GREEN BAY - Thanks to Governor Evers the people will have input into the creation of non-partisan district maps for the first time in our history.

The criticism from Republicans is not surprising given their fierce opposition to any effort to take away their ability to draw maps that will help them keep their hold on power despite the overwhelming support from the pubic for drawing fair maps that result in competitive and fair elections. The ability of Republicans to rig the maps is the only way they can overcome an electorate that is moving away from them and their politics of dividing the people against each other for their own political gain.

I applaud Governor Evers efforts to restore balance in our elections to make sure that every person’s vote matters and look forward to seeing the resulting maps that result from this non-partisan effort.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address on The People's Maps Commission. This commission will provide a transparent and nonpartisan redistricting option for the state of Wisconsin.

Audio file of radio address.

Hi, folks. Governor Tony Evers here. 

When I ran for governor, I promised the people of this state that I would fight for nonpartisan redistricting and fair, impartial maps that were drawn in the light of day, and by golly, we’re going to make good on that promise. 

Because I believe, and I know Wisconsinites do too, that the people should get to choose their elected officials, not the other way around. 

In fact, 51 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties support a nonpartisan redistricting process.

Folks, the Legislature has had every opportunity to take up nonpartisan redistricting reform, but they’ve failed to act.

That’s why, following my State of the State Address earlier this year, we created The People’s Maps Commission to provide a transparent and nonpartisan redistricting option for the state of Wisconsin.

This committee will be comprised of the people of our state— not elected officials, lobbyists, or political party officials— and they will represent each one of Wisconsin’s congressional districts. 

They will hold public hearings across the state to hear from their neighbors, experts, and stakeholders on the redistricting process and use that input to draw maps free of bias. Then, it will be up to the Legislature to take up and pass The People’s Maps. 

Folks, this isn’t a Democratic or Republican redistricting commission, and it’s not the Tony Evers redistricting commission. 

It’s your commission. If you would like to apply to serve on the commission or to learn more, please visit: www.wisconsin.gov/peoplesmaps.

Thank you so much.

Politicians should have to answer for their choices in office. It is time to make that a reality.

West Point - Governor Evers announced the official application and selection process for The People’s Maps Commission Thursday, the nonpartisan redistricting commission to draw fair, impartial maps following the 2020 U.S. Census.

Wisconsin currently has extremely gerrymandered maps, which has cost Wisconsin taxpayers millions in lawsuits. Additionally, nonpartisan redistricting is widely supported, with 51 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, representing approximately 78% of Wisconsinites, having passed resolutions or referenda supporting nonpartisan redistricting in our state. That is why The People’s Maps will directly reflect the will of the people all over Wisconsin, and put the power back in the hands of Wisconsinites, and not special interests groups, lobbyists, and politicians.

“There are many proposals that are supported by the majority of Wisconsinites that do not even get public hearings,” said Senator Erpenbach. “From expanding Medicaid, legalizing medical cannabis, to nonpartisan redistricting, Republican leadership has continuously blocked popular proposals that they claim are ‘non-starters.’ Politicians should not be able to ignore their constituents because of unfairly drawn and biased maps. It is time for change.”

The People’s Maps Commission will be comprised of people – not politicians or lobbyists, and the Commission will use the information it gathers to prepare maps that represent Wisconsin. Details about applying, eligibility requirements, the selection process, and the responsibilities of the Commission are available on the People’s Maps Commission website: https://govstatus.egov.com/peoplesmaps

“This pandemic has shed light on what happens when the voice of many is stripped and handed to a few,” said Senator Erpenbach. “Republicans have refused to show up to work and pass legislation to provide much needed relief to our businesses and families that are struggling as a result of COVID-19. The GOP consistently ignores the will of the people because they aren’t afraid that they will be held accountable at the ballot box. Politicians should have to answer for their choices in office. It is time to move our state forward to ensure that people come before politics.”

Dave Hansen has represented us well for years, and Jonathon is vying for the chance to follow in his uncle’s footsteps by winning the August 11 primary.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/coronavirus-masks1-s5.jpgCOVID-19 hasn't taken a holiday, and we can’t afford to undo all the sacrifices people have made to get us to this point.

WISCONSIN - The panel digs into the racist federal appeals court ruling restricting Wisconsin early voting, and risking a dangerous replay of the infamous pandemic primary. Citizen Action is a lead plaintiff in the case. We discuss a new report co-released by Citizen Action of Wisconsin on how 8 Wisconsin billionaires have made an economic killing from the pandemic.

