LARSON REPORT

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

February 11, 2011

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.wisconsin.gov

Mailing Address:

State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707

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.

Indoor Farmer's Market

Now through May 7, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Treat yourself to a morning of excitement by visiting your nearby indoor farmer's market. The market features fresh produce, local crafts, demonstrations and more. For information about this event, please CLICK HERE.

St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care (MAP)

2801 E. Morgan Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53207

(414) 977-5000

Freedom Riders

Now through Feb. 21, Exhibit Hours Vary

Visit the national traveling exhibition “Freedom Riders” to celebrate Black History Month. This exhibit focuses on an important chapter in our nation’s struggle for civil rights and brings attention to the efforts of the more than 400 Americans that challenged segregated travel in the South in 1961. This exhibit is free. Please CLICK HERE for additional information.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (MAP)

UWM Golda Meir Library's Daniel M. Soref Learning Commons

2311 E. Hartford Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 229-1122

Romancing the Stars

Feb. 12-14, Showtimes Vary

Embark on an out-of-this-world date for an extra-special Valentine’s Day. “Romancing the Stars” costs $20 per couple and includes a romantic tour of the universe and a look at “constellations of love.” A rose and chocolates will also be given to each couple. For more information please CLICK HERE.

Milwaukee Public Museum (MAP)

800 W. Wells Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

(414) 278-2702

U: Bug: Me

Feb. 18 – Mar. 13, Showtimes Vary

Attend this epic tale of Pico the Fly and Esteban the Earwig, as they get ready for the Queen Bee’s annual Soil Contest. These two friends have plans to revolutionize the bug world until Packo the Horsefly steals their formula and kidnaps Pico. This First Stage Theater production is a great event to attend with the entire family. Visit their Web site for more information by CLICKING HERE.

Marcus Center for the Performing Arts (MAP)

929 N. Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-7206
 

Bay View Winter Blast ‘11
Feb. 20, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Attend this community festival featuring musical entertainment, family activities, and community group stands. Winter Blast also hosts Bay View’s only chili cook-off between multiple neighborhood restaurants. For more information, please CLICK HERE.
 

South Shore Park Pavilion (MAP)
2900 S. Shore Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53207

PACKERS DEFEAT STEELERS IN SUPER BOWL XLV

Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers and for earning the title of Super Bowl Champion for the 4th time. Packer fans everywhere should be proud of our team and this honored accomplishment.

RECONNECTING

Your thoughts and concerns are important to me. Unfortunately the previous senator for our community has chosen to forward only the information required by Senate Rules. Therefore, if you contacted the office between August 1, 2010, and Jan 1, 2011, no record of your issue exists. Please feel free to contact me to discuss any prior communications so that we can work together to address your concerns and assist you appropriately.

Dear Friend,

Hope you are having a great week following the Packer's tremendous Super Bowl victory. Enclosed you will find information about bills taken up this week by the Legislature, regarding auto insurance and granting Governor Walker more power. I have also included tips for lowering your auto insurance premiums and keeping your heart healthy. Also, remember to get out and vote on Tuesday in the Spring Primary election.

As usual, please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or opinions you may have about our community or our state.

Sincerely,



Chris Larson
State Senator, District 7

Legislation passed last session making Wisconsin the 49th state to require that all drivers have auto insurance. This legislation was a step in the right direction to ensuring our streets are safer for our neighbors.

By eliminating uninsured motorists, Wisconsin's drivers had the comfort of knowing that if they got into an accident, their coverage would not be dramatically reduced by another individual's lack of insurance. Unfortunately this Tuesday, the Senate opted to move backward when it passed Senate Bill 7. With this law, if a driver suffers injury or damage in an accident, their potential compensation could be 60 percent less. This cut takes accident victims back to 1982 compensation levels, making fixing a car or paying medical bills a greater financial burden.

I introduced an amendment to Senate Bill 7 to protect and inform Wisconsin's drivers by requiring insurance providers to present clear information explaining "reducing clauses" to their customers. Reducing clauses allow companies to reduce insurance coverage in an accident by subtracting the other driver's insurance from your underinsured motorist policy. For example, if you have $100,000 in policy coverage with a reducing clause and get into an accident with someone possessing a $50,000 policy, even if your injuries and damages cost more than $100,000, you would only receive a total of $100,000. Without the reducing clause you could have received up to $150,000.

