Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


 September 23, 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

Website


   

 

Things happening in the district & around Madison

 

Equinox Arboretum Night Walk

Wednesday, September 23

6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Meet at Visitor Center, UW-Madison Arboretum

 

Watch the sunset on this naturalist–led tour and learn more about the autumnal equinox.

 


West Side Stories reads Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Thursday, September 24

6:30pm – 8:30pm

Barriques

8410 Old Sauk Rd., Middleton WI, 53562

 

Join us for Alicia Ashman Library's monthly book club, West Side Stories. This group is intended for readers in their 20s and 30s looking to explore stories of early adulthood and popular culture.   

 


Maker Monday

Monday, September 28, 2015

2:30pm - 4:30pm

Meadowridge Library

5740 Raymond Rd., Madison, WI

 

Make your way to fun featuring a rotating craft/activity; music making, painting, video recording, you'll never know what we'll have you make next!

 


Zola Jesus: a free, ticketed concert

Thursday, September 24

9:00pm - 11:00pm

Shannon Hall, Wisconsin Union Theater

800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53706

 

This UW-Madison graduate turned electronic and experimental rock diva started performing opera at the age of 10. She has released five albums of distinct, emotive and passionate music. Two free tickets per UW-Madison student ID are available at the Campus Arts Ticketing box office in Memorial Union. Two free tickets per others will be available starting September 8, subject to availability.

 


The Migratory Birding Tour at Pope Farm Conservancy

Sunday, September 27, 2015

7:30am - 9:00am

Pope Farm Conservancy

7440 West Old Sauk Road, Middleton, WI 53562

 

Join us for an exciting birding excursion with Mike McDowell, capturing the upcoming fall flight behaviors of the bird population at the Pope Farm Conservancy. Bring binoculars if you have them, wear comfortable walking shoes, and dress for the weather. We'll meet in the lower parking lot off Old Sauk Road. If you are in need of binoculars, please contact Mike at (800) 289-1132 or mmcdowell@eagleoptics.com. This event is free and open to the public - no registration required.

 


Job Mob: A Buffet of Free Employment Services (at MATC-South Campus)

Friday, September 25, 2015

1:00pm - 4:00pm

Madison Area Technical College - South Campus

2222 S Park St, Madison, WI 53713

 

Need help looking for a job, filling out an application, building a resume or writing a cover letter? Come to the Job Mob for free assistance provided by a group of agencies in South Madison.  Job Mob also hosts different local employers at most sessions who interview on the spot! No appointment necessary!  Just drop in!

 


Voter Education Ambassador Training

Friday, September 25, 2015

2:30pm to 4:00pm

Madison Water Utility

119 East Olin Ave., Madison, WI 53713

 

In this 90-minute training session the City Clerk will deputize you to register City of Madison voters.  You will also learn how to accurately answer your neighbors' questions about voter ID, absentee voting, and the election process.  Participants may sign up to help the City Clerk's Office conduct voter registration drives and provide voter education at community events.  If you would like to receive a packet of voter outreach materials at this training session, please notify the City Clerk at clerk@cityofmadison.com.

 


Henry Vilas Zoo Run Run

Sunday, September 27, 2015

9:00am - 12:00pm

Vilas (Henry) Park

1602 Vilas Park Drive, Madison, WI

 

People of all ages can participate in the zoo's annual 5K Run/Walk or 10K Run. Whether you're dressing up as a zoo animal and entering the costume contest, taking it easy with the 5k walk, or a serious runner wanting to end your great run with a refreshing brew, the Zoo Run Run is for you. The 5K and 10K runs will be timed. Kids participating in the Zoo Run Run can choose between a quarter mile, half mile, or a full mile run.

 


Purple Ribbon Walk

Monday, September 29, 2015

11:55am – 1:00pm

State Street Capitol Steps

 

The ninth annual Purple Ribbon Walk will begin with the release of the 2014 Wisconsin Domestic Violence Homicide Report and conclude with a silent walk around the Capitol Square.

 


Visiting the Capitol

Whether you are planning a visit to the state Capitol as part of a large group, small gathering, or just by yourself, our office can assist you in scheduling a free guided tour of the Capitol building during normal business hours.

