Democrats Lead on School Safety
During yesterday’s Assembly floor session, Democrats offered a robust school safety plan that includes ongoing funding and support for school districts to make safety improvements and commonsense measures to prevent gun violence by keeping firearms out of the hands of those who should not have them. After seven years of abject failure to address an epidemic of gun violence, Republicans again voted against commonsense measures, like universal background checks, to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals who intend to do harm. Republicans rejected the school safety plan offered by Democrats on a party-line vote.

Given the opportunity to keep our children safe in our schools and in our communities, Republicans failed miserably. We cannot accept regular lockdowns and persistent fear of mass shootings as the new normal for children and teachers in our schools. Democrats offered a plan to keep our schools and communities safe, but Republicans stand in the way of even the most commonsense gun safety measures.

The plan I co-authored would have made our schools and communities safer by providing funding and support to school districts for planning and implementation of safety measures; investing in school safety resources including behavioral supports, conflict resolution, restorative justice, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness; and keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals through universal background checks for all gun purchases, lethal violence protection orders establishing a process for law enforcement or family members to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from a person at risk of harming himself or others, restoring a 48 hour waiting period for handgun purchases, and banning bump stocks which can be used to convert firearms to automatic weapons.

Keeping our children safe – whether at school, at home, or in our communities – has always been a top priority for Democrats. Yesterday, Republicans again failed to act on measures to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people intent to do harm and therefore failed our children, our schools, and our communities.

Last week, thousands of local students descended on the State Capitol, while students at schools throughout the state walked out of class to demand action to end gun violence. These students are speaking out about their fears in light of the most recent school shooting in Florida and an epidemic of gun violence in their communities, and they are calling on us to keep them safe from gun violence. The school safety plan offered this week by Democrats is reflective of what these students have asked us to do.

Young people across the country and right here in Wisconsin are rising up and speaking out against gun violence, and their message is clear: Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Now is the time for action. I am proud to stand with these young people who are demanding safer schools and leading the way toward an end to gun violence once and for all.

Bi-Partisan Bill to Protect Dane County Passes Senate
This week, the State Senate passed Assembly Bill 836, which I authored with Representative Todd Novak (R- Dodgeville), Senator Luther Olsen (R- Ripon) and Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona). AB 836 will update references in state statutes to reflect current population numbers and prevent numerous laws designed specifically for Milwaukee County from being applied to Dane County. In the next census, Dane County will surpass 500,000 residents and would, without this change, be subject to laws written for application only in Milwaukee County, which has for almost a century been the only county in Wisconsin with a population greater than 500,000.

AB 836 updates over 200 references in state statutes, raising population thresholds from 500,000 to 750,000 to ensure that the status quo continues for laws as they apply to Dane County while making no changes to what current laws apply to Milwaukee County. It makes no changes to current powers or duties of county and local government in Wisconsin.

AB 836 has now passed both the State Assembly and State Senate and will now head to the Governor.

Courts Deal Victory for Democracy
Dane County Circuit Court Judge Josann Reynolds, who was appointed by Governor Scott Walker in 2014, has ordered that Governor Walker promptly hold special elections in two legislative districts that have been vacant since December. Judge Reynolds noted that under the plain language of the law, any vacancies in the Senate or Assembly occurring before the second Tuesday in May in the year of a regular election are to be filled “as promptly as possible by special election.” The decision by Judge Reynolds was a particularly stunning indictment of the Governor and of legislative Republicans who have been supportive of his decision to deny residents of Assembly District 46 and Senate District 1 representation.

Predictably, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos chose to undermine the integrity of the court by saying the decision was made by an “activist Dane County judge.” Never mind that the ruling Judge was an appointee of the Governor Walker.

It is clear that the Governor’s refusal to call these elections was nothing more than a political decision in light of recent electoral challenges faced by his own party. As Judge Reynolds said, “I cannot reconcile the incongruity between Governor Walker’s administration’s very vocal and consistent policy advocating for strict constructionism and the position taken by the Attorney General in this case involving the most basic constitutional guarantees and the interpretation of one simply-worded statute. The two views are inconsistent, incompatible, and irreconcilable.”

NCSL International Trade Conference
Last week, I traveled with a group of Wisconsin legislators to participate in an International Trade Legislative Conference in Québec City. The Conference was organized by the National Assembly of Québec and the National Conference of State Legislatures. The conference allowed leaders and experts from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to discuss and learn more about the current negotiations to renew the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). We heard from experts on all sides of the debate and gained valuable insights into how these negotiations may impact our work at the state level.

Leave Your Worries at Home: Consumer Protection Tips for Spring Breakers
Spring break is a time for letting go and having fun, and no traveler wants to worry about the risk of getting ripped off by identity thieves while they are kicking back on the beach. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) asks travelers to take some simple steps before, during and after their trips to limit their risk of having personal information stolen when they are away from home.

In the same way you will check and double-check your door locks before you leave the house and start your journey, you should devote a couple of pre-trip minutes to shoring up your online accounts, strengthening the protection around your mobile devices, and limiting your risk of information exposure. While traveling, avoid sharing sensitive information over public WiFi networks and keep the trip details you share on social media accounts to a minimum. When you return home, run an antivirus scan on your devices and update passwords for your social media, email and financial accounts.

