MADISON, WI – Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) offered the Democratic weekly radio address highlighting Democratic solutions to help Wisconsin families.

“Rather than pitting families against one another and favoring out-of-state corporations at the expense of home-grown businesses, we should work to level the playing field and make sure that everyone who works hard has the opportunity to succeed. That’s why Democrats are fighting for commonsense solutions to lower student loan debt, expand access to child care, raise family wages and increase retirement security.” – Sen. Jennifer Shilling

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

http://media2.legis.wisconsin.gov/multimedia/Sen32/senatorshillingradio122817.mp3

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Amid all of the upheaval in 2017, the holidays offer a time to reflect, regroup and refocus our attention on the year ahead.

“I’m Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling, and when I look back at the political battles that have been waged in 2017, I’m reminded that our state does better when we all work together. Rather than pitting families against one another and favoring out-of-state corporations at the expense of home-grown businesses, we should work to level the playing field and make sure that everyone who works hard has the opportunity to succeed.

“That’s why Democrats are fighting for commonsense solutions to lower student loan debt, expand access to child care, raise family wages and increase retirement security. Now more than ever, we need solutions that bring our state together, grow our middle class and support strong communities.

“From myself and all of the Wisconsin Democrats, we want to wish you and your family a safe and happy New Year!”

Welcomes Seemeyer’s request for extension of Wisconsin’s very popular SeniorCare program. Looks Forward to 2018.

MADISON – State Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) today welcomed the recent news that Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Linda Seemeyer, has requested an extension of Wisconsin’s very popular SeniorCare program.

“I welcome Secretary Seemeyer’s letter to the federal Department of Health and Human Services requesting an extension of Wisconsin’s SeniorCare program.”

“This is a very welcomed Christmas present to many: After 11 months of several press releases, letters, phone calls and introducing legislation to respectfully request a Federal Medicare Part D extension waiver of SeniorCare past 2018, I received news within the past week that the state Department of Health Services Secretary has officially requested an extension of SeniorCare.”

“This is very important news to the tens of thousands of Wisconsin seniors that depend on SeniorCare to get the affordable prescription drugs they need to keep them healthier, happier and independent.”

“I want to thank Secretary of Health Services Seemeyer for her support in protecting SeniorCare. Even while being in the minority party, it’s a great feeling to actually accomplish something that will help some of the most vulnerable members of our society!”

“I look forward to finding even more common ground upon which to do the people’s business. This is a great start. Thank you Secretary Seemeyer. Now we need your assistance, Governor Walker. We are all in this.”

“Happy holidays to everyone.”

The destructive GOP effort to expand Foxconn’s wetlands exemptions statewide, our 12th annual Health Insurance Cost Ranking Report, and the MacIver Institute’s laughable list of the top ten lies of 2017

STATEWIDE - After reviewing the draconian implications of the GOP tax scam bill that was forced through Congress this week, we welcome State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff to educate us on the GOP effort to expand Foxconn’s wetlands exemptions statewide, putting one million acres of wetlands at risk. Republicans are looking to ram the wetlands destruction bill quickly through the Legislature.

Robert also tells us about Citizen Action’s 12th annual Health Insurance Cost Ranking Report which examines the cost of healthcare in different parts of the state. The report reveals the damage GOP sabotage of the ACA is causing and why BadgerCare Public Option legislation is so important.

We also discuss MacIver Institute’s laughable list of the top ten lies of 2017 that includes Citizen Action for supporting BadgerCare for all. Happy holiday to all our listeners. See you in 2018!

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE 324
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MADISON - Rep. Gary Hebl (D - Sun Prairie) gives this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

Audio of Radio Address

The text of the address is presented below.

Hello. This is State Representative Gary Hebl with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

The holidays are a time to come together with family and friends to enjoy good food and good conversation. Those conversations can provide an opportunity to discuss the issues that matter most to you.

For Wisconsin Democrats, those issues include access to quality, affordable health care, supporting public K-12 education, affordable higher education, creating family supporting jobs, and ensuring a clean and healthy environment for future generations to come.

The holidays are also a time to reflect on the year that’s passed and to look forward to the New Year.

More than any other year, 2017 has taught us the power of civic engagement, from the Women’s March in January to sweeping progressive victories in Virginia, New Jersey, and Alabama in recent months.

This resurgent civic engagement brings with it hope for 2018. Democrats are looking forward to next year because we are eager to get back to the issues that are important to you, the residents of Wisconsin.

Democrats in Wisconsin have not forgotten that we were elected to be your voice in the Capitol.

That is why I encourage you, now more than ever, to contact your elected officials and share your thoughts on how to move Wisconsin forward. Whether it’s by calling local school board members or contacting your state representative or senator, we want to know which issues are important to you.

