http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/uwgb-students-s5.jpgThe Student Debt Task Force released its final report to Governor Evers, outlining 8 policy recommendations Wisconsin must act on to help students and families.

Rail systems are a stimulus to development says Palzewicz.

Brookfield, WI – When public infrastructure issues come up, it's usually about roads and bridges.  Democrat Tom Palzewicz running for Wisconsin's Fifth Congressional District seat, is looking beyond immediate needs, but to our needs in the future.

In southeast Wisconsin, there has been focus on the Marquette and Zoo interchanges in Milwaukee, the Foxconn project in Racine County and upgrades on I-94 and I-43.  That is an immediate concern, but Palzewicz believes our focus on roads will not serve the needs of the community in the years ahead. Our reliance on cars contributes greatly to the never-ending need for repair.  Jobs have moved out of Milwaukee into the surrounding counties, but there is either very limited, or no bus service to those areas. Palzewicz believes Wisconsin missed out on an opportunity to remedy that situation.

The idea of rail was heavily opposed and eventually Governor Scott Walker canceled the project that would have created jobs and given people the ability to get to their jobs, especially going from Milwaukee County to Waukesha County.

“That is still an issue in the fifth congressional district, because there would be a tremendous amount of difference in the way we use and think about transportation, if we would have taken the federal money and created the high speed rail line, basically between Chicago and Minneapolis,” Palzewicz explained.   “In Minneapolis, there are many different transit opportunities to move around that city.  Their highways are still clogged.  I'm not going to say because we have the train, our highways won't be clogged because that's not true.

“But if we have the train, it would allow a lot of people, who are disadvantaged from a transportation standpoint, be able to work in different places. And this all goes back to creating jobs where the people live. If we can't create the jobs where the people live, we have to create an infrastructure and a transportation system to move them to where the jobs are. And we've done neither in this state, especially in Southeast Wisconsin.”

Palzewicz points to studies that indicate rail systems are a stimulus to development.

”Another part of this is every study shows that when there is some kind of rail system, the rail hubs become areas of growth,” Palzewicz said. “Because you actually get people who want to live near those rail hubs because it becomes an easy way to take a train to a job versus jump in a car. And one of the things I always go back to is there's 60,000 people who live in Waukesha County and work in Milwaukee County. And there's 60,000 people that live in Milwaukee County and work in Waukesha County. And the only way for them to get jobs is pretty much by car. So when I think of infrastructure, that's our starting point.”

Palzewicz envisions infrastructure projects that will meet the needs of our children and grandchildren, create jobs and opportunity and unite communities.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/kenosha-streets-sas-s5.pngKenosha protests turn ugly Monday night. Guard authorized to help protect critical infrastructure, assist in maintaining public safety, and allow individuals to peacefully protest.

Do not allow the actions of a few distract us from the work we must do together to demand justice, equity, and accountability, says Governor.

Bath died June 30, 2020 at 19 years old when an amphibious assault vehicle carrying 15 Marines and one Navy sailor sank off the coast of Southern California during a training exercise.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Tues., Aug. 25, 2020 in honor of Oak Creek native and United States Marine Corps. service member, Private First Class Eric A. Bath.

“Pfc. Bath was motivated to serve his country, finding his passion and desire to serve from a young age and working diligently to do so,” said Gov. Evers. “Pfc. Bath was a cherished son, brother, grandson, and member of his church community and had a deep love for his friends, family, and country. On behalf of the state of Wisconsin, we join his loved ones and community in mourning this profound loss and honor his memory, his ambition, his bravery, and his service.”

Pfc. Bath passed away on June 30, 2020 at 19 years old when an amphibious assault vehicle carrying 15 Marines and one Navy sailor sank off the coast of Southern California during a training exercise. His interest in military service began from a young age and in his senior year of high school, Pfc. Bath transferred to online learning in order to prepare to enlist immediately following graduation. He joined the United States Marine Corps. on July 29, 2019 and earned the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal while serving.  

Pfc. Bath will be laid to rest on Tues., Aug. 25, 2020 in Union Grove, Wisconsin.

Executive order #85 is effective from sunrise to sunset on Aug. 25, 2020, and can be found here.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/jacob-blake-shooting-protest-s5.jpgAction needed on statewide use of force standards, officer training, no-knock search warrants, and other areas to ensure our state starts to live up to our promises of equity and justice in all communities says Evers.

