MILWAUKEE - We discuss the latest shocking affront to basic human decency by the Trump Regime, starving food insecure American families by cutting off SNAP to states that have not shared the private personal data of recipients with the regime’s security forces. Governor Evers and Attorney General Kaul are right to tell Trump to pound sand. Will the federal courts or Congress stop them from triggering a hunger crisis in the U.S.?

We review a fascinating discussion earlier this week at a U.S. Senate panel which began as a discussion of extending ACA tax subsidies but evolved into a broader bi-partisan discussion of the broken and unaffordable healthcare system. Senators Bernie Sanders and Tammy Baldwin point out there is a consensus the system needs fundamental reform. We dig into the details and its implications for progressives and healthcare reform advocates.

We are joined by State Representative Darrin Madison to discuss the 2% of income utility rate cap bill. The legislation is still seeking co-sponsors until Monday December 8th. We urge our listeners to call their legislators today and email them by following this link. We look at how this bill connects to the current data center explosion, and the increasingly vehement and bipartisan protests, which are being ignored by most politicians.

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MILWAUKEE - We discuss the pathbreaking Utility Rate Cap bill which is currently circulating for co-sponsors in the state legislature. We praise the current co-sponsors and encourage our listeners to reach out to their state legislators today.

We expose the continuing perversion of democracy and human decency that finds Speaker Robin Vos unilaterally blocking the latest effort to pass a PostPartum Care Expansion bill in the Assembly with overwhelming bi-partisan support. It already passed the Wisconsin Senate 32-1.

We continue the conversation on the un democratic rush to approve and throw tax giveaways at AI data centers owned by the world’s richest people and largest tech companies. We look at the public uprising where conservatives, independents and democrats agree the data center assault on communities is corporate welfare in the guise of economic development.

We close with a dive into the new national MU Law Poll that trumpets Trump vulnerability. We are not as sure. We also look at how voters’ clear top issue is the cost of living and how no matter where you live in Wisconsin you should make enough income to afford the basics of life. House Democrats call on Trump to act on an epidemic of claims denials in employer-sponsored health care. And, Group Health Co-op board to discuss motions to recognize the nurse and healthcare workers union.

Listen to “Wisconsin populist revival heats up heading into the winter” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address highlighting “The Learning Tree” as the theme for the 2025 State Capitol Holiday Tree. The governor invited students to contribute handmade ornaments celebrating and thanking Wisconsin’s educators, child care providers, administrators, custodians, school bus drivers, counselors, librarians, school staff, tutors, mentors, after-school program teachers, and all the heroes in their lives who help them learn and support, educate, empower, and inspire them. Gov. Evers, who began 2025 by declaring it the Year of the Kid in Wisconsin, has spent his entire career fighting for Wisconsin’s kids and K-12 public schools, first beginning as a science teacher and going on to become a principal, superintendent, and state superintendent before becoming governor.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/grocery-store-checkout-s454.jpgGovernor remains committed to fighting these efforts with ‘every tool and every power we have’.

MILWAUKEE - This week America met the “Benedict 8” – who pursued a craven, cynical, and ultimately unstrategic betrayal of the American public. We dive into how the “Benedict 8” and the leadership that enabled them exposes what’s wrong with Democratic leadership and how it fails to deliver on its goals. Does this low point provide a moment to break with failed policies of the past and craft a new vision for the Democratic Party rooted in fighting powerful wealthy interests and winning on issues that dramatically improve the lives of the American people.

We discuss the successful Citizen Action of Wisconsin Climate and Utility Justice Lobby Day this week at the Capitol where 150 citizen lobbyists from around the state met with legislators and attended a media event to announce the 2% of Income Utility Rate Cap Bill. We unpack why the new legislation is critical.

The U.S. Catholic Bishops overcome the ideological cleavage in the church to condemn Trump immigration policies. What are the implications for the gestapo-like tactics of ICE? We discuss the new campaign against AT&T, who is helping ICE identify and pursue people across the country. AT&T contracts with ICE, CBP, and DHS—the agencies running Trump’s deportation machine—and the terror that comes with it. We urge listeners to attend an event exposing AT&T in Illinois this Saturday.

See list of AT&T events in Illinois Saturday, Nov. 16th. Sign the petition demanding AT&T drop the contracts and stop profiting from others pain

Listen to entire the Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

MILWAUKEE - With Matt under the weather, Robert goes solo with the help of podcast producer Mollee Albinger asking the questions. We dig into the aftermath of the Democratic sweep in the off year elections this week. What does it mean for the ending of the government shutdown and the fight to save liberal democracy?

Meanwhile, still unwilling to negotiate with Democrats over health care costs, Trump doubles down on his calls on Senate Republicans to end the filibuster, and Ron Johnson flips to support the President. Is ending the filibuster one of the only good things for democracy Trump may accomplish? We also dig into the trumped up political scandal focused on the Department of Instruction’s handling of teacher misconduct cases, more revelations on the massive environmental and economic costs of the Data Centers, plus Marathon County cooperation with ICE, and book banning in the Milwaukee burbs.

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http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/grocery-costs-food-2024-s460.pngWhether that’s volunteering at a food pantry or dropping off a meal for a neighbor, donating items for those in need, or supporting a nonprofit organization in your community.

MADISON, WI – Yesterday, the Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation held a public hearing on AB 612, the trailer bill that was referenced in AB 315, but had yet to be introduced when AB 315 was taken up by the committee in June.

MILWAUKEE - We take a deep dive into the escalating data center debate in Wisconsin for the entire show.

We welcome IUPAT District Council No. 7, Director of Governmental Affairs Office, Andy Buck to tell us why their union supports the current data centers that will be built union and how IUPAT members get work and sustain work.

Next, State Senator Chris Larson joins us to provide his political perspective and educate us on the state’s role in enabling the current dynamic and how we need to see the populist organizing opportunity the data centers provide.

Finally, 620AM WTMJ’s Kristin Brey returns to the show to discuss her insightful observation that there is a unique coalition of political forces aligned against the new data centers and what it says about the current political environment.

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Listen to the Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/affordable-care-act-02-s450.jpgPeople face sticker shock on out-of-pocket costs with many seeing premiums double, some seniors seeing increases of over $30,000 per year, if Republicans allow enhanced Obamacare supports to expire.