LARSON REPORT
NEWSLETTER
June 30, 2016
CONTACT ME
Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or opinions you might
have.
Office Phone: (608) 266-7505
Toll-free Phone: (800) 361-5487
Email:
Sen.Larson@legis.wi.gov
Mailing Address:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
Website:
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COMMUNITY
EVENTS
Supporting our neighbors and being involved in our community is of the utmost importance. Some community events that might be of interest to you and your family are listed below.
Summerfest
Dates:
From Noon to Midnight
Wednesday, June 29 through Sunday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 5 through
Sunday, July 10
Location: Milwaukee
Description: The famous Marcus Amphitheater, along with 11 other
stages, will present live music day and night to music lovers of all
genres with over 800 bands performing. This annual event is being held
at Henry Maier Festival Park, a location boasting 75 acres along Lake
Michigan in beautiful downtown Milwaukee. Along with over a week of
music, festival-goers can enjoy a diverse selection of food and
beverages, marketplaces, interactive exhibits, and family-focused
entertainment and activities.
CLICK HERE for a this year's lineup.
Henry W. Maier Festival Park
200 N Harbor Dr,
Milwaukee, WI 53202
History of
Milwaukee by Canoe
Date: Sunday, July 17, 9 a.m. to Noon
Location: Milwaukee
Description: Look at the city's history from a different
perspective as you explore the ecological issues facing the river.
Registration is required at least 24 hours before the program start
time.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Milwaukee Rowing Club Boathouse
(MAP)
1990 N Commerce St
Milwaukee WI 53212
Dog Day at Drexel
Date: Saturday, July 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Oak Creek
Description: Dog Day at Drexel features pier pups, a unique dock
diving venue that caters to dogs, dog-related vendors ,and businesses,
door prizes and more.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Drexel Town Square
(MAP)
West Town Square Way, Oak Creek WI 53154
Film on the Hill -- Ferris Bueller's Day Off (PG-13)
Date: Saturday, July 30 (film will begin shortly after sunset).
Location: Bay View
Description: Enjoy a family–friendly movie in Humboldt Park.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off will be the first of three movies played at
Humboldt Park this summer followed by Star Wars: The Force Awakens and
Grease. This event is sponsored by the Bay View Neighborhood
Association. The film will be played at the bandshell at Humboldt Park.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
Humboldt Park
3000 S Howell Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207
The Garden District Farmers' Market
Date: Saturdays through October 15
from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location:
Milwaukee
Description: Located directly across from the beautiful Art Deco
Town of Lake Water Tower at 6th and Howard, the Garden District Farmers'
Market is an all-volunteer organized and run farmers' market on
Milwaukee's south side. The market aims to bring our community closer to
the farmers of Wisconsin who produce a wonderful variety of high-quality
food during the summer.
CLICK HERE for more information.
6th & Howard Streets
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(MAP)
Dear Wisconsin Neighbor,
This Monday, July 4th marks the 240th anniversary of our nation's
Declaration of Independence.
It is a day that many of us spend enjoying parades, ceremonies, and
fireworks with our family, friends, and neighbors. But most importantly,
Independence Day is a time to remember not just those who fought to
create this bold country we call home, but also to recognize those who
have served since then to protect our freedom, those who have made
advances in equal opportunity for all, and those who chip in everyday to
make our country what it is today.
As we celebrate our evolving democracy and the hard work that has made
our country a safe and welcoming place for all, we, as a nation of
immigrants, should commit to our continued effort for a more equal, just
society that allows all of our neighbors an opportunity to achieve the
American Dream.
In commemoration of Independence Day, this week's report will include
information about several events in Milwaukee and around our state.
This weekend is also a great time to enjoy our lakes and spend time
outdoors. In this edition of the Larson Report we'll provide an update
on our shared lakes and streams and our fight to keep them pristine for
the next generation.
If you are out and about this weekend, I ask that you take note of the
condition of our public lakes and waterways. If you notice any major
changes, please send pictures to us at
Sen.Larson@Legis.WI.Gov
In Service,
Chris Larson
State Senator, District 7
To beat the summer heat, people
from all around Wisconsin plan to enjoy the cool beauty of our shared
waters. Wisconsin lakes, streams, rivers, and groundwater are an
integral part of our culture, heritage, commerce, and recreation.
It is hard to imagine that anything could destroy, diminish, or threaten
such an abundant and important shared resource. Unfortunately, the
health of our waters is in danger, a peril unlike any we have seen in
our lifetimes.
