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Democratic Radio: Happy Holidays PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Assembly Democrats   
Friday, 28 December 2018 16:09

new-year-happyMADISON - Rep. Chris Taylor of Madison represents Wisconsin Assembly Democrats with a holiday address.

Audio File of Radio Address

The complete text of Chris Taylor's message is presented below.

chris-taylorHello. I am State Representative Chris Taylor 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 me, and for Wisconsin Democrats, these issues include access to quality, affordable health care, sustainably funding our public education system, protecting our precious natural resources, and investing in our state’s infrastructure for future generations to come.

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

2018 held both successes and challenges for the people of Wisconsin.

Most notably, Wisconsin elected a new leader in Governor-elect Tony Evers.

Democrats are looking forward to 2019. We are eager and ready to get back to work, addressing 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 State Capitol and nothing is more important to us, than making sure government is for you, not powerful politicians.

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 your local school board members or contacting your State Representative or State Senator, we want to know which issues matter most to you.

I would like to personally thank everyone who has taken time over the last year to share their thoughts with myself and my colleagues. I want you to know your voices were heard.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a happy holidays and a wonderful and healthy New Year.

Thank you.

 
“Ryan & Walker exit stage right wing” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Citizen Action of Wisconsin Press   
Friday, 21 December 2018 17:21

ryan-and-walker-exitWe discuss the lame duck session fall out, the latest on the early voting lawsuit, Tony Evers’ first cabinet appointments and a new audit revealing WEDC plans to pay for Foxconn jobs not located in Wisconsin.


MILWAUKEE - We close out 2018 by contrasting the legacies of House Speaker Paul Ryan and Gov. Scott Walker as they prepare to leave office in early January. We review the lame duck session fall out, including the latest on the motion filed in Citizen Action's early voting lawsuit with One WI Now to block voting restrictions. We also discuss Tony Evers’ first cabinet appointments and a new audit revealing WEDC plans to pay for Foxconn jobs not located in Wisconsin.

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #372
Download MP3
Press Clips

Producer's Note: Thank you for listening to the Battleground Wisconsin Podcast! This show would not be possible with out the support of listeners like you. We'd also like to thank WIDE-LP 99.1 FM Madison and WRRD 1510AM Milwaukee for broadcasting the show every week. Please continue to listen and tell your friends about the Battleground Wisconsin Podcast, word of mouth is the best way to increase our audience size. If you have any questions or thoughts about the show, or if you just want to chat, please drop me a note at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you'd like to donate a special tax-deductible gift to help support the show please click here. Robert, Matt, Rebecca and myself wish you a happy holiday and we truly appreciate your ears and your support! See you in 2019!

Best, Brian

Last Updated on Friday, 21 December 2018 17:45
 
Democratic Radio: Looking Ahead to 2019 PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Senate, Bridget Esser   
Thursday, 20 December 2018 17:12

lacrosse-xmas-lightsMADISON, WI – Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) offered the Democratic weekly radio address reflecting on the past year and looking forward to 2019.

“After years of misplaced priorities, families in Wisconsin want to see solutions. With 2018 behind us, I hope that we can set aside political differences, work together and focus on a brighter and better tomorrow.” Sen. Jennifer Shilling

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

A written transcript of the address is below:

jennifer-shilling“Hi, I’m Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling.

“When I look back at the political battles that have been waged in 2018, I’m reminded that our state does better when we all work together. I remain hopeful that 2019 will be a year of growth and opportunity for our state.

“In fact, Democrats are ready to get to work with Gov.-elect Tony Evers to tackle the tough issues - like improving health care, strengthening schools and fixing our roads.

“After years of misplaced priorities, families in Wisconsin want to see solutions. With 2018 behind us, I hope that we can set aside political differences, work together and focus on a brighter and better tomorrow.

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

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 December 2018 17:20
 
Sen. Shilling: Republicans need a lesson in sportsmanship PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Jennifer Shilling, State Senator 32nd District   
Monday, 17 December 2018 17:28

scott-fitzgeraldl-stands-behind-walkerWisconsin residents made it clear they are tired of divide and conquer politics, but Republican leaders chose to ignore them.

Last Updated on Monday, 17 December 2018 17:43
Read more...
 
Wisc Democracy Campaign "Walker’s Weasel Words" PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Matt Rothschild   
Friday, 14 December 2018 19:18

wdc-logoI read Walker’s explanation about how he was approaching the lame-duck bills myself, and it was truly nauseating.


MADISON - It’s not every day that three staff members tell me that I ought to write a column about the same subject, but that happened this week after Gov. Walker posted a long explanation about how he was approaching the lame-duck bills.

