STATEWIDE - We review the big news that Rep. Sean Duffy is resigning from Congress, sparking widespread speculation about the election to replace him. Guest panelist Claire Zautke and Robert discuss comments by Congressman Pocan about healthcare in the 2020 election.

We also talk about the fallout of the GOP’s lame duck power grab from Attorney General Josh Kaul and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s unfair slamming of the new progressive newspaper, Wisconsin Examiner. Finally we welcome Citizen Action co-op member Tricia Zunker, president of the Wausau School Board, to discuss her work to retire Native mascot imagery from Wisconsin public schools.

Listen Now – Episode #406
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MADISON - Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee) pays tribute to the achievements and contributions of the American worker.

Audio File of Radio Address

Hi, I’m State Representative Christine Sinicki.

Labor Day is the day when we pay tribute to the achievements and contributions of the American workforce. It was created by the American workforce and named a federal holiday in 1894 by President Cleveland.

As we celebrate the unofficial end of summer with friends and family over a brat or burger, let’s take a moment to reflect on Wisconsin stories of labor history and give thanks to those who fought and sometimes died to give us the benefits we all now enjoy as workers.

Wisconsin was at the forefront of early union organizing. In fact it was in Bay view where I grew up where, in 1886, where seven immigrant workers were shot and killed on orders by Governor Rusk. They were shot while walking peacefully in the campaign for the eight hour work day.

It was Wisconsin that brought us the first Workers Compensation law and the first Unemployment Insurance laws.

As Democrats we believe that strong workers equal a strong America. We will always believe in the right for all workers to organize unions in their workplace.

As you celebrate, remember, who brought you this three-day weekend – and every weekend: organized labor and a strong, talented workforce.

https://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/farm-family-s5.jpgFrom his tax bill that only benefits the wealthy, to his reckless tariffs that are just a tax on working families, many feel he is ignoring our pain.

MADISON - Here’s a toolkit we put together for you and other activists who want to ban gerrymandering in Wisconsin.

It gives you talking points you can use with your neighbors -- or your legislators.

It gives you sample letters to the editor you can modify and then send on to your local newspaper.

It provides a pledge card for you, as a voter, and it offers a pledge card for candidates that you might run into.

It shows you how you can get your county, city, town, or village to pass a resolution or a referendum to ban gerrymandering, if they haven’t already.

And it tells you how to get your very own “Fair Maps” yard sign.

The mass movement in Wisconsin to demand nonpartisan redistricting is gaining steam, and we’re hoping that this toolkit will push it along even faster. Look for the printable file linked at top of toolkit and check back regularly for updates.

I hope you like it!

Best,

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

P.S. As you can imagine, this toolkit took a lot of staff time to put together, so if you’d like to send us tax-deductible gift to defray some of those costs we incurred, we’d really appreciate it. To donate, just click here. Thanks!

MADISON, WI – Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) offered the Democratic weekly radio address this week on the urgent need to expand universal background checks to keep Wisconsinites safe.

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here:

https://sen-dem.cms.legis.wisconsin.gov/media/1307/senator-latonya-johnson-democratic-weekly-radio-address-the-time-for-action-on-gun-violence-is-now.mp3

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hello, I’m State Senator LaTonya Johnson with this week’s radio address.

“I was proud to stand with Governor Tony Evers and my Democratic colleagues to introduce legislation to expand background checks for firearm purchases in Wisconsin.

“Currently, a dangerous loophole in federal law exists that allows a domestic abuser, fugitive from justice, or felon to purchase a firearm from an unlicensed vendor without being required to undergo a background check.

“While the overwhelming majority of gun owners are consistently responsible with their firearms, as legislators we have a duty to keep our communities safe and close loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to purchase a gun. It is unacceptable to stand idly by while high-profile mass shootings routinely make headlines and bullets fly through city blocks taking the lives of innocent children.

“Every person should have the opportunity to go to school, a place of worship, or any other public space in their community knowing that it is a safe place, free from the threat of deadly weapons and dangerous people. It’s time that we listen to the majority of Wisconsinites who support expanding background checks and join the other 21 states who have already closed this dangerous loophole.”

