Democratic candidate for Governor thanks the United Steelworkers who led the fight to keep the mill open.

MADISON, WI - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kelda Roys released the following statement on the Midwest Paper Group’s investment in the Fox Valley and creation of over 300 jobs at the former Appleton Coated facility in Combined Locks:

“I thank the Midwest Paper Group - I'm thrilled to see them double-down on their investment in the Fox Valley. I would also like to commend the workers and a community that fought back against difficult odds and saved this 129-year-old mill.

“It's important to recognize that Governor Walker and his administration did almost nothing to help and were nowhere to be found when the chips were down and Appleton Coated was fighting to stay alive. It took an election year and bad poll numbers for the governor to suddenly take interest in Appleton Coated, Kimberly Clark, and the paper industry. That's not leadership.

"I want to thank - from the bottom of my heart - the United Steelworkers (USW) who led the fight to keep the mill open. Without their leadership, perseverance and commitment to community, Governor Walker and a room full of politicians up for re-election would not be able to bask in unearned limelight and take undeserved credit."

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Kelda Roys, 39, is a small business owner, attorney, former state representative, and past head of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin who has been standing up for women and families throughout her career. In the Assembly, she stood out as an influential and effective lawmaker, delivering results for working families and helping lead the opposition to Governor Scott Walker’s divisive agenda. As a parent and step-parent of four girls, Roys will fight for paid family leave, affordable childcare, great schools, and quality healthcare for all. In a year in which Wisconsin voters are ready for change, Kelda Roys provides the clearest contrast to Scott Walker.

We discuss ICE’s detainment and attempt to deport of Citizen Action/Accion Ciudadana member Ricardo Fierro, our current immigration policies, Marisabel Cabrera's run for the Assembly, Jeff Smith for State Senate, and more...

STATEWIDE - Special guest panelist, Luz Sosa, educates us on ICE’s detainment and the attempt to deport of Citizen Action/Accion Ciudadana member Ricardo Fierro, a major civic leader who is married with 7 children. The shocking case reveals the moral bankruptcy of our current immigration policies. We are joined by Citizen Action board member Carmen Cabrera to discuss the important primary election for co-op member Marisabel Cabrera on August 14th and why you need to volunteer to help her win a seat in the State Assembly.

Western Wisconsin co-op leader Jeff Smith talks with us about his primary election for State Senate. Finally, Robert educates us on the latest Trump and Walker efforts at sabotaging the Affordable Care Act.

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Patty Schachtner of Somerset, a medical examiner and state senator, talks about how meth addiction has strained our local health and public safety resources.

MADISON, WI – Senator Patty Schachtner (D-Somerset) offered the weekly Democratic radio address today.

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

A written transcript of the address is below:

“I’m State Senator Patty Schachtner with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

“Communities across Wisconsin are facing a meth epidemic.

“Between 2010 and 2017, the use of meth has increased by 462 percent in Wisconsin. That increase has strained our families, friends, and communities. It has also strained our local health and public safety resources.

“In my capacity as a medical examiner and state senator, I have spoken with law enforcement and health experts. The overwhelming response is that the status quo cannot continue.

“Wisconsin’s prison populations are heading for record highs, and counties are finding the rising cost of child placement and care unsustainable.

“That is why it is more important than ever to focus on expanding access to treatment and health care.

“Around 2.8 million people with substance use disorders have gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act, and millions more have access to addiction treatment through Medicaid.

“Medicaid expansion in Wisconsin can help our communities tackle the meth crisis, all while improving health outcomes for residents and saving state taxpayer dollars.

“Thank you.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/medicare-patient-s5.jpgNorthwestern Wisconsin's new Senator Patty Schachtner talks about these crucial health care coverage programs and how we need to expand access to them.

Marijuana referendums sweeping across the state, candidate for State Treasurer, Sarah Godlewski, and more...

STATEWIDE - We welcome Eric Marsch, executive director of NORML Southeastern Wisconsin, to discuss the marijuana referendums sweeping across the state this summer for the November election and how they are moving the legalization issue forward in the state.

We also are joined by Citizen Action Organizing Cooperative member & candidate for State Treasurer, Sarah Godlewski, to talk about her campaign. Don’t forget to vote for Sarah on Tuesday, August 14th. We also discuss new national polling finding Trump’s approval rating at 36%, with 52% disapproving. More importantly, Democrats hold a 47%-to-39% lead in congressional preference.

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Crumbling roads, deteriorating highways and structurally unsafe bridges have created headaches for Wisconsin drivers.

MADISON, WI – Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) offered the weekly Democratic radio address today.

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

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hi, I’m State Senator Jennifer Shilling with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

“As the summer travel season continues, so have the headaches for Wisconsin drivers.

