Representative Lisa Subeck’s Statement on Legislative Calendar Conflict with Jewish Holiday

MADISON – Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) released the following statement regarding the 2017-2018 legislative calendar that includes a possible session day on the Jewish high holiday of Rosh Hashanah. When the conflict was brought to the attention of Assembly leadership, it was revealed that Senate leadership would not agree to remove the date from the calendar as a possible session day.

“It is disappointing and insulting that Senate Republican leadership has refused to change the legislative calendar to ensure the Legislature would not meet on Rosh Hashanah.

Rosh Hashanah is one of two Jewish high holidays. Scheduling a possible session day on a high holiday is akin to doing so on Christmas or Easter. There would never be a possible session day scheduled for these Christian holidays, and the same should be true for major Jewish holidays.

With just 92 possible session days on the calendar for the entire 2 year session, it is particularly appalling that Senate Republican leadership refused to make a change to accommodate Rosh Hashanah.

As a Jewish woman, the insult of Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald’s inaction is deeply personal, but my vote against the proposed calendar was also for my Jewish colleagues, our Jewish staff members, and my Jewish constituents. Assembly leadership has made a commitment not to convene on Rosh Hashanah, and it is my hope that despite what is currently on the calendar, the Senate will do the same.”

Representative Subeck voted no on the proposed calendar.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.