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Saving DACA is the Moral Thing to Do PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Senate, Scott May   
Thursday, 07 September 2017 19:41

statue-of-liberty"It is my hope that the Republican led Congress fixes this mistake by the Trump Administration", says Sen. Tim Carpenter of Milwaukee.


MADISON – State Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) today released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

tim-carpenter"I am proud that the United States of America is a great and diverse nation made up of immigrants from around the world and their descendants. Our country – and certainly the South Side of Milwaukee, where I have lived all my life – is richer for it.

"That is why I was extremely disheartened with the news that the Trump Administration is ending the very popular Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA). It is my belief that allowing the children of undocumented immigrants (800,000 young people) who were brought here at a very young age (Dreamers) to stay is the moral thing to do.

"We have seen time and again the contributions of these Dreamers to our country. They were raised here, they share our values, and they strengthen the fabric of our country. I will advocate from my position for immigration reform that is fair, just, and moral. Now is not the time for nativist rhetoric or cheap political stunts.

"It is my hope that the Republican led Congress fixes this mistake by the Trump Administration. We cannot be a nation that tears families apart and throws people’s lives into chaos and uncertainty at the whims of politicians."

 
Republican JFC Transportation Plan Falls Short Says Barca PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Assembly Democrats   
Wednesday, 06 September 2017 13:39

road-closed-delayPlan doesn’t create a sustainable funding solution, is littered with political pork, and sneaks in non-budget policy changes that strip local control.


MADISON - Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement after reviewing the Republican Joint Finance Committee transportation plan:

peter-barca“Republicans spent more than two months squabbling with each other and this is the result – a spending plan that still doesn’t create a sustainable funding solution, that is littered with political pork for their buddies, and sneaks in non-budget policy changes that strip local control from counties, towns, and cities across Wisconsin. Maybe we should have sent legislative Republicans back to school today because, yet again, they are failing.

Wisconsin families deserve real solutions that address our crumbling roads and failing bridges. Wisconsin families deserve a government that relies less on debt. They deserve a government that is honest that the Republican solution means drivers will continue to spend more on front-end alignments and road delays out of their family budget. Republicans want to push the costs off onto our children. Republicans want to lower wages for transportation construction workers. That is not the future Democrats want for Wisconsin. We can and must do better.”

 
“Labor Day 2017” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Matt Brusky   
Friday, 01 September 2017 10:44

labor_day_2017The important role of unions, Hurricane Harvey, and the mining industry’s latest push to roll back Wisconsin’s mining moratorium.


MILWAUKEE - Happy Labor Day Weekend Wisconsin! Our panel discusses the vital role labor unions play in creating democratic workplaces, real economic opportunity, and access to the middle class.

We reflect on the devastation in Houston in the wake of Hurricane Harvey and the role climate change and bad public policy played in its creation.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters (WLCV) organizer Matt Dannenberg educates us on the mining industry’s latest push to roll back Wisconsin’s mining moratorium which protects our water and environment. Robert previews the next health care fight this fall in the federal budget and Jorna tells us about Congressman Grothman’s demand for other federal budget cuts to pay for Hurricane Harvey relief.

 

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #309
Download MP3
Citizen Action Press Clips

 
Democratic Radio "We Can Do Better for Our Kids" PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Assembly Democrats   
Friday, 01 September 2017 09:17

school-bus-kidsMADISON – Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Mount Horeb) offered the Democratic Weekly Radio Address Thursday on the new school year and the same old Republican tricks:

"On Tuesday, students across Wisconsin will pack their backpacks and head back to the classroom. Yet, we still don’t have a finalized state budget," Rep. Pope said. "Wisconsin has a proud tradition of quality public education. We need to make sure our kids have the tools they need to succeed as the future workforce of our state."

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here, and the video can be found here or below.

A written transcript of the address is below:

sondy-pope"Hi, I’m Representative Sondy Pope, ranking Democrat on the Assembly Committee on Education, with this week’s Democratic radio address.

"On Tuesday, students across Wisconsin will pack their backpacks and head back to the classroom. Yet, we still don’t have a finalized state budget. That means school districts across our state are left in the lurch, unsure about how much money they have to provide quality education for our children.

"That is why I was surprised this week when the Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee advanced a funding option for Wisconsin schools that still doesn’t make up for the mistakes of the past. Today, we’re still $1 billion dollars short of where we should be. Not a single proposal from Republicans would fill that hole.

"Wisconsin has a proud tradition of quality public education. We need to make sure our kids have the tools they need to succeed as the future workforce of our state.

"Democrats have a plan to put more money into schools and to lower property taxes. You can learn more about our plan at WICanDoBetter.com. That’s WICanDoBetter.com.

"As Democrats, we support our public schools, our teachers, and most of all, our students. As our main priority, we will continue the fight for them and the future of our great state.

"Thank you."

 
Public Hearings: Where Are the People? PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Kathleen Vinehout, State Senator 31st District   
Tuesday, 29 August 2017 08:41

capitol-night-wiscAt a recent public hearing, ideological groups push a de-licensing plan for state professionals in an all-to-common process of speed and secrecy. Notice was posted late Friday for a meeting the following Thursday to discuss public safety as well as erosion of wages and workers’ rights.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 August 2017 09:21
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Sen. Hansen on U.S. AG Sessions Green Bay Visit PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Senate, Jay Wadd   
Tuesday, 29 August 2017 07:56

opioid-young-startState Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) is calling on the Wisconsin and U.S. Attorneys General to stand up for taxpayers by holding big drug companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 August 2017 09:00
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Blue Jean Nation 'Blowing off the Founders' PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Mike McCabe, Blue Jean Nation   
Friday, 25 August 2017 15:36

founding-fathersOur founders saw public education as basic to cultivating the moral and civic virtues needed for people to exercise their rights and duties as citizens. But over the years, this mission has been lost, putting democracy itself at risk.

