Madison Democrat likes funding for our public schools, but says we must keep pushing for proposals that will positively impact lives across Wisconsin for generations to come.

MADISON - Thursday, Governor Tony Evers announced his line item vetoes for the 2021-23 state budget. The budget was then signed, becoming Act 58. Additionally, he announced $100 million of American Rescue Plan funds to address the education funding shortfalls.

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

“The will of the people is the law of the land - this budget falls short of that. In February, Governor Evers proposed a historic budget that invested in the needs of Wisconsinites. It addressed what the people of our state deserve. Unfortunately, Republicans said no - they turned their back on the people by ignoring countless proposals that would positively impact people across Wisconsin. While Governor Evers was able to use his line-item veto power to make changes to better this budget, it is still disappointing that my GOP colleagues are governing as though the people of Wisconsin are not their boss.

“Throughout this budget process, we have been again and again confronted with this idea of providing the bare minimum versus making a down payment on our state’s future. Budgets are about priorities - we could have done both in this budget. We could have expanded Medicaid, legalized cannabis, created a non-partisan process for drawing legislative maps, invested in forward thinking transportation methods, provided historic funding for schools, invested in climate change initiatives, and so much more.

“While this budget provides one-time relief to Wisconsinites, it does not build the same foundation for our state’s future that was in the governor’s proposal. While it will make sure our bills are paid today, it does not plant the seeds for tomorrow that the people we represent want and deserve. We must work to ensure that we are helping every Wisconsinite reach their full potential and achieve their dreams.

“I am grateful that Governor Evers was able to restore some funding for our public schools through the federal American Rescue Plan funds and make other changes through his veto powers. However, we should not have to settle for less - we must keep pushing for proposals that will positively impact lives across Wisconsin for generations to come.”

Evers has put the legislature in a position to restore more of the school funding that Republicans cut from his original budget, says Oshkosh representative.

MADISON - Rep. Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement on Governor Evers signing the 2021-23 state budget and announce the investment of $100 million federal dollars in Wisconsin’s public schools:

“Gov. Evers introduced a budget which would have invested in Wisconsin’s public schools, brought in millions in federal funding while increasing access to affordable health care, spurred economic development, and provided needed resources for local governments. Unfortunately, legislative Republicans prioritized partisan politics at the expense of the best interests of our state throughout the budget process. Their actions over the past two-and-a-half years leave no doubt they would have been willing to walk away from any vetoed budget, risking Wisconsin’s economic security and stability for many months to come.

“I commend Gov. Evers for acting in the best interests of the people by using his partial veto authority to address some of Republicans’ misplaced priorities and providing certainty for our state. Gov. Evers’ actions today demonstrate that he won’t punish our state in order to engage in tired political fights, and show once again that the people of Wisconsin are always his top priority.

“I also applaud Gov. Evers for announcing the investment of $100 million new federal dollars in Wisconsin schools. The future of our kids is paramount, and this investment will provide critically important resources in light of Republicans’ education cuts. At the same time, we know that much more school funding is needed to avoid cuts and layoffs in the next two years. Through today’s partial vetoes, Gov. Evers has put the legislature in a position to restore more of the school funding that Republicans cut from his original budget. I call on legislative Republicans to act immediately to fund our schools and invest in our kids’ future.”

Republican candidate can’t keep his story straight on the extent of his participation in the January 6th insurrection, say Dems.

MADISON, Wis. - On the heels of a report last weekend showing Derrick Van Orden lied about his participation in the January 6 insurrection, the House will vote today on a bipartisan bill establishing a select committee to investigate this attack on our democracy.

In response, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Nellie Sires issued the following statement:

“Derrick Van Orden can’t keep his story straight on the extent of his participation in the January 6th insurrection. Wisconsinites still have more questions for him. As Congress votes to investigate this attack on our democracy, the people he is running to represent deserve to know if he would vote in support of investigating the insurrection he attended and apparently watched for entertainment -- or if he would again put our democracy at risk.”

Local Republicans try to navigate the unrelenting threats from Donald Trump to peddle his conspiracies on non-existent voter fraud, say Democratic Governors.

Disinformation campaign and attacks on the ACA put Wisconsinites' health at risk say Doctors.

Madison, Wis. -- Today, on a virtual press call, Dr. Jeff Huebner, Dr. Joanna Bisgrove, and Laura French, who lost her mother to COVID-19, called out Ron Johnson for continually putting Wisconsinites' health at risk by spreading dangerous COVID-19 disinformation and attacks on the Affordable Care Act.

Dr. Jeff Huebner: “Senator Johnson -- take your own advice: you’re not a doctor, so stop giving medical advice that is putting lives in danger. Wisconsin deserves a senator who will listen to the truth and science, and put public health first -- that’s not Ron Johnson, and we should vote him out of office in November 2022.”

Dr. Joanna Bisgrove: “Johnson has constantly voted against the Affordable Care Act, and even brought a lawsuit against it that was dismissed because he had no standing. And then he appealed the dismissal -- he just won’t stop.”

