Speaker, active on the national circuit, refuses to hold in-person town hall meetings back home.

MADISON - Wisconsinites have had enough of being ignored by Republican leaders and now they're stepping up to hold them accountable on everything from national security to health care. This weekend, frustration over Speaker Paul Ryan's refusal to hold in-person town hall meetings boiled over as his constituents held a meeting Ryan refused to attend. 

According to news reports, nearly 300 people showed up to UAW Local 72 in Kenosha on Sunday. Organizers of the town hall invited Speaker Paul Ryan to spend the afternoon speaking with his constituents, however, the Speaker declined to respond entirely. Here's what the Speaker's own constituents thought about his decision:  

WTMJ-TV: Lee Hansen lives in Racine and says he has voted for Ryan once in the past. He hoped to express his concerns Sunday over his grandchildren possibly getting drafted into a war. "I worry about my children," he said. "I'm a veteran myself. I would hate to see my grandchildren go somewhere unnecessarily and risk their lives." But Hansen and dozens of other people who live in Ryan's district didn't receive any answers to their questions. "I think we're a forgotten bunch," said Hansen. "He's the Speaker of the House, he's a vice president candidate, he doesn't seem to be our congressman anymore."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “It says a lot to me that he’s not here,” said Lee Hansen of Racine, who served in the 82nd Airborne in the 1970s. “Maybe we should repeal and replace Paul Ryan.”

WITI-TV: Shirley Musial, 57, of Pleasant Prairie, said she came to the town hall because she's concerned about the Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. She said after an injury suffered in 2010, she is unable to work, and relying on the health care law, known as Obamacare, for insurance. "I am one of President Trump's dismissed millions who have hopes and dreams," Musial said. "I am not a paid protester. I volunteered to speak tonight."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lori Hawkins of Bristol said she worries about efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and said she believes women’s health will suffer if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. Hawkins said it was a health screening through Planned Parenthood that helped detect her ovarian cancer, and “without them I wouldn’t have become a mother.” Ryan “makes it sound like (Planned Parenthood) funding only goes to abortions. But it doesn’t. It goes toward preventative and diagnostic care like cancer screenings,” said Hawkins.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bill O’Connor, a retired business owner from Lake Geneva, said he does not want Ryan to push for privatizing Social Security or move to a voucher system for Medicare. “I am afraid for our country. I’m amazed at how quickly we’ve gone from a president with such great integrity to a man who doesn’t understand how government works and has no moral compass,” O’Connor said.

MADISON - During this weekend's Democratic National Committee (DNC) Winter Meeting, DNC members from across the country elected Jason Rae of Wisconsin to serve as DNC Secretary.

The Secretary is the Party’s official record-keeper and keeper of the Party's relationships with members. As such, the Secretary maintains all official records, coordinates correspondence, and communicates with the National Committee members regarding business to be considered at the meetings. The Secretary's office also works with the National Archives to preserve the Party’s records and official documents.

The Secretary also has an official role with the National Convention, publishing the Official Convention Proceedings often also serving as the Secretary of the National Convention.

The following is the statement of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning with regards to Jason Rae becoming the newest Secretary of the Democratic National Committee:

"Congratulations to Jason Rae for being elected as the DNC's newest Secretary. His many years as a member of the DNC and his commitment to the Party make him a great fit for the role. I look forward to hearing regular updates from him on how the party is working to win elections and represent working families all over the country."

Vote Tony Evers for Superintendent on Tuesday, Feb. 21st, how Trump puts National Security at risk, Democratic National Committee Chair Elections, Day Without Immigrants, Ron Kind’s Education Plan, and Things You May Have Missed.

MADISON - Welcome to the latest installment of my chair update.

Remember to Vote Tony Evers for Superintendent on Tuesday, Feb. 21st

If you haven't already, make a plan to vote for Tony Evers for Superintendent during Tuesday's spring primary elections. There are a host of important races on the ballot, including Evers' re-election bid for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Tony Evers is the only candidate in the race to oversee our state's schools who is a champion for fairly funding our public schools, increasing graduation rates, and creating pathways to family-sustaining jobs for young adults. People from all over Wisconsin are showing the enthusiasm Tony needs to win re-election.

Learn more about Tony on his website tonyforwisconsin.com. 
Learn more about what you need vote on Tuesday at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/ .

President Trump and General Flynn Put National Security at Risk

American leadership is essential to keeping us safe and keeping our economy growing in the years ahead. But this week, our security was threatened, when it was revealed that President Trump's National Security Advisory, Michael Flynn, discussed previously administered sanctions against the Russian government with a Russian ambassador. Despite awareness of these potentially illegal conversations, Trump continued to give Flynn access to highly sensitive and classified information for weeks. 