In
recent years, our waters have suffered from intentional neglect, a
partisan rejection of our tradition of stewardship, and politics that
put corporate profits ahead of sustainability. The cumulative impact is
degrading our water quality. If you add the ecological stress that
climate change brings to our current destructive policies and practices,
the effects are even more devastating. These negative effects are seen
in all aspects of our water, from groundwater to our lakes, in the
following ways:
- Groundwater -- Overuse and pollution threatens this sustainable resource. In some areas, water is being pulled so quickly from the ground that surrounding public waters, like lakes and streams, are drying up. Unfortunately, current indications are that nearly half of the private wells in Wisconsin are tainted. Without a policy reversal this number will continue to climb and more people will be at risk, especially our youth and seniors. In particular, nitrates and radium are increasingly a drinking water health concern. Another threat to our public drinking water is the efforts to privatize our public water systems. We learned from the poisoned water tragedy of Flint, MI that cutting corners to save some money can have devastating lifelong health effects. We will likely see this threat renewed next legislative session.
Click here for more information about access to safe drinking water.
- Rivers and Streams -- The most immediate danger to our rivers and streams is runoff pollution, something we could largely control if we had the political will to do so. A big pollution spill from a giant corporate farm can choke a stream and leave a lasting environmental scar. It is estimated that 3,300 miles of Wisconsin streams and rivers are unable to support recreation and wildlife as a result of polluted runoff. As mentioned above, another threat to streams is over pumping of groundwater, which can lead to streams drying up and no longer being able to support species like trout.
- Lakes -- Runoff pollution is also poisoning our lakes. Pollution like manure and phosphorus feed harmful bacteria and algae making our lakes a toxic soup, unsafe to even swim in. During recent years, a trip to the beach is no longer a safe and easy venture as we now have to check to see if our shared public waters are safe for our children to play in. As our lakes are stressed, invasive species compound the problem by destroying sensitive ecological relationships. Already, over 380,000 acres of our lakes and reservoirs have been significantly harmed by polluted runoff.
High Capacity Wells a Threat to
our Health Photo credit: Kate Golden
High capacity wells, which each suck out more than 100,000 gallons of water
per day, have had a significant negative impact on bodies of water
throughout the Central Sands region. Long Lake is a stark example. Once
a trophy largemouth bass fishing lake, Wisconsin's Long Lake has gone
from having cool water depths of 20 feet to now being barely more than a
chain of puddles. The good fishing is no more and property values have
plummeted. The Little Plover River Study, commissioned to study the
impacts of high capacity wells found shocking results. Since the
proliferation of these wells began, the Little Plover River and
surrounding waters have dropped anywhere from two to six feet and 80% of the
water that flows through them is now used for irrigation.
Wisconsin has over 13,000 high capacity wells, over half of which are
used in commercial farming operations. Negative effects from these wells
have been seen throughout our state, but the Central Sands region has
especially begun to show what the future holds if we continue allowing
businesses to use our water largely unregulated.
Wisconsin Center for
Investigative Journalism
Click here to read a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article about the Little Plover River Study.
Despite clear indications that high
capacity wells should be monitored carefully, Wisconsin's Republican
Attorney General Brad Schimel recently "clarified" laws regarding the
Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) oversight ability and approval
process for high capacity wells. This declaration created an enforcement
loophole, allowing the Walker administration to direct the DNR to
completely ignore the cumulative negative impacts of these wells when
considering an application. This dangerous decision will allow the rich
and corporations to profit by devastating and drying up our shared
public streams, lakes, and groundwater. According to the nonprofit
organization Clean Wisconsin, this decision leaves as much as 90% of our
lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands unprotected from the proven
negative impacts of overpumping from high capacity wells.
DNR Not Enforcing Safeguards Under Walker Administration
In addition to undermining the DNR's obligation to evaluate the overall
impact of high capacity wells when approving permits and cutting DNR
resources, Wisconsin's public water systems have been compromised in
recent years. This is due to toxic discharges in surface waters and a lack of
enforcement of environmental laws and safeguards under the rule of
Walker and the Republican-controlled Legislature.
An audit released this month by the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau
confirmed that the Wisconsin DNR has not been consistently following its
own policies, due in part to chronic understaffing. In fact, the audit
uncovered that out of almost 560 instances when policy said they should
send violation notices, the DNR failed to send them 94% of the time. As
alarming as that is, the report also uncovered that DNR permits are
routinely extended for years without review and that environmentally
volatile concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, operate
without thorough DNR monitoring.
Despite his agency knowing the environmental danger of intentional
understaffing, Governor Walker refuses to make changes in the staffing
and financing of the DNR before next year. It is clear that Republican
lawmakers have consistently made poor decisions that have had negative
repercussions on our water. In fact, Wisconsin was once seen as a
leader in safeguarding its lakes, streams, and drinking water. That
sparkling reputation has been sadly muddied by Governor Walker's
administration.
