Dear Friends and Neighbors,
 

It has been a busy week in the Capitol and out. The Foster Care Task Force met in Milwaukee earlier in the week, where we heard from local programs that serve children and youth, foster parents, and youth who have aged out of foster care. Over the last few days, committees have been active holding hearings on all sorts of bills, including two particularly controversial bills: one is an anti-immigrant bill that would interfere with the relationship between local law enforcement and our communities’ future and aspiring citizens, and the other puts clean air and water in harm’s way by loosening standards for approval of mines.

In this newsletter, you will find an update on my bill to allow elected officials to serve as poll workers, information about bills introduced this week to address prescription drug pricing, and the latest news about the dangerous mining legislation.

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

Office Hours in October
Next week, I will be hosting office hours throughout the district. I hope you’ll consider joining me at one of the following locations:

Alicia Ashman Library
Tues., Oct. 17, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Community Room
733 N. High Point Road
Madison, WI 53717

Oakwood Village
Wed., Oct. 18, 2:00–3:00 p.m.
The Oaks Community Room
6205 Mineral Point Road
Madison, WI 53705

Meadowridge Library
Wed., Oct. 18, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
Community Room
5726 Raymond Road
Madison, WI 53711

Hearing Held on Fear-Mongering, Anti-Immigrant Senate Bill 275
Yesterday, the Senate Committee on Labor and Regulatory Reform held a public hearing on Senate Bill 275, which is the latest mean spirited attack by Republicans on our immigrant communities, inciting fear among Wisconsinites who are already most likely not to trust law enforcement. Since last year’s election anti-immigrant rhetoric, hate, and fear-mongering have been on the rise, and this bill only adds fuel to the fire. The bill would undermine local authority to pass and implement ordinances, resolutions, or policies that define when and if law enforcement officers may inquire about an individual’s immigration status. With this bill, Republicans would undo years of work by local law enforcement to build the trust that ensures future and aspiring citizens who are victims or witnesses can report crimes without fear.

Interpreters Not Provided at SB 275 Hearing; Democrats Call for Change
For many of those present to testify at yesterday’s hearing on SB 275, English was not their primary language, but no plan was put in place to provide interpreters. These residents were only heard at the hearing due to other members of the public stepping in to help translate. The same problem occurred when a hearing on a similar bill was held in an Assembly Committee last year, prompting me to author AB 344/SB 256 to establish a process for individuals with special needs, including non-English speakers, those in need of sign language interpreters, and those who need materials in alternate formats to access the resources necessary to participate in public hearings and other meetings.

When members of the public make the effort to show up to a hearing to share their opinions with us, the least we can do is ensure they are able to do so, but that is not what happened at yesterday’s hearing. Fortunately, there were others in attendance who stepped up to help, but it is incumbent on us to have a clear procedure in place for the public to request interpreters or accommodations so that everyone can participate in our legislative process.

In response to the lack of interpreters available for yesterday’s hearing, Representative JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee), Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee), and I called for hearings on these bills so that we can move forward and ensure all members of the public can participate in the legislative process without barriers.

Leading on Bi-Partisan Poll Worker Legislation
Yesterday, I testified before the Senate Committee on Elections and Utilities in support of Senate Bill 66, a bill I authored to allow elected municipal officials to serve as election officials in their municipalities. You may recall from past newsletters that the practice of allowing City Council and Village or Town Board members had been a common practice until a recent legal opinion determined it was not allowed under state law. Upon learning this, I worked with Representative Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg) and Senator Janet Bewley (D-Ashland) to find a solution.

I am pleased that our bi-partisan bill received a public hearing in the Senate. The bill has already been passed unanimously by the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections and must now pass the full State Assembly.
 

Democrats Seek Transparency in Prescription Drug Pricing
I joined Representative Deb Kolste (D-Janesville) and Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) to introduce a package of bills focused on reforming the pharmaceutical industry, including legislation to increase transparency in how prescription drug manufacturers set their prices.

With Representative Kolste, I authored LRB 3119 which will prevent insurance companies from removing prescription drugs from their formularies while a contract with a consumer is in place. All too often insurers change what drugs they cover midstream, leaving patients with big bills or having to switch drugs. Switching drugs can be risky and results in additional visits to the doctor, ER, or hospital.

The second bill, LRB 3681, would require drug manufacturers of name brand and generic prescription drugs to notify the state prior to price increases of more than 25%. They would also be required to include a justification for the price hike and detail the amount of rebates provided to Wisconsin residents. Finally, LRB 3682 would require Pharmacy Benefit Managers, who act as middlemen between you and your insurance company, to register with the state’s Office of Commissioner of Insurance before operating in our state.

Republicans Won’t Let Wisconsin Vote on Big Money in Politics
Earlier this week the Assembly Committee on Constitution and Ethics held its first meeting of the 2017-18 legislative session. Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) and I requested that Committee Chairperson, Rep Scott Allen (R-Waukesha), include our resolution to place a statewide advisory referendum question on the ballot asking voters whether they support a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United on the public hearing agenda. The resolution, AJR 53, was referred to the Committee on Constitution and Ethics 145 days ago, yet Rep. Allen refused our request for a hearing. In his response, he called the advisory referendum, a democratic process defined and allowed under Wisconsin law, “politics at its worst.”

It is stunning that Republican Representative Scott Allen considers giving the average Wisconsinite the opportunity to have their say at the ballot box to be ‘politics at its worst.’ Wisconsinites are fed up with the massive corporate and special interest spending Citizens United has ushered into our elections, and it is time to give the people their opportunity to be heard.
 

Hearing Held on Dangerous Mining Legislation
Today, the Assembly Committee on Labor is holding a public hearing on Assembly Bill 499, the legislation that would repeal Wisconsin’s Prove-It First sulfide ore mining law. A Senate version of the bill is presently waiting to be scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor.

The idea behind Wisconsin’s Prove-It First mining law was simple: If you want to mine a sulfide ore body in Wisconsin, simply show us that the method you will use has worked safely elsewhere. It is simple; it was passed with bi-partisan support; and it was rooted in common sense. Unfortunately, it has become a target of Republicans in the current Legislature.
 

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month
Recent data breaches and widespread breakouts of malicious software have gained the attention of the nation. According to recent studies, 96 percent of Americans feel a personal responsibility to be safer and more secure online and 90 percent said they want to learn more about safe internet usage. The message is clear: cyber threats affect everyone, and everyone has to take action to protect themselves and their families.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and consumers are advised to “Stop. Think. Connect.” when using computers and web-enabled devices:

Stop

• others from accessing your accounts by setting secure passwords.

• sharing too much personal information.

Think

• before you click. Is this a trusted source?

• about what you post or share. What’s online, stays online…maybe indefinitely.

Connect

• over secure networks. Wi-Fi hotspots may not offer the same protection.

• wisely. Trust your gut. If it doesn’t seem right, then close out or delete the email.

For more cyber safety information, visit the DATCP website at datcp.wi.gov, call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128 or send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov.
 

2017-18 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
George Post was the architect of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Born on December 15, 1837 in New York City, Post became a skilled architect trained in the Beaux-Arts tradition. He mainly built commercial buildings in New York that pushed the traditional boundaries of design.

Click here to see some of George Post’s most famous buildings.