http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/tax-plan-2017-s5.jpgA guest column from Senator Jon Erpenbach on how Federal policies affect our lives and the state budget bottom line.

We discuss the malicious motives behind the GOP tax scam bill, Foxconn, progressive candidates, and more...

STATEWIDE - This week two GOP senators unintentionally reveal the malicious motives behind the GOP tax scam bill.

Next, we dig into the latest in "the Foxconn" scandal and Walker's sudden about face on federal health care funding.

We welcome Eric Couto, executive director of Wisconsin Progress, to educate our listeners on the candidate recruitment and training program they offer progressive candidates. We also discuss Milwaukee Judge Joe Donald’s call for a new more humane and proactive approach to juvenile justice and for the closure of the scandal-ridden Lincoln Hills facility.

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #322

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Citizen Action Press Clips

After Seven Years, Career Politician Gov. Scott Walker Finally Realizes Disturbing Wisconsin Trend.

MILWAUKEE - Ads, really? After seven years of being the top executive in the state, Gov. Scott Walker finally recognized a disturbing trend that his failed policies have created in Wisconsin: young people are leaving the state in droves for good-paying jobs and lives elsewhere. The future of our state depends on attracting young people to live within our borders, something Gov. Walker thinks can be done by spending millions on advertising instead of having a comprehensive strategy and plan to recruit and retain young workers.

"You don't have to be a Ph.D in Economics to recognize that our population is aging and young people have been fleeing our state under Gov Walker," said gubernatorial candidate Andy Gronik. "It's absurd that it took Gov. Walker seven years to recognize this trend instead of dealing with the loss of our young people, proactively. And, adding insult to severe injury, Walker's assertion that he can attract young people back to Wisconsin by paying $6.8 million to run ads in other states is juvenile and doesn't address the institutional failure of his administration to create the living and work environments that young people desire.”

The bottom line is that young people want good-paying jobs; they want to live in communities that offer a 21st-century economy, and most importantly, they want respect and a seat at the table. Gov Walker’s policies haven't scratched the surface of all that’s necessary to demonstrate to young people that we want them here in our state.

"I plan to make young people the architects of our future and that’s why I’m already holding youth forums to identify the leaders of our future and the very best ideas for attracting young people back to Wisconsin,” said Gronik.

In August, Gronik proposed a plan to recruit and retain young graduates by helping them pay back student loans instead of paying state income taxes - a plan that gives every company in Wisconsin a recruiting and retention tool.

“I’ll invest in statewide in creating common spaces for work and brainstorming; recreation spaces for bike commuters and dog walkers; and the lightning-fast Internet needed to connect devices in cities spaces and remote areas. Career politicians like Gov. Scott Walker aren’t going to get the job done with gimmicks and conventional thinking," concluded Gronik. "That's why I'm already listening to young people on their terms, and not mine, and working on fresh solutions that I will make actionable on the very first day of my administration. It's time to finally stop telling millennials that 'they don't work right' and let them know that they are the key to the future of our state.”

MADISON - Over the last couple weeks, the influence of the Koch Brothers and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) has been on display, if you were looking.

And we were looking!

First, we discovered that two senior officials at the Koch-funded Americans for Prosperity suddenly resigned to do campaign work for Michael Screnock, the Walker ally who is running for Wisconsin Supreme Court:

Court candidate hires former Koch group executives as campaign advisors

Then we saw that Koch groups were the only ones that registered in favor of another bill that Walker just signed which will deregulate several occupations:

Walker approves Koch bills to loosen licensing

WMC and the Kochs were behind yet another bill Walker just signed that’ll let landowners do just about anything with their property, even if it wasn’t zoned for such a purpose:

Walker signs lax land-use bill backed by big boys

And WMC, along with a veritable polluters’ lobby, is backing a bill to do away with Wisconsin’s regulations that protect our clean air:

WMC behind Republican bill to repeal state air pollution rules

This is why I say that the Koch Brothers and WMC are the folks that really run Wisconsin – not Walker or Fitzgerald or Vos. They’re just the hired help.

You can count on us to keep showing you who the real powers are in Wisconsin – and what effect they are having on all of our lives!

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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P.S. If you appreciate our urgent work, please send us a tax-deductible gift today. It’s simple: Just click here. Or mail it in the old-fashioned way to the address below. Thanks!

