June is typically the final stretch for the state budget, which by statute has to be completed by June 30th. The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is in the process of making their final decisions and will then send the bill to the full legislature to consider.
The GOP continues to struggle with their self-created budget mess. Sadly, the decisions we are seeing from the Republicans sell-out Wisconsin's future for the benefit of Governor Walker and his own personal ambitions.
Focusing on tax breaks for corporations while cutting
funding from our world-class university system and k-12 public schools is not
the Wisconsin Way. It is not the Wisconsin Way to strip away local control from
our Madison community which has consistently proven to be an economic engine for
the state. It is not the Wisconsin Way to do harm to our natural spaces by
firing DNR scientists.
I am hopeful that Wisconsinites reject this austerity budgeting. We must return
to a government that invests in its people and in our collective future. a
government that has an active, vibrant commitment to serving its people.
Like you, I believe in a government that promotes public
infrastructure, education, health, transportation, and parks. We all support
these things not for the sake of profit, but because they provide a common good.
After all, private prosperity cannot exist without a strong government standing
behind it.
As always, if you have any topics you would like to see
discussed in future issues of the Sargent Voice, please contact
me at 608-266-0960 or Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov.
Forward,
Melissa Sargent
State Representative
48th Assembly District
20 Week
Abortion Ban fast-tracked
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All women must be respected enough to make their own highly personal
life decisions with their family, their heart, and their doctor. That is why last week I registered against an awful, restrictive bill that stands in the way of women making their own healthcare decisions. Women must have the freedom and opportunity to make difficult decisions free of partisanship and political spite. This bill is not scientific, threatens doctors, dictates how to practice medicine and harms women at one of the most devastating times of their lives. This bill is so ignorant of the facts that the GOP even made up a term, "post-fertilization age", which does not exist in any medical practice. |
The State Senate is taking up this dangerous bill today, and we expect that it will come to the Assembly in the near future. Rest assured that I will be a strong 'No' vote when that time comes.
Assembly Floor Session
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Our state laws should provide citizens the freedom to live, work, and play
in their communities with safety and security. Today, the State Assembly will be in session to debate one bill (SB 35) in particular that could challenge that safety. This legislation would repeal the current 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases. |
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My husband and sons are proud hunters, and
I believe in the 2nd amendment. However, this legislation is short sighted and
would eliminate a crucial cooling off period for hand gun purchases. Let's be
honest, if you need a hand gun immediately, there is a chance that you have bad
intentions in mind.
I join End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin and WAVE in opposing this legislation.
Public Hearing requested
for Marijuana Bill
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As many of you know, I am the author of a bill to legalize marijuana for
recreational and medicinal purposes in Wisconsin. After extensive research I have found that legalizing marijuana would enhance our personal freedoms, increase safety in our communities, and provide economic opportunity for our state. The fact of the matter is, the most dangerous thing about marijuana is that it remains illegal. www.wimarijuanasolution.com |
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AB 224 has now been officially introduced and has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
The next step in the legislative process is for the bill to have a public hearing in which any interested citizen can come testify before the committee. The committee chairperson is responsible for deciding which bills receive a public hearing.
I have hand delivered a letter to Rep. Kleefisch's office requesting he give
AB 224 a public hearing as soon as possible. Over 3,000 people have signed a
petition in support of this bill. Their voices deserve to be heard.
I encourage supporters of AB 224 to contact Rep. Joel Kleefish (R-Oconomowoc) to
request a public hearing for this important legislation. His contact information
is:
Rep.Kleefisch@legis.wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-8551
Room 216 North
State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
Honoring our Retiring Teachers
 |
Teachers invest every single day in our children, our communities, and our
shared future. Teachers roll up there sleeves through good and bad - through the expected and unexpected - through joy and sorrow & they embrace challenge after challenge - loving OUR children - OUR future. I visited over a dozen schools last week - nearly 2 dozen teachers who gave selflessly to countless children and families and to our community - and I celebrated with them their "graduation" ; their next chapter; their selflessness ; their retirement. |
I assured each of them that there are people in the State Capitol who do
value them and who appreciate them who fight for them and for our shared values
and who know what it means to be a professional educator.
What a gift each of them left me with - I was touched by each of them in a way
they will likely never know. Thank you to ALL of our teachers for
all you do quietly and thanklessly every single day.
WEDC Loan had no Financial Review
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As elected officials, it is our duty to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Unethical use of public funds should be dealt with in a swift and just manner.
State auditors have now confirmed that WEDC's loan to a high-dollar GOP contributor did not go through a staff review before funds were dispersed. No financial review was ever conducted and the loan is now in default having not been paid. |
Previously, WEDC said that it could not locate underwriting documents for the
loan made to Milwaukee construction company Building Committee Inc. after top
administration aides pressed for it.
A State Journal investigation last month found that top Walker aides pushed for
the loan after meeting with the company in 2011.
Teaching Profession de-valued by GOP
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Our public schools are the cornerstone of our communities and our future. A
little over a week ago the republicans on the joint finance committee inserted a
provision into our state budget that would relax the standards for obtaining a
teaching license. Wisconsin would be the only state that would allow people with
no certification to be in our classrooms teaching our kids. |
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I have already been contacted by more than 500 of my friends and neighbors in the 48th Assembly District who are voicing their concerns about this short sighted and devastating action. I pledge to continue to fight to preserve, protect and invest in our public schools, our kids, and our teachers.
