http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/elderly-crowd-s5.jpgGreen Bay's Senator thinks Gov. Evers plan to follow the independent Iowa process and have a nonpartisan agency draw the state’s political maps would bring real change.

Excerpts from Governor's 2019-2021 Biennial Budget Address place emphasis on people first.

MADISON - Below are excerpts from Governor Tony Evers' 2019-2021 Biennial Budget Address as prepared for delivery. Gov. Evers will give his address at 7:00 P.M. tonight in the Assembly Chambers of the Wisconsin State Capitol.

… I want everyone to understand how we arrived here. At the end of the day, our budget is about putting people first. It’s about creating a Wisconsin that works for everyone--a Wisconsin for us. This isn’t the Tony Evers budget, the Democratic budget, the Speaker’s budget, or the Republican budget--this is The People’s Budget. And it’s one that we crafted together.

We heard from people like Maryann who lives in Coleman in Senator Tiffany and Representative Mursau’s district and Nancy who lives in Amherst in Senator Testin and Representative Shankland’s district. Both Maryann and Nancy came to our listening sessions and talked to us about water quality and water pollution issues across our state.

Because of people like Maryann and Nancy, we announced we’re making safe drinking water a top priority in Wisconsin. We’re authorizing nearly $70 million in bonding to address water quality, from replacing lead service lines to addressing water contamination across our state. I know Representative Shankland has been working with us closely on this issue. Thank you, Representative Shankland, and to Maryann and Nancy, who are here with us in the gallery tonight, for advocating on this important issue.

We also heard from people like Tony who lives in Senator Petrowski and Representative Snyder’s district in Wausau. Tony not only has a great first name, but he also came to one of our listening sessions and talked about why we need driver’s licenses for immigrants and persons who are undocumented, especially in communities where there’s limited access to public transportation.

Because of people like Tony, we’re announcing tonight that undocumented folks will be eligible to receive driver’s licenses and ID cards. This makes our roads and our communities safer, and helps strengthen our economy and Wisconsin families. I know Representative Zamarripa has worked on this issue, and Tony is here with us in the gallery tonight--thank you both for your work on this issue.

And finally, I shared that tonight so that everybody understands what’s at stake in choosing to play politics with this budget.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/hicap-longlake2-s5.jpgConservationists announce scores from National Environmental Scorecard

112 Soldiers and Airmen sent to Arizona by former Gov. Walker to support President Trump's fictional "border crisis" will be coming home.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/menominee-indian-reservation-s5.jpgNew $8 million, 36-bed youth wellness center, higher education grants for tribal college students, and using tribal gaming revenue for family services and elderly transportation top list.

Additional $150 million over two years in budget will lead to expanded career opportunities says Assembly Democratic leader.

MADISON – Governor Evers announced that his biennial budget will include an additional $150 million over two years for the University of Wisconsin System. Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement on the Governor’s plan:

“The UW System is Wisconsin's number one asset when it comes to job creation and offering economic opportunity. The Governor’s proposed funding increase will make college more affordable, create pathways toward meaningful careers, and build vibrant communities. Our state government is most effective when it prioritizes long-term investments. The Governor’s proposal for higher education will serve as a foundation to strengthen our UW System campuses across the state for years to come.”

Dawn has deep ties to the community and over 25 years of experience serving the people of Vernon County through her positions at Couleecap and the Viroqua Housing Authority.

MADISON – Governor Tony Evers announced on Friday the appointment of Dawn Nemec as the new Vernon County Register of Deeds, replacing Konna Spaeth who resigned effective Friday.

“Dawn Nemec possesses the experience and vision necessary to serve Vernon County as the Register of Deeds,” Governor Evers said. “With deep ties to the community and over 25 years of experience serving the people of Vernon County through her positions at Couleecap and the Viroqua Housing Authority, Dawn will continue to be an exemplary public servant in the Register’s office.”

Nemec currently works in the Accounting Department at Organic Valley. Previously she worked for Couleecap and later served as the Executive Director of the Viroqua Housing Authority. In addition, Dawn previously served as the Vice President of the La Farge School Board. Dawn and her husband Tom are co-owners of a beef and crop farm in rural La Farge. They have three children and ten grandchildren. In her free time, Nemec runs a local gift shop in La Farge with her children.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voter-us-elections-s5.jpgLawsuit alleges Republicans' legislation violated Democratic voters' federal constitutional rights.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/drug-cost-s5.jpgCitizen Action of Wisconsin joins the Roosevelt Institute to release "Creation of a Crisis: How the Pharmaceutical Industry Chooses Profit Over People" revealing how drug company profits and CEO pay put lives at risk.

MADISON - On Wednesday, the State of Wisconsin Building Commission approved several key projects across the state, including:

• Design and construction of UW-Milwaukee Sandburg Hall renovation project, UW-Platteville Boebel Hall addition and renovation phase II, and UW-River Falls Dairy Plant remodel;
• Release of Building Trust Funds to complete the design of Waupun Correctional Behavior Health Unit/Life Safety improvements, Juvenile Corrections Regional Facilities, and Mendota Mental Health Juvenile Treatment Center;
• Grant release for 18 Department of Natural Resources Friends Group projects and the completion of Medical College of Wisconsin regional schools; and
• Various maintenance and repair projects located in 13 counties across the state for the Departments of Administration, Corrections, Military Affairs, Natural Resources, Health Services, and the UW-System.

The Building Commission is chaired by Governor Tony Evers and made up of the following members:

• State Senator Janis Ringhand;
• State Senator Jerry Petrowski;
• State Senator Patrick Testin;
• State Representative Jill Billings;
• State Representative Rob Swearingen;
• State Representative Mark Born; and
• Citizen member Summer Strand