MADISON - Lt. Gov. Barnes delivered the Democratic Radio Address on Thursday wishing Wisconsinites a happy Juneteenth Day and recognizing the significance of celebrating Juneteenth in the midst of the current movement against systemic racism and injustice.

Audio file of radio address.

Hey Wisconsin, it’s Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, and I just want to wish you all a happy Juneteenth Day.

Juneteenth Day is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the official ending of slavery in America.

Now this Juneteenth has a little bit more significance for us. Even though last year, we recognized the 400-year anniversary of the unlawful and unwilling arrival of enslaved Africans on the shores of Jamestown, Virginia—this Juneteenth we find ourselves right in the middle of a movement.

A movement for Black lives to address the racial injustice and inequity that has taken place over the last 400 years and that is ingrained in so many of our systems today.

So when I sit back and reflect on Juneteenth, I consider what Freedom really means.

Freedom means opportunity. Freedom means being able to live. Freedom means being able to be who you are.

I know I can’t truly be free unless all people are free.

So on this Juneteenth, let’s celebrate the freedoms we have, but also hold close those that we are still fighting for.

As the Juneteenth Flag flies above the State Capitol for the very first time in our state’s history, we have to remember that our work will not be over until Black lives matter by way of equity and the opportunity to thrive.

Farmers Have Been Crushed By Trump’s Failed COVID-19 Response, But He’s Been Dragging Them Down His Entire Presidency.

WISCONSIN -- Trump’s failed COVID-19 response has crushed farmers in Wisconsin and across the country. Farmers have been dumping milk, setting their crops on fire, and euthanizing their livestock because there is no market for their products. All the while, millions of more Americans are going hungry because they lost their jobs. 

But farmers were struggling long before coronavirus hit the United States. Trump’s chaotic trade wars, particularly with China, obliterated the markets Wisconsin farmers spent decades building in just a short few months. During this time Trump and his administration told Wisconsinites the pain would be “temporary,” that farmers were “over the hump,” and that small and medium-sized family farms should just get bigger if they want to survive.

Trump has never seen farmers as more than a political pawn critical to his reelection chances. He used their pain to push through a multi-billion dollar bailout program that was nothing more than a handout for large agricultural companies. After getting rolled by China on a trade deal that was a mere fraction of what he promised it would be, a recent news report confirms that Trump was never interested in bettering the lives of Wisconsin’s farmers and was simply looking out for his own political interests. 

“Donald Trump crushed our farmers and the local economies they support because he only sees them as a bargaining chip, not human beings and Wisconsinites,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman said. “Trump has been a lapdog for China as he has rolled over for them at every turn. It’s been made clear by recent news reports that Trump gambled with farmers' livelihoods because he thought it would be good for his reelection prospects. But after decimating these communities, they’re not willing to give him another four years -- they know they can’t afford it.”

Wisconsin Examiner: Farms go from frying pan of trade wars to fire of COVID-19
Coxhead said trade policies under President Donald Trump...contributed significantly to the plight of Wisconsin farmers in the last few years. The federal government’s management of the COVID-19 pandemic has further endangered the country’s — and Wisconsin’s — position in the world economy, he added.

Wisconsin State Farmer: Economic recovery after pandemic will be slow for farmers due to trade and internet issues
He also said the Trump administration's volatile relationship with China, one of the country's biggest trading partners, is a cause for concern. And a widespread lack of high-speed internet access in rural areas is causing many rural economies to fall behind entirely. "The global economic recovery, which will outpace the United States, is not really going to benefit us all that well because the administration has turned its back on international trade," Coxhead said.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Coronavirus has hit Wisconsin dairy farms especially hard -- some farmers may even have to dump milk
Coronavirus is delivering a blow to Wisconsin agriculture...export markets are threatened by global trade unrest, and some farms may not make it through the spring. “The coronavirus outbreak has caused milk prices to drop down to unprofitable levels this spring...We also need to be prepared for the scenarios that would require our members to dump milk”…”or dispose of (it) in some other manner,”...the stimulus package won’t resolve long-term issues such as increased global competition and trade wars that may arise from countries closing their borders to curb the spread of COVID-19. The global pandemic has sent a shock wave throughout agriculture.

More than six thousand Wisconsinites protected.

WISCONSIN -- Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Ben Wikler released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's Decision on DACA:

"Today’s Supreme Court decision is a victory for the more than six thousand Wisconsinites who are protected by DACA and all of us who cherish them as our fellow citizens. The contribution they bring to communities across Wisconsin is incalculable, and had Trump gotten his way our friends, neighbors, and family members would be leaving the only country they’ve ever known as home. We’re grateful for the thousands of DREAMers who have organized and fought for a more inclusive America and paved the way for this decision. Justice won today, but there is no doubt that Trump will continue his xenophobic and racist attacks against the immigrant community. We know DACA will be on the ballot this November, and it falls upon all of us to vote for Joe Biden and Democrats across the country who will whole-heartedly protect our fellow Americans."

