Friends and Neighbors,

I am currently in Washington D.C. attending the national conference for the Women Legislators' Lobby (WiLL/Wand). On the day of a potential federal government shut-down, this city is divided along partisan lines. It brings to mind what has happened in Wisconsin over the course of the last three years. Much like Congress, our state government is so partisan that we are making illogical, harmful decisions for our citizens.

This issue of the Sargent Voice highlights the fact that due to Governor Walker rejecting federal funds, 92,00 people have received letters over the past week informing them that they are losing their BadgerCare coverage. These letters going out the same week in which the federal exchanges under the Affordable Care Act are going into effect highlights the fact that people are confused as to whether government is working for them, or against them. State and Federal government should not act as adversary's playing a game of political chess. Instead, we must work to find cost effective ways to run government together for the benefit of the people rather than political victories.

As always, please contact my office if you have any items that you would like included in future issues of the Sargent Voice. 608-266-0960 or Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov.
Forward,

BadgerCare Letters Arrive in Mailboxes
 

             

Letters were mailed out last Monday to approximately 92,000 people on Wisconsin's BadgerCare program, notifying them that their BadgerCare coverage is ending.

The letters also informed the Medicaid recipients they need to purchase health insurance through the new online exchange, or marketplace, by December 15. The marketplace opens for enrollment starting October 1.

Gov. Scott Walker's budget strips BadgerCare Medicaid benefits from those who earn between 100 percent and 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Governor Walker rejected federal money that would have paid to keep those earning up to 133 percent of the poverty level enrolled in Medicaid.

This is one more example of the extremism of Scott Walker. Instead of these 92,000 letters informing people they are losing coverage, I would love to see the Department of Health Services stating "we're informing you that you will retain your BadgerCare coverage".

This decision by Governor Walker does not reflect the values of Wisconsin in which we look out for our family, friends, and neighbors.


Where to go for help with enrollment on the health care exchange

The Dane County Job Center, 1819 Aberg Ave., Madison, will have trained counselors to help with enrollment in the new health insurance exchange from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays beginning the week of Oct. 7.

Enrollment fairs, with representatives from health insurance companies on the exchange, will be held at the job center from 1-6 p.m. Thursdays beginning Oct. 10.

People can also get help enrolling in the exchange at public libraries, through Public Health Madison-Dane County.

Here’s a list for October:

Oct. 7: 9 a.m.-noon, Madison Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St.
Oct. 8: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Mount Horeb Public Library, 105 Perimeter Road.
Oct. 9: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Madison Lakeview Branch, 2845 N. Sherman Ave.
Oct. 10: 4-7 p.m., DeForest Area Public Library, 203 Library St.
Oct. 14: 4-7 p.m., Rosemary Garfoot Public Library, 2107 Julius St., Cross Plains.
Oct. 15: 2-5 p.m., Madison Hawthorne Branch, 2707 E. Washington Ave.
Oct. 16: 2-5 p.m., Deerfield Public Library, 12 W. Nelson St.
Oct. 17: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Madison Meadowridge Branch, 5740 Raymond Road.
Oct. 21: 3-6 p.m., Goodman South Madison Branch, 2222 S. Park St.
Oct. 29: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Stoughton Public Library, 304 S. Fourth St.

For more information, including sessions in November and December, go www.publichealthmdc.com.
 

Women in Government Conference

I was proud to attend the Midwestern Regional conference for the national, bi-partisan group 'Women in Government'.  I was also named as the Wisconsin state director. 

I look forward to working with all the wonderful members of this organization. It is my goal to bring Women in Government’s bold, courageous and passionate vision that empowers and mobilizes all women legislators to effect sound policy to Wisconsin.


Fire Station Tour

Last week, I was happy to get a tour of various fire stations throughout the 48th Assembly. The men and women who work for the Madison Fire Department work hard every day to meet the needs of the City of Madison residents and visitors. Fire Chief Steven David spoke to me of how providing superior customer service is their number one goal.

The City of Madison Fire Department provides much more to the community than just fire suppression. The Department is an active leader in Emergency Medical Services, as well as several specialty teams including Hazardous Material, Lake Rescue and Heavy Urban Rescue. Supplementing the emergency services, the Department provides progressive, cutting-edge fire prevention and community education programs.

On my tour, the chief spoke to me about the Department's importance within the community. Through the organization's commitment to continually developing their employees at all levels, they strive to be a leader in the great community that they serve.

Office Hours

After spending the summer knocking on doors throughout the 48th Assembly District, I will continue visiting our communities during the fall months for listening sessions and office hours. Also, now that the new 2013-14 Blue Books have arrived, I wanted to make sure I gave people a chance pick one up, free of charge. The Blue Book is a great resource to learn about Wisconsin’s state government, and to see what makes our state such a special place to live.

