Drinking Water Quality in Some Areas of Wisconsin Worse than Flint Michigan. Evers’ plan targets water clean-up and keeping Wisconsin kids safe.

Governor candidate would use new source of revenue to fund expanded treatment options for those struggling with opioid and methamphetamine addiction and make higher education more affordable.

Gubernatorial candidate and successful businessman will share his real ideas for growing Wisconsin’s economy with residents on Thursday, March 15 from 3pm-5pm at Kavarna Coffeehouse.

STATEWIDE - By February’s end, Mike McCabe’s Principle Over Party campaign for governor had traveled more than 56,000 miles just since McCabe made his candidacy official on September 12, reaching out to voters in every part of the state.

The campaign made 196 stops, including 135 events open to anyone wishing to attend. In addition, the campaign held 141 neighborhood organizing meetings and volunteer trainings in communities across the state. A corps of 257 volunteers worked to make all these grassroots activities happen.

A volunteer-inspired voter outreach effort that started in La Crosse and quickly spread to Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Appleton, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Madison and elsewhere that’s been dubbed “people-powered billboards” involves volunteers standing for hours at busy intersections and high-traffic areas – often in freezing or even sub-zero temperatures – holding campaign signs, many of them homemade.

Another effort involves passing out brown paper bags containing 10 campaign flyers to people attending events who are willing to commit to talking to 10 other people about McCabe’s candidacy. The outside of each bag carries the handwritten message “This election is in the bag.” Well over 1,000 of the bags have been distributed to people interested in spreading the campaign’s message to others they know.

The Principle Over Party campaign emphasizes volunteer-driven grassroots campaigning as McCabe is breaking the mold by refusing to take the huge political donations other candidates for governor accept. While state law allows donations as large as $20,000 from individuals and $86,000 from political action committees, McCabe’s Principle Over Party campaign is not taking any single donation over $200. Supporters are allowed to give more than once, but no more than a total of $1,000 for the entire campaign.

“The huge donations most politicians are addicted to amount to legal bribes and they give us a government that works exceptionally well for those at the very top and fails the rest of us,” McCabe said. “A tiny segment of society has the habit of writing checks for $20,000 and handing them to candidates for office. What they want our government to do is vastly different from what regular people want our government to do. And this wealthy, well-connected and privileged few get their wish on every issue people care about.”

McCabe is a longtime independent government watchdog and veteran reformer. For 15 years, he led the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, a nonpartisan watchdog group that tracks the money in elections, exposes corruption and works to make people matter more than money in politics. He went on to start up the grassroots group Blue Jean Nation, which works to empower regular people to challenge the political establishment to change its ways.

McCabe wants his campaign for governor to be a 21st Century version of how Bill Proxmire won statewide elections for 30 years in Wisconsin. Proxmire was famous for tireless, face-to-face campaigning and spent next to nothing on campaign advertising.

“If we are going to rid Wisconsin of the cronyism, corruption and legal bribery that has taken root in our state, we are going to have to invent a new politics that depends on a citizen army pounding the pavement to reach out to neighbors, friends, co-workers, family members and complete strangers alike,” McCabe said.

Through the end of February, the mileage tally for McCabe’s campaign stood at 56,260.

Four day workshop, May 22-25th, 2018, will explore how data and analytics can help build long-term power by focusing on community-based approaches.

SAINT PAUL, MN - In May, be a part of the new Data and Analytics Camp, now a hybrid online and in person program. Whether you’re leading data strategy or building your campaign website, this training is built for you. We’ll explore how data and analytics can help build long-term power by focusing on community-based approaches.

Applications for Data and Analytics Camp in Cleveland are now open. Apply today.

Data and Analytics Camp
Cleveland, OH
May 22-25th, 2018

Over these four days, you’ll build a foundation of data analysis, standardization, and strategy, before selecting a specialization to complete online. You’ll have the opportunity to dive deeper into engineering, databases, and building power, while connecting with experienced practitioners across the movement.

The online specializations or cohorts range from four to six weeks in length, where you’ll tackle real world organizing challenges while building your portfolio.

