MILWAUKEE - We discuss Trump-backed millionaire Tim Michels’ self-dealing flat tax scheme that would further undermine the revenue needed for education, health are, and a climate transition, and force working and middle class folks to pay more while the super rich get yet another tax giveaway. Ron Johnson continues to deny Jan. 6th was an armed insurrection, as Wisconsin Democrats work to make the November Election a referendum on the right to an abortion. Robert tells us the deep history and structural causes of for-profit utility foot dragging on climate change, and a new Sierra Club Report gives Wisconsin utilities D and F grades on clean energy. We close with an interview of Citizen Action North Central Organizing Coop member Don Dunphy, who has been working for two and a half years for our “deep canvass” program following his retirement as the Lincoln County District Attorney. Don tells us why talking to important voters this year is “the most important job of his life” and why it is important our listeners should donate to expand the canvass and volunteer with Citizen Action talking to voters who will decide the election.

Download Mp3

Gov. Evers’ special session would’ve given lawmakers the opportunity to overturn the criminal 1849 abortion ban.

Republican leaders to gavel out special session today without debate, ignoring the will of the people.

Intimate partner violence is a real and serious public health crisis. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

MADISON - A coalition partner of ours at a group called American Oversight asked me to send them a statement about the assault on voting rights here in Wisconsin, so this is what I wrote:

The Wisconsin GOP’s Shameful Two Years

This week, we’ve also been tracking the big money in the governor’s race. Here are our two posts on Evers and Michels:

Evers Raises $4.5M+ in About a Month

Michels Raises $5.4M+ in August Mostly from His Own Pocket

A couple things concern me about these reports. For one thing, should Michels just be able to waltz in and buy the governor’s mansion because he has unlimited personal funds?

And as for Evers, do we really want all those out-of-state donors pouring their big money in? What right do they have to influence who should be governor of Wisconsin when they don’t even live here?

These reports highlight the need for comprehensive campaign finance reform so that each of us gets an equal say in who gets elected.

We’re a long way from that right now.

I hope you have a nice weekend (it’ll be nicer if you don’t watch all the ugly campaign ads on your screens!).

Best,

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

We discuss the state of the Democratic Party in rural Wisconsin heading into the critical 2022 election with State Senator Jeff Smith and State Assembly candidate Jayne Swiggum.

MILWAUKEE - We welcome Citizen Action Movement Politics Director Priscilla Bort back as a guest panelist. We discuss the push back against the onslaught of racist Republican ads against Mandela Barnes. Citizen Action’s “deep canvass” election program is one of the most effective counters for combating the lies. We urge listeners to donate and/or volunteer to this pivotal program. Trump-backed millionaire authoritarian Tim Michels wants to end parole, even if it violates state law, and Republican state senate candidate Dave Estenson is the subject of a Department of Justice investigation into his sexual harassment of women.

In an ominous sign, every Wisconsin House Republican votes against bi-partisan bill preventing the overturning of elections. We close with our special interview with Wisconsin Examiner journalist Henry Redman to discuss whether the billions of dollars invested in broadband are actually going to cover unserved areas of Wisconsin.

Download Mp3

Despite Republican efforts to undermine public education in our state, Superintendent Underly and Governor Evers have put our kids first, says Agard.

MADISON - I was impressed with Gov. Evers’ move this week, endorsing binding referendums. It’s one of the solutions I proposed in my book, “12 Ways to Save Democracy in Wisconsin.” As I noted there, and as I note in my posting this week, another progressive Wisconsin governor called for this reform more than 100 years ago:

Evers Right About Direct Democracy

But I’ve been disgusted, as I’m sure you have been, too, about the sleazy and racist ads that the GOP and their outside groups have been running against Mandela Barnes. One of the groups is a PAC funded by Diane Hendricks and Richard Uihlein, which adds a layer of corruption on top of the racism, as I explain here:

Hendricks, Uihlein Go After Mandela Barnes

Meanwhile, our research team has come up with a list of the largest outside groups in non-federal races here in Wisconsin, both on the Republican and Democratic side. Just take a look:

Outside Electioneering Groups Have Spent $37M+

I hope you find this info useful!

Best,

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

P.S. I’ve enjoyed speaking in person recently to the Ozaukee County Dems, the Washington County Dems, and the Kiwanis Club of Madison on the “Anti-Democracy Movement in Wisconsin, and How to Defeat It.” If you’d like me to speak to your group, please let me know.

Gov. Evers is right to call for binding referendums, and how this call echoes one from another progressive Wisconsin governor 111 years ago! - Matt Rothschild