MADISON, WI – Senator Jon Erpenbach (D – West Point) offered the Democratic weekly radio highlighting legislative efforts to legalize medical cannabis.

“Late last year, we introduced a bipartisan bill that would legalize physician-supervised access to medical cannabis. This bill was a product of over 10 years of working with advocates and learning best practices from other states. Legalizing medical cannabis will provide safe, legal and regulated options to help patients suffering from chronic pain and other debilitating medical conditions.” – Senator Jon Erpenbach

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hi, this is State Senator Jon Erpenbach.

“On January 1, Illinois became the 11th state to legalize recreational cannabis, joining our neighboring states of Minnesota and Michigan. Whereas our neighbors have taken action to expand off the success of medical cannabis reforms – once again, Wisconsin is lagging behind, and preventing sick people from getting access to the comprehensive medical care that they need.

“Late last year, we introduced a bipartisan bill that would legalize physician-supervised access to medical marijuana. This bill was a product of over 10 years of working with advocates and learning best practices from other states. Legalizing medical marijuana will provide safe, legal and regulated options to help patients suffering from chronic pain and other debilitating medical conditions.

“Close to one million Wisconsin voters in 16 different counties and two cities, spoke loudly and clearly in support of medical marijuana. With 83% of Wisconsinites in support, I am hopeful that 2020 will be the year that we can take the politics out of this process, move forward with this issue and put the people of Wisconsin first.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/capitol-crowd-wi.jpgSen. Smith writes about issues to prioritize going forward, including Medicaid expansion and gun safety reform. In 2019, we saw a glimpse of what compromise looks like and he's hopeful we can all come to the table to finish what we started.

https://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/sand-mining-wi-man-s5.jpgThis week’s column describes how the discussions in western Wisconsin help Sen. Smith craft new legislation to help all of the state. This is the second of three columns detailing reflections from 2019 and what the Senator is looking forward to in 2020.

MADISON, WI – Senator Jennifer Shilling (D – La Crosse) offered the Democratic weekly radio address with the Democratic vision for 2020.

“Democrats want to tackle the tough issues, strengthen communities, and create a level playing field where everyone who works hard can get ahead. With 2019 behind us, I hope that we can set aside political differences, work together and focus on a brighter and better tomorrow.”

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hi, this is State Senator Jennifer Shilling.

“Going into 2020, Wisconsin Democrats remain focused on values that put families, workers and communities first. We believe in prioritizing the people of Wisconsin and addressing the issues they face every single day: lowering health care costs, ensuring our schools are properly funded, and expanding economic security for families and seniors.

“Democrats want to tackle the tough issues, strengthen communities, and create a level playing field where everyone who works hard can get ahead.

“With 2019 behind us, I hope that we can set aside political differences, work together and focus on a brighter and better tomorrow. “From myself and all of the Wisconsin Democrats, we want to wish you and your family a safe and happy New Year!”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/new-year-happy-s5.jpgThe Senator from western Wisconsin shares lessons learned in 2019 and his hope for cooperative shared government. He’ll be writing about 2019 reflections and his hopes for 2020 for the next three weeks.

MILWAUKEE - What a 24 hours! We review the potential implications of a terrible court ruling endangering the future of the Affordable Care Act. Citizen Action’s national network, People’s Action, endorses Bernie Sanders for President. Ryan Greenwood, People’s Action’s Movement Politics Director, joins to tell us why. We discuss the third impeachment of a president in American history, and the latest GOP effort to suppress the vote in Wisconsin, the purging over 200,000 Wisconsinites from the voter rolls.

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MADISON - This week Rep. Dianne Hesselbein (D - Middleton) reflects on this past year and talks about next year's opportunities.

Audio File of Radio Address not included.

Hello, this is State Representative Dianne Hesselbein with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

As we reflect on this past year in the legislature, there are many accomplishments to be proud of in 2019. Governor Tony Evers and four other Constitutional Officers were sworn in and for the first time since 1983 they are all Democrats. In our Democratic Caucus, we achieved gender parity and became more diverse, representing constituencies from across Wisconsin.

This year, we fought for Governor Evers’ biennial budget proposal, “The People’s Budget” which included proposals with broad support from Wisconsinites. Even after the gerrymandered Republican majority made significant changes, we were still able to salvage a starting point for Wisconsin’s future. Now, there is a lot more to get done before the session closes next year.

Unfortunately, the Republicans wasted time instead of addressing critical issues and only called us to meet 12 days out of the potential 55 session days this past year. Democrats are ready to get to work to improve the lives of Wisconsin families. There is plenty of time left to address these challenges without ending the session with unfinished business. There are 19 potential session days remaining and my wish for the New Year is for Democrats and Republicans to meet in the spirit of working together to address the challenges ahead of us.

In the New Year, Assembly Democrats hope to address the priorities Wisconsin residents have been clear about since day one of this legislative session.

We have a lot of work to get done for the people of Wisconsin. We have to lower prescription drug costs; close the dark store loophole; pass non-partisan redistricting; implement common-sense gun safety solutions; address our criminal justice system; and strengthen public education in our state.

Next year we will have another opportunity to tackle the issues that the Republican legislature left unaddressed before they went on vacation this year. Democrats are ready to move forward on the issues most important to everyday Wisconsin families.

Thank you.

Being a State Trooper is dangerous and it’s downright sad that the Senator can’t support them say Dems.

MADISON, WI – The Joint Committee on Employment Relations (JCOER), which approves state employee compensation plans and contracts with represented state employees met today for the first time since February, 2018. Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) along with other Republicans on the committee approved a motion to increase their own salaries while also blocking action to increase the starting wage for Wisconsin State Troopers.

“There is no one more out of touch than Senator Darling when it comes to doing what’s right for Wisconsin law enforcement,” said SSDC Executive Director Katie Iliff. “Wisconsin State Troopers put their lives on the line every single day to keep our communities safe and it’s appalling Senator Darling refuses to ensure they are fairly compensated. Being a State Trooper is a dangerous profession and it’s downright sad that Senator Darling can’t support them like they do our communities and highways.”

The Wisconsin State Patrol is experiencing staffing shortages and raising the starting wage can help with retention and recruitment efforts.

MADISON, WI - In response to yesterday's 5th Circuit Court decision that jeopardizes the health care of millions of Americans, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler released the following statement:

“The 2018 elections were a referendum on Donald Trump and his broken promises to lower health care and prescription drug costs and protect people with pre-existing conditions. Wisconsin Democrats won every single statewide seat and picked up an assembly and state senate seat that had formerly been safe Republican seats. The president’s continued assault on our health care system, and his endorsement of yesterday’s court decision, has put health care front and center in the upcoming election where Trump will have to explain to Wisconsinites and the American people why his only plan to fix our health care system is to take coverage away from those who need it most.

“Wisconsin Democrats will continue to fight against Donald Trump and the GOP’s monstrous attacks on everyday people who are simply trying to live healthy and fulfilling lives. We are going to make sure every voter in this state is aware of the President’s broken promises and the steps he has taken to try to take away their health care. And Democrats will never stop fighting to make sure that everyone has the health care they need, as a human right rather than as a privilege.”

The Senator talks about looking out for our vulnerable furry friends. He works with a constituent to learn about unattended tethering,  and introduces legislation to prohibit this harmful practice.