Progressive Thinking

Judge orders Walker Administration to help people seeking voting credentials wade through the complicated process and undertake a public education campaign.

MADISON - Judge James D. Peterson ordered the Walker Administration today to take immediate action to remedy clear voting rights violations in the implementation of the Photo ID requirement. This includes helping people seeking voting credentials navigate the complicated process and undertaking a major public education campaign.

Judge Peterson said this morning he did not have the authority to enjoin the Photo ID law. A written order detailing the steps the Walker Administration must take is expected later today.

Judge Peterson’s action was in response to a motion by plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by Citizen Action’s charitable arm, Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund and Citizen Action community organizer Anita Johnson. Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit include One Wisconsin Institute, Renee M. Gagner, Cody R. Nelson, Jennifer S. Tasse, Scott T. Trindl, Michael R. Wilder, Johnny M. Randle, David Walker, David Aponte, and Cassandra M. Silas.

“We believe that the Photo ID law inherently disenfranchises voters, and will ultimately be struck down as unconstitutional,” said Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “However, this close to the election, any interim action that will help more citizens get the credentials they need to vote is a step forward. We applaud Judge Peterson’s efforts to make sure that as many people as possible are able to exercise their fundamental right to vote.”

“We will continue giving hands on assistance to people trying to navigate the complicated system at the DMV for obtaining voting credentials,” said Anita Johnson, Community Organizer for Citizen Action of Wisconsin who works full time on enfranchising voters and is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit. “There are still thousands of people who need help if they are going to be qualified to vote. Any assistance the State of Wisconsin can provide, in accordance with Judge’s Peterson’s orders, will be greatly appreciated.”

MADISON - This week I'll highlight Hillary Clinton's clear win at the debate, a number of great speakers who came to the state, the last 27 days of this election season, Donald Trump's horrid comments, a new Russ Feingold ad, a number of our great candidates, Tammy Baldwin's fight against the opioid crisis, and the first place winner from our video contest.

Now is a Great Time to Join the Party

I hope you are enjoying these updates on all the great things happening with Democratic campaigns around Wisconsin.  As we work to win races across Wisconsin this November, it's also a great time to help build our party. Please take a moment today to send this update to a friend or two, and invite them to join the party! All they have to do is go to www.wisdems.org/membership to sign up!  As a member, they will get exclusive updates on Democratic campaigns and events, become part of a local community of progressive grassroots activists, and help to support our candidates up and down the ballot!

Hillary Clinton Again Shows Why She is The Most Qualified Candidate in the Race

During Sunday’s second presidential debate, it was clear yet again that Hillary Clinton is the only candidate with the temperament, ideas, and experience to be the President of the United States.  Throughout the debate, on issues ranging from health care to growing the economy, Hillary Clinton put forward real, common-sense solutions to the problems facing our country.  She talked about the importance of bringing people together to tackle the challenges facing Americans – rather than dividing and insulting them.  Donald Trump, on the other hand, took the opposite approach. He refused to take responsibility for the repugnant comments he made in 2005 where he bragged about using his celebrity status to sexually assault women.  He also doubled down on his divisive rhetoric about immigrants, Muslim Americans, and anyone who disagrees with him.  Throughout the entire debate, Donald Trump took the low road and true to form Hillary Clinton went high.
The reviews are in…and Hillary Clinton was the clear winner of the debate.

Special Guests in Wisconsin

We had so many amazing people come to our state this past week. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Gabby Giffords and President Bill Clinton were in Wisconsin. They all delivered a clear message: there is too much at stake this election to stay at home. We all have a responsibility to do everything we can, whether it is voting early, knocking on doors, or making phone calls, to ensure we elect Democrats up and down the ticket.   Bernie Sanders visited Green Bay and Madison on Wednesday, Oct. 5th to promote Hillary Clinton’s plan to create an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.  Elizabeth Warren traveled to Milwaukee and Madison where she encouraged every person in Wisconsin to go out and vote early for Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, and great progressive Democrats up and down the ballot.   Gabby Gifford highlighted Democrat’s call this election season for common-sense gun control, including more stringent background checks and restricting those on the no-fly list from purchasing guns. An advocate for gun control her whole tenure in Congress, Gifford stands with Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine as they pledge to stand up to the gun lobby and advocate for responsible change.   And on Saturday, I was thrilled to join President Bill Clinton as spoke to a packed crowd of supporters about Hillary’s experience, judgment, and dedication to moving our country forward together.

Help Us Turn Wisconsin Blue!

