The Sargent Voice

    


April 29th, 2013

Volume 1, Issue 7
 

Contact Me

Room 8 West
State Capitol
Madison, WI 53708

PH: (608) 266-0960
FAX: (608) 282-3648

Rep.Sargent@legis.wi.gov


On the Web: Wisconsin Legislature, District 48

Legislative Website: Representative Sargent
       
   
 

In My Office


Freshman legislator spotlight: Rep. Daniel Riemer

Rep. Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee) is a great example of the fabulous young legislators that have come to the state capitol this session. At 26 years old, he is one of the youngest state representatives yet he has brought a veteran attitude toward legislating.

Rep. Riemer has already introduced important legislation to fully restore the Earned Income Tax Credit which helps lower income individuals and families.



 

Q&A for Rep. Sargent

Question: I have heard that there are new “rules” for people visiting the capitol. Can you let me know what to expect when I visit with my family?

Answer: This month the Governor’s administration has in fact ordered new Emergency Rules for the Capitol Rotunda. The new rules require people and groups to apply for permits in writing at least 72 hours before utilizing the building. I am deeply concerned about the direct and indirect impacts of the new rules and how they are infringing on the rights of free speech of anyone visiting the capitol as well as the affect they are having on the ability of our citizens to petition their government.
 

 

In and around the District


May 4th: Audubon Art Fair at the Warner Park Community Center

Cost: Free

Time: 9:00a.m. - 4:30p.m.

Contact: 608-255-2473

Come on out to the Art Fair with your family! This popular Art Fair showcases over 120 artists from all over the country as well as local favorites. Artwork includes ceramics, painting, sculpture, fabrics, photography, and many other media, with a variety of styles and a special focus on use of sustainable materials.

May 5th: Walk MS

Where: Warner Park

About: Walk MS is a fully supported event to raise funds and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis, with a 3 mile accessible route.

Time: 9a.m. - 1p.m.

Cost: Free!

May 9th: Rep. Sargent listening session at Pinney Library

Please stop by between 5 and 6 with any state issues you'd like to share with me. Or just come to say hello!

204 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI 53716

May 10th: Multicultural Senior Health Fair

The North/Eastside Senior Coalition is hosting a free Multicultural Senior Health Fair on Friday 10 May from 9-11:30am at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center.

There will be 15 free health screenings and about 30 informational booths. Limited transportation is available.
 

 

 

 

The Farmer's Market is back!

Now that spring seems to have finally arrived, the farmer's market is back. This Madison tradition is held both Wednesday's and Saturday's downtown. There is also a wonderful Farmer's Market on the Northside every Sunday. I encourage you all to support our local farmer's by purchasing produce, meats, cheese, and more at the farmer's market.

Saturday's: Downtown. Every Saturday Rain or Shine – April 20 through November 9, 2013. The Dane County Farmers’ Market is the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the U.S. All items are produced locally by the vendor behind the table. No resale is allowed! EBT FoodShare is accepted at the Market.

Wednesday's: Downtown, Every Wednesday Rain or Shine – April 24 through November 6, 2013
The Dane County Farmers’ Market is the largest producer-only farmers’ market in the U.S. All items are produced locally by the vendor behind the table. No resale is allowed! EBT FoodShare is accepted at the Market.

Eastside / Capitol View Farmers Market: June 6, 2012 until October 17, 2012 Every Wednesdays from 3:00PM - 7:00PM.Location : The farmers market is located on the south side of Sharpsburg Drive starting at the corner of North Star Drive on the east side of Madison across from the new Great Dane Pub within the Grandview Commons Neighborhood and visible from Cottage Grove Road.

Sunday's:  Northside TownCenter
Sherman @ Northport, Madison, WI
Sunday Mornings
8:30am to 12:30pm
May 5 - October 27
 

 

 

 





 

 



 

  
 


Friends and Neighbors,

It has been a busy two weeks with budget hearings, business tours, as well as many visits with young people to discuss how their voices and ideas can impact our state and make it a better place. I know that I cannot do my job, representing you in the Wisconsin State Assembly, unless I hear directly from the people who live, work and recreate in the 48th District. I am honored each time I am able to talk with my friends and neighbors about their ideas on how to move Wisconsin forward.

I know from my many conversations that the people in the 48th Assembly District value well-funded quality public schools, comprehensive healthcare for all our citizens, a commitment to a healthy environment and the creation of family sustaining jobs. I am committed to fighting for these values and the needs of the people I represent.


If you have any ideas for future updates I would love to hear from you, and appreciate your input. Please contact me with any of your state, local, or community concerns. Your opinions are important to me, and allow me to better serve you as a state representative.

