Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


 June 16, 2015

 

Contact Me

 

418 North State Capitol

P.O. Box 8953

Madison, WI 53708

 

PH: (608) 266-7521

TF: (888) 534-0078

FAX: (608) 282-3690

 

rep.subeck@legis.wi.gov

On the Web


   

 

Things happening in the district & around Madison

 

Concerts on the Rooftop w/ The Boogie Men (Dance Covers)

Friday, June 19

7pm-9pm

Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center

 

A truly unique Madison experience! Enjoy spectacular local bands accompanied by the best views in the city! Concerts on the Rooftop offer a wonderful opportunity for networking after work, or kicking back with friends and family. Feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair; seating on the rooftop is limited. The Lake Vista Cafe will be open for your enjoyment. Picnic baskets are welcome. No carry in alcohol.

 


Isthmus Jazz Festival

Friday, June 19 - Saturday, June 20. All day

Memorial Union

 

Now in its 27th year, the Isthmus Jazz Festival is a two-day celebration of America's homegrown art form. The free festival kicks off the summer season in one of Madison's most beautiful outdoor settings, the Memorial Union Terrace, with Lake Mendota as a glittering backdrop. A diverse crowd of students, jazz aficionados and casual fans fill the tables to hear a lineup that reflects a century's worth of jazz styles. Dixieland, big-band swing, bebop, Latin jazz and free jazz are all part of the mix, along with contemporary derivations like funk and hip-hop. The festival is committed to honoring jazz's glorious tradition while keeping one eye fixed on the future.

 


Arboretum Night Walk

Sunday, June 21

8:30pm-10pm

Meet at Visitor Center, UW-Madison Arboretum

 

Enjoy sunset on the longest day of the year. The naturalist will point out interesting features that may not be apparent to the casual observer.

 


Verona Road Project Meeting

Thursday, June 25

5:30pm-7:30pm

City of Fitchburg Fire Station No. 2 (5415 King James Way, Fitchburg)

 

An open house meeting will be held next week to discuss design and construction activities for the Verona Road (US 18/151) reconstruction project, from the Beltline to County PD (McKee Road) and the Beltline, between Whitney Way and Seminole Highway.

 


West Side Farmers Market

Saturdays, April 18th to November 14th 7AM - 1PM

Hill Farms DOT Building Parking Lot

University Ave. & Segoe Rd.

 


Health Insurance  Enrollment and Exemption Application Assistance.

 Thursdays, until August 31st

10 am - 3 pm

 

Dane County Job Center

1819 Aberg Ave., Madison  

 

Consumers can walk in for assistance or make appointments by calling Covering Kids & Families at 608-261-1455.

 


 

 
 

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

This week will likely be a busy one at the Capitol, as the Joint Finance Committee will likely be meeting sometime this week to finish its work on the budget. I have a couple of committee meetings this week as we continue waiting for budget action from Joint Finance. 

 

In this week’s newsletter, you will find a budget update, a closer look at the Republicans’ proposed changes to K-12 education, a look at what we are taking up in my committees this week, and the latest update on the Verona Road reconstruction process.

 

If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office. 

 

Sincerely,

Lisa Subeck

State Representative

78th Assembly District

 


                Budget Update

The Joint Finance Committee is expected to finish its work this week. Republicans have been meeting behind closed doors to hammer out an agreement regarding key budget issues, including transportation funding.

 

The Governor’s budget proposes mammoth borrowing for transportation, leaving it to future generations to pay our bills. It is rumored that a deal is in the works that would cut a number of critical projects. Neither is an ideal solution, and it is clear that we need a long-term, sustainable plan to fund our transportation needs.

 

After the Joint Finance Committee completes its work, the budget will head to each house of the legislature, where we will consider amendments and take our final votes. Watch for more news on the budget in next week’s newsletter.

 


                                                                                 K-12 Education

Last week my Democratic colleagues and I met with leaders of education organizations from around the state. They shared their concerns about what this budget is going to mean for their school districts, their teachers, and most importantly, their children.

 

The proposed Republican budget fails to restore the record funding cuts to public schools made over the last 5 years. Republicans propose diverting over $48 million in state funding from public schools to unaccountable private voucher schools, in addition to millions more for a new special needs voucher program that funnels money to private schools without the same accountability as our public schools for ensuring children with special needs receive the support they need. The proposed budget also calls for a takeover of targeted Milwaukee Public Schools – and leaves other large districts like Madison in jeopardy of a future takeover; allows licensure of teachers without education degrees and in some cases without a degree at all; and takes decision making authority regarding proposed charter schools away from elected school boards and puts it in the hands of unelected boards.

 

A mother from West Allis said it best in a letter to the editor responding to Governor Walker touting his education reform “Take it from a mom: Walker's education record is wrong for Wisconsin and wrong for America."

