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Trump's Broken Promises on Common Sense Gun Safety PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by WisDems Press, Philip Shulman   
Friday, 20 September 2019 09:15

las-vegas-shootingDPW Chair Ben Wikler Statement on Guv Evers' Common Sense Red Flag Legislation Push.


MADISON, WI – Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler released the following statement Thursday praising Governor Evers' push to pass common sense red flag legislation, as well as called out President Trump's broken promises to pass common sense gun safety legislation.

“We are grateful for Governor Evers’ leadership to fight for red flag laws -- common-sense gun safety measures that have overwhelming bipartisan support. At a time when three-year-olds participate in active shooter drills, it’s clearly long past time for us to fight against the gun violence epidemic that plagues our country. Right here in Wisconsin we suffered a mass shooting that left six dead in Oak Creek.The vast majority of Wisconsinites, including the vast majority of homes that have a gun in them, are demanding change, and Governor Evers is right to push for the passage of these common-sense red flag laws.

“Wisconsin is fortunate to have a Governor who recognizes the cost of these mass shootings, but sadly we still have a President whose opinion is for sale. In typical fashion, President Trump made bold, yet empty, statements promising us he would deliver on common sense gun safety legislation. All it took was a call from his overlords at the NRA to break the promise he made to Wisconsinites and the American people. The problem is compounded by the fact that Senate Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Leader Robin Vos are too cowardly to take appropriate action.

“We cannot trust Trump to keep his word to do something about the gun violence epidemic, so we will continue to fight here in Wisconsin for these urgent, life saving measures.”

Last Updated on Saturday, 21 September 2019 09:25
 
Middleton Legislators Echo Police Chief’s Call for Gun Safety PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Jon Erpenbach Press. State Senator 27th District   
Friday, 20 September 2019 08:50

school-gunsMADISON – It has been a year since an active shooter targeted his place of work in Middleton. Yet, unfortunately, a year later we have made zero progress in ensuring that no other Wisconsinites are affected by gun violence.

Every Wisconsinite should have the opportunity to go to school, a place of worship, or any other public space in their community knowing that they are safe, and there are steps that we can take to strengthen the system to ensure that an incident, such as what happened in Middleton, will not happen again.

The majority of Wisconsinites agree that it is time to pass gun safety legislation. According to the most recent Marquette Law Poll, 80% of Wisconsin voters support expanded background checks, and nearly the same percentage of Wisconsinites are in support of red-flag laws. The numbers are clear, this is not a partisan issue.

That is why Middleton Police Department Chief, Charles Foulke released a statement recalling the incident and urging politicians to make a difference. As someone who has served his community for 38 years, his words speak volumes.

Enough is enough, it is time to enact common-sense gun laws.

 
What Will It Take To Act? PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Senate, Kate Constalie   
Friday, 20 September 2019 08:41

school-gunsAs Mass Shootings Continue, Democrats Push for Action on Gun Safety


MADISON – After a series of horrific mass shootings across the county, legislative Democrats are continuing to push for legislation to combat gun violence. Assembly Bill 431 would close the gun show loophole that enables individuals with criminal convictions to purchase a firearm but is currently being blocked by Republican politicians.

As a co-sponsor of the legislation, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling released the following statement:

jennifer-shilling“Gun violence is one of the most pressing public health issues we face today and all I hear from my Republican colleagues is, ‘There is nothing we can do.’ As a lawmaker and a mother, I do not accept that this is the way it has to be. That defeatist attitude is an insult to the lives lost from gun violence and to the survivors that still grapple with the trauma they went through. Republicans need to have the courage to stand up to the NRA and prioritize the safety and well-being of Wisconsin residents. Every day that we don’t do something is one more day closer to another tragedy.”

Mass shootings similar to El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH have happened right here in Wisconsin communities including Middleton, Brookfield, Oak Creek, and Wausau. A Marquette Law Poll found 80 percent of Wisconsinites – including the vast majority of gun owners – support expanding background checks.

Mass shootings can be prevented. PolitiFact Wisconsin recently confirmed the troubling reality that a loophole in current state law allows dangerous convicted felons and domestic abusers to purchase firearms without going through a background check that would have otherwise disqualified them. Several individuals have already exploited this loophole to acquire firearms and build arsenals that are then used to commit mass murders.

 
Have a Conversation for Democracy’s Sake PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Jeff Smith, State Senator District 31   
Wednesday, 18 September 2019 07:57

congress-unproductiveSen. Smith talks about the importance of having conversations with people that have different points of view. We can overcome the political divisiveness in society if we remember we have more in common than what sets us apart.

Read more...
 
Voice opposition to F-35 fighter jets in Madison PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Chris Taylor, State Rep. 76th Assembly   
Monday, 16 September 2019 15:51

f-35a-fighterState Rep. Chris Taylor comes to the aid of east and north side Madison communities near the airport to block F-35 site selection at Common Council meeting.


MADISON - After years of attending the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, I have seen firsthand how big corporate special interests, through their wealth and power, often dominate policy making, to the great detriment of actual people. In the ALEC universe, maximizing corporate profits always comes before people.

