Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Summer is winding down, and for many families, this time of year is
spent getting ready for school and enjoying the time that remains before
the new school year begins.
Teachers are in their classrooms getting ready for the start of classes.
However, school boards face budgets stuck in limbo because the state
budget is more than a month late with no signs of relief. The budget
process, already delayed by infighting among Republican members of the
Senate and Assembly, now faces further delays as the Assembly considers
a large taxpayer giveaway to Foxconn.
In this week’s newsletter, you will find the latest information about
the proposed $3 billion subsidy to Foxconn, a budget update, and
information about a concerning bill that would allow firearm instruction
in our schools.
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
More
Foxconn Details Emerge
The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) has provided additional
information on the legislation introduced by Assembly Republicans to
provide $3 billion and roll back laws that protect our water and our
environment in an effort to woo a foreign company, Foxconn, to locate a
factory in southeast Wisconsin very near the Illinois border. The
information provided by the LFB sheds light on some of the most
egregious parts of the proposal and also raises additional questions.
According to the LFB, even in the best case scenario, it would take 25
years for the state to break even on the $3 billion provided to Foxconn
under the proposal. The state has never given such a large subsidy to
any company, and the next largest subsidy pales in comparison to the
astronomical $3 billion Foxconn price tag.
A lot can change in 25 years, and accountability measures in the
proposal are scarce. In
last week’s newsletter, I share that I am skeptical of the proposal.
The latest LFB analysis, coupled with the fast-track on which
Republicans have placed the proposal, only furthers my skepticism. I
have joined many of my Democratic colleagues requesting that another
public hearing be held to address unanswered questions. However,
Assembly Republicans seem intent on scheduling a vote of the full
Assembly next week. They may even forego having the Joint Finance
Committee review the $3 billion proposal.
Any proposal to strike a deal with Foxconn should include a timeline for
job creation and guarantees of living wages and benefits, as well as a
commitment to hire Wisconsin residents. Given the 25 year timeline for
recouping taxpayer funds, accountability measures must be included to
ensure that as technology changes, the company does not leave us holding
the bag with lost taxpayer funds and an empty, shuttered factory. The
air, land, and water in the surrounding community should be protected,
and perhaps most importantly, the facility’s neighbors must be protected
from the harm that can come from pollutants in the air they breathe and
the water they drink.
I firmly believe that we can create jobs without breaking the bank and
without harming our environment, and we can and should ensure jobs
created using taxpayer dollars pay enough that working families can put
food on their tables and a roof over their heads. Unfortunately, the
Republican proposal for Foxconn puts the profits of one multi-billion
dollar, international company ahead of the hardworking, taxpaying people
of Wisconsin.
Budget
Update
Unfortunately, there is little news to report about the state budget
this week. The 2017-19 state budget should have been effective on July
1. However, at this point, budget negotiations remain at a standstill.
Republicans in the Assembly and Senate have been unable to agree on a
couple of key issues, including transportation and education funding.
Instead of continuing to work diligently and hold public meetings,
Republicans continue negotiating amongst themselves behind closed doors.
Despite a substantial $3 billion expenditure, Republicans insist on
considering Foxconn outside of the budget process. Unfortunately,
Foxconn has provided them with a convenient distraction. Meanwhile,
without a new state budget, road and infrastructure projects cannot move
forward; our schools, cities, and counties are left without the
information they need as they move forward on their own budgets; and new
resources are not allocated to address problems in state facilities and
services.
Concerns
Raised over Firearm Bill
Last week, the Committee on Education held a hearing on Assembly Bill
427, which would make firearm education an elective in our high schools.
I have significant concerns about this bill, as I do not believe firearm
training is appropriate in our neighborhood schools.
Wisconsin has a reputation as a leader in firearm safety training. The
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
website provides information on approved hunting safety courses.
These courses have served to dramatically reduce injuries and deaths
during hunting seasons and must be taken and passed by anyone born after
January 1, 1973 who wishes to hunt. Families who target shoot or keep
firearms in their homes can choose to enroll their children in a course
to learn about firearm safety.
Firearm safety courses are available outside of school for families who
engage in hunting or other firearm sports. Rather than using the limited
resources our schools have available for elective courses on a thinly
veiled attempt to get children interested in firearms, we ought to use
those resources to provide students with opportunities that will help
them succeed and be better prepared academically.
NCSL
Women’s Legislative Network Leadership
Last week, I attended the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
Legislative Summit in Boston, where I was elected to serve on the
Executive Board of the NCSL Women’s Legislative Network.
The Network is the professional development organization that includes
every female state legislator in the 50 states, United States
territories, and the District of Columbia.
At a time when women make up only 25% of legislators nationwide, I am
excited to help lead an organization committed to the empowerment of
women in our State Legislatures.
Beware
of Online Rental Scams
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
has received reports from various partners that consumers in the Madison
and Milwaukee areas have “rented” properties advertised online only to
find out later that the property was never available for rent. Consumers
wired money to the “landlord” to hold the property. Now the consumers
have no place to live and the “landlord” can’t be found to return their
money.
The Bureau of Consumer Protection advises consumers when renting
property, whether for vacation or longer-term housing, to:
-
Know exactly with whom you are
doing business. Does the person/management company actually exist?
-
Verify the property address
exists and is actually for rent.
-
Inspect the property (inside
and out) before you put any money down.
-
Get a rental agreement in
writing, if possible.
-
Never wire money.
-
Be cautious if you are asked to
send money out of state when the property you are renting is located
in Wisconsin. Ask why and verify the reason.
It is also a good idea to rely on
friends, family, co-workers or local professionals to assist you in your
search.
For more information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer
Protection Bureau at datcp.wi.gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov
or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-422-7128.
Fun
Wisconsin Fact
Middleton is home to the National Mustard Museum. It was founded by
Barry Levenson. The Museum was first opened on April 5, 1992, in Mount
Horeb. In 2009, the Museum moved to Middleton, and on August 7, 2010,
the annual Mustard Day festival was held in Middleton for the first
time. The museum’s collection has more than 5,676 mustards from all 50
states and more than 70 countries.
Admission to the National Mustard Museum is free.
Click here to visit their website
for more information and the museum’s hours.