Veep trip to Wisconsin is a thinly-veiled attempt to distract from the mounting failures of the Trump administration.

WISCONSIN -- Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman released the following statement in response to Mike Pence's visit to the Badger state next Tuesday:

“Pence’s trip to Wisconsin is a thinly-veiled attempt to distract from the mounting failures of the Trump administration. Pence will have to answer to the Wisconsin workers and farmers that Trump sold out to the Chinese government to recruit their help in his reelection and the thousands of Wisconsinites who are unemployed because Trump botched his coronavirus response. Families across Wisconsin know the truth about Trump’s record: he failed to keep his promises and left us vulnerable to the multitude of crises facing our state because he was more interested in securing his own political future than doing his job to keep them safe. November can’t come soon enough.”

First he led the Birther Movement, then called Mexican immigrants “rapists”, now his failed COVID-19 response destroyed the economic progress since the great recession.

WISCONSIN -- Trump launched his political career by pushing the outrageous conspiracy theory that Barack Obama, the first Black president, was not born in the United States. It was merely a preview of what would come later. Trump announced his presidential campaign by railing against Mexican immigrants as “rapists”, and his tenure in the White House has been punctuated by praise for neo-Nazis in Charlottesville as “very fine people” and by violence against anti-racism protests in front of the White House.  

Trump was handed a booming economy by the Obama-Biden administration, which included record low unemployment for people of color since the great recession. But Trump’s failed COVID-19 response destroyed that progress. Now, both African-American and Hispanic unemployment is nearly 20%, nearly triple the African American unemployment and quadruple the Hispanic unemployment when Obama and Biden left office in January 2017. The coronavirus itself has devastated communities of color, with Black Wisconsinites nearly three-times as likely to die from the pandemic. 

After hundreds of millions of dollars in the first round of PPP funding went into the pockets of giant corporations, as well as Trump’s donors and golfing partners, the second round had a portion allocated for Black-owned businesses. However, these entrepreneurs still struggled to get the funds they needed to sustain their businesses. 

“As communities of color continue to suffer under Trump’s failed leadership, he is using his time to push 1960s segregationist rallying cries, belittling protestors, and doing everything to distract from the lack of meaningful solutions from his administration,” Democratic party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman said. “After pushing obscene birther conspiracy theories, Trump destroyed the livelihoods of millions of people of color with a failed coronavirus response. Trump has systematically sowed disunity with his racist policies and rhetoric. When we elect Joe Biden to be the next president, we know he will be a voice for everyone, and will work to empower those who have been harmed by systemic racism.”

TMJ4: Closing the wealth and poverty gaps for African American communities
When it comes to wealth and poverty in Wisconsin, African Americans face enormous difficulties in both categories...A study by the Federal Reserve Board says the median net worth for white families is about $134,000. For African American families, it's just $11,000...Layoffs can have a direct impact on poverty. In Milwaukee County, 33.6 percent of African Americans live in poverty. It's more than three times higher than their white counterparts (10.8 percent in poverty).

Politico: Missing data veils coronavirus damage to minority communities
“There's no doubt moving forward that our more marginalized communities will be affected the hardest by any spike that we see,” said Ben Weston, health director for Milwaukee County. “And there's also no doubt that we're going to see a spike.” That Wisconsin county, which declared racism a public health emergency last year, was one of the few to break down coronavirus data by race and ethnicity early on. Black people make up 27 percent of the population but 46 percent of the deaths. More recently, cases among the county’s Latino population have surpassed those among African Americans — Latinos now make up 35 percent of cases but 15 percent of the population.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Maps show ZIP codes with highest percentage of people at risk of severe complications from COVID-19
That variation has been seen in Milwaukee County, where the pandemic has disproportionately affected first African American communities and now Latino communities. In all, Milwaukee County has more seven ZIP codes where 35% or more of the adults are at severe risk of complications.

Over 900 jobs to be lost as Verso plans to shutter paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids.

WISCONSIN -- After crushing Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector with multiple trade wars, Trump’s failed Coronavirus response is adding to the damage. It was recently announced that Verso, which produces paper, will be shutting down its Wisconsin Rapids factory as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Read the full story here or parts of it below.

Wisconsin State Journal: Over 900 jobs to be lost as Verso plans to shutter paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids

The state’s paper industry has suffered another debilitating blow, this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Verso Papers announced Tuesday it would shutter its mill in Wisconsin Rapids by the end of July, putting more than 900 people out of work. The Ohio-based company also said it would close its mill in Duluth, Minnesota, by the end of June, a move that would eliminate about 235 jobs.

