MADISON - The following is Gov. Tony Evers' radio address on education:

Audio File of Radio Address

"It’s no secret: education is in my DNA. I’ve had a chance to serve the kids of this state my entire career, working my way up from a high school science teacher to the state superintendent and now governor. From seeing firsthand the impact a high-quality education has on Wisconsin’s kids, I can confidently say that what’s best for our kids is what’s best for our state.

A few weeks ago, Lt. Gov. Barnes and I wrapped up a budget listening session tour where we heard from people across our state about what The People’s Budget means for them and their families.

At every stop, I met educators and heard from parents and grandparents about how important their local schools are. We have a chance to give kids the best education possible.

That’s why The People’s Budget includes a $1.4 billion increase for our public schools, including a $600 million investment in special education. We have the chance to ensure schools have the funding they need, and that kids who need an extra lift can get that extra lift.

It’s time to recommit to investing in our kids, our educators, and in K-20 education across our state, because every kid deserves a high-quality, public education—from early childhood to our universities and technical colleges system—regardless of their ZIP code.

I hope I can count on your support as the Joint Committee on Finance takes up The People’s Budget education plan. The stakes are high here, folks. It’s time to do what’s best for our kids."

State Senator writes about the issues that bring people together. It’s important that we don’t let politics get in the way of doing what’s right.

Panel reviews the right-wing assaults on reason and freedom in Wisconsin and the Nation.

MILWAUKEE - This week we review a large number of right-wing counter assaults on reason and freedom from the Wisconsin Legislature and at the national level. We explore deserted Foxconn buildings, the shocking GOP debrief of their 2018 Wisconsin election debacle. Finally we discuss the latest entry into the crowded Democratic presidential primary, and announce a new feature in which Battleground Wisconsin listeners will have the opportunity to help determine the best progressive candidate.

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Press Clips

MADISON, WI – Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) offered the Democratic weekly radio address on Joint Finance Republicans’ refusal to take meaningful action on ensuring residents in communities across the state have access to clean drinking water.

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here:

https://sen32-shilling.cms.legis.wisconsin.gov/media/1264/senator-latonya-johnson-democratic-weekly-radio-address.mp3

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hello, this is State Senator LaTonya Johnson.

“This week, Republicans on the budget writing Joint Finance Committee continued to dismantle the People’s Budget by blocking investments to ensure every Wisconsinite has access to clean drinking water.

“Every Wisconsinite should be able to drink clean water from their tap, yet, communities across Wisconsin are suffering from lead contaminated water.

“Families deserve access to safe drinking water and the reassurance that our state policies reflect a long-term commitment to safeguarding the quality health of our waterways.

“Earlier this year, Governor Evers announced 2019 as the ‘Year of Clean Drinking Water’ after years of Republican neglect and failure to address water contamination issues.

“My Democratic colleagues and I were pleased to see a state budget promote critical investments to address water quality in communities throughout the state.

“Sadly, Republicans refused to take meaningful action on a crisis that is poisoning Wisconsin children. On the Joint Finance Committee, Republicans have blocked every attempt to make meaningful investments to reduce the amount of children and families exposed to lead contaminated drinking water.

“In the ‘Year of Clean Drinking Water’ Wisconsin Democrats remain committed to strengthening clean water safeguards, supporting policies that guarantee the long-term sustainability of Wisconsin’s waterways, and protect the quality of clean drinking water in every corner of the state for future generations.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/mining_wisconsin_senate_s5.jpgThe powerful keep the powerless from knowing the truth. When we see injustice and the spread of misinformation, we need to stand up to it.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/mining_wisconsin_senate_s5.jpgThe League’s concern with the extraordinary session is about upholding the rule of law and Wisconsin’s Constitution, to which all elected officials should be bound. The people should expect no less.

