Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


November 3, 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


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
 


Fall Book Sale
Saturday, November 4
9:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Lots of Books for Everyone!
Join the Friends of the Meadowridge Branch Library for a Fall Book Sale on Friday, October 20th from 5:30-7:30 and Saturday, October 21st from 9:00-1:00. Bag Sale beginning at noon, buy a bag'o'books for five bucks!
 


Wisconsin Geology
Sunday, November 5
12:30–4:00 p.m.

UW Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway

Learn about the Arboretum’s landforms and geological history, shaped by the glaciers and now affected by a changing climate. Explore the links between geological layers and the land we experience through plants, animals, waterways, and air. Ponder how changes in one part of an interconnected system can influence the whole. Drop in for Wisconsin Science Festival Exploration Stations for all ages in the Visitor Center.
 


Follow the Glacier
Sunday, November 5
1:00 pm - 3:00 am

UW Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway

Learn how the last continental glacier's path sculpted Arboretum land and how climate and weather patterns today continue to alter it. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center. Presented in conjunction with the Wisconsin Science Festival.
 


Shapes of the Land
Sunday, November 5
1:30 pm – 2:30 am

UW Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway

Families will explore and discover hills, hidden ponds, and valleys while learning how glaciers shaped the land. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center. Presented in conjunction with the Wisconsin Science Festival.
 


Tabletop Game Night
Tuesday, November 7
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

We've got a ton of tabletop games, just waiting to be played! Drop in and join us!
 


Holistic Nutrition
Tuesday, November 7
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Karen Radtke will discuss how different foods affect us physically and mentally. Karen is a board-certified nurse practitioner and a board-certified nurse coach. No registration is required for this program
 


AnjiPlay Date
Wednesday, November 8
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.
 


WMSC Movie Day—Wonder Woman
Wednesday, November 8
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Alicia Ashman Library
733 N. High Point Road

West Madison Senior Center Programs are designated to provide opportunities for learning, socializing and community involvement.
 


Chess Club
Wednesday, November 8
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.
 


Read to a Dog
Wednesday, November 8
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Meadowridge Library
5726 Raymond Rd.

Bring a favorite book and read aloud to a furry friend. Time slots available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
 


Book Discussion of “Notorious RBG”
Thursday, November 9
2 pm – 3:15 pm

Alicia Ashman Library
733 N. High Point Road

Join the Thursday Afternoon Book Group for a discussion of "Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg" by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik. The next title will be available for pick-up following the discussion, with extra copies available at the reference desk while supplies last.
 


Family Festival
Sunday, November 12
9:30 am – 4:30 pm

St James Church and School
1128 St. James Court

Annual festival features famous pfeffernuesse cookies and bake sale, kids games, craft corner, chicken dinner, snack bar and hidden treasures sale. Hidden treasures starts with a pre-sale Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 for a $5 donation. Sale continues Sunday morning at 9:30; ½ price sale at 1pm; bag sale from 3:30 to 4:30.
 


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,
 

I spent last weekend in Eau Claire for the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) Fall Symposium, which brought together state and local elected women to network and learn. As the Wisconsin State Director for NFWL I had the honor of planning and hosting the symposium where we heard from Jessie Garcia, the first female sportscaster in Wisconsin, about her experiences as a woman in a field where women typically were not welcomed. We learned from experts about communicating with our constituents, heard from Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation about encouraging and growing women owned businesses in our communities, and much more.

In this newsletter, you will find an announcement of the CNA Pay Act to raise caregiver wages, news from the Assembly floor, and information on open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act.

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

 


From the Assembly Floor
The Assembly was on the floor yesterday to take up a number of bills. Here are a few highlights (or lowlights) from the floor.

New Limits on Women’s Health Care Access (AB 128)
Republicans in the State Assembly passed AB 128 which would prohibit health insurance coverage for medically necessary abortions for public employees under the state’s group healthcare plans. Since gaining legislative majorities in 2010, Republicans have mounted a continuous campaign of rolling back access to women’s health care. Again yesterday, Republicans treated women as pawns in their political game of “Extreme Politics” with their vote to deny health care coverage for medically indicated abortion. It is time politicians stop practicing medicine without a license and leave critical women’s healthcare decisions to women and their doctor.

Click here to hear what I had to say about this rollback of women’s healthcare access.

Diminishing Nursing Care Quality (AB 432)
Assembly Republicans passed a bill that would reduce the required number of hours of training a Certified Nurse Assistants (CNA) is required to complete prior to certification, under the guise of addressing a shortage of these nursing aides. I was proud to lead the way for an alternative, as I offered amendments that would increase wages and expand access to training for these nursing aides working on the frontlines of long-term healthcare and nursing facilities, as an alternative to diminishing the quality of care through less training.

CNAs are the very people who provide intimate care for our parents, grandparents, and loved ones when they are at their most vulnerable. The care they provide is hard work and often technical. Wages are low, and turnover is high; and we do have a shortage which must be addressed. The way to address it is not through less training for these workers. The solution is to raise wages and provide more access to the necessary training.

Demand for CNAs in Wisconsin is projected to grow exponentially due to growth in the aging population. Meanwhile, the median starting wage for personal caregivers is $10.75 per hour according to a joint report of the Wisconsin Health Care Association, Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living, Wisconsin Assisted Living Association, LeadingAge Wisconsin, and Residential Services Association of Wisconsin. The same report indicates that the median wage paid by non-health care employers for unskilled, entry level workers is $1.25 more than the wage paid to caregivers. This is the biggest contributor to the shortage and the problem which must be solved.

I offered three amendments to address the shortage of nursing aides through increased wages and expanded access to training. Each failed on a party line vote with all Republicans voting no.

