http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/sos-2020-s5.jpgThe complete text of the Governor's address Wednesday night is presented.

Sen. Testin turns his back on homeowners as Madison Republicans have once again prioritized large corporations.

MADISON - Large corporate retailers all across Wisconsin have taken advantage of the Dark Store tax loophole that allows them to shift their property tax burden onto homeowners and small main street businesses. Despite repeated efforts from Governor Evers and Democrats to close this loophole and restore tax fairness, Republicans have once again prioritized large corporations by blocking action.

“This issue isn’t going away and it’s caused a rise in homeowners’ property taxes,” said SSDC Executive Director Katie Iliff. “Senator Testin has been given multiple opportunities to close this corporate tax loophole and he continues to vote against the interests of Wisconsin families and small business owners. Residents in the 24th Senate District deserve more than just another rubber stamp for the Republican agenda that favors corporations over people.”

Municipalities across Wisconsin, including Portage, Wisconsin Rapids and Plover that Senator Testin represents, have sent resolutions calling on state legislators to close the Dark Store Loophole. Gov. Tony Evers and Legislative Democrats have made multiple attempts to close the loophole only to be obstructed by Republicans. Many local officials have expressed sincere frustration with Republican politicians for their failure to close the loophole.

Homeowners to face higher property taxes under Republican control.

House impeachment managers are expected to focus their efforts on pushing Trump's defense team to respond to the substance of the charges against him.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate will continue with the second day of President Trump's impeachment trial on Wednesday.

House impeachment managers are expected to focus their efforts on pushing Trump's defense team to respond to the substance of the charges against him, instead of concentrating on procedural arguments as Republicans have done in recent months.

Both sides will first have to get through the first round of motions that may come up now that the Senate has set its rules for the trial.

Watch the proceedings live here

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/affordablecareact-s5.jpgSurprise medical billing incidents occur often, and cause major problems for many of us who live within ordinary means. Sen. Smith hopes to establish a meaningful solution.

Assembly Bill aims to address youth vaping public health crisis

MADISON – Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh), introduced legislation this week aimed at preventing youth vaping. The bill (LRB 5217) would provide $2 million in funding for a statewide public health campaign aimed at the prevention of tobacco and electronic cigarette use. Some of the funds will be directed towards local organizations that provide youth vape prevention and cessation services. This legislation is part of a number of initiatives targeting youth vape use in Wisconsin. Rep. Hintz released the following statement on this legislation:

“The rise in youth vaping is a public health crisis threatening the health of our children. State government has a role to play in slowing this epidemic among our youth. The funding in this bill will help get the word out across the state about the dangers of vaping, and provide resources for regional organizations to help prevent youth e-cigarette use.”

The epidemic of youth vaping has impacted every corner of Wisconsin. In July 2019, a teenager from Winnebago County was one of 8 children hospitalized due to symptoms caused by e-cigarettes. A 2018 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 30% of Winnebago County high school students had used an electronic cigarette in the last month. Statewide, from 2014 to 2018, there was a 154% increase in e-cigarette use.

“When we see a new addiction introduced in our communities, we must act. Especially when that addiction is being targeted at children with flavors like ‘bubble gum’ and ‘candy pop.’ We as a state government need to step in to educate and help stop the youth of Wisconsin from falling into this addiction. I’m hopeful this will be a bipartisan effort to keep our children healthy and safe. I’m grateful for local groups in Oshkosh like re:TH!NK who are active in helping children live healthy lives and to prevent them from taking part in unhealthy activities like tobacco use and vaping.”

Will leave office after 22 years, thanks family and staff.

MADISON – Sen. Mark Miller announced Tuesday that he will not run for re-election in November. Sen. Miller served in the state legislature 22 years, beginning in 1999 in the Wisconsin Assembly and in the Wisconsin State Senate since 2005.

“I will miss this place,” said Miller. “I will miss being a voice for clean water, for better education for children and adults, for expanded health care, for improved economic security, and for responsible governance, but I feel it is time for someone new to do this job.”

Miller served in a number of leadership positions including both minority and majority leader, Finance Co-chair, and Chair of the Democratic Caucus. He was Minority Leader in 2011 when Senate Democrats debarked to Illinois to slow down anti-union legislation now known as 2011 Act 10.

“I am very fortunate to have been served by incredibly talented staff in my office for 22 years,” said Miller. “I have also enjoyed the loving support of my immediate and extended family. Good staff and family support made it possible for me to serve as well as I have.”

Miller’s most proud of his effort to enhance responsible governance in legislative bodies. He is a trained facilitator in the Next Generation project that aims to guide legislatures in developing practices to enhance a legislative culture of trust and responsibility. “Being an elected official is an awesome responsibility,” said Miller. “As elected officials and as voters we need to do our utmost to make democracy work.”

Sen. Shilling Co-Authors LRB-5169 that seeks to reduce the sale of vapor products to youth.

MADISON, WI – In an effort to address the vaping epidemic among Wisconsin middle and high school students, Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) and Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) are introducing LRB-5169 that would require a license to sell e-cigarette and vapor products. As part of the Vaping Awareness Prevention Enforcement (VAPE) package, LRB-5169 addresses the retail sale of vapor products by strengthening consumer protections and providing resources to monitor and investigate instances of illegal retail sale of vapor products to youth, advertisements targeting youth, and other harmful activities.

“Vaping has become a widespread problem with Wisconsin’s youth that is causing dangerous, and sometimes lethal, injuries,” said Senator Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “In conversations with local health officials, school leaders, and concerned parents, it is clear that comprehensive action needs to be taken. By strengthening license requirements for retailers and increasing consumer protections we can help keep Wisconsin students safe and healthy.”

According the Department of Health Services, from 2014 to 2018 there was a 154% increase in e-cigarette use by Wisconsin high school students and a 272% increase for middle school students. Currently one in five Wisconsin high school students are current e-cigarette users. E-cigarettes contain the addictive drug nicotine along with heavy metals like nickel, tin and lead which are known to affect health and development. As of January 2020, the Center for Disease Control have reported 2,602 lung injury cases that require hospitalization and 59 deaths linked to vaping.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/vaping-youth2-s5.pngGovernor is directing state agencies to strengthen enforcement efforts while calling on the legislature to pass a series of bills to prevent the sale of vaping products to kids.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voterid_hand-s5.jpgLeague summary report on state court litigation over the voter purge in the last thirty days.