LARSON REPORT
NEWSLETTER
May 4, 2017
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:
Find Me on Facebook and Twitter:
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.
Annual Bay View
Tragedy Commemoration
Date: Sunday, May 7 at 3 p.m.
Location: Bay View
Description: The event pays tribute to those lost in the tragedy
of May 5, 1886, when the State Militia shot into a crowd of some 1,500
workers marching in an eight-hour-day rally, killing seven in front of
the old Bay View Rolling Mills, then Milwaukee's largest manufacturing
plant. The Bay View Tragedy played a significant role in Wisconsin's
labor movement and the struggle of Wisconsin's workers to fight for
their rights and improve their employment conditions.
Bay View Rolling Mills
State Historical Marker Site
Northeast Corner of South Superior and
(MAP)
East Russell
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Mother's Day Events
Since 1914, Americans
have taken the second Sunday in May to celebrate our mothers and mother
figures, annually appreciating all that we owe them for their commitment
to raising us and preparing us for the future.
There are tons of things to do in the area to celebrate Mother's Day --
ranging from running to taking art lessons -- to thank mothers for all
that they do. Below are some of the events in our community:
"Run Like a Mother" 5K
Date: Sunday, May 14
Location: Wauwatosa
Description:
One way to start off Mother's Day is the "Run Like a Mother" 5K at Hoyt
Park. The 5K for women will start at 9 a.m. and children under 11 are
able to participate in a 1 mile race starting at 8:30 a.m. The rest of
the family can enjoy food and drinks and other fun activities.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Hoyt Park
(MAP)
1800 N Swan Blvd
Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Floral Alchemy Bouquet Pop-Up Shop
Date: Sunday, May 14 from 8 a.m. to Noon
Location: Shorewood
Description:
Stop by Colectivo in Shorewood between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. to enjoy some
coffee, tea, or pastries while perusing Floral Alchemy's bouquet pop-up
shop or walking around town.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Colectivo
4500 N Oakland Ave
Shorewood, WI 53211
Spring Floral Show at the Domes
Date: Sunday, May 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Milwaukee
Description:
Visit the Mitchell Park Conservatory (the Domes) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
for the Garden Impressions Spring Floral Show and a wide assortment of
jewelry for sale.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Mitchell Park Conservatory
524 S Layton Blvd
Milwaukee, WI 53215
Free Admission at the Zoo For Moms
Date: Sunday, May 14
Location: Milwaukee
Description:
The Milwaukee
County Zoo will grant all mothers free admission on May 14.
CLICK HERE for more information.
Milwaukee County Zoo
(MAP)
10001 W Bluemound Rd
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Dear Wisconsin Neighbor,
The state budget process continues to
ramp up as the Joint Finance Committee is starting to vote on individual
budget provisions. This should get more intense as the July 1st deadline
for budget implementation nears.
Meanwhile, there's a lot of buzz happening -- at both the federal and
state levels -- about our right to online privacy. More on this, and how
you can get involved, below.
Additionally, with Mother's Day right around the corner, I have included
a few family-friendly community activities in the sidebar. Hopefully
warmer weather will find it's way to Wisconsin by then. Before that,
this Sunday at 3 p.m., our neighbors in Bay View will be recognizing the
Bay View Massacre. If you don't know this piece of local history in the
nationwide fight for worker's rights, stop by and gain a new
appreciation for how great Wisconsin is.
In Service,
Chris Larson
State Senator, District 7
In
modern society, we spend a significant amount of time online. We work,
pay bills, look up items of interest, and stay in touch with friends and
family. While we do this, there is a reasonable expectation that each of
these private actions will be kept private. With more of our neighbors'
lives being intertwined with their activities online, it's critical that
each person have firm control over who has access to his or her
sensitive, personal information and what they are doing online.
