I hope that you are all soaking up the last few weeks of summer as fall begins to creep in and students return to start the school year. Thanks to your wonderful feedback, my monthly newsletters will now go out at the beginning of every month. It is an honor to keep you all updated, and to continue representing you in the Wisconsin State Capitol. Throughout the month, you can follow me for updates on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/repstubbs and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RepStubbs.
Community Updates
Back to School!
From left to right: Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-77), Representative Lisa Subeck (D-78), Governor Tony Evers, Superintendent Jill Underly, & State Senator Kelda Roys (D-26)
On September 2nd, I was honored to welcome back MMSD students at Akira Toki Middle School! After a year of virtual learning, it was great to see so many young faces ready to learn. Our young people are our future, and it is vital that we continue to support their education and growth in our public school system. Thank you to Toki Middle School for inviting me, and to Governor Tony Evers, Superintendent Jill Underly, Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) President Peggy Wirtz-Olson, Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Carlton Jenkins & Student and Family Engagement Coordinator Cory T. Foster for joining me on this wonderful day.
Pictured from left to right: Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-77) & Superintendent of Madison Metropolitan School District Dr. Carlton Jenkins
Pictured left to right: State Superintendent Jill Underly & Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-77)
From left to right: Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-77) & Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) President Peggy Wirtz-Olson
Pictured form left to right: Student and Family Engagement Coordinator Cory T. Foster & Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-77)
WEDC Brick and Mortar Bounce Back
On August 5th, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation visited Madison to announce the Main Street Bounce back Grant Program. This program will give 10,000 grants to expand businesses into currently vacant commercial spaces in the downtown area. This much needed investment will promote success in communities so deeply impacted by the COVID-19 Crisis. For more information on this program, click here.
Monona Terrace Board of Directors Meeting
On August 19th, the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center Board of Directors began planning the Monona Terrace 25th Anniversary Celebration! It was an honor to serve on the board of this staple of Madison life, and I look forward to seeing all that is in store for this celebration. For more information on this meeting, and where the current plans are for this celebration, click here
Traveling Women's Ministry Incorporated
On August 5th, members of the Traveling Women’s Ministry Incorporated visited my office all the way from Nassau, Bahamas! It was a pleasure to host such a wonderful group, and to welcome them to our great state. Wisconsin is always a great place to visit all year round!
Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen & Dubuque University Theological Seminary Students
On August 16th, Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen and students from the University of Dubuque’s Theological Seminary visited my office! It was an honor to host such a wise group of faith leaders, and I wish you all the best in your studies. Thank you Rev. Dr. Allen for introducing us, and for all the work you do for our community.
Build Back Beloit
On August 1st, I visited my hometown of Beloit, WI to advocate for building a Beloit Black Wall Street. This groundbreaking initiative will foster connections to create economic development, and drive real success in the Black community of Beloit. By providing resources & creating partnerships, this project will bring community together, and develop long-term sustainable success. Special thank you to Tracy Dumas of Rising Queens Incorporated for inviting me to this event, and for all your efforts to make Wisconsin a better place to live and work for everyone.
COVID-19 Update
Governor Evers Extends COVID-19 Vaccine Reward Program
On September 3rd, Governor Evers announced that Wisconsinites that receive the first dose of their vaccine in between August 20th and September 19th are eligible to receive a $100 debit card. Vaccinations are a safe and effective way of combating COVID-19, and I hope this incentive will continue to make Wisconsin a safer places to live and work. To learn more about this program click here. And to find a vaccination site near you, click here.
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August COVID-19 Data Released
Public Health Madison and Dane County has revealed that in the month of August, unvaccinated individuals were 2.5% more likely to be infected with Covid-19 and 2.1% more likely to be hospitalized. Dane County has reached a vaccination rate of 69.2% of all residents, the highest among all counties in Wisconsin, however we must continue to raise this percentage. Visit Public Health Madison and Dane County’s website here to get more information about the vaccine and to book an appointment at a local vaccination site.
Legislative Updates
Passage of Senate Bill 120, Creating a Standard Use of Force Definition
On August 6th, Governor Tony Evers signed into law Senate Bill 120 which creates a standard use of force definition for all law enforcment agencies in the state of Wisconsin. This definition was crafted by a subgroup of the Speakers Taskforce on Racial Disparities that took extra time to ensure the right standard moved forward. It was an honor to chair the committee that created this recommendation, and I am proud to announce that real work has led to real results. Through difficult conversations and with diverse perspectives, we were able to find common ground and create a meaningful standard for the use of force. Now this standard is law across the state of Wisconsin. For my full statement on this monumental occasion, click here
Critical Race Theory Legislation (Assembly Bills 411 & 488)
On August 11th 2021, the Assembly Committee on Education held a public hearing on Assembly Bills 411 and 488. These bills would create penalties for local school districts that teach about racism and its impact on our societies past and present. Hiding away the history of discrimination and racism is an injustice to our young people. By keeping the next generation ignorant of our past, we will keep them from solving the issues of the present. That is why I submitted testimony against these bills, and will continue to advocate against blatant attempts to hide the very real disparities in our state.
Agency Updates
Department of Children and Families: Assisting Afghan Refugees
With the arrival of Afghan refugees into Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families is seeking donations to help aid refugees that are in need. If you are able to assist by donating resources, time or your skills, please consider helping out. For more information, click here.
