http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/laura/patriot-2025.png“Freedom” in America has become little more than a slogan. Other countries provide healthcare, education, and dignity without bragging about it. Meanwhile, the U.S. drowns in debt and calls it patriotism. We’re not the freest. We’re just the loudest.

MADISON, WI – Yesterday, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed into law 2025 Wisconsin Act 9 and 2025 Wisconsin Act 10, which would establish a framework for certifying psychiatric residential treatment facilities and establish a statewide system for sharing minors’ mental health safety plans.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/tony-evers-signs-dmv-s5.jpgBudget bill negotiated between Gov. Evers and Republican leaders is best alternative available, say Green Bay Senator.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/laura/needy-greedy-2025-s422.pngTrump’s “big beautiful bill” isn’t policy—it’s punishment. With $3.3 trillion in giveaways to the rich and a scorched-earth campaign against the poor, sick, and working class, this is America 2025: where billionaires get tax breaks and hungry families get cut off.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/healthcare-wicovered-web-s459.pngAdvocates urge Governor Evers to demand and deliver a better budget that truly works for Wisconsin.

MADISON— Today, the final Joint Finance Committee meeting concluded with another disappointing display of misplaced priorities from Republicans on the committee. Despite a historic surplus and months of opportunity, Republicans today refused to deliver full funding for childcare, rejected postpartum Medicaid expansion, and came up short on critical transportation investments.

Madison – July 1, 2025 – End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault appreciate the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) for investing $20 million in victim services funding. However, that funding is only for one year of the biennium, effectively creating a funding cliff for crime victim services on June 30^th of 2026.

MILWAUKEE - With Matt on vacation this week, Robert is the solo host. On this week's episode we dig deeper into the state budget battle with three well positioned guests. First we welcome  Peegy Wirtz-Olsen, the President of WEAC, to discuss the devastating consequences of proposed GOP cuts to public education and why her union and organizing groups such as Citizen Action are calling on the Governor to veto a bad budget.. Next, we are joined by Senator Kelda Roys, a member of the powerful Joint Finance Committee with an inside view of the process, to explain the stakes in this year's budget battle and why Republicans abruptly stopped work on the budget last week. Finally, Senator Chris Larson joins Kelda and Robert to discuss how the combination of the Governor's veto power and the new leverage Senate Democrats have with a divided Republican Senate Caucus to win a better state budget on health care, education, child care, and criminal justice reform.

Listen to the show.

Listen to Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/childcare-dropoff-s460.pngA quarter of providers across the state said they are likely to close their doors if the Wisconsin State Legislature fails to make critical investments.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/laura/think-for-yourself-2025-s430.pngWelcome to America, where facts are optional, fear is currency, and everyone’s one meme away from a meltdown. I wrote this blog to drag the manipulation machine into the spotlight—where it belongs. If you’ve ever asked, how the hell did we get here?... pull up a chair. You’re not alone.