With every click, data
is sent through your internet provider to Google, Microsoft, and
companies you've likely never heard of. Through the capture of this
data, corporate America -- from regularly visited sites like Facebook to
less-known ad firms -- can profile and track your internet use,
filling your screens with advertisements tailored to your interests and
search history.
At some time or another, each of us has noticed this -- the
banners and sidebars advertising a vacuum cleaner you've been
researching or a store that you ordered from online. This specific use
of data collection may not strike you as concerning or bothersome;
sometimes it's even helpful. But where is the line drawn and what are
state and federal lawmakers doing to protect sensitive personal
information?
As digital technology has continued to spread and advance, Americans have lost more privacy than many of us realize, going far beyond being targeted for specific ads.
Recent
federal actions by Trump and other Republicans have created a dangerous
privacy gap, ripping open the door to your personal
information being grabbed and sold without your consent or knowledge.
For instance, when you enter in your social security number or other
information on a website, that data could be used and sold to someone by
your Internet Service Provider. Democrats believe in an inherent right
to privacy and we're fighting back on the national Republican efforts to
make your privacy a commodity to be sold by internet providers.
Protecting our personal information from being bought and sold without our consent should be a nonpartisan issue. Despite this, the U.S. has a long way to go when it comes to governing technology and protecting our personal data. We can stand to learn a lot from our neighbors in Europe, where this issue has been diligently worked on for years. The European Union has taken a consumer-focused, strict approach to privacy laws. Europeans can tell companies to stop profiling them, and they have greater control over what happens with personal information that gets collected. There's also a complaint process and serious penalties for companies that do not comply with the privacy laws.
What Just Happened at
the Federal Level?
Under the Obama administration, the U.S. had been on its way to
strengthening our laws and safeguarding our information. Under rules
created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Internet Service
Providers would have been required to get opt-in consent from consumers
before sharing web browsing data or other private information with
advertisement firms or other third parties.
Unfortunately,
the federal government has irresponsibly reversed course on implementing
the new FCC Internet privacy rules that were designed to address the
capture and use of a customer's personal information by an internet
provider. Congressional Republicans caved to corporate interests and
voted to pull the curtain of privacy on every internet user in the
country. They passed legislation to allow the sale of data collected by
internet providers without notifying users and without limits on who can
purchase this private data. While the public was still absorbing what
this law change could mean, President Donald Trump hastily signed the
measure into law behind closed doors and without explanation.
The federal failure to implement these crucial privacy safeguards
has left the personal information of internet users at risk, and leaves
the urgent matter of protecting their right to privacy to state
governments. A number of states have taken swift action to
protect their neighbors, including Minnesota and Maryland.
Senate Democrats Take Action
In April, the Senate took up a broadband expansion bill, Senate Bill 49.
Given its urgency, Senate Democrats introduced an amendment to the bill
to protect online privacy for our Wisconsin neighbors. This amendment
passed the Senate, and the bill was awaiting for passage by the
Assembly.
But instead of taking
a strong stand for our neighbors and protecting their right to privacy,
Assembly Republicans betrayed concerned Wisconsin consumers by switching
course and voting on a version of the broadband bill that did not
include these vital privacy safeguards. To become law, one to
the versions of the bill must pass both houses. Find out how you can
advocate for the bill to pass with internet protections included in the
Take Action section below.
Internet
Privacy Act Proposed
Beyond Senate Bill 49/Assembly Bill 123, the issue of privacy concerns
is not going away. For these reasons, I have introduced the
comprehensive Internet Privacy Act.
If enacted, the Internet Privacy Act (LRB-3273) would protect consumers by prohibiting an internet service provider from using, disclosing, or permitting access to a customer's proprietary information unless the customer approves of the data usage.
Additionally, this bill:
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Establishes different customer approval requirements for capture and use of sensitive and nonsensitive customer information.
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Offers stronger protection for financial information, health information, information pertaining to a child, Social Security numbers, precise geolocation information, content of communications, web browsing history, and smartphone or tablet computer application usage history.
