STATEWIDE - We discuss the adolescent and divisive COVID-19 legislation introduced by Robin Vos and Assembly Republicans that cuts funding for school districts and fails to address the historic pandemic bludgeoning Wisconsin families. We review Trump’s illegitimate lawsuit which seeks to change the rules of the game after the election and throw out hundreds of thousands of legal ballots in Milwaukee and Dane County. We kick off the State Budget fight that commences with Governor Tony Evers’ budget that he must present early next year. We discuss our top budget priorities, including a BadgerCare Public Option, Pharma Reform, and Green New Deal initiatives, and encourage our listeners to contact the Governor.

Become a Citizen Action member and attend our Annual membership meeting this Saturday, December 5th, 10am – Noon.

Episode #470
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MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers Thursday delivered the Democratic Radio Address urging Wisconsinites who attended a holiday gathering to help stop the spread by taking precautions to keep others safe.

Audio file of radio address.

Hello, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here.

As we continue to move through the holiday season and winter months, we must be as vigilant as ever that we are taking every precaution to protect ourselves, our friends, families, neighbors, and fellow Wisconsinites from the spread of this virus.

If you chose to gather with people outside of your household for Thanksgiving, then we’re going to need your help in the days ahead to keep others safe.

So, go get tested. Symptoms could appear 14 days after exposure, but we need your help to box in the virus and stop the spread, so you can help today by isolating yourself away from others until you get results.

And also remember—a negative test today does not guarantee a negative test tomorrow, and not every COVID positive person will display symptoms, so the safest thing to do is to continue to stay home as much as you can and avoid contact with others.

If you absolutely must go out, please wear a mask and maintain distance from anyone you do not live with.

Staying home, practicing social distancing, and wearing a mask are not political statements—it’s a sign to the people you pass that you care about them and their health and safety.

Those basic actions can and will save lives when done properly and when done together. Thank you very much.

Federal dollars the state of Wisconsin received to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic will expire on December 30, 2020. We need movement on a plan.

MADISON - State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) confirmed in a new memo from the Wisconsin Legislative Council that any federal dollars the state of Wisconsin received to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic will expire on December 30, 2020.

“The situation in Wisconsin is dire. Our hospitals are at capacity, our medical workforce is strained, small businesses are suffering and need our help, said Erpenbach. COVID-19 isn’t going away on December 30th and we need to be able to respond.”

According to the memo, barring any new federal legislation addressing the issue, costs for expenditures using Corona Virus Relief funds must be incurred by the end of the day on December 30, 2020. After that any remaining money must be returned to the federal government. We do not have the ability to put the money into a fund to spend later and there is no provision to ask for an extension.

Wisconsin is on pace to spend all federal dollars it has received from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, without federal assistance in the form of another relief package, we will have to spend state dollars to fund any program that will help combat the pandemic.

“There isn’t a person in Wisconsin that hasn’t been impacted by COVID. Our friends in the GOP here in Wisconsin need to recognize that and step up to the plate and get our state ready to have the kinds of programs in place to assist those who need it most-our hospitals and clinics, child care centers, schools, small businesses and our local governments and public health departments,” said Erpenbach.

“We’ve given them over 7 months to come up with a plan and all they have given us are empty promises of bipartisanship, broad support for doing nothing from Republicans in the Senate and from Speaker Vos we get a plan that will actually increase division in our communities, increase the spread of Covid-19, and put politicians in charge of decisions that should be left to public health experts. Meanwhile, Wisconsinites face eviction, food insecurity, job loss and a medical system that is completely overwhelmed. We need new funds from Congress and we need a plan to bring Wisconsin back stronger than ever,” added Erpenbach.

MADISON - The President of the United States is off his rocker.

Yesterday, he gave a 46-minute speech that was the scariest I’ve ever read. And the mainstream media downplayed the shocking part: that Trump explicitly said that the election should be overturned. Here’s what I wrote about this, and about calls from Gen. Flynn and others for Trump to declare martial law:

Don’t Ignore Trump’s Psychotic Speech

I also posted a critique of Trump’s groundless lawsuits right here in Wisconsin, which also seek to overturn the will of the people:

Trump’s Bogus Wisconsin Lawsuits

Trump is taking the country through very treacherous waters right now, and we ignore this threat at our peril.

Thanks for reading these two items, for defending our democracy!

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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New Senator from Madison critical of claims that Wisconsin certification of ballots was illegal, thanks dedicated election officials for conducting this election securely and safely.

MADISON - During a meeting of the Wisconsin Election Commission, Commissioner Knudson made claims that the Wisconsin certification of ballots was illegal and that no results should be certified in the state.

