As more information about President Trump and his adviser's connections to Russia come out, state GOP politicians look the other way.

MADISON - American leadership is essential to keeping us safe and keeping our economy growing in the years ahead. It's stunning to see the lack of leadership from Wisconsin's Republican members of Congress as the news of General Michael Flynn's resignation continues to dominate the headlines.

Monday night, National Security Adviser, Gen. Michael Flynn, resigned amid controversy surrounding conversations with the Russian ambassador to the United States and the revelation that he could be a possible blackmail target by the Russian government.

The resignation came after it was revealed that Flynn lied and told the Vice President that he had not discussed the topic of Russian sanctions on a call with the ambassador in late December.

As top Republicans across the nation call for investigations into Russia, Wisconsin Republicans are yet to follow suit or even question what President Trump and top officials in his administration knew and when they knew it.

Speaker Paul Ryan punted on the question of investigations yesterday saying that he would leave that decision to the White House. Senator Ron Johnson's concerns appeared to be outwardly political, saying that the most alarming thing about the news is that people in government agencies aren't loyal to the new administration. And Reps. Gallagher, Duffy, Sensenbrenner and Grothman have closed their eyes and ignored the gravity of the situation, either making no comment altogether or stopping short of calling for an independent investigation.

"In the last eight years, Democrats kept Americans safe at home and abroad. Just three weeks into the Trump Presidency, major national security risks have reared their head and Wisconsin Republicans have chosen their party over the national security of their country every time," Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesman Brandon Weathersby said on Wednesday. "Gen. Flynn's resignation proves that we must know the full extent of the Trump Administration's ties and dealings with Russia. Far too many questions remain unanswered."

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/high-voltage-lines-farms-s5.jpgThis budget is $2.8 billion more than the last budget and is the largest in state history. While Gov. Walker has touted providing needed money for schools, roads, and the UW, some details didn’t make the headlines. The Legislature now begins reviewing the budget and people to need to make their priorities known.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/construction-workers-s5.jpgFor years, people in occupations like the construction trades could get up to 12 weeks of UC wages when laid off seasonally. The rule helped local contractors keep their workforce intact until projects could resume and they were glad to pay for it, but in 2015 the Walker administration ended the practice for what it called cost savings. Sen. Erpenbach is introducing a bill to put it back.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/uwgb-students-s5.jpgGov. Walker talked this week about "working and winning", but his plan is to continue borrowing and raiding Peter to pay Paul. Our priority must be Wisconsin’s roads, schools and jobs. Wisconsinites never have, and never will stop putting in a hard day’s work.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/walker-state-denial-s5.jpgGovernor tries to rebuild sagging approval ratings with a reversal of education cuts, but neglects roads, income inequality, and families struggling with rising child care costs, student loan debt and retirement insecurity.

After Governor Walker’s disastrous budgets, he is finally backtracking on some of his deep education cuts to preserve his poll numbers, but what he is proposing is not enough to restore the damage he has caused. He’s making the same irresponsible mistakes with the state that he made with Milwaukee County.

MADISON – On Wednesday, the Democratic legislators on the Joint Committee on Finance held a press conference in advance of Governor Walker’s 2017-2019 Budget Address. The budget is introduced as the Governor faces a re-election fight and low approval ratings following years of historic cuts to cornerstone Wisconsin priorities, such as public school classrooms and universities.

“The proposals the governor is floating in the budget is an acknowledgement of his failure over the past six years to prioritize the programs most important to the people of Wisconsin,” said Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh). “Throughout his entire time in office, Governor Walker has applied a slash and burn approach to funding our schools and universities in order to afford his tax giveaways to the wealthy. The fact that he is now trying to take credit for pretending to fix the problems he created isn’t fooling anyone.”

“Anyone who thinks this is a budget that will actually address the problems Governor Walker created shouldn’t hold their breath,” said Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton). “While I have no doubt that he will present a budget that looks good on paper, it remains to be seen how realistic his proposals will be when it comes time for the Legislature to submit a budget that is actually balanced. Transportation financing is something we have heard nothing about in the Governor’s budget so we are left expecting another punt of leadership.”

“After Governor Walker’s disastrous budgets, he is finally backtracking on some of his deep education cuts to preserve his poll numbers,” said Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point). “This means he’s at last admitting that Republican cuts to our most precious institutions have failed the people of Wisconsin. But what he is proposing is not enough to restore the damage he has caused to our public schools and universities. It’s time for the state to make real investments in our children’s education.”

“I’ve been watching Scott Walker bungle budgets since he was Milwaukee County Executive,” said Senator Lena C. Taylor (D-Milwaukee). “He’s making the same irresponsible mistakes with the state that he made with the county. Budgets are about priorities and Governor Walker’s priority is politics over solving Wisconsin’s long-term problems.”