The end to this violence can only come from understanding one another. We must seek this understanding through community outreach and conversation. These conversations will not be easy, but to live in society of respect and compassion -free of violence- this must occur.

My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones in the South Carolina shooting. Charleston lost a leader in State Senator Clementa Pinckney. All nine of these individuals will be in my thoughts.

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

State Budget still in Limbo

Wisconsin waits for Supreme Court Decision

Affordable health care provides people with the security to live their life free of the fear of an illness turning their world upside down. An upcoming Supreme Court decision, King v. Burwell, could dramatically alter the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In the event of a pro-King decision, states like Wisconsin who have not set up a state-based exchange, would lose their federal subsidies under the ACA.

These subsidies are what make the marketplace plans in the Affordable Care Act, truly affordable for consumers.

I am worried about the health, security, and well-being of my 190,000 friends and neighbors across Wisconsin who currently rely on the federal subsidies under the ACA. We must make sure they are not left out in the cold.

I have sent this letter to DHS Secretary Kitty Rhoades asking her what the department's plan is if the upcoming Supreme Court decision takes away these subsidies. I am also working on legislation that would provide different options for Wisconsin so there is no gap in coverage for people using the marketplace.

Wisconsin Job Numbers down under Walker

35th in private-sector job growth (dead last in the Midwest) over Gov. Walker’s first four years.

Wisconsin’s job growth rate over Gov. Walker’s first four years is 5.7%, compared to 9.3% nationally.

Instead of focusing on creating jobs and stimulating our economy, Republicans have been focused on divisive social issues and paying back out-of-state special interest groups.

We need a budget that invests in education and local infrastructure. Along with my fellow Democrats, I will continue to put forward commonsense plans that invest in our state and grow Wisconsin’s middle class. It’s time for legislative Republicans to stop selling out our state to advance Gov. Walker’s presidential ambitions.

Resolution to Fight Citizens United

The total number of dollars spent on the 2012 election exceeded the number of people on this planet. About $7 billion was spent by candidates, parties and outside groups on the 2012 election – beating even the unprecedented expected total of $6 billion, according to a review of campaign finance reports by the Federal Election Commission.

This unfathomable amount of money and its influence on our modern political system is why I have been working with my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate on a resolution that would start the process of overturning Citizens United.

Passage of this resolution would allow Wisconsin to join other states across our nation in calling for a convention to propose an amendment to address the unjust influence of powerful economic forces on our elections.

This is a first step in addressing a growing problem and following the convention, a Free and Fair Elections Amendment would still need to be ratified by 75% of the states. Republican and Democratic controlled legislative bodies alike have already passed resolutions calling for this convention, as citizens across the nation become more vocal about the need to restore the integrity of our election process and democracy.

WEDC Accountability Reforms Rejected by GOP

Lawmakers are elected to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Sadly, time and time again we have seen the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation waste our hard earned money in an unaccountable fashion. On our last session day, Assembly Republicans rejected a resolution that would have added additional, legislative oversight for this troubled agency.

Simply put, WEDC has failed. They have failed in their mission to create jobs, and they have failed to adhere to repeated calls for stricter oversight and better reporting measures. WEDC has lost money, written off loans, and misused funds on extravagant purchases. Each time they have been audited the results have been, at best, disappointing; and at worst, they have given off the appearance of corruption.

I have serious concerns about WEDC’s continued refusal to follow even their own policies. It is our job as state legislators to ensure that WEDC is acting ethically and within the law. Furthermore, the unsecured loans given to high dollar GOP donors should set off alarm bells for each and every Wisconsinite. It is time for oversight. It is time for accountability. It is time for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to act urgently to fix WEDC.

We do not increase prosperity through pay-to-play politics. We do not increase prosperity by promising jobs but failing to deliver on that promise. To truly increase prosperity we must increase transparency, eliminate corporate welfare, and invest in our people to provide the jobs Wisconsin desperately needs.

Trek Tour

Wisconsin should be doing more for bicycling not less. Unfortunately the current GOP agenda, that has been bought by special interest groups, is falling to see that bikes and homegrown Wisconsin businesses are a simple solution to complex problems. I was honored to tour the Trek campus and see firsthand the amazing work being done right here in Wisconsin. It is time to get back to our roots and remember the importance of these "simple solutions".

NESCO Concerts

There is no doubt that the Northside is a special place to live, play, and work. The Monday concerts in the park are a family favorite - food, dancing, fishing, friends and even root beer floats! Ladies Must Swing were a hit with my clan (Keanan and I even had a dance and a twirl) I hope we see you at one of the future NESCO concerts: Click HERE for the upcoming schedule.

Grandview Commons Update

Save The Date Richmond Hill - July 17th, 7PM If you live in near Grandview Commons or Richmond Hill, a new town center is in the works. If you want your voice heard, there will be meetings in the next month or so. This update comes courtesy of Alder Denise DeMarb.

Alder DeMarb and Alder Amanda Hall met with representatives from Veridian late last week on the Grandview Commons Town Center. Veridian is ready to start the process of working their way through the City process. They tentatively set a date of July 17th at 7PM for the first meeting to talk to neighbors about the development.

Alder DeMarb will be in communication once the meeting time and place have been confirmed.

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

June 23, 2015
Issue 56