Here is a great graphic showing the timeline which is really disturbing. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/14/us/politics/flynn-call-russia-timeline.html

Just because Flynn has resigned doesn’t mean this scandal is going away. Trump aides had repeated contact with Russia throughout his campaign, and Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin has the potential to undermine our democracy. This issue deserves to be fully investigated, and thankfully Wisconsin Democrats like Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Mark Pocan are calling for such an investigation.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin Republicans are more concerned with protecting themselves than examining Trump’s dangerous contact with Russia. Paul Ryan has defended Flynn, and Senator Ron Johnson is more focused on where the leaked information is coming from than the incriminating evidence itself. The people deserve to know just how beholden Trump is to Russia, but Wisconsin Republicans have turned this national security crisis into a partisan issue.

This week, I went on Wisconsin Public Radio to talk about this issue and urge Wisconsin Republicans to do the right thing. Take a listen and share it with your networks: http://www.wpr.org/listen/1062636

Democratic National Committee Chair Elections

Next weekend, the Democratic National Committee will select its next Party Chair during the DNC Winter Meetings in Atlanta, February 23–26. I’m proud to be casting my vote for Congressman Keith Ellison, a truly progressive Democratic leader. Keith will unleash the resources we need to build a stronger party message and a grow our grassroots field program that outpaces our counterparts not only in Wisconsin but across the nation.  

Congressman Ellison believes grassroots efforts are key to winning elections.  That's why he raised over $1 million dollars to support the Minnesota Democratic Farm Labor Party's initiatives and is credited with increasing turnout in his own safe district by a margin that helped the state wide races, like Governor, prevail in a very difficult year.  I know he has the vision and track record to implement a grassroots plan that will invigorate our diverse Democratic coalition and get people out to vote. Grassroots leadership is more important than ever, and Congressman Ellison’s grassroots experience will move our party forward.

In the lead up to the Winter Meeting, the DNC has held the most transparent officer election in party history. The DNC held four regional forums for DNC members and the public to hear from candidates for officer positions. All of these forums were open to the public and live-streamed on social media, and have since been posted in full on the DNC’s website.

Keep Up The Resistance

I am inspired each day by your activism in response to the out-of-touch lawmakers in Washington who want to pass truly un-American legislation at the expense of everyday American people and their families. Many thanks to all of you who are writing letters and postcards, calling offices, and attending town hall meetings. 

The resistance movement is growing, exploding to more than 4,500 local groups resisting the extreme right-wing Republican agenda in nearly every congressional district in the country. If you haven't already, take a look at the resources available for resistance on Indivisibleguide.com

Day Without Immigrants March a Symbol of the People’s Voice

This past Monday, thousands of demonstrators participated in a massive Day Without Immigrants march in Milwaukee - a symbol of the crucial impact immigrants have on our nation. With hundreds of local businesses closing, Monday's march helped paint a picture of what life would be like without one of our most important communities.

While voices on the right, like Milwaukee County’s Sheriff David Clarke, have tried to downplay the impressive display by the grassroots, there is no denying the power of the people’s voice. As Trump continues to attack immigrant communities with mean-spirited and unconstitutional executive orders, we must show that we will not back down. The only way to stand up to Trump and his Republican allies is to make our voices heard through peaceful and meaningful marches and protests. Republicans need to know that an attack on any community is an attack on all Americans, and we will continue to express our free speech until we are heard.  

Read more about Monday's march on JSOnline.com

Honoring the Life of Marcel Dandeneau

Marcel Dandeneau, a former state representative, died of cancer earlier this month. A committed activist for Democratic values, Dandeneau also served in the Korean War and was a teacher for nearly 30 years in Racine County. Dandeneau lived a life devoted to service and helping others, and his generosity and devotion are truly admirable. My condolences go out to his family during this tough time.

The Racine Journal Times did an excellent job of telling Marcel's story this week.

Rep. Ron Kind’s Introduces Education Plan Will Allow Wisconsin Students to Excel

Representative Ron Kind introduced his Higher Education Action Plan to an attentive audience of students and leaders from Wisconsin Technical Colleges this week. Representative Kind, who has always been an outspoken supporter for college affordability, cited higher education as a key to success for both Wisconsin and the nation as a whole.

