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Wis Democracy Campaign - Vos Confessed at Map Hearing PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Matt Rothschild   
Friday, 29 October 2021 14:51

wi-fair-mapsAt hearing, he admitted they tried to make the maps more favorable to Republicans in 2011. Now they may be able to draw maps that help them stay in power simply by moving lines.


MADISON - I spent five hours in the State Capitol yesterday for the hearing on the newly gerrymandered maps.

I was a little late getting into the hearing room because there was such a huge and amazing crowd of citizen activists who were also trying to get in. That was great to see!

When I got in, Speaker Robin Vos was in the middle of his testimony as the co-author of the bills (SB621/AB624). A few minutes later, while he was being questioned by the Democrats on the joint committee, he made a killer confession: He admitted that they tried to make the maps more favorable to the Republicans. “Was partisanship used? Yes,” he said.

That’s the whole ball game! We don’t want Republicans – or Democrats, for that matter – to be able to draw maps that help them stay in power simply by moving lines here or there on a map.

Three and a half hours later, I was able to give my testimony, which you can read here:

Reject Gerrymandered Maps

You can view a slightly improvised version on WisconsinEye's recording of the hearing starting at 12:59 p.m.

If you haven’t already, please contact your legislators, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register your opposition to these bills.

matt-rothschild-2018We’re also concerned about the ongoing smearing of the Wisconsin Elections Commission and the endless smoke machine about last November’s elections. Here’s what I wrote about the recent Legislative Audit Bureau report:

LAB Hatchet Job on Wisconsin Elections Commission

Thanks for your concern for our democracy!

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

***

P.S. Please support our urgent work with a tax-deductible donation today. Just click here.

Last Updated on Saturday, 30 October 2021 10:20
 
Candidate Interview with Mandela Barnes - Battleground Wisconsin Podcast PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Matt Brusky   
Friday, 29 October 2021 10:48

barnes-interview-2021MILWAUKEE - Our panel discusses President Biden’s push this week for a deal with Congressional Democrats on Build Back Better, while Sens. Sinema and Manchin continue to oppose popular policies on behalf of their corporate bosses. We review the devastating cuts to Biden's new plan demanded by Manchin and Sinema and whether the Progressive Caucus will support the deal or push for more negotiations. We interview Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes on his campaign for the U.S. Senate, in our continuing series of discussions with Democratic candidates.

RSVP to the Citizen Action’s 2022 U.S. Senate Candidate Online Forum with top candidates on Tuesday, November 16th, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Listen Now - Episode #516
Download Mp3

 
Gov. Evers on Expanding Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Services and Substance Use Treatment in Wake of Pandemic PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by GOV Press Wisconsin   
Friday, 29 October 2021 08:29

evers-speaksMADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address highlighting investments to expand access to mental and behavioral health support services and substance use treatment through a new pilot program using the hub-and-spoke model of care.

Audio File of Radio Address.

Hey there, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.

This past year presented uncertainty, isolation, and other significant changes to our daily lives.

We
ve seen the consequences of this pandemic play out with so many people experiencing increased stress, anxiety, depression, and challenges keeping up with their mental health. Additionally, and unfortunately, weve also seen a concerning increase in substance misuse and opioid-related tragedies in our state.

Even one life lost to opioid misuse is one too many, but in 2020 alone, opioid-related deaths took the lives of more than 1,000 of our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. 

I'm proud we
re tackling this issue head-on with a new, evidence-based pilot program for something called a“hub-and-spoke” model of care here in Wisconsin which will help people have access to comprehensive healthcare resources while focusing on ongoing, long-term, and integrated treatment and support. 

We also know that when it comes to substance misuse, early intervention is key. This week, we also announced a $2 million investment aimed at increasing mental health services for underserved communities through the Wisconsin United Coalition of Mutual Assistance Association.

We've invested $47 million of our ARPA funds to increase community-level support for people dealing with mental health challenges and working to overcome substance use disorder—with $22 million of these funds going towards Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Block grants. 

These grants will assist counties and tribal communities in addressing their unique needs, such as expanding access to NARCAN, supporting medication-assisted treatment, and expanding recovery and peer-support services. 

These are important steps forward towards ensuring everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare, including mental and behavioral health services and treatment.

Thank you.

 
Call to Action: Thursday! PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Matt Rothschild   
Wednesday, 27 October 2021 10:16

wi-fair-maps-2021MADISON - If you’re concerned about the rigging of our voting district maps yet again by the Legislature, then I urge you to come to the State Capitol on Thursday, Oct. 28.

We’re having a press conference on the first floor (not ground floor) of the Capitol Rotunda at 8:30 a.m., and then the joint committee public hearing starts at 9:00 a.m. in Room 412E.