I would like to thank everyone that has taken time to make sure their voices were heard over the last year, and I want to wish everyone happy holidays and a wonderful New Year.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/erin-grunze-lwvwi-s5.jpgThe WEC was established to be bipartisan. Bringing a partisan dispute to the commission harms it's reputation and the public trust.

We discuss Tuesday's Alabama Senate election, the End Child Poverty campaign, new legislation to cut Wisconsin’s prison population, and more.

STATEWIDE - We are joined by former state representative and Citizen Action Board member, Mandela Barnes, to discuss lessons from Tuesday's Alabama Senate election. Robert educates us on this week’s launch of the End Child Poverty campaign that Citizen Action is leading with WISDOM, Kids Forward and Wisconsin Council of Churches.

We also discuss: New legislation from Rep. Goyke to cut Wisconsin’s prison population; Wisconsin now has 50 counties in a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies for "being directly responsible" for the opioid crisis; How legislation to close a corporate tax loophole in WI is being blocked by GOP leadership; and The latest Foxconn news. We also reflect on the 5 year anniversary of the Newton mass shooting of 20 students and 6 educators and how we have failed to pass basic gun restrictions since this incident.

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #323
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Wisconsin continues to be the worst in the nation with the highest rate of drunk driving. We can do more.

MADISON, WI – Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) 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/Sen07/senatorlarsonradio121417.mp3

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hello. This is Senator Chris Larson with your weekly Democratic Radio Address.

During this holiday season, families across Wisconsin will gather to celebrate the holidays with loved ones. Friends and family, neighbors and coworkers will come together at holiday parties, and dining room tables to enjoy the warmth of each other’s company. But at some of our dining room tables, there will empty seats.

“On Christmas Eve 1998, I woke up to find my good friend, and classmate, Jennie, had been killed by a drunk driver the night before.

“It was a devastating blow to each of us who knew her. It was a preventable tragedy and something that shaped each of us going forward. Unfortunately, stories like Jennie’s are far too common. In

2016 alone, there were 193 deaths related to drunk driving.

“With 1 in 4 adults admitting to driving while intoxicated, Wisconsin continues to be the worst in the nation with the highest rate of drunk driving. More alarmingly, first-time OWI offenders are estimated to have driven under the influence at least 80 times before their initial conviction.

“It is irresponsible and unacceptable to continue to ignore preventable deaths and injuries due to drunk driving. So, Democratic colleagues and I are introducing legislation to shut the door on the drunk driving culture in our state. The Drunk Driving Prevention Act’s purpose is to increase the accountability of offenders in order to change the culture and of drinking and driving in Wisconsin through the use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs). These devices help separate drinking from driving, and are proven effective in stopping drunk driving. The legislation being proposed will mandate that all drivers convicted of an OWI must install an IID on all vehicles driven for 1 year. The facts show when ignition interlock devices are installed, reoccurrence of drunk driving is reduced by 67%.

“As we travel and enjoy this holiday season, let’s remember to be mindful this is also the season where roads becoming more dangerous due to increased drunk driving. It’s well past time we do more to change the drinking and driving culture of Wisconsin and stop preventable deaths, injuries, and property loss. Let’s make sure more seats are filled around the table this Christmas.

“Merry Christmas and have a safe and Happy Holidays.”

Program is extremely important to our most vulnerable citizens to protect them from sky rocketing prescription drug prices.

MILWAUKEE - In what is beginning to seem like an annual tradition, I am once again calling on Governor Walker and legislative republicans to pass my SeniorCare protection Act and ensure this program is continued for future seniors in Wisconsin.

I have sent letters to Senator Leah Vukmir and Governor Walker 10 days ago requesting that this legislation be passed as quickly as possible. In this season of giving, it is time we give our seniors the gift of security in knowing that their prescription drug program SeniorCare will continue beyond the temporary whims of politicians in Madison.

For fifteen years SeniorCare has been run under a federal waiver and has been providing lifesaving drugs to our seniors at a fraction of standard prescription drug costs. It is the only such program of its kind in the nation and it saves taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Savings from discounts on bulk purchases of prescription drugs and rebates from drug companies, which lowers the price of life saving prescriptions for seniors.

Governor Walker and legislative republicans have threatened to kill SeniorCare in past budgets and have refused to secure a federal extension beyond 2018 for a SeniorCare waiver. Now is the time to send an SOS to Republicans to “Save our SeniorCare.” Access to affordable prescription drugs keeps our seniors healthier and helps prevent unnecessary and costly hospital visits.

Contact your State Legislators now and request they immediately fight for a Federal waiver extension for continuing SeniorCare. This life saving program is extremely important to our most vulnerable citizens to protect them from sky rocketing prescription drug prices.

You can find out who represents you at legis.wisconsin.gov Call your representatives and tell them SOS — “Save our SeniorCare.”

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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