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LARSON REPORT |
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER |
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July 1, 2011 |
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CONTACT ME
Mailing Address:
State Capitol
Web Site: SenatorChrisLarson.com
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.
Summer in Wisconsin
Fireworks Kite Festival July 3 Starting at 11 a.m. Kick-off the 4th of July holiday with some kite flying and fireworks on Milwaukee's lakefront. The Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois in conjunction with U.S. Bank and Milwaukee County Parks hosts the event which will aim to fly as many kites as possible and then watch fireworks shoot off right over the water. This is a great event to enjoy with family or friends. Kites will fly from 11 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. and then again from 7:30 p.m. until fireworks begin at 9:25 p.m.
Veterans Park (MAP)
1010 Lincoln Memorial
Drive (414) 257-7275
Independence Day Celebration
July 3 at Noon
Betty Brinn Children's
Museum (MAP)
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Dear Friend,
Thank you for contacting me previously
about important local and state issues. Given your advocacy and interest
in staying informed on what is going on across Wisconsin, I have added
you to my Larson Report email distribution list. I created the Larson
Report to be a free, weekly email newsletter that provides timely
legislative updates.
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Budget Goes Into Effect Today |
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The irresponsible actions by the Republican majority are moving Wisconsin in the wrong direction and it will take years to correct the damage that has been done. This backwards budget will be remembered when regular citizens seek to hold Republicans accountable for their broken promises and misplaced priorities. Continue reading for brief summaries detailing how this budget will affect education, health care, public transit, the environment, and taxes and spending in our communities.
EDUCATION
The next generation should have the same or better educational opportunities than we enjoyed. These devastating cuts break that promise by severely limiting educational opportunities. Programs that were cut completely from the budget include: P-5 grants, Advanced Placement, nursing service grants, and children at risk.3
Unfortunately, the damage that will be done by this budget will have a lasting impact. Our children only have one shot at third grade, fourth grade, and so on. I do not know anyone who would trade in their child's education just to have a wider road, but that is exactly what this budget does by not making education a priority.
Fiscal References:
1. Legislative Fiscal Bureau,
"Potential Revenue Limit Changes for School Districts Under Governor’s
and 2. Department of Public Instruction, "Comparison of Revenue Limits Changes: Current Law and JFC Action," pg. 7 (CLICK HERE) 3. Department of Public Instruction, "General School Aids and Revenue Limits," pg. 492 (CLICK HERE)
HEALTH CARE Our state's health safety net was also attacked under the Republican's budget proposal. Nearly $500 million was cut from Medicaid programs, which will have an especially devastating effect on neighbors living in Milwaukee County. Notable health care cuts are listed below:
These vital health care programs ensure
that our families and neighbors are able to receive quality, affordable
health care to prevent costly emergency room visits. These programs also
help keep loved ones out of nursing homes and in-patient facilities,
saving taxpayers money. PUBLIC TRANSIT
Cudahy = $98,181 Milwaukee = $2,546,188 Oak Creek = $164,524 Saint Francis = $65,933 South Milwaukee = $90,118
Having a well-supported public transit system is vital to maintaining and creating jobs in our community. According to the Milwaukee County Transit systems, on average 140,000 rides are provided daily. Of these, 39% are commuters traveling to and from work, another 5% are heading to job interviews, and 11% are students making their way to classes to learn valuable skills for their future careers.
ENVIRONMENT Wisconsin has a long tradition of protecting our natural resources, as they are not just a part of our landscape, but a part of who we are as stewards of this great state. The Republican budget contained several provisions that leave our state's natural resources and remaining wild areas vulnerable, including:
TAXES & SPENDING The Republican budget broke significant fiscal promises by increasing spending by over $1 billion compared to the last budget, raising taxes and fees by over $180 million, and raiding $411 million from segregated funds. Not only did they increase spending and raise taxes, but they did it on the backs of Wisconsin workers, middle-class families, children and seniors rather than having all Wisconsinites share the burden. This budget also favors CEOs and big corporations by creating a $196 million corporate slush fund and $2.3 billion in tax giveaways.