In a statement, the company said it is “exploring viable and sustainable alternatives” for both mills, including restarting the facilities if market conditions improve or closing them permanently and putting them up for sale.

[...]

The decision to close the two mills is driven by “the accelerated decline in graphic paper demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the company said. Stay-at-home orders have “significantly” reduced the use of print advertising including in retail, sports, entertainment and tourism. According to industry estimates, North American printing and writing demand fell by 38% year-over-year in April, and operating rates are expected to drop well below 70% in the second quarter. Verso also operates mills in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in Quinessec, just north of Niagra, Wisconsin, and in Escanaba.

The mill in Wisconsin Rapids is the city’s largest employer and has been a staple along the Wisconsin River since 1904. The loss of jobs will be felt throughout central Wisconsin, Mayor Shane Blaser told the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune.

“During a time when so many have so little, with COVID-19 impacting our health and wealth, this news is even more devastating,” Blaser said. “My heart goes out to each and every one of these employees and their families.”

[...]

The state is now home to 35 pulp, paper and paperboard mills that produce $13.7 billion in product annually, according to the WPC.

Wisconsin Economic Development Secretary Missy Hughes said state officials “understand the importance of the paper industry,” which has an estimated $18 billion economic impact in Wisconsin.

[...]

In 2017, Appleton Coated in Combined Locks filed for receivership, closed, was sold and restarted some manufacturing but only about 150 of the company’s 620 employees were called back that year. In 2018, Kimberly-Clark, founded in 1870 in Neenah but now based in Dallas, Texas, cut about 5,500 jobs worldwide, about 13 percent of its workforce. Less than two weeks later, it announced plans to eliminate about 600 jobs in the Fox River Valley.

[...]

###

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-tariffs-s5.jpgDonald Trump's failures as a President and leader coming home to roost on the economy.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/george-floyd-protest-eau-claire-s5.jpgWe still have a lot of work ahead of us to address systemic racism and injustice, and it will take a collective effort to achieve equality.

Democrats comment on Trump's disastrous response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic pain caused by his lack of leadership, and the violence against peaceful protesters he encouraged.

WISCONSIN - This week Wisconsin Democrats continued to hold Trump accountable for his disastrous response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has cost over 113,000 Americans lives and millions of jobs, his attacks on the health care system, and his divisive and racist rhetoric in response to the national protests taking place in small and large cities across Wisconsin and the United States.

On Monday, an op-ed by Gary Mitchell, president of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, highlighted how Trump’s handling of the Coronavirus, as well as his attacks on the Affordable Care Act, have put seniors in a perilous situation. Mitchell argues that “America’s seniors — and all who love them — desperately need President Trump and Republicans to end their assault on America’s health care.” -- and he’s right. For years Trump has promised to lower health care and prescription drug costs, but even in the midst of a pandemic he refuses to help people hold onto or get the care they need.

Just a few days later, DNC Chairman Tom Perez, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, State Representative Greta Neubauer, AFL-CIO State Treasurer Dennis Delie, and farmer and business owner Tina Hinchley blasted Trump for destroying the booming economy he was handed by the Obama-Biden administration. The speakers highlighted that while a great deal of the economic pain came from Trump’s failure to address the COVID-19 pandemic, his disastrous trade wars as well as the tax-scam bill he passed hurt working class Wisconsinites far before the virus came to the United States.

Black leaders like Rep. Moore, Democratic Party of Wisconsin 1st Vice Chair Felesia Martin, and Milwaukee Alderman Chevy Johnson called out Trump for his racist rhetoric that has been a keystone of his presidency. Recently, Trump has encouraged violence against peaceful protesters, bemoaned army bases having their names changed from Confederate generals, and has used a segregationist rallying cry to further divide the country.

Trump continues to fail Wisconsinites, and they will continue to hold him accountable until he is voted out of office on November 3rd.

MADISON - We’re living in a historic moment.

We’re witnessing the biggest mass movement in this country in the last 50 years. And from studying history, we know that progressive mass movements are what propel positive change in this country.

I reflected on this moment, and this movement, in a talk I gave by Zoom to the Rock County Progressives last night:

On Racism, Voter Suppression, and Democracy

We also posted something on the political spending by police unions. They were split about evenly, but the Milwaukee Police Association gave overwhelmingly to Republican candidates, as we note here:

Police Groups, Unions Spent $2.3M on Lobbying and Elections

On the gerrymandering front, I noticed that Scott Jensen is up to his old tricks again. He’s filed a request with his pals at the Wisconsin Supreme Court urging them to take up any lawsuits that might arise during the redistricting process next year. It’s a preemptive strike, as I explain here:

Scott Jensen Tries to “Pre-Rig” Redistricting

I hope you find these postings to be of interest.

Have a nice weekend, and join a protest if you can.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it