WISCONSIN - In response to last night's presidential debate, Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin released the following statement:

“Last night confirmed what we already knew: Donald Trump has no plan to address the COVID-19 pandemic that is ravaging every corner of our state right now due to his failed leadership. On the debate stage, he said we’re “learning to live with” coronavirus, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Wisconsinites are suffering more than ever as the economy continues to lag and face the brutal reality that Trump is trying to take protections away from the 2.4 million people in the Badger state who have pre-existing conditions, which he admitted to trying to “terminate” through his attacks on the Affordable Care Act. Last night proved that the only way we will get through this crisis and build our country back better is by electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House.”

Abuse of power and corruption are issues in this election. Wisconsin is an example to the nation of what could happen to the nation.

Brookfield, WI –  If the Democrats win the White House and flip the Senate, what will happen between Election Day and the installation of the new Congress and the Inauguration? Wisconsin is an example to the nation of what could happen.

When Democrat Tony Evers defeated Republican Scott Walker, Republicans sprang into motion to affect legislation that would limit the new governor's powers. If President Donald Trump is defeated, that could lead to some interesting days in Washington.

"We saw this in Wisconsin where the Republicans basically went back and passed the set of laws to take away the power of the incoming Democrat," said Palzewicz. "I think we have to be cognizant of the fact that there's going to be a lame duck. What might Mitch McConnell and the Republicans do if the Senate flips? After the election, if Trump becomes a lame duck, I don't know what McConnell would do. I am sure they won't go quietly into that good night."

When Walker lost in Wisconsin, the legislature, led by Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, Palzewicz's opponent, immediately took action to strip powers from the governor-elect. The Fitzgerald-led legislature has taken to the courts to legislate, rather than take on the governor's actions in open debate.  When there was no governor to oppose in debate, they legislated away the incoming governor's powers.

"That's really the last meaningful thing our full-time legislature has done," said Palzewicz. "Every other important action has been a lawsuit. If Fitzgerald wins the seat, he will be in the minority and will not have the luxury of hiding in the backroom and not being counted.  He will not have the power to legislate by litigation. He is likely to get a taste of his own medicine because he won't have Donald Trump and a Republican majority to protect him."

"Abuse of power and corruption are issues in this election. I am running because it is time to bring integrity back to government and not allow corruption to ride rough shod over democracy. Fitzgerald and his boys went to the court recently to once again block the efforts of Governor Evers to fight the pandemic, even though Wisconsin is one of the highest rising hot spots on the country. Fitzgerald isn't the answer for Wisconsin."

Palzewicz warns that social media fans the flames of misinformation, feeding the Republican strategy. He cautions people to be discerning, informed, and see all sides of the issues.

"Our nation has benefited from free and open elections since the late 18th century," said Palzewicz. "Power moves from one party to the other, presidents and congressmen come and go, but democracy has worked.  It works when we all work together.  It will fail when the desire for power supersedes the collective good."

Scott Fitzgerald’s political career is colored by a personal quest for power, abuse of taxpayer dollars to defend purely partisan policies, and a complete disrespect for the will of Wisconsinites, says Palzewicz. Here's 10 reasons how Wisconsin has suffered.

Brookfield, WI –  Wisconsin is becoming a failed state. In the midst of a pandemic and pending economic disaster, Scott Fitzgerald, the most powerful Republican in Madison, has taken ten specific actions that are significantly harming Wisconsin, and many believe are causing Wisconsin to become a failed state.

Democrat Tom Palzewicz, running against Fitzgerald for the Fifth Congressional District, wants to stop the Fitzgerald train-wreck from moving to Washington and hurting Wisconsin even more. Palzewicz has outlined Fitzgerald's actions on ten key issues and why these actions have been so harmful to all Wisconsin residents.

"Wisconsin will not recover quickly from Fitzgerald's destructive behavior," Palzewicz said, "and we must do everything possible to stop him from going to Washington and continuing to cause such huge harm. Here are ten reasons why Wisconsin deserves better..."