Department of Justice: DOJ Provides $92 Million to Wisconsin Schools for Safety Improvements
On August 5th 2021, The Office of School Safety (OSS) closed out an extensive grant program, having provided public, private, charter, and tribal schools throughout Wisconsin $92,466,783.27 for safety enhancements, threat assessment training, and mental health training. For more information on this grant program, please click here.
Department of Justice: Firearm Regulations Must Include Ghost Guns
On August 20th 2021, Attorney General Josh Kaul joined a multi-state coalition to encourage the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) to finalize regulations that would make clear that ghost guns are firearms under federal law. This regulation would dramatically reduce the availability of untraceable guns and would take a significant step in addressing the current gun violence epidemic. Attorney General Kaul was one of 22 attorneys general to join in advocating for this common sense regulation. For more information on this statement, please click here
Department of Health: Urge Vaccination as Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Gains Full FDA Approval
On August 26th, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval for the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine. On this, DHS Secretary Designee Karen Timberlake stated “The FDA’s decision to issue full approval to the Pfizer vaccine reinforces what we have known since they issued the initial emergency use authorization – the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective”. For more information on this, click here
Department of Administration: Applications Open for $15 Million Destination Marketing Grant Program
On August 25th, the Department of Administration (DOA) announced that the application process is open for a $15 million grant program designed to support tourism in Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin is the ideal destination for millions of visitors from around the country. That’s why the tourism industry has a significant impact on our economy, our jobs, and our future,” said DOA Secretary Joel Brennan. “Thanks to Governor Evers, these grants will assist tourism organizations as well as the organizations that host meetings, conventions, and events throughout the year for entertainment and the business community.” For more information on this grant program, please click here.
Educational Updates
Anti-Racist School Culture and Curriculum
MMSD has joined the growing movement to ensure that school culture and educational practices are centered around providing an environment where students of all backgrounds feel safe and recognized for their achievements. This comes as more and more communities across the country bring up the conversation of systemic racism and unjust practices in our institutions that promote the oppression of certain races and ethnicities. Cindy Green, the executive director of Secondary Programs and Pathways at MMSD has partnered with the districts newly-introduced Instructional Acceleration group to design and provide anti-racist curriculums and educational resources for the teachers, students, and families of the district. I am so happy to see our community leaders taking initiative to dismantle racist practices in our educational facilities as schools open back up this fall. To read more about MMSD’s long term plan with this movement, click here.
UW–Madison begins distributing $28.6M in emergency pandemic aid to students
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is set to distribute $28.6 million in emergency aid to students facing the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of August 26th, $7.7 million of the total was sent to more than 6,500 high-need students in the form of automatic awards. For more information, click here
New Mask Mandate Enforced in UW Campus Buildings
Beginning August 5th, UW-Madison is enforcing a new mask mandate in all on-campus buildings. The reinstated mandate is a result of the rise of the Covid-19 Delta variant, an especially contagious and rapid-spreading strain of the virus. Wisconsin as well as the rest of the US has seen a major increase in Covid-19 cases in the past few weeks due to the Delta variant, and as such the University is taking the appropriate cautionary measures. Because the university is returning to in-person instruction this school year, there will be many student arrivals from across the country and around the world, further increasing the risk of infection rates rising. Individuals vaccinated against Covid-19 face a much lower risk of having severe symptoms from the virus, and University Health Services are continuing to offer free vaccines to all students and employees at 333 E Campus Mall from 8:30-4:30 every weekday. For more information, click here.
O’Brien Solar Fields
This month we are celebrating the installation of the largest solar field in Dane County, the O’Brien Solar Fields. The 140-acre field houses 60,318 bifacial solar panels, and is the result of a collaborative partnership between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a number of businesses allied under Madison Gas and Electric’s Renewable Energy Rider. The field is located on Seminole Highway in Fitchburg, where the thousands of panels tilt in accordance to the direction of sunlight throughout the day. Chancellor Rebecca Blank credits this initiative to UW-Madison students for being vocal about their concerns regarding climate change and the importance of clean and renewable energy. I am so happy to see members of our community taking action against climate issues, which have rapidly become one of the world’s greatest threats. For more information, click here.
History of Sub-Saharan Africa Classes
This month, Madison College announced a new live online class as they team up with EDU Africa, featuring Kenyan historians, environmental activists, and tribal members joining from their home countries to bring a unique learning experience to students full of new perspectives and ideas. To apply or learn more about this course, email Madison College journalism instructor Larry Hansen at lhansen@madisoncollege.edu.
The Home Instead Nursing Scholarship
Edgewood has recently announced a $30,000 gift from Chad Weis, the general manager of the Home Instead Madison location. This gift will be put towards providing scholarships to nursing students over the next three school years. Home Instead made the decision to invest in our pre-med students to support the healthcare workers that have given up so much for us as a community in the past couple years, especially as we recover together from the pandemic. Thank you, Home Instead! For more information, click here.
Contact Us!
I hope this e-newsletter was informative, and that you enjoyed the read! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at Rep.Stubbs@legis.wisconsin.gov. I can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Representative Shelia Stubbs
Rep. Stubbs State Capitol, Room 17 North Madison, WI 53708 (608) 266-3784 Rep.Stubbs@legis.wi.gov|
