« :•: \ v • * fi*til§ Re-elect State Representative Marcia COGGS DEMOCRAT • 18th DISTRICT Dear Friend, This year you can vote a straight ticket. Stand with the party that stands with you. VOTE DEMOCRATIC! Love-Unity-Peace, 7?V MARCIA P. COGGS State Representative 18th Assembly District n*»s#?»5 Marcia is no stranger to Gov. Earl's inner circle of advisors. Let's keep them working together. Marcia has met with Ed Garvey on several occasions. She encourages you to elect him to the U.S. Senate. Granddaughter Priscilla listens intently as Marcia meets with a constituent. MARCIA P. COGGS: Her commitment... is unchallenged Her integrity ... is unquestioned You know where she stands: WITH YOU! VOTE FOR MARCIA ON NOV. 4th BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 2050 Milwaukee, WI OR CURRENT RESIDENT Authorized and paid for by the Friends of Marcia Coggs, 2351 N. Richards, Milwaukee, WI 53212. State Representative Marcia COGGS' Legislative Record Dear friends, Please let me know your concerns and inter­ ests; I always enjoy hearing from you and The 1979-80 session of the Wisconsin Legisla­ learning about your views on state policy ture was recently completed and I would issues. And if I may ever be of assistance to like to take this opportunity to report to you you, please do not hesitate to contact me. on what has happened over the past few months. Love-Unity-Peace, * When the Legislature adjourned on April 3, 1980 it left behind a mixed record-the MARCIA P. COGGS record includes some very noteworthy and State Representative important accomplishments but there are areas of depressing failure too. In the follow­ ing pages you will find the highlights of the LEGISLATURE legislation that was debated. PASSES IMPORTANT NEW REFORMS During the 1979-80 regular floor period, re­ The procedure for change, especially so­ forms were enacted to benefit many Wiscon­ cial change, is extremely slow. And around sin low-income taxpayers. For the first time every corner there is another battle to be property owners were given a break in the fought, and won. At times this is very rough form of a tax credit on their state income tax- and frustrating but remember that I am here es-particularly benefitting the elderly and representing you and our community and will others on a fixed income. The Legislature was continue to do what is best for the people also chiefly responsible for increasing the Sup­ I serve. plemental Security Income to help those who are suffering the most in this crisis period of As WE enter the 1980's WE must be careful record inflation. in ensuring that the civil rights of all people are protected. As our nation turns its atten­ The Legislature also expanded the Veterans tion to energy, the international situation, Home Loan Program. Legislative action this and inflation WE must not forget the racism session authorized the use of prepayment and social injustice that continues to exist in funds, monies paid back when a veteran sells every city across this nation. And WE must his home, for other home loans. Sixty million not let the rest of this nation forget these dollars was made available to low-income, eli­ problems either. Working together WE can gible veterans at an amazing low 7.3% mort­ achieve social change in our lifetimes. gage interest rate. Assembly Bill 663 Despite these accomplishments, the Leg­ issue. Opponents of this proposal advo­ islature again demonstrated that it does cate that "redlining" does not exist in Wis­ not have the ability nor the desire to deal consin. This represents one of the most effectively (and fairly) in the area of discrim­ biased and middle-class misconceptions about ination. the "real" world. The fact that banking insti­ tutions no longer openly avow discriminatory For the past two sessions I have sponsor­ practices does not mean that they no longer ed legislation which would prohibit the engage in such discriminatory practices. practice commonly known as "redlining" If left to operate with traditional practices in granting of mortgage and home improve­ and standards, without laws regulating the ment loans. Broadly defined, "redlining" operation, will the system assure fair treat­ includes any practice by financial institutions ment to those living in the inner city (the which makes it difficult or even impossible to poor, the elderly, the working class)? The obtain financial loans in certain areas of a basic assumption here is: NO. We need community. LAWS against decisions based on geographic location discrimination rather than on "objec­ This year, AB 663, passed the Assembly, yet tive" risk criteria. I will continue to fight for the Senate failed to take action on this vital this badly needed legislation next session. Milwaukee Journal photo Representative Marcia P. Coggs was one of seven black women honored for attaining a top-level job in state gov­ ernment