MADISON – Tuesday, Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) addressed the Wisconsin State Senate as Senate Democratic Leader during the 2023-24 Inauguration Ceremony.

Senator Agard released the following statement:

“Congratulations to Governor Tony Evers, newly-elected Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez, Attorney General Josh Kaul, my current and new colleagues in the State Legislature, and all constitutional officers who took an oath of office today to uphold the values and serve the people of the great state of Wisconsin. It is a privilege to hold these positions.

“The beginning of each legislative session is the most hopeful time of our two-year cycle. My Senate colleagues and I gathered today with optimism in our hearts and a willingness in our spirit to do great things.

“While there are political lines drawn around our districts - the people of Wisconsin are one. They share the same values, hopes, and dreams whether they live in Superior or Elkhorn, Ellsworth or Oconto. At the end of the day, Wisconsinites generally want the same things out of their state government - affordable health care and prescriptions, housing that doesn’t break the bank, clean air and water, and the ability to live with purpose and with the freedoms we expect as Americans.

“With Governor Evers' re-election, I am hopeful all legislators can work together in pursuit of the commonsense policies the people across our state voted for when they elected him to a 2nd term with an even larger margin than 2018: strong public schools, strengthening our democracy, continuing to invest in our transportation infrastructure, and supporting our local units of government. These are not Democratic values or Republican values – they are Wisconsin values.

“We must put government back to work for the people of Wisconsin, including reinvesting the state’s $6.6 billion surplus and confirming Governor Evers’ appointees, ensuring that the peaceful transition of power is upheld and our democracy remains strong - something all Wisconsinites resoundingly support.

“I aim to make this session one that is remembered for the positive work accomplished for the people of our state and for building a better way of doing things as colleagues. I am hopeful that we can rise above our divisive times and strive to be better. My Senate Democratic colleagues and I are ready to roll up our sleeves, compromise, and get to work. Make no mistake, we will hold true to our values but we are genuine in our interest in creating a better discourse.”

MADISON – Tuesday, Governor Tony Evers appointed Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne to serve as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The appointment fills the vacancy created by former Secretary Preston D. Cole’s retirement. Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“From our beautiful lakes, state parks, diverse wildlife, and more - Wisconsin’s environment and natural resources are vital for our state, and must be fiercely protected. Adam Payne will step into the Department of Natural Resources Secretary position with an extensive résumé of preserving, restoring, and enhancing Wisconsin’s natural heritage. Mr. Payne’s deep roots in Wisconsin outdoors, from working on his family’s farm to trapping and fishing, followed by an elaborate career dedicated to conserving our state’s precious natural resources has prepared him to successfully lead Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources.

“Building on the efforts of retiring DNR Secretary Preston D. Cole to remediate lead, PFAS, and other harmful contaminants in Wisconsin waterways, I am eager to work with Adam Payne during the upcoming legislative session to continue improving and maintaining Wisconsin’s resources for all to enjoy for generations.”

MADISON – Today, Fred Prehn announced he will resign from the Natural Resources Board as of December 30th, nearly two years after his term ended. Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“I am pleased that Dr. Prehn has decided to do the right thing and step down from his position on the Natural Resources Board, and I’m looking forward to the state senate getting back to performing its constitutional duty of taking up the governor’s appointees for a vote. With the highly qualified individuals Governor Evers has put forward for the Natural Resources Board, I am hopeful this can be done in a bipartisan manner.

MILWAUKEE - We welcome Connie Smith, president of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals and Jaime Lucas, executive director, to discuss Ascension’s profit-maximizing closure of St. Francis Hospital’s Labor and Delivery unit, creating a new healthcare desert for women and their families on Milwaukee’s south side. We discuss the economic forces driving Ascension’s decision, and the leverage public mobilization and protest, and elected officials willing to speak out, can create to back them down. We also evaluated the effectiveness of Democrats in the recent Congressional “Lame Duck” session; Was it irresponsible to not deal with the debt limit through reconciliation and other filibuster proof progressive priorities or did Democratic leaders do the best that was possible with a bad hand? We talk about a new article Robert wrote for Barn Raiser debriefing Wisconsin’s 2022 election. Robert urges us to spend less time on punditry and more on deeper conversations with voters. We look ahead to the huge opportunity the 2023 Supreme Court Election for us to talk to more voters and win.