Senator-elect Agard issued the following statement:

“The comments made by Commissioner Knudson are extremely harmful to our democracy. It is clear that he is following the marching orders of the outgoing President who continues to undermine our election results and file baseless lawsuits in a reckless attempt to overturn the will of the people here in Wisconsin and around the country. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to disenfranchise Wisconsin voters who legally cast their ballots. It is imperative that we continue to move forward in the process to preserve faith in our election systems.

“There is no evidence that there was any sort of voter fraud in the state, Commissioner Knudson even admitted this. With no fraud to back up baseless claims made by Republicans at all levels of government, Commissioner Knudson is turning to misinterpreted statutes to try and undermine the work done by election officials. The action of certifying our state's results were legal and followed the same statute used in 2016. To protect our democracy, it is important that we move forward with the transition of power at all levels.

“I want to again thank our dedicated election officials for conducting this election securely and safely during this time. Your hard work and dedication to public service is greatly appreciated. We, as a state, owe you a debt of gratitude.”

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Melissa served on the Dane County Board and the Wisconsin State Assembly prior to being elected to represent the 16th Senate District. Concern for the greater community and a vision for a better Wisconsin brought her to public service and community activism. She is a proud mother of 4 boys, and lives on Madison’s northside.

MADISON – Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement on legislation put forward by Republicans:

“There are so many extremely politically divisive items in this legislation at a time when we need the opposite. Not only do Wisconsin Republicans not want to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, they want to put into law limits on local governments in their ability to respond in the way that works for their community. This bill is politically driven, undermines Governor Evers’ efforts to combat the virus, and ignores the reality our state is facing.”

STATEWIDE - We have a special interview with Wisconsin Election Commissioner (WEC) Mark Thomsen about Trump and the GOP’s baseless accusations that every Wisconsin election clerk conducted illegal election activities. Wednesday evening, Republican WEC commissioners asserted, with no evidence, that Milwaukee and Dane County would illegally restrict access to GOP recount 2observers. Commissioner Dean Knudson said he was willing to throw out all absentee ballots requested online through WEC, which if it happened would likely swing the election to Trump.

Our panel also discusses the escalating COVID-19 crisis in Wisconsin, including Governor Evers’ extension of the mask mandate and his new COVID-19 legislation. We welcome Racine Education Association president Angelina Cruz to discuss the very strong letter WEAC leaders sent to Gov. Evers and DHS Secretary designee Andrea Palm asking for clear state standards on in-person schooling. We also talk about other local elected officials who are receiving threats for proposing local health measures that would slow the spread of the pandemic.

Listen – Episode #468
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MADISON —​ Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address encouraging Wisconsinites to take care of their mental health this holiday season and know that there are free resources available for those who need it.

Audio file of radio address.

Hello, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here.

For many Wisconsinites the holiday season can be a difficult time of year even under normal circumstances, but this year as the COVID-19 pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of Wisconsinites’ lives, it is critical that we all take care of our mental and emotional well-being.

First, check in on your people. Whether that’s talking on the phone or connecting over the Zoom, those conversations can provide comfort to those who need it.

Second, know that you are not alone. There are resources available no matter your age or your struggle.

Text HOPELINE to 741-741 for free emotional support services that can provide help and hope.

You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or, go online to resilient.wisconsin.gov for more resources.

Remember, it’s okay to ask for help. It’s better than “okay” – it can make a real difference for you and for your loved ones. Let’s get through this together.

Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay resilient, Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-nurse-tired-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about the people in our lives we can be thankful for, and shares tips from the Trempealeau County Health Department for Wisconsinites to have a safe Thanksgiving this year.

MADISON - Donald Trump’s toxic circus has come to Wisconsin, as his campaign is paying for a recount in Dane and Milwaukee counties that is bound to fail.

He is succeeding, however, in keeping the partisan turmoil boiling in our state, as I write about here:

Trump Sows Chaos and Division in Wisconsin

Also this week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard yet another challenge to Gov. Evers’s emergency powers during the pandemic, even as we saw record cases – and record deaths – in our state. The case before the court was brought by big Republican donor Jere Fabick, a Caterpillar truck dealer. Fabick, by the way, gave the maximum $20,000 donation to Justice Rebecca Bradley, who refused to recuse herself, as we noted here:

Justice Hears Case by Major Donor Opposing Governor’s Pandemic Actions

The norms of democracy and basic decency are flying out the window these days!

But we’re doing all we can, here at the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, to uphold those norms and to flash a spotlight on those who break them.

We can’t let them get away with this!

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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P.S. If you like the work we’ve been doing, please make a tax-deductible gift today to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign. Just click here. Or donate the old-fashioned way by sending a check to us at 203 S. Paterson St, Suite 100, Madison WI 53703. Thanks!