So I read Walker’s posting myself, and it was truly nauseating. And when I’m feeling nauseous, I need to get it out of my system, and writing is the way I do it. Take a look:

Walker, the Weasel

matt-rothschildAlso this week, we did some research on the raft of appointees Walker recently named, and here’s what we found:

Walker Appointees Gave His Campaign $16K+

Now and again, I come upon a terrific column that I share on Facebook and that I’d also like to share with you. Here’s an example: Jim Rowen’s indictment of the anti-democratic elitism of Speaker Vos and Majority Leader Fitzgerald:

The Walkerites' Unbearable and Dangerous Elitism

I hope you like these columns.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
Indivisible Madison reacts to the WI GOP coup PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Indivisible Madison, Linda Kessel   
Friday, 14 December 2018 18:04

capitol-protestMadison activist group says "We must fight any measures that put party and power before people.”


MADISON - Today, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed the extraordinary session legislation into law. The GOP power grab is complete. The conclusion is obvious – the GOP put party and power before people.

“Walker’s legacy will be that he was a sore loser who undermined democracy on the way out,” said Indivisible Madison lead organizer, Linda Kessel.

Indivisible Madison organized the rapid response that brought more than 1,400 protesters to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) hearing on the lame-duck legislation with less than 72 hours’ notice. A rally that night on the State Capitol steps drew a crowd of 1,000. At the conclusion, the entire crowd entered the Capitol to register their opposition at the JFC hearing that was still in progress. Protesters came the next day to loudly protest as the Governor led a tree-lighting ceremony in the Capitol rotunda.

Walker’s office issued a media advisory only three hours before the signing ceremony in Green Bay. “Governor Walker signed the bills outside of Madison to avoid the protests he knew would materialize here,” said Kessel. Interestingly, Green Bay is the district of the lone Republican to vote against the lame-duck legislation, State Sen. Robert Cowles.

Walgreens Boycott The next step for Indivisible Madison is calling for a boycott of Walgreens. In a New York Times article, “When Walgreens Had a Moral Compass” (Dec. 12, 2018), we learned that Walgreens had made campaign contributions to the leaders of this GOP power grab – Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate

Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald. They gave an additional $6,000 to the Wisconsin Campaign to Elect a Republican Senate.

Walgreens benefits from a property assessment loophole in Wisconsin that allows them to pay substantially less in taxes, passing the burden onto homeowners and small businesses to make up the difference. A bipartisan bill in the last regular legislative session sought to close that loophole, but Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald refused to bring it to the Senate floor for a vote. It looks like Walgreens got an excellent return on its campaign investment.

We call on Walgreens to ask for its contributions back, as they recently did when Cindy Hyde-Smith – then Mississippi candidate for U.S. Senate – made what she called a joke about attending a “public hanging.” Walgreens refused to be complicit in her racist remarks. Walgreens should be equally concerned about supporting the unscrupulous Wisconsin GOP leaders who orchestrated this legislative power grab. “We demand that they put democracy before profit, and customers before politics,” Kessel proclaimed.

Indivisible Madison will continue to resist the GOP agenda in our state and in our country. From Linda Kessel, “If anything, this strengthens our resolve. We must fight any measures that put party and power before people.”

****

Indivisible Madison (IM) is one of more than 5,000 Indivisible local chapters, 100 in Wisconsin alone. We follow the wisdom of the Indivisible Guide and the national Indivisible Team. The common goal is to resist the policies of Donald Trump. Indivisible Madison and many other chapters apply the same techniques at the state level. We have strength in numbers and together, we are a power to be reckoned with.

Indivisible Madison specializes in rapid response events and actions. In addition to organizing actions surrounding this GOP power grab…

• Last month, we organized the local rally for “No One is Above the Law” within 24 hours of Jeff Sessions being fired. This was a response to MoveOn’s national call to act upon any move by the president intended to end the Mueller probe. Hundreds attended.

• We led the organizing team for Madison’s Families Belong Together protest (in one week).

• We organized the Candlelight Vigil in Solidarity with Charlottesville (in 27 hours).

• We organized an ACA Die-just two days following the House vote for repeal in 2017.

 
K-C Deal Isn’t an Economic Development Strategy Says Larson, It's an Extortion PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Chris Larson, State Senator, District 7   
Friday, 14 December 2018 17:29

kc-layoff-wbayMILWAUKEE - Scott Walker continues to make the case for why he should no longer be Governor and why we should move up the inauguration of state elected officials to immediately after elections are certified.

