MADISON – Governor Tony Evers announced Wednesday the appointment of Fred Clark to the Natural Resources Board, replacing a seat formerly filled by Department of Natural Resources Secretary-designee Preston Cole.

“As a lifelong conservationist and a highly respected former legislator who has spent his life dedicated to protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources, Fred will be an excellent addition to the Natural Resources Board,” Gov. Evers said. “Fred values the importance of science and brings the experience and expertise needed to connect the dots between protecting Wisconsin’s natural resources and economic development.”

Fred Clark is a forester and conservationist who is marking his 30th year working outdoors in Wisconsin. Fred is the part-time Executive Director of Wisconsin’s Green Fire, an organization dedicated to natural resources conservation. Previously Fred was the owner and principal of a forestry consulting, contracting, and custom logging business, Clark Forestry, Inc. based in Baraboo. Fred served three terms as a Representative to the Wisconsin State Assembly between 2009-2014. He was appointed by both Gov. Doyle and Gov. Walker to the Wisconsin Council on Forestry from 2004-2014.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisconsin-flag-s5.jpgSen. Smith reviews the policies included in Gov. Tony Evers’ first budget, presented to the Legislature last Thursday, including broadband expansion, nonpartisan redistricting reform, education and transportation funding, and Medicaid expansion.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/evers-in-gb-2019.3.4-s5.jpgGov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #14 on the accessibility of DMV facilities and DOT-issued voter identification during a visit to the Green Bay Transit Center Monday to discuss budget investments in transportation.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wisconsin-protest-250.jpgNew Democratic Governor presents budget that takes the people's voice to Madison. Read the full text here and decide for yourself.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/badgercare-save-s5.jpgReigning in skyrocketing prescription drug prices is a great first step towards fulfilling public mandate to guarantee affordable health care in Wisconsin.

MADISON – Governor Tony Evers and members of his Cabinet will begin a statewide tour March 1st to share the governor’s budget with the people of Wisconsin.

WHO: Gov. Evers

WHAT: Wisconsin AFL-CIO Building Trades Conference

WHEN: Friday, March 1st, 2019; 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Madison Concourse Hotel, 1 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53703

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WHO: Gov. Evers

WHAT: Racine Read Across America Day school visit

WHEN: Friday, March 1st, 2019; 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Schulte Elementary School, 8515 Westminster Dr, Sturtevant, WI 53177

NOTE: The classroom visit portion of this event is not open to the media. However, the governor will be available to take questions at 11:15 a.m.

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WHO: Gov. Evers

WHAT: Appleton Read Across America Day school visit

WHEN: Friday, March 1st, 2019; 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Lincoln Elementary School, 1000 N Mason St, Appleton, WI 54914

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WHO: Gov. Evers

WHAT: La Crosse Read Across America Day school visit

WHEN: Friday, March 1st, 2019; 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Southern Bluffs Elementary School, 4010 Sunnyside Dr, La Crosse, WI 54601

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/elderly-crowd-s5.jpgGreen Bay's Senator thinks Gov. Evers plan to follow the independent Iowa process and have a nonpartisan agency draw the state’s political maps would bring real change.

Excerpts from Governor's 2019-2021 Biennial Budget Address place emphasis on people first.

MADISON - Below are excerpts from Governor Tony Evers' 2019-2021 Biennial Budget Address as prepared for delivery. Gov. Evers will give his address at 7:00 P.M. tonight in the Assembly Chambers of the Wisconsin State Capitol.

… I want everyone to understand how we arrived here. At the end of the day, our budget is about putting people first. It’s about creating a Wisconsin that works for everyone--a Wisconsin for us. This isn’t the Tony Evers budget, the Democratic budget, the Speaker’s budget, or the Republican budget--this is The People’s Budget. And it’s one that we crafted together.

We heard from people like Maryann who lives in Coleman in Senator Tiffany and Representative Mursau’s district and Nancy who lives in Amherst in Senator Testin and Representative Shankland’s district. Both Maryann and Nancy came to our listening sessions and talked to us about water quality and water pollution issues across our state.

Because of people like Maryann and Nancy, we announced we’re making safe drinking water a top priority in Wisconsin. We’re authorizing nearly $70 million in bonding to address water quality, from replacing lead service lines to addressing water contamination across our state. I know Representative Shankland has been working with us closely on this issue. Thank you, Representative Shankland, and to Maryann and Nancy, who are here with us in the gallery tonight, for advocating on this important issue.

We also heard from people like Tony who lives in Senator Petrowski and Representative Snyder’s district in Wausau. Tony not only has a great first name, but he also came to one of our listening sessions and talked about why we need driver’s licenses for immigrants and persons who are undocumented, especially in communities where there’s limited access to public transportation.

Because of people like Tony, we’re announcing tonight that undocumented folks will be eligible to receive driver’s licenses and ID cards. This makes our roads and our communities safer, and helps strengthen our economy and Wisconsin families. I know Representative Zamarripa has worked on this issue, and Tony is here with us in the gallery tonight--thank you both for your work on this issue.

And finally, I shared that tonight so that everybody understands what’s at stake in choosing to play politics with this budget.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/hicap-longlake2-s5.jpgConservationists announce scores from National Environmental Scorecard

112 Soldiers and Airmen sent to Arizona by former Gov. Walker to support President Trump's fictional "border crisis" will be coming home.