I took some time this week to go canvassing with my daughter, and I can’t tell you how excited people are to get out and vote. The enthusiasm I hear for Hillary Clinton, Russ, and other great Democrats down the ticket makes me believe we are going to win big in November. But we know this won’t come easy - we have to do everything we can between now and November 8th to ensure we elect Democrats to office at every level.   The stakes are too high in this election to stay on the sidelines. With less than four weeks until Election Day, we have to do everything we can to elect Democrats up and down the ticket in November.   Go to your county headquarters or contact a campaign directly to see how you can help bring Wisconsin Democrats victory this fall. Whether it is making phone calls, knocking doors, or everything in between, every effort will help ensure we win big in November.   You can find your early vote location OR your election day polling location at www.hillaryclinton.com/locate

Click here to commit to vote this election.
Click here to volunteer.
Click here to find an event near you.

Donald Trump’s Disgusting Comments

Donald Trump’s comments about women are truly horrific. I cannot begin to describe my disgust and disbelief that this man continues to be a major party’s nominee for President of the United States. Yet, despite these revelations - and despite widespread condemnation by members of both parties - here in Wisconsin Republicans like Ron Johnson, Scott Walker, Paul Ryan and so many others have continued to back Mr. Trump. While they may condemn his words, their continued support of a man so truly unfit and unworthy to hold our nation’s highest office is a disgrace.   Donald Trump has built his campaign, and his career on an endless string of bigoted, bullying, misogynistic, and outright hateful words and actions. These recent revelations are nothing new when it comes to Trump’s treatment of women - and yet even these shocking disclosures do not seem to be enough to convince Wisconsin’s GOP leaders to renounce him and his campaign. It’s time for Wisconsin’s Republican leaders to step up, show leadership, and drop their support for Donald Trump. If they won’t, they need to explain to the people of Wisconsin why they continue to stand side by side with this disgusting individual.

Russ Feingold Offers Wisconsin a Hand

Russ released a new ad, highlighting the need to give Wisconsin’s business owners a hand. Russ understands that the most important resource in Wisconsin is the people and the future of our state rests in the hands of its citizens not Washington. That’s why Senator Feingold has come out against trade deals concocted in Washington that ship well paying manufacturing jobs from the Midwest to Mexico and China.  His opponent Ron Johnson on the other hand, has supported trade deals that were disastrous for Wisconsin workers and business owners during his tenure as senator. Russ is looking to reinvigorate Wisconsin businesses by rejecting bad trade deals and closing loopholes on big corporations that Ron Johnson cozies up to. The only way to build Wisconsin is to support small businesses and bring jobs back to the middle class. That’s the Russ Feingold plan for Wisconsin and that’s the plan we need come November. 

Meet More of Our Great Democratic Candidates

Democrats have a chance for big gains in 2016, thanks in large part to the amazing candidates we have running all over the state.  Here are a few more we are watching closely!   In the 51^st Assembly District, Jeff Wright is taking on incumbent Republican Todd Novak.  Jeff is an educator who currently serves as the assistant Superintendent of Sauk Prairie Schools.  He and his family live on a farm in Southwest Wisconsin. Jeff is running because he knows that we need new priorities in Madison, and leaders who will invest in job creation, infrastructure, and education. Learn more about Jeff here and here.   In the 12^th State Senate District, Attorney Bryan Van Stippen is running because he believes we need to restore local control for Wisconsin communities, create opportunities for a great education, protect our natural resources, improve our infrastructure, especially high-speed internet, create development opportunities for small business owners, and will advocate for fair taxes and responsible budgeting.  Visit his website and Facebook page to find out more!   

Tammy Baldwin, Wisconsin Step Up Fight Against Opioid Crisis

In the fight to combat rising opioid and heroin overdose deaths in Wisconsin, health officials have announced that pharmacies across Wisconsin will begin selling an anti-overdose drug. The drug naloxone, called by its trade name Narcan will be sold by Roundy owned pharmacies, CVS and Walgreens, a total of over 150 locations statewide.  Since 2009, opioid and heroin overdoses have surpassed car crashes as Wisconsin’s leading cause of death. Leaders like U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin are working tirelessly to solve this problem in Wisconsin and across our country. Senator Baldwin has introduced her own national legislation to combat opioid addiction and help those recovering from it. A key component to her bill was for more pharmacies everywhere in the United States to sell life-saving naloxone drugs. Working alongside her fellow Wisconsinites and her compatriots in Congress, Tammy Baldwin has been able to provide hope and support for those struggling with opioid addiction. 

First Place Video Winner

We are pleased to announce the first place winner from our video contest is Sarah Semrad, a student at UW-La Crosse.

Sarah, with the help of her friends, showed how Gov. Scott Walker’s tenure as Governor has been a disaster for Wisconsinites. The ramifications of massive funding cuts to education, particularly in the UW-system, are made clear by the stories and concerns of these students. Students are concerned about the quality of education they are receiving since the record breaking cuts to the UW system by Gov. Walker and the Republicans. One student, studying to be an elementary school teacher is particularly worried about large class sizes.  Students are also concerned about Gov. Scott Walker’s cuts to clerical healthcare for women and his refusal to addresses student loan refinancing.