 

Free tours are offered daily, year round. Tours depart from the ground floor Information Desk Monday through Saturday at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 am and 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 pm; and Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 pm. A 4:00 pm tour is offered Memorial Day through Labor Day. The sixth floor museum and observation deck are also open during the summer months.

 

 
 

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

Monday brought sad news to the Capitol, as Supreme Court Justice Patrick Crooks passed away. Justice Crooks was a tremendous jurist, and he will be greatly missed. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

 

In this week’s newsletter, you will find the latest update about a Republican bill to defund Planned Parenthood, information about two proposed bills that would impact the Wisconsin Retirement System, a link to Thursday’s Assembly floor schedule, and a look at a few of last week’s events.

 

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

 


Women’s Health On the Floor of the Assembly – Again

On Thursday, the Assembly will be in session for the start of the fall floor period. Instead of starting the fall session with a focus on expanding economic opportunity, creating jobs, or increasing wages for hardworking Wisconsin families, Assembly Republicans have made defunding Planned Parenthood their first order of business.

 

AB 310 – a bill that attempts to redirect federal Title X funding from Planned Parenthood to the state, then adopt new guidelines under which Planned Parenthood would be ineligible for this funding – tops the Assembly agenda for Thursday’s session. In Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood has been the recipient of federal Title X funding for the last 35 years. Each year, Planned Parenthood receives $3.4 million from the federal government, enabling approximately 50,000 Wisconsinites to access preventative care, cancer screening, family planning services, and STD testing and treatment.

 

AB 310 is the latest in a string of Republican attacks on access to women’s health services in Wisconsin. In some parts of the state, Planned Parenthood is the only provider of these services for low-income and uninsured women, and throughout the state, they are a critical part of the network of women’s health services. In the end, Wisconsin women will pay the price for the Republican obsession with defunding Planned Parenthood. My Democratic colleagues and I will fight back against this unwarranted attack on access to cancer screenings, preventative care, and family planning services as we call upon Assembly Republicans to stop putting politics ahead of Wisconsin women.

 

Click here to see the entire agenda for Thursday’s meeting.

 


Republican Proposes Changes to Wisconsin Retirement System

Last week, Senator Duey Stroebel (R- Saukville) circulated two bills that will push back the qualifying age for retirement by two years and change how pensions are distributed.

 

The first of the two bills would increase the minimum retirement age for all state workers, including public safety employees. Senator Stroebel’s other bill would change the way pension payments are calculated, resulting in reduced benefits during retirement.

 

Wisconsin’s retirement system is fully funded and one of the best-managed retirement systems in the country. These two bills are unnecessary and clearly another political attack on our hardworking public servants.

 


State of Education with Supt. Tony Evers

Last week, State Superintendent of Schools Tony Evers gave his 2015 State of Education address, and his message was clear. Our schools are strong, but they will not be much longer if the Republican attacks on public education continue.

 

Superintendent Evers shared some of the hardships our schools face across the state. School boards and administrators are fighting to preserve high quality education in the face of shrinking funds. Evers pointed to the failure of the Republican majority in the legislature to restore the record funding cuts to public schools made over the last five years. Instead, Republicans moved forward with a plan to send more money to unaccountable private voucher schools, accounting for an estimated loss of $800 million over the next 10 years. These cuts mean significant challenges for our public schools as they work to achieve their mission of a great education for every child.

 

Superintendent Evers also criticized a recently introduced bill that would change how the State Superintendent is chosen. Republican Rep. Joe Sanfellipo has proposed allowing the Governor to appoint the Superintendent instead of keeping it a non-partisan elected position. Currently, the Superintendent is accountable to the people of our state, and making it an appointed position could easily lead to political patronage with devastating results for our school children.    

                                                     

Superintendent Evers also presented the Teacher of the Year awards and the Friend of Education awards. One of the Friend of Education honorees was Women in Focus Inc. (pictured above), a group of women right here in Madison who are dedicated to helping youth of color achieve their academic dreams.