Laura French: “Watching Ron Johnson continue to undermine the perils of COVID-19 is a disservice to all those who lost their lives and the struggle we still face getting this virus fully under control.”

You can watch the full event here.

Supreme Court decision to throw out frivolous lawsuit delivers a blow to Senator Ron Johnson and Republicans across Wisconsin, say Democrats.

Madison, Wis -- Thursday, in a massive rebuke of the Republican war on health care, the United States Supreme Court threw out California v. Texas, a lawsuit that could have invalidated the Affordable Care Act, which would have stripped coverage from 185,000 Wisconsinites and removed protections for 2.4 million Wisconsinites with a pre-existing condition. This decision delivers a blow to Senator Ron Johnson and Republicans across Wisconsin who’ve made it their top priority to strip health care away from Wisconsinites.

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Nellie Sires released the following statement:

“While today’s decision is a huge relief for the hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites who’ll continue to have access to affordable health care, we can’t forget that Ron Johnson and his Republican allies have made it their mission to rip health care away, and we still have a lot of work to do.

“Governor Tony Evers kept his promise to withdraw Wisconsin from this disastrous lawsuit, which had the full support of the Walker-Kleefisch administration. Gov. Evers also remains committed to expanding BadgerCare to cover even more Wisconsinites, and it's time for Republicans in the legislature to do the right thing for our state.

“Democrats have been and will continue working to lower health care and prescription drug costs. Thanks to Democratic leadership and President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, more Americans than ever are now covered under the ACA. Today’s decision reminds us that health care is on the ballot in 2022, and Wisconsinites will vote against those who try to sabotage their care, just as they did in 2018 and 2020.”

Package of Bills to Unveil Equality Agenda.

MADISON - Wednesday, the LGBTQ+ Caucus unveiled the Equality Agenda. This package of bills aims to protect and uplift the LGBTQ+ community. The package includes legislation that would change statutory language to include non-binary language, establish LGBTQ+ and Transgender Equality task forces, banning conversion therapy and the “gay panic defense”, and resolutions honoring Pride Month, the Stonewall Uprising, and Trans Day of Visibility and Remembrance.

Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement on this important legislative package:

“Even the smallest gestures can have the largest impact especially for our marginalized communities. After the continued attacks in the state legislature on our LGBTQ+ community by the GOP caucus, I was proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ Caucus to introduce bills that would uplift our friends and neighbors. These bills will make our state statutes more inclusive, rid our statutes of same sex marriage ban, and make Wisconsin a more inclusive place for all. These bills are about supporting everyday Wisconsinites who want and deserve the same chances as everyone else to be happy, safe, pursue their dreams, and know that they are beloved and valued.

“To the LGBTQ+ community, I see you, I hear you, and I will always stand with you, support you, and lift you up. I am proud to champion these important bills and I look forward to advocating for them through the legislative process. LGBTQ+ rights are human rights and I will never stop advocating for you in the state legislature.”

Senator Ron Johnson is criticized by union officials for trying to Kill US Innovation and Competition Act, siding with China over Wisconsinites

Madison, Wis. -- Wednesday, on a virtual press call AFL-CIO state president Stephanie Bloomingdale, and International Serving Representative for UAW Region 4 Anthony Rainey blasted Senator Ron Johnson for siding with China over Wisconsinites in trying to “kill” the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act.

Johnson did everything in his power to block the bill, which invests in Wisconsin’s workers, manufacturers, and 5G broadband, as well as holds China accountable for their cyber security attacks, intellectual property theft, and economic rigging.

You can watch the full event here and see highlights of what the speakers said below:

AFL-CIO state president Stephanie Bloomingdale: “Ron Johnson from Wisconsin turned his back on workers...We know that if this [U.S. Innovation and Competition Act] were another multi-trillion dollar tax handout Johnson would have once again been standing there ready to accept that and pushing that bill...When Ron Johnson took to the floor of the United States Senate to block this bill he did China’s bidding — he stood with an adversary and not the people he was elected to represent: us in Wisconsin … It is time that Ron Johnson be held accountable for these actions...Ron Johnson serves a constituency of one: himself, and we need to hold him accountable for working people in this state … The fact that Ron Johnson turned his back on workers, turned his back on America -- he’s unpatriotic.”

International Serving Representative for UAW Region 4 Anthony Rainey: “Our state has a proud history of manufacturing and labor, and we have a workforce that is ready to take on the challenge of being a primary producer of “Made In America” products. But what’s gotten in the way of progress is elected officials like Ron Johnson —  someone who seems far more concerned with serving himself than serving Wisconsinites. It’s clear that as someone who has every advantage in life, Johnson couldn't care less about people who struggle every day to get by … He had no problem pushing through Trump’s multi-trillion dollar tax bill after he got an amendment added that benefited himself and his corporation … We know he doesn’t represent us in Washington, only himself, and in 2022 we deserve a United States Senator who will fight for Wisconsin workers and families.”

Wisconsin Democrats Offer A Badger State Focused Agenda

Madison, Wis. -- The Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s state convention is putting a spotlight on Ron Johnson’s failure to represent the Badger state as he continues to vote against his constituents best interests.

