Conservative candidate thinks government-run health care is foolish.

BROOKFIELD, WI — Nurse, state senator and U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir issued the following statement Tuesday about Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s support for Bernie Sanders’ “Medicare for All” health care bill:

“It’s no surprise to me that Sen. Baldwin supports socialized, government-run health care along with Bernie Sanders. Rather than working to identify the problems with our health care system, she’d rather raise taxes and throw more money at it. We cannot afford $1.4 trillion in new spending when our national debt is already more than $20 trillion.

“Sen. Baldwin has been running around the state saying that ‘health care is personal.’ Well, it is personal, that’s why government-run health care is foolish. It’s so irresponsible even Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, refuses to endorse the plan. I want health care that focuses on patients, allows for customized plans, provides choices and drives costs down through competition.

“Wisconsin has been a leader and an innovator in these kinds of solutions. It’s time for the federal government to get out of health care so states like ours can once again make it personal for patients.”

Baldwin’s support for new Medicare for All legislation, the budget, Foxconn, and the change in leadership among Assembly Democrats.

STATEWIDE - We discuss Sen. Tammy Baldwin’s support for new Medicare for All legislation introduced this week in the U.S, Senate. Baldwin's forward looking vision is in sharp contrast with Sen. Ron Johnson and his conservative colleagues who introduced yet another effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The panel talks about the long delayed special interest laden state budget that passed the assembly on Tuesday and now heads to the Senate for final rubber stamping. We also review the latest on Foxconn, including Kenosha’s clear minded decision to pass on the boondoggle.

Finally we discuss the change in leadership among Assembly Democrats and Paul Ryan’s confession over the debt consequences of his own tax plan.

MADISON – Today, Rep. Steve Doyle (D-Onalaska) offered the Democratic Weekly Radio Address on the Republican budget that passed the Assembly:

"It’s frustrating that after so many delays, we ended up with a budget that gives away hard-earned taxpayer dollars to a select few while raising taxes on hardworking families.This isn’t fair and it doesn’t make economic sense," Rep. Doyle said. "If the Republicans would just sit down and work with the Democrats, we could do great things for Wisconsin."

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

A written transcript of the address is below:"Hi, I’m Representative Steve Doyle with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

"On Wednesday, the Majority Party in the Assembly passed a budget that was nearly three months late. This new budget doesn’t fill the funding hole created in our public schools over the past six years. It doesn’t contain a long-term funding solution to fix our crumbling roads. It doesn’t help Wisconsinites access affordable, quality health care and it doesn’t help students who are burdened by their college debt. And instead of strengthening our economy, this budget will actually slow down wage growth for Wisconsin workers.

"It’s frustrating that after so many delays, we ended up with a budget that gives away hard-earned taxpayer dollars to a select few while raising taxes on hardworking families.This isn’t fair and it doesn’t make economic sense.

"Democrats worked hard to make this budget better. We really wanted a bipartisan budget that works for everyone. We offered amendments to lower taxes for middle class working families. We wanted to invest in infrastructure, like our roads, bridges and broadband. We advocated for our public schools that educate 86 percent of our children. We promoted BadgerCare and wanted to make health care affordable and accessible for all. We supported plans to do more for our communities by protecting clean drinking water and investing in the tools to keep our communities healthy and safe for our families and our children. 

"If the Republicans would just sit down and work with the Democrats, we could do great things for Wisconsin. They chose not to and that is really unfortunate. We missed the opportunity to do something really meaningful for our state and that is truly unfortunate. 

"I’m Representative Steve Doyle."

MADISON – State Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) today released the following statement regarding the absurdly overdue republican state budget.

“Now that they have the great Foxconn distraction out of the way it is time for Republicans to actually focus on the funding of our state. With complete control of state government the dysfunctional Republicans are now 77 days late on delivering their budget and Wisconsin is one of only two states to not pass a budget on time as required by law. I will be on the floor of the Senate bright and early Friday morning ready to debate the misguided priorities in their budget. The question remains, will they? According to Majority Leader Fitzgerald the answer is apparently anyone’s guess. If the controlling party can find it within themselves to actually pass this budget, I would be particularly eager to hear them justify the pork for campaign contributors, earmarks, and special interest favors they’ve included. Alternatively, if the Majority Party continues to refuse to govern, maybe it’s time for them to try something novel. Maybe it’s time for them to reach out to Democrats, work with us, include our ideas and priorities in this budget, and get something done for the people of Wisconsin.”

