This Sunday is Independence Day, and it will be a welcome change from last year that we again celebrate with fireworks, parades, backyard cookouts, and spending time with family and friends. I wish you and your family a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend.
In this week's newsletter, you will find a budget update, a feature on a special guest I welcomed on Tuesday, and more.
If you have any questions or need assistance with any matter, please feel free to contact my office.
The Assembly met on Tuesday to consider the 2021-2023 state budget. As you likely know, in February, Gov. Evers released his proposed "Badger Bounceback" budget that would have invested in Wisconsin and its people, and help the state bounce back better than before from the pandemic.
Unfortunately, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee gutted and cut the Governor's proposal this spring, piece by piece by piece. For instance:
Topic
Governor's Budget
GOP Budget
K-12 Education
$1.6 billion over 2 years
$128 million per year
Higher Education
$192 million
$8.25 million
Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
$70 million each year, for 10 years
$32 million each year, for 4 years ($1 million cut per year vs. last budget)
PFAs
$10 million
$1 million
Unemployment System Modernization
$15 million
$0
The budget passed by the Assembly also does not expand BadgerCare, which is costing Wisconsin $1.6 billion in federal funds. Additionally, it does little to help people afford prescription drugs, fails to provide student debt relief, fails to fund mental health services adequately, and fails to address childcare costs in our state.
This budget was full of missed opportunities, misplaced priorities, and prioritizes politics over the people of Wisconsin. I don't want to strive for mediocrity. We had the chance to do great things to help the people of Wisconsin. Instead, Republicans chose to do the least we could do for the citizens of our state. That's why I voted against this budget.
The budget passed the State Senate on Wednesday, and is now awaiting action by Gov. Evers.
At the beginning of the Assembly floor session on Tuesday, I had the privilege of introducing Rabbi Jonathan Biatch of Temple Beth El here in Madison. Originally from California, Rabbi Biatch has lived in the 78th district for over 16 years as an active constituent who has worked diligently, alongside Temple Beth El, to combat homelessness. He is also a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, among many other organizations.
In his message, he explained, "Let us search for humility so that we may assess properly our weaknesses and our strengths and skills." He offered a reminder that we all can do our part to make the world around us a better place for all.
Public Health Madison and Dane County is continuing to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccination services across Madison.
Testing is by appointment only at South Madison Office (2230 S. Park Street):
Tuesdays: 8 am – 4 pm
Thursdays: 12 pm – 8 pm
Saturdays: 8 am – 4 pm
Vaccination by appointment or drop-in:
Monday: South Madison Office (2230 S. Park Street) – 8 am – 4 pm
Tuesday: East Wash. Office (2705 East Wash. Ave) – 12 pm – 8 pm
Wednesday: South Madison Office – 12 pm – 8 pm
Thursday: East Wash. Office – 8 am – 4 pm
Friday: South Madison Office – 8 am – 4 pm
Mobile vaccination efforts are ongoing, with several first and second-dose clinics happening every week throughout Dane County. See the map to find one near you, or for more information, visit here.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, fireworks-related injuries in 2020 resulted in a total of 167 emergency department visits. Among those injuries, 72% of the victims were male, and 26% were under 18.
Fireworks and celebrations go together, especially during the Fourth of July or New Year's festivities. Fireworks, while fun to watch, can be very dangerous if misused. Each year, there are many serious, preventable injuries such as burns, vision and hearing loss, and even death due to unsafe use of fireworks. If fireworks are legal where you live, and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these helpful safety tips:
Always read and follow all warnings and label instructions.
Always have an adult present, and never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
The adult igniting the fireworks should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
Buy from reliable sellers.
Use fireworks only outdoors.
Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
Light only one firework at a time.
Never throw or point fireworks at other people or animals. Keep your pets indoors to reduce the risk that they will run loose and get injured. Animals have very sensitive ears and can be stressed or frightened due to the igniting of fireworks.
Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trash can.
If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
Stay away from illegal explosives.
The safest way to prevent fireworks-related injuries and deaths is to leave the fireworks displays to trained professionals.
The Crex Meadows Wildlife Area is 30,000-acres of Burnett County terrain full of restored wetlands, forests, and brush prairie. The wildlife area is named "Crex" after the carpet company that purchased the land in 1912, but the name has remained even though the company went bankrupt in the 1930s. Crex is home to over 280 species of birds, 720 species of plants, over 96 species of butterfly, and a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians, and insects. Every species of mammal found in Wisconsin has been on the Crex property at some point. The Department of Natural Resources oversees this wildlife area.
Things happening in the district & around Madison:
Parkwood Hills July 4th Celebration
Sunday, July 4
9AM - 12PM
John Muir Elementary School
6602 Inner Dr
Madison, WI
Summer is here, and it's almost time for the annual Parkwood Hills 4th of July parade! This year's celebration will take place on Sunday, July 4th at John Muir Elementary School at 9am with pre-parade face painting and decorations available for bicycles, strollers, wagons, scooters, etc! The parade will start at 9:30am followed by field games, water balloons, races, food, and fun! This Parkwood tradition is the perfect opportunity to catch up with neighborhood friends and to make some new ones!
Madison Mallards
Sunday, July 4
5:05 PM
Warner Park Duck Pond
2920 N. Sherman Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
Come watch some Fourth of July baseball and support the Madison Mallards as they take on the Wisconsin Woodchucks in Northwoods League play.
The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra kicks off its 2021 season with the WCO's annual Independence Day celebration, featuring John Williams and the 1812 Overture. Guest soloist, Antonio Wu, pianist, our Young Artist Concerto Competition 2020 Winner, will be performing Capriccio Brillant by Mendelssohn, who was himself barely a teenager when he wrote this movement work for piano and orchestra.
Contemporary US Asylum, Refugee and Immigration Policy(Scholar for Life)
Thursday, July 8
6:30 PM
Middleton Public Library
Online
Join us for the second lecture in our ongoing Scholar for Life series in partnership with Badger Talks. This talk provides an overview of key issues in US refugee and immigration law and policy today. It provides audience members with history and context to understand debates, issues, and policy changes around matters of immigration.
The 42nd Annual Art Fair Off the Square is one of two juried fairs sponsored and produced by the Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople, Inc. (WAAC), a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation formed to promote and create contact between Wisconsin artists and craftspeople and the public. WAAC takes pride in having been created and operated by the artists themselves. Along with providing a market for exhibitors, we continue to educate the public about art and provide important one-to-one interaction between artist and buyer.
Runs concurrently with Art Fair on the Square
MPD Drone Demo and Meet K9 Unit Member
Monday, July 12
6PM - 8PM
Garner Park
333 S Rosa Rd
Madison, WI
Watch a live drone (UAS) demonstration and meet an MPD K9 team member!