GOP tax cut scam that will widen economic inequality and reshape America, Walker’s plan to spend $7 million on ad campaign to “get more bodies” in the state, and more...

STATEWIDE - We dive into the rushed vote in the U.S. Senate on the GOP tax cut scam that will widen economic inequality and reshape America, from education to healthcare.

We also discuss Walker’s plan to spend $7 million on ad campaign to “get more bodies” in the state of Wisconsin.

We also welcome Emerge Wisconsin executive director Erin Forest to discuss their growing training program to inspire and train Democratic women to run for office with the goal of changing the face of power, politics, and leadership in Wisconsin and the country.

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #321
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Citizen Action Press Clips

MADISON, WI – Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona) offered the weekly Democratic radio address today.

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

http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen16/senatormillerradio113017.mp3

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hello, this is State Senator Mark Miller with this weeks, Democratic Radio Address:

“Something is happening all across the state of Wisconsin that many people are unaware of, but may dramatically raise your property taxes!

“I’m talking about the Dark Store Issue. A state Supreme Court decision in 2008 allowed large Big Box Stores and large chain stores, like Walgreens, to successfully challenge their property tax bills, by claiming that their stores should be assessed the same as similar, VACANT stores – or Dark Stores.

“This is happening in every part of the state.

“Both Democrats and Republicans believe this is grossly unfair to local property taxpayers, since the dramatic reduction in property taxes that would be paid by Big Box stores, will result in a huge increase in property taxes for homeowners and other business OR a reduction in municipal services.

“Fortunately, there is legislation introduced by Democrats AND Republicans to protect homeowners and small businesses from these huge property tax increases.

“Big Box stores should pay their property taxes, just like other property owners.

“Unfortunately, the powerful special interest lobbying group, the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce opposes protecting homeowners. The Senate Republican Leadership is cow-towing to the special interest group and is blocking this legislation to protect property taxpayers. If the Dark Store legislation came up for a vote by the full State Senate, it will pass.

“Tell your senator that you want to be protected from Dark Store homeowner property tax increases.

“The Dark Store bills to protect homeowners must be scheduled for a vote now!”

An ARMY veteran and American Indian says President Trump's political attack on Sen. Warren detracts from the contributions made by warriors from 33 different tribes, including the Oneida Nation, Menominee Indian Tribe and Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin.

MADISON - The following is a statement from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's American Indian Caucus Chair, Ryan Greendeer, released yesterday.

In addition to leading the DPW's American Indian Caucus, Greendeer served in the US Army for almost 9 years and worked in Government Relations for the Ho-Chunk Nation.

"Today the President had an opportunity to honor World War II’s Code Talkers during an event at the White House. Instead of highlighting the tremendous effort, commitment and sacrifice made by Code Talkers, he hosted three Navajo Veterans in front of the notorious President Andrew Jackson portrait. President Jackson is well known for ordering the removal of hundreds of thousands of Native People from their homelands.

"During the event, their achievements in protecting American lives were ignored so that Trump could mock Senator Elizabeth Warren, by calling her Pocahontas instead. The President’s political attack on Senator Warren detracts from the contributions made by warriors from 33 different tribes, including the Oneida Nation, Menominee Indian Tribe and Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin.

"In honor of these veterans and Native American Indian Heritage Month, we would like to apologize for the President’s uncouth remarks and convey our deepest appreciation for their sacrifices."

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You can follow Ryan on Twitter at @rjgreendeer.

National Entrepreneurs’ Day is an American holiday held in November that celebrates the American men and women who promote entrepreneurship, business, innovation, and new jobs.

MADISON, WI – Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) delivered the Democratic weekly radio address recognizing this year’s National Entrepreneurs’ Day on Tuesday, November 21st.

“Rather than sending billions of our tax dollars to subsidize a foreign corporation like Foxconn, Democrats want to support home-grown Wisconsin companies and encourage Wisconsin entrepreneurs. In honor of National Entrepreneurs’ Day, let’s reignite our economy and re-invest in American entrepreneurs.” – Sen. Tim Carpenter

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

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hi, this is Senator Tim Carpenter and I’m joining my fellow Democrats in recognizing National Entrepreneurs’ Day.

“We know that America’s economic strength lies in our ability to support entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. Given the trend toward a 21st century knowledge-based economy, Wisconsin has some catching up to do.

