Just three weeks ago, Republicans tried to dismantle our state’s open records laws. Thankfully, due to a huge public backlash, they were forced to change those plans. Now Republicans and the governor want to abolish the non-partisan Government Accountability Board that makes sure politicians follow our election laws. The GAB has often been cited as a national model. And every single Republican legislator voted to establish this watchdog agency in 2007.

We should be creating more transparency and accountability, not less. The GOP is pursuing this path simply because they didn't like some of the decisions made by the board of six nonpartisan, retired judges.

There has been a continued attack on our voting laws here in Wisconsin. The Republicans have taken steps to hide the source of their political donations. They have won court cases which has legalized coordination between big money third party groups and candidates. They have severely limited early voting. They have gerrymandered legislative maps to their favor. And they have made it easier for lobbyists to give money to their campaigns. They have rigged the system so they can win any way possible, fair or not.

Returning to a partisan elections board is not the answer. I believe we should keep government open and transparent. Rather than fixing elections, we should be fixing our schools and our state's infrastructure.

We need the GAB to be a watchdog, not a lapdog. This newest assault on open government needs to end.

Boy Scouts of America to allow gay adult leaders

The last month has been an exciting time for love and fairness, especially for LGBTQ persons, families, and allies. Just days ago, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation is already barred by existing civil rights law—a ruling that will help to provide blanket protections for lesbian, gay, and bisexual employees.

It was only a few short weeks ago, too, that we celebrated the Supreme Court handed down a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, the case that prevented bans on same-sex marriage across our country.

And among these monumental decisions is one made recently by the National Executive Committee of Boy Scouts of America—thanks to the hard work of advocates like Scouts for Equality—to finally allow gay adults to lead local Scout charters. And while most everyone knows I am especially passionate about LGBTQ equality and equal protection, the decision by Boy Scouts of America hit me especially close to home.

Boy Scouts is important to my family. I’ve seen firsthand the joy it brings to my sons every week and I became a Scout leader to try to push for change inside Boy Scouts; however, I have long felt internally conflicted by choices made at the national level about inclusivity, and I’ve felt increasingly troubled by Boy Scouts of America’s stance on LGBTQ scouts and leaders.

Gay men and women don’t disrespect Scouts values; their charge is that they do respect it. They respect it so much that they would commit their time, energy, and passion to teaching our kids and ensuring that local Scouts will continue learning about these values, becoming better citizens, and strengthening our community. Their hope is that they not be excluded from this organization, condemned to exist as mere outside spectators, but that they simply be allowed to participate. And more than anything, they ask for dignity: to be respected, appreciated, and accepted by an institution to which some of whom have devoted much of their lives. It is time we honor that request.

$15/hour in New York City

"$15 and a union!" That's the chant that we're hearing all over the nation. Every hard working American deserves the freedom that a living wage provides. I celebrated here in Wisconsin as New York City fast food workers received word that they will finally receive a fair, living wage of $15 per hour.

Meanwhile, here at home, Republicans continue waging war on working families, the rest of us know that we all do better when we all do better.

We're bringing the ‪Fight for 15‬ to the Capitol and I'm proud to stand with and fight for the hardworking people of Wisconsin.

I was extremely disappointed to hear Scott Walker saying that raising the minimum wage is a 'lame idea' You know what I think is lame? Throwing working Wisconsin families under the (presidential campaign) bus to Iowa.

It's a shame that Scott Walker is too busy on his campaign tour across the country to stay in touch with the values and needs of real Wisconsin workers and profit creators who are the backbone of our state.

Problems at WEDC continue

We are witnessing politics at its worst when Governor Walker tells us, from his campaign bus in Iowa that he wants to get rid of the Government Accountability Board (GAB) while saying nothing about the millions of dollars that WEDC has lost or given to undeserving loan recipients.

I hope that Republicans see the irony in the fact that they are pushing to eliminate the agency in charge of clean, accountable government, GAB, while WEDC operates with no accountability.

If we truly want to strengthen Wisconsin we must increase transparency and give our citizens the freedom to see how their government is operating. By shedding light on WEDC we can move Wisconsin forward. It is shameful that the Republicans want to simply turn off the lights and walk away.

We have seen repeated concerning trends at WEDC. They have failed to implement stricter oversight and better reporting measures. They have lost money, written off huge loans, and misused funds on extravagant purchases. I can only imagine WEDC management using quotes from Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome for new employee orientation, ‘I know you won't break the rules, because there aren't any.

I believe it is time to clean house at WEDC.
 

Council of State Governments Conference

I was honored to participate in the regional Council of State Governments (CSG) conference in Bismark, North Dakota. CSG is nonpartisan association of state officials serving all three branches of government in all 50 states and the U.S. territories. They promote excellence in state government. I enjoy these conferences because they allow me to interact with a bi-partisan group of legislators from other states. It fosters a different way of thinking and takes away some of the bitter partisanship that we have seen in Wisconsin over the past 5 years.

We, as elected officials, are meant to be supporting the public to increase private prosperity. We cannot accomplish this if we continue to operate in a divided manner.

As a bonus, I was able to bring my husband and two youngest boys along on the trip.

We visited the awe inspiring Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It is more clear now than ever that we have a moral obligation to our earth and children not yet born to continue this tradition and intergenerational promise.

Our investment in the natural world is imperative for our heritage and culture as well as for future generations.

National, State, County and City parks belong to all of us - they are an equalizer and they empower in so many ways.
 

Community Events

Wednesday, July 29, 10 a.m. to noon. Scrabble at Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Avenue. Exercise your brain by playing Scrabble with other adults. Free.

July 29, 10:30 to 1:30 p.m. Summer Library Carnival at Overture and Central Library downtown. Celebrate reading at this free event. Carnival games, crafts, and more.

July 29, 3 to 8 p.m. Concerts on the Square downtown. Free.

Thursday, July 30, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Start Sewing (A Bubbler Junior Program) Central Library, Free, Learn the basics of sewing with fun stitches and techniques. Call 266-6345 to register.

Friday, July 31, 2 to 5 p.m., Madison Writing Assistance, Lakeview Library, Free. One-on-one coaching sessions for writing projects of any kind, including school assignments, articles, memoirs, poems, and any other kings of writing. Call 246-4547 in advance to sign up for a one-hour session. Drop-ins are welcome.

Recurring daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, until August 9, Olbrich Garden’s Blooming Butterflies. 3330 Atwood Avenue. Experience the magnificence of free-flying butterflies while strolling through the tropical Bolz Conservatory.

Camping Fees set to increase

The increase in camping fees is based on a three-level rate structure that will place the parks at a camping rate depending on demand, uniqueness, location and other factors. Camping rates will increase between $3 and $6 per night for residents and between $6 and $9 per night for non-residents. There is an increase in the per night charge for electrical service from $5 to $10.

Any reservations for 2015 and 2016 dates that were made prior to the rate change on July 28, will be honored at the price that was in effect at the time. Any extensions or changes to an existing reservation will result in the additional days being charged at the new rate.

Admission fees and trail passes were also increased in the state budget, but will not begin until annual stickers and passes for 2016 go on sale in December 2015, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2016.


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