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LARSON REPORT |
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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER |
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July 15, 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.
Bastille Days
July 15 from
11 a.m. to July 17 at 9 p.m.
Cathedral Square Park (MAP)
825 North Jefferson
Street Milwaukee, WI 53202
South Shore Frolics
Taste of Egypt 2011
Croatian Fest 2011 Visit this year's Croatian festival this weekend. Enjoy live music from TS Barabe, cultural programming, and traditional foods such as roasted Croatian lamb, pork and chicken. Saturday admission is free from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission for Sunday, which runs from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., is $3. CLICK HERE for more information.
9100 S. 76th Street
Franklin, WI 53132
Bay View Beach Cleanup
July 23 from
8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Bay View Park (MAP)
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Dear Friend,
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Redistricting Process Increases Partisanship, Decreases Transparency |
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The Wisconsin State Legislature is required by Article IV, Section 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution to redraw Senate and Assembly districts every 10 years based upon the results of the federal census to ensure districts provide representational equality for all potential voters.
Wisconsin currently uses a legislative redistricting process, where the maps are drawn up by the majority parties in the Legislature, are voted on by the Senate and Assembly, and are then signed by the governor. If the Legislature cannot agree on a redistricting plan, as is usually the case with split houses, the Supreme Court steps in to finalize the new legislative districts. For the past 50 years, Wisconsin's elected officials have had to work together with bipartisan cooperation or leave the task of redistricting up to the courts. This will be the first time in 60 years that one political party will have complete control over the redistricting process.
Many concern have been raised by neighbors, advocacy groups, and local, state and federal officials over the process that has been employed by Republican legislators during the current redistricting process. These concerns include conducting the majority of the process in secret, forgoing the work done by local governments, and the rising cost to taxpayers.
Continuing Secrecy and Decreasing Transparency Republican legislators began working on the new district maps months ago in secret and behind closed doors. The maps did not become available to the public until just last Friday, July 8. Further decreasing transparency, Republicans have opted to fast-track their redistricting plan by scheduling a vote less than two weeks after the release of the new district maps, leaving little time for public input on a decision that will have a significant impact on our state for the next 10 years.
Republicans also made an unprecedented power grab during this redistricting process by hiring lawyers with taxpayer dollars to look out for their best interest, while dismissing all legal council for Democrats.
Overrule Local Governments Rushing through the current redistricting proposal created by Republican legislators and their lawyers will have a detrimental impact on our local governments. Republicans are so focused on passing the redistricting legislation before the recall elections have concluded that they are acting before all local governments have even submitted their final local ward redistricting maps.
The City of Milwaukee, for example, will be forced to change 55 of its 315 wards and 9 of its 15 aldermanic district boundaries as a result of the preemptive actions by Republicans on redistricting. These changes come after Milwaukee has already held four public hearings, participated in three public listening sessions, held two full-day public workshops for citizens to produce their own maps, and conducted countless informal briefings to individuals and activist groups. Milwaukee has also already spent over $40,000 for dedicated labor hours and administrative expenses related to the redistricting process. There is no reason why the state should be moving at such a careless speed that will negate months of work by local officials, circumvent the open and transparent public hearing process and waste additional taxpayer funds.
To view the map that illustrates the changes Milwaukee will be mandated to make, please CLICK HERE.
Substantial Cost to Taxpayers The partisan nature of redistricting often comes with a daunting price tag. Republicans have not released how much of our taxpayer dollars have been spent on the current redistricting process thus far. However, legal fees for redistricting in Wisconsin in 2000 went into the millions.
The Future of Redistricting in
Wisconsin
Participate in My Redistricting Survey In order for me to better represent you, please participate in my redistricting survey to share your opinions on the current redistricting process and provide feedback on the direction you would like to see our state going with redistricting in the future. To take the redistricting survey, please CLICK HERE.
For more information about redistricting or to view the proposed maps for the state, please CLICK HERE.
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Update on Unemployment Extension |
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After receiving pressure from people across Wisconsin and Democratic legislators including myself, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald has scheduled a special session for Tuesday, July 19 to take up legislation to extend unemployment benefits for Wisconsinites. This legislation passed almost unanimously this past Monday in the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Safety, and Urban Affairs and the Assembly Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.
With a simple legislative change, Wisconsin would be able to capture nearly $90 million from the federal government to extend unemployment benefits in the state. These funds would not need to be repaid.
CLICK HERE to view a copy of the letter that was sent by the Milwaukee Democratic Legislative Caucus to Majority Leader Fitzgerald requesting that he schedule a session day to take up this important legislation.
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Democrats Introduce Constitutional Amendment to Preserve Transparency |
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Late last week, Assembly Democrats circulated a proposed constitutional amendment that would require the Wisconsin State Legislature to comply with current open meetings law. The amendment, authored by Representative Jon Richards and supported by myself and other Democratic colleagues, will preserve Wisconsin’s tradition of open government that has been increasingly threatened.
I will continue to support this constitutional amendment as it makes it way through the legislative process to ensure that the integrity of our open meetings law is upheld and our commitment to transparency, accountability and open government are cemented in our state's most sacred document.
CLICK HERE to view a copy of the constitutional amendment.
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Survey Results Now Available |
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Thank you to everyone that participated in the Spring 2011 Survey to provide me with valuable feedback on what is important to our community and state. I asked for your thoughts on budget priorities and about the direction Wisconsin is headed in. Overall, more than 5,000 people responded with their perspective on the 14 questions that I asked.
As you review the results, please keep in mind that the survey was not scientific. I invited anyone that contacted me in support or in opposition to recent legislative actions in Wisconsin to participate and also made the survey available on my Web site.
It is my hope that we can continue working together on these important issues to improve our communities and make Wisconsin a better place to live and work for our family, friends and neighbors.
CLICK HERE to view the complete survey results.
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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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Run for the Parks July 19 at 6:30 p.m. |
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Humboldt Park (MAP) 3000 S. Howell Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53207
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South Milwaukee Heritage Days |
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Attend South Milwaukee's annual week-long community festival that features fun events for the entire family. Neighbors can enjoy great food, outdoor activities, concerts and even a parade. See the list of events for the week listed below. More information about these events are available by CLICKING HERE.
Sunday, July 17
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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.
Milwaukee, WI 53207 (414) 747-5300
North Point Lighthouse
North Point Lighthouse (MAP) 2650 N. Wahl Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53211 (414) 332-6754
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