Podcast discussion of issues of the week.

MILWAUKEE - The panel talks about Boss Vos’ stubborn unwillingness to accommodate State Rep. Jimmy Anderson, a legislator with a disability. We discuss the news that state leaders met with Foxconn officials this week in the wake of reports that taxpayers will pay $172,000 – $290,000 per job, if there are any. Governor Evers floats the idea of a special session on gun violence and pays a visit to the heart of right-wing political darkness, WMC. Clean Wisconsin and other environmental groups sue EPA over Trump’s retrograde coal power rule, and we discuss the presidential candidacy of Sen. Kamala Harris.

Listen Now – Episode #404
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Press Clips

Progressive critiques Governor, Republicans, gun laws, and the NRA.

MADISON - When I saw that Gov. Evers was speaking to Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, I decided to take a look at his talk. And I was horrified to find out that he complimented WMC, which has done so much damage to our state over the last nine years. Here’s my critique of the governor’s talk:

Evers Bows to WMC

This week, we also took a look at the money that legislators have hauled in recently, and we discovered that the GOP’s haul was twice as big as the Democrats’:

Republican Lawmakers Led Fundraising in First Six Months of 2019

And in a follow up to our post last week on the NRA in Wisconsin, we noted that the Republican Senators who were dodging the issue of gun laws so studiously were also recipients of the NRA’s largesse:

GOP Senators Dodging Gun Law Questions Got Election Support from NRA

Thanks for taking a look at our offerings this week.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/high-voltage-lines-farms-s5.jpgTrump's trade wars, tariffs, send farmers rushing to find new markets without additional assistance from the state.

Gun violence is an issue that is affecting everyone across America, says State Senator, and 81% of voters support background checks.

WEST POINT, WI - Today I stood with Governor Evers, Lieutenant Governor Barnes, Attorney General Kaul, and Middleton Police Chief Foulke, along with other Democratic colleagues, as Representative Sargent and Senator Johnson announced their proposal to close the background check loophole on the sales and transfers of guns. I am proud to sign onto this legislation as a co-sponsor.

While an overwhelming majority of gun owners are responsible, this dangerous loophole in federal law allows domestic abusers, felons, and others who are prohibited from possessing firearms due to mental illness buy guns without a background check through non-licensed sellers. This bill will close that loophole. It is past time for us to take action to reduce gun violence, and closing this loophole is a common-sense solution that will not take away anyone’s second amendment rights.

Gun violence is an issue that is affecting everyone across America, including Wisconsin. Just last year there was a shooting at a workplace in Middleton that has left people scarred, and day after day we hear of another incident. 81% of voters support background checks. Outside of the State Capitol, this is not a partisan issue. Everyone deserves to feel safe when they go out in public, and closing this loophole is the first step towards diminishing the threat of deadly weapons and protecting Wisconsinites.

MADISON - State Representative Katrina Shankland talks about how Republican lawmakers in Madison have preempted our local leaders from doing what’s best for their communities.

Listen to Audio File here.

Hello, this is State Representative Katrina Shankland with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

One of my favorite meetings to attend to keep a pulse on what’s happening in the communities I represent is the local Towns Association meeting.

Local leaders gather from every township in the county to discuss infrastructure, water quality, broadband, and local control.

It’s important to me to hear how the state can help our local leaders with resources needed in our communities – and just as importantly, we should let them do their jobs instead of limiting their authority.

For 8 years, when Republican lawmakers had total control of state government, they preempted our local leaders from doing what’s best for their communities.

According to our nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, these lawmakers have passed legislation 180 times to remove local control or create unfunded mandates. This includes limiting local oversight over our environment, and repealing employment protections, and so much more.

Local officials are elected by their neighbors to make decisions that are best for their communities. And while statewide standards make sense in some circumstances, passing 180 laws to limit local control can only be described as a brazen power grab.

State lawmakers should be working with local officials to support policies that benefit our communities, not just calling the shots from Madison.

With Governor Evers, we now have an opportunity to work together to pass meaningful legislation to improve the lives of folks in Wisconsin.

Democrats are committed to working with our elected officials at every level to support Wisconsin communities and protect local control.

Thank you.