To be clear, this $25 million extortion of Wisconsin taxpayers through WEDC is happening for Kimberly-Clark because this highly profitable company threatened Wisconsin jobs and they are still going to fire workers. Kimberly-Clark posted a staggering $3.3 billion operating profit just last year, had their federal tax rate cut from 35.7% to 19.2% just last year, then callously decided to cut jobs and shutter plants just last year.

chris_larsonTheir total contribution to state taxes was $1 over the last four years. But, when they saw Governor Walker and Republicans pay through the nose for Foxconn, they decided to squeeze us for even more.

This isn’t an economic development strategy, this is an extortion.

By paying this ransom to a profitable corporation, Republican economic mismanagement opens Wisconsin up to further extortion from other profitable companies. As of 2017 there were 733 other businesses in Wisconsin with similar employment numbers as Kimberly-Clark. Each of them are watching what is happening. They’d be silly not to threaten to leave unless they get a handout from us, too. If we go down this path, the total lost could exceed our states biennial budget. We need to stop investing in companies that aren’t invested in us. Instead, we need to invest in our neighbors through K-12, higher ed, and apprenticeships. We cannot afford to continue to go down this road of corporate handouts.

****

Senator Chris Larson released this statement today regarding the $25 million handout to Kimberly-Clark.

Last Updated on Friday, 14 December 2018 17:40
 
“Listening to people” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Matt Brusky   
Friday, 14 December 2018 09:28

listening-to-peopleWe discuss the scandalous GOP lame duck, budget listening sessions with Tony Evers, the coming Inaugural events, and a special interview with Eric Genrich, who is running for Mayor of Green Bay.


MILWAUKEE - We discuss the latest on the scandalous GOP lame duck, including the pending legal action against the early voting in Wisconsin.

We welcome Citizen Action North Central Co-op organizer Joel Lewis to review the Wausau budget listening session with Tony Evers, which in openness stands in sharp contrast with the infamous GOP lame duck session.

Former podcast panelist Jorna Taylor joins us to discuss Inaugural events and how to participate. We close with a special interview with Citizen Action Northeast Co-op member Eric Genrich, who is running for Mayor of Green Bay next spring.

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #371
Download MP3

Press Clips

 
Democratic Radio: A New Era for Wisconsin PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Assembly Democrats   
Thursday, 13 December 2018 17:00

tony-evers-winMADISON - State Representative Sondy Pope (D - Mt. Horeb) talks about incoming Governor Tony Evers and the statewide Building the People’s Budget tour.

Audio File of Radio Address

sondy-popeHello, this is State Representative Sondy Pope with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

Despite last week’s attempts by legislative Republicans to override the will of the people, Wisconsin will continue to move forward toward a brighter future.

This week, Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lieutenant Governor-elect Mandela Barnes announced their statewide Building the People’s Budget tour.

For the first time in eight years, Wisconsin residents will be able to attend gubernatorial pre-budget listening sessions open to the public and share their priorities.

Governor-elect Evers understands that in order to solve the problems facing our state, we need to prioritize people over politics and get down to the work of governing.

It is possible to reinvest in public education, fix our roads, and improve healthcare - but it cannot happen without you.

The best future for Wisconsin is one that is by the people of our state, and for the people of our state.

These budget listening sessions show how Tony Evers will govern - for all of us.

So get involved today and make your voice heard.

Thank you.

 
Republican Lawmakers Are Traitors to Democracy PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Randall Schumann, Madison   
Monday, 10 December 2018 14:39

walker-signs-budget-2015Madison citizen has low opinion of Republican lame duck session "power grab".


MADISON - Walker, Vos and Fitzgerald, as well as every Republican legislator that voted to advance the lame duck session "power grab" legislation overruling the decision by voters who chose Tony Evers and Josh Kaul to exercise all the existing powers of the Governor and Attorney General in Wisconsin, have demonstrated that they are Traitors to Democracy.

That label will be your enduring legacy for the rest of your natural lives and one which also will make your political lives much shorter. That will be because Wisconsin voters, whether they are Democrats, Progressives or are fair-minded Republicans disgusted by what the GOP powers-that-be have done to the Republican Party, will together rid Wisconsin of every one of you in the next election.

Furthermore, your actions in forcing through lame duck legislation overruling Wisconsin voters' decisions in the November election will lead to the downfall of the Republican party in Wisconsin. That is because you will have demonstrated to even Wisconsin voters who consider themselves Republicans, that no Republican politician can be trusted because they will not represent the decisions -- or the interests -- of voters.

Wisconsin voters will not forget. You Traitors of Democracy have sealed your own fate.

Randall Schumann
Madison, Wisconsin

 
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