 


Wine Walks Legislation Advances

Over the last ten years, communities across Wisconsin have promoted downtowns and businesses by hosting Wine Walks. At these events, customers can sample wine while shopping in local stores and businesses, attracting tourism and helping to promote downtown areas. However, earlier this year, the Department of Revenue determined that these events were illegal under current law. AB 320 was then introduced, making a few changes to state statue, in order to allow these events to happen legally.   

 

The Urban and Local Affairs Committee recently voted to advance AB 320, a bi-partisan bill which would allow municipalities to issue temporary alcohol license for the purpose of Wine Walks with a number of guidelines to ensure the events remain safe, orderly, and positive occasions for local communities. The full Assembly will consider the legislation on Thursday.

  


September is Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month which promotes resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention, including how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people and is often the result of mental health conditions that affect people when they are most vulnerable.

 

Unfortunately, Wisconsin has taken steps backward in the battle against suicide. Earlier this year, Republicans pushed through a repeal of our 48 hour “cooling off” period for handgun purchases. This law saved lives by serving as a critical period to cool off, preventing impulsive acts of violence and suicide.

 

In an effort to reduce and eliminate these tragic incidents, I have joined with some of my colleagues in introducing a bill to reinstate the 48 hour waiting period for handgun purchases. I also support a proposed bill that would create a process for family or friends of an individual exhibiting warning signs of suicide to temporarily disarm a loved one in crisis. These bills would have a real impact on preventing suicide in Wisconsin.       

 

Crisis and Information Resources:

  • National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273 TALK (8255)

  • If you are looking for more information, referrals, or support, you can call the National Alliance on Mental Illness Help Line 800-950-NAMI (6264)

  • If you or someone you know is in an emergency situation, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.


Fake "State Court" Emails

If you have received an email claiming to be from the “State Court” about your required appearance, delete it and do NOT open any attached files. There is no legitimacy to the email’s claim that you need to appear in court and the attachments to these emails contain malicious software that can infect your computer with a virus.

 

The emails falsely claim that you have to appear in court on a particular date, and you are told to prepare all documents relating to “the case.” They also warn that the case may be heard by the judge in your absence if you do not come to court. The emails say that the court notice is attached. Again, this attachment contains malware, so simply delete and disregard the email.

 

Variations of this scam have been reported nationwide and a number of state and federal agencies have issued warnings about these emails. In general, unless you are participating in an electronically filed case or have consented to receive court notifications and reminders electronically, Wisconsin courts will not be sending you emails.

 

For additional information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at http://datcp.wisconsin.gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-422-7128.

 


UW Colleges and UW Extension Awards

Last week I attended the UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor’s Awards ceremony. Awards were presented in recognition of the exceptional teaching, outreach, collaboration, and public service of the UW-Colleges and UW-Extension employees, partners, and supporters. It was an honor to help congratulate two 78th Assembly District residents who were honored. David Prucha received an Award for Excellence for his work on the University Staff Council and Layoff/ Grievance Committees. Tom Micksch was also awarded an Award for Excellence for his digital production support in the making of the WPT documentary Wisconsin From the Air. Please join me in congratulating them on their awards and thanking them for their service to UW Colleges and UW Extensions.  

 


Visit to a Local Beer Distributor

Last week Representative Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and I toured Frank Beer Distributors in Middleton. We were able to speak with employees and see their facility. Frank Beer Distributors employees 200 people and has 45 truck routes stretching all across southwestern Wisconsin. Thank you to Frank Beer Distributors President Mike Frank for inviting us and organizing the tour. 

 

 

 


2015-16 Blue Books Are Here

 

My office still has several of the newest edition Blue Books. If you would like one, you may pick one up my at my Capitol office (418 North) anytime from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are unable to come to the Capitol but would like a Blue Book, please email Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov or call my office at 608-266-7521.

 

 


Fun Wisconsin Fact

Did you know that the word Wisconsin originates from the name given to the Wisconsin River by Native Americans and European Explorers during 17th – 19th centuries? The river was first called Meskousing, which was then changed to Ouisconsin by French explorers, and later anglicized to Wisconsin by the English settlers of the area. The original name, Meskousing, means “it lies red”, referring to the color of the sandstone in the river.

 

 

 

 

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