Pick from:
Python for Data Science
SQL with GIS
VAN Administration for Campaigns
HTML/CSS in Action Network

Apply for Data and Analytics Camp in Cleveland today. Be a part of a growing movement of data leaders who share this principle: data and analytics are about people and the connections between us -- not tech for tech’s sake.

See you online,
Arianna Trujillo Wesler
Principal, Movement Technology

MADISON - Instead of acting to reduce gun violence, Republicans want to give guns to teachers. As a lifelong educator, I can say without any hesitation that I’d rather go to jail than arm teachers in our schools.

More guns will increase the danger for our kids, not reduce it.

That’s why I’m demanding Governor Walker reject more guns in schools and invest $50 million to provide training to reduce school violence and hire both qualified school counselors and security guards.

I can’t do it alone, though, Friends. I need you to click here and join me to demand that Walker reject arming teachers.

We need to follow the lead of young people in Florida and across America. Their inspiring call to action for commonsense gun safety measures represents a change in the American conscience. We need to continue to push for reform that gets to the root of the problem.

Conducting universal background checks, eliminating bump stocks and reinstating waiting periods are measures both gun owners and non-gun owners widely support.

Add your name here to join me in demanding Walker invest in real school security, not the arming of teachers.

Every classroom should be safe. Every teacher should feel safe. Every student should feel safe.

Onward,
Tony

Attorney General running scared from his long history of being a GOP partisan hack.

MADISON - The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is looking for dedicated volunteers to observe what is happening on the ground on Election Day, so we can improve the election process and empower more voters.

We're already coordinating our efforts to observe the Spring Election on April 3, 2018.

We would love it if you or someone you know would consider volunteering with us this year as an Election Observer.

Our focus for the Spring Election will be on:

1. Ensuring there is no disenfranchisement
2. Monitoring the voter experience - including registration and showing ID
3. Tracking any problems that can be fixed for the fall elections

If you're interested in volunteering for the April election, let us know by filling out our volunteer form. That'll make sure we have the most up to date information to get in contact with you and to use when assigning polling places.

If you have any questions about volunteering, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can contact Eileen Newcomer, Voter Education Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (608)256-0827.

MADISON - Below are two press releases from Gov. Scott Walker's trip to New Mexico to campaign for Rep. Steve Pearce. 

The first is a summary of the joint press call between the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Democratic Governor's Association, New Mexico Democratic Party and several New Mexico education organizations. 

The second release was sent by the New Mexico Federation of Labor and details, with photos, the billboard they put up to welcome Walker to New Mexico.

For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2018                 

Contact:
Jared Leopold, 202-772-5600
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DGA, Wisconsin and New Mexico Democrats Blast Pearce for Bringing Damaging Walker Education Agenda to New Mexico

Walker Traveling to New Mexico Today to Campaign and Fundraise With Pearce
Today, as Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker heads to New Mexico to fundraise with gubernatorial candidate Steve Pearce, the Democratic Governors Association and New Mexico and Wisconsin Democratic Parties called on Pearce to say whether he would bring Walker’s damaging education agenda to New Mexico. 

In Wisconsin, Walker has been a disaster on education. As governor, Walker slashed nearly $1 billion for public education, the largest cut in state history. Walker also spent his time antagonizing educators and created a statewide teacher shortage. Meanwhile, New Mexico already ranks 49th in education under Gov. Susana Martinez’s failed leadership.

Just a week after Governor Walker professed to be “not a national figure,” he continues his aggressive schedule of national political travel and neglecting Wisconsin to support an extreme candidate who is out of touch with the people of his state (and too toxic for even his own party).

DGA Executive Director Elisabeth Pearson, Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Richard Ellenberg, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning spoke on a press call along with representatives of the Albuquerque Federation of Teachers and NEA New Mexico. They discussed Walker’s record of decimating Wisconsin’s public education system and how the people of New Mexico can’t afford another governor who puts personal political ambition and ideology ahead of the state’s needs. 

Audio of this call is available upon request.

“It’s clear that Scott Walker only cares about Scott Walker’s political career, and Wisconsin families have paid the price as he gutted the state’s public education system,” said DGA Executive Director Elisabeth Pearson. “New Mexico can’t afford further Scott Walker and Susana Martinez-style education devastation. But it appears that’s just what Steve Pearce would do if elected.”