Scott Fitzgerald’s political career is colored by a personal quest for power, abuse of taxpayer dollars to defend purely partisan policies, and a complete disrespect for the will of Wisconsinites. Fitzgerald’s track record on gerrymandering, government secrecy, Machiavellian legislative tactics, and proclivity for dark money reveals his utter disregard for the well-being of Wisconsin and the will of the voters.

At the helm of the heavily gerrymandered, Republican-controlled state legislature, Scott Fitzgerald has led the expenditure of over $4.5 million on legal fees defending partisan, power grabbing policies at the expense of Wisconsin taxpayers. Fitzgerald led the effort to redraw electoral maps to deliver an overwhelming majority for the Wisconsin Republican GOP in the state legislature. He oversaw the hiring of political consultants to ensure precision in calibrating these red-leaning electoral maps. Fitzgerald oversaw $3.5 million in legal defenses paid for by taxpayers to defend maps drawn in secret which fundamentally and deliberately skew the balance of power in Wisconsin in favor of Republicans.

After Democrats won every Wisconsin executive election in 2016, Fitzgerald led over ten initiatives during the lame-duck period to limit the incoming Governor’s power. According to a Marquette Law poll, 55% of Wisconsinites disapproved of the lame-duck laws to limit democratically elected officials prior to assumption of office. Rather than respecting the will of the people, Fitzgerald and the Wisconsin GOP spent $1 million in legal fees on the taxpayer’s dime to defend their partisan, autocratic powerplays during the lame-duck period. The most controversial legislation with questionable consequences for the public was written in secret without public review and were fast tracked to the floor by Fitzgerald for swift votes.

Scott Fitzgerald’s contempt for basic democratic practices exemplifies zero-sum, partisan politics of the worst kind. The voters and our democratic system suffers as a result of Scott Fitzgerald’s self-serving agenda. Here is a compilation of Fitzgerald's anti-democratic behavior.

1. DENYING CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19

COVID-19 is the single biggest threat to public health and national security we are facing as a nation. Fitzgerald and the Republicans wanted to open up the state, regardless of the consequences. They went against the Governor's mandate, and bars and restaurants opened their doors. Since then, the rise in Covid-19 cases has put Wisconsin in serious jeopardy. We are one of the top states in Covid cases.

2. GERRYMANDERING DISTRICTS TO ENSURE REPUBLICAN CONTROL

Wisconsin is one of the most gerrymandered states in the nation. So much so that in 2018 Democrats won 65% of the vote yet lost seats in the legislature. This political deck stacking isn't a democracy; it's authoritarianism.

3. COMMODITY PRICES PLUNGE BECAUSE OF TRUMP TARIFFS

Trump and the Republicans talk a good game and say they are the farmer's friends. But commodity prices for corn and soybeans have plunged because of Trump's tariffs with China. The best way to help farmers is to open up markets and allow them to do business.

4. NON-EXPANSION OF MEDICAID HURTING HOSPITALS AND PATIENTS

The non-expansion of Medicaid has cost Wisconsin millions of dollars in federal aid. Tony Evers tried to expand Medicaid as one of his first acts as Governor, Fitzgerald blocked it. With the Medicaid expansion, the federal government foots 90% of the bill for many of the working poor. This saves the state money while also ensuring healthcare for those people. For example, Michigan saved $153 million in 2019 and will save more in 2020 during the pandemic. The action was short-sighted and served no purpose except as a political talking point.

5. SUPPORTING REPEAL OF AFFORDABLE CARE ACT(ACA, Obamacare)

Here we are in the worse public health crisis in 100 years, and the Republicans want to take away people's health insurance. They say they have a better plan, but in the four years of Donald Trump's regime, we have seen nothing, not a scrap of information about a better plan. Moreover, some 20 million people will lose coverage if Republicans get their way. Fitzgerald approved a law to prevent Wisconsin from getting out of Obamacare cases, the courts agree with Evers, and Wisconsin is no longer fighting the ACA.

