Here we are at the beginning of another school year. While the summer always seems to fly by a little too quickly, this is an exciting time for parents, educators, and students. Our young people are our future leaders, and their time in school is precious and valuable.

Public schools are the heart of our communities, in fact I have four sons who attend and love the Madison schools. For all our children’s sakes, we must take action now to ensure that we are standing with our students, not special interests who spend heavily in Wisconsin's elections and hope to profit from unaccountable, taxpayer funded private schools. We should be working to adequately fund our public schools and supporting educators in Wisconsin, not completely dismantling public education.

This year, I visited every school in the 48th Assembly District. I learned that we have students who are hungry to gather knowledge. I learned that we have fabulous teachers who are selfless in their devotion to our children. I learned that we have administrators who do everything they can to create a positive, nurturing learning environment in their schools.

Too often I heard that teachers and administrators didn't feel valued or appreciated by the legislators at the Capitol. They feel downtrodden from years of direct attacks on their profession through shameful public policy.

I reassured them that I will continue to be a relentless champion for our public schools as their state representative. I will continue fighting until we fully fund public education in Wisconsin and honor our students and teachers.

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,

Wisconsin Energy Institute Tour

We only have but this one earth to call home and we must each pledge to leave it a better place than we found it. I was honored to tour the Wisconsin Energy Institute last week and see first hand the amazing advancements in energy research happening right here in Madison and across the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

As  a member of the Energy and Utilities Committee it was informative to learn all of the innovative things happening in the world of renewable energy right here in our community.

I know that it is imperative we invest in research and innovative advancements in energy as we move forward as global citizens. Wisconsin has been and can continue to be leaders in energy research - we simply have to prioritize our future and our commitment to our earth and clean air & water.

GAB Audit reveals good news

Last week, the Legislative Audit Bureau released a report showing that the non-partisan Government Accountability Board is for the most part meeting its core functions, is actively engaged in overseeing the investigations it initiates and has taken steps to act on the recommendations of the previous audit released in December 2014.

Wisconsin has a tradition of leading the nation in so many ways - innovative quality public education, world renowned university system, protected public lands, leader in civil rights, creation of unions, strong & proud labor laws, and clean government.

But over the past five years Wisconsin has sold these traditions to the highest bidder with the prevailing party attempting to toss an invisibility cloak over those involved.

The recent attempts to dismantle and discredit the Government Accountability Board (GAB) by the GOP are yet another example of poor governing that should embarrass each and every Wisconsinite regardless of who they voted for in the last presidential election.

Black Lives Matter

With so many horrible shootings happening around the nation, the Black Lives Matter movement has been a powerful voice. Recently I penned an op-ed in the Cap Times about this. I hope you'll take a moment to read it and reflect on what we need to do to come together as a community to overcome this violence. Click HERE to read the article.

Northside Water Well Tour

The boys and I visited the new Northside water well that will provide year around water supply to neighborhoods along North Sherman Avenue west of Packers Avenue as far south as the Yahara River. Well 7 also provides water to the Village of Maple Bluff. The new facility is "cool" according to Keanan.

Trystan enjoyed learning about the big filters that will keep our water clean.

Bailey was impressed with the craftship.

Devin liked learning about the computerized mechanics and diagnostics.

I was pleased that the neighbors are happy with the final product and that the water quality will be high and predictable.

Menominee Tribe Passes Marijuana Legalization in Wisconsin

I'm proud of the bravery and courage shown by the Menominee people as we continue as a state to realize that marijuana prohibition is not working - and that the most dangerous thing about marijuana is that it is illegal. Members of the Menominee Indian Tribe have voted yes to allowing both recreational and medicinal use of marijuana on their northeastern Wisconsin reservation.

(click to enlarge)

The tribe announced the results last Friday. The votes are advisory only, meaning it's up to tribal leaders on the next step. About 58 percent of those voting said yes on recreational use of marijuana. The medicinal question passed by an even bigger margin, about 77 percent.

Alaska, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Oregon and Washington allow adult recreational use of marijuana, and another 18 states permit its use for medical purposes. More states are expected to permit recreational marijuana use as legalization efforts move to the ballot in Ohio this fall and Nevada in 2016.

GOP Proposes John Doe Law Changes

Last Thursday the Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 5-3 along party lines to advance AB 68 authored by Rep. David Craig (R-Town of Vernon) which would dismantle Wisconsin’s John Doe law and could open the door to serious corruption in our government.

While most legal experts agree that our John Doe process works and is effective at rooting out corruption, Republicans are once again pursuing an agenda that puts their own interests ahead of the people of our state and undermines our tradition of clean, open and transparent government.

The first John Doe investigation resulted in the convictions of six top aides to Governor Walker from his time as Milwaukee County Executive. The second investigation ended only after the conservative majority on the state Supreme Court – who benefited from millions in campaign spending by groups involved in the case – refused to recuse themselves and ordered all evidence destroyed.

There is no doubt Republicans want to keep prosecutors from using this highly effective tool to root out corruption because it helps Governor Walker’s presidential ambitions. And it makes you wonder what else they might be trying to hide.

The people of Wisconsin deserve to know what their government is doing behind closed doors. Corruption is bad no matter who is involved, and it’s important that prosecutors have the tools necessary to stop that corruption whenever and wherever it happens.

Community Calendar

With summer winding down and the school year upon us there are many community events to take part in. Over the course of the next issues of my e-update I will continue to update everyone on the fantastic things happening in our city.

September Warner Family Fun Night
Friday, September 11:
5:30-8:30

Join Madison Parks and the WPCRC for:

We will celebrate "Local Heroes." There's a lot to celebrate as school starts and fall begins! September 11th we will be visited by local Madison Police, Madison Fire, and Madison Park Rangers - plus hosting a mock youth voting booth courtesy of the Madison Clerks Office - so stop over and let the kids play on the bouncy house, learn to hula hoop, or say hello to our local heroes. Pottery Project and FIT2GO sponsored by Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR)!

Showing "Rescue Heroes: The Movie" and Popcorn
BINGO with prizes and fun
Bouncy House and other fun outdoor games
Youth mock elections
FIT2GO Van - MSCR's mobile outdoor games and fitness center
Art and Pottery Projects
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Walk & Roll (formerly Ride the Drive neighborhood edition)

Sunday, August 30, 2015
10:00am to 2:00pm
Locations:

Elvehjem Park
1202 Painted Post Drive, Madison, WI

and

Acewood Park
1402 Acewood Blvd, Madison, WI

Walk & Roll is a neighborhood event that allows bicyclists, walkers and skaters to enjoy open streets with fun activities along the way at their neighborhood parks.Date:Sunday, August 30, 2015 Time:10:00 am-2:00 pm

Streets closed from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Join Madison Parks, Midwest Family Broadcast, your neighbors and your friends for a 3 mile loop on Madison's eastside. Activities, food and entertainment will be at Elvehjem and Acewood parks




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August 28, 2015
Issue 60

Social Security provides earned protections and security to those who have worked hard and given their all to help bring us more freedom and more liberty. Eighty years ago, President Roosevelt signed into law The Social Security Act -- marking the beginning of the greatest anti-poverty program in the history of the United States. Before Social Security existed, more than half of American seniors lived in poverty. Today, it’s less than ten percent. And while that number is still too high, for 80 years Social Security has survived despite extremist Republicans’ attempts to try and dismantle the program at every opportunity they get. It is time to give our seniors the guarantees that they deserve by expanding their benefits to keep up with inflation and the times - so that we can meet the true needs of our grandparents and veterans.