Lisa Subeck

State Representative

78th Assembly District

Introduction of “Housing First” Legislation

This week, I introduced a “Housing First” package of bills that invest in evidence-based solutions to end and prevent homelessness in Wisconsin. The legislation focuses on allocating resources to programs and initiatives that keep people in their existing housing and quickly move those who are homeless into housing while providing necessary assistance to maintain their housing long-term.  The Housing First legislation would provide substantial resources to fight homelessness and offers a stark contrast to an anemic package of Republican bills passed by the Assembly last week under the guise of tackling the issue.

Wisconsin’s neighboring midwest states invest substantially more than Wisconsin to fight homelessness. Minnesota invests $44.3 million annually; Illinois spends $49.5 million; and Michigan spends $16.6 million each year. Wisconsin spends just $3.3 million annually in dedicated funding to fight homelessness, an amount that should at least be tripled to $10 million according to the Wisconsin Coalition Against Homelessness. The Housing First package would triple Wisconsin’s investment in addressing homelessness and target funds to evidence-based best practices.

Click here to read more about the legislation and view copies of the bills.

Highlights and Lowlights from the Assembly Floor

Yesterday, Assembly Republicans passed a trio of bills that threaten to make more people homeless and cut safety net support for our most vulnerable neighbors. Ironically, this comes on the heels of Republicans passing a set of feel-good bills in the name of combatting homelessness, but their disingenuous motives were on full display yesterday as they passed bills that will harm low-income children and families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

I was proud to stand side-by-side with my Democratic colleagues yesterday as we fought back against these harmful bills (AB 238, AB 240, and AB 242). Some are former teachers and social workers who joined me in sharing stories of the immense challenges that low-income families face. The empathy for individuals and families who live in poverty, struggling to feed their families or keep a roof over their children’s heads, was powerful.

It is unfortunate that Assembly Republicans, who last week stood on the Assembly floor and claimed they wanted to end homelessness, now passed a series of punitive measures that will directly result in families who are already struggling losing their incomes and becoming homeless. Instead of punishing and shaming our most vulnerable neighbors, we should put our energy and resources into addressing the root causes of poverty, raising wages, and building a fair economy that works for all.

On a more positive note, we unanimously passed bi-partisan legislation requiring mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect by juvenile corrections officers. As instances of abuse occurring at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake Juvenile Corrections Facilities were reported by the news media last year, it became clear that there were incidents that should have been reported to child protective service agencies but were not. Many of us were surprised to learn that correction officers at our juvenile facilities are not mandatory reporters of abuse and neglect. Passing this legislation is a small but necessary step to protect children who are placed in the Juvenile Corrections system.

Two other important bi-partisan bills passed by the Assembly yesterday include legislation to close a loophole in current law to ensure that individuals who have been convicted of certain driving while intoxicated offenses must have an ignition interlock device installed and a bill to reduce the “benefit cliff” to slowly step-down childcare assistance for low-income working families as income increases instead of cutting off assistance all at once.

Republican Tax Scheme Includes $1 Billion Giveaway to the Rich

Last week, Assembly Republicans unveiled their latest tax scheme – under the guise of a transportation funding plan – to give more breaks to Wisconsin’s wealthiest residents at the expense of everyone else. The proposal has been accurately described as complex and convoluted.

A fiscal bureau memo released earlier this week revealed that the proposal would raise taxes for more than 1 in 10 taxpayers, while giving $1 Billion in giveaways to the rich. Those most likely to see increases are individuals earning under $60,000/year. Those paying more under the scheme include married couples, renters, and hardworking Wisconsin families

The scheme, introduced by Representative Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) and supported by Assembly Republican leadership, is nothing more than an attempt to shift more of the tax burden away from wealthy donors who line Republican campaign coffers and onto the back of everyone else. As budget deliberations come to a head, it is clear that we need a real plan to fix our roads and bridges – not more tax breaks for Republicans’ wealthy donors.

