Madison West Neighborhood Association, Inc.
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Pocan Post: Fall Updates

10/22/2016

 
Dear Friend,
In a time of nationally divided politics, there are still things almost all of us can agree upon (and I’m not just talking about the Packers). I am proud to have worked with my colleagues in Congress and constituents on key issues like prescription drug prices, voting rights, and education funding.
A recent Kaiser survey showed the vast majority of Americans say prescription drug prices are too high. Yet companies have been inexplicably jacking up prices so quickly that people can no longer afford lifesaving medicine. Mylan Pharmaceuticals raising the price of the EpiPen by 500% over five years was one of the latest cases to draw widespread outcry. Additionally, the the cost of insulin more than tripled over the last decade. 
Last week, I sent a letter with 32 of my colleagues to President Obama urging the White House to take executive action so Americans don’t have to fear skyrocketing drug costs. Drug company profits continue to increase at a faster pace than any other sector of the health care industry, while too many working families are being squeezed by out of control drug prices.
Ensuring the right to vote is protected is another one of our shared values which we must uphold. Our state continues to struggle with the fallout from the harmful voter ID law as people applying for voter identification at DMV offices were given false and misleading information that could keep them from voting.
That’s why I am the author of a constitutional amendment to affirm the right to vote and ensure that every American can vote without fear of disenfranchisement. People should select their leaders, not the other way around. 
Thank you,

Mark Pocan

CONCERNS OVER VOUCHER SCHOOLS WARRANTED
Over the past month in the district, I have continued to talk to public school educators, administrators and the media about the non-partisan study I commissioned from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on taking taxpayer dollars from public schools and using them to fund private voucher schools that do not have the same standards as our public schools. 
The study demonstrated that taxpayer funded voucher schools lack accountability measures, fail to show student improvement, and often times cannot meet the needs of students with disabilities. You can read more in my September 25th column in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. ​

Pocan Post: Summer Updates from the District

8/11/2016

 
Dear Friend,

It won’t likely come as a shock to hear that I look forward to August, when Congressional legislative business in DC is put on hold and I can return home for a longer period to reconnect with constituents. It is not only a respite from DC dysfunction, it also sparks ideas for things we can get done in spite of that craziness.

To that end, in early August I spent a day visiting local cooperative businesses including Just Coffee Cooperative, Isthmus Engineering & Manufacturing and the soon-to-open third Willy Street Co-op on Madison’s Northside. In our district, Dane County alone is home to 80 cooperatives, the highest number of co-ops per capita of any county in the country!  

Because our district embraces this model that gives workers a voice and a stake in business decisions, earlier this year I co-founded the bipartisan Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus with Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA) to help policymakers enact co-op friendly legislation. During my visits I not only had the chance to highlight successful co-ops in our district, but I also heard great feedback on what works and what might help others exploring this collaborative business model.

I appreciate all that our cooperatives and small businesses throughout our district do to foster a strong economic climate. They make our region an incredible community to call home.


​

Thank you,

Mark Pocan
    Picture

    Congressman Mark Pocan


    10 East Doty Street
    Suite 405
    Madison, WI 53703

    Ph: 608-258-9800
    Fax: 608-258-0377

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  • Home
    • WestFest
    • Neighbohood Events
    • City of Madison Calendar
    • Neighborhood Development Plan >
      • NP Update
  • Contact
    • Officer Submittal
  • Membership
  • Donate
  • Communication
    • Associations Communications >
      • NA President's Blog
    • District 1 Communications >
      • District 1 Alder Blog
      • West District Police Blog
      • Barbara Harrinnton-McKinney
    • City Communications >
      • Mayor's Blog
    • County Executive Blog >
      • County District 15 Supervisor Blog
    • State Communication >
      • State Representative 78th Assembly District Blog
      • State Senator 26th District Blog
    • Federal Communication >
      • U.S. Representative 2nd District Blog
  • About
    • Mission Statement
    • Goals
    • Officers
    • By-Laws
    • NA Boundary
    • Minutes/Official Documents
  • FAQ
  • Volunteer