Madison, Wis. -- Wednesday in an interview with Lisa Boothe, Senator Ron Johnson admitted that, despite his best efforts, he hasn’t been “particularly successful.”

What is Johnson most disappointed by?

• That he failed in his efforts to strip away health care coverage and protections for people with pre-existing conditions away from over 883,000Wisconsinites.
• That his dangerous misinformation campaign about the COVID-19 vaccine is being treated with the skepticism it rightfully deserves.
• That during his time in the Senate the national debt doubled.
• Finally, after spending the week obstructing the bipartisan infrastructure efforts, going as far as to say “what’s going on in Washington D.C., unfortunately, is bipartisanship. I always tell people [to] beware of bipartisanship,”...he actually complained about how “dysfunction” in D.C. frustrates him.

Insider: Trump ally Sen. Ron Johnson says he hasn't been 'particularly successful' in Congress because the debt soared and Obamacare survived under GOP leadership

The second-term senator, who said he was still undecided about running for reelection next year, told the conservative commentator Lisa Boothe that he ran for the Senate in 2010 because he wanted to get rid of Obamacare and lower the national debt. But his party hasn't managed to make progress on either issue, even under President Donald Trump.

"I feel really bad that I've been here now probably 11 years and we've doubled the debt," Johnson said. "Obamacare's still in place, and we've doubled the debt. I don't feel like my time here has been particularly successful."

Trump, who has publicly urged Johnson to run for reelection, promised to repeal Obamacare, but Republican lawmakers abandoned their campaign to get rid of the popular healthcare law after repeated legislative failures. Trump also promised to pay down the national debt over eight years, but he instead presided over the third-largest increase in the national debt under any administration.

Johnson said "dysfunction" in Washington made his job frustrating and lamented that the media "rakes me over the coals, relentlessly" because of the "truths that I tell."

The senator, elected as part of the tea party's 2010 surge in Congress, has pushed misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines and has said he won't get vaccinated. He told Boothe on Wednesday that there were "serious, serious issues" with the COVID-19 vaccines and that there was no reason for Americans who aren't in high-risk categories for COVID-19 to get vaccinated.

The Wisconsin lawmaker said the federal government was ignoring risks associated with the vaccines and attempting to assert control over the public by pushing Americans to get vaccinated. These assertions aren't backed by science, which shows that vaccines dramatically reduce the chance of serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19, including sickness from the dominant Delta variant.

"It creeps me out that the government is wanting to push a vaccine in everybody's arm, even those people that don't need it," Johnson told Boothe. "Sorry Uncle Joe, I'm not signing up for that program. I don't trust them. … It's creeping me out because it's not rational."

He added: "This push to mass-vaccinate everybody — even those who've had COVID or even those that really have very little risk of any kind of serious impact if they get COVID — it just doesn't make sense, particularly with a vaccine that is not fully approved."

The senator has repeatedly and wrongly claimed that natural immunity from a COVID-19 infection is stronger than immunity provided by a vaccine and pointed to misleading data to support his claims about the safety of the vaccines.

Johnson called this "a perilous moment for our nation" because Democrats who "don't like this country" have "devious plans" to "fundamentally transform" it. The senator said he wanted his Republican colleagues in Congress to focus more on "culture-war issues," including the debate over teaching critical race theory in schools.

Madison, Wis. -- In an interview with Breitbart, Ron Johnson took his opposition to the bipartisan infrastructure efforts a step further, vowing to “slow down the process” and do everything he could to keep Wisconsin communities from getting needed infrastructure improvements.

“With his self-serving declaration to do everything possible to block bipartisan infrastructure,  Ron Johnson proves yet again that he doesn’t work for Wisconsinites,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Senate Communications Advisor Philip Shulman. “Johnson has become the ringleader for obstructionism as he chooses to play political games with Wisconsinites' livelihoods rather than support real solutions that would help the Badger state.”

Johnson, previously stated “beware of bipartisanship,” and blasted efforts to pass this legislation that would be a boon for Wisconsin’s workers and economy.

Warns “Beware of Bipartisanship”

Madison, Wis. - During a Fox News interview Ron Johnson once again came out against bipartisan infrastructure efforts that would positively impact communities across Wisconsin. However, Johnson didn't stop at criticizing the bipartisan infrastructure efforts; he came out swinging against the very idea of working in a bipartisan manner saying, "I always warn people [to] beware of bipartisanship.”

“Wisconsinites are fed up with the self-serving, partisan games Ron Johnson continues to play at their expense. The fact that communities across Wisconsin will benefit from the bipartisan infrastructure bill makes absolutely no difference to Johnson,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Senate Communications Advisor Philip Shulman said. “The only person Johnson serves in Washington is himself.”

The bipartisan infrastructure package will help rebuild roads and bridges, expand broadband, particularly in rural areas, and invest in utility infrastructure like water pipes.