6. STOPPING THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE FROM DOING ITS JOB

The full-time legislature is not allowed to do its job. Republicans, under Scott Fitzgerald's leadership, have turned away from democracy in favor of authoritarian rule and use the judicial system as a weapon against Governor Tony Evers. There has been no debate in the Wisconsin Legislature for months. Democracy thrives on a healthy debate of the issues. Fitzgerald doesn't believe in this principle.

7. TAXPAYERS PAY FOR LEGAL FEES TO FIGHT GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS

When Governor Evers takes any action, Fitzgerald and the Republicans sue to stop him, using taxpayers' dollars. That's how you become a failed state. According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the taxpayers have paid nearly $2 million for lawyers hired by the Republicans. Democracy, according to Scott Fitzgerald and the Republicans, is not legislative debate, bipartisan fact-finding, or even an argument over a cup of coffee. The legislature doesn't do its job because Fitzgerald won't let them.

"Taxpayers have spent more than $400,000 on lawyers hired by Republican legislators to fight parts of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' COVID-19 response plan." The article states that most attorneys are paid $500 an hour, but some get as much as $850 an hour.

8. STOPPING BADGER BOUNCEBACK FUELED SPIKE IN COVID CASES

When Governor Tony Evers mandated the safe at home plan, it was intended at the time to flatten the COVID-19 curve and give us a chance to curb the spread of the disease. It was working. Wisconsin was turning the tide, but then Fitzgerald and the Republicans sued, saying that the Governor had overstepped his authority. They had no plan to replace his action, no vision of how to fight the pandemic. It was all about power, and Fitzgerald knows it. He won't support the Governor because Republicans, for some reason, aren't supposed to allow collaboration. It doesn't make any sense. We were on the right path, but Fitzgerald and a Republican court stopped it. The people paid the price, not Fitzgerald. The costs of this failed choice are immeasurable.

9. USING TAXPAYER FUNDS TO SUPPRESS VOTES

Republicans have a reputation for voter suppression. Look at the south. Those Republicans used to be Democrats, that is, until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That was a significant turning point, as the old conservative Democrats became Republicans. Voter suppression against people of color has been a part of the Republican playbook. Here in Wisconsin, they used the courts, at taxpayer expense, to stop Governor Evers' request to postpone the April election because of the obvious public health concerns. It didn't work because they still lost a Supreme Court seat by 130,000 votes. They are also suing to prevent counting ballots mailed by election day.

10. FOXCONN

According to the Associated Press, the state and local governments will spend up to $764 million on Foxconn even if nothing is actually built. Fitzgerald said, "Not a dollar would be paid out until jobs in the Foxconn development were created. The incentive package is based on fulfilling the contract.' The Associated Press reported Fitzgerald's statement as misleading because tens of millions have already been spent on the project. So far, $190 million has been spent by Racine County and Mount Pleasant, and the state has given a $15 million grant to Mount Pleasant. $20 million has been spent on financing and legal costs."

Palzewicz wants to restore integrity and transparency to the political process. The consequences of these ten actions by Fitzgerald have already cost Wisconsinites countless millions of dollars. Without change, Wisconsin will continue to decline and be viewed by many as a failed state.

Ad will also run on digital platforms, such as pre-roll video and social media, in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania targeting voters who are likely undecided.

Washington, DC — In a new TV ad from Priorities USA Action, Joe Biden rejects Donald Trump’s false choice between getting control of the coronavirus and rebuilding our economy. By failing to combat the coronavirus, Donald Trump’s incompetence has resulted in over 215,000 American deaths and the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression.

“Fix It” emphasizes Joe Biden’s strong leadership and experience taking on our country’s greatest challenges. Under a Biden-Harris administration, our country can defeat the virus and build our economy back better than it was before. The ad will run on cable and broadcast in Phoenix, Arizona.

