On Monday, Governor Evers took swift and decisive action by announcing significant reforms and a leadership change within the Wisconsin National Guard. This is in response to a report detailing the Wisconsin National Guard’s handling of allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment. Legislative Democrats are committed to working with the Governor to ensure that no survivors of sexual assault are denied justice and perpetrators are held accountable.
After years of Democratic legislation and advocacy on the issue, Republicans this week released a medical marijuana proposal. The bill is much more restrictive than the Democratic proposal introduced earlier this year. Democrats have long believed that it is time listen to the overwhelming amount of Wisconsinites and provide families with the healthcare they need.
With 2020 in the near future, this week Assembly Democrats released new information on fair maps, a fair maps toolkit, and a link to a Fair Maps petition on Forward Wisconsin because everyone should be fairly represented by their elected officials, regardless of their political affiliation. As you probably know, the maps Wisconsin Republicans drew in 2011 are among the most gerrymandered in the country even though a majority of Wisconsinites (72%) support non-partisan redistricting and 48 counties have passed resolutions asking the state legislature to take action. For more information visit the Forward Wisconsin website, and follow the latest updates on Facebook and Twitter.
I hope everyone has a great weekend, and 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
On Thursday, the Assembly Committee on Local Government met where we discussed and heard issues impacting our counties and municipalities. The bill on the agenda that received the most attention was Assembly Bill 612 which addresses county registration of animal-drawn vehicles.
If passed, this legislation would primarily affect Amish and Mennonite communities by imposing a $100 registration fee predominantly on horse drawn carriages and buggies. The metal used on the horse shoes and potential other parts of the carriage can cause damage to the roadways, but since they don’t register this form of transportation or pay a gas tax to operate them, the argument is they aren’t contributing to the maintenance of the roadway.
Wisconsin has one of the largest Amish populations in America, with settlements all over the state. You’ll find some of the larger Amish communities in Wisconsin in Vernon, Monroe, Taylor, Green Lake, and Clark counties, and some of the larger Mennonite communities in Grant and Clark counties.
Additionally, the Wisconsin DNR is once again making $275,000 in Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration funds available to local clubs, organizations, communities, individuals, governments, tribes, and universities to recruit and retain safe, ethical hunters and anglers. The application deadline for the R3 Grant Program is Friday, January 3, 2020. You can find the application here.
Updated Vet Benefits Online Application & New Museum Exhibit
Check out the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs’ newly revamped MyWisVets online application. The easy-to-use online tool shows you the state veterans benefits for which you or your family member may qualify. Examples include the Wisconsin GI Bill which can cover college tuition, a veteran identifier on your driver license, admission to one of our Veterans Homes, registration at a Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery, or more.
In other news, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum also announced a unique educational exhibit highlighting the military service of dozens of Wisconsin women veterans. The “I Am Not Invisible” traveling exhibit, featuring 32 banners measuring 6-feet tall with portraits of Wisconsin women veterans, was created to increase awareness and encourage dialogue about women veterans. There are also several oral histories of Wisconsin women veterans featured on the Veterans Museum’s website.
Women are the fastest-growing group of military veterans in our country, with 30,000 women veterans living in Wisconsin. Despite that, women veterans still face some significant barriers and challenges. By spotlighting the faces of this diverse segment of Wisconsin’s veteran community, this exhibit helps continue an important conversation about their contributions to our country, as well as some of the challenges they may face.
The 2019 gypsy moth trapping season has ended and results are in: 52,396 moths were caught in 10,964 traps set in Wisconsin this summer as part of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s (DATCP) Slow the Spread of gypsy moth program. In 2018, traps caught 76,447 moths and in 2017 traps caught 108,808 moths.
Trapping for gypsy moths is not used as a method of population control; it is a tracking and measuring tool. It shows where the moths are located and the extent of the population. Traps catch only male gypsy moths because the females do not fly. Trapping data helps determine potential sites for next year’s aerial spray treatments. About 76,288 acres across 14 counties were successfully treated this year.
However, moth populations can rebound quickly given the right environmental conditions. You can help further reduce the population of caterpillars next year by treating or removing egg masses. A gypsy moth egg mass is tan, oval or bulb-shaped, and a little bigger than a quarter. It is flat with a velvety texture and can hold 500 to 1,000 eggs. Egg masses can be removed with a putty knife, stiff brush, or similar hand tool and placed into a container of warm, soapy water. Let soak for a few days and discard in the trash. Horticultural oil also can be sprayed onto egg masses. Simply crushing the egg masses will not destroy them. For more information, visit here.
Have you ever wondered why TV classics Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley took place in Wisconsin? It’s because executive producer, Thomas Lee Miller, was born in Milwaukee! He began his career as an assistant to director Billy Wilder, and also served as a development executive at Paramount and 20th Century Fox. You most likely will be familiar with his work as part of Miller-Boyett Productions as it was responsible for other family-oriented hit sitcoms such as Bosom Buddies, Full House (and Fuller House), Perfect Strangers, Mork & Mindy, Family Matters, and Step by Step.
Dane County Regional Airport, 1000 International Ave, Madison
Holiday Tunes in the Terminal, showcases musicians from throughout south central Wisconsin. Delight in the sights and sounds of the season with featured performances from December 14, 2019 through December 22, 2019 at the south end of the terminal.
Maker's Market
Sunday, December 15
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Communication
2645 Milwaukee St., Madison
Join us for our third Maker's Market at Communication! We will have an assortment of artists and vendors ready to sell their wares, featuring jewelry, stickers, handmade clothing, patches, notebooks, prints, original art, and more!
Madison Metropolitan School District Planetarium, 201 S. Gammon Rd., Madison
Join us for this delightful multicultural program which will lead you through the discovery of many basic astronomy concepts as you explore the holiday traditions of several cultures and religions. We will also explore the current night sky. ($2.50)
Fitchburg Farmer's Market
Thursday, December 19
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm BioPharmaceutical technology Center, 5445 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Fitchburg
It is the perfect time of year to enjoy an indoor farmer's market, full of interesting local vendors and crafts to gift the people in your life. Showcasing local creators from around the county.
Governor's Mansion Holiday Tours (FINAL DAY)
Friday, December 19
11:00 am - 2:00 pm Executive Residence, 99 Cambridge Rd., Madison
Gov. Tony Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers announced that they will continue the tradition of remembering Wisconsin’s deployed service members and veterans with a “Tribute to our Troops” holiday tree at the Executive Residence in Maple Bluff, Wisconsin.
Zoo Lights
Friday, December 20
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm Henry Vilas Zoo, 702 S Randall Ave., Madison
Sip on hot chocolate and stroll through the zoo at night while seeing over 800,000 holiday lights! Come see the zoo like you’ve never seen it before! ($7)
