Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It is with a mix of sadness and anger that I reflect upon the despicable
act of terror committed by white supremacists in Charlottesville,
Virginia, last weekend. Three lives were lost and many more were injured
during a white supremacist rally near the University of Virginia campus.
I ask that you join me in rejecting racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry, and
hate in all forms. Together, we can turn our sadness and anger into
action to make our communities welcoming to all.
Today, the Assembly is on the floor in special session as we debate the
proposed $3 billion subsidy to Foxconn. Read on to learn more about what
to expect in the Assembly today, a budget update, and more.
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
Charlottesville
Tragedy
I offer my deepest condolences to the families and friends of Heather
Heyer, Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen, and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, all
of whom lost their lives last weekend in Charlottesville.
Heather Heyer was killed in Charlottesville on Saturday when a neo-Nazi
committed an act of domestic terrorism and drove his vehicle into a
group of people who chose to stand up against hatred and bigotry by
peacefully protesting a white nationalist rally being held in
Charlottesville. In addition to the death of Heather Heyer, at least 19
individuals were injured in the attack.
Lt. Cullen and Trooper Bates died in a helicopter crash just outside of
Charlottesville city limits. Because of the rally, these officers had
been called upon to work in coordination with other members of law
enforcement to ensure the safety of the Charlotte residents and
visitors.
I am alarmed and disappointed by the remarks made by President Trump
subsequent to the attack. His claim that there were “very good people on
both sides” and that there is blame to be shared for the violence that
took the life of Heather Heyer legitimizes hate groups that use violence
to advance their causes.
Contrary to the President’s claims, there is no moral equivalency
between groups that espouse anti-Semitism, bigotry, and racism and
people like Heather Heyer and the other injured in the attack who raise
their voices to speak out against hate.
Vote
on Foxconn
Today, I plan to cast my vote against the Governor’s proposed Foxconn
subsidy which will provide an unprecedented $3 billion corporate subsidy
to an international corporation to build a factory on the Illinois
border.
As details have emerged over the last couple of weeks, it has become
abundantly clear that the Foxconn giveaway is a bad deal for the people
of Wisconsin. Leading economists on both sides of the political aisle
have raised serious concerns about the proposal. Earlier this week, my
colleagues on the Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy introduced
23 amendments to increase accountability, protect our environment and
our water, and ensure good jobs are created for Wisconsin residents.
Republicans rejected every one of the 23 proposed amendments.
We can create jobs without breaking the bank and without harming our
environment, and we can and should ensure jobs created using taxpayer
dollars pay enough that working families can put food on their tables
and a roof over their heads. Unfortunately, the Republican proposal for
Foxconn puts the profits of one multi-billion dollar, international
company ahead of the hardworking, taxpaying people of Wisconsin.
Our Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis shows that even in the best case
scenario, the state will not break even on the deal for at least 25
years. Even then, there are no guarantees, and taxpayers will be left
flitting the bill at a cost of hundreds of millions per year. Meanwhile,
we will be left without the resources we need to fund our schools, fix
our roads and bridges, and grow our economy into the future.
Wisconsin has never been asked to provide this level of corporate
welfare before now. In fact, this subsidy is 46 times more than the next
highest subsidy provided to a manufacturer in Wiscxonsin. In the case of
Foxconn, the risk of a $3 billion subsidy to a foreign company with no
expected return for at least 25 years clearly outweighs potential
benefits. The proposal is not a smart investment or a good deal for
Wisconsin, and that is why I plan to case a “no” vote today.
Budget
Update
Budget delays continue as we hold the special session on Foxconn. While
budget delays have significant ramifications on transportation, public
schools and municipal budgets, there are other programs that face
difficulty as the Republicans prolong the budget delay. A few items
placed in jeopardy are included below.
The budget bill currently provides additional funding for state aid for
the arts in 2017-18, in part to match federal funding awarded to the
Wisconsin Arts Board from the National Endowment for the Arts. This
funding is available through September 30, 2017, meaning that further
budget delays could result in a loss of this federal arts funding.
The Joint Finance Committee approved providing additional funding to
eliminate the current waiting list for certain medical assistance funded
services provided to children who qualify for the children's long-term
care support program. The intent was to phase in enrollment in the
program, beginning in July, 2017, so that by the end of the 2017-18
fiscal year, all children on the current waiting list would be enrolled
in the program. The delay in enacting the state budget may delay when
these children begin receiving much needed services.
Under the proposed budget, the Clean Water Fund Program loan interest
rates would decrease for certain loans closed during the 2017-19
biennium. The program would need to close loans utilizing the current
law interest rates until the budget is enacted, and municipalities may
delay projects while awaiting these more favorable interest rates.
The budget bill would increase the maximum total reimbursement for
eligible Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Program expenses related to
remediation of agricultural chemical spills and contamination, effective
July 1, 2017. While costs incurred after July 1, 2017, would be eligible
for the higher reimbursement maximum, delayed passage of the bill may
delay remediation projects until the higher reimbursement eligibility is
enacted.
These are just a few examples of how budget delays impact our state
services. Democrats continue pushing for movement on the budget, but
Republicans have used Foxconn as a convenient distraction from the
ongoing budget delays. Unfortunately, handing billions of dollars to
Foxconn will only compound state budget problems moving forward.
2017-18
State Highway Maps
My office still has several of the newest edition state maps. If you
would like one, you may pick one up my at my Capitol office (418 North)
any time from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are
unable to come to the Capitol but would like map, please email
Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov or call my office at 608-266-7521 to have
one sent to you.
Fall
Interns
My office is now accepting applications for fall interns. If you or
someone you know is looking for a fall internship, we still have
openings. You can apply online by
clicking here, or submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail to
rep.subeck@legis.wi.gov. It is a great way to gain some experience and
learn about the legislative process.
Fun
Wisconsin Fact
Lester William Polfuss, commonly known as Les Paul, was born in
Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1915. He was a pioneer of the electric guitar and
was an American jazz, country, and blues guitarist, songwriter, luthier,
and inventor.
Paul began playing the harmonica when he was eight years old. He then
started to play the guitar after trying to learn the piano. It was while
learning guitar that he invented a neck-worn harmonica holder, which
allowed him to play both instruments at the same time. The holder is
manufactured using his basic design still to this day.
Paul’s career started to take off by playing and singing country music
on the radio in the morning and jazz at night. From there on he
continued to sing, write and perform until he passed away at age 94 in
August 2009 in New York.