Endangering Our Environment (AB 499)
Republicans also passed AB 499 which would repeal Wisconsin’s “Prove it First” law that protects public health and natural resources by requiring mining companies demonstrate a record of successfully protecting water quality before receiving permits.

Republicans continue to put big business special interests ahead of ordinary Wisconsinites, jeopardizing our clean air and water as a result. If signed into law, AB 499 will have environmental repercussions felt now and for generations to come.
 


Introduction of the CNA Pay Act
After yesterday’s passage by Assembly Republicans of AB 432, which would diminish nursing care quality by reducing training requirements for nursing aides, Rep. Jonathan Brostoff and I decided to introduce the CNA Pay Act. The package of bills would increase wages and expand access to training for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) working on the frontlines of long-term care and nursing facilities.

Due to low wages, lack of benefits, and a challenging workload that frequently requires irregular or overtime hours, caregivers are leaving their jobs as nursing aides to find other jobs. Now Wisconsin is facing a significant shortage of these caregivers, with an estimated 11,500 vacant care positions. A recent report and testimony from experts on the shortage point to worker pay and cost of and access to training as contributing factors.

The bill passed yesterday by Assembly Republicans will diminish the quality of care. Instead, we can and should make CNA training more accessible and affordable and ensure these caregivers earn a living wage on which they can support their own families.

Click here to read more about the CNA Pay Act and how Democrats are working to raise wages of these caregivers on the front lines of nursing and long-term care.
 


Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment!
Open enrollment for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has now begun. As of November 1st, Wisconsin residents and families can apply for a 2018 health plan, renew their current plan, or pick a new plan through the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplace. If you are uninsured or are seeking more affordable coverage, visit healthcare.gov to learn more about your healthcare coverage options.

Click here to watch and share a PSA reminding others to sign up before the December 15 deadline.
 


November is Diabetes Awareness Month
Yesterday, the State Assembly passed Assembly Joint Resolution 67, recognizing November as American Diabetes Awareness Month.

Nationwide, diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability. Over 30 million people, or about 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes and another 84 million adults in the United States are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In Wisconsin, diabetes affects over 475,000 adults and 4,500 children and adolescents, resulting in an estimated annual $6.15 billion in health care costs.

While 2 out of 5 Wisconsin adults are expected to develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime and nearly 4 out of 10 Wisconsin adults have prediabetes, there are steps that can be taken to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. People who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes can lower their risk by making simple changes to their lifestyle and health habits. Simple steps to help prevent type 2 diabetes include:
-Watching your weight
-Eating healthy
-Getting more physical activity

In addition to taking these steps, there are great resources available to help you learn more about diabetes:
 

American Diabetes Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Diabetes
National Diabetes Education Program
National Diabetes Prevention Program
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: Diabetes in Wisconsin
 


Daylight Savings Safety Tips to ‘Fall Back’
This weekend is a great time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as we “fall back” an hour on Sunday, Nov. 5 as Daylight Saving Time ends.

Last weekend, two adults and their 4- year-old grandchild died of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning in Sawyer County. Officials say carbon monoxide was detected inside the home. The investigation continues; however, problems with a furnace may be to blame.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) reports that every year about 500 people are treated at Wisconsin hospital emergency rooms for carbon monoxide poisoning. Health officials say many of these cases could be prevented by having carbon monoxide detectors.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and confusion. At high levels, carbon monoxide can cause death within minutes. If you suspect you or someone may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, or your detector sounds an alarm, go outside immediately for fresh air and call 911.

To protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide, follow these safety tips:

  • Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors. All homes and duplexes in Wisconsin are required to have detectors on every level, including the basement, but not the attic or storage areas. Detectors can be purchased at most hardware stores. Daylight Saving Time is a good time each year to replace the batteries in your detector and push the test button to be sure it’s working properly. Replace your detector every five years.

  • Have your furnace or wood-burning stove inspected annually. Hire a professional to make sure it is functionally sound and vents properly outside the home.

  • Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or in an unventilated garage. Any heating system that burns fuel produces carbon monoxide. Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel burning devices but no electric outlets, such as in tents, cabins, RVs and boats with enclosed cabins.

  • Generators should be run at a safe distance (at least 20 feet) from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors.

  • Never run a car in an enclosed space. If a vehicle is running, you must have a door open to the outside.

Click here for more information on carbon monoxide poisoning.

 


Next Week is Winter Awareness Week
Before the snow and cold cover the Badger State, now is the time to get your home and vehicles ready for winter weather.

According to the National Weather Service, on average, Wisconsin experiences 3-6 winter storms during a season. Last winter, Lac Vieux Desert in Vilas County had more than 100 inches of snow. Jackson in Washington County and Sturgeon Bay in Door County both tied for the highest snow totals in 24 hours. Sturgeon Bay received 13 inches on Dec. 16-17 and Jackson received 13 inches on March 14. The coldest spot was Butternut in Ashland County with -36 degrees Fahrenheit Jan. 14.

The risk for bitter cold and heavy snow is also a good reminder to get your home ready for winter too. It’s important to make sure you have an emergency kit in your home with non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights with batteries, a NOAA weather radio, and a first aid kit.

To help you and your family get ready for winter weather, visit ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov. Winter weather maps, tips on putting together emergency kits and winter driving information are located there.
 


Fun Wisconsin Fact
Bloomer, Wisconsin is known as the jump rope capital of the world. Bloomer holds a Jump Rope Competition every year on the Last Saturday in January. Bloomer refers to themselves as America’s “swingingest town.” Bloomer's rope jumping boom began in 1960 when a former coach named Wally Mohrman became the physical education teacher in the schools. Knowing the value of the exercise, he decided to stir some interest with a contest. The emphasis was on speed jumping: how many times a student could whip a rope under his feet in a given period.
 

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