“Crumbling roads, deteriorating highways and structurally unsafe bridges have created a dangerous situation.

“After eight years of Republican budgeting, Wisconsin has over 2,800 bridges that need repairs and our roads are among the worst in the nation.

“Even the Republican chair of the state’s budget committee admitted that “The roads in Illinois are better than in Wisconsin.”

“Rather than delaying projects and laying off workers, Democrats are pushing to prioritize community safety and expand economic opportunities across our state.

“We’re proud to stand with the overwhelming majority of Wisconsin workers, families and businesses who want a responsible, long-term funding solution to repair our crumbling roads and improve transportation safety.

“If you’ve noticed how bad our roads have become, then you know it’s time to #JustFixIt and build toward a brighter future.

“Thank you.”

Barnes talks about his race, news on the GOP’s continued sabotage of the Affordable Care Act, and more...

MILWAUKEE - We welcome Citizen Action of Wisconsin endorsed Lt. Governor candidate Mandela Barnes to talk about his race. We review the latest Marquette Law Poll and take a deep dive into the Democratic Governor’s primary.

Robert tells us about the news conference this weekend with Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi about the GOP’s continued sabotage of the Affordable Care Act. Join us Saturday, 7/21, at 10: 45am, at Independence First (540 S. 1st St in Milwaukee.) And of course, as we do most weeks, we have more Foxconn revelations.

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Russian woman highlights Walker’s NRA ties, pay to play, and more from a bizarre week.

MADISON - What a bizarre week for our democracy!

There was Donald Trump’s disastrous press conference in Helsinki and his embarrassing attempts to walk it back. And there was Maria Butina, under arrest, with Scott Walker making a veiled cameo appearance in the FBI’s arrest request. Walker and Butina met at an NRA event, which is fitting, since the NRA has been a steady Walker supporter, as we note here:

Russian woman highlights Walker’s NRA ties

We broke a story, earlier this week, on Walker and an illegal contribution he received relating to the state pension fund:

Walker received "pay-to-play" contribution from exec of investment company

And we pored over the campaign finance filings that Wisconsin candidates submitted this week.

First for the governor’s race:

Walker raises twice as much as all of the Democratic candidates

And then for the race for Attorney General:

AG candidates raise nearly $1.3M in first half of 2018

I hope you like these postings.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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P.S. Please support the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign with a tax-deductible donation today. It’s simple! Just click here. Thanks!

Republicans in Wisconsin like Ron Johnson have not taken Russian attacks on our country and our democracy seriously.

MADISON, WI – Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona) offered the weekly Democratic radio address today.

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

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hello this is Senator Mark Miller with this week’s democratic radio address.

“The latest round of indictments against Russia by the Department of Justice reminds us how serious the Russian attacks on our country and our democracy have been.

“It is especially concerning that republicans in Wisconsin like Ron Johnson have not taken these attacks seriously. In fact, Senator Ron Johnson spent the 4th of July in Russia. He came home to say that ‘we’ve blown it way out of proportion’ and that it is difficult to meddle in our elections. That is, unfortunately, false. Not only have the Russians meddled in our election, primarily by spreading disinformation and hacking campaigns, Department of Justice is literally in the middle of telling us who, when and how.

“The right to vote, be informed, and have your vote counted is among the most precious to the American people. For Americans to have an unfriendly nation jeopardize that right is unacceptable and dangerous. President Trump said this week at his summit with Russian President Putin that both countries were at fault for the election meddling. President Trump, when asked, said he believes Putin over our own American Intelligence agencies. This is preposterous and deeply disturbing.

“The Russian hacks were successful. They will continue to commit these crimes as long as they continue to be successful. Instead of pretending that this isn’t happening, it is time for Republicans to join Democrats in taking these threats and attacks seriously. This is not a witch hunt. This is protecting our democracy.”

Talk of Trump and the political implications of the 2018 election on healthcare and the Supreme Court. Next Milwaukee County Board Supervisor, Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, will talk about her resolution opposing Trump’s zero tolerance immigration policy. Finally, the WEDC.

MILWAUKEE, WI - We do a deep dive into Donald Trump’s latest sabotage of the Affordable Care Act and its political implications for the 2018 election.

We look at Trump’s new arch-conservative Supreme Court nominee and how Democrats are turning to healthcare as the center of their strategy to defeat his appointment.

We welcome Citizen Action Organizing Cooperative member and Milwaukee County Board Supervisor, Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, to talk about her resolution opposing Trump’s zero tolerance immigration policy.

We close by discussing WEDC failure to collect a $1.1 million loan from a jailed De Pere businessman convicted of bank fraud and Foxconn’s sleazy effort to lower wage requirements for the jobs it has promised to create with our public money.

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