Sincerely,

Thank You to 'Friends of Cherokee Marsh'

Protecting our environment and natural resources is one of my top priorities as a state legislator. This past week I was honored to be recognized by the Friends of Cherokee Marsh. I greatly appreciate being supported by a group that is so committed to protecting our ecologically sensitive lands. Cherokee Marsh is important to Wisconsin and to the Northside of Madison. It is valuable to the water quality of the Yahara River and the Chain of Lakes. Friends of Cherokee March work hard each and every year to ensure the marsh remains a pristine part of our landscape. Because of this, the Cherokee Marsh has been recognized as a 'Wetland Gem of Wisconsin' by the Wisconsin Wetlands Association.

I look forward to working with Friends of Cherokee Marsh long into the future.

 

Budget Hearing

On Tuesday, April 23rd, a public hearing on the state budget was held in the 48th Assembly District at Blackhawk Middle School.

The Republican led Joint Finance Committee only held four official hearings on the budget which is the fewest since the early 1980's. The nearest hearing to Madison was over an hour away in Wisconsin Dells.

Democrats in both the Assembly and Senate felt that the people of Dane County deserved to have their voices heard.

While we did invite Republicans in both houses to come hear the concerns of citizens in the greater Madison-area, none showed up. We heard over 3 hours of testimony from the people in attendance. The most common topics we heard about were Governor Walker's proposed expansion of the school voucher program, and the rejection of the federal MA money. We heard compelling testimony from numerous teachers and others who would be negatively affected by these proposals.
 

Business Visits in the 48th Assembly District

Over the past five months, I have been reaching out to businesses across the 48th Assembly District to meet important figures in our local economy.

This past week I was happy to meet with community bankers at Home Savings Bank as well as the funeral directors at Ryan Funeral Home on Sherman Avenue.

As a state representative, it is crucial for me to hear from those who are involved in hiring people and providing services to our friends and neighbors.

If you would like me to visit your business, please email me at rep.sargent@legis.wi.gov and we will set up a time.

 

 

 

Top Ten GOP Budget Attacks on the Middle Classs

Below are just 10 of the ways Governor Walker's budget will hurt the middle class families of Wisconsin. Please share.

1. Public Dollars for Private Schools. Taxpayers are forced to give $94 million to private, unaccountable voucher schools, much of it to subsidize parents who already send their children to private schools. These communities could see property taxes increase and their local school aids cut.

2. Spending More for Less. The rejection of federal funds to strengthen BadgerCare and the governor’s changes cut nearly 80,000 people off BadgerCare, forcing someone making as little as $12,000 per year to buy private insurance with copays and deductibles as much as $4,000 per year.

3. Public Education Deficit. New per pupil funding: $0 for public school students versus up to $1,414 for private voucher schools. This budget doubles down on last session’s historic cuts to education while increasing funding for private voucher schools..

4. No Bid Fire Sale. This budget provision allows the DOA to sell state-owned property – such as power plants, highways or University of Wisconsin buildings - without requiring bids or consent from the University.

5. Selling WI Farms to Foreign Entities. The proposed budget changes state law to allow foreign companies and individuals to buy large tracts of land, like farms, that are over 640 acres in size.

6. Cementing Our Children’s Debt. The transportation budget borrows nearly $1 billion over the next two years for state projects, leaving future generations in debt and doing nothing to help local communities build or repair local roads.
       
7. The Walker Deficit. After dividing our state and claiming he had to do it to balance the budget, Walker now authors a budget that creates a $664 deficit that forces our children to pay for tax breaks for big corporations and the extremely wealthy.
 
8. Preying on Consumers. The proposed budget undermines  Wisconsin consumer Protection laws by allowing rent-to-own companies to charge ridiculous interest rates without any disclosure.

9. Buy Local…Not. This budget eliminates the popular Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program which provides grants to help farmers develop additional markets and gives consumers fresh foods produced near home. It invests in Wisconsin economy and creates jobs with a 6 to 1 return on investment.

10. Separate and Unequal. This budget usurps control of local charter schools and hands it off to a statewide board packed with the governor’s political cronies (8 of 11 spots) that is not responsible to local or state education experts or public oversight. Teacher requirements can be lower than public schools.

 

Purple Stride Run

On Sunday, April 28th the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network held their annual 'Purple Stride'; a 5K run and 2K walk in support of increasing pancreatic cancer research funding. Pancreatic cancer is among the most deadly forms of cancer. We must continue striving to find a cure and beat this disease.

The Purple Stride is a great event. Over 2000 people participated this year. It was great to see so many friendly faces supporting this cause.

Some facts about pancreatic cancer:

The American Cancer Society's estimates for pancreatic cancer in the United States for 2013 are:

About 45,220 people (22,740 men and 22,480 women) will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

About 38,460 people (19,480 men and 18,980 women) will die of pancreatic cancer
Rates of pancreatic cancer have been slowly increasing over the past 10 years.
The lifetime risk of developing pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 78 (1.47%).
 
 


 

 


 

  

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