“Ron Johnson is the most vulnerable Senator in the country because he has continuously put his self-interests ahead of the needs of Wisconsinites,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin Senate Communications Advisor Philip Shulman said. “As Wisconsin families were struggling to pay their bills, Johnson voted against critical COVID relief in the American Rescue Plan. And now he’s working overtime to kill the US Innovation and Competition Act -- legislation that would invest in the state’s communities and create good paying jobs while holding China accountable for their unjust cybersecurity and economic practices. Wisconsinites are more than ready to deny Johnson another six years of his self-serving agenda.”

Background:

• Johnson is just one of a handful of senators opposing the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which would allocate billions of dollars for the manufacturing sector and technical training, an investment Wisconsin could use to create good paying jobs and support local economies, as well as hold China accountable for their unfair cybersecurity and economic practices and.
  • Johnson voted against, blocked the passage of, and just yesterday said "I'd personally like to see the bill killed.”
• Johnson voted against the American Rescue Plan, standing against much needed support for small businesses, aid for Wisconsinites struggling to pay their bills due to the pandemic, and bolstering communities fighting to rebuild their economies.
• Johnson has repeatedly tried to strip health care coverage from roughly 185,000 Wisconsinites and take away critical protections for nearly 900,000 Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions.
• Johnson cast the deciding vote on the GOP’s 2017 tax bill—which drove up the deficit by nearly $2 trillion in exchange for billions in tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and giant corporations—and he even fought to amend the bill to include a special tax break for companies like the one he owned.

WASHINGTON, DC - For someone who says he wants to drain the swamp, Rep. Mike Gallagher is knee-deep in the mud after violating House ethics rules by reimbursing his official Congressional staffer for non-travel-related campaign expenses.

Between August 2019 and December 2020, the likely WI GOP candidate for governor reimbursed a staffer for $1,147 in campaign expenses.

Gallagher's campaign reimbursed the aide for $243 in catering expenses at The Capitol Hill Club, a GOP dining establishment that serves the “nation’s most influential people.” The reimbursement also included $278 for meeting expenses at The Brig, a Washington, D.C. beer garden.

Congressional staffers are forbidden from making contributions to their bosses’ campaigns, even if promptly reimbursed. The Gallagher campaign’s suspicious spending is nothing new for the GOP. In 2019, Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan was exposed for similar payments from staff.

Gallagher is “all talk and just a typical Washington politician,” said Elena Kuhn, a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokeswoman. “Gallagher must explain to Wisconsinites why his taxpayer-funded congressional staff are focused on illegally footing the bill for meals at exclusive D.C. political clubs.”

Read more about Rep. Gallagher’s shady ethics violations below: 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bice: U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher says staffer erred by picking up $565 in campaign expenses

Oops.

U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher has been all about draining the swamp and changing the way members of Congress do business. 

But the Allouez Republican's campaign may have violated a longstanding House ethics rule by reimbursing his chief of staff for covering various non-travel-related expenses — including catering, meeting and shipping costs — between August 2019 and December 2020. In all, the Gallagher aide paid for and was later reimbursed for $1,147 in expenses by the Gallagher campaign, including $565 in campaign costs unrelated to travel. 

That's pretty small change, but congressional staffers are generally forbidden from making contributions to the campaigns of their boss, even if the staffers are promptly reimbursed. 

Other members of Congress, including former Republican Rep. Jimmy Duncan of Tennessee and Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga of Michigan, have come under fire for similar payments from staff.

Told of the payments, Elena Kuhn, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said they show Gallagher is "all talk and just a typical Washington politician."

"Gallagher must explain to Wisconsinites why his taxpayer-funded congressional staff are focused on illegally footing the bill for meals at exclusive D.C. political clubs,” Kuhn said. 

Jordan Dunn, a spokesman for Gallagher, acknowledged the mistake.

"Upon realizing that a small number of campaign outlays were made by a staff member in error and reimbursed by the campaign, actions were taken to correct the matter immediately," Dunn said. "This was inadvertent and steps have been taken to ensure that these errors do not occur again."

Federal election records show that Gallagher's campaign reimbursed Taylor Andreae after he paid $243 for catering expenses at The Capitol Hill Club and $278 for meeting expenses at The Brig on Dec. 17, 2020. Andreae has been Gallagher's top congressional aide since November 2018. 

The Capitol Hill Club is a GOP dining establishment that counts the “nation’s most influential people” as its members, according to The Associated Press. The Brig is a Washington, D.C., beer garden that serves Bavarian fare and offers German and local drafts. 

Andreae was also reimbursed after picking up $44 for mailing expenses at FedEx, and an Uber and a cab ride earlier in the year. 

Gallagher officials said those reimbursements were made in error and steps were taken to make sure they did not recur. For example, once Gallagher officials were told of the Capitol Hill Club charge, the campaign updated the credit card on file so Andreae would not be charged in the future.

Andreae was also reimbursed $582 for travel costs by the Gallagher campaign during late 2019. Gallagher said it believes those payments are permissible under House ethics rules.