Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter


 September 16, 2015

 

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

 

Film screening of The Voices

Friday, September 18th

6:45pm – 8:45pm

Alicia Ashman Library

733 N High Point Road

 

See Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Jacki Weaver, and Anna Kendrick in this satirical horror comedy.  RATED R.

 


The Unexpected Belle La Follette

Friday, September 18th

12:15pm – 1:00pm

Wisconsin Historical Museum Brown Bag Lecture

 

Discover the surprising truths about the radical reformer Belle La Follette with historian and author Nancy C. Unger.  $3 donation.

 


West Side Farmers Market

Saturdays, April 18th to November 14th

7AM - 1PM

Hill Farms DOT Building Parking Lot

University Ave. & Segoe Rd.

 


Heritage Day at Pope Farm Conservancy

Sunday, September 20th

12:00pm – 4:00pm

Pope Farm Conservancy

7440 West Old Sauk Road, Middleton, WI 53562

 

Take a ride around the Conservancy in a wagon pulled by a team of draft horses, listen to talks by featured presenters, learn about how the land was formed and how Native Americans lived in this area, and visit the site of a late 1800s settler’s cabin.

 


Dane County Parks Volunteer Work Day

Thursday, September 17th

9:00am – 12:00pm

Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton (meet at county parking lot).

 

Seed collection.  The park system asks that you please dress appropriately for the weather. Wear long pants, closed toed shoes and bring your own bug spray and water.

 


Strollin' Hilldale

Friday, September 18th

Starts 5:00pm

Hilldale Shopping Center
702 North Midvale Boulevard
Madison, WI 53705

 

The Madison Jazz Consortium’s third and final “jazz stroll” of the season will be held at Hilldale, 702 North Midvale Blvd., to help celebrate the end of construction on its majorly remodeled north end.  We’ll have continuous and stylistically-diverse live jazz from 5:00 PM to Midnight at four venues (two indoor, two outdoor) with no cover charges.

 


Madison World Music Festival

Friday, September 18th and Saturday, September 19th

5:00pm Friday – 8:00 pm Saturday

Day 1: Shannon Hall Wisconsin Union Theater

Day 2:  800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI 53706 at the Willy Street Fair

 

Artists from Niger, South Korea, Algeria, Cuba, Ethiopia and Georgia are set to transport audiences to new worlds. The festival offers a unique selection of music for everyone to explore, sample and appreciate.

 


Fiesta Hispana

Saturday, September 19th

11:00am – 6:00pm

Centro Hispano

810 West Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713

 

The event will be an outdoor festival filled with music, dancing, kids’ activities, food, a dunk tank and a chance to celebrate our wonderful community!

 


Meet with an Outreach Worker from Joining Forces for Families

Monday, September 21st

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Goodman South Madison Library

2222 South Park St., Madison, WI

 

Does your family need help with basic needs such as shelter, housing, clothing, food, transportation or employment? Meet with an Outreach Worker from Joining Forces for Families at the library and ask to speak to the Outreach Worker for free, confidential assistance.

 


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 have just returned from Oklahoma City, where I attended a conference of the National Foundation for Women Legislators. It was a great opportunity to learn more about important issues and network with other women in elected office. Now that I have returned, committee work has ramped up in the Capitol as we prepare to head back to the floor of the Assembly next week.

 

In this week’s newsletter, you will find information regarding an undemocratic proposal to allow the Governor to appoint the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the latest news on our non-partisan redistricting bill, and dates for a public hearing regarding FamilyCare and IRIS.

 

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

 


Another Attack on Wisconsin’s

Public Education System

Yesterday, Representative Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin) introduced a constitutional amendment that would change how the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is chosen. Currently the non-partisan office of State Superintendent is elected by the people of Wisconsin every four years. The bill introduced by Rep. Sanfelippo would allow the Governor to appoint the Superintendent, placing power currently held by the people in the hands of the Governor.. The proposal also gives the legislature the authority to dispose of the State Superintendent if she or he does not meet certain goals.

 

This bill is the next step in the Republican plan to privatize education in Wisconsin and the latest attack on our democracy. In order to change the State Constitution, the amendment would need to be passed in two consecutive biennial legislative sessions and then approved by Wisconsin voters in a statewide referendum.   

 


Renewed Push for Redistricting Reform

Last week, I stood with open government advocates to renew our push for non-partisan redistricting reform. We introduced AB 328 which assign redistricting authority to a non-partisan body instead of allowing elected officials to effectively choose their own voters.

 

Following recent efforts to dismantle Wisconsin’s open records laws, eliminate the state’s non-partisan government watchdog and interfere with the investigation and prosecution of political corruption, it is more important than ever to promote clean, open and transparent government by passing non-partisan redistricting reform.

 

Currently, state law mandates that the legislature adopt new district borders every 10 years. This bill assigns the authority to draw these borders to the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau and a to-be-created Redistricting Advisory Commission. This will help ensure fair borders even if one party controls all of state government. This model of redistricting has been used successfully in Iowa for more than 30 years.

 

Our bill will ensure that whichever party controls Wisconsin at the time of the next redistricting cycle, the people will be choosing their elected official instead of their elected official choosing who they represent.

 


Visit to a Wind Farm

Last week I traveled to Cedar Ridge Wind Farm with some of my colleagues. The Cedar Ridge Wind Farm is located in the communities of Eden and Empire in Fond du Lac County. There are 41 turbines at the Cedar Ridge Wind farm and they are spread across 12.2 square miles (7,800 acres). The combined effort of those 41 wind turbines produce 68-megawatts of emissions-free energy which is enough energy to power about 17,000 homes a year. It was a great experience to tour the wind farm, learn more about the industry, and discuss the need for more emissions-free energy.