The quality of higher education is the bedrock of Wisconsin’s economy, but Gov., Walker’s near-sighted budget cuts and his inaction on student loan refinancing hamper the ability for these students to contribute to Wisconsin’s economy. This video by the students of UW-La Crosse is a perfect example of why we need to vote blue in November, for leaders who care about students and prioritize education and health care.

You can see Sarah’s great video here.

Wells in Kewaunee County are unsafe for drinking, the cost of electricity is up, citizens across the state are increasingly concerned about the lack of funding for our public schools, and after 34 years in Madison not a peep from our senator.

WITTENBERG, WI - Robert Cowles is chair of the Natural Resources and Energy committee in the state senate.  He is the senior Republican in the senate.  You would think his 34 years in Madison would make him easily recognizable in the rest of the state.  But he seems to have gone missing.

A recent audit by the state Legislative Audit Bureau found our DNR failed to follow their policies on enforcement of water regulations more than 94% of the time in the last ten years.  Among other problems this has led to 1/3 of the wells in Kewaunee County found to be unsafe for drinking.  The state ignored the problem for so long that residents of the county pushed for EPA involvement.  This summer the EPA and our DNR issued suggestions for new regulations on manure spreading in the county.  Those suggestions were sent by the governor to a major dairy lobby which sent back their own regulations.  Those were then accepted by the DNR.  No action from our missing senator. Poisoned wells are apparently not a priority.   Maybe it is not his fault, he has only been chair of the Natural Resources committee for a few years.

But he has been on the Energy committee since 2009.  For the past two months state media has been talking about potential problems with the cost of electricity in Wisconsin.  It seems for the past 15 years the growth in the electrical rates in Wisconsin has been the highest in the region.  Some Wisconsin companies are charged 25% more for their power than regional averages.  Wisconsin now has the highest electrical rates in the Midwest.  There is the potential here for major companies to pull all or part of their business out of the state.  This would devastate our economy.  Again, nothing from our missing senator.

Citizens across the state are increasingly concerned about the lack of funding for our public schools.  People are beginning to question the reason for vouchers in the first place when studies show no improvement in test scores in voucher schools compared to public schools.  The loss of public tax dollars to voucher schools in the state is becoming more and more of a problem for local school districts.  District after district is being forced to go to referendum to keep their local schools open.  Not a peep from our senator.  Is that maybe because he has supported spending public tax dollars on private schools every step of the way?

Is he missing or just hiding?  With the election less than a month away maybe he feels he has nothing to lose by hiding.  Strange that someone with 34 years in state government would feel vulnerable, would not feel comfortable standing on their record, would be afraid to stand up for the people of Wisconsin.

I feel very comfortable with my record.  I am a Vietnam veteran, earned a Master’s degree in education, taught in Shawano county schools for 31 years, and have spent the last 10 years working in health care. Maybe we should quit looking for what is missing and simply find a new state senator.

Blaming ObamaCare is a political gambit, not health policy. A robust public option and controlling prescription drug costs essential.

STATEWIDE - The 2017 health insurance premium rates released by the Walker Administration present an incomplete picture.

While the release of rates by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance is a step forward from last year, when Wisconsin was the only state not to release premium prices in advance, the agency’s press release is silent on the causes of health insurance inflation. This silence has muddled this critical public policy question and left the door open to misleading explanations that won’t help us make health care more affordable.

Rising health insurance premiums are not being driven by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but by the reemergence of health insurance industry discrimination and price gouging by pharmaceutical corporations and medical service providers.

First, prices for medical services and prescription drugs are the main drivers of health insurance inflation. According to the Consumers Union Health Care Value Hub, academic research has clearly established that the largest factor in health insurance prices is the rising cost of medical services and prescription drugs. Although it is not even mentioned in the Insurance Commissioner’s press release, many of the rate filings by the health insurance companies themselves blame the increases on skyrocketing drug costs charged by pharmaceutical corporations and the rising costs of all medical services. Some Wisconsin insurers report annual cost increases of over 12% from pharmaceutical corporations and increases of over 8% from other medical providers.

The problem of rising medical prices is especially acute here. A recent report based on national  insurance claims data found that Wisconsin has the 2nd highest medical prices in the nation! Despite this research bombshell, policymakers in Madison have taken no significant action on health care costs, and have ignored all the proposals made by the minority party in the Legislature. It is also critical to understand that the ACA did not cause prescription drug and medical service costs to rise, so repealing the law will not do anything to lower these prices.

