Greetings on Black Friday! I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving, and whether you returned to work, braved shopping, ventured out into the woods hunting, or stayed cozy at home, that you had a nice day.
This week at the Capitol, the governor's pen was busy again, signing twelve more bills into law, and vetoing several others. So far this biennium, he has signed sixty-nine bills into law, and vetoed a total of eleven.
Additionally, Governor Evers reconvened the Transportation Projects Commission which has been on hiatus since 2014. It is said that the inactivity has contributed to issues with both the Department of Transportation and with costs associated with major highway projects.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, it was a quiet week in the Legislature where there was no floor session or committee meetings in either house. However, next week committee activity resumes.
I hope the rest of your holiday weekend is great, and as always, 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
It is estimated that 1 in 5 Wisconsin high school students has used an e-cigarette within the past month. Since mid-October the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have had roughly 1,500 lung injuries associated with vaping reported to them, and another 33 deaths across the country reported as well. Staff at Children’s Wisconsin (formerly known as Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin) and Wisconsin Department of Health Services were among the first to discover the link between e-cigarette usage and lung injuries.
These deaths and injuries have set in motion a broader discussion in policy and research about e-cigarette use in general, particularly as it relates to youth, and potential for long term harm among individuals who use tobacco and THC products with THC currently appearing to be a major risk factor to vaping lung injuries.
Due to e-cigarettes being a newer way to consume nicotine, far too few conclusions have been reached on the true health effects that they have on people. There are also lingering beliefs that vaping is a healthier option because there is no smoke. Fortunately, the State of Wisconsin is a leader in acknowledging how dangerous vaping has become, and currently, there is a push in the legislature to ban vaping for minors and make e-cigarettes far more inaccessible to them.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) are reminding consumers to do their research on charities before making a contribution this holiday season as people are more vulnerable to charity scams. However, there are many simple ways you can protect yourself from scammers and make sure you are donating to a legitimate charity. A little research and a few precautions, you can help ensure your donations go to organizations that are genuinely serving others.
Consumers can protect themselves from charity scams by:
Avoiding phone calls that ask you to make an immediate donation. Take time to ask the caller for information about the organization, whether the donation is tax-deductible, and if you will get a receipt. Don’t feel pressured by emotional appeals or urgent requests – a reputable charity will appreciate your donation just as much if you take time to do your homework first.
Checking websites, emails, and texts. Watch for imposter websites by checking the spelling of the charity’s name and web address. Do not click on emails, respond to text messages, or share information with senders you do not know.
Write a checks out to the organization (not an individual), or using a credit card.
Executive Residence Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Tours: The Executive Residence, 99 Cambridge Road in Maple Bluff, is open to the public for the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 1st from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Public Tours of the Executive Residence are available from 11 AM to 2 PM on
Tuesday, December 3 Thursday, December 5 Saturday, December 7 Wednesday, December 11 Saturday, December 14 Thursday, December 19
Capitol Tree As you know, each year a tree is displayed in the Capitol Rotunda filled with handmade ornaments from elementary schools around the state. This year, the theme is “Celebrate Science” where students’ ornaments will be showing what science means to them, their families, and their communities. The 2019 State Capitol Tree is a 30-foot Balsam fir from Meyer’s Castle Tree Farm in Medford, Wisconsin. Prochnow Trucking of Medford transported the tree to Madison.
The lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, December 6th from 12 pm to 12:45 pm in the Rotunda on the First Floor.We invite all of you to join the Governor, cabinet members, and students for the lighting of the tree.
After the ceremony, the Kiwanis Club of Madison West will begin set up for their 96th Annual Christmas Pageant in the Capitol Rotunda at 1 PM, then rehearse from 4:30-6 pm and Saturday, December 7, 2019 from noon-4 PM. The Christmas Pageant performances will be on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 4:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Additional Rotunda Displays
Displays from Madison Baptist Church, Wisconsin Family Action, Freedom from Religion, Stand With Christmas, and a citizen sponsored Festivus Pole will all be available for veiwing in the capitol rotunda on the first floor throughout the month of December. For more information visit the Capitol Events website.
One hundred eighty-one years ago this week, the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature assembled in Madison for the first time after departing from their temporary placement in Burlington, Iowa. When the territorial legislature had met for the first time in Belmont two years prior, many cities had been considered as possibilities for the capitol, such as Cassville, Fond du Lac, Milwaukee, Platteville, Mineral Point, Racine, Belmont, Koshkonong, Wisconsinapolis, and Wisconsin City.
James Doty, who purchased the land that later became Madison for little more than two thousand dollars, encouraged the bill to pass that would deem Madison the capitol of Wisconsin. After Doty’s Madison officially won the vote, funds were authorized to assemble a building where lawmakers could discuss and solve the statewide and local issue of Wisconsinites.
Construction began in 1837 using stone from Maple Bluff that was ferried across Lake Mendota to N. Hamilton St. The oak used in the building was locally harvested from Gilman Street. The total cost of the first capitol in Madison was $60,000.
When the legislature finally met in Madison in November 1838 there was only an outside shell to the new Capitol. The interior was not completed until 1845, more than six years after it was supposed to be finished. Governor Henry Dodge delivered his first speech in the new seat of government on November 26th, 1838. This building would be used for twenty years with a replacement needed because of growing needs.
Things happening in the district & around Madison:
Zoo Lights Friday, November 29 - Sunday, December 29, 2019 5:30 PM - 9 PM Henry Vilas Zoo 702 S. Randall Ave., Madison
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with one of the most unique events in Madison! Sip on hot chocolate and stroll through the zoo at night while seeing over 800,000 holiday lights! Pictures with Santa are available every night of Zoo Lights and tickets include free carousel rides. Come see the zoo like you've never seen it before! All proceeds go directly to support the animals at the zoo.
Individual tickets: $7, Family 4-pack of tickets: $25, Children under 3 are free!
Downtown Holiday Open Houes Friday, November 29 - Sunday, December 1, 2019 9 AM - 4 PM State Street & Capitol Square
The Open House includes family shows and activities, trolley rides and special welcome bags, plus special offers and refreshments from participating merchants.
Small Business Saturday Saturday, November 30, 2019 All Day Statewide
Get some holiday shopping done while supporting local businesses!
Sunday Jazz @ Sequoya Sunday, December 1, 2019 2 PM - 4 PM Sequoya Library - Meeting Rooms A & B 4340 Tokay Blvd., Madison
Gather at Sequoya Library for Sunday Jazz! Big Circle will play 2 sets of original music with elements of jazz, blues, and pop. Big Circle are Doug White-keys, Rich Larson-drums, John Schaffer-bass, and Bob Kerwin-sax. Sunday Jazz at Sequoya is funded via the generosity of the Friends of Sequoya Library.
Giving Tuesday Tuesday, December 3, 2019 All Day Charity of your choice
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on December 3, 2019 and every day. It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community. Visit the directory to help you find organizations, events, and ways to give back close to home.
Holiday Market Wednesday, December 4, 2019 6 PM - 9 PM HotelRED 1601 Monroe St., Madison
HotelRED would love to welcome you to their very first Holiday Market! Celebrate the season with unique items from local artists, makers, and vendors.