I have seen how that perverse priority has driven Republican policy makers in our state over the last 8 years, and the devastation this has caused. And I have fought against it every step of the way.

chris-taylorI am currently seeing a similar power structure right here at home trying to force F-35 military jets on the east and northside communities I represent in the legislature. Based on the constituent contact I have received, the people I have talked with, and the listening I have done, the vast majority of my constituents do not support this proposal. It will not only lead to a peak of almost 3,000 more military flights, but significantly more noise, rendering a larger piece of our city uninhabitable, unless you want to live in a home where you can't open a window or go outside. Individuals of color, kids and low-income families will be most impacted, and many, many neighborhoods are going to be forever altered.

A group called Badger Air Community Council is pushing the F-35s. Most of their board members are executive businessmen who do not live in Madison, none live in the neighborhoods impacted, and none are people of color. Yet they think they know what is best for our community! They are placing opinion pieces in the local paper (the Wisconsin State Journal has run two in the last week), paying for fancy brochures and producing hats and T-shirts. And now they are organizing to defeat a Tuesday Madison Common Council Resolution to oppose the F-35s.

All we have is our voices. Together, we are strong. I am urging you to contact your Madison alders here and ask them to support the resolution to oppose the F-35 fighter jets. The resolution will be taken up this Tuesday, September 17 at the 6:30 PM Common Council meeting. Now more than ever, people need their elected representatives at all levels to stand up for them! The political response of a community makes a difference in F-35 site selection. If you can, please attend the meeting and testify in support of this resolution at the public hearing. The meeting will take place in Room 201 of the City-County Building at 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd this Tuesday at 6:30 PM.

And remember, you still have time to submit your comments to the Air National Guard on this proposal, until Friday, September 27th. On-line comments can be submitted here. Comments can also be directed to Ramon Ortiz by email, by mail at NGB/A4AM, 3501 Fetchet Avenue, Joint Base Andrews, MD  20762-5157 or by phone 240-612-7042.

Please contact my office if you need any more information.

Thank you for taking action. I believe that the best way to successfully stand up to powerful interests is to raise our voices together!

More actions are coming soon!

Thanks,

 

Rep. Chris Taylor
76th Assembly District

Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 September 2019 16:14
 
“Opioid dealer settlement” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Matt Brusky   
Friday, 13 September 2019 15:45

opioid-dealer-settlementMILWAUKEE - We talk about the continued lame duck session fallout, including Wisconsin not being among the two dozen states reaching a tentative settlement agreement against opioid seller Purdue Pharma.

We also discuss the party of Trump’s alignment behind right-winger Tom Tiffany in the CD 7 special election, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel slamming Speaker Vos and Rep. Nygren for charging open records requesters exorbitant fees, and the Foxconing of UW-Madison. We review new NPR/Marist presidential primary polling and preview Thursday’s debate. We welcome Citizen Action co-op member State Representative Jodi Emerson to discuss her first year as a state legislator.

Listen Now – Episode #408
Download MP3
Press Clips

 
Wisconsin schools put students first, Legislature should do the same PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Jon Erpenbach Press. State Senator 27th District   
Friday, 13 September 2019 12:50

school-kidsSenator Jon Erpenbach is hopeful that Republicans will join Democrats and work to restore what they have cut from education.

Read more...
 
The time for redistricting reform in Wisconsin is now PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by League of Women Voters WI, Erin Grunze   
Friday, 13 September 2019 12:31

voter-us-electionsLeague of Women Voters continues the fight for nonpartisan redistricting legislation.

Last Updated on Friday, 13 September 2019 12:49
Read more...
 
Celebrating Workforce Development Month in Wisconsin PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Assembly Democrats   
Thursday, 12 September 2019 12:01

working-womenMADISON - This week Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) talks about our state’s tradition of developing our workforce and honoring those who live and work here.

Audio File of Radio Address

Hello, this is Representative Jill Billings with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

Earlier this month, Governor Tony Evers proclaimed September as Workforce Development Month in Wisconsin.

Wisconsinites have never been afraid to roll up our sleeves, put in the hours, and get the job done.

And, our state has a tradition of developing our workforce and honoring those who live and work here.

jill-billingsIn 1911, Wisconsin established the first modern apprenticeship law.

That same year, Wisconsin created the nation’s first Worker’s Compensation program, which guaranteed injury compensation as a legal right.

And in 1945, Wisconsin prohibited employment discrimination on the basis of creed, color, national origin, or ancestry.

Democrats are committed to continuing this tradition of workforce development, and we will be forward-thinking in our efforts to build a Wisconsin that we are all proud of.

This means focusing on workers – but also on the things that make a state an attractive place to live like strong public schools, pristine natural resources, and affordable health care.

I thank Governor Evers and Secretary Caleb Frostman for their efforts to support our workers this month and every month.

So this September, let’s celebrate the advances we’ve made over the years while understanding there is much more work to be done.

And together we can build a Wisconsin that works for all of us.

Thank you.

 

 

 
Wisconsin: America is Best When Labor is Strong PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Jeff Smith, State Senator District 31   
Wednesday, 04 September 2019 00:00

electrical-workersSen. Smith talks about his upbringing in Eau Claire and the impact of organized labor in the community. Leaders before us worked to put protections in place for workers, but there’s still more to do.

Read more...
 
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