Governor says he supports any decision Mandela makes about how best to serve the people of Wisconsin.

Madison Representative thanks people who helped move the project forward.

MADISON - Thursday, while campaigns across Wisconsin filed their finance reports and disclosed their donors, likely GOP candidate Rebecca Kleefisch continued to avoid transparency by running for governor through her “nonprofit” organization, the 1848 Project.

Kleefisch has made no secret of the fact that she is a candidate for governor, telling a reporter “you’re not wrong” when asked if she was running. By running her campaign through this shadow group, Kleefisch is avoiding the scrutiny that comes from being an announced candidate. Without disclosing her donors, Wisconsin voters have no idea what individuals, corporations, or special interests are funding her campaign across the state.

In addition to Kleefisch’s comments confirming her intent to run for governor, the 1848 Project has done little to hide its true purpose. For example, she has hired political operatives for key roles in the organization and ran multiple radio ads directly attacking Gov. Evers on a range of issues.

An IRS complaint has been filed against Kleefisch’s “nonprofit” organization. In the meantime, Kleefisch still owes Wisconsinites answers about her dark money group:

• When will the 1848 Project’s donors be disclosed publicly?
• What expenditures has the 1848 Project made to raise Kleefisch’s profile across the state?
• What role do partisan political operatives play in the 1848 Project?
• When Kleefisch announces her run for governor, will she disband the 1848 Project, or will it continue to act as a dark money organization to support her candidacy?

“While other candidates have been required to file financial reports, Rebecca Kleefisch has tried to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes and evade the same level of scrutiny as an announced candidate,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Rapid Response Director Kayla Anderson. “Kleefisch isn’t fooling anyone - it’s obvious the 1848 Project is a gubernatorial campaign in disguise. Kleefisch needs to disclose who is funding this shadow campaign and what role these GOP political hacks are playing in it. Wisconsinites deserve nothing less than full transparency.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/ron-johnson-quibbles-s5.jpgGreen Bay parents Dr. Kristin Lyerly and Terry Lee point out how Johnson liked tax money when it benefitted his own company in 2017.

Madison representative says she will continue to advocate for environmental protection, accessible healthcare, quality education, and meaningful criminal justice reform.

MADISON, WI- Yesterday, Governor Evers signed the 2021-23 state budget and announced that $100 million in federal funds would be invested in our public schools. On this announcement, Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“The budget that Governor Evers introduced was an investment in the future of Wisconsin. The central priority in his budget was clear: we need to put people over politics. Instead the Joint Finance Committee removed meaningful provisions to expand BadgerCare, invest in higher education, and protect our environment.”

“Governor Evers signed this budget into law today, but he used his partial veto to make this budget better for the people of Wisconsin. Instead continuing partisan gridlock, Governor Evers ensured that Wisconsin communities can move forward.”

“Also I want to commend President Biden and Governor Evers for their continued commitment to public education in Wisconsin. Their investment of $100 million in our public schools will make a real impact in the lives of children in our K-12 system.”

“While the budget season is now officially over, the fight for a more equitable Wisconsin continues. As your representative I will continue to advocate for environmental protection, accessible healthcare, quality education, and meaningful criminal justice reform. We must continue our fight for a better Wisconsin, and build progress wherever we can."

Wisconsin Democratic Party cites press response to first bipartisan budget since 2007.

MADISON, Wis. — Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers signed into law the first bipartisan budget since 2007, including a massive tax break for working families, investments in infrastructure, broadband, and public education, and support for veterans. Thanks to the governor’s steady leadership during the pandemic, Wisconsin is able to take bold action to continue its economic recovery.

Gov. Evers also announced he is directing an additional $100 million in federal funding for Wisconsin’s public schools to support students across the state.

Read more about the bipartisan budget below.

Wisconsin State Journal: Tony Evers signs Republican-authored state budget with billions in income tax cuts

Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday said he planned to sign the Republican-authored state budget, heralding the more than $2 billion in income tax cuts that it provides and vowing to provide an additional $100 million in federal money for the state's schools on top of what the GOP provided.

The budget will bring down the income tax rate from 6.27% to 5.3% for income between about $24,000 and $263,000 a year for individuals, or between $32,000 and $351,000 for married filers. All told, Republicans say the plan would save taxpayers about $2.7 billion over the two-year period.

Talking to reporters at Cumberland Elementary in Whitefish Bay, Evers said though the GOP budget didn't go far enough in spending on schools, vetoing the budget in full was not an option when thinking about the state's kids.

[...]

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tony Evers signs Republican-written state budget that cuts income taxes, announces $100 million more for schools

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday signed into law a new state budget written largely by Republican lawmakers that cuts income taxes and announced he would be providing school districts with an additional $100 million in federal funding to make up for what he characterized as a plan that falls short for schools.

The Democratic governor signed the $87.5 billion two-year state spending plan in an elementary school library in a Milwaukee suburb, igniting his re-election campaign that will rely on areas like Whitefish Bay where a shifting electorate could prove crucial in Wisconsin's tight statewide races.

