Redistricting Update

Last week, I joined Democrats in the State Assembly and State Senate in calling for fair election maps in Wisconsin. We highlighted Assembly Bill (AB) 303, which would establish a nonpartisan redistricting process. AB 303 directs the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau to draw legislative boundaries based on specific standards. The plan is modelled after Iowa’s redistricting process, which is often cited by good government advocates as an example other states should follow.

It is long past time for Wisconsin to embrace nonpartisan redistricting reform and make our legislative maps fair. Eight years ago, Wisconsin Republicans used a fundamentally broken redistricting process to draw partisan legislative maps, consolidating their power and walling themselves off from the political consequences of their unpopular and extreme agenda. Ever since, Republicans have used their unfair advantage to change the rules whenever it suits their desire for more power and more control.  

It is time to put people ahead of partisan politics by adopting a fair, nonpartisan redistricting process. Polls show that the vast majority of Wisconsinites agree. Voters should choose their elected officials, not the other way around.  

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Abortion Access Protection Act

Last week, a group called Operation Save America was at the state capitol lobbying legislators in support of their extreme anti-choice agenda. Meanwhile, I joined a group called the Abortion Access Front and other abortion rights supporters for a press conference rejecting OSA's agenda and in support of the Abortion Access Protection Act. The act would repeal Wisconsin’s criminal abortion ban, because providing abortion services is health care, not criminal activity.

Groups like Operation Save America have a long history of using intimidation and fear in their quest to interfere with access to abortion. As we face a coordinated national effort to ban abortion altogether, it is imperative that we stand together and trust women to make our own decisions without interference from politicians, radical groups like Operation Save America, or anyone else seeking to diminish our freedom by interfering with our access to reproductive health care.

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Update from the DNR

Summer is a great time of year to enjoy the beautiful lakes and rivers Dane County and Wisconsin have to offer. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has asked that we all do our part to keep these waterways safe and enjoyable for everyone by being mindful of the wakes your boat may create. Large wakes have the capacity to put other boaters, anglers, swimmers, and property owners at risk by causing damage to shorelines and property as well as putting human safety at risk.

With increasing numbers of complaints about large wakes, the Wisconsin DNR has teamed up with the Minnesota DNR to educate people about excessive wakes with a campaign called "Own Your Wake - for everyone's sake."

If you witness or have information regarding natural resource violations, you can call or text 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367) to report it confidentially to trained staff who will pass the information along to conservation wardens. The hotline is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

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Public Meeting - Potential Beltline Improvements

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is looking into a range of alternatives to improve the Beltline's deteriorating pavement and median areas, and to address operational issues during weekday peak traffic periods.

In order to receive community input about this important issue, the Department has scheduled a public meeting for this Wednesday, July 24^th, from 5 pm to 8:30 pm in the Community Room at The Village on Park (2300 S Park St, Madison.)

Options for potential improvements include resurfacing the pavement, making drainage improvements, and replacing deteriorated sections of median barrier wall.

WisDOT is also considering upgrades to the median shoulders so motorists can use them as travel lanes. The shoulder lanes would be open during peak travel hours. The practice, known as dynamic part-time shoulder use, is currently in place in at least 17 states.

The public is encouraged to attend the meeting to learn more about the proposed options and provide input.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, or would like more information, contact Brandon Lamers at (608) 246-3852. Written comments regarding the project can be mailed to Brandon Lamers, WisDOT Southwest Region Office, 2101 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704 or brandon.lamers@dot.wi.gov.

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Fun Wisconsin Fact

On July 16th, in the year 1941, the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge was founded. Horicon is home to 22,000 acres of marsh, which is also the largest freshwater cattail march in the United States. Cattail is a type of flowering plant that is mostly found in large marshes or on the edges of ponds. The refuge, which is protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is home to hundreds of species of birds, and is best known for the spectacular gathering of waterfowl in the fall.

At Horicon, people can enjoy the environment on 10 miles of hiking trails, and can learn more about the marsh and its history at the visitor center. There, one can learn more about the importance of glacial history in the marsh’s creation as well as the general geography of the state. There you can also learn about the importance of the marsh and environment to Wisconsin natives who dominated the area for thousands of years. In fact, the oldest Wisconsin artifact ever found is an 11,200 year old projectile unearthed just north of Horicon.

You can learn more about this incredible natural resource on their website.

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