The ad will also run on digital platforms, such as pre-roll video and social media, in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania targeting voters who are likely undecided. Priorities USA Action is on track to spend over $200 million this cycle to ensure that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are elected in November.

“Throughout this campaign, Joe Biden has consistently provided a clear vision to build our country back better while Donald Trump offers nothing but recklessness and failed leadership,” said Guy Cecil, Chairman of Priorities USA. “Our ads continue to focus on kitchen table issues like health care and creating good-paying jobs because these are the issues that voters will consider at the ballot box. Americans want a president who will strengthen our economy, protect our health care, and handle crises like the coronavirus responsibly. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the only candidates in this race who will actually deliver for the American people.”

WISCONSIN -- On Tuesday, October 20, the first day of in-person early voting, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin will launch a statewide “What’s at Stake” Get Out the Vote Bus Tour with Wisconsin leaders and campaign surrogates including State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, and more.

The bus tour will kick off on the first day of in-person early voting, October 20, with stops in Madison, Waukesha, and Milwaukee and continue with other stops across the state throughout the week. At each stop, voters will be encouraged to go to  www.iwillvote.com/WI and make a plan to cast their ballot. 

“With so much at stake this election, Wisconsinites are ready to cast their ballots and make their voices heard,” said State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. “This bus tour across this state will highlight all of the ways in which Joe Biden will fight for the people of Wisconsin, including lowering the cost of health care and protecting coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. It’s time we elect a leader with the empathy and experience needed to help us rebuild and unite the country.”

“In Wisconsin, we have the opportunity to make a difference in this election and deliver change to create a brighter future for our country,” said Congresswoman Gwen Moore. “As voters head to the polls, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind or let anyone sit this election out. It’s time to make history and elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to restore the soul of our nation and create an economy that works for hardworking families in Wisconsin, not just the wealthy and Wall Street.”

The Get Out the Vote bus tour will feature a series of events and include over a dozen stops, including in Madison, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Superior, Eau Claire, Hudson, La Crosse, Janesville, Kenosha and Racine.

WISCONSIN -- Ahead of Donald Trump’s visit to Wisconsin, which in recent days saw record high COVID-19 infections, Janesville leaders spoke out about his mishandling of his virus and the vital need to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House. 

WMTV: Janesville leaders criticize Trump’s visit to Janesville, call it a ‘super spreader' event

• State Representative Deb Kolste, Janesville City Council member Susan Johnson, and Laura French, a Wisconsinite affected by COVID-19 met virtually Saturday morning at 10 a.m to give statements on the matter.
• “It is the pinnacle of irresponsibility and callous negligence for Trump to come to our city and hold a rally that could become a super spreader event," Kolste said. "I’ve seen the unmasked people at his rallies, it such a disheartening scene. It is such a simple thing and a simple science to wear a face covering.”
• Their statements come as the state approaches 1,600 deaths from COVID-19 and days after the creation of a field hospital at the state fairgrounds near Milwaukee.
• “When I see the president mocking mask mandates, encouraging people not to follow these guidelines, and ignoring the reality of a crisis that has already taken over 210,000 American lives, it makes me incredibly upset,” Johnson said. “These are super spreader events and health care experts in Wisconsin and at the CDC have pleaded with President Trump to put an end to this reckless behavior.”
• The leaders emphasized that a vote for Joe Biden would get the virus under control and save the economy.

See more coverage below.

Newsweek: “The president will head to the neighboring state of Wisconsin later Saturday, where he plans to host a rally in Janesville, located about 75 miles west of Milwaukee. City leaders held a virtual press conference Saturday morning, criticizing Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic and his decision to hold a large event where cases are also surging, local station WMTV reported. ‘These are super spreader events and health care experts in Wisconsin and at the CDC have pleaded with President Trump to put an end to this reckless behavior,’ said Janesville City Council member Susan Johnson.”