Seven years into Scott Walker’s career as governor and we have little to show for his promises.

MADISON - Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement Wednesday in response to the Assembly’s passage of a $76 billion budget that is rigged against regular Wisconsinites:

“Here we are, nearly seven years into Scott Walker’s career as governor with little to show for his promises. The non-partisan Fiscal Bureau stated in a new report today that Walker and Republicans are spending more money than they will have in the next biennium. By 2021, we’ll be nearly $1 billion in the hole.

Wisconsinites care about ensuring every individual in their community has an equal opportunity to succeed in an economy that is fair. Those are our priorities, and our state budget should reflect them.

I’m proud of my colleagues who fought for every Wisconsinite, not for the special interests that Republicans are beholden to. The truth is, this budget is rigged against Wisconsin families. Legislative Republicans had many opportunities to improve the budget for working families. Instead, they bickered all summer and failed to pass a budget that provides increased wages for workers, that makes health care more affordable, and that fixes crumbling roads and bridges. By delaying a sustainable transportation solution, Republicans are ensuring our roads will continue to deteriorate and will be even worse two years from now.

Simply put, Gov. Walker’s budget increased taxes on working families and parents, and they refused to provide help to Wisconsinites drowning in student-loan debt.

We can do better. The people of Wisconsin deserve better.”

*****

Assembly writer Olivia Hwang submitted this story.

The Governor and Republicans were quick to say we can’t afford very minimal investments in Wisconsin residents, but they can’t give away our money fast enough when a billionaire shows up for a hand out.

GREEN BAY - As someone who helped Marinette Marine land the Navy LCS contract that created thousands of new jobs in Northeast Wisconsin and around the state, I am supportive of responsible efforts to create jobs regardless of which party those ideas come from.

Unfortunately, the deal negotiated by Governor Walker and Senate Republicans is short on protections and long on risks to the taxpayers of the 30th Senate District who will be forced to contribute up to $90 million as their share of nearly $3 billion in cash payments to Foxconn, a $100 billion corporation based in Taiwan and China. That’s nearly $500 for every person and $1200 for every family of four in our district.

The Governor and Republicans are quick to say we can’t afford to make very minimal investments to help the nearly 1 million Wisconsin residents refinance their student loans at lower rates or help nearly 1.5 million private workers save for retirement. But no sooner does a billionaire show up with their hand out, they can’t give away our money fast enough.

The Governor used to say that the people know better how to spend their money than the government does. Except when it comes to giving one of the wealthiest people on Earth a few billion dollars of other people’s money. Never mind that $500 or $1200 for a family could go a long way to helping them make ends meet, or help pay for technical college or job training. When it comes to helping average folks or rich billionaires we now know who the Governor and Republicans truly care about.

Make no mistake, this is the largest taxpayer giveaway in U.S. history. And despite the claims of supporters, it comes with very few guarantees that Foxconn will uphold their end of the agreement. In fact, Foxconn thinks so little of the people of our state that they couldn’t even bother to show up at one of the two public hearings on this deal to answer questions, ensure they will be accountable to the taxpayers, or even just say thank you.

P.T. Barnum must be laughing.

***

State Senator Dave Hansen (D - Green Bay) released this statement Tuesday on the passage of the Foxconn deal in the Senate.

Deal Fails to Protect Wisconsin Taxpayers, workers victims of a Foxconn automation ‘bait and switch.’.

MADISON - Our Wisconsin economy must be built on rewarding hard work and innovation by creating more opportunities for our small businesses, innovators, communities, and children to reach their full potential. Choosing a foreign corporation over our Main Street businesses is a dangerous and desperate gamble.

From listening to my neighbors, it is abundantly clear that this proposal is a bad deal for Wisconsin.

That’s why my Democratic colleagues and I offered common sense protections for our neighbors through amendments that would maintain environmental safeguards and ensure the health and safety of our waters and lands. We also offered an amendment that would have protected Wisconsin workers from being victims of a Foxconn automation ‘bait and switch.’