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MILWAUKEE - We start by reflecting on some rare good news from Washington, the historic signing this week by President Biden of the Baldwin-Collins marriage equality bill, the Respect for Marriage Act. We then turn to the storm clouds looming over the next two years, the Party of Trump’s dysfunction on a spending bill needed to keep the Federal Government open. Is this a harbinger of things once the GOP takes control of the House of Representatives? Next, we welcome Dr. Micheal Rosen to discuss the Federal Reserve Board’s decision to raise interest rates, likely imperiling economic gains made by workers the last few years. Is there a better way to reduce inflation? Michael also predicts the winner of Sunday’s World Cup Final, debriefs the tournament, and says goodbye to a “greatest generation” of players likely appearing in their last World Cup

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MADISON, WI – Yesterday, Governor Tony Evers, the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, and the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation announced that Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation industry contributed a record-setting $8.7 billion to the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021. On this, the Ranking Member of the Assembly Committee on Tourism Representative Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“Wisconsin is known for its beautiful outdoor environment including over 15,000 lakes, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 6 million acres of public land. Our state is a beautiful place to visit, and it boasts a diverse and thriving outdoor recreation industry. Outdoor recreation draws communities across the country to experience all we have to offer, to the benefit of our state’s economy. As the ranking member of the Assembly Committee on Tourism, I am so proud to join Governor Evers in celebrating the success of our outdoor recreation industry.”

“In 2021, the industry contributed a record-setting $8.7 billion to our state’s GDP. This incredible growth reminds us how important it is to protect and sustain our waters and lands. Protecting our environment gives both residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of our state. Together we can keep moving Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation industry forward.”

“It is clear that Wisconsin is in high demand, and this industry’s dedicated workers and stakeholders ensure that demand is met. Access to our natural landscapes would be impossible without the hard work of these individuals and entities. I am proud to celebrate this success, and I will continue to champion Wisconsin’s tourism industry.”

MADISON - As we face a crucial election in April for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, I took a look back at the role that outside money – and especially from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce – played in turning these technically nonpartisan races into highly partisan ones now:

How Wisconsin Supreme Court Races Became So Partisan

I also went over the latest Marquette Law School poll and unearthed an interesting fact: A clear majority of Republicans favor a lot of progressive issues, as I point out here:

Progressive Issues Are Popular Issues

I hope you like these two items, and I hope you enjoy the upcoming holidays.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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P.S. If you’d like to send us a tax-deductible year-end gift, we’d really appreciate your support! Just click here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wis-supreme-court-s427.jpgJudicial races in Wisconsin are supposed to be nonpartisan, but over the last 15 years they have become increasingly partisan. Read how the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce tilted the scales.

Your weekly message from Matt Rothschild at the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.

MILWAUKEE - We discuss the political implications of Sen. Raphael Warnock’s win in Georgia. What are the new opportunities that a larger Senate majority present? We talk about President Biden’s push to move the first Democratic Presidential primary to South Carolina in 2024. Does it create a more equitable process? What does it say about whether Biden will run for a second term? SCOTUS takes up the Independent Legislature theory and it’s unclear where a majority of the court will land on this controversial case that would put another dagger into democracy. In Wisconsin, the special election for Senate District 8 now has 4 Republicans and 1 Democrat in the race. Is the seat vacated by Alberta Darling in play? We discuss the news this week that Milwaukee and Dane County are being subpoenaed in the DOJ’s false electors investigation against Trump. Robert has some reflections on President Biden’s support for organized labor and we congratulate Citizen Action president Mark Thomsen for winning the Wisconsin Trial Lawyer of the Year award. If you need healthcare coverage by January 1, 2023, don’t forget to sign up on Healthcare.gov by December 15th.

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