GREEN BAY - With the Supreme Court’s decision to take up Wisconsin’ redistricting case, the Court has the opportunity to correct a part of our electoral process that has opened the door to election rigging here in Wisconsin and across the country.

Wisconsin Republicans rigged the electoral map so profoundly that two federal courts have ruled it unconstitutional saying the Republican effort “intended to burden the representational rights of Democratic voters...by impeding their ability to translate their votes into legislative seats.

"Republicans can argue that rigging the maps is legal, but anyone who believes in a truly representative democracy knows it is not right," said Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) in a statement released today. "Voters have a right to expect fair and competitive elections. And the health of our system of government depends on it."

Our democracy works best when we have fair and competitive elections. Regardless of how the court decides this case. it is time to take partisan politics out of redistricting and adopt a non-partisan process that voters can be confident in.

*****

Legislative writer Jay Wadd contributed this story.

Trump’s shockingly unkind words about the health care plan he forced on Paul Ryan, the difficulty Republicans face in passing it, Matt Rothschild, and more.

STATEWIDE - We discuss the secrecy surrounding the Senate healthcare legislation and President Trump’s shockingly unkind words about the health care plan he forced Paul Ryan to jam through the House of Representatives.”

Robert reveals interesting details of meeting between Citizen Action Organizing Cooperative members and Sen. Ron Johnson’s legislative aide regarding the difficulty Republicans face in passing a healthcare bill.

We welcome Matthew Rothschild, executive director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, to discuss the the Assembly passage of a bill that could spark a constitutional convention and the dangers it poses our democracy.

We close the show with a discussion of innovative approaches to creating good jobs and economic opportunity in Los Angeles with Roxana Tynan, the executive director of LAANE (Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy).

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #298

Download MP3

Citizen Action Press Clips

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/mdsn-protest-singers-s5.jpgThe pro-life, pro-choice issue is a political football that both major party's use to whip up their base. What if we stopped taking the bait, and focused instead on solving this incredibly sensitive issue that the ruling elite clearly do not want to see resolved?

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/health-care-costs-s5.jpgDemocratic amendment would protect taxpayers, held pharmaceutical industry to task for their role.

Wisconsin GOP goes AWOL when it comes to going beyond lip service for veterans.

MADISON - Senate Republicans voted against giving veterans who work in the private sector a paid day off to observe Veterans Day. The amendment to Senate Bill 113, introduced by State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), would have made sure that every veteran who goes to a job in Wisconsin would receive a paid day off for Veterans Day.

“It’s important that Wisconsin recognize Veterans Day, but it should be about more than closing state offices and giving state workers the day off,” said Hansen. “If we truly want to honor our veterans we should give them the day off with pay so they can participate in Veterans Day events or use it as a day of personal reflection. They are the ones who sacrificed for us. It’s the least we can do for them on their day.”

Hansen said he believes Wisconsin employers would support such a change in the law.

“I don’t know why Senate Republicans would oppose giving veterans the day off. I certainly can’t imagine any patriotic business owner objecting to honoring our veterans who have done so much to protect our way of life in this way.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/school-bus-kids-s5.jpgSen. Kathleen Vinehout argues the current budget stalemate is due in part to competing education funding proposals that do not address the needs facing school districts across the state. Legislative leaders know the school funding formula is broken, but they choose to ignore State Superintendent Tony Evers’ plan to change that way Wisconsin funds schools.