Citizen Action calls for “No” vote and a full budget Veto.

Statewide: The conservative-dominated Legislature appears poised to miss the greatest opportunity in decades to make badly needed investments that would improve the lives of most Wisconsinites.

The historic federal commitment to jump-start the nation’s recovery from the pandemic and its economic fallout for working Americans gives Wisconsin the fiscal freedom to make up for decades of austerity budgets, and to make long overdue investments.

But instead, the conservatives who control the Legislature are poised to turn down over a billion federal dollars, and to prioritize tax breaks for the wealthiest Wisconsin over investments in education, health care access, transit, expanding economic opportunity and racial equity. The Legislature also fails to make investments in the green economic transition needed to head off a climate catastrophe.

“Citizen Action calls for legislators to reject this budget, and for Governor Evers to veto it in its present form. The refusal to expand the popular BadgerCare program when tens of thousands of working Wisconsinites lack access to healthcare is only one example of the reckless cruelty of this budget,” said Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “This budget could only be supported by lawmakers who have isolated themselves from public opinion behind rigged legislative maps. Conservative legislators are literally throwing away money through tax giveaways and the refusal to accept federal money earmarked for Wisconsin rather than making overwhelmingly popular and badly needed investments in health care, education, jobs, transit, and a green economy that improves economic and racial equity.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/immigrants-usa-s5.pngSen. Smith reflects on the contributions of immigrants in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/parenthood-same-sex-s5.jpgCo-parent option added to traditional mother-father to reflect that families are diverse and all should be recognized equally and valued.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/derek-chauvin-sentenced-s5.pngSince the criminal counts stemmed from one action — Chauvin killing Floyd — the sentence is based on only the second-degree murder conviction, the most serious of the crimes for which he was found guilty.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/merrick-garland-ag-thehill-s5.pngThe Georgia law, passed in March along party lines, imposes restrictions that voting rights groups say will fall most heavily on minorities

Legislators prioritize well-being of pollinators to ensure healthy ecosystems for generations

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/door-county_biking-s5.jpgGovernor announces 'Bounce Back Better' grant availability in Lake Geneva.

State GOP continues gerrymandering to stay in power.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/broadband-map-northwoods-s5.jpgSen. Jeff Smith provides an update on what’s been happening with broadband expansion efforts during the state budget process.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/juneteenth-flag-buffalo-soldiers-s5.jpgFlag commemorating the trials Black Americans have overcome since the final slaves were freed on June 19, 1865 flown in Madison for second year in a row.