Republican plan for a extraordinary session to pass a bailout for Kimberly Clark AFTER the election a political ploy to prop up Senate President Roger Roth (R-Appleton).

Citizen Action panel discusses the sham FBI investigation into SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh, the $15 movement’s victory this week at Amazon, Leah Vukmir's extreme attacks on Medicare, and more.

STATEWIDE - We discuss the sham FBI investigation into the credible charges of sexual assault leveled against SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and predict the likely outcomes of the shameful Senate confirmation process and the electoral fallout from Donald Trump's latest degrading remarks.

We also talk about the Fight for $15 movement’s victory this week at Amazon, and the strike in Milwaukee that resulted in 23 arrests outside a McDonald's. Robert reviews the week’s healthcare news, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos's stubborn “No way” declaration on accepting federal Medicaid money and Leah Vukmir's extreme attacks on Medicare for All.

Finally, we welcome Aaron Matteson, a Citizen Action Co-op member and candidate for Assembly District 22.

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #362
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Latest information available on the money trail in our state senate elections and more

MADISON - Our indefatigable data analyst, David Julseth, has updated our website with the latest information available (provided at the end of August) on the money trail in our state senate elections.

Here’s the money raised, spent, and on hand by the candidates themselves:

Campaign finances updated for state senate candidates on the November ballot

Here’s the outside spending by groups:

Outside spending in Wisconsin Senate races

And you can find what each state senate candidate is getting from PACs by entering the candidate’s name in the box once you click on this link:

PAC contributions updated for state senate candidates on the November ballot

Our research director, Mike Buelow, also posted an item about the giant frac-sand company whose CEO is a big Walker donor and who managed to escape a fine:

Sand mine owner and GOP donor gets no fine from DNR for spill

And hey, if you’re in the Milwaukee or Tosa area tomorrow (Saturday), I’ll be speaking at 12:45 at the Underwood Memorial Baptist Church, 1916 N. Wauwatosa Ave, on why we need to ban gerrymandering in Wisconsin. Read more on the Wauwatosa Fair Maps Town Hall here and please tell your friends.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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P.S. Please support this valuable work we’re doing by sending us a tax-deductible gift. It’s easy. Just click here. Thanks!

Better show up to vote November 8th with a valid ID. Here's a list of documents that can be used.

MADISON – Today, Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) offered the following weekly Democratic radio address reminding Wisconsinites about the photo ID requirements for voting.

The audio file can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is as follows:

“Hello. I’m State Senator LaTonya Johnson.

“Each and every eligible voter has a right to vote for the candidate of their choice. Unfortunately, due to policies supported by Governor Walker and passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature, our communities have had their right to vote suppressed.

“While blocked by the courts for several years, the law requiring a photo ID for voting was in effect for the 2016 presidential election. A study done after the election showed that as many as 23,000 individuals were deterred from voting because of the law.

“Wisconsin Democrats believe that our state should be increasing voter engagement and accessibility. In the meantime, however, it is up to all of us to ensure that we are engaged and aware of the voting rules in Wisconsin so that all eligible voters are able to take part in our democracy.

“First, it is important to note that there is not a separate 'Voter ID' card. There are several forms of photo IDs that can be used for voting. If you have a valid Wisconsin Driver License or a Wisconsin State ID card, you already have what you need for photo ID purposes. A Wisconsin Driver License can be used if it is unexpired or expired after November 8, 2016. Your Wisconsin Driver License DOES NOT have to have your current address on it in order for it to be used for the photo ID requirement. A State ID card, Military ID, U.S. passport or card, and other documents are acceptable photo IDs also. For a full list of acceptable photo IDs, go to BringItWisconsin.com.”

Avoid Gov. Scott Walker and Attorney General Brad Schimel's sleight-of-hand politics. Gabriel Gomez, Shyla Deacon, Julie Henszey, Kriss Marion, Dan Kohl and Erica Flynn want to get back to representing YOU.

Scott Walker and Senate Republicans care more about saving their own jobs than they do protecting the workers of Fox Valley.

MADISON - The following is a response from Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Martha Laning on news that the Senate will be called into extraordinary session on November 12 to vote on an aid package for Kimberly-Clark:

“This is politics as usual from Scott Walker and Senate Republicans. They know that voters don’t want more corporate handouts, so they’ve waited until after the election to pass a solution to a problem that Republicans have had months to solve.

“This is an empty promise. Clearly Scott Walker and Senate Republicans care more about saving their own jobs than they do protecting the workers of Fox Valley’s paper industry."

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford that is. Then Rep Rob Brooks and racist, sexually abusive comments to 3 female GOP state legislators, and more...

STATEWIDE - We discuss the shamefully rushed Brett Kavanaugh confirmation process that played out this week and what does it mean for the progress of gender equity in America?

We then welcome Citizen Action co-op member and candidate for State Assembly candidate Chris Rahlf to discuss breaking news this week that her opponent, Rep Rob Brooks, made racist and sexually abusive comments to 3 female GOP state legislators.

We welcome State Senate candidate Jeff Smith to discuss his campaign and fundraiser next Thursday, October 4th, at Big Head Brewing Co. in Wauwatosa. We close with Citizen Action co-op member Kris Lennon to tell us about a Fair Maps Town Hall on Saturday, October 6th, 12:45 pm in Wauwatosa.

LISTEN NOW - EPISODE #361
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Press Clips

Brett Kavanaugh himself and Republican senators did more to demonstrate his unfitness for the job than anything Democrats said.

All of us who value democracy and equality and an end to sexual violence and basic human decency owe a huge debt to Dr. Ford.

MADISON - It’s been hard, over the past 24 hours, to focus on anything other than Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and her extremely courageous, credible, and powerful testimony.

All of us who value democracy and equality and an end to sexual violence and basic human decency owe a huge debt to Dr. Ford.

When I wasn’t watching the testimony yesterday, I was trying to draw attention to some of the newsworthy postings we put up this week.

One had to do with our own state supreme court, and the way in which the conservative justices on it are in hock to the business groups that spent tons of money to help them get elected. One business group even bragged that it was getting a lot back in return:

Business group hails Wisconsin’s conservative justices

We also noted that the Koch Brothers’ group, Americans for Prosperity, and other conservative express advocacy groups are spending a lot more than such groups on the Democratic side:

GOP express advocacy groups outspending Dems almost 5 to 1 in Wisconsin

And then we examined who was funding the leading candidates for governor.

Here’s what we posted on Tony Evers:

Evers raised $1.9M in August

And here’s what we posted on Scott Walker:

Walker's fundraising gets $1M boost from lt. gov's campaign

This donating by the candidates for lieutenant governor to the candidates for governor should not be allowed! It’s a major loophole we need to plug.

And just yesterday, we posted the most recently filed summary campaign finance data for all candidates on the November ballot for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer.

Campaign finances updated for constitutional office candidates on the Nov. ballot

I hope this information is useful to you.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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P.S. Instead of asking you to support the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, as I usually do here, I’m going to ask that you support any nonprofit in Wisconsin that is combating sexual violence. For instance, you can support the Rape Crisis Center of Dane County or a crisis center closer to you.

Make sure you’re registered to vote – as Election Day on November 6th is right around the corner. Here's some information to help you.