Perhaps the most common sense amendment offered to allow our Wisconsin communities a real opportunity to weigh-in on their priorities for our state. In every corner of Wisconsin, local communities have passed referenda to invest more in our neighborhood schools as the GOP turned their backs on our kids time and again. If we are going to pick a billion dollar corporate giveaway over our schools, we should allow the taxpayers a chance to sign off via a referendum.

At the end of the day, Senate Republicans rejected our common sense protections and were not able to guarantee that our neighbors would not be on the hook for the $3 billion handout included in the Walker/Trump/Foxconn proposal. For these reasons, I stood with Wisconsin families and voted against the largest state taxpayer giveaway to a foreign corporation in U.S. history.

*****

Senator Larson released this statement Tuesday regarding the passage of the Walker/Trump/Foxconn proposal in the State Senate.

U.S. Senate hopeful says Foxconn deal is proof Republicans are listening.

MADISON, WI - Senate Assistant Majority Leader Leah Vukmir, R–Brookfield, issued the following statement Tuesday upon passage of the Foxconn bill in the state Senate:

“Wisconsinites have been calling on their elected officials to listen to them and put their interests first. The Foxconn deal is proof that we are listening, and we are — once again — getting things done.

“This will allow Wisconsin to lead the way and have quality, good-paying jobs for our workers and families for years to come. As technology evolves, we have heard from people who are afraid of what that means for their industries. Our action today will ensure that manufacturing continues to play an important role in Wisconsin’s economy.

“I am thrilled about what this investment means for our state and the significant ripple effects it will have for Wisconsin business. It goes without saying that Foxconn would not be coming to Wisconsin if it weren’t for the bold reforms that Republicans have enacted over the past few years. Real leaders produce results, and we are seeing those results today.

“I thank President Trump, Speaker Ryan, Gov. Walker, and my colleagues in the state Capitol for working together to make this possible.”

Make sure Tuesday, Sept. 12 is a Fair Maps Day of Action.

MADISON - I know you were disgusted by the way Scott Walker and his cronies in the legislature rigged our electoral maps back in 2011.

And I know you’re in favor of fair maps and nonpartisan redistricting – no matter which party holds power.

Currently, there is a bill languishing in the legislature that would end gerrymandering in Wisconsin.

I need you to rattle some cages in the State Capitol so it doesn’t languish there any longer. We need a hearing on this bill!

Tuesday, Sept. 12 is a Fair Maps Day of Action.

Please contact the committee chairs in the Assembly and the Senate who preside over this crucial issue and urge them to hold a public hearing on it.

• In the Assembly, that’s Rep. Kathy Bernier (pronounced “BURN-yer) and the bill is AB44. Please call her office at (608) 266-9172.

• In the Senate, that’s Sen. Devin LeMahieu (pronounced LEMMA-hue), and the identical bill is SB13. Please call his office at (608) 266-2056.

You may be asked if you live in their district. Tell them this legislation affects us all, and as chairperson of this important committee they represent everyone in our state on this matter, and it’s up to them to set the agenda for public hearings.

You may also be asked – or wonder yourself – whether the case before the U.S. Supreme Court on Wisconsin’s redistricting won’t solve this problem. While the court case is historic, whichever way the court rules, it won’t take the map-drawing out of partisan hands. Only the pending legislation would do that.

So please make your call tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 12!

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is pleased to be participating in this coordinated action sponsored by the Fair Maps Coalition (#FairMaps), of which we’re an integral part.

Thanks for picking up your phone and making these two calls.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

P.S. And if you have the time, please report back with any response or reaction you get.

Hurricanes and other human-made climate disasters, the latest Foxconn news, the state budget, and Trump’s attack on young immigrants with the termination of DACA.

STATEWIDE - As Hurricane Irma rampages toward Florida, we discuss the political implications of Hurricanes and other human-made climate disasters.

The panel considers the latest Foxconn news, including a likely vote in the senate next week, and a new amendment that sends lawsuits directly to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The GOP continues to wrangle over the state budget. Accion Ciudadana organizer Luz Sosa joins us to discuss Trump’s attack on young immigrants with the termination of DACA, and Anna Dvorak tells us about the movement for Fair Election Maps

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