Update: Bi-Partisan Fix to Flawed Law Advances

Two weeks ago, one of the bills I authored received a public hearing in the Assembly Campaigns and Elections Committee. I am pleased that this week it passed unanimously out of committee. The bill (AB 85) would allow elected municipal officials to serve as election officials in their municipalities.

Next the bill must pass the full State Assembly. The Senate may consider the bill once it has passed the Assembly or advance a Senate companion to the bill that has been introduced by Senator Janet Bewley.

Click here from more information regarding the bill.

Update: Status of the Affordable Care Act

When the Affordable Care Act passed the United States House of Representatives during the Obama Administration, it did so without a single vote from Republicans. Dozens of Democratic House members voted for the bill to provide millions of Americans with health care, knowing the vote would very likely cost them their re-election.  Nevertheless, they voted to provide people with health care coverage because it was the right thing to do. 

The actions of House Democrats stand in stark contrast to the actions of House Republicans who last week passed a bill to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. The vote occurred before the Congressional Budget Office could review the full effect this proposal will have on American families. However, the details and impact of the legislation are becoming clearer each day.

Under a previous version of the Trump-Ryan Care proposal, 24 million Americans would have lost health coverage, and the latest version as passed is even worse because it strips protections for Americans living with pre-existing conditions. As it stands, Trump-Ryan Care would allow insurers to discriminate against those living with pre-existing conditions.  People with a wide range of health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or even pregnancy, could be denied health coverage or charged exorbitant rates.

Every American should have access to quality, affordable health care. We should work to improve and expand ObamaCare rather than tearing down some of its most popular and life-saving components.

American Heart Association Visits the Office

Members from the American Heart Association visited my office last week. The American Heart Association is advocating for legislation that would require retailers to little cigars, nicotine products, and other tobacco products behind the counter or in a locked case. While cigarettes are already required to be behind the counter, many other tobacco products are not subject to the same requirement.

I agree that these products should have restricted placement in order to discourage use by youth and to improve public health. This is why I have sponsored of legislation (AB 225) that would do so.

Raging Grannies Book Release

This weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the Raging Grannies of Madison’s book release celebration where they revealed their new book, Listen to your Grandmothers.

I was honored to have a short quote included in their book. My quote says: “The Raging Grannies are an icon in Madison, from Capitol rallies to the Dane County Farmer’s Market. The Grannies aren’t afraid to stand up and sing out for what they know is right. They stand up to Scott Walker and sing out for women’s reproductive rights. The Grannies continue to be on the front lines of fighting for social justice through song. Their energy and lyrics help keep me and progressives energized and ready to work.”

Thank You to Our Intern, David

Yesterday we said goodbye to David who spent the Fall and Spring Semesters interning in our office. This weekend David will graduate with a degree in philosophy and a certificate in Chinese. David was born and raised in Baltimore County, Maryland and has always been interested in politics, but decided to intern in the office to get a better understanding of the issues and make a positive effect. After graduation David plans on attending law school to study international law. Thank you David for all your hard work in our office.

May is Stroke Awareness Month

Eighty percent of strokes are preventable. That means the vast majority of stroke deaths and disabilities never have to happen.

Use the letters in "FAST" to spot stroke signs and know when to call 9-1-1:

F - Face Drooping

Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven or lopsided?

A - Arm Weakness

Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S – Speech Difficulty

Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the person able to correctly repeat the words?

T – Time to Call 9-1-1

If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and say, "I think this is a stroke" to help get the person to the hospital immediately. Time is important! Don't delay, and also note the time when the first symptoms appeared. Emergency responders will want to know.

Click here for more information from the American Stroke Association.

Fun Wisconsin Fact

In 1881, the ice cream sundae was created in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. The popular dessert was only sold on Sundays, hence the name “ice cream sundae.” It only cost a nickel. There are many other locations who claim to have created the first sundae, but Two Rivers, Wisconsin is endorsed by the National Register of Historic Places. The birthplace of the ice cream sundae can be visited at the Washington House Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.