Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


 October 26, 2017

 

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


Read to a Dog
Thursday, October 26
4 pm - 5:30 pm

Alicia Ashman Library
733 N. High Point Road

Bring a favorite book (or find one at the library!) and read aloud to a furry friend. Time slots available on a first come, first served basis.
 


West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches
Thursday, October 26
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Nutritious meals are offered to those 60 and older. The meal is served at noon and participants must arrive on time. The suggested minimum donation is $4.00 but participants are encouraged to pay what they can afford. Transportation to the meal is available with an additional $1.00 donation. Meal and bus reservations or cancellations should be made by noon the preceding day by calling 238-0196.
 


Knitting at the Library
Thursday, October 26
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Learn to knit or bring your current project. Supplies provided. Children under 8 must have an adult present.
 


After Dinner Mints: Doctor Strange
Friday, October 27
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Alicia Ashman Library
733 N. High Point Road

A former neurosurgeon embarks on a journey of healing only to be drawn into the world of the mystic arts. Come to the Alicia Ashman Public Library on the fourth Friday to enjoy films with a message, TV Series Marathons, International Films, or Motion Picture Favorites.
 


West Side Farmers Market
Saturdays, Through Nov. 4
7:00 am – 1:00 pm

New location: 750 University Row
Behind the UW Health Digestive Health Center
 


Getting Lost in the City
Sunday, October 29
1:00–3:30 p.m.

UW Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway

One hundred years ago, developers planned a "Venice of the North," to be called Lake Forest. That land now comprises the eastern portion of the Arboretum. We'll hike to the site of the failed subdivision, discovering fragments of pavement and other construction remnants along the way. Portions of this tour require stepping over obstacles. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
 


West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches
Tuesday, October 31
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Nutritious meals are offered to those 60 and older. The meal is served at noon and participants must arrive on time. The suggested minimum donation is $4.00 but participants are encouraged to pay what they can afford. Transportation to the meal is available with an additional $1.00 donation. Meal and bus reservations or cancellations should be made by noon the preceding day by calling 238-0196.
 


Trick-or-Treating
Tuesday, October 31
Verona: 5:00 – 8:00pm
Fitchburg: 4:00 – 8:00pm
Middleton: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Madison: Suggested time 4:00 – 8:00pm
 


AnjiPlay Date
Wednesday, November 1
10:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Lussier Community Center
55 S. Gammon Rd

The library will provide play and art materials especially chosen to encourage highly engaged, self-determined play. When kids are done, they'll create a Play Story depicting their play that day. Messy clothes recommended. Open to all ages.
 


Chess Club
Wednesday, November 1
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Learn how to play chess and play against others with varied levels of experience. Children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult.
 


Knitting at the Library
Thursday, November 2
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Learn to knit or bring your current project. Supplies provided. Children under 8 must have an adult present.
 


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,
 

This week, the Capitol has been a busy place with committees meeting in anticipation of the State Assembly being on the floor next week. Stay tuned to next week’s newsletter for the latest news from the Assembly floor.

In this newsletter, you will find news about a bill I introduced yesterday in response to the latest gun shop “smash and grab” in Cross Plains, an update on some bipartisan bills I have been working on, information on Mental Health Awareness Month, and tips for staying safe this Halloween.

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

 


Time for Gun Stores to #LockTheGuns
Last week, a criminal drove a stolen vehicle into the front window of a Cross Plains gun shop in the middle of the night, breaking down the entry and getting away with several firearms. The firearms were not secured inside the store, making it possible for the criminal to simply grab them and get out quickly and without impediment. In April, a Janesville gun shop was robbed of 18 guns and 2 silencers by an individual who smashed a glass door to gain entry. The man responsible has been convicted, but the firearms have not been recovered. In these instances and others in the state, criminals have been able to smash glass cases to collect handguns and simply gather rifles up from unsecured display racks.

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently released their Summary of Firearms Reported Lost or Stolen from Federally Firearm Licensees for 2016. 18,394 firearms were reported lost or stolen from federally licensed dealers last year, averaging 50 guns per day. Of those, 9,281 were reported stolen, including 7,488 classified as burglaries described by ATF as “the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft.”

Currently in Wisconsin, there are no requirements that firearms be secure while a gun shop is closed or unattended. To make our communities safer and keep guns out of the hands of criminals, I am introducing a bill (LRB-3860), which would require that when the business is unattended, weapons must be stored in a safe, in a locked steel gun cabinet, or on a hardened steel rod or cable that runs through the trigger guards. The bill would also require that the safe, cabinet, rod, or cable be anchored in a manner to prevent its removal. These measures would prevent criminals who break into a gun store from simply walking off with as many handguns and rifles they can carry.

Click here to watch WKOW TV’s story on my proposal.
 


Walker’s Economic Agency Fails Again
In 2011, the Governor and legislative Republicans created the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), replacing the Department of Commerce as the state’s lead economic development organization. The law requires WEDC to develop and implement economic programs to provide support, expertise, and financial assistance to businesses that are investing and creating jobs in Wisconsin, as well as programs that support new business start-ups and business expansion and growth in the state. WEDC may also develop and implement any other programs related to economic development. WEDC is funded primarily with state funds and since its inception has been an agency marred by scandal and failure.

Recently, the Legislative Audit Bureau completed an audit of WEDC’s operations during the first half of the 2016-17 fiscal year. The Audit Bureau focused on this timeframe to better assess how changes made in response to prior audit findings have or have not corrected problems.