We hope you can attend the press conference and the hearing.

You can testify yourself if you’d like, but plan to keep testimony to 2-3 minutes. We ask that you RSVP here so the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition can plan for and track testimony--we are already gearing up for an overflow room. Whether or not you choose to testify, you should fill out a hearing slip when you get there and register as opposed. Volunteers will be available to assist.

The bills are SB621/AB624 for the Legislature’s two maps (Senate and Assembly).

And the bills for the Congressional maps are SB622/AB625.

All three maps would essentially cement in place the hyper-partisan, uncompetitive maps that we’ve been suffering under since 2011 for another decade! You can view the maps here.

If you cannot make the press conference or the hearing, please email your legislators and urge them to vote no on these bills. View an email directory for Assembly representatives and Senators here.

You can watch yesterday's Fair Maps Briefing video on Facebook to learn more about preparations for the hearing, including COVID protocols at the State Capitol. The hearing will be live streamed and recorded on WisconsinEye.com.

Thanks for your activism in favor of fair maps and in defense of our democracy!

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated on Saturday, 30 October 2021 10:21
 
“Democrats leadership at stake” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Matt Brusky   
Friday, 22 October 2021 10:07

dem-leadership-2021MILWAUKEE - We discuss breaking deals and compromises in the historic Build Back Better negotiations in Congress. Will the Democrats be able to bring their two rogue Senators into line, or do their corporate paymasters want to sink reform? Is a smaller version of Build Back Better still worth having? Next, we discuss Wednesday’s failed U.S. Senate vote on the Freedom to Vote Act, Senator Manchin's slimmed down version of electoral reform. Does the GOP use of the filibuster to block even debating the bill mean Democrats can finally do away with the Jim Crow and slavery era relic? Back in the Badger State, Republicans release outrageously gerrymandered maps. Will Governor Evers step up and veto them? A national report ranks Wisconsin the state with the worst Black incarceration, and if things could not get even worse, the Senate GOP passes a pro-child labor bill. We close the show with a look at the GOP’s national school board strategy to bully and remove school board members who stand up for public health, and GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Rebecca Kleefisch's role.

Listen Now - Episode #515
Download Mp3

Last Updated on Friday, 22 October 2021 10:15
 
Wis Democracy Campaign - Say No to the New Gerrymander! PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Matt Rothschild   
Friday, 22 October 2021 09:46

gerrymander-say-no-2021MADISON - Meet the new gerrymander, same as the old gerrymander.

Wednesday, Speaker Vos and Majority Leader LeMahieu unveiled their new district maps for the state, and they’re just as bad as they were last time around, as I explain here:

Stop the GOP Re-Rigging of Our Maps

The bills were introduced as SB621/AB624 for legislative maps and SB622/AB625 for congressional maps.

>> A joint committee public hearing on the new maps has been scheduled for October 28 at 9 a.m. Plan to attend the hearing as well as the Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition press conference prior to the hearing at 8:30 a.m. This will most likely be the only public hearing on the bills.

>> Please contact your state legislators before the hearing on October 28 and tell them to vote against these re-rigged maps. And urge Gov. Evers to veto these bills if they arrive on his desk.

We also have got to get rid of the filibuster. The logjam in Congress just stalled the Freedom to Vote Act, which is a crucial bill for safeguarding our democracy, as I noted here:

Pass the Freedom to Vote Act

My colleague, Iuscely Flores, wrote an important story this week about a package of bills in the state legislature that would address the gross disparities in maternal and infant mortality in Wisconsin. Please check it out:

Wisconsin Needs Birth Equity

>> You can use this online tool to contact your legislators to support Birth Equity in Wisconsin.

And we also published a piece about who is behind the ludicrous idea to have an open season on Sandhill cranes:

Ag, Hunting Groups Favor GOP Sandhill Crane Hunt Proposal

matt-rothschild-2018Thanks for reading, and thanks for taking action.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

***

P.S. Please support our urgent work with a tax-deductible gift. It’s easy. Just click here. Thanks!

 
Gov. Evers "Highlighting Investments in Broadband Infrastructure and Access" PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by GOV Press Wisconsin   
Friday, 22 October 2021 09:38

evers-speaksMADISON — On Thursday, Gov. Tony Evers delivered the Democratic Radio Address highlighting investments made to enhance broadband access and infrastructure across the state, including $100 million in Broadband Access Grants funded through the American Rescue Plan Act announced last week.

Audio files of Radio Address.

Hi, folks. Governor Tony Evers here.

Over the last 18 months, the pandemic underscored—and in many ways made worse—the digital divides that exist across our state.

As kids and educators turned their kitchens into classrooms, doctor’s appointments moved to telemedicine, and businesses worked to shift to offering online services, we saw firsthand that lack of access to reliable, high-speed internet was a challenge for so many.

