Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


December 21, 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


Ecological Restoration Work Party
Saturday, December 23
9:00 am – 12:00 pm

UW Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway

Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at the Visitor Center. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.
 


Madison Public Libraries Closed
Sunday, December 24
Monday, December 25


Use book drops to return items while they're closed, or LINKcat to place holds, check your record, or renew items you've checked out. While libraries are closed, check out the always-accessible online collections, OverDrive ebooks and downloadable audiobooks and Yahara Music Library. All Madison libraries will resume normal hours on Tuesday, December 26.
 


West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches

Tuesday-Thursday, December 26,27, & 28
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.
 


WMSC Movie Day -- Champion
Wednesday, December 27
1:30 pm- 3:30 pm

Alicia Ashman Library
733 N High Point Rd

Starring: Robert Amaya, Cameron Arnett, Cliff Brannon; PG, 1hr, 56min.
In the supercharged world of dirt track racing, a single mistake causes the lives of two men to change forever. One must fight for his family, the other must fight to forgive.

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


Fifth Fridays Poetry
Friday, December 29
6:30 pm- 8:30 pm

Alicia Ashman Library
733 N High Point Rd

Join on 5th Fridays for a night of poetry, featuring a Madison poet and an open-mic reading. Come to read your own poetry or a poem by a favorite author. Come to listen and enjoy other poets. Come to celebrate poetry!

 


Madison Public Libraries Closed
Sunday, December 31
Monday, January 1


Use book drops to return items while they're closed, or LINKcat to place holds, check your record, or renew items you've checked out. While libraries are closed, check out the always-accessible online collections, OverDrive ebooks and downloadable audiobooks and Yahara Music Library. All Madison libraries will resume normal hours on Tuesday, January 2.

 


New Year's Eve Night Walk
Sunday, December 31
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

UW Arboretum
1207 Seminole Highway

Learn about some of the Arboretum’s cone-bearing trees—including pines, spruces, and firs—how to distinguish them from one another, and their ecological importance. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

 


West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches
Tuesday-Thursday, January 2, 3, & 4
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.

 


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 will be my last newsletter for 2017, and I’ll be back with more updates in 2018. My staff and I wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

In this week’s newsletter, you will read about what Democrats are doing to save net neutrality and learn more about what the Republican tax bill passed by Congress could mean for you. You will also find information about a new email scam sweeping the state and tips on how to keep your home safe this holiday season.

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

 


Wisconsin Democrats Fight for Net Neutrality
Republican appointees to the Federal Communications Commission have voted to end Net Neutrality rules put into place during the Obama Administration. The Net Neutrality rule had been put into place to make sure that every person has equal access to the internet. The rule was necessitated by ongoing fights the FCC was having with internet service providers who were constantly attempting to provide unequal levels of service and access.

It has been revealed that when the FCC was taking public comments on the proposed repeal, identities of American residents were stolen and used to support the repeal of the rule. Attorneys General from 18 states believe there may have been more than two million comments filed using stolen identities.

As a lawmaker, it is hard to fathom how the FCC could have conducted the vote as scheduled, particularly in light of these misrepresentations. Yet, the FCC when provided clear evidence of impropriety did nothing and let the vote proceed.

I am encouraging Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel to join Attorneys General from across the United States in filing a lawsuit challenging the FCC’s decision. Click here to view the letter sent to Attorney General Schimel.

 


Republican Tax Bill Increases National Deficit; Costs Average American More in Long-Term
Earlier this week, Republicans in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives passed a tax bill that significantly increases the national deficit, reduces incentives for charitable giving, and increases taxes for the average American in the long-term.

Don’t be fooled by GOP claims about how middle and low-income individuals and families will fare under the bill. Under the GOP bill, some middle class families will receive a modest tax break over the next few years. However, what little tax relief most receive will not last long. While tax cuts for millionaires, billionaires and corporations are permanent under the bill, taxes increase for the rest of us after just a few years, and low-income workers who struggle the most will see their taxes increase sooner under the Republican plan.

