She was a woman of many firsts and broke through many gender and racial barriers, a true pioneer and leader during the civil rights movement, and a trailblazing woman throughout her life.

MADISON, WI – Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Secretary of State Vel Phillips.

“It is with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of Vel Phillips. My father worked for Vel when she served as Secretary of State, and I met her several times as a young girl. At the time, I had no idea how much of an icon and giant she was in terms of her accomplishments. It was an honor to re-connect with her a few years ago and relive the stories of the past and pay homage to a trailblazing woman who inspired many.

“Vel was a woman of many firsts and broke through many gender and racial barriers. She was the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School, the first to win a seat on the Milwaukee City Council, the first to become a judge, and the first to become the Secretary of State in Wisconsin.

“She was a true pioneer and leader during the civil rights movement and fought to improve social and economic justice for underrepresented communities. Vel cared deeply about the Milwaukee community and her steadfast dedication to improving opportunities for families remained throughout her retirement. My deepest condolences to her family as Wisconsin celebrates the life of a remarkable woman.”

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Velvalea Rodgers "Vel" Phillips was an American attorney who served as a local official and judge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as Secretary of State of Wisconsin, often as the first woman and/or African-American in her position. She died Tuesday, April 17, 2018 leaving a legacy of fighting for equality that has inspired generations.

Wisconsin has lost a beloved, iconic, tenacious trailblazer whose leadership and career of firsts in our state opened doors for so many African Americans, Democrats and women.

MADISON - The following is a statement from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's Chair Martha Laning on our loss of Wisconsin civil rights icon, former Secretary of State of Wisconsin, judge, open housing pioneer and trailblazer Vel Phillips.

“Wisconsin has lost a beloved, iconic, tenacious trailblazer whose leadership and career of firsts in our state opened doors through which so many African Americans, Democrats and women are proud to have followed. Her spirit is with all of us, in Wisconsin and the nation, as we proudly continue the fight she took to the streets--despite horrific abuse--for civil rights, equality and justice. Her legacy and strength in the face of hatred and injustice stays with us now as we continue her march."

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Velvalea Rodgers "Vel" Phillips was an American attorney who served as a local official and judge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as Secretary of State of Wisconsin, often as the first woman and/or African-American in her position. She died Tuesday, April 17, 2018 leaving a legacy of fighting for equality that has inspired generations.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/paul-ryan-sad-s5.jpgDeep "bench" of Republican hopefuls intimidated by "#bluewave".

MADISON, WI - To kick off the National Week of the Young Child, Kelda Roys will be the featured speaker at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Bright Child Learning Center's brand new infant wing.

Roys’ remarks will focus on her plans to dramatically expand support for families and young children all across Wisconsin. Roys’ early childhood agenda is the most ambitious of any Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and will expand opportunity, close the achievement gap, and improve the livelihoods of thousands of Wisconsin families.

WHAT:

A ribbon cutting luncheon followed by a tour of the new facility

WHO:

Kelda Roys: entrepreneur, former state representative, candidate for governor

Greg Thomas: Owner of Bright Child Learning Center

Other community leaders

WHEN:

Noon on Monday, April 16

WHERE:

Bright Child Learning Center, 3149 Maple Valley Drive, Madison

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Every year, the National Association for the Education of Young Children hosts the Week of the Young Child to raise awareness of the importance of early learning and celebrate young children, their teachers, and their families. To learn more, visit naeyc.org/events/woyc/overview.

Roys, 38, 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.

Dick Uihlein, outside groups have spent more than four times as much on negative ads against Tammy Baldwin than against any other senator.

MADISON - "Outside spending in [the Wisconsin U.S. Senate race] likely is 'unprecedented' for a U.S. Senate campaign, excluding special elections, at this stage," according to a new report from the Wisconsin State Journal.

And it turns out that most of those millions have been directed towards either attacking U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin or promoting corporate consultant Kevin Nicholson, who's competing with state Sen. Leah Vukmir for the Republican Party's nomination.

Key Points:

Tammy Baldwin remains a top target of right-wing billionaire megadonors like the Koch brothers and Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein:

• "A broader view of outside spending in the race, based on data provided by Democratic and Republican sources in Wisconsin, puts the total amount spent at more than $13 million."
• "Meanwhile, Baldwin, D-Madison, has faced a negative ad blitz that so far dwarfs any other U.S. Senate incumbent seeking re-election this fall. Outside groups have spent more than four times as much on negative ads against her than against any other senator, the Center for Responsive Politics data show."
• "Much of the anti-Baldwin ad barrage comes from groups funded by the billionaire Koch brothers, among the nation’s most prolific donors to conservative and Republican political causes."

Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein-funded outside groups have already "spent more than $5 million" on TV and radio ads to buy Kevin Nicholson a U.S. Senate seat:

• "Outside groups have spent nearly $5 million to support Nicholson"
• "Nearly all of the pro-Nicholson ads come from super PACs funded largely by Uihlein."
• "America’s PAC and Restoration PAC, super PACs funded almost entirely by Uihlein, together have spent more than $5 million to back Nicholson or oppose Baldwin, according to the center."
• "Uihlein made a huge early splash for Nicholson when he pledged $3.5 million to a super PAC supporting him...He also has given $850,000 to John Bolton Super PAC, affiliated with President Donald Trump’s incoming national security adviser."
• "The pro-Nicholson spending spree has helped make Uihlein the top national donor to outside groups in the 2018 cycle so far."

Read more -- Wisconsin State Journal: 'Unprecedented' outside spending hits Tammy Baldwin, boosts Kevin Nicholson in US Senate race

As Wisconsinites face skyrocketing health care costs following GOP sabotage, Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson continue to run on taking away 30 million Americans' health care access.

MADISON - In Wisconsin and across the country, Republican health care sabotage continues to spike consumer costs, shouldering Americans with skyrocketing premiums -- particularly in rural areas -- and rising worries that their care will soon be completely unaffordable. But GOP U.S. Senate candidates Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir are nevertheless dead set on taking away 30 million Americans' health care access and further spiking consumer costs, as part of their right-wing, corporate-special-interest-giveaway agenda.

Nicholson and Vukmir have continued to campaign on dangerous Trumpcare repeal plans that would gut protections for people with preexisting conditions, spike premiums and take health care away from up to 30 million Americans. And Vukmir and Nicholson are standing by their fellow Republicans' efforts to further destabilize health care markets -- malicious sabotage that's already spiking premiums in Wisconsin and across the country.

Republican-led health care market sabotage has gotten so out of control that a recent Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll finds that a majority of Americans are "worried about their out-of-pocket costs increasing so high that" they won’t be able to afford the care that they need.

Meanwhile, additional polling shows that health care remains the top issue for voters heading into November's midterm elections. In Wisconsin, specifically, a recent PPP survey found that 72% of likely voters name health care a top issue. 

That's bad news for Trumpcare candidates like Nicholson and Vukmir, who are also running on a Republican tax law that spikes health care costs while simultaneously calling for dangerous cuts to Wisconsinites' Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare benefits.

Plan reduces the sales tax rate by 10%, ends MAC tax break that benefits less than 1% of taxpayers, and makes investments in education, job training, and high-speed Internet.

ALTOONA, WI - Wisconsin governor candidate Mike McCabe today proposed transformative tax changes to turn Wisconsin’s tax system from one that allows the wealthiest in the state to pay the lowest overall tax rate into one where everyone pays their fair share.

One centerpiece of the plan reduces the state sales tax rate by 10% while applying the tax to now-exempt purchases made almost exclusively by the richest consumers. In making the proposal, McCabe highlighted the injustice of taxing auto parts and repairs but exempting aircraft parts and repairs from the state sales tax.

“If you need to fix your car or truck, you pay sales tax on top of what it costs you. But if you own a private jet and need repairs or spare parts, you are exempt from the tax,” McCabe said.

“If you buy your kid a winter coat, you pay state sales tax. But if you pay a public relations firm to spruce up your image, there’s no tax,” he said.

Another key feature of McCabe’s tax reform plan is ending what is known as the MAC tax break that benefits a mere one-third of 1% of taxpayers in the state. More than three-quarters of the beneficiaries make more than $1 million a year, and well over 90% of those taking advantage of MAC have incomes exceeding $300,000 annually.

“MAC is a tax loophole big enough to drive a Mack truck through, and it’s the super-rich who are doing the driving,” McCabe said, adding that it resulted in tax breaks averaging more than $2 million for 11 tax filers earning $30 million or more in 2017. Closing the loophole would bring in more than $320 million a year in taxes that some of Wisconsin’s wealthiest people currently are escaping.

“We don’t need any new taxes. But we do need to make sure everyone pays the ones we already have,” he said.

McCabe’s proposed changes to the state sales tax include lowering it from 5% to 4.5% – a 10% reduction in the rate – and applying the tax to purchases that currently are exempt including:

• Aircraft parts and repairs
• Health clubs
• Auto and travel clubs
• Nonresidents’ aircraft hangared and boats berthed in Wisconsin
• Dues and fees to business associations and fraternal organizations
• Building materials, equipment and supplies used in constructing professional sports stadiums
• Motion picture and TV film and advertising materials
• Services such as public relations, accounting, interior design, architectural and engineering, beauty, legal, advertising, tax preparation, real estate broker commissions, collection and credit rating, and janitorial.