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Prohibits providers from refusing to provide broadband internet access service because a customer or prospective customer does not grant approval to the provider to use, disclose, or permit access to proprietary information.
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Requires that internet providers notify customers of the following:
1) the types of customer proprietary information that the provider will collect from providing broadband internet access service, and how it will use the information
2) the circumstances under which the provider discloses or permits access to each type of customer proprietary information that it collects
3) the categories of entities to which the provider discloses or permits to access the customer's proprietary information and the purposes for which that information will be used by each category of entity
4) the customer's rights to grant, deny, or withdraw approval concerning the customer's proprietary information. The notice must also include access to a mechanism that the customer can use to grant, deny, or withdraw approval at any time.
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Requires providers to take reasonable security measures to protect customer proprietary information from unauthorized use, disclosure, or access and requires notifying customers if a breach occurs that could cause harm to them.
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Creates a mechanism for accountability by allowing civil forfeitures and/or criminal penalties against internet providers who steal personal data or violate customer privacy.
The Internet Privacy Act would allow those wishing to protect their privacy the opportunity to do so. Making sure our neighbors can protect their privacy should be a bipartisan priority, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to recognize and safeguard that right for each of our neighbors.
Net Neutrality:
More Attacks Pending at Federal Level
On the federal level, Trump's FCC head recently unveiled a plan that
would take the responsibility of monitoring privacy practices of
internet providers away from the FCC and put it back into the hands of
the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Under the FCC, internet providers are treated as a public utility and are therefore subject to the privacy rules set forth by the FCC. Reclassifying and shifting authority to the FTC means service providers will not face the more strict privacy protections of the FCC.
Remember the vacuum ad? Under the FTC, companies like Facebook and Google collect data showing what sites their users browse and what apps they use without having to ask for permission first -- they only need to provide a way to opt-out, which is something that internet users rarely do and companies make difficult to choose.
However, while Google or Facebook may show you ads related to a previous search, your internet service provider has a much greater potential to collect sensitive data, like health information or your Social Security number. As your connection, your internet service providers can basically see everything you do online.
That's one reason why
the Obama-era FCC rules are critical to protecting privacy, as consumers
would have had to opt-in to their data being collected and sold by
internet provider corporations, rather than solely being offered a way
to opt-out.
Making
matters even worse, shifting internet service providers from being
governed by FCC to FTC also ends up in reclassifying broadband as an
information service rather than a telecommunication service --
effectively killing the net neutrality protections adopted in 2015.
Net neutrality ensures that consumers see the content and services of their choice, without internet service providers controlling or even blocking content. The change being proposed would open the door to deep-pocket favoritism, allowing providers to pick and choose what they want their users to see.
Wisconsin can and should be leader in fight for privacy. While Trump Republican's in Washington may want to sell us out, our state has the ability to pave the way to ensuring we have a say in protecting our information. In addition, net neutrality protections are crucial to ensuring big companies like Charter and Comcast aren't picking winners and losers on the internet. Therefore, in addition to working on legislation to protect the privacy of our neighbors, I will be working on ways to make it clear that net neutrality is a vital safeguard to be protected.
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When Wisconsin GOP leadership in the State Assembly took up a version of the broadband bill that failed to fill the privacy protection gap left by Trump and his followers, they betrayed our trust and our right to privacy.
You can help make our Wisconsin values clear by calling Senate and Assembly leadership today -- as they are in control of what bills get scheduled for a vote.
Who:
Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald at 608.266.5660
Senate President Roth at 608.266.0718What:
Privacy matters: don't pass a broadband expansion bill without privacy protections.
Each
week, the Larson Report strives to provide up-to-date, in-depth
information to its readers. Between editions, a lot happens in Madison
and our Wisconsin communities. I want to make sure you know the most
pressing issues facing our neighborhoods across the state. Below are
some of the top stories from the past couple of weeks:
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Mid-America Update
Recently, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Mid-America Steel Drum company for over a dozen serious violations, resulting in over $108,000 in federal fines.
