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.

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

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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!

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers Thursday delivered the Democratic Radio Address on the need for statewide mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 and issuing a new public health emergency to extend into January 2021.

Audio file of radio address.

Hello, Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers here.

Nearly two months ago, we issued our current public health emergency on September 22nd.

Back then, our 7-day average of daily new positive cases was around 1,800.

Unfortunately, things have worsened quickly since then.

We’ve now more than tripled our 7-day average, averaging now 6,400 new positive cases per day.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has tripled—we have now almost 324,000 positive cases in Wisconsin and our total number of COVID-19 deaths is 2,741.

And our current public health emergency expires this Saturday, November 21st.

But it’s clear based on where we’re headed, we cannot afford to stop or have a gap in some of our only mitigation efforts we still have in place.

That’s why I will be declaring a new state of emergency this week and extending our public health emergency until January of next year.

We will also be reissuing Emergency Order #1 requiring face coverings in public places.

We’ve got a long road ahead of us, Wisconsin, but we need to buckle down and get through this together until then.

As always, please, stay home. Wear a mask if you have to go out, and otherwise stay home.

Call it what you want—flattening the curve, stopping the spread, staying safer at home… I’m going to call it what it is—saving lives. Thank you.

State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) responds to the Assembly GOP press conference Tuesday announcing the latest Republican 'ideas' on COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.

MADISON - Today we saw a total lack of leadership from Representative Vos, and Senate Republicans were absent altogether. April 15th was the last time we took the floor to address this issue and Robin Vos hasn’t brought a thing to the table since. The latest Republican 'ideas' of testing and contact tracing could have, in fact, should have, been addressed months ago were it not for GOP inaction.

Ever since Republicans went to court to stop The Evers Administration from combating COVID-19, we've been told by the GOP that they were working on legislation. That was months ago, and still nothing.

Ninety-two people have died since yesterday and Speaker Vos is still trying to blame Governor Evers. As the Governor has been saying over and over again, his door has been open, it's the majority Republicans who continue to say no. And, it's not lost on Wisconsinites that the Republican Speaker of the State Assembly held a press conference today and said nothing.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gerrymander-elections-redistricting-s5.jpgCourt is considering a proposal that would likely lead to another gerrymander in Wisconsin. Let them know how you feel.

MILWAUKEE, WI - As COVID-19 surges dangerously out of control, we look forward to national and state course corrections. Next, we discuss the prospects for national healthcare reform in the coming Biden/Harris Administration. We evaluate Gov. Evers’ new COVID-19 Executive Orders, as health care workers and hospitals to the brink. We preview the 2021-22 state budget process and the importance of pushing to include BadgerCare Public Option and other structural reforms in Governor Evers’ next two year budget.

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