Local Groups Take Action to Preserve our Freedom to Clean,
Drinkable Water
The recent attacks on our values, like land and water conservation, have
been answered by community groups that are strong advocates for local
and state action. A great example is the
Milwaukee Riverkeeper, they
are passionate, organized, and fight to preserve and enhance our shared
waters. Other groups that have been on the forefront of protecting our
waters include
Sierra
Club,
Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters,
Clean Wisconsin, and
Corporate Accountability International.
Another
great example is the work of the
Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA)
who filed a petition against the DNR asking that the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) take control of safeguarding Wisconsin's shared
waters. The MEA filed the petition because the DNR has not been
complying with the requirements stated in the Clean Water Act. MEA
acknowledges that the DNR has suffered severe budget cuts and legislative limitations regarding what they can do to fight water
pollution, so the petition for the EPA to regulate and control
Wisconsin's public waters is not a complete rejection of the DNR, but is
a significant statement on Walker's administration. Through the work of
the MEA, Wisconsinites are getting a chance to have their concerns and
personal stories heard. For example, Jim from Menomonie, bought a house
on Wisconsin's Lake Tainter in the winter, but soon found it undesirable
in the summer months. He was excited to live next to a lake where he
could canoe and fish with his family, but the fumes coming from the
green, grimy lake were unbearable. He said he had to travel to another
lake so he could enjoy being outside, away from the polluted lake in his
backyard. Eventually, he and his family were forced to move away from
the lake because the stench coming from it was so overpowering
during the summer.
Other local efforts to preserve and
protect our waters include a new collaborative effort called the Red
Cedar River Water Quality Partnership led by UW-Stout, the state
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers. This project looks to identify and implement solutions to
reduce toxic blue-green algae blooms in the watershed across 10
west-central Wisconsin counties.
When we are unable to restore and maintain the quality of our water, we
are risking our safety, industry, and economy. We have a culture and
tradition of clean water, and it is our responsibility to protect it.
The
Future of Our Water
Wisconsin is still being dragged the wrong way, further endangering our
shared waters.
We must hold Governor Walker's administration responsible for enforcing
pollution standards. The freedom to enjoy clean and safe drinking water
is part of our heritage, but it can only be accomplished through public
accountability.
Our culture and economy are intertwined with our water, making
preservation and protection efforts incredibly important. The quality of
our waters directly affects recreation, tourism, public health, and
property value.
As a state that thrives on recreation and tourism, a decline in the
quality of our waters means a fewer visitors, not to mention limiting
our freedom to be healthy and have a good quality of life. With over 100
million people visiting our state annually, protecting our shared
resources and growing our tourist industry is much more important than
catering to the will of giant corporations, that take profits out of our
state economy.
Our waters were preserved by the generations before us, and need to be
used sustainably and responsibly in order to ensure that Wisconsin's
long tradition of environmental stewardship remains strong. This is the
Wisconsin Way, and a shared value that my neighbors and I want to
preserve. As a state senator, I see protecting our shared waters as one
of my top priorities and hope you will join me in advocating for them.
I often have neighbors contact me looking for my perspective on various local and state issues. I very much appreciate our neighbors' questions and want to dedicate a portion of my newsletter to common questions that I hear to maintain an open dialogue. Please continue reading for this week's question.
Q: I read in an article that there was a decision by the U.S. Supreme
Court pertaining to reproductive freedom. What was the ruling and how
does it impact Wisconsin women and families?
A: On Monday, June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a set of
restrictions Texas imposed on women's health care clinics throughout the
state. In Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, the Supreme Court
found that it was unconstitutional to impose strict regulations on
abortion clinics in a landmark 5-3 decision. The verdict stated that
Texas was putting an undue burden on women seeking abortions or other
reproductive health care. The strict regulations they had enacted forced many clinics to shut down because they were not capable of
complying with such unrealistic and targeting standards.
Specifically, the 2013 Texas (House Bill 2) law stated that abortion clinics must meet surgical center requirements as well as have admitting privileges at a hospitals within 30 miles. The Supreme Court held that this was counter to women's health and reproductive rights. In recent years, we've seen a wave of similar, medically unnecessary laws, known as TRAP laws, across the country that seek to close clinics that provide abortion care.
Wisconsin is all too familiar with
similar efforts to restrict reproductive freedom. In fact, just two
weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court decided to take the Whole Woman's
Health v. Hellerstedt case, a federal court overruled the burdensome
admitting privileges portion of a law Wisconsin Republicans pushed
through in 2013. While Wisconsin Republican Attorney General Brad
Schimel filed a request to have the Supreme Court review the case,
America's highest Court denied this request on Tuesday.