Wisconsin State Journal: "These rallies not only threaten public health, but they hurt our economy … until we get this pandemic under control we cannot get our economy back," Janesville City Council member Susan Johnson said Saturday. Janesville is a community all too familiar with economic hardship. The Janesville General Motors plant, once located a few miles from where the president spoke, shuttered its doors two days before Christmas 2008 and left the community and thousands of residents in turmoil amid the last economic recession...“It is the pinnacle of irresponsibility and callous negligence for Trump to come to our city and hold a rally that could become a super-spreader event," Rep. Deb Kolste, D-Janesville, said Saturday."

Gazette Xtra: “As the state continued to average more than 3,000 new COVID cases a day this week, Janesville Democratic state Rep. Deb Kolste and Susan [Johnson], a Janesville City Council member, held a video conference Saturday morning hosted by the Wisconsin Democrats. Kolste and Johnson slammed Trump for what the two called a ‘failed national pandemic response’ they believe has led to a COVID case spike locally and statewide and a series of local and national ‘economic crashes’ tied to the pandemic. The Rock County Board had asked Trump not to visit Janesville in his slated rally that was canceled earlier this month after Trump tested positive for COVID.”

World-acclaimed comedians and actors featured in Livestream Event doing stand-up bits, skits, and live crowd interaction between the participants on October 20.

WISCONSIN -- The Democratic Party of Wisconsin will host Laughing All the Way to the White House: A Comedy Livestream Event to turn Wisconsin Blue on October 20 -- the first day of in-person early voting in Wisconsin -- with world-acclaimed comedians and actors that will feature stand-up bits, skits, and live crowd interaction between the participants. The event will be available for a minimum donation of $1, and all proceeds will go towards making Trump a one-term president.

List of participants: Sarah Silverman, Lewis Black, Sarah Cooper, Bassem Youssef, Chelsea Peretti, Judd Apatow, Whitney Cummings, Bradley Whitford, Mike Birbiglia, Sklar Brothers, Ahmed Ahmed, Cristela Alonzo, Anjelah Johnson, Greg Proops, Jackie Kashian, Maria Bamford, Will Forte, Ben Gleib, Seth MacFarlane, Hasan Minhaj, Roy Wood Jr, and Harry Shearer.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/kristin-lyerly-md-commitment-s5.jpgGreen Bay area's Kathy Hinkfuss and Dr. Kristin Lyerly are among slate of candidates for the Wisconsin Assembly promoted for Democratic victories across the state.

“Deal Or No Deal” Contrasts Trump’s Record of Failure with Biden’s Strong Leadership

Washington, DC — Priorities USA Action and Latino Victory Fund are announcing a new Spanish-language ad, which will run as part of our previously announced TV ad buy in Florida funded by Mike Bloomberg, and by Priorities on digital in other battleground states.

The ad, “Deal Or No Deal,” contrasts Donald Trump’s record of failure on every front — mishandling the coronavirus, destroying the economy, and threatening millions of Americans’ health care — with Joe Biden’s strong track record of steady leadership and his unique fitness for this crucial moment in our country’s history.

“Deal Or No Deal” will air on cable and broadcast Spanish-language television in Miami. It will also run statewide on social and streaming video platforms in Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, specifically targeting Latino voters in both English and Spanish.

“Donald Trump claims that he's a master dealmaker, but he has failed to deliver for the Latino community time and time again,” said Guy Cecil, Chairman of Priorities USA. “On Trump’s watch, Latino voters have seen unprecedented sickness and death, widespread job loss, and repeated attacks on their health care. Enough is enough. It’s time for a real leader who has the strength to tackle the tough challenges facing our nation and put us back on the right track. It’s time for Joe Biden.”

"President Trump has brought his failed and dishonest business practices to the White House. During his time as President, he has caused the loss of hundreds of thousands of American lives by mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and inflicted great suffering on us all through his ill-informed policies. Our Latino community has been a target of his indifference and ineptitude, and only voting for Joe Biden as the next president of the United States will stop the damage caused by Trump and steer the nation toward unity and recovery," said Luis A. Miranda, Jr., Chairperson of Latino Victory Fund.

