Neubauer News - October 2021
October 13, 2021

Dear Neighbor, 

With fall in full swing, I hope you have been finding ways to enjoy the best parts of the season. (Click here for a list of fun fall activities in Racine County!) October has been a whirlwind of activity in the Assembly, with even more to come, as we continue through the fall legislative period.

 

This e-update includes highlights from the last month, upcoming events, policy updates and more! Below you’ll find:

✔️ INPUT NEEDED: The Wisconsin Environmental Equity Tool

✔️ Racine Journal Times Column: We Must Build Back Better

✔️ Blue Book Requests 

✔️ Exciting Bill Highlights

✔️ COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Thank you for reading along and keeping up-to-date on my work in Racine and Madison! I am continually grateful that you are staying informed about our state and local affairs, supporting our neighbors, and helping to build a better future for our community. Check out the update below and don’t hesitate to reach out and share any questions or concerns that you may have.

In Solidarity,

2018 NEUBAUER Signature.jpg

Greta Neubauer

State Representative

66th Assembly District


Introducing the Wisconsin Environmental Equity Tool

Governor Tony Evers recently announced the Wisconsin Environmental Equity Tool, a program that will help screen and map data so that government and tribal agencies are able to pinpoint Wisconsin's communities most impacted by challenges like pollution, changing climates, socioeconomic factors, and other environmental and health hazards. 

In order to make sure that this tool accurately reflects real-world experiences from all communities across the state, they need to hear your expertise and feedback on the successes, challenges, needs, and hopes for your community. There are several ways you can share your experiences and ideas:

  1. Attend a virtual public listening session!
    1. Tuesday, November 2 at 7 p.m.
    2. Thursday, November 4 at 7 p.m.
    3. Saturday, November 6 at 9 a.m.
  2. Provide input in an online survey!
  3. Send written comments or questions to EnvEquity@wedc.org

I highly encourage you to share your experiences - this tool will be most accurate if people from all over the state and from all walks of life participate!


Racine Journal Times Column: We Must Build Back Better

 

Check out my column in the Racine Journal Times on why we need to pass President Biden's infrastructure bill so that we can Build Back Better:

“We are facing two global crises — COVID-19 and climate change — which threaten to upend our way of life in Wisconsin. Wisconsinites are already feeling the disastrous effects of climate change, even as many are struggling to make it through the pandemic. Extreme weather events and temperatures are hurting our health, our wellbeing, and our businesses. Changes to our seasons threaten our agricultural and tourism sectors. But even in the face of these challenges, we still have a chance to turn the tide and build a better future.”

Check it out here!


World Dairy Expo 2021

 

While I was in Madison at the end of September, I was lucky to have the chance to visit the 2021 World Dairy Expo, where I joined Senator Pfaff, Representative Considine, and Representative Shelton to introduce our Farm-to-Fork and Farm-to-School bill!


Blue Book Requests

 

Each legislative session, the State of Wisconsin issues a new and updated Wisconsin Blue Book your official guide to Wisconsin state government. It includes everything from biographies and contact information for current legislators and elected officials to special features on Wisconsin’s history, updated for your reference every two years. The 2021-22 edition is finally here sign up to get yours today!

 

Did you miss getting your copy of the 2019-20 Blue Book? Don’t worry, there’s still time! You can request a copy of both the 2019-20 and the new 2021-22 editions using this form. Blue Books will be mailed or delivered directly to you!


Policy Corner: Updates on Exciting Bills

Thousands of bills are introduced in the legislature every biennium – here in the policy corner, I like to highlight some of the most interesting, important, or controversial bills that have recently crossed my desk!

Collective Bargaining for Public Education Act (LRB 4955)

Lead Authors: Sen. Larson, Rep. Shankland, Rep. Hesselbein, Rep. Subeck, Rep. Neubauer, and Rep. Sinicki

Am I a cosponsor or author? Yes

What it would do: This bill establishes the right of employees of school districts, technical colleges, and the UW System to collectively bargain over wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

Why it’s important: Wisconsin’s educators and support staff deserve the right to collectively bargain for wages and working conditions. Our teachers know what’s best for our kids — we have to give them a seat at the decision-making table.  

We rely on highly qualified educators and staff to teach our kids - especially in the last year, as teachers have taken on even more responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even through the hardships of the pandemic and changing working conditions, our teachers have put their best foot forward. This bill will allow all teachers to negotiate for better pay, better hours, and better conditions.


Get Vaxxed! COVID-19 Vaccines Available

 

Wisconsin is making progress in our fight against COVID-19, but we aren't out of the woods yet. It’s going to take more of us getting vaccinated to finish off this disease. As of May 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine is available to all adults in Wisconsin, and many options are available for pre-teens and teens aged 12 and up.

COVID-19 vaccines don’t require insurance, ID, or payments – they are available at no cost to you.

Additionally, Racine has a vaccination reward program that you can collect when you get vaccinated!  Get your free COVID-19 vaccine at Regency Mall, City Hall, or a pop-up clinic and you'll receive a $50 gift card with your first dose and another $50 gift card when you return for your second. If you get the one-shot Johnson and Johnson, you get your choice of two $50 gift cards.

Plus, if you're already vaccinated, you can bring a friend in to get vaccinated and get a $50 "Good Neighbor" gift card! Find more information for this program as well as pop-up clinic locations at https://www.racinecoronavirus.org/racine-covid-19-vaccine/