The governor tweaked the plan using his veto authority in 50 areas but left intact the centerpiece of the Republican plan — a more than $2 billion tax cut package that would reduce the state's third tax bracket for about half of Wisconsin residents to 5.3%.

[...]

Associated Press: Wisconsin Gov. Evers Signs GOP-Written State Budget With $2 Billion Tax Cut

Gov. Tony Evers signed the Republican-written state budget Thursday, enacting a two-year spending plan that includes a $2 billion income tax cut while making 50 partial vetoes.

Evers, a Democrat who is running for reelection next year, cast the tax cut as a bipartisan effort even though the plan was added to the budget by Republican lawmakers.

“I could have vetoed that," Evers said at a signing ceremony at a suburban Milwaukee elementary school. "I made a promise to the taxpayers, to the state we would reduce middle class taxes by 10% and we did 15%. It is a bipartisan effort.”

The average person earning $61,000 a year will see an income tax cut of $488 this tax year and $975 over next two years, state Revenue Secretary Peter Barca said.

[...]

WPR: Gov. Tony Evers Signs State Budget, Including GOP-Backed Tax Cut

Gov. Tony Evers has signed the 2021-2023 state budget, which includes a more than $2 billion tax cut backed by Republicans.

The Democratic governor used his veto pen to make 50 changes to the budget. Evers has one of the most powerful veto authorities in the country, with the ability to delete words, numbers and punctuation from the spending plan.

Speaking at a Thursday morning press conference at an elementary school in Whitefish Bay, the governor framed his signing of the mostly Republican-backed budget as a bipartisan move.

"In many ways, this budget presents a false choice between the priorities the people of the state care about and deserve," Evers said. "But after eight long years of politicians making decisions for all the wrong reasons, I ran to be governor of this state and promised I would always put people before politics."

[...]

WBAY: Gov. Evers signs state budget with one of largest tax cuts in state history

Gov. Tony Evers has signed the $87 billion state budget passed by the legislature that includes a large tax cut for the middle class.

The governor is making stops across the state, starting with a visit to Cumberland Elementary School in Whitefish Bay where he is signing the 2021-2023 spending plan.

The budget includes a 10 percent tax cut for the middle class and $2 billion in tax relief.

“I made a promise when I ran for governor—I promised I would cut taxes for middle-class families by 10 percent. Today, I am keeping my word,” Gov. Evers said. “This morning, I’m providing more than $2 billion in tax relief and cutting taxes for middle-class families at a time when our economy and families need it most.”

The budget includes $685 million in school spending. Wisconsin will hit the mark of two-thirds funding for schools for the first time in 20 years.

The budget will allow the state to receive $100 million in federal funds for schools and children.

[...]

Republican budget started out as an ugly and empty piñata, and while Governor Evers’ veto pen couldn’t fill it with good policies or smart investments, he at least broke it apart into a few useful pieces, says Milwaukee area Senator.

Milwaukee, WI – Thursday, Governor Evers partially vetoed and signed the budget put forth by the Republican-controlled legislature. While the Governor used his veto authority to salvage what he could, the final budget remains an example of missed opportunities and false choices. Senator Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) issued the following statement regarding the signed budget:

“Governor Evers understands the value of investing in our children. While the Republican budget continued the dangerous scheme of allowing an education funding gap and barely qualifying for federal funds, Governor Evers was able to meet the promise of two-thirds funding by using federal funds to increase per-pupil aid by $100 million. Given the education funding shell game of the GOP budget, there was little room left for the governor to fix their chaos while meeting the needs of our kids.

“When will Republicans stop forcing the false choices between tax cuts and adequate public education funding? In a year of plenty, they chose to underfund our kids, while giving an outsized tax cut to the wealthy. Seventy-four percent of this regressive tax cut goes toward the wealthy few, while the average person saves little. How many of them should we expect to be grateful enough to use their ill-gotten gains to fund a new school air ventilation system? Or boost the special education reimbursement rate?

“Budget after budget, when Republicans control the process they have failed our children and put our future in jeopardy. They have done this by intentionally denying our kids adequate and equitable funding for their education. It is time for those in GOP leadership to hear the call of the people. Over the past biennium, our communities passed 138 referendums, costing taxpayers $3,220,966,510. Wisconsin deserves better than forcing local communities to keep going back to referendums to make up the gaps in what is needed for our children.

“As the economic future of Wisconsin remains strong, we should have invested in our teachers, reduced classroom sizes, and ensured that our public schools system returned to being a point of national pride. As a member of the Senate Committee on Education, I will continue to fight for progressive policies to bring our children, and those that devote their lives to them, the resources they need to thrive.

“This Republican budget started out as an ugly and empty piñata, and while Governor Evers’ veto pen couldn’t fill it with good policies or smart investments, he at least broke it apart into a few useful pieces.”