Defense Transition is Essential
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The following is an excerpt from an op-ed Rep. Sargent co-authored with
AFL-CIO president emeritus, David Newby. You can read the article in its
entirety
HERE. The current budget battle in Washington underscores the uncertainty facing states such as Wisconsin that have historically depended on federal spending for jobs. |
While some in Congress and the Obama administration are trying to boost the Pentagon's already bloated budget, there's a bipartisan coalition emerging that's looking to cut irresponsible defense funding.
At the same time, local communities such as ours that rely on federal
spending remain vulnerable. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is not immune. This is
particularly true for the truck plant in Oshkosh and shipbuilding in Marinette,
as well as their network of subcontractors around the state.
With the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan winding down, reductions in purchases of
military vehicles from the Oshkosh Corp. have resulted in the loss of thousands
of jobs. To address this problem, the Oshkosh area has received a grant from the
Pentagon's Office of Economic Adjustment to explore ways to diversify the local
economy. A similar approach should be pursued at the state level, before any
more layoffs occur in the military sector.
New Interns
|
Each new semester, our office welcomes a new crop of interns to Team Sargent.
This summer we have three fabulous interns who are bringing positivity, energy,
and hard work to room 321 West in the Capitol. Morgan started today and she's already hitting the ground running with constituent outreach! |
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Youth Appreciation Dinner
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Youth voice is an important part of the equation towards creating a strong
community. I had the honor of serving and speaking tonight at the 2014/2015 Dane County Youth Appreciation Dinner. Each of these young people have been genuine and committed to their community - it is our job to be committed and genuine to them. |
They deserve to have everything they need available to them in order to have
a fair shot at making their dreams come true.
I fight for them because they are our future!
Farmers Market Season
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One of my favorite summer activities is going to the Farmer's Market with my
family. The 48th Assembly district is lucky to have some of the best in the
area.
Stop by to enjoy the sun, our community, and of course, great food!
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Northside Farmers Market
Northside Town Center (Sherman at Northport)
Sunday's from 10:00am till 1:00pm
Capitol View Farmers Market
Located on the east side of Madison on Sharpsburg Drive between North Star Drive
and Gemini Drive. Across the street from the eastside Great Dane Restaurant and
Pub and 1 block from the new Metro Market.
Wednesdays from 3pm-7pm
Note: The Capitol View Farmers Market is dog-friendly!
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June
9, 2015
Issue 55
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
Quote of the Week
|
"I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great
artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching
might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and
spirit." |
Budget Update
|
The Joint Finance Committee did not meet last week as the
Republicans attempted to hammer out a deal over the transportation budget.
Governor Walker's budget called for $1.3 billion in bonding, essentially putting
this all on the state credit card. Legislative Republicans have pushed back,
wanting less borrowing.
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Bucks Stadium Update
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As I've said before, budgets are about values. The
things that we spend our collective tax dollars on show where our values lie in
society. The unfortunate part of this situation is that
Republicans have led our state into a fiscal mess that makes all our budgeting
decisions more difficult. |
In and Around the District
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Northside Family Independence Day
When: Saturday, June 27, 11:00am - 3:00pm.
NESCO Summer Concert Series
Mondays 6:00-7:30pm |
Did You Know?
The name Wisconsin is based on an Indian word Ouisconsin
believed to mean "grassy place" |
Recycling Updates
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Cardboard Sided Cans and Metal Bottle Caps Now Recyclable
Mattresses and Box Spring pick-ups
A few years ago, Madison required a fee to pick up mattresses and box springs.
That fee has now been eliminated. Mattresses and box springs will now be picked
up without a fee on your regular trash-only day. |
How Can I Help?
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Some people wonder what state legislators do in the Capitol.
Some people aren't quite sure of the different levels of
government. Some people even think I work in Washington D.C! This new section of The Sargent
Voice highlights all of the ways that my state office can help my constituents
and provide them with services. I'm hopeful that it will provide a window into
the day to day life in my office.
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Stay Safe this Summer!
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Ticks Ticks (usually deer or blacklegged ticks) present a different set of issues and threats. First, they are sneaky, hiding themselves in wooded and bushy areas with high grass and leaf litter and slyly attaching themselves to any exposed skin, often without you feeling anything. These ticks can carry bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause human disease, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Powassan. Lyme disease is the most common illness that we have seen in Dane County but ticks infected with these other organisms have been found in other counties in Wisconsin. The risk of catching a tick borne illness is highest from spring through summer when the ticks are most active. Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease may occur 3 days to 30 days after the bite from an infected tick and can include a rash that looks like a bulls-eye, fever and chills, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease can be treated with antibiotics when detected early. If left untreated, Lyme disease can result in debilitating arthritis, and serious heart and nervous system complications. To prevent tick bites and reduce the risk of getting tick borne diseases be sure to use insect repellant and wear long pants and long sleeves. Check yourself, your children and pets for ticks after being in wooded or tall grass areas. See the websites listed below for more detailed information on preventing and managing tick bites. Visit the CDC website for more information. |