Voting should be accessible to all, say nonpartisan advocates for informed and active participation in government.

MADISON, WI–Casting a ballot is a process that must be accessible and secure for all voters. Time and time again Wisconsinites find themselves having to navigate around barriers.

On Thursday, Jan. 13, a Wisconsin Circuit Court judge made a decision to prohibit the use of drop boxes for the upcoming spring primary and election, even though many clerks have already created absentee voting instructions that include information about local drop boxes. Changing rules about the use of drop boxes and who can put a voter's absentee ballot in the mail or drop it off the clerk’s office will lead to enormous confusion from voters and clerks alike, and ultimately disenfranchise Wisconsinites, as voters prepare to make their voices heard in these important local elections.  The League has already filed an appeal to correct this unfortunate decision.

Our elections are fair, safe and accurate but sham reviews and partisan games are increasingly making it more difficult for voters–especially youth, folks with disabilities, and people of color– to cast their ballots. This ruling ignores the fact that some voters are physically unable to put their ballots in the mail themselves due to a disability and leave those voters without options. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin won’t stand for these purposeful tactics and will continue to stand up for voters and fight for the freedom to vote.

“We should be removing barriers to voting, not creating them. It should be encouraged. And, crucially, it must be accessible,” said Debra Cronmiller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. “This decision will impact those with disabilities and mobility issues who may need a family member or friend to help them return their ballot.”

As we pointed out in court then, this is an attempt to disenfranchise people days before an election.

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin advocates for measures that make voting something voters feel empowered and informed to do. Find information about how to vote in person or absentee in Wisconsin at myvote.wi.gov.

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The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin is a nonpartisan political organization that advocates for informed and active participation in government. There are 20 local Leagues throughout Wisconsin. More information at lwvwi.org.

Bill would extend the statute of limitations to file a civil action against a perpetrator of child sexual abuse to 45 years.

MADISON - Friday, Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) signed on to LRB 5747/5759, the Child Victims’ Act, a bill to extend the statute of limitations to file a civil action in court against a perpetrator of child sexual abuse to 45 years old.

Senator Agard released the following statement:

“Survivors across our state deserve the opportunity to seek justice if they choose, extending the statute of limitations to age 45 gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse the ability to come forward when they are ready. Being a lead author on this legislation in previous sessions, it is great that more of my colleagues are recognizing the effect this bill will have on the people of Wisconsin. I want to thank Senator Joan Ballweg and Representative Jesse James for leading on this crucial piece of legislation and hearing the voices of survivors across the state. It is imperative that we support survivors and provide them avenues to seek justice on their terms and when they are ready. I am proud to be a part of this strong, bipartisan effort.

“While no piece of legislation can ever erase the trauma of sexual violence and abuse, no one should experience barriers to justice. It is the role of the government to step up and provide for a safer, more compassionate path so that people can heal. So that victims become survivors.

“For far too long, legal barriers have halted justice and healing for survivors. It is time to put an end to keeping the known abuse of children in the shadows. I look forward to seeing this bill move quickly through the legislative process.”

MILWAUKEE - Our panel reflects on the 1 year anniversary of the Biden Administration, taking stock of his governing successes and failures trying to manage a global pandemic, economic disruption, and an on-going right-wing insurrection. We review the record COVID case rates in Wisconsin last week, as the City of Milwaukee passes a new mask ordinance and Ron Johnson holds a Washington, DC event packed with medical quacks and other vaccine deniers. We welcome Shawn Phetteplace from Wisconsin’s Main Street Alliance to discuss the latest effort by Legislative Republicans to cut worker unemployment Insurance, access to healthcare, and food stamps in the name of putting people back to work. Shawn tells us what policy changes would actually help small businesses and workers in Wisconsin.

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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers Thursday delivered the Democratic Radio Address wishing Wisconsinites a happy National Cheese Lover's Day and highlighting the governor's directed $100 million to support farmers and their families through the Farm Support program. The most recent round of payments announced last month provided direct aid payments to over 20,000 Wisconsin farmers.

Audio file of Radio Address.

Hey folks, Governor Tony Evers here wishing you a happy National Cheese Lover’s Day!

If you didn’t already know, I’m not only from Plymouth, which is the Cheese Capital of the World, but one of my first jobs was scraping mold off of cheese. So, I guess you could say I’ve been a longtime friend and fan of Wisconsin cheese.

Here in Wisconsin, we’re proud to be called America's Dairyland. Even during uncertain and challenging times, and especially these past two years, Wisconsin farmers kept working tirelessly to keep food on our tables and our grocery store shelves stocked, whether it was cheese, produce, meat—you name it!

And just as we have for generations, our state has relied on the resilience and dedication of our farmers. That’s why we’ve been working hard to get support to our farmers and recently announced that we’ve supported more than 20,000 Wisconsin farmers who have received a total of $50 million through my 2021 Farm Support Program.

Through three rounds of the Farm Support Program, we’ve now directed $100 million in direct aid payments to Wisconsin’s farmers and were able to help support more than 15,000 farmers in the first two rounds.

