After two years of participating and lobbying for Leah's Law with the Superior Days Committee, we (the Leah's Law group) were not included in the 2009 Superior Days (February 24th & 25th). These are the topics that will be included in this years delegation, as well as a link to the Superior Days website. We wish the members traveling good luck and a safe trip.
PROPOSED ISSUES FOR SUPERIOR DAYS 2009:
 | 24/7 Care for Veterans Clinic |
| Alternative Response |
| Autism |
| Birth to Three |
| College Graduate Retention - Jobs |
| Communicable Disease |
| Criminal Justice Juvenile Classification of 17 year olds in Adult Justice System |
| Dental Care Access – Incentives (Loan Forgiveness) / Affordable/Accessible Health/Dental Care |
| Flood Plain Ordinance Process Needs to be Modified |
| Heritage Passage signage |
| Historic Preservation of Buildings – Enhance Tax Credits |
| Hwy 13 Passing Lanes |
| Hwy 2&13 Roundabouts |
| Invasive Species: Prohibit Transporting of Aquatic Invasives & Town Compliance Issues |
| Jail Recidivism and job training & County Jails |
| Juvenile Offenders Prevention Funding for Programs in Schools |
| Lack of on-ramps on Highway 53 |
| Lake Superior wind generators in Superior |
| Long-Term Care Redesign |
| Lucius Woods Performing Arts Center |
| Madeline Island going off power grid |
| Mass transit options for Superior region |
| Medial Assistance/Medicaid Maintenance Plans |
| Murphy Oil Expansion |
| New Building at Crex Meadows Youth Camp |
| New perspectives on K-12 issues and school aid funding formula |
| North Country Scenic Trail Development |
| Payment and Third Party Collections by State Mental Health Institutions |
| Potential tax implications for the Superior Refinery |
| Prevailing Wage – Compliance & Survey Process |
| Regional allocation of CDBG funds for public facility and economic development |
| Regional transit authority enabling legislation |
| Renewable Energy Mandates |
| Renewable energy public policy collaborative efforts |
| Septic System Regulation in Rural Areas – Need State Code Changed (POWTS – Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment) |
| Shared Revenue |
| Simplification of Transportation Requirements |
| Special Needs Daycare |
| Stabilization of Funding for County Conservation Programs (Change in State Law) |
| State Job Distributions in NW WI |
| State Video Conferencing Rollout Program |
| State-wide Standards for Wind Energy |
| Support Development of Regional Public Transit |
| Sustainable Energy - Wind Power |
| Unborn Child Abuse |
| US Highway 2 Expansion to Four Lanes (Bio Energy Corridor) (Safety - Passing Lanes) |
| US Highway 53 Intersection Safety |
| Utilization of public lands |
| Veterans Cemetery Way Side Assistance to keep it open in the Winter |
| Youth Programs - NWCEP |
DROPPED ISSUES:
| Allow State Cell Towers to be used in Rural Areas |
| Environmentally safe forest products |
| Funding for English as a Second Language (ESL) Program |
| Funding for Locally Led Land & Water Conservation Department Programs |
| Funding for Shelter/Housing for the Homeless |
| Increase Funding for Mental Health for Vets |
| Increase State Aid to Technical Colleges |
| Lack of E85 gas stations in Northwest Wisconsin |
|
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| More Low Income Energy Efficient Housing |
| Payday Loans |
| Reform Medical Care |
| Southern Douglas County Tax Base |
| Statewide Predatory Lending Legislation |
| State-wide Smoking Ban |
| Support for Higher Education |
| Technology Infrastructure Support for Cellular Communication Towers |
Link to their website: SUPERIOR DAYS
Lobbyist for Leah's Law has Died
One of the lobbyists for Wisconsin's "Leah's Law" has died.
Sarah Gustafson, the step mother of murder victim, Leah Gustafson, died
Friday evening. Sarah loved Leah and worked with lawmakers for "Leah
Law" go from a bill into law. This year the group will push for it to
become law.
The bill is named for 29-year old Leah Gustafson, who was murdered two
years ago in Superior. It would require anyone with a violent criminal
record to register with the state.
Sarah Gustafson died after a two year battle with cancer. She was 56
years old.
Funeral arrangements are set for Tuesday at 11AM. at the Downs Funeral
Home in Superior. Her internment will be next to Leah in the Greenwood
Cemetery.
Gustafson, 56, of Superior was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, shortly after her stepdaughter was killed, according to Richard Gustafson, Leah’s father. A year later, Sarah developed a brain tumor. She initially responded well to surgery, but her health began to decline again this year. She had been hospitalized for a week when she died.
The Gustafsons led an effort in Madison to create a registry of violent offenders, similar to existing sex-offender registries, that they dubbed Leah’s Law. The man convicted of killing Leah Gustafson in January 2006 had a long history of violent crimes. The Gustafsons argued that residents should be able to locate violent offenders on a registry just as they can locate sex offenders.
Leah’s Law was approved this year by the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice, but didn’t make it to the floor of the full assembly before adjournment this year. Supporters say they will push for the bill again next session.
Richard Gustafson said Sarah, whom he married about a year before his daughter’s death, helped push for the bill in the 2007 Assembly even when she was fighting breast cancer. She did not go to Madison during the 2008 session.
“She wanted to go, but she felt she didn’t have the strength to properly support us down there,” Richard said.
Sarah Gustafson worked as a registered nurse, specializing in adolescent behavioral health at Miller-Dwan Medical Center, her husband said. Her experience made her especially helpful to family and friends who were devastated by Leah Gustafson’s death.
“She was quite experienced in people who had suffered emotional trauma,” Richard said. “Even though it hurt her immensely, she was always willing to help other people in coming to terms with this terrible tragedy.”
Originally from Grand Marais, Sarah Gustafson has a son and two daughters — Cy Simensen, Maija Krueth and Hillary Simensen — in Duluth. Her father, Robert Morrison, also lives in Duluth.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Downs Funeral Home, Superior. Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
On behalf of the Leah’s Law group of friends and family, I am saddened to see Rep. Frank Boyle retire. He has been a true inspiration, friend, and spoke for our cause when others told us that it wasn’t possible.
I champion his extended work with domestic abuse issues and abuse against women as well. He’s restored my faith in politicians and restored my faith in bipartisan team work on behalf of a greater good. He’s a kind, funny, and dedicated man who served his district and the state well. We wish him many wonderful years in retirement. On behalf of the Leah’s Law group I just wanted to extend my thankfulness to Mr. Boyle and congratulate him on a job well done!
— Mary Day,
Leah’s Law group, Superior
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