by the Alpha Pi Chapter of the Eta Phi Beta sorority, a service group of black women. Representative Coggs, the first black woman in the State Assembly, was elected in 1976 and was quoted here as saying,"I'm still fighting for better treatment for all disadvantaged people." Bills authored by Representative COGGS LEAD POISONING TRANSFER AIDS EXPANDED During the past legislative session I authored a In the Biennial Budget Review Bill I co- bill that authorized the Department of Health sponsored legislation that will modify the and Social Services to undertake a program to current law to include minority and non- prevent lead poisoning; it also provides for minority four-year olds in the definition of special authority regarding the elimination of pupils eligible for special transfer aids. Ini­ lead-based paints and plasters. This bill re­ tially, this program was to facilitate the quires that an agent of the department inspect transfer of students over age five between the home of the victim and if lead-based schools and school districts to promote cul­ paint is present the department may require tural and racial integration in education the owner to remedy the poison hazard where students and their parents desire within 30 days. (Federal funds are available to such a transfer. assist owners in emergency situations where children with serious lead poisoning have been Integration, if it is to be successful, must identified.) Signed into law April, 1980. include four year olds. The younger children are involved in desegregation efforts, the Under a federal government law all interior better impression it will leave as we seek house paints starting in 1973 can contain only equality for all. Among other factors, trans­ a trace of lead. However, the danger has con­ fer aids will help eliminate widely held ra­ tinued in older homes with lead-based paint. cial stereotypes, encourage friendships at Most experts conducting child screening pro­ earlier ages between all people, broaden grams believe that paint eating is at least the cultural values transmitted by the schools major factor in lead poisoning diseases. Con­ and the children themselves, increase the sequently, children ages 1 to 6 are at the high­ availability of quality educational programs est risk for contacting lead poisoning. And if which can mean better jobs, and it will en­ left untreated, the disease may lead to the courage all children to develop an under­ central nervous system involvement which re­ standing, respect and appreciation for one sults in blindness, paralysis, mental retarda­ another. tion and finally death. Less severe cases can involve learning problems and behavioral and 26o]$CH00L BUS[^ emotional difficulties. The initial symptoms of lead poisoning are non-specific and may be due to other causes and it is therefore easy to misdiagnose the disease or overlook it entirely. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pains, constipation, irratibility, anorexia, and list- lessness. I strongly encourage all parents who suspect that their children have lead poisoning to bring them to a clinic for testing. For infor­ mation call: 278-3621 Your guide to important state services REPRESENTATIVE MARCIA P. COGGS HOME: 414 374 6528 OFFICE: 608-266-3786 Toll-free Legislative Hotline 1-800-362-9696 Consumer Protection Hotline 1-800-362-3023 Office of Minority Business Enterprise 608-266-8380 Office of Insurance Commissioner 608-266-3585 Nursing Home Ombudsman Program 414-224-4386 Suggestion: Clip this section and place in your phone book. State Representative BULK PERMIT MARCIA COGGS U.S. POSTAGE 2351 N. Richards PAID Milwaukee, WI 53212 Permit No. 1749 Representative Marcia P. Coggs was oi ernment by the Alpha Pi Chapter of Coggs, the first black woman in the ! still fighting for better treatment for a C\ C t R H Bulk Rate State Representative U.S. Postage PAID Madison, WI Marcia Permit No. 1749 COGGS Wisconsin State Assembly or current resident State Capitol P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708 Spring 1990 Legislative Report Dear Friends: AB 637—Tougher We are now embarking on the decade of the nineties. It may be a penalties for civil decade where we realize a " kinder, gentler" America or it may be a decade where we continue on the same perilous course we followed in the eighties. rights violations The eighties saw a barrage of cutbacks, shutdowns and reallocations of I introduced a bill this session that tax dollars that were once channelled into social services programs. AFDC would allow victims of sexual and racial and welfare bashing became fashionable, while the well-being of families was harassment in the workplace to recover placed on the shoulders of teenagers through the "Leamfare" program. damages for pain and suffering and There were a number of positive things that happened in the eighties, medical expenses.