“Since Gov. Walker took office, Wisconsin has trailed the country in job creation and ranks dead-last for start-ups. Economic insecurity and student loan debt are paralyzing our young entrepreneurs. Our infrastructure is crumbling and small businesses are finding that the system is rigged against them in favor of wealthy corporations.

“Rather than sending billions of our tax dollars to subsidize a foreign corporation like Foxconn, Democrats want to support home-grown companies and encourage Wisconsin entrepreneurs. In honor of National Entrepreneurs Day, let’s reignite our economy and re-invest in American entrepreneurs. Thank you.”

More Walker hypocrisy on outside money, Schimel at Trump resort, and GOP sweetheart deals.

MADISON - Sometimes, the brazenness of Scott Walker amazes me.

Such was the case this week when he bemoaned the outside money he might be facing in his reelection campaign, even though he owes his hold on power to outside money, as we explain here:

Walker hypocrite on outside money

One of those big outside donors is none other than Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas casino owner, and Walker did him a favor recently by endorsing one of Adelson’s favorite causes:

Walker order and GOP bills on BDS serve big donor

Walker wasn’t the only one kissing up to big donors this week. Attorney General Brad Schimel has been doing it, too:

Schimel hobnobs with big donors at Trump resort

And in the legislature, two Republicans have introduced another bill that preys on the poor – this one from the rent-to-own industry, which they get money from:

GOP sweetheart bill for the rent-to-own industry

This is the reality of politics in Wisconsin these days. Big money rules the roost, and if you want some change in the law, you better have money to drop in the GOP cup.

And it doesn’t matter whether Republicans or Democrats hold the power. This kind of pay to play, which both parties have been known to do, is totally unacceptable. This is not how a democracy is supposed to function. It amounts to legalized bribery and rule by the few.

That’s why we fight so hard for clean and open government and fundamental campaign finance reform. Everyone should have an equal voice in our democracy!

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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P.S. For your year-end giving, please include the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign on your list. Your gift is tax-deductible, and you can make it right now by clicking here. Or you can make a check out to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and mail it to the address below. We really appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Two mothers who lost their children to addiction have taken their experience and turned it into advocacy and education.

MADISON, 11/10/2017 - This week two amazing advocates and grieving mothers, Bonnie and Bev, brought Faces of Addiction and Hope a story quilt to the State Capitol during our last session day of the year. It was a stark reminder we still have more work to do in the opioid crisis. Squares on the quilt showed people who have died, those incarcerated because of their addiction and those that are in recovery. It is a beautiful and tragic symbol. Both mom’s lost their children to addiction and have taken their experience and turned it into advocacy and education.

As I spoke with them about the message they hope to share with the quilt, they shared how they wished our criminal justice system could be a better partner with those addicted to drugs and alcohol and how they hope more than anything that people can see the true reality of the disease of addiction. Treatment and care should be available to everyone because we simply cannot afford to lose so many. In 2015, nearly 900 people in Wisconsin died from overdose. That is a 70% increase since 2009.

Unfortunately, where you live in Wisconsin makes a big difference whether or not you have access to treatment programs and whether you have opportunities for care in the community. Medicaid is the single largest payer of substance use disorder services in the nation and pays for one third of the medication assisted treatment programs. Right here in Sauk County we have a program that has been used as a national model for medication assisted wrap-around treatment. Ensuring that people have access to Medicaid or insurance through the Affordable Care Act plays a huge part in their success story.

Recruiting and keeping professionals that can provide treatment to those with addiction and other mental health disorders is also a barrier in many parts of Wisconsin. Increasing the reimbursement rate paid to substance abuse professionals will help make sure we have access to treatment outside of the major metropolitan areas in Wisconsin.

Accepting the BadgerCare expansion allowed in the ACA and covering more people with low cost health insurance in Wisconsin would make a huge difference to those in need of treatment and recovery. Unfortunately, we have been advocating to accept that federal money to no avail in the Wisconsin Legislature for a few years now. Truly only partisan politics stands in the way for Wisconsin to expand BadgerCare and I am hopeful some day we can move past that prideful political barrier.

As this Legislative session is coming to a close, I am also hopeful that the quilt will grow with white squares to show those in recovery and remain committed to legislation that supports our families and communities struggling with addiction and recovery.

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For more information on the Faces of Addiction and Hope quilt contact my office at 608-266-6670 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can see the quilt on my Facebook page.