LA CROSSE, WI – On International Workers’ Day Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) issued the following statement in recognition of the annual celebration of the achievements of workers:

“As Wisconsinites, we take pride in our workers and our state’s history of recognizing their value to every corner of the state. Governor Evers is honoring that long-standing tradition by reversing the many changes made over the past eight years that weakened the state’s tradition of respecting and championing labor.

“The governor’s budget proposal focuses on improving the lives of workers through raising wages, expanding family and medical leave, officially banning the box in Wisconsin, and providing drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants who just want to get to and from their workplace safely.

“Wisconsinites want to see their leaders on both sides of the aisle come together to expand economic opportunities and prioritize working families. Today, we must recommit ourselves to championing the needs of working people and connecting the dots to improve economic opportunity for all in our state.”

MADISON, WI – Senator Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) offered the Democratic weekly radio address on Governor Evers’ pro-worker budget proposal.

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hello, I’m State Senator Jeff Smith with this week’s weekly radio address.

“This week, communities across the state recognized workers of all stripes in annual celebrations dedicated to Wisconsin’s workers.

“Respecting workers has always been a deeply held Wisconsin value. Governor Tony Evers’ budget reestablishes Wisconsin’s long held tradition of supporting the hardworking men and women that contribute so much to the success of our state.

“In an effort to restore the state's historic partnerships between management and labor, the governor's budget restores prevailing wage law, repeals right to work, raises wages for workers, expands family and medical leave, officially ‘bans the box’ in Wisconsin, and allocates hundreds of thousands of dollars for workforce training programs within our corrections system.

“These budget proposals support fundamental Democratic principles. They give more Wisconsinites the opportunity to enjoy economic security and pride in their work.

“Governor Evers’ budget reverses many changes from the previous administration made over the past eight years that weakened the state’s tradition of championing workers, collective bargaining, and local control.

“It’s simple: We all benefit when we put workers first and respect their labor.

“Democrats are proud to support a budget that prioritizes workers and puts forth commonsense solutions to grow our economy.”

State Representative appreciates the leadership of Chancellor Leavitt and all those who confront racism and bigotry while pushing for a more inclusive, tolerant, and respectful community.

MADISON – Last Thursday, pictures from a party on the UW Oshkosh campus depicting racist words and images were posted on social media. In response, Chancellor Andrew Leavitt sent an email responding to this incident to the entire campus and called for a meeting Friday at Reeve Memorial Union.

Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement regarding these events on campus:

“Racism has no place on campus or in our community. The hateful words and symbols these students used are contrary to everything UW Oshkosh stands for. As an ally of the students harmed by these events, I hear you and will work with you to improve our campus climate.

“I appreciate the leadership of Chancellor Leavitt and all those who confront racism and bigotry while pushing for a more inclusive, tolerant, and respectful campus, community and world.”

MADISON - This week, Green Bay's own Rep. Staush Gruszynski talks about Earth Day and our state’s reputation as a leader for conservation.

Audio File of Radio Address

Hello, this is Representative Staush Gruszynski with this week’s Democratic Address.

Earlier this week, we celebrated Earth Day in Wisconsin and around the world.

Wisconsin’s own Gaylord Nelson created this national day of action back in 1970 – solidifying our state’s reputation as a leader for conservation.

Our state cherishes this rich history of defending and preserving Wisconsin's water, air, and public lands.

We know that access to clean water at our taps and clean air to breathe are essential to the quality of life we enjoy here.

Wisconsin’s natural resources are also a key driving force behind the success of our tourism and outdoor recreation industries and broader economic development statewide.

But our responsibility for conserving and protecting our natural resources is not limited to one day.

As we confront today’s environmental challenges, we need to look to Wisconsin conservation icons like Gaylord Nelson and Aldo Leopold, but we also need to look forward, to future generations that we will never meet.

We need to recognize that our actions today are directly linked to the world that we leave behind.

As we reflect on Earth Day, let us also commit to doing our part to ensure that our environmental legacy is one worth celebrating.