http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/afghanistan-refugees-2021-s5.pngMany experiencing trauma and anxiety will need support, patience, and kindness as we treat one another with empathy, respect, and compassion.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/veterans-012015-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about the Ho-Chunk Nation’s Code Talkers role and their contributions to our country during World War I and II and the need to commemorate their service and sacrifice in Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/union-workers-s5.jpgGov. Evers provides update Monday, pandemic-relief investments in Wisconsin target infrastructure, tourism, workforce, other key areas to ensure economic recovery.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisc-state-fair2-s5.jpgOn-site vaccination clinic brings COVID-19 vaccines and free cream puffs to many during Wisconsin State Fair.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccination-16b-s5.jpgVaccination is key to protecting employees and their families from Delta variant.

Sykes says on MSNBC “The Governor is Right to Call It a Clown Show”

WASHINGTON, DC - After Gov. Tony Evers vetoed six Republican-backed voting restriction bills, Wisconsin conservative political commentator Charlie Sykes took to MSNBC to criticize GOP attacks on democracy and praise Gov. Evers’ bold leadership on voting rights.

“What really strikes me is the pettiness and the mean-spiritedness of these voting laws,” said Sykes. “They don't do anything whatsoever to deal with fraud, but they make it harder for certain people to vote, particularly the elderly, the disabled, shut-ins. It makes it harder for them to cast absentee ballots and also makes it easier to throw out completely legitimate votes.”

Sykes is right — the anti-democracy GOP wants to limit ballot drop boxes, restrict who can return absentee ballots for others, and tighten rules for when elderly and disabled voters can automatically receive absentee ballots. 

The Wisconsin conservative also said the GOP attacks are a continuation of conspiracy theories like the ‘Big Lie’ and the ‘Stop the Steal’ movement. Sykes said, “the governor is right to call it a clown show.” The stakes for 2022 couldn’t be higher, and Gov. Evers is proving once again that he’s the last line of defense for voting rights.

Watch Sykes praise Gov. Evers on MSNBC here.

The guy Republicans have picked to oversee the WI GOP’s sham election review, Michael Gableman, was taking lessons in unhinged conspiracy theories from the MyPillow guy last weekend.

MADISON, Wis. -- GOP Special Counsel Michael Gableman attended MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell’s election conspiracy theory convention this past weekend to get some inspiration for his own sham election review. Gableman has already admitted he believed the 2020 election was rigged at a Trump rally last year.

At the MyPillow QAnon bonanza, Gableman was “right in the middle trying to absorb everything” according to Wisconsin state Elections Commissioner Bob Spindell, who was also in attendance. Mike Lindell’s own cybersecurity expert has admitted Lindell’s fringe views and claims about election fraud are bogus.

Speaker Robin Vos is paying Gableman $44,000 in taxpayer funds to oversee the WI GOP’s sham election review, which is currently going off the rails. The cops hired by Vos to work for Gableman have resigned, and Rep. Janel Brandtjen, chairwoman of the Assembly elections committee, has gone rogue - calling for a full Arizona-style Cyber Ninja circus beyond Vos’s investigation and issuing subpoenas that are not enforceable under law.

Regardless of how they get it done, there’s no doubt that Republicans will attempt to use every scheme imaginable to sow doubt in our elections and justify their voter suppression bills, which were vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers. A recount, a report from Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security, and multiple rulings by courts in Wisconsin proved that the 2020 Wisconsin election was secure time and again. But Republicans are more focused on their political priorities and aligning themselves with the far right than the needs of Wisconsinites.

“This is an absolute clown show - the person the Wisconsin GOP put in charge of investigating election fraud is taking lessons in unhinged conspiracy theories from the MyPillow guy,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Rapid Response Director Kayla Anderson. “Robin Vos’ investigation has nothing to do with making our elections more secure, and everything to do with getting attention and riling up the Republican base. Wisconsinites don’t want their taxpayer dollars wasted on the GOP’s political antics - they want the state legislature to get to work on things that actually matter, like access to affordable health care and shoring up funds for public education.”

State Senator applauds federal support for reforming our national cannabis policies.

MADISON – State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) sent a letter to Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) Thursday in support of his advocacy for cannabis legalization at the federal level. Specifically, Agard applauded Senator Schumer for authoring legislation with Senator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) entitled “The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act” or CAOA.

Senator Agard released the following statement about the letter:

“I applaud our federal leader’s support for reforming our national cannabis policies and for authoring this important legislation. Senator Schumer has been steadfast in his efforts to end the federal prohibition of cannabis. We need all hands on deck to end our outdated drug policies. Senator Schumer understands that in order to address our racial disparities, help our family farms, and bolster our economy, legalization is a no-brainer.

“I am hopeful that we will see a vote on CAOA during this session of Congress, and I encourage our entire Wisconsin delegation to vote in support of the bill.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/school-bus-kids-s5.jpgIncludes $500,000 awarded for technical assistance to out-of-school nonprofits.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wi-wolf-hunt-s5.jpgDr. Frederick Prehn tries to control wolf hunts after term ended in May, argues a 1964 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling allows office holders to retain posts if State Senate does not confirm replacement.