Second, the big national health insurance companies are using new means to discriminate against people with health conditions. Although outright denial of coverage is now outlawed by the ACA, the titans of the industry are pulling out of ACA marketplaces because they have found a way to insure healthier people through other “off-exchange” lines of insurance. People buying insurance on the ACA marketplaces are those who were left out by the old discriminatory health insurance system. This includes people with health conditions who were denied coverage, those without coverage at work like early retirees, independent contractors, farmers, the working poor, young people just starting their careers, and many others. The abandonment of the new ACA marketplace by big insurance is a pre-existing condition discrimination by another name.

Third, political sabotage at the state and national level is blocking efforts to build on the Affordable Care Act and take the next steps to make health care affordable. The Insurance Commissioner has used his authority to deliberately rig the health insurance system and raise rates. The Governor and the State Legislature have not taken up any of the cost reform legislation proposed by the Democrats, including a strong rate review bill and a bill to bring down prescription drug prices. Similarly, in Congress the conservative majority has blocked all improvements or fixes to the ACA; they prefer to sabotage the law and force its repeal. Congress has taken up no major legislation to address skyrocketing prescription drug and medical costs.

“The conservative politicians and special interests who are wringing their hands about rising health insurance prices have no intention of working to make quality health coverage more affordable. For them rising premiums are an opportunity to exploit, not a problem to fix. Their ultimate goal is to go back to the bad old days when overt health insurance discrimination was legal and to force 20 million Americans off their health coverage,” said Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “The best way forward is to build on the health care reform law. The ACA was never intended to solve every problem in the healthcare system. It was a critical step that we needed to take to outlaw overt discrimination, ban unethical insurance practices like annual and lifetime limits, provide tax credits to make insurance more affordable, and guarantee that everyone has somewhere to go to buy health insurance no matter what.”

“The next big steps in health reform are a robust public option to hold medical providers and insurance corporations accountable, and forceful action to rein in price gouging by prescription drug corporations,” Kraig concluded.

At a Town Hall in rural Northwestern Wisconsin, people are concerned about the amount of their state tax dollars being siphoned away from their local public schools to cover the cost of private school students elsewhere. They value their schools and feel the heavy burden of less state aid through higher property taxes.

PEPIN, WI - “I am paying for private schools with my taxes?” the women from Pepin asked following my presentation at a recent Town Hall meeting. “Yes, you are,” I told her.

Residents were surprised at the sharp increase in the state spending on private schools – nearly a doubling in seven years. At the same time, Pepin School District lost nearly half of its state support. With less state money, property taxes made up a larger share of school support.

Wisconsin has funded private schools in Milwaukee by taking money from local public schools for a long time.

With passage of the last state budget, private and independent charter schools in southeast Wisconsin cost state tax coffers $645 million.

As I explained at the Town Hall Meeting, this is only the beginning of putting a price tag on private school spending buried in the state budget. Much of the cost of private school students bore by public schools is not transparent.

For example, public schools must pay to transport private school students. One Pepin resident asked why her neighbor was paid by the state to take her child to a private school. The cost, bore by the Pepin School District, was less expensive than sending a school bus to transport the child.

Public schools districts pick up other private school costs. The cost of special education services come out of the local public school budgets for some private school students.

Over the past few years, payments for private schools directly from local public school districts rose as the statewide “voucher” or private school subsidies grew.

The most recent state budget removed limits on how many students from a school district can go to a private school at the expense of the public school district – and local taxpayers.

Consequently, some districts – like Eau Claire – experienced a quadrupling of students leaving public school and going to private school on the taxpayer’s dime.

State law sets the amount of money coming from a public school district at about $7,800 for high school students and about $7,200 for elementary students. Some public school districts may receive much less aid per public student from the state. For example, the Eau Claire school district received about $5,100 per student in state aid but paid out about $7,800 per private high school student leaving local property taxpayers to pick up the difference between those amounts.

Wisconsin property taxpayers already pick up 41 cents of every school dollar spent compared to Minnesota property taxpayers’ 25 cents of every school dollar. These numbers are from a recent United States Census Bureau report using data from the 2014 school year.

Costs of private school subsidies will continue to grow even if more students do not opt for a private school education at the public’s expense. Buried in details of the most recent state budget is an automatic increase in the amount sent to private schools for each student regardless of whether or not the public school receives any increase in state support.

One of the Pepin Town Hall attendees reminded me that I made no mention of the tax credit for private school tuition also passed in a recent budget. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau pegs the cost of this credit at $11.5 million in tax year 2014.

Recent news from Madison described another new scheme for private schools – a type of tax-free private school savings account. Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) described the proposal as an account that could be used to pay for private school tuition and other costs. Parents either could use a debit card to access the money or by reimbursed for their expenses.

Wisconsin does not need any more plans to siphon public school money away from local schools. In a recent press release, statewide education leader and Eau Claire schoolteacher, Ron Martin said it best “Education savings accounts literally take money out of our neighborhood public schools and hands it over to subsidize private tuition, with zero accountability.”