The results of the latest audit are nearly as dismal as the findings of past audits. Of particular concern, auditors found that WEDC still fails to track basic job creation and retention data. In fact, the agency cannot be certain about the number of jobs actually created or retained as a result of any grants or subsidies awarded. Worse, the audit revealed that the online data maintained by the agency did not accurately reflect the number of jobs created or retained.

Now, Republicans believe that WEDC can take responsibility for the $3 billion corporate subsidy they have promised to Foxconn. As of now, the Foxconn contract has not been signed, and WEDC officials have indicated the contract will not be released to the public before it is executed. After a delay in signing it for unidentified reasons, Democrats called for the contract’s release. One Democratic appointee to the WEDC board has broken the silence and indicated the original contract lacked any provisions for WEDC to claw back the state’s money if Foxconn goes under or leaves the state. At this stage, transparency is key, but the Governor and WEDC are hiding behind their secret contract with Foxconn. With a vote of the WEDC board on the contract now delayed until at least November 8, my Democratic colleagues and I will continue fighting for full transparency and accountability.
 


Some Good News from the Senate
Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety voted unanimously in support of Senate Bill 393, a bill I authored with Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) to restrict shackling of incarcerated women during labor and childbirth. The bill would also ensure incarcerated women have access to needed maternal support services including the supplies for pumping breast milk, postpartum health care, and testing for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The bill now awaits scheduling for a vote of the full Senate.

Also yesterday, a bill I authored with Representative Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg) and Senator Janet Bewley (D-Ashland) to allow elected municipal officials to serve as election officials in their municipalities was passed unanimously buy its Senate Committee. Allowing City Council and Village or Town Board members to serve as election officials where their own names were not on the ballot had been a common practice until a recent legal opinion determined it was not allowed under state law. SB 66 would correct that and allow elected officials to work the polls once again. I am pleased that our bi-partisan bill has now been passed unanimously by both the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections the Senate Committee on Elections and Utilities. The bill now awaits scheduling for a vote of the full State Assembly and Senate.
 


Update: Tale of Two FoodShare Bills has Bad Ending
Last week, I wrote about two bills being considered by the Assembly Committee on Public Benefit Reform, Assembly Bills 501 and 530 take radically different approaches to promoting purchases of healthy foods by FoodShare participants. AB 501 takes a positive, evidence-based approach by incentivizing healthy purchases through discounts and, in turn, enables shoppers to stretch their FoodShare budget. AB 530 takes a negative and restrictive approach, not supported by evidence, by creating a list of restricted or banned foods based on some set of unidentified standards.

With two bills before them – one positive and the other punitive, one we can afford and one we cannot, one bipartisan and one politically motivated, one proven effective and the other not – Republicans still could not choose one over the other and passed both bills. AB 501 passed unanimously on a bipartisan vote, while AB 530 passed on a party line vote with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats against.

It is rare in our highly partisan legislative environment that a committee has the opportunity to consider and choose between two radically different approaches to one issue at the same time, and it is unfortunate Republicans chose to squander such an opportunity. The positive impact of AB 501 will pale in comparison to the costly, negative impact of AB 530.
 


Mental Health Awareness Week
The Wisconsin State Assembly designated the first week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week in Wisconsin. Millions of Americans live with a mental health condition. In fact, about 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. They are our friends, family members, coworkers and loved ones who may be experiencing symptoms of mental health issues that aren’t obvious or visible. Raising awareness of the prevalence of mental health conditions helps people know they are not alone. Rather than being left with feelings such as the fear of being judged and looked down upon, raising awareness helps to signal to people who are experiencing a mental health issue that you care and that help is available.

The good news is that raising awareness is not that hard. Below are some tips and information from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to help raise awareness.

Simply talking about mental health is one of the easiest and most effective way to raise mental health awareness. Talking about news articles and stories, or a friend or family member who has a mental health issue can be a great way to being a conversation. Social media also provides an effective means to raise awareness. Share information on Twitter and Facebook, especially information from organizations in your community that are dedicated to assisting persons with mental health issues.

When you hear people say, things like, “she’s crazy” or “he must be off his meds” or other statements that are discriminating against or putting those with mental health illnesses down, then stand up against it. People who are experiencing a mental health issue need to know there is understanding and support in the community, rather than hearing statements that stigmatize those who need help.

If you have experienced a mental health issue yourself, your personal story could serve to provide others with hope and a greater realization that they are not alone. Your story could help demonstrate just how common mental health illnesses are, and serve to let others know that there know there is help.

Click here to view NAMI Wisconsin's excellent website with information and resources for people in need

 


Happy Halloween
Saturday is Halloween, so here are some tips from the Madison Police Department to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone:

  • Make sure costumes are visible to vehicles & others.

  • Do not use toy weapons as part of any costume.

  • Do not trick or treat alone.

  • Only approach homes that are well lit, & only approach the front door.

  • Stay on sidewalks & obey traffic signs / signals.

  • Carry a flashlight.

  • Don’t let kids eat any candy until an adult has checked it.

  • Make sure costumes do not impede movement or vision.

The City of Madison does not set a specific date or time for trick-or-treating, however Halloween night from 4-8 p.m. is the recommended date & time.

 


Fun Wisconsin Fact
The first dairy school in the United States was established at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1890. Although only two students attended the first class, enrollment jumped to 75 within a year after Professor Stephen Babcock (pictured left) developed a test that measured the butterfat content of milk. The “Babcock test” provided an incentive to produce high quality milk and allowed farmers to be paid accordingly.

 

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