Let's hope this isn't the end of this.
Willful neglect that puts workers lives at risk, just for the sake of increased profit, is immoral and illegal.
If proven true, the company shouldn't be rewarded with a slap on the wrist while workers and neighbors will have to pay for the long-term impact on their health.
Someone truly needs to be held accountable or this will happen again. And again. And again. Read this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article for more information.
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Remembering the Armenian
Genocide
Southeastern Wisconsin is fortunate to be the home of a strong, proud, and vibrant Armenian community.
Today, I was honored to stand with some of our neighbors and speak at a ceremony in the Capitol commemorating the 102nd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
From 1915 to 1923, through massacres and death marches, over 1,500,000 Armenians in the Ottoman Empire perished and hundreds of thousands more were torn from their homes and banished from their ancient homeland.
Despite the overwhelming evidence and solid documentation, the Turkish government has refused to recognize or accept responsibility for the genocide of the Armenian people. Denial of this tragedy deprives not just the Armenian people of their history, but also denies the world the opportunity to better safeguard against such atrocities in the future.
With the fire of intolerance being fanned at the highest levels of government here and abroad, it is our moral responsibility to remember the tragedies of the past and stop them from happening again. Click here to see a Facebook post about this topic.
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Supporting Survivors of Sexual
Assault
April 26 was recognized as Denim Day, a day to wear jeans in support of sexual assault awareness. The day honors an Italian woman who was forcibly raped by her driving instructor. After the assault, the woman sought justice, but the case was dismissed because the chief judge ruled that because she was wearing tight fitting jeans, she must have had to help remove them for consensual sex rather than the forcible rape she endured.
Every two minutes in the U.S. one of our neighbors is sexually assaulted. Often, these attacks are perpetrated by a family member, friend, partner, or someone else the victim may know.
Blaming survivors of sexual violence for being assaulted gives criminals a free pass and is absolutely immoral and wrong. Survivors deserve support, both emotionally and through public policy. By working together, we can stand up against sexual assault not just on Denim Day, but every day. Learn more about Denim Day, here.
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Remembering Workers Who Have
Lost Their Lives
April 28 was Workers' Memorial Day, which is a day to remember workers who have been killed by incidents or illnesses caused by their work and is also the day the Occupational Safety and Health Administration was established in 1971. This day also serves as a reminder that there is much more to be done to ensure everyone has a safe work environment.
Across the state and nation, services were held to honor workers who lost their lives or were seriously injured due to a workplace incident and to stand in solidarity with Wisconsin workers.
Wisconsin's tradition of fighting for fair treatment and safe working conditions run deep in our history. From our factory workers, nurses, and firefighters to construction workers and teachers, these are the everyday heroes who help shape our future, keep us safe, and drive our economy.
All of our neighbors deserve to go to work each day knowing they have security and protection from preventable tragedies. Read more about Worker's Memorial Day, here.
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Day without Latinxs,
Immigrants, and Refugees
On May 1 we celebrated Wisconsin's "Day without Latinxs, Immigrants, and Refugees."
Through efforts spearheaded by Voces de la Frontera, neighbors from across the state are standing up to Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke's scheme to rip families apart using anti-immigrant federal policies.
Clarke is recklessly pursuing joining the Trump administration in their implementation of 287(g), which gives local law enforcement the ability to operate as federal immigration agents. Many of our neighbors oppose the program as it allows law enforcement to stop and question people based on their appearance, which will undoubtedly increase tensions and mistrust of law enforcement in our communities.
Instead of embracing America's heritage as a nation of immigrants, Sheriff Clarke and the Trump administration want to divide our country further.
This is just the latest controversial action by Sheriff Clarke. He is also facing justified anger for his gross mismanagement of the Milwaukee County Jail, including the recent tragic death of Terrill Thomas by dehydration. Click here to read an article about the event.
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