The pandemic continues to accelerate, confounding Donald Trump and the GOP by refusing to go away on its own.  We point out some of the hotspots and controversies around the Badger State. We look at the rising pressure for Congress and the President to extend coronavirus economic relief, and to make bold new investments in publicly-subsidized jobs and a green transition. We report back on a major news event Citizen Action led in La Crosse this week to put pressure on the feds to act. Finally, we look at the latest Wisconsin racial justice protest developments, and unveil the latest round of Citizen Action legislative endorsements.

Listen Now – Episode #499
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Press Clips

Our military should not be a political issue, but an American issue. The President has a solemn, moral responsibility to protect and support them.

Brookfield, WI – U.S. Navy veteran Tom Palzewicz, the Democratic candidate for Wisconsin’s Fifth Congressional District seat, is concerned by President Donald Trump’s reaction to the story alleging Russia paid bounties to Taliban militants to kill U.S. Soldiers.

“The Russia Bounty story is just another made up by Fake News tale that is told only to damage me and the Republican Party,” Trump tweeted. “The secret source probably does not even exist, just like the story itself. If the discredited @nytimes has a source, reveal it. Just another HOAX!”

Palzewicz, who served aboard a nuclear submarine during his six-year enlistment, was confused by Trump’s lack of response when the story broke, but was even more perplexed by the president’s tweet.

“The President has a solemn, moral responsibility to protect and support our men and women in the armed forces,” said Palzewicz. “His statement suggests that he will not do or say anything to achieve that end. Even if the reports of the Russian activity are not completely accurate, the Commander-in-Chief must step up and defend our military.”

“Acting in the best interest of our military should not be a political issue, but an American issue,” Palzewicz continued. “We are all together in protecting our interests, our values and our security. When I am in Congress, protecting our military will be a high priority, regardless of political pressures.”

Wisconsin families are suffering simply because Trump cares more about what he looks like on TV than their livelihoods.

WISCONSIN - Today, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman released a statement on the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment numbers that showed Trump’s disastrous response to the COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to crush Wisconsinites and Americans everywhere:

“Today’s BLS numbers continue to show that Donald Trump’s failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic -- from taking the word of China over our own intelligence community, to advocating for less testing, to encouraging people not to wear masks, is preventing a full recovery as millions of families still bear the brunt of historic unemployment numbers. Wisconsin families are suffering simply because Trump cares more about what he looks like on TV than their livelihoods and wellbeing. With Trump in office this pain is going to get worse before it gets better, and that’s why we so desperately need to elect Joe Biden our next president.”

MADISON - One of the things I enjoy the most about my job is working with other – and younger! – activists around the state that are engaged in the effort to make our democracy work better right here in Wisconsin.

We’re part of the Wisconsin Voting Rights Coalition, which sent the following letter to Gov. Evers in hopes that he’ll follow through on his good ideas about expanding DMV hours and accessibility so that citizens can more easily obtain the Voter ID card they need:

Wisconsin Governor Evers Must Enforce His Executive Order to Expand Access to Photo ID

This is just a small part of a huge effort by pro-democracy nonprofit groups all across the state to make sure there’s a big turnout here on Nov. 3. I wrote about his effort in a commentary I just did for the Wisconsin Examiner:

The fight to make voting easier in Wisconsin

Another coalition we’re proud to play an active role in is the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition. Thanks to the hard work of grassroots activists, more and more citizens will be able to weigh on whether they want nonpartisan redistricting in Wisconsin, as I note here:

More Counties Asking Citizens on Gerrymandering

I hope you like these items – and the work we’re doing in coalition.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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MADISON - Lt. Gov. Barnes Delivers Democratic Radio Address on First Listening Session for Governor's Task Force on Climate Change.

Audio file of radio address.

Lt. Gov. Barnes delivered the Democratic Radio Address and discussed the first listening session of the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, which occurred on Tuesday, June 23.

Hey, it’s Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, and this week I want to share about the ongoing work of the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change.

I am proud to chair this task force as it works to combat climate change and transition Wisconsin towards a more just and equitable clean economy.

The task force brings together a diverse coalition of task force members, representing Indigenous communities, agriculture, utilities, labor groups, and more. But the task force cannot do this work alone.

Input from the public is vital to developing policies that will reflect the will of the people and the ones that are informed by those who are being most impacted.

This week we held our first virtual listening session, and over 200 Wisconsinites from across the state joined us to share their concerns and their ideas.

They raised concerns about ground water pollutants, extreme weather, flooding, and our society’s reliance on fossil fuels.

They also called on elected officials to act! To invest in renewable energy and job training programs so Wisconsin has the green infrastructure it needs to be a thriving and healthy state.

Most importantly, we heard citizens calling for environmental justice, and they asked that no one be left out of these important conversations and solutions.

With that, I ask you to join the Governor’s task force and the administration in doing this important work. Please consider attending an upcoming listening session and encourage your friends, family, and community members to do the same.  More information can be found at ClimateChange.wi.gov.