Last Updated on Friday, 25 August 2017 18:12
Read more...
 
"Eye on 2018 Election" Battleground Wisconsin Podcast PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Matt Brusky   
Friday, 25 August 2017 07:59

eyeon_2How the Foxconn giveaway will shape the political environment and test candidates in the Governor's race, Paul Ryan’s fake town hall with CNN, and more...


MILWAUKEE - We take a sneak peak at the developing 2018 governor's race. We discuss how issues like the Foxconn giveaway will shape the political environment and test candidates. Robert updates us on on the growing public opposition to the Foxconn deal, including 3 news events held by Citizen Action Organizing Cooperative in Eau Claire, Wausau, and Appleton.

Jorna reviews Paul Ryan’s fake town hall with CNN that was not open to the public. Also, GOP Sen. Tom Tiffany is threatening Wisconsin’s mining moratorium and Citizen Action is hosting a forum featuring 2018 Supreme Court candidates Rebecca Dallet and Tim Burns in Milwaukee on Thursday, September 14th @ 6pm.

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #308
Download MP3
Citizen Action Press Clips

 
Wis Democracy Campaign "Trump, Walker, and Us!" PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Matt Rothschild   
Friday, 25 August 2017 07:33

wdc-countiesFair district maps campaign, Foxconn, state party fundraising, and more...


MADISON - After Charlottesville, and Donald Trump’s reprehensible responses to it, more and more people are becoming aware of how fragile our democracy is.

Last Sunday, I went up to Stoddard, Wisconsin, to give a talk to the Vernon County Democrats on this subject, and I noted that democracy is not doing too well under Scott Walker, either. But I also laid out reasons for hope, as you’ll see here:

Our democracy is hanging by a thread

Tonight, I’m going up to Shell Lake, near Spooner, to give a similar talk to the new group, Indivisible of Northwestern Wisconsin. And I’d be happy to give a talk in your community, too, so just send me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . I know there’s a hunger for this discussion.

While watching the news on Monday, I saw that Walker got some UW doctors to front for him and Foxconn. We found out who the doctors were, and some were donors to Walker:

Walker flanked by donors at UW Hospital to promote Foxconn

And in one of our periodic postings, we noted that Republicans in Wisconsin are far outraising their Democratic counterparts so far this year:

Wisconsin GOP outraises Dems 3 to 1 in the first six months of 2017

I mentioned that I’m not losing hope. Here’s one reason: The tremendous momentum in Wisconsin for adopting fair voting maps – for ending gerrymandering in Wisconsin once and for all. The momentum picked up speed in just the last two weeks:

Three more counties on board for Fair Maps!

It’s this activism for democracy at the grassroots, which the media tends to ignore, that will bring us through the Age of Trump and the Age of Walker.

Of that, I am sure.

Best,

Matt Rothschild

****

If you’d like to support the urgent work we do here at the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, please send us a tax-deductible donation by clicking here.

Last Updated on Friday, 25 August 2017 07:50
 
Blue Jean Nation 'The taproot of our many problems' PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Mike McCabe, Blue Jean Nation   
Wednesday, 16 August 2017 06:56

trump-walkerWe have a poisoned political culture that glorifies greed, dooming us to a government that works for a wealthy and well-connected few at everyone else’s expense.


ALTOONA, WI - Wisconsin is up to its eyeballs in problems. Our state has lost its way. It is becoming a shadow of its former self. Same goes for the country as a whole.

The problems vary from place to place. Go to Trempealeau County and you see hills and bluffs disappearing and hear fears expressed over the effects of breathing the fine dust that hangs in the air or drinking water that has turned an amber color. In the Central Sands region you see lakes and streams drying up because a few are being allowed to drill high-capacity wells and hog all the water. In Kewaunee County you are told about massive industrial feedlots and how a third of private wells have been poisoned and you see someone turn on a water tap and what comes out of the faucet is brown and smells like cow manure. A few counties away parents are frightened about what old lead pipes in their community’s water system might be doing to their children.

Real peopleSomewhere else you run into young Millennials buried under a mountain of student debt. One owes $30,000. Another $80,000. A third carries over $100,000 in debt. All of them wonder how they are going to dig out of the hole they are in. All of them wonder when — or if — they will ever be able to buy a car or make a down payment on a house. Another place you meet a farmer who now is expected to file payroll taxes online but has no Internet access out on the farm.

At the next stop everyone is talking about the criminal justice system and racial profiling and mass incarceration. And how impossible it is to make ends meet earning the minimum wage. Then you meet some former factory workers who used to make $25 an hour working on an assembly line but could only find work paying $11 or $12 an hour after the plant closed. Their standard of living has been cut in half. They find little comfort in the news that the state’s unemployment rate is coming down some. They can find a job. What’s next to impossible to find is work that keeps them in the middle class.

Down the road a piece are town officials agonizing over a decision to tear up paved roads and go back to gravel because they can’t afford to maintain the pavement and keep filling all the potholes. Next you arrive in a community where the townspeople are resigned to their local school closing. They know how that school is a hub of local activity, and they know losing it will be a death sentence for their town.

The problems vary widely from place to place. But they all grow from the same taproot, a poisoned political culture that glorifies greed, dooming us to a government that works for a wealthy and well-connected few at everyone else’s expense and an economy that benefits a privileged few and leaves so many behind. The issue is inequality, both political and economic. The problem is privilege, both political and economic.

Solving the many problems plaguing Wisconsin and America depends on remedying the one behind them all.

— Mike McCabe

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 August 2017 07:46
 
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