and with a resounding message: The 48th Assembly District opposes Wisconsin becoming a Right-to-Work state. |
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Sadly, Gov. Walker signed the state sanctioned wage theft bill last Monday. Our state will be worse for it, as we are already seeing company's leaving Wisconsin and moving to Minnesota thanks to this bill. Our hard working friends, family and neighbors across Wisconsin deserve better.
They should have the freedom to take a sick
day, the freedom to earn a livable wage, and the freedom to work in
safe conditions - that is the freedom that unions provide.
897 people wrote to my office opposing the bill while only 17
supported it.
You can watch my full floor speech
HERE, and remember
'this fight ain't over'.
Bill to Create a Wisconsin-based Health Care Exchange
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For years our health
care system was unfair. The Affordable Care
Act has provided my friends, family, and
neighbors across Wisconsin and the United
States with the security of health care
coverage. This is a fundamental right. Last week, along with Senator Kathleen Vinehout (D-Alma), I introduced legislation to create a state-based health care exchange, the Badger Health Benefit Authority. |
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U.S. Supreme Court oral arguments on
the case of King vs. Burwell occurred earlier in March which
could take away tax subsidies from over 13 million people in
states that did not set up their own health insurance
marketplace under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
Over 100,000 Wisconsinites who were pushed to the federal
exchange by Governor Walker could lose their health
insurance.
Simply put, it would be devastating to these people -
our neighbors - who would lose coverage should we lose the
federal subsidies. We must protect them with the security
that quality, accessible health care provides.
I know that we can create and operate an exchange far more
efficiently and effectively than the federal government.
This should not be a partisan issue as we all have an
interest in keeping our citizens healthy. I look forward to
working with Senator Vinehout on this bill and I appreciate
her leadership on this vital issue for our state.
You can read the bill
HERE
Mental Health Care Committee
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Comprehensive healthcare is
a fundamental human right. I am proud to serve on the Mental Health Reform Committee in the Wisconsin Legislature. I look forward to working to remove stigma, increase accessibility to quality services and ensure this is done with affordability and sensitivity. |
I know that I cannot not do my job
without hearing from the people I represent, and that is why
I have met with people from Journey Mental Health and NAMI
Dane County. Please let me
know if you have any mental health related matters you would
like me to relay to this important committee.
Aging and Long-Term Care
Update
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Here in Wisconsin, we have
worked hard to provide a system that will support
and provide care for our parents and grandparents.
We believe in taking care of each other and our
families, and we have worked together to create
programs we can all be proud of. Not only has our aging and long-term care system been conceived through public participation, but our efforts have been achieved through bipartisan support and cooperation. |
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It isn’t a secret that with the Baby Boom generation turning 65, the size of our aging population in our country is steadily growing. Since 2000, our aging population in Wisconsin alone has increased by 21 percent. In working to develop an infrastructure that could endure and account for our aging population, Wisconsin has created a community-based aging and long-term care services system that has been a model for the rest of the nation.
Unfortunately, Governor Walker’s budget poses a serious threat to the system we have been building for decades. Not only are there significant cuts to some of our state’s most important aging and long-term care resources and services, but the proposal leaves aging and disabled people and service providers around Wisconsin wondering what our programs will look like if we pass this budget (assuming they will still exist at all).
In Wisconsin, we’ve made bipartisan efforts to provide pragmatic solutions for aging and long-term care in our state, and we worked hard to create and develop cost-savings programs that have life-saving benefits. We should be having conversations about strengthening and providing further support for these programs and services, not dismantling care for our most vulnerable communities piece by piece.
These budget cuts are bad for our families and our communities. As a ranking member on the Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, I look forward to the important work we will undertake this session and I am committed to working together with my colleagues across the aisle to fight for and defend these programs and services for Wisconsin families.
Neighborhood Association Visit
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Neighborhood Associations are the bedrock of our
communities. I had the honor to meet with a great group of friends and neighbors on Madison's East Side to talk about their values and priorities. My two youngest sons joined me and were just great so we stopped at a local business - Michael's Frozen Custard for a treat - because why not! |
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If you are part of your local neighborhood association please reach out to my office. I would love to hear about all the fabulous things going on in our local communities around the 48th Assembly District. Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov or 608-266-0960.
Gold Award Ceremony
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Empowering our youth - especially our young
women - is a passion and priority of mine. I
learn so much from our young people and become a
better mom, friend, neighbor, and leader when I
spend time listening to them. The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. Open only to girls in high school, this prestigious award challenges you to change the world—or at least your corner of it. Courtney is certainly deserving of this great honor. |
As a proud member of Troop 1912 – An Honorary Troop for women of
the Wisconsin State Legislature - I know the importance of
Scouting for our young women.
If you would like to have your
name removed from this email list, please reply to this message with “Unsubscribe” in the subject line.
March 17, 2015
Issue 49
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
Quote of the Week
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"The moral test of government is how
that government treats those who are in the dawn of life,
the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the
elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick,
the needy and the handicapped." -- Hubert Humphrey |
Listening Sessions
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In March, I will be holding two
listening sessions in the evening as I recently had some
during the day. Please feel free to stop by to discuss
the state budget, other legislation before the
legislature, or stop by just to say hi! |
SeniorCare Stats
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Did you know that, in Dane County
alone, there are 4,514 Seniors who take advantage of
Wisconsin's popular SeniorCare program? Governor Walker is trying – for a second time – to kill SeniorCare, a discount prescription drug program that helps provide low-cost, life-saving medications for those of us 65 and up. His budget would defund SeniorCare by 40% over the biennium and force everyone to enroll in Medicare Part D. This plan doesn’t work for Wisconsin. Consider the consumer cost. Medicare Part D premiums run, on average, $30 per month, while SeniorCare enrollment is just $30 per year. Medicare Part D hits taxpayers in the wallet, too. Subsidizing a Part D enrollee costs $1,690 per year, nearly three times the tax dollars allocated to support someone in SeniorCare. And, beyond the financial impacts, we know that Medicare Part D can be confusing. A smart consumer would have to research and choose between about 50 different plans, determining which offers the best deal on their specific medications. In contrast, SeniorCare has a simple, one-page application form; then, co-pays for all generics are $5 and co-pays for brand-name drugs are $15. SeniorCare is special. In fact, Wisconsin is the only state in the nation that negotiates directly with drug companies to get the best prices. Click HERE to sign my petition to Save SeniorCare!
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In the Capitol
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Assembly Floor Session Today The Wisconsin State Assembly heads into session today with few controversial issues on the agenda. However, Assembly Bill 27, a bill to increase the speed limits on Wisconsin highways, has drawn a lot of attention. Today, most Wisconsin highways have a speed limit of 65 miles per hour and this bill would increase the existing speed limit to 70 miles per hour. What do you think about increasing the speed limit on Wisconsin highways? 
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Did You Know?
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Madison is one of only 2 U.S. cities
built on an isthmus! Can you name the other one? Hint: It's on the west coast.
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Family Policy Course
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Speaking to university students
invigorates me and proves beyond a doubt that our
UW-System is among the best in the world. Each time
I meet with these young people, I know that our
future is bright.
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Shadow Days
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International Women's Day
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I was proud to celebrate
International Women's Day with my family last week. All around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) represents an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while calling for greater equality. It is the time to uphold women’s achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights to mobilize all people to do their part. Until all of us are valued as whole - regardless of our gender, race, or who we love - our world and its people will not achieve its full potential. The oppression of one oppresses us all. 
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