“After seven years of Governor Martinez, New Mexico can’t afford another governor who puts political ideology ahead of our state, which is why Scott Walker should keep his funding cuts in Wisconsin and leave us alone,” said New Mexico Democratic Party Chairman Richard Ellenberg. “Our students and families can’t afford the same attacks on public education that Walker pushed in Wisconsin.”

“Scott Walker has neglected Wisconsin and put his own personal political ambitions ahead of education in our state,”said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning. “Children in New Mexico and Wisconsin deserve leaders who see public schools, tech colleges and universities as the economic engine that creates opportunities and builds stronger economies and communities. I urge the people of New Mexico and Wisconsin to reject right-wing extremists Scott Walker and Steve Pearce.”

# # #

New Mexico Federation of Labor Sends Strong Message to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker

Albuquerque, N.M. - As Steve Pearce brought the anti-worker Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker to New Mexico today, the New Mexico Federation of Labor sent a strong message with billboards across Albuquerque. The billboards will be visible all day Wednesday, March 7 on I-40 at 6th and 12th and on Paseo at Edith and Jefferson.

"In New Mexico, we value our workers, and if Steve Pearce thinks he can bring a governor known for anti-worker, anti-social justice policies, he's gonna know that policies that hurt workers aren't welcome in our state. If Steve Pearce's rubbing elbows with governors like Walker, he doesn't deserve to be governor in New Mexico," said Jon Hendry, President of the New Mexico Federation of Labor.

"Scott Walker will go down in history as the worst governor for workers,” said Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO. “He has a consistent record of attacking workers’ rights while failing to create jobs. Since the day Walker took office he has been looking to advance the wants and desires of his millionaire and billionaire campaign donors at the expense of working people.”

The billboard buy was placed by the New Mexico Federation of Labor to ensure New Mexicans knew that gubernatorial candidate Steve Pearce associates himself with anti-worker colleagues. Scott Walker has pushed policies that have lowered wages and benefited big business instead of everyday workers, including signing legislation that made Wisconsin a so-called "right to work" state. Data shows that states with right to work laws in place have lower wages. Walker has eliminated worker protections, cut wages and benefits, rescinded equal pay protections and is against raising the minimum wage -- in addition to gutting unions.

Governor Walker and the Republicans have passed many other bills with a negative impact on unions and workers:

–Repealing the 2009 Equal Pay Enforcement Act, which made it easier for women workers victimized by wage discrimination to seek remedies.

-Legalizing a “seven day work week,” repealing a law that said employees must have at least one day of rest every seven days.

–Repealing the “living wage” law, which gave workers the option to demand better pay — as much as $6,000 annually — than the minimum wage. Meanwhile, Walker and Republicans have resisted calls to raise the minimum wage, which have been passed in 21 states.

–Ending prevailing wage requirements by local governments.

-Ending project labor agreements by local governments, which require the use of union workers for public works projects. The state Senate and Assembly have both passed similar bills which simply need to be consolidated.

-Eliminating child labor law rule that “16- and 17-year-olds couldn’t work more than 26 hours during a school week and more than 50 hours a week during vacations,” as Bloomberg.com reported. The new law lifted those restrictions.

MILWAUKEE - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn today made the following statement regarding Walker's "welfare reform" plans.

"Cutting food stamps, BadgerCare coverage, and other benefits might save the state money in the short term, but it will not make anyone's lives better. The strings Walker wants to attach to benefits are intended to shame the recipients, not help them. We should focus instead on pulling people out of poverty rather than pushing them further towards destitution.

"My approach to 'welfare reform' is economic opportunity. If we raise the minimum wage and reverse the anti-union laws, we can pull people out of poverty. Higher wages is the key. Walker has forced wage-killing policies on Wisconsin for seven years. Adjusted for inflation, median hourly wages are lower than they were under Jim Doyle. The result is more people depend on the state for food stamps, health coverage, and more."

###

Matt Flynn is a Navy veteran, attorney, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He attended law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For additional information, visit www.ForwardWithFlynn.com