I hope you’ll stop by during one of the following times to say hello, support our local businesses, and let me know of any state issues of interest to you.
                                                                                                          Wednesday 10/2
9 - 10a.m.
Coffee Gallerie
1865 Northport Dr.
Madison, WI 5370

Thursday 10/3
10 - 11a.m.
Heritage Bakery
4674 Cottage Grove Rd
Madison, WI 53716


Thursday 10/22
9-10a.m.
Maple Bluff Village Hall
 

2013-14 Legislative Surveys

If you live in the 48th Assembly district, it's likely that you have recently received one of my legislative surveys in the mail. I hope you'll take a moment to fill that survey out and send it back to my legislative office. I truly cannot do my job as a state representative without you. This survey is intended simply to take the pulse of our district and to see what people think about the big issues facing our state.

We've already received bundles of the surveys back and I can guarantee you that the citizens of the 48th Assembly District are engaged and insightful!

Please click HERE if you would like to fill out the survey online.

If you would like to have your name removed from this email list, please reply to this message with “Unsubscribe” in the subject line.  

 

September 30, 2013
Issue 18


Contact Me

State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708

Office: (608) 266-0960

Email:
Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov

On the Web: sargent.assembly.wi.gov
 

Freshman Caucus Highlight

Robb Kahl is the State Representative for the 47th Assembly District. The district includes all of McFarland and Monona, part of the cities of Fitchburg and Madison, and all or part of the towns of Cottage Grove, Blooming Grove, Dunn and Madison.

Rep. Kahl served the City of Monona for ten years, two as an alderman and eight as the Mayor of Monona. During his four terms as Mayor, Rep. Kahl led the effort to rebuild the city’s aging infrastructure, as well as expanding and improving public services.

Rep. Kahl is a wonderful colleague to have not only in the freshman caucus, but as fellow member of our Dane County delegation.

In the Capitol

 

Election Bills

 My office will be watching carefully as a series of harmful, anti-democratic election reforms move through the legislative process. senator Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin) has introduced 8 bills over the last month. Many deal with how ballots are handled after being cast. Many attempt to discount ballots for errors by the voter or by the poll worker. We should be encouraging people to vote, and to have their vote count; not search for any excuse to cast aside someone's Constitutionally protected vote.

Below is a short list of some of the bills moving forward: Please check legis.wi.gov to keep up on the status of these bills.

Senate Bill 261-Would discount any absentee ballot that doesn’t have the address of the witness on it.

Senate Bill 263-Pertains to challenges to an elector’s registration during recounts.

Senate Bill 266-Edits the definition of a voting elector in recounts. In Wisconsin, voting electors are required to sign a poll list or supplementary list before voting. Poll workers then annotate the poll book certifying that the book was signed and a ballot issued to the voter. SB 266 requires that ballots be discounted when a voter is required to sign the poll book and fails to do so.

Senate Bill 267-Adds the requirement of indicating whether proof of residence was required to register and what form of proof was used on the voter registration list. First time registrants, same day in person registrants and those who register in a clerk’s office within 20 days of an election are required to provide proof of residence at the polls on election day.

I will do everything in my power to ensure that each vote is counted, not cast aside. I believe we can have a thriving, participatory democracy that respects the integrity of the process. Overall, I want a system that encourages participation rather than stifling it.
 


In the District


AppleFest



My family and I had a great time at Apple Fest on Saturday at Warner Park. This yearly event is put on by the North/Eastside Senior Coalition. The mission of the North/Eastside Senior Coalition is to enhance the quality of life for all senior adults by providing programs, advocacy, and resources to assist them to remain independent, active, and influential in Madison's North and Eastside community.

Events like this help bring our neighborhood's and communities together for a great time and a good cause.  I hope everyone who went had a great time, and for those who didn't, please consider going next year. There's activities, entertainment, food, and a used book sale. Fun for the whole family!


115th Fighter Wing Briefing

I was thrilled to talk part in the command briefing by the 115th Fighter wing today - those F16's are pretty amazing as are the dedicated men and women who are serving our State and Country.

The briefing given to myself, along with Congressman Pocan and Senator Miller illuminated the importance of the 115th in regards to our security, as well as the benefits they provide to our local economy and community. 

SSI Managed Care Town Hall Meeting

 Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 1:30 PM
Warner Park Community Recreation Center
1625 Northport Drive
Madison, WI 53704

SSI Managed Care is a Medicaid insurance option for individuals who receive SSI. SSI Managed Care is offered in over 60 Wisconsin counties, and will be available in Dane County in the near future. This informational meeting is open to consumers, family members, guardians, professionals and other interested parties. No registration is required.


 

Did you Know?


The figures from Congressional Research Service, plus recent statistics from icasualties.org, tell us that from the first casualties in the battle of Lexington to recent operations in Afghanistan, the toll is 1,171,177. By contrast, the number killed by firearms, including suicides, since 1968, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI, is 1,384,171.

We can and must do better to prevent gun-related tragedies in the future.