Taskforce Co-Chairs hope we are one step closer to seeing meaningful reforms in our state.

Madison, WI –Representative Stubbs (D-77) and Representative Steineke (R-05), the Co-Chairs of the Speaker's Taskforce on Racial Disparities, introduced seven pieces of legislation that address the recommendations of the Subcommittee on Law Enforcement Policies and Standards. On these bills, Representative Stubbs issued the following statement:

“For seven months, the Speaker's Taskforce on Racial Disparities’ Subcommittee on Law Enforcment Policies and Standards has worked with community leaders, leaders in the faith community and experts in law enforcment to address the real issues in our policing system. I am very proud of the work we have done, and to see our recommendations reflected in policy”

“Hard work is about compromise, and I thank all of the members of the Taskforce for coming to the table and helping craft a real path forward. This unprecedented process included many valuable voices, and I am proud to say we are now one step closer to seeing meaningful reforms in our state. These bills mandate police accountability, invest in comprehensive trainings, and will promote a better relationship between community and law enforcment.”

“These seven bills, along with amendments to bills in the Senate, address 14 of the 18 recommendations reported by the Taskforce only a month ago. This progress is real, and addresses many key areas of our law enforcement system.”

“But the work does not end here. While these bills have bipartisan support in the Senate and the Assembly, they still need to be passed through committee, and voted on in both houses. This is a step in the right direction for law enforcement, for our communities, and for the great state of Wisconsin.”

MADISON - Monday, Kalvin Barrett was sworn in as the new Dane County Sheriff, the first Black man to serve in this role. In a ceremony at the Dane County Courthouse, Sheriff Barrett officially assumed his responsibilities and spoke of his priorities for the role and the department.

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

“Congratulations to our new Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett! His appointment to the role is historic and his vision for the Dane County Sheriff’s department will create positive change across Dane County.

“Sheriff Barrett spoke about many things that matter to the 16th Senate District, including: creating a department that values diversity, building trust within communities, keeping the jail population low through evidence based-programs and jail-diversion programs, as well as creating opportunities for community engagement.

Sheriff Barrett spoke of repairing fractured relationships and building upon relationships already formed.  “Sheriff Barrett will continue to be a progressive voice in our law enforcement community as former Sheriff Mahoney did. I wish Sheriff Barrett the best of luck in this new role and look forward to his continued  leadership across Dane County.”

With Republican led votes to strip nearly 300 provisions from the budget, the people of Wisconsin lose out on life-changing and life-saving provisions.

MADISON - Thursday, the Joint Finance Committee met to strip hundreds of provisions from the proposed 2021-23 state budget. On the chopping block are: cannabis legalization, expanding Medicaid, gun safety measures, provisions to address climate change, and much more.

Senator Agard (D-Madison) released this statement following the JFC vote:

“Budgets reflect priorities and values. By taking out these provisions, Republicans are turning their backs on what people across our state value and prioritize: legal cannabis, affordable healthcare, common sense gun legislation, clean water, and so much more. They are turning their backs on life saving and life changing budget provisions that could positively impact every corner of our state. It is shameful to see my Republican colleagues continuing to put politics over