"Donald Trump brags about his ability to make a deal. Here's the real deal: Latinos have been let down by President Trump and can make their voices heard when they vote for Joe Biden," said Mike Bloomberg. "Joe Biden will be a president that keeps his promises and stands up for Latinos." This is part of Mike Bloomberg’s commitment to spend $100 million in Florida to support Vice President Joe Biden in defeating Donald Trump through advertising and a strong ground game to get out the vote in communities across Florida.”

Pence comes to town to distract from the ineffective leadership in the White House.

MADISON - As Wisconsin nears over 150,000 Wisconsinites who have tested positive for COVID-19, and the state continues to battle skyrocketing cases and economic crisis from Trump’s failed coronavirus response, Mike Pence will head to town to distract from the ineffective leadership in the White House. Here’s what he won’t mention: 

Cases are spiking across Wisconsin, and the state is currently approaching the grim milestone of over 150,000 infections.

• Channel 3000: “Three weeks after surpassing 100,000 all-time cases of the novel coronavirus, Wisconsin is approaching more than 150,000 infections.Combined data from state and county health dashboards showed an additional 2,244* cases of COVID-19 in the state, which makes Wisconsin’s total count of cases since the start of the pandemic 147,769*. Wisconsin hit 100,000 total cases on Sept. 20 — three weeks ago tomorrow, while the state has seen at least 3,000 new infections each of the past two days.”
• Green Bay Press Gazette: “Meanwhile, seven more Wisconsinites died from the virus, bringing the death toll to 1,465 people, according to the state health department.”

The crisis has reached a tipping point in some corners of the state, where doctors say hospitals are nearing capacity, and the state had to create a field hospital to handle the influx of patients.

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Gov. Tony Evers will open a 530-bed field hospital at State Fair Park next Wednesday to help hospitals in the Fox Valley and northern Wisconsin cope with a surge of COVID-19 patients that is leaving some facilities there with just a few open beds.”
• CNBC: “A hospital in northeast Wisconsin is considering pausing elective procedures as health officials grapple with rising coronavirus cases and a double-digit positivity rate.Dr. Paul Casey, who heads the emergency department for Bellin Health Systems in Green Bay, Wisconsin, told CNBC’s Shepard Smith on Thursday that hospital beds have been at or near capacity over the past week and that it’s weighing on both staff and operations.”

The failed COVID-19 response is also hitting Wisconsin’s economy hard, and experts believe it will take the state even longer to recover given the strength of this new wave of cases.

• Green Bay Post Gazette: “The region's explosion of coronavirus cases doesn't just threaten more lives but could reverse Wisconsin's economic recovery as it infects more of the workforce and saps consumer demand.”
• Green Bay Post Gazette: “More than half of workers in the leisure and hospitality sector either permanently or temporarily lost their jobs in March and April, and the sector still has a long way to go to recover those jobs. Some businesses in this industry that have been unable to reopen even see the need for industry-specific aid for this sector.”

New data confirms that Trump and Pence’s failed COVID-19 response tanked the economy, contracting by 32.6% between April and June. This exacerbated existing economic trouble from the manufacturing recession Trump oversaw from his chaotic trade policies with China.

• Wisconsin Public Radio: “Wisconsin's economy shrunk by an annual rate of 32.6 percent between April and June compared to the first three months of 2020, according to new numbers released Friday from the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The drop is the highest recorded by the agency since it started tracking quarterly GDP figures for states in 2005. It dwarfs some of the worst losses seen in past quarters, which hover around 8 percent.”
• Politico: “But the White House's trade wars kicked the sector into another slump in 2019, with Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania facing declines or plateaus in manufacturing employment even back in February — well before Covid-19 forced layoffs at dozens of plants. As of July — the most recent month for which data is available — each state is down between 20,000 and 40,000 workers from pre-pandemic levels.”