McCabe already has called for funding nearly $700 million in new investments in the next two-year state budget by ending two unsuccessful subsidy programs and using the savings to make education and job training more affordable and bring high-speed Internet to parts of the state currently lacking access. He also plans to put in place two other measures to empower working people that involve no additional state spending. These include boosting wages by turning the state’s minimum wage into a living wage and expanding access to health care by changing a single word in state law to make nearly every state resident able to access affordable, high-quality health insurance through the BadgerCare program.

All of these steps to empower people are needed if Wisconsin is to have a prosperous middle class, McCabe said, noting that so far in the 21st Century no state has seen more shrinkage of the middle class than Wisconsin. The state also can tap upwards of $200 million a year in new revenue to invest in health and education by legalizing marijuana and taxing legal sales in licensed dispensaries, as McCabe has proposed. The more than $320 million gained each year by closing the MAC loophole for the rich also can be plowed into needed investments in infrastructure, education and health.

These investments, together with a lower state sales tax on the kinds of purchases low- and middle-income consumers make most, will solidify Wisconsin’s middle class, McCabe said.

MADISON - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson -- who has himself repeatedly been caught lying -- is now leveling charges of dishonesty at none other than First Lady Tonette Walker and her son, Alex, who works for Nicholson's primary opponent, state Sen. Leah Vukmir.

From WITI-TV:

Wisconsin First Lady Tonette Walker offers a very personal reason for supporting Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Leah Vukmir over rival Kevin Nicholson in the contested GOP primary this year.

The first lady says Vukmir’s opponent refused to shake her son Alex’s hand.
....
“When Alex said to me, ‘I was in a room with another candidate, and he refused to shake my hand,’ I was like, “Really? I mean, really? Seriously?’” Tonette Walker said. “To me, I don’t want someone in politics, and someone who’s going to represent me and the State of Wisconsin in politics, if he doesn’t have the common decency to extend his hand, to shake his hand with a young man.”
...
Nicholson’s campaign said it had no idea what Ward or Tonette Walker were talking about.

"No amount of petty infighting, name-calling, or accusations of dishonesty can change that fact that Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir are running on a deeply unpopular, right-wing agenda that's all about selling out hardworking Wisconsinites to help corporate special interests and billionaire megadonors get even richer," said Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson for the 2018 U.S. Senate race.

WATCH

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/rebecca_dallet_michael_screnock_debate-s5.jpgScrenock declines to commit to recusing himself from cases involving his major donors during Milwaukee Bar Association debate Monday.

"Credit where due: Vukmir and Nicholson are innovators when it comes to finding new ways to tear each other down."

MADISON - How do they do it? Say what you will about Republican U.S. Senate candidates Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson's hardline commitment to a right-wing policy agenda that enriches corporate special interests and the wealthy at the expense of hardworking Wisconsinites, the two primary opponents are remarkably creative when it comes to finding new ways to viciously attack each other.

Here are the latest entries in the "nasty" GOP primary log:

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bice: Relative of GOP candidate Kevin Nicholson labels Scott Walker a 'sissy,' Leah Vukmir a 'swamp creature' in tweets
  
  • "Steve attacked state Sen. Leah Vukmir, the other GOP candidate in the race, labeling her a 'crooked politician,' a 'Pharisistic Swamp Creature,' Nurse Ratched, a 'cry baby,' 'B-squad material,' 'stale bread,' a 'liberal Democrat' and a 'deceitful little snake.'"
  • "Steve...also took after Gov. Scott Walker for associating with Vukmir...'Yo Gov - you're starting to look like a sissy running around the state with Leah,' Steve wrote last week under her handle @PJsMask. 'She's taking away your manhood and credibility.'"
  • "Brandon Moody, a spokesman for Nicholson, downplayed the issue, calling it 'goofy, small-ball stuff.'"
  • "But a Vukmir aide said the social media posts crossed a line. 'It's appalling to see a member of Kevin's family say such vile things about Leah,' said Jessica Ward, campaign manager for Vukmir. 'There is no place for this sort of filth in the Republican Party.'"
• Leah Vukmir: "You know what you get with me...it's the roll of a dice with my opponent." [The Jay Weber Show, 3/26/18]
  
  • "[Nicholson] lists a slew of people and groups from D.C. who support him. And I think the people in Wisconsin want to decide who their next U.S. Senator is -- I don't think they want D.C. deciding."
  • "I truly believe this primary is between a Republican who has delivered on her conservative agenda, and one who merely says that he will -- you know what you get with me, Jay, I think it's the roll of a dice with my opponent."

"Credit where due: Vukmir and Nicholson are innovators when it comes to finding new ways to tear each other down," said Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race. "The GOP primary keeps getting nastier, but Vukmir and Nicholson have been steadfast in their shared commitment to a reckless, right-wing agenda that includes taking health care away from up to 30 million Americans and gutting Wisconsinites' Social Security and Medicare benefits."