Lisa Subeck

State Representative

78th Assembly District

                                                              Budget Update 

The Joint Finance Committee has not met in weeks, as Republicans meet behind closed doors trying to hammer out a deal on key budget issues. Unfortunately, the process has been plagued with in-fighting and dysfunction as Republicans struggle to reach consensus. They have locked Democrats and the public out of their discussions, and it appears unlikely that they will meet the statutory June 30 deadline for passing the budget.

With a $250 million cut to the University of Wisconsin system, an estimated loss of $800 million for neighborhood schools over the next 10 years, sweeping changes to the state’s long-term care programs, and massive cuts to the Department of Natural Resources and other vital services currently included in the Republican budget proposal, a few key topics remain on the table. These include transportation funding, funding for a downtown arena in Milwaukee, and revenue. It is abundantly clear that whatever the Republicans put forward on these items, their proposed budget is, in its entirety, a disaster for the people of Wisconsin.

As we wait for fighting amongst the Republicans to end so the Joint Finance Committee can finish its work, I remain committed to standing up for the people I represent and demanding a budget that is reflective of Wisconsin’s core values and that puts people ahead of special interests

 Changes to Unemployment Insurance

During the 2013 legislative session, Republicans proposed and passed a bill making it more difficult for unemployed individuals to obtain Unemployment Compensation. The Department of Workforce Development provided the following information that may be helpful if you or someone you know is unemployed:

• Claimants who expect recall by their employer may seek a waiver of the weekly work-search requirement for an 8-week period that can be extended for a maximum of 4 additional weeks with verification from the claimant's employer. Currently, waivers are approved through the end of a benefit year for a claimant who is not recalled.

• The weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's will no longer be automatically waived for work search.

• Claimants who will start work with a new employer within 4 weeks will need to provide employer verification in order to obtain a work search waiver.  Employer verification is not currently required in these cases.

• Claimants working part time for a customary employer (an employer for which the claimant works for more than 4 weeks or the claimant worked at least 32 hours during a given week) will have their work search waived, but will be required to register with Wisconsin Job Service through JobCenterofWisconsin.com and build a Job Match Profile.  This requirement is not currently in place for those with work search waivers.

Unfortunately, these changes will make things more difficult for hardworking Wisconsinites who find themselves temporarily unemployed to make ends meet and support their families.

                                                                 More Mismanagement at WEDC

In past newsletters, we have shared information about scandal and mismanagement that have plagued Governor Walker’s flagship job-creation agency. Late last week, we received additional information indicating that WEDC had handed out $124.4 million in grants and loans to companies without even conducting a formal staff review of these businesses.

WEDC has maintained a constant presence in the news recently after an audit indicating gross mismanagement and a Wisconsin State Journal investigation shining a light on possible pay-to-play activity. The State Journal investigative report revealed that a $500,000 loan was given to one of Walker’s major campaign contributors after top Walker aides pushed for the loan to be granted.

WEDC’s Democratic board members, Representative Peter Barca and Senator Julie Lassa, have called on U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and U.S. Attorneys to investigate. The Dane County District Attorney Ishmael Ozanne is reviewing the audits regarding WEDC and is determining whether to open an investigation, as well.

                Girl Scout Visit

Last week, a few of my colleagues and I met with a group of Girl Scouts who were visiting the Capitol to learn about women in government. Though just over half of all Wisconsinites are women, less than 25% of our State Assembly Representatives are women.

It was great fun talking about the importance of having women in government, some of the challenges we face, and what it is like to be a State Representative. Breaking the glass ceilings requires inspiring and encouraging young girls who may want to serve and showing them that they can do it. 

                                                                            Senior Beat

Recently, I was on the set of Senior Beat to talk about the proposed state budget and its impact on senior citizens for their July show. Senior Beat is a half hour program that showcases conversations about issues that currently affect senior citizens in our community.

Senior Beat is broadcast on Madison City Channel on Wednesdays at 4:30pm and Fridays at noon. If you have a chance, tune in when the interview airs next month.

                     Meet Melissa

I am happy to introduce you to Melissa, who is an intern in our office. Melissa joined us in May, and she will be with us through the summer.

Melissa is from Livonia, Michigan and attends school at the UW-Madison. She will be graduating next May with a degree in International Studies and a certificate in European Studies.

This is Melissa’s first time working with state politics and interning in the State Capitol. She enjoys being involved in the legislative branch of Wisconsin politics and is excited for the summer ahead. After graduation, she hopes to take what she has learned here and apply it within the international community. We are excited to have Melissa interning in our office this summer.

                                                                 Verona Road (US 18/151) Project

An open house meeting will be held this Thursday 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

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