 


      Ending Domestic Violence

Yesterday, I attended a fundraising event supporting DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services), our local organization that supports and provides shelter for survivors of domestic violence. At the event, DAIS raised awareness about the pervasive and far reaching effects of domestic violence in our community and honored the courageous journeys of survivors.

 

Domestic violence affects men and women of any ethnic group, race, or religion, but most of its victims are women. In fact, 1 out of 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence during their lifetimes. The event yesterday was a reminder of how our legislative actions impact those affected by domestic violence. 

 

Just last week, the Assembly approved a bill to repeal Wisconsin’s 48 hour waiting period for handgun purchases. As I argued during the debate on the bill, it is clear that this puts domestic violence victims at increased risk of death at the hands of their abusers. Domestic assaults involving a gun are 12 times more likely to result in death than those involving other weapons or bodily force, and abused women are 5 times more likely to be killed by their abusers if the abuser owns a firearm. Click here to view my floor speech during the debate. Click here to read my statement on passage of the bill.

 

Domestic violence is a serious issue in our community, and the Republicans majority in the Legislature is taking us backwards with bills like the one passed last week.

 

If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, DAIS has immediate help available. Just call DAIS’ 24-Hour Help Line at 608-251-4445. TDD and Interpreter services are available. If you feel your life may be in danger, please call 911.

 


                                                                      Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Yesterday marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Day aims to focus global attention on the problems of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of the elderly. It also seeks to understand and raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities presented by an aging population and brings together senior citizens and their caregivers, national and local government, academics, and the private sector to exchange ideas about how best to reduce incidents of violence toward elders, increase reporting of such abuse, and develop elder friendly policies.

 

In Dane County, we observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by placing 421 purple pinwheels at Lake View Hill Park. Each pinwheel represents an investigated report of elder abuse in Dane County in 2014. The pinwheels are located on the lower part of the park, close to Northport Drive and will remain throughout the week.

 


              Committee Update

Today, I have a meeting of the Urban and Local Affairs Committee. We will hear public testimony on three pieces of legislation. The first bill, AB 199, would allow towns to publish legal notices electronically. AB 232 would enable municipalities to donate abandoned or seized vehicles, as an alternative to selling or junking them. Finally, we will hear testimony on AB 262, which would allow cities to impose residency requirements for a City Manager.

 

Tomorrow, the Committee on Children and Families will hold an Executive Session to vote on AB 238. This bill brings Wisconsin into compliance with the federal Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act. This will allow Wisconsin to continue receiving federal funding to prevent sex trafficking.

 


                                                                 Verona Road (US 18/151) Project

An open house meeting will be held next week to discuss design and construction activities for the Verona Road (US 18/151) reconstruction project, from the Beltline to County PD (McKee Road) and the Beltline, between Whitney Way and Seminole Highway.

When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 25
No formal presentation is scheduled; stop by at your convenience.

Where: City of Fitchburg Fire Station No. 2 (5415 King James Way, Fitchburg)

Maps and exhibits showing the proposed improvements will be on display, and eventually posted on the
Verona Road Project website, under the Resources tab and Public Materials. Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) representatives will be available to discuss the project on an individual basis.

 

STAY INFORMED: Verona Road Project website | Project Facebook page

 


  New Unclaimed Property System 

This week, the Department of Revenue launched a new unclaimed property matching program.  Some individuals will receive a check by mail for unclaimed property currently held by the state, while others with larger property value amounts will get a letter with information about how to file a claim.  

 

The unclaimed property identified includes funds from savings or checking accounts, uncashed dividends, insurance policies, or other accounts that the owner may have forgotten.  Institutions such as banks, credit unions, insurance companies, or other businesses are required to report unclaimed property to the Department each year by November 1.  The Department then holds the property for safe keeping until it is claimed by the owner. 

 

Visit the department's Unclaimed Property webpage for more information about the new program.

 


                                                           Wisconsin Income Tax Return Status

You can check on your state income tax refund 24 hours a day, seven days a week by visiting the Department of Revenue’s website, utilizing the WI Revenue mobile app (available in the App Store or Google Play), or calling the automated refund line: 866-WIS-RFND (866-947-7363) or (608) 266-8100.

 

 


        Meet our Intern, Shane

We are pleased to introduce one of the newest members of our office, Shane. Hailing from Door County, Shane currently resides right here in the 78th district. he just finished his first year at UW-Madison and is triple majoring in Chinese, Political Science, and Philosophy. While he has delved into the university's student government, this is Shane's first position in the State Capitol, and he is excited about the opportunity to learn more about local politics. He hopes to continue working in government and is looking toward starting a career in international policy in the future. Shane is excited to be interning for his local legislator and anticipates a summer full of progress and learning. Welcome Shane!

 

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