That’s why I declared 2021 the Year of the Broadband Access in Wisconsin, and it’s why we’ve continued to make huge, exciting investments in broadband infrastructure.

I’m proud that in the budget I recently signed we provided $129 million for broadband expansion projects, and just last week we announced the recipients of $100 million in Broadband Access Grants that we funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.

These 83 projects will help expand broadband to more than 28,426 residential locations and 1,490 businesses that are currently unserved or underserved across 40 counties and three tribal communities.

And altogether, our 2019, 2020, and 2021 state broadband expansion grants and our federally-funded CARES Act and ARPA broadband grants have provided or are going to provide more than 300,000 homes and businesses with access to new or improved service.

Folks, that’s a heckuva big deal. Having reliable, high-speed internet access is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for our schools, families, healthcare systems, and businesses alike.

But we can’t—and won’t—stop there. Whether it’s expanding broadband to our rural schools, hospitals, businesses, and communities or raising standards on download and upload speeds, we’re going to keep working to make sure every community in our state gets connected.

Thank you.

 
Hintz on Republican Maps PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Gordon Hintz Press, Rep. 54th Assembly District   
Friday, 22 October 2021 08:47

gordon_hintzThe level of contempt by Wisconsin Republicans for democracy and the people of our state never ceases to amaze me, says Hintz.


MADISON – Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) issued the following statement:

“These new maps are nothing more than gerrymandering 2.0. What Republicans have unveiled is simply a minor retooling of maps that were already found unconstitutional by the courts, using the same corrupt and secretive methods as last time around.

“The level of contempt by Wisconsin Republicans for democracy and the people of our state never ceases to amaze me.”

 
Senate Republicans once again attack reproductive freedoms PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Janet Bewley Press, State Senator Dist 25   
Thursday, 21 October 2021 10:17

healthcare-physician-asstGOP bills blatantly ignore science and give credibility to false, unsafe, and inflammatory rhetoric, says Bewley.


Madison, WI – Wednesday, the Republican-controlled Senate passed several pieces of legislation which would limit access to safe, legal abortion, contraceptives, and reproductive freedom. After the session, Senate Democratic Leader Janet Bewley (D-Mason) released the following statement:

janet-bewley“Today was another missed opportunity for Senate Republicans to pass legislation that actually helps the wellbeing of children and families in our state. We could have voted on meaningful policy for Wisconsin mothers and infants, such as the proposed Birth Equity Act. Instead, the Republican majority once again chose to play politics with the health of Wisconsin women.

“These bills blatantly ignore science and give credibility to false, unsafe, and inflammatory rhetoric, posing great danger to those seeking abortion care. Wisconsin is regarded as one of the worst states for maternal and child health outcomes. These bills would make the problem worse by shutting down clinics and limiting options for reproductive health.

“The bills passed today represent how unwilling Republicans are to believe their own constituents. The vast majority (79%) of Americans support legal abortion, but Republicans choose to appease their base.

“I am thankful that Governor Evers will veto these horrendous bills.  However, I am equally disheartened that the majority party ignores their own constituents and wastes time creating theater of the absurd.”

 
Abortion is Healthcare PDF Print E-mail
Commentary
Written by Melissa Agard Press   
Wednesday, 20 October 2021 16:17

women-health-servicesMADISON - Today, the State Senate will vote on a slate of anti-abortion bills aimed at demonizing and limiting access to abortion in Wisconsin. Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement regarding the bills on the floor today:

melissa-agard-sargent“Everyone in our state needs to understand why these bills are being brought forward. Partisan gerrymandering has led to extreme districts that elect extreme politicians who support extreme policies. The gerrymandered majority in Wisconsin does not reflect the will of the people who overwhelming believe legal abortion must be available in Wisconsin. Until legislative districts are un-rigged, we will continue to see an agenda that is out of touch with what ordinary Wisconsinites are asking for.

“Let me say this loud and clear: abortion is healthcare. If we want Wisconsinites to have the opportunity to live healthy lives, abortion has to be an option for anyone seeking that care and it must be accessible.

“Throughout this session, we have seen a disappointing and recurring pattern from GOP legislators limiting health options and access for ordinary Wisconsinites. They did this through not expanding BadgerCare access to over 90,000 Wisconsinites. They did it again by stripping Governor Evers’ Healthy Women, Healthy Babies initiative from the budget. Now, they are doing it again by bringing these anti-abortion bills forward, rather than passing legislation that would expand access to care and increase positive health outcomes.

“Gerrymandered maps brought us to where we are today. It is time that we put aside partisan games - let’s start actually doing work to benefit the health outcomes of Wisconsinites. The people of Wisconsin deserve better than this.”

 
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