This is great news for our farmers, their families, and our agriculture industries, but it’s also great news for our state and our economy. As so many folks are worried about rising costs and supply chain issues affecting our communities, we know that having a strong agricultural economy and supporting our farmers are critically important to our state’s success and ensuring we have what we need here at home.

I'm proud to direct these funds to help bolster Wisconsin’s farm businesses, support our rural communities, and ensure the long-range recovery and success of our farmers, their families, and ag industries all across our state.

So, happy National Cheese Lover’s Day, Wisconsin!

Thank you.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/michael-gableman-we-the-poeple-s450.jpgMatt Rothschild makes statement to the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections opposing the motion to enlarge the scope of the special counsel's role.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/unemployment-office-line-s5.png"These Republican bills do nothing to help increase access to the workforce or help more people," says Senator. "Let’s work together to create pragmatic solutions..."

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voting-dropbox-s5.jpgPopular method to file your absentee ballot safely without standing in line or using the mail challenged by conservative think tank WILL.

MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin hits a record number of COVID hospitalizations as Legislative Republicans push bills to undermine public health precautions and efforts to distribute free N95 masks finally pick up. Next, our panel dives into a discussion of the 2022 elections. Finally, Senator Ron Johnson announced his bid for reelection, and many are surprised when Wisconsin’s longest serving Governor, Tommy Thompson, floated another run. Will Johnson win a 3rd term in the Senate and Thompson a 5th term in the Governor mansion? President Biden makes a big public push for voting rights leading into MLK Jr. Day with a fiery speech in Georgia. Can he and the Democrats make it happen or will he again be undermined by Senators Manchin and Sinema (and their big corporate backers pulling the strings) In Wisconsin, Legislative Republicans continue their nationally coordinated effort to rewrite the 2020 election and pull apart democratic institutions, making a legislative maneuver to end secure ballot drop boxes and to allow partisan politicians to nullify elections when they don’t like the results. We ask the question, does anyone trust Speaker Robin Vos’ promise that the Legislature will not name Wisconsin electors in 2024? We close with an interview of Citizen Action Field Director Zoe Roberts on Citizen Action’s volunteer Tuesday night phone banks, which are calling critical swing voters in key legislative districts.

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MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers Thursday delivered the Democratic Radio Address on the Evers Administration's continued support for Wisconsin's schools, educators, and students as the omicron variant spreads. Earlier this week, the governor joined the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) in a letter to all public, private, and independent charter schools detailing resources available by DHS and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to help in this effort.

Audio File of Radio Address.

Hello, Governor Tony Evers here.

We all want our kids to be safe and in the classroom. So, just as we have from the beginning of the pandemic, we're continuing to work to provide the necessary support and resources our kids, educators, and districts need to be healthy and safe.

We've been working with schools on a school-based testing program. This program received federal funding and provides free, safe, and flexible testing for teachers, staff, students, and their families.

Testing remains a critical component of slowing the spread of COVID-19. Regular testing can help support schools in making important decisions to protect the health and safety of those in their buildings, so we're encouraging schools to sign up to participate in the program.

We also know the best protection from getting seriously sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19 continues to be the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines.

That's why we're also encouraging schools to host school-based vaccination and booster clinics with the help of DHS during drop-off and pick-up times.

All kids ages five and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and the CDC recommends all kids ages 12 and older receive a booster five months after they receive their first vaccine series.

While kids generally experience less serious symptoms from COVID-19, hospitalizations among people under 18 are rising quickly and nearly all youth COVID-19 hospitalizations in Wisconsin and across the country are occurring among the unvaccinated.

Schools are uniquely positioned to help educate families about the benefits of the vaccine, as well as meet kids and parents where they are and in their own neighborhoods.

For the last two years, parents and educators have gone above and beyond to do everything they can to make sure our kids are caught up and in the classroom, and we will continue to support them in their efforts in any way we can—just as we have since day one.

Let's keep working together to make sure our kids, our educators, and our communities stay healthy and safe.

Thank you.

While Wisconsin hospitals reach maximum capacity, GOP leaders hold public hearings on bills that spread misinformation, says Senator.

MADISON - Wednesday, the GOP Committee on Health Chair held public hearings on a slate of bills that would limit private business ability to stop the spread of COVID-19 within their place of business.

Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“As we near the two year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic and cases are skyrocketing, Republicans are still promoting and peddling misinformation that contradicts scientists and medical professionals. We, as a state, have to do better in order to best protect ourselves and those who are most vulnerable in our communities.

“The testimony being heard today in the Senate Committee on Health is dangerous and continues to perpetuate false narratives about COVID. Our neighbors and loved ones are dying. We need to put the falsehoods to bed and listen to our medical experts to best protect ourselves, our neighbors, and our medical professionals.

“What we should be doing is providing our communities and healthcare professionals the necessary tools to stop this surge of COVID cases. We should be respecting Wisconsin businesses who are trying to keep their employees and communities safe. We should be properly thanking our healthcare heroes by passing the bill introduced by Representative Vining, Senator Erpenbach, myself, and many other Democratic colleagues today to honor their sacrifices throughout this pandemic.

“Let’s lift up our healthcare workers, scientists, and medical professionals by passing common sense legislation that supports them and the heroic work they have been doing for nearly two years.”