This means that Wisconsin's restrictive law will continue to be blocked
from implementation, which is great news for women and families across
the state.
As we've seen in the last five years, it's not uncommon for Republican
lawmakers to intentionally contradict and undermine our constitutional
freedoms as a way to push for
their own interests and beliefs. The ruling this week, however, protects
our cornerstone American principle of individual freedom and reaffirms
that politicians have no business in private decisions women make about
their health care. Accordingly, this ruling reaffirms that political
intrusion in such personal decisions is un-American and will not stand.
This is also an important reminder that we must continue to stand together with our families, our friends, and
our neighbors to ensure our rights remain intact.
Saturday,
July 4 marks the 240th anniversary of our nation's Declaration of
Independence. It is a day of celebration with family, friends, and
neighbors. We must also remember the sacrifices of those who came before
us, in securing our nation's freedoms, as well as the service of our
military men and women in uniform who cannot spend this holiday enjoying
barbeques or fireworks with their families. We owe them for everything
they do to keep us safe.
Some neighbors enjoy displaying a flag during the 4th of July holiday
season to show their respect. If you do not currently have a U.S. or
Wisconsin flag and would like to purchase one, please contact my office
to order one today. Both flags are made of durable nylon and are 3 feet
by 5 feet in size. The U.S. flag costs $13 while the Wisconsin flag
costs $16.
If
you would like the flag flown over the Capitol in honor of someone,
please specify the name of the person, the occasion, and the date you
would like the flag flown. A certificate of commemoration will be mailed
back to you with the flag.
Flags must be purchased with checks made out to the State of Wisconsin.
Mail your flag request form and check to:
Sen. Chris Larson
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707-7882
Additionally, around the state, local communities will be hosting parades, ceremonies, and fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July. Continue reading to see what events will be going on in the Milwaukee area.
If you are looking for fireworks in communities outside of the Milwaukee area, click here.
Milwaukee
Spend July 3rd at the Lakefront for the Fireworks Kite Festival
beginning at 11 a.m., the United States Navy Band (5:30 p.m. to 6:30
p.m.), and for fireworks at dusk (about 9:25 p.m.) "Watch the skies
light over the lakefront in Milwaukee for 60 minutes of 'oohs and aahs'."
Plan to arrive early.
Click here to learn more about this event.
Since 1911, the city of Milwaukee has hosted safe and friendly
celebrations for families and friends to enjoy. In parks across the
city, neighbors and visitors come together for picnics, games, parades,
and more. These celebrations will take place on Monday, July 4, and are
capped off by fireworks bursting all over town.
Click here to visit the Fourth of July Commission website to find a
celebration in a park near you.
South Milwaukee
South Milwaukee will be hosting the Mayor's Picnic (free hotdog lunch
for all attendees), and there will be a Fourth of July Celebration at
Grant Park at the Brown Pavilion, areas 5 & 6 that will end with a
Fireworks display at 9.30 p.m.
Click here to visit the city of South Milwaukee's website for more
information.
Cudahy
The city of Cudahy will be celebrating the Fourth of July at the
revitalized Packard Avenue. Starting at Grange and Packard at noon, the
celebration will include an opening ceremony and performances by high
school groups such as the Cudahy Bull Dog Cheer Team, Cudahy High School
Pon Poms, and CHS Varsity Cheer Team.
Click here to visit the city of Cudahy's website for more information.
Oak Creek
Oak Creek will be celebrating the Fourth of July this year beginning
with a parade at 8 a.m. at E. Groveland Drive and S. Verdev Drive. The
events of the day include free ice cream and games for kids, a "Pay It
Forward To Our Veterans" performance by 484th Army Band, Karaoke, Music
by Larry Lynne Band, and Fireworks at dusk.
Click here for a flyer and schedule of events.
St. Francis
This year the St. Francis Fourth of July celebration will include a
parade, judging of bikes/trikes/wagons, a horseshoe tournament, a dance
off at the band shell, live music, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Click here for more information on the St. Francis Fourth of July
Celebration.
Franklin
Plan to attend Franklin's Four-Day Civic Celebration in Lions Legend
Park. The celebration begins on Friday, July 1st at 5 p.m. and ends on
the Fourth of July with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Food, carnival rides,
kids' activities, and entertainment will be provided. In honor of the
City of Franklin's 60th Anniversary, there will also be a special
fireworks display on Saturday, July 2 starting at 9:30 p.m.
Click here for more information on the 2016 Franklin Civic Celebration.
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