Here are additional pre-, during and post-trip tips:

Before you start your trip:

• Alert your financial institutions. Call the number on the back of your credit and debit cards and let them know where and when you will be travelling. This advance notice lets the bank know to expect transactions from the areas you visit, keeping your account from being locked.

• Verify your reservations. If you booked your trip through a third-party website or travel service, confirm your reservations directly with the airline, hotel or car rental business so you don't get stranded in case of a miscommunication with your booking.

• Put your mail on hold. Identity thieves could steal mail from unattended mailboxes, giving them the information they need to misuse your identity and open credit lines in your name. The post office can hold your letters and packages until you return.

• Limit what is in your wallet. Don't carry your Social Security card in your wallet or purse and limit the bank cards you take on your trip

• Pack a second credit card. If you lose your main card or it is damaged, you will need a backup. Keep them packed in separate locations.

• Photocopy your documents and cards. Make two copies (front and back) of your passport, driver's license, credit cards, tickets and hotel reservation confirmations in case your original documents are lost or stolen during your trip. Give one copy to a friend or family member at home and carry the other copy with you, stored securely and separately from the originals.

• Share your plans with friends and family to avoid "grandparent scams." Phone scammers could call your relatives while you are away, claim to be you, and ask for money to get out of a phony legal or medical emergency. Make a family plan that includes the best way to reach you directly if a relative or friend receives one of these frightening calls and set a code word or phrase to use to verify legitimate emergency calls.

• Tighten the security around your social media accounts. Your public posts could give a thief the tools to steal your identity or rob your home while you travel. Adjust the security settings on your accounts to only allow friends and family to view your posts, and consider turning off the location services on your phone so the photos you post online are not tagged with GPS data. Make sure that your mobile devices are password protected.

While on vacation:

• Use caution with public WiFi. Avoid banking or sharing sensitive data over public WiFi networks. Only send sensitive information over password-protected networks and in secure websites (those that start with "https://" - the "s" stands for secure).

• Keep personal documents close. Make use of a room safe when available for mobile devices, valuables and sensitive documents like passports, ID cards, credit cards and airline tickets. Do NOT pack a Social Security card unless it is necessary.

• Always keep your mobile devices in a secure location. Your smartphone, tablet and laptop contain a wealth of personal information. Know where these devices are at all times and keep them secure in public. Log out of all websites so your accounts are not accessed if your device is lost or stolen.

• Don't broadcast your trip on social media. In sharing your travel plans, you are providing information for scammers to use in their ploys (think "grandparent scams") and for thieves to use in determining when your home is unattended.

When you get home:

• Change passwords. Any website you accessed on your trip was fair game for scammers, so change all of your passwords - especially for your email account.
  -Check accounts. Take a look through your bank and credit card accounts and identify any irregularities. Bring them to the immediate attention of your financial institution.
  -Check credit reports. Review your credit reports to ensure that no unexpected accounts have been created in your name.

For additional information, visit the Bureau of Consumer Protection at http://datcp.wi.gov, send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov or call the Consumer Protection Hotline toll-free at 1-800-422-7128.

Reminder: Early Voting is Underway
The Spring General Election will be held on Tuesday, April 3. There is a statewide Supreme Court election on the ballot as well as a statewide referendum on whether or not to eliminate the office of State Treasurer. Depending on where you live, you may also have an election for County Board, School Board, or other local offices.

You do not have to wait until April 3 to cast your ballots. In-person absentee voting for the election has begun in Madison and will continue through Saturday, March 31, 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 see what is on your ballot.

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.

Reminder: Blue Books and Maps
My office still has several of the newest edition Blue Books and state maps. If you would like one, you may pick one up my at my Capitol office (418 North) anytime from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are unable to come to the Capitol but would like a Blue Book or map, please email Rep.Subeck@legis.wisconsin.gov or call my office at 608-266-7521 to have one sent to you.

Wisconsin Fun Fact: Women’s History Month
In honor of Women’s History Month, March’s fun facts will highlight women’s contributions to Wisconsin’s history. The facts have been researched and written by the Wisconsin Women Making History Project, a collaboration of the Wisconsin State Historical Society, Wisconsin Public Television-Education, UW Women’s studies consortium, UW Gender and Women Studies Librarian, and the Wisconsin Humanities council.

Debra Amesqua – The first woman Chief of the Madison Fire Department and one of the first women fire chiefs in the country.

Debra Amesqua, born Debra Jane Hernandez, grew up in Tallahassee, Florida. Her parents were migrant famers with roots in Mexico who enjoyed music. Her early exposure to music influenced her to study the clarinet and guitar at Florida State University (FSU), making her the first person in her family to attend college. Amesqua left FSU before graduating, and in 1983, she became a firefighter. She served as a trainer in Tallahassee before relocating to Madison, Wisconsin.

Amesqua, who became Madison’s first woman fire chief in 1996, was only the seventh woman in the country to lead a fire department. She faced strong opposition during her first years as chief but gradually earned the respect of her department. Chief Amesqua oversaw nearly 400 personnel and 12 stations including the opening of two new stations (the first in 25 years). Under her leadership, Emergency Medical Services protocol improved throughout Dane County, and the emphasis on fire prevention strengthened. As a result, the City of Madison recorded only one fire fatality in three and a half years, compared to the national average of seven to eight fatalities in a three-year span. Amesqua received numerous awards during her career, including Chief of the Year by the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association. After 16 years as the Madison Fire Chief, she retired in 2012.