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Representative Lisa Subeck's E-Newsletter |
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
West Madison Senior Coalition Free Lunches Thursday, February 16 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.
Skills in Computers and Literacy for Employment with Literacy Network Thursday, February 16 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Meadowridge Library 5726 Raymond Rd.
This is a course in computer and employment literacy for adult students who want to improve their reading, writing and general communication skills. Each student will have an individual lesson plan created for them and will work through the semester on completing that plan. Skills learned will help with job searching and applications, completing the GED and improving skills on the computer. Please register for the entire series, January 26-May 11. Contact Ezi at the Literacy Network, (608)244-3911, ext. 33, for more information or to register.
These classes are funded through the Literacy Network with computer support from Madison Public Library Foundation. Find more literacy classes at http://www.litnetwork.org
Paper Box Making Friday, February 17 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Alicia Ashman Library 733 N High Point Rd
Come and learn how to make adorable small gift boxes out of paper! We'll provide all the materials you'll need, but feel free to bring any interesting paper you're willing to cut up (old calendars usually work really well; or anything that's thicker than regular paper, but still easy to fold). Mainly for adults, but anyone 13 or over is welcome. Fair warning: paper box making has been found to be highly addictive. Once you learn, you might not be able to stop!
Ecological Restoration Work Party Saturday, February 18 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Grady Tract
Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.
Winter Sampler Sunday, February 19 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. UW Arboretum Visitor Center 1207 Seminole Hwy.
The naturalist will lead you to the most interesting areas near the Visitor Center. Free, no registration required.
Tabletop Game Night Tuesday, February 21 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Meadowridge Library 5726 Raymond Rd.
We've got a ton of tabletop games, just waiting to be played! Drop in and join us!
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.
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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I hope you had a happy Valentine’s Day! In addition to Valentine’s Day, we continue to recognize Black History Month and American Heart Month throughout the month of February. The Legislature’s black caucus has been hosting numerous events at the Capitol this month to highlight important people and events, and last week, Legislators joined the American Heart Association’s “Wear Red Day” festivities to raise awareness of heart disease.
In this week’s newsletter, you will find highlights and lowlights from the Governor’s budget proposal, news of more attacks on women’s health access, information from the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection about the biggest complaints they get from consumers.
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
Budget Highlights and Lowlights Governor Walker and Republicans have passed three failed budgets over the past six years. Unfortunately, the budget Governor Walker has proposed for the next biennium follows the same recipe for failure.
Far from being a blueprint for a bright future, the budget proposed by the Governor will have a structural deficit of over $738 million at the end of the second year of the biennium. Here’s what that means: He is increasing spending over the course of the biennium to gain favor with a few groups that have every reason to oppose his election in 2018. At the same time, he is handing out even more tax breaks to his supporters. The result is that after the 2018 election is said and done, the state will find itself in the position of spending about $738 million more than we can reasonably expect to come in from various taxes.
Other lowlights of the budget include:
Click here to read the column Representative Sargent and I wrote regarding one part of Governor Walker’s budget proposal.
Watch for further information and budget updates in future newsletters.
Good Government Under Attack in Budget As we review the proposed budget over the next few weeks, I will continue to highlight items that may be of particular interest to you. This week’s article focuses on two destructive measures in the budget that further the decay of good government in Wisconsin.
Governor Walker is proposing to dismantle the independence of the Judicial Commission. The Commission was created in 1978 to investigate misconduct or disabilities of any judge or court commissioner in Wisconsin. The Commission, independent of the courts, would investigate and then bring cases to a 3 judge panel whose recommendation would ultimately be reviewed by the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to determine if the judge should be reprimanded, censured, suspended, or removed. The Governor’s proposed budget removes the commission’s independence by folding it into the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s authority.
Governor Walker is also proposing a 30 percent cut to the Elections Commission. This will result in the elimination of six staff positions. While the newly formed Commission is attempting to settle in and assist election officials with voter ID and the new electronic registration they will be have catastrophic impact. Now is not the time to be eliminating resources for the agency in charge of ensuring fair and free elections.
These attacks on Wisconsin’s tradition of good government are appalling but not surprising. Over the last six years, Governor Walker and legislative republicans have continuously attacked Wisconsin’s good government. The proposed changes to the Judicial Commission and the cut to the Elections Commission further their assault.
Republican Attacks on Women’s Health Care Access Republicans are once again proposing to take away women’s access to reproductive healthcare. Representative Andre Jacque (R- DePere) and Senator David Craig (R- Big Bend) have introduced legislation that would prohibit the group insurance board from contracting for or providing abortion services, eliminating this existing women’s health care coverage for public employees. The proposal is yet another example of government – and in this case, one’s employer – interfering with health care decisions that should be made by a woman and her doctor.
Top Ten Consumer Complaints of 2016 DATCP’s Bureaus of Consumer Protection and Weights and Measures received nearly 11,000 consumer complaints in 2016. Remember not to give out your personal information over the phone or wire money to a stranger, refuse high-pressure sales pitches, request all information in writing, and read the fine print before you sign.
Facing a consumer protection issue? Visit datcp.wi.gov for fact sheets and resources that may be useful in understanding your consumer rights. If your issue is with a business, communicate with the business about your concerns and the resolution you are seeking. Keep documentation of your efforts.
Can’t reach a resolution? Call our Consumer Protection Hotline (800-422-7128) for additional guidance or file a complaint with DATCP. You can file your complaint at datcp.wi.gov or call the hotline to have a complaint form sent to you.
Primary Election Day is February 21 The Spring Primary Election will be held next Tuesday, February 21. Voters will go to the polls on this day to vote in local elections like City Council and School Board, as well as the statewide office of Superintendent of Schools. Offices with more than 2 candidates running will have a Primary that day, and the top 2 vote getters advance to the general election in April. What local offices appear on your ballot on February 21 depend on exactly where you live, and you may click here to see what is on your ballot.
You do not have to wait until then to cast your ballots. In-person absentee voting for the election is available through Sunday, February 19, at the Madison City Clerk’s Office and additional locations throughout the city. To learn more about in-person absentee voting, including locations and times, please click here.
Absentee ballots are also available by mail. Everything you need to know to receive a ballot by mail is available via the Madison City Clerk by clicking here.
Remember: You must present an acceptable photo ID card to vote in Wisconsin. Click here to find out if you have the correct identification and to get information on how to obtain a free Wisconsin State ID Card for voting purposes.
Click here to read the “Candidates’ Answers” on the League of Women Voters of Dane County website.
Note: If you vote outside of the City of Madison, you will need to contact your local city or village clerk’s office for absentee voting locations and times.
2017-2018 Official State Highway Maps My office has received the new 2017-2018 official state highway maps. If you would like one, please feel free to stop by my office, call, or email your request. If you can’t get to our office to pick yours up, we are happy to mail maps to you.
Fun Wisconsin Fact In honor of Black History Month, all of February’s fun facts will be about African American contributions to Wisconsin’s history.
Vel Phillips has been a pioneer for African Americans and women in politics. She is best known for being the first woman elected as Wisconsin Secretary of State in 1978 and the first African-American woman in the nation elected to a statewide office. Vel was also the first African-American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 1951. In 1971, she became the first African American judge in Wisconsin. She was also the first African American elected to the National Committee of either of the two major political parties. Vel is a passionate and active Democrat and has worked tirelessly for civil rights throughout her career.
In 2015, Wisconsin Public Television aired the documentary “Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams” which tells the story of civil rights leader Vel Phillips. Click here to watch the documentary.
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