 


Public Hearings on Long-Term Care

As you may remember the 2015-2017 state budget makes a number of changes to the FamilyCare and IRIS programs. The Department of Health Services is holding public hearings throughout the state this month in order to receive testimony from interested parties. Public testimony will be accepted starting today and will be accepted until October 11, 2015.

 

There will be a hearing here in Madison on September 23rd, the details are below:

 

September 23, 2015

9:00 am - 12:00 Noon

Goodman Community Center

Evjue Community Room D

149 Waubesa Street

Madison, WI 53704

 

Click here for a list of other hearings around the state.

 

If you are unable to attend in person you can participate by clicking here and watch via a live webcast. The Department is also accepting written testimony sent by email DHSFCWebmail@wisconsin.gov or by USPS to:

 

Department of Health Services

Division of Long Term Care

Family Care and IRIS 2.0

P.O. Box 7851, Room 550

Madison, WI 53707-7851

 

Click here to sign up for email updates regarding Family Care/IRIS 2.0. The Department will notify you when additional details are available.

 


Building Dementia Friendly Communities

In 2013, the Department of Health Services embarked on a redesign of Wisconsin’s Dementia Care System. The goal was to change and enhance the way we care for residents who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. 


One piece of the redesign effort was to bring awareness and resources to communities so we can help our residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias. The Department of Health Services has rolled out the “Building Dementia Friendly Communities” tool kit. The tool kit was created through a collaborative effort by the Department of Health Services, the Alzheimer’s Association of South Eastern Wisconsin, AARP Wisconsin and communities throughout Wisconsin with Dementia friendlily initiatives. It is a practical and useful guide for individuals, neighborhoods and businesses, who are interested in implanting their own dementia friendly initiatives.

 

Click here to view the tool kit and get started building a dementia friendly community.   

 


Verona Road (US 18/151) Project

A quarterly open house meeting will be held next week to discuss design and construction activities for the Verona Road (US 18/151) reconstruction project, from the Beltline to County PD (McKee Road) and the Beltline, between Whitney Way and Seminole Highway.

 

When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 24 No formal presentation is scheduled; stop by at your convenience.

 

Where: City of Fitchburg Fire Station No. 2 5415 King James Way, Fitchburg

 

Maps and exhibits showing the proposed improvements will be on display, and eventually posted on the Verona Road Project website, under the Resources tab and Public Materials. Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) representatives will be available to discuss the project on an individual basis.

 

STAY INFORMED: Verona Road Project website | Project Facebook page
 


Vitense Celebrates 60 Years in Madison

Last month, Vitense Golfland celebrated its 60th anniversary on the southwest side of Madison. I was able to catch up with Joel Weitz, the grandson of George Vitnese and owner of Vitnese Golfland, to congratulate him and his staff on the achievement.

 

Vitense Golfland first opened on August 7, 1955, founded by Madison native and golf visionary George Vitense, a PGA professional, past president of the Wisconsin PGA, and inductee of the Madison Sports Hall of Fame. Vitense Golfland has popularized and introduced countless Madisonians to golf over the past 60 years, offering year round golf instruction from PGA professionals to people of all skill levels and helping the sport grow and flourish in Madison.

 

Vitense has the first and only fully lit nine-hole course in Wisconsin, providing Madisonians day and night enjoyment in addition to driving ranges and Dane County’s #1 rated miniature golf course. Vitense has been rated among the Top 50 Golf Ranges in America and has received the Wisconsin Small Business Administration’s 2007 Wisconsin Family Owned Business of the Year and 2008 Dane County Small Business Awards. This business continues to be a Madison destination offering year-round entertainment, bringing delight to families and providing facilities for amateurs and pros alike.

 

Join me in congratulating the owners, staff and patrons of Vitense Golfland on their 60th Anniversary and on the countless contributions the business has made to Madison over the last 60 years.

 


Wisconsin’s Fall Colors

With the first official day of fall coming soon, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism has come out with their award-winning Fall Color Report. As the most-used tool on the Visit Wisconsin website, the Fall Color Report is the go-to resource for planning a fall getaway right here in Wisconsin. More than 100 reporters in all 72 counties provide live virtual updates of Wisconsin’s changing colors. The Fall Color Report shows percentage of peak foliage and weeks until full peak, along with special notes about trails and driving routes, nearby dining, lodging and attractions. You can upload photos, rate other travelers’ photos and view the report on the go from a smartphone.

 

With 16 million acres of forests – that’s 40% of the state – Wisconsin is one of the best places to experience fall color in the nation. Take a peek at this year’s peaks using the Fall Color Report, and check out http://www.travelwisconsin.com/ for fun fall finds across the state. 

 

Click here to check out the Fall Color Report.

 


2015-16 Blue Books Are Here

The newest edition of the Wisconsin Blue Book has arrived. If you would like one, you may pick one up my at my Capitol office (418 North).

 

My office is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are unable to come to the Capitol but would like a Blue Book, please email Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov or call my office at 608-266-7521.

 

 


Fun Wisconsin Fact

In 1904, a gas jet ignited a freshly varnished ceiling in the Wisconsin State Capitol creating a fire. Although the building was equipped with the most high-tech fire-fighting system of the time, the reservoir used for the capitol was empty. Madison firefighters could not contain the blaze and had to call on reinforcements from Milwaukee. The water being transported by train from Milwaukee froze due to the cold Wisconsin temperatures. As a result, the structure burned to the ground. Adding insult to injury, the fire occurred just five weeks after the State Legislature voted to cancel the capitol’s fire insurance policy because of their confidence in the advanced fire-fighting system.

 

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