Guard will protect critical infrastructure, such as utilities and fire stations, and to ensure Kenoshians are able to assemble safely.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers Monday, at the request of local officials, authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to support local law enforcement in Kenosha County to help protect critical infrastructure and assist in maintaining public safety and the ability of individuals to peacefully protest.

“I know folks across our state will be making their voices heard in Kenosha and in communities across Wisconsin. Every person should be able to express their anger and frustration by exercising their First Amendment rights and report on these calls to action without any fear of being unsafe,” said Gov. Evers. “This is a limited mobilization of the National Guard focused on supporting the needs of local first responders to protect critical infrastructure, such as utilities and fire stations, and to ensure Kenoshians are able to assemble safely.”

Pursuant to Section 321.39(1)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes, the governor ordered into state active duty members of the Wisconsin National Guard deemed necessary to support to local law enforcement and first responders in Kenosha. Any Guard members called to active duty may only be used to provide support to local law enforcement and to protect critical infrastructure and cultural institutions necessary for the well-being of the community, and to provide support to first responders such as the Kenosha Fire Department. The National Guard may not be used to impede the ability of people to peacefully protest or impede the ability of the media to report on this situation.

“Serving our fellow Wisconsin citizens and assisting civil authorities during times of need is one of core missions in the National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general. “Our Citizen Soldiers and Airmen are well-trained and prepared to assist in any way we can in an effort to preserve public safety.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/kenosha-shooting-082320-s5.pngJacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha. We must offer our empathy, but equally important is our action.

Committee celebrates Ntxhais "Chai" Moua, Stevens Point and Inez “Midge” Montano, Bayfield

MADISON — First Lady Kathy Evers today announced that “Women Who Inspire,” a program of the Committee to Celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Wisconsin's Ratification of the 19th Amendment, will highlight two more Wisconsin women on the Committee’s website: Ntxhais "Chai" Moua, Portage County Supervisor and Community Power Coalition Director at Freedom, Inc. (Stevens Point) and Inez “Midge” Montano, Tribal Member, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Bayfield).

“Throughout the last 100 years and continuing today, women stand on the shoulders of the suffragists in the fight to further parity and opportunity for others,” said First Lady Evers, who chairs the Committee. “Chai and Midge have worked tirelessly to positively impact their communities and the lives of women around them and deserve to be nominated as women who inspire.”

State Representative Katrina Shankland nominated Moua for being a trailblazer in elected office and as a fearless and fierce advocate for her community. She was the first Hmong woman to serve in public office in Portage County, going from stateless immigrant to serving in elected office. Her commitment to fighting for our most vulnerable is evident from advocating for locally based healthcare to establishing a robust global network of advocates for social justice and gender equity. Moua’s feature will run from August 18-25, 2020.

“Our community is proud of Chai’s leadership. She is a mentor, advocate, and champion for women and girls and the Hmong community,” said Rep. Shankland. “She exemplifies service and community power in all of her words and actions. To say that Ntxhais inspires us is an understatement.”

Montano was nominated by State Senator Janet Bewley for being a woman of quiet power and humility, identifying and creating resources and opportunity for women and other vulnerable populations in her community. Throughout her childhood, Montano experienced more than her fair share of challenging events. She developed resilience, depth of compassion, and a tireless resolve to help others that has followed her throughout her life and work. Montano is a Tribal Member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and her feature will run from August 26 – September 2, 2020.

“For Midge Montano, the desire to help people is a daily charge and a way of life,” said Sen. Bewley. “Working at a women's shelter helping native families, establishing restorative justice programs for juvenile offenders, and serving as Court Magistrate - sometimes simultaneously - paints a picture of a deep-thinking, creative soul who will leave no stone unturned to help another.” 

Committee members were invited to nominate and interview women who inspire them to feature on the Committee website with the intent of inspiring a broad bipartisan audience and bringing more diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, age, geography, background, and identity to the women's rights conversation. All nominees that will be featured on the website were submitted by members of the Committee and will be featured on a rotating basis leading up to the 100th anniversary of enactment of the 19th Amendment in August.

The website also highlights notable Wisconsin social activists and trailblazers, such as Vel Phillips, Ada Deer, Justice Shirley Abrahamson, Belle Case LaFollette and others, plus includes links to outside resources. The 19th Amendment Committee was formed by Executive Order 19​ on April 11, 2019, and is comprised of Wisconsin's women in elected and appointed state office positions, and other women leaders and experts.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/joe-biden-dnc-2020-s5.pngBiden blasted Trump as a president of chaos and division. His job would be to unite us, leading the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturn and racial turmoil.