All of the information from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau about the budget, unless otherwise specified, can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Information specific to the City of Milwaukee is also available. Please CLICK HERE for a budget impact summary provided by city officials.
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50 Budget Provisions Vetoed |
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Governor Walker signed the Republican budget into law this past Sunday,
June 26. Given that
Wisconsin currently has one of the most powerful executive branches in
the country, Governor Walker had the ability to make
significant alterations to the budget through line-item
vetoes.
The Milwaukee mandate provision that
was vetoed would have once again stuck taxpayers with covering the salary and
benefits of Milwaukee police officers who were fired with cause, such as
violating our laws. When this unfair mandate was previously in place it
cost taxpayers over $4.5 million. In 2008, the Legislature voted 95-0 in
the Assembly and 30-3 in the Senate to repeal the mandate by passing
2007 WI Act 114. This legislative change has saved Milwaukee taxpayers
hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past two years and we can
assume it will result in additional savings for years to come.
Please
CLICK HERE for more information from the non-partisan Legislative
Fiscal Bureau about the 50 executive vetoes. To view a copy of the letter requesting a veto of the mandate on Milwaukee, please CLICK HERE.
To view a copy of the letter requesting a veto of the budget provisions related to craft breweries, please CLICK HERE.
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Changes to Voting Laws in Wisconsin |
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Primary, general and special elections are fast-approaching. Given the recent changes to Wisconsin's voting laws, I have included a handout to provide you with updated information on voting procedures for this summer's elections. Please contact me if you have any questions.
CLICK HERE to view the changes to Wisconsin's voting laws.
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Celebrating the 4th of July |
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Almost every city in our community will be hosting 4th of July events this year that will include parades, games, ceremonies and fireworks. Continue reading to see what events will be going on in the Milwaukee area on Monday, July 4.
Cudahy Neighbors will be meeting in Cudahy's Sheridan park this year to celebrate our nation's independence. On Monday, July 4, join in celebrating with the community by attending the morning parade, listening to music performances by local artists, playing games, enjoying various ceremonies and watching fireworks after dusk. CLICK HERE for more information.
Milwaukee
Join in celebrating the 4th of July
holiday with Milwaukee in parks throughout the city. Families and
friends can gather throughout the day for picnics, games, performances
and parades. At night the sky is filled with fireworks bursting across
the city.
CLICK HERE for a list of participating parks and the events that
will be available at each location. Oak Creek Attend Oak Creek's annual celebration on Monday, July 4, which will include a parade with the theme "America the Beautiful," baseball games, and fireworks. The parade starts at 9 a.m. on the corner of Groveland Drive and Shepard Avenue and winds its way through the city ending at the Legion. CLICK HERE for more information about the day's events.
South Milwaukee
St. Francis
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Summerfest |
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Our community will be hosting its
cornerstone summer celebration, Summerfest, from June 29 through July
10. Over the course of 11 days, Marcus Amphitheater plus an additional
10 stages will present over 700 bands for music lovers to enjoy at Henry
Maier Festival Park against the backdrop of Milwaukee’s downtown and
beautiful Lake Michigan. Along with over a week of music, festival-goers
can enjoy a diverse selection of foods and beverages, marketplaces,
interactive exhibits, family-focused entertainment and activities, and
fireworks on opening day.
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Summer Activities in Our Community |
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Our community offers a wide variety of summer activities for families, children and adults alike. Below are just a few activities that you can take part in this summer.
Visit Our Neighborhood Pools Get some relief from the heat this summer by visiting our local neighborhood pools. Many of the pools in our community offer swimming lessons or open swims. CLICK HERE for a list of neighborhood pools, hours of operation and pricing information.
The original Milwaukee ghost tour
introduces you to the history, folklore, and modern paranormal reports
of this unique, storied community. Enjoy largely unknown tales uncovered
and the latest updates gathered from a network of local historians,
academics and paranormal researchers.
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