Additionally, the bill creates disincentives for charitable giving. The Tax Policy Center projects that there will be a decline in charitable giving of $20 billion due to the bill hindering the amount of end-of-year donations. Dane County Human Services has contracts with 300 different organizations that help our elderly neighbors, individuals with disabilities, and vulnerable children and families in our community. While those organizations receive some subsidy from the County, all rely on charitable giving, as well, to deliver services and fulfill needs in our community. Because of the expected reduction in charitable giving under the Republican tax bill, these organizations will face fundraising challenges, putting more pressure on local governments to increase local taxes to foot the bill for necessary programs. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as many organizations providing critical services for our most vulnerable neighbors currently do so without any government support. As these charities face diminished donations as a result of the changes under the tax bill, our community will need to figure out how to fund these programs or lose vital services.

The tax bill also includes a repeal of the Affordable Care Act requirement that individuals maintain health insurance. It is estimated that this will result in 13 million Americans losing health insurance over the next decade.

In addition to eventually increasing your tax liability, harming charitable organizations, and limiting access to healthcare, the bill will add $1.5 trillion to the national debt.

 


Keep Warm With Winter Home Heating Assistance
Do you need help with paying your heating bill or need help with weatherizing your home? Energy Services is available for Dane County Residents in heating season now through May 15. Energy Services administers the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) for Dane County. WHEAP provides qualifying residents assistance with energy bills and emergency needs.

WHEAP assistance is a one-time payment during the heating season. The funding pays a portion of the heating costs, but the payment is not intended to cover the entire cost of heating a residence. The amount of the energy assistance benefit varies depending on a variety of factors, including the household’s size, income, and energy costs. In most cases the energy assistance benefit is paid directly to the household energy supplier.

You can call Energy Services at (608)267-8601 to find out if you are eligible and apply.

If you or a relative need help outside of Dane County call 1-866-HEATWIS (432-8947) for more information.

 


Get Your Home Holiday-Ready - Safety Tips From ReadyWisconsin
The holidays are a wonderful time to enjoy family and friends. As you get your home ready, follow these tips to help keep you and your family safe.

Whether you have a live or an artificial tree, make sure you take extra safety precautions. Do not place your live tree close to a heat source, such as a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Water your live Christmas tree every day. A dry tree is dangerous because it can catch fire easily.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, electrical problems cause one out of every four Christmas tree fires. Make sure you inspect holiday lights each year and replace string lights that have worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect. Remember some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.

It may be tempting, but don’t overload electrical outlets. Do not link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe. Make sure to periodically check the light strands. They should not be warm to touch.

Most home fires caused by candles occur on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and News Year’s Day. Instead of lighting real candles, consider using battery-operated flameless candles. Many look realistic and you won’t need to worry about forgetting to blow them out or the candle being accidentally knocked over by pets or children.

Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when going to bed or leaving the house. Also unplug extension cords when not in use.

Make sure you have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help, and remember to practice your home escape plan.

Click here for additional holiday safety tips. 

 


Fake DATCP "Invoice" Emails Making the Rounds
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is aware of a phishing scam that impersonates Department employees. These fake emails mention an "invoice" or other actionable item and contain the name or email address of a DATCP employee as the sender. If you receive a similar email, delete it immediately and DO NOT click any links contained in the message.

There are different versions of these fake emails that have been brought to DATCP's attention by Wisconsin businesses and consumers. Some versions ask the email recipient to click a link to review a supposed invoice:
-One version provides only the last name of a representative from DATCP as the sender with a subject line that is a number.
-Another version that was brought to the agency's attention by a consumer used the Consumer Protection Hotline's email address (DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov) as the sender's name, but the listed sender's email address was a random one that is not associated with the agency. The subject line mentioned an "Outstanding INVOICE."
-Other versions provide a DATCP employee name and reference an invoice number in the subject line. The body of the email uses the recipient's name and contains a link to an "invoice." The email is signed with what appears to be an actual DATCP employee email address.

If a recipient clicks a link in these emails, they may be sent to a website that seeks to harvest personal or financial information and that may trigger a malware transmission to their computer. Recipients of these emails should immediately delete them and take no further action.

 


Fun Wisconsin Fact
In 1971, Wisconsin designated galena, also known as lead sulfide, the official state mineral. While Wisconsin also has a state rock, red granite, designating a state mineral was done to promote awareness of Wisconsin's geology. Galena was chosen because of its abundance, economic value, and historical significance to Wisconsin.

The mining of galena was the principal occupation of the settlers of early Wisconsin, concentrated in the southwest corner of the state in what are now the counties of Iowa, LaFayette and Grant.
 

 

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