In order to achieve his goal of enhancing the availability and impact of higher education, Rep. Kind has broken his plan into three distinctive parts. First, all high schools and especially those in rural areas need to be given the materials to educate students on their options for earning a degree. Secondly, Rep. Kind wants to ensure all Wisconsinites have access to affordable financial aid to whatever degree they pursue, be it a technical college or 4-year university. Finally, his plan focuses on making sure college graduates are able to compete for well-paying jobs and able to support themselves upon graduation. Ron Kind’s plan is exactly what Wisconsin needs to guarantee students can graduate high school or college with optimism for the future.

Read more about the Congressman's new education plan through his column in the Pierce County Herald.

Things You May Have Missed But Need To See Now

With Sean Duffy out, Republican field for U.S. Senate in 2018 wide open
"'The Republican establishment in Washington is scrambling to avoid a divisive, messy Republican primary in Wisconsin,' said Gillian Drummond, a spokeswoman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. 'No matter what circus emerges, Tammy Baldwin will continue to stand up to the powerful interests in Washington and fight for a Wisconsin economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.'" 

Sen. Johnson won’t commit to town hall meeting during Congressional recess
"Truax is part of group planning a town hall meeting of its own at the Brown County Library next week. They sent a letter inviting Senator Johnson to attend the event but so far they haven’t heard back."

Wisconsin taxpayers could pay another $175,000 for redistricting maps
"Taxpayers will spend up to $175,000 so state lawmakers can try to persuade the U.S. Supreme Court to keep in place maps of legislative districts that help Republicans. The bill will add to more than $2.1 million in legal fees taxpayers have already paid to establish the maps and defend them in court. States must draw new legislative boundaries every 10 years to account for population shifts. With control of all of state government in 2011, Republicans crafted maps that greatly helped them in elections."

John Humphries suggested consulting contract to rival in superintendent's race
"Evers campaign spokeswoman Amanda Brink said the takeover plan Humphries and Holtz discussed would affect 'almost 20 percent of the public school kids in Wisconsin, and would strip away parents and community members’ rights to weigh in on their local districts.' Brink called it 'a massive power grab.' 'This is a proposal for a heavy-handed, top-down approach struck through a backroom deal between a few unnamed business leaders and two politicians looking out for their own financial interests,' Brink said.

State superintendent candidate: Challenger offered 6-figure job to drop out of race
A candidate for state superintendent offered an opponent a taxpayer-funded $150,000 job if he dropped out of the race and sought the same for himself if he were the one to drop out, his challenger alleged Wednesday.

Beloit May Not Be Eligible For Higher Aid
"If the School District of Beloit has 7,000 students, for example, it stands to forfeit roughly $4 million over the two-year period covered in the biennial budget, and more millions every year thereafter. "

Vruwink proposes anti-gerrymandering bill
"State Rep. Don Vruwink, D-Milton, has co-authored a bill that would remove partisan redistricting from state legislative districts, according to a release. Vruwink's proposal would give redistricting power to the Legislative Reference Bureau every 10 years. Republicans outnumber Democrats 64-35 in the state Assembly and 20-13 in the state Senate, which is not reflective of Wisconsin's population, Vruwink said in the release."

Board: Unclear how 'enhanced oversight' results from Scott Walker plan to ax for-profit college watchdog
Board members of Wisconsin’s for-profit college watchdog said Wednesday they’re concerned by Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to eliminate the board in the next state budget. Walker, in his 2017-19 budget proposal released last week, moved to eliminate the state Educational Approval Board and transfer its duties to another agency, the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The board licenses and regulates for-profit schools, which have weathered criticism for questionable marketing practices and degree programs.

Doyle, Walker differ on state budget locally
"Doyle cautioned that Walker’s proposed numbers could change as the Legislature picked the budget apart and different groups and interests battled it out in Madison. Numbers could also change as better information is gathered on the financial impacts of proposals such as the call to switch to a self-insurance system for public employees, which Walker’s office has estimated would save the state $60 million and is tied to the increased K-12 funding. 'Don’t spend the money until you have it in your bank account,' he told the board."

Scott Walker has rammed destructive, anti-worker policies through the Republican-controlled legislature. The result has been an economy that trails the nation in growth and is dead last in entrepreneurial activity, declining wages, and massive job loss as businesses close and companies move jobs out of the state.

MADISON - President Donald Trump's nominee to head up Department of Labor, Anthony Puzder, has withdrawn his nomination before tomorrow's confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate. While working families across the nation will rejoice at the news of Puzder's withdrawal, they should fear what may lie ahead: Labor Secretary nominee Scott Walker.

"President Trump nominated a multi-millionaire CEO who opposes raising the minimum wage and built his wealth on the backs of the workers at his restaurant chain," Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesman Brandon Weathersby said on Wednesday. "Gov. Scott Walker's record is even worse as he's built a national profile out of public policy that rewards the wealthy donors who help bankroll his campaigns and punishes the working families across the state."

During his tenure as Governor, Scott Walker has rammed destructive, anti-worker policies through the Republican-controlled legislature. The result has been an economy that trails the nation in growth and is dead last in entrepreneurial activity, declining wages, and massive job loss as businesses close and companies move jobs out of the state.

The facts on Scott Walker's anti-worker policies:

• Scott Walker admitted to Congress that his Act 10 reforms won’t save the state any money. [1]
• Walker’s failed attempts at reform, have had a real, harmful effect on Wisconsin families. [2]
• Thanks to Walker's cap on district revenues, over $1 billion in school district referendums were on the ballot last year. 45 out of 85 referendum questions were simple operational referendums to keep the lights on. [3]
• A Pew Charitable Trust report showed Wisconsin with the largest decline since 2000 in the percentage of families considered “middle class.” [4]
• Wisconsin’s 5.7% decrease in the number of Wisconsin families in the middle class outstripped all other states. [5]
• The median household income in Wisconsin fell 14.7% since 2000, compared to 7.2% nationwide. [6]

BACKGROUND:

[1] “At one point, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) confronted Walker about his crackdown on public employee unions. The congressman referenced a provision Walker signed into law that would require union members to vote every year to continue their membership. Kucinich asked the governor how much money the state would save from the provision. Walker repeatedly dodged the question and eventually admitted that it actually wouldn’t save anything at all.” (Scott Walker Admits Union-Busting Provision ‘Doesn’t Save Any’ Money For The State Of Wisconsin, ThinkProgress, 4/14/11)

[2] Act 10 reduced take-home pay for hundreds of thousands of people employed by schools, communities and the state by an average of nearly $3,000 each. Those cuts take over $700 million-a-year out of the state's economy. (Institute for Wisconsin’s Future, “The Price of Extremism, Wisconsin’s economy under the Walker administration”, December 2011)

[3] "In the first three and a half months of 2016, there were 85 referendum questions on Wisconsin ballots. Those proposed measures totaled nearly $1-billion. 45 of those were for districts to exceed their revenue limit." (Digging Deeper: Funding Our Future, WKOW-TV, 9/8/16)
[4] “If you feel like you’re working harder for less money, it’s not your imagination. Wisconsin ranks worst among the 50 states in terms of a shrinking middle class, with real median household incomes here falling 14.7 percent since 2000, according to a new report. The Pew Charitable Trust report showed Wisconsin with the largest decline in the percentage of families considered ‘middle class,’ or those earning between 67 and 200 percent of their state’s median income.” [Capital Times, 3/24/15]

[5] “In 2000, 54.6 percent of Wisconsin families fell into the middle class category but that has fallen to 48.9 percent in 2013, according to U.S. Census figures compiled by Pew. All other states showed some decline but none as great as Wisconsin’s 5.7 percent figure.” [Capital Times, 3/24/15]

[6] “Also, the median household income in Wisconsin was $60,344 in 2000 but now stands at just $51,467 after adjusting for inflation. That’s a dip of 14.7 percent. Nationally, median household incomes fell from $55,987 to $51,939 over the period, a decline of 7.2 percent.” [Capital Times, 3/24/15]

Evers has raised $142,443 this period to be added to $237,695 cash on hand, most came from hard-working Wisconsinites who donated $50 or $75 at a time.

MADISON - State Superintendent Tony Evers has doubled his cash on hand since his last report heading into the February 21st Spring Primary.

Later today, Evers will report raising $142,443 for the filing period of January 1st through February 6th, as well as cash on hand of $237,695.

The following is a statement from Campaign Manager, Amanda Brink:

"We continue to be pleased with the robust support we have received in 2017. Most of our funds came from hard-working Wisconsinites who donated $50 or $75 at a time. Tony is proud to be supported by parents, educators and community leaders across Wisconsin who share his dedication to kids and commitment to public education.”

Wachs honored to be appointed, looking forward to working in a bipartisan fashion.

MADISON - Representative Dana Wachs (D-Eau Claire) issued the following statement after being appointed to the Wisconsin State Building Commission for the 2017-2018 session:

“I am honored to be appointed to the Building Commission. The work of this Commission to improve and maintain state facilities and oversee new buildings is extremely important. A well planned long-range building program benefits all Wisconsin citizens and provides for a more efficient and effective government.

“It is paramount that those of us in public office are careful stewards of taxpayer money, and the oversight provided by the Building Commission ensures that our state facilities are serving their purpose. I look forward to working in a bipartisan fashion with my colleagues on the Commission.”

GOP to pay two undisclosed law firms an indeterminate amount of tax dollars in an effort to defend the maps ruled unconstitutional.

MADISON, WI - The framers of Wisconsin's legislative districts, which were recently ruled unconstitutional, voted in secret last week to pay two undisclosed law firms an indeterminate amount of tax dollars in an effort to defend the maps. Today we learned that one of the lawyers has charged more than $1,300 per hour for his work. This, after tax payers have already footed more than $2.1 million to pay for lawyers to draw the maps in secret and defend them through two lawsuits!

If, like us, you find this shocking, contact your own representatives and the legislative leadership responsible for this decision. Let them know how you feel about this abuse of power and tax dollars. Also let them know that Wisconsin would save millions of dollars and create more competitive voting districts if it would adopt the Iowa model for redistricting. There, a nonpartisan legislative agency drafts the district maps. There is a current proposal in the Wisconsin legislature that would have our Legislative Reference Bureau, which drafts all legislation, do this.

• Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), (608) 266-9171, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), (608) 266-5660, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
• To find your own legislators, click here and enter your address under Find My Legislators, next to the little green map of Wisconsin.

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League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, 612 W Main Street #200, Madison, WI 53703. Find out more at lwvwi.org

Wasting more money on lawyers to defend legislative districts recently ruled unconstitutional is an affront not just to the taxpayers but to the voters who have been denied fair elections and their true choice of representation in the State Legislature.

MADISON, WI - The Republican framers of Wisconsin's legislative districts, which were recently ruled unconstitutional, voted in secret last week to pay two undisclosed law firms an indeterminate amount of tax dollars in an effort to defend the maps. These are the same Republicans who already paid lawyers $2.1 million to set up and defend the unconstitutional districts through two lawsuits.

“Republican leaders can’t agree on how to fix our roads, find a way to keep and attract good teachers or make good on the Governor’s promise to create 250,000 jobs, but they can agree to give a blank check to high-priced corporate lawyers to defend their rigging of our elections," said Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay). “Instead of wasting more tax dollars GOP leaders should follow the federal court order and draw new, fair maps."

To do any less than the court order requires is an affront not just to the taxpayers but to the voters who have been denied fair elections and their true choice of representation in the State Legislature. Even better would be to pass Senate Bill 13 that would provide real, non-partisan redistricting reform.

“Unfortunately, it is clear from their recent actions that legislative Republicans do not care about safe roads, good public schools, Wisconsin’s workers, fair elections or the taxpayers," concludes Hansen, a champion of fair elections. "All they are concerned with is maintaining the unfair advantage they bought themselves with the public’s tax dollars.”

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Jay Wadd contributed to this story.

Rep. Sean Duffy votes to gut the Cardin-Lugar transparency amendment that required all companies on the New York Stock Exchange to publish payments to foreign governments for natural resource extraction like oil, gas or minerals.

MADISON - We send women and men to Congress to represent our state and our values in Washington. Time and again, Congressman Sean Duffy has failed to represent our state or our values in the nation's capital.

Yesterday, Representative Sean Duffy again voted for Wall Street and big corporations against Wisconsin's Main Streets. In a bold move that flies in the face of hard-working households, Duffy voted to allow oil, gas and other extraction companies to secretly pay foreign governments in which they operate.

House resolution 71, passed yesterday, effectively guts the Cardin-Lugar transparency amendment that required all companies on the New York Stock Exchange to publish payments to foreign governments for natural resource extraction like oil, gas or minerals. This law provided American officials working at home and abroad with the complete inventory of funds to foreign governments coming from American corporations. Furthermore, it helped hold those foreign governments accountable to their citizens.

Sean Duffy's affinity for oil and gas corporations is not surprising as those very same wealthy special interests helped fill his campaign coffers. ExxonMobil PAC has already contributed $13,000 to Sean Duffy's campaigns - an investment that is clearly paying dividends.

"When you look at the big corporations Rep. Sean Duffy has courted it's clear to see that he forgot about the people of Wisconsin long ago. So, it's no surprise that he's put Wall Street corporations ahead of Wisconsin's main street businesses," Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning said on Thursday. "Allowing the secret bribing of foreign leaders is not only eyebrow-raising for our foreign policy interests, it's a direct affront to the values of transparency that Wisconsinites demand." ​

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voter-primaries-s5.jpgWisconsin voters have been voting in gerrymandered districts that were ruled unconstitutional and must be redone by 2018. The League of Women Voters offers possible ways to accomplish that effort fairly.