It was a busy week in the State Capitol this week. The Assembly held a floor session on Tuesday and passed several controversial bills with more information in this week's e-update.
You will also find a redistricting update, COVID-19 booster news, information on how you can nominate a First Responder of the Year, a Flex Lane project update, and more.
If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.
On Tuesday, the Assembly met to consider proposed legislation on a variety of topics.
Among the bills considered were two controversial proposals (Assembly Bills 411 and 488), prohibiting most anti-racism and anti-sexism education in our schools. These politically motivated and divisive bills passed by Assembly Republicans are part of an extreme national partisan political agenda to fuel a culture war and motivate the most extreme members of their base. Our children and their schools should not be used as political pawns to further a partisan agenda but should foster environments of equity and inclusion so that all of our children can learn and thrive. Providing our children with an all-inclusive education requires having open conversations about racism and sexism and learning about our country's complete history, even the parts that may be uncomfortable.
Assembly Republicans also passed Assembly Joint Resolution 80, which creates a directive for the upcoming legislative redistricting process. While Republicans included provisions required by the Wisconsin Constitution in AJR 80, they added measures to protect incumbents and maintain Republican power through gerrymandered maps.
For a decade now, Wisconsinites have been clear that they want fair maps. Fifty-six counties have passed resolutions or referendums supporting fair maps.
New district lines will impact our state for the next ten years, so it's critically important that lawmakers get it right and that the people of Wisconsin get fair maps at the end of the process. Redistricting should be about the people of Wisconsin choosing their elected officials, not the other way around. Our democracy works best when it works for everyone and is free of partisan gerrymandering.
On September 30, the People's Maps Commission released three sets of proposed legislative and congressional maps. You can view the proposed maps here. The commission is currently accepting feedback on these preliminary maps through October 7. Following the public comment period, the commission will use those public comments and input to edit a draft and release a final map later this month.
On Friday, September 24, the CDC announced their recommendation that people 65 and older and specific populations at high risk of COVID-19 receive a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months after completing their Pfizer vaccine primary series. This decision follows the authorization by the Food and Drug Administration.
DHS recommends that the following populations SHOULD receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer to strengthen their immunity further:
DHS recommends that the following populations MAY receive a booster dose of Pfizer at least six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer vaccine, after considering their risks and benefits:
Daily lane and ramp closures are scheduled on the Beltline between Whitney Way and John Nolen Drive. The lane closures will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (October 3) and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday (October 4-7).
In addition, daytime ramp closures may occur Monday through Thursday for the Fish Hatchery Road and Todd Drive ramps to the westbound Beltline as well as the Todd Drive ramp to the eastbound Beltline. Message boards on those ramps will indicate the exact dates and times of the closures.
Delays are anticipated on the Beltline, and drivers should plan extra time when traveling through the area. Motorists are urged to pay attention and slow down in the work zone.
Crews will continue Beltline median construction as part of the Flex Lane project. The daily lane and ramp closures and work operations are weather dependent and subject to change. The Flex Lane project is expected to wrap up in December 2021 or January 2022.
Once again, the State Assembly is honoring a first responder from each of the 99 Assembly districts around Wisconsin. Last session, I had the privilege of presenting then-Sherriff Dave Mahoney with the First Responder of the Year Award for the 78th Assembly District. Since then, Sherriff Mahoney has retired from the Sherriff's Department.
I am seeking nominations of a first responder that you know who would be deserving of this honor. You can nominate someone for various reasons, including a specific heroic action, a significant professional achievement, their body of work over their career, or their length of service. The winner will be invited to the Capitol later this fall to participate in a special ceremony.
If you have a firefighter, law enforcement officer, or EMS professional in mind who you think deserves this honor, please email my office at Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov.
The 2021-2022 edition of the Wisconsin Blue Book is here! If you'd like a copy, please email my office at Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov, and I will have my staff provide you with your very own copy. We have the most current state highway maps (2019-2020) available as well.
If you are downtown during regular business hours, you can also stop into my office (Room 109 N in the Capitol) to pick up your map and/or blue book in person (please note that masks are required in my office).
Are you looking to explore a new-to-you Wisconsin state park this fall? Look no further than the DNR Find A Park online tool.
Search for parks based on the activities they offer, amenities available, and even find rental opportunities. With 49 state parks, 15 state forests, and 44 state trails, there are plenty of options for you to discover your new favorite place.
Wisconsinites' introduction to brandy at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair is a long-held belief that triggered the affinity for the Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned. However, in research for her book, Wisconsin Cocktails, Jeanette Hurt discovered the era of prohibition and the ending of World War II played more of a role in Wisconsin's love for brandy than its introduction to it. According to Hurt, It was incredibly difficult to get good liquor post World War II, but as luck would have it, Wisconsin distributors stumbled upon a giant stash of Christian Brothers brandy. So instead of Wisconsinites having cocktails with bad whiskey, they enjoyed their cocktails with good brandy, starting a generational love of the Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned.
Things happening in the district & around Madison:
General Job Assistance Monday, October 4 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Central Library- Study Room 4 201 W Mifflin St, Madison
Need help updating a resume or cover letter, applying for jobs online, or brushing up on basic computer skills? Sign up for a one-hour one-on-one appointment by stopping into the Central Library or calling the reference desk at 608-266-6350.
Movies with Madison Parks – Jumanji: The Next Level Wednesday, October 6, 2021 7:00pm to 9:15pm Elver Park 1250 McKenna Boulevard, Madison
Grab a blanket or bring a lawn chair and enjoy the FREE show! All are welcome
The Hilldale Farmers Market Wednesday, October 6, 2021 & Saturday, October 9, 2021 8 AM to 1 PM Hilldale Shopping Center Located in the parking behind L.L. Bean, off of Segoe Road 726 N. Midvale Blvd, Madison
With safety top of mind, our vendors have worked hard to put new practices in place for this year’s market. Face masks, social distancing markers, one-way barriers, & hand-washing stations are just to name a few. Please note that some vendors may only credit, pre-pay, or exact change (*varies by vendor).Rotating vendors include: Bauman’s Natural Meats, Origin Breads, Farmer Johns Cheese, Keur Fatou Catering, Yellow Dog Deli, The Tailgate Foodie, and many more!
Xanadu the Musical October 7-9, 2021 7 PM Nightly; 2 PM Matinee on Sunday VAHS Performing Arts Center 234 Wildcat Way, Verona Price: Adult $15; Student and Senior $12
Verona Area High School Theatre and Music Department’s present XANADU, a 2008 Tony Award® nominee for Best Musical. Verona Area High School’s Xanadu is Directed/Choreographed by Brian Cowing with Music Direction by Heather Thorpe. You will be taken back to 1980 California. This hilarious roller skating musical adventure, follows the journey of a magical and beautiful Greek muse, Kira (Bella Becker), who descends from the heavens to inspire the greatest of artistic achievements – the first roller disco! Along the way she falls in forbidden love with a mortal, bumps into an old acquaintance and chaos abounds when her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation
XANADU is 90 minutes of family fun and inspiration to follow your dreams despite the limitations. Reserve your seats today online @ vahs.vbotickets.com. Masks are required.
Stand Down Madison
Saturday, October 9, 2021 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM Salvation Army 3030 Darbo Drive, Madison
The Wayne D. Horner Memorial Stand Down, Inc. will hold an event to assist homeless veterans. We are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. The local Salvation Army, WPS, and WJJO are partners. We provide services and resources to veterans who are experiencing homelessness or veterans at risk of being homeless and their family members. This is a multi-county effort to help homeless vets. Homeless can be a vet living out on the street or a vet that is crashing in their friend or relative's home. Many of the veteran organizations in the area will be involved!
We invite over 50 local service providers and community stakeholders to our event to reduce the burden of a veteran trying to access this volume of services while also managing life while without stable housing.
Veterans seeking support from Stand Down – Madison can expect to be treated with dignity, respect, and kindness. We are a one-of-a-kind stand-down that pairs our participants with a peer from the community to experience the day together and help promote connectedness.