Consumers have the right to know their options and what coverage they will receive with the premiums they pay. This amendment, along with others to make our streets safer for Wisconsin drivers were not adopted. As a result, I could not support this bill.

Senate Bill 7 passed in both the Assembly and the Senate and is currently awaiting the governor's signature.

Hundreds of auto insurance companies are currently operating in Wisconsin. If you feel that your auto insurance premium is too high, do not hesitate to shop around as companies charge different prices and offer different discounts. Here are some tips to remember when trying to obtain auto insurance with the level of coverage you desire and a premium that will not break the bank:

• Ask about discounts! Many companies offer low mileage discounts, multiple vehicle discounts, good grade discounts for full-time students and their parents, safety course completion discounts, or other discounts of which you may be unaware.

• Consider increasing your deductible if you can afford to pay more out-of-pocket and are not accident-prone.

• See if you are paying for coverage you do not need. For example, if you have an older, less-expensive vehicle, it may not pay-off to have collision coverage for damage to your vehicle, in your policy.

• Maintain a good credit rating.

• Get a quote before purchasing a new vehicle as some vehicles offer occupants less protection or have fewer safety features, which could increase your rates.

Wisconsin’s Spring Primary Election is this Tuesday, February 15. The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Wisconsin residents may register on Election Day at their polling location. CLICK HERE for additional information on registration and voting procedures in Wisconsin.

A study done by George Mason University examining voter turnout, ranked Wisconsin among the top five states with the highest voter turnout. It is important that we continue this proud tradition and participate in the electoral process.

Special Session Assembly Bill 8 passed the Senate this week on a straight, party-line vote. This proposal dramatically expands the governor’s ability to manipulate the implementation of legislation though the rule-making process.

In Wisconsin, state agencies create rules that implement our state laws. These rules can be as simple as setting size limits for fish in a lake with a struggling fish population, to more complex rules such as banning dangerous chemicals in our food.

I joined my colleagues in opposing this measure because of a number of troubling issues raised during debate. One of the biggest concerns is that granting Governor Walker such power could lead to a climate of corruption. With the passage of this bill, the governor will have direct authority to approve or reject rules based solely on his whim. These rules affect the daily lives and liberties of our neighbors and businesses across Wisconsin.

In an effort to preserve Wisconsin’s tradition of clean government, I introduced an amendment to prohibit a governor from accepting donations from those economically impacted by his rules decisions. A number of other amendments were introduced to add transparency and accountability to this legislation. All of these amendments were rejected by the Republican Senate majority.

Our state’s founding fathers deliberately chose to limit the role of the Executive Branch, as they believed it was dangerous to provide one person with too much power. This recently passed legislation contradicts this founding principle. With the passage of this bill Governor Walker becomes one of the most authoritarian executives in the nation.

Remember, February is American Heart Month. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Heart disease is often preventable, so it is important that we all take measures to safeguard our health by being proactive. This includes maintaining a healthy diet and weight, exercising regularly, and having your primary care physician check your cholesterol and blood pressure regularly.

To check your overall heart health, please CLICK HERE to visit the American Heart Association’s Web site to take their Heart Attack Risk Assessment. For advice on how to improve your health through proper nutrition and exercise from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, please CLICK HERE.

Meet for Coffee

Saturday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

We will have office hours open to the public at Sven's Cafe in Bay View. This is your chance to talk in person about any questions, concerns or opinions you might have about our community or state. No appointment necessary. Feel free to call for additional information.

Sven’s Café (MAP)
2699 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue
Bay View, WI 53207
 

Community Meeting

Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.

Attend a town hall meeting this February at St. Mark's Episcopal Church. This is your opportunity to discuss your comments, questions and concerns about our community and state. I will be in attendance along with Representative Jon Richards and Alderman Nik Kovac. The information for the event is listed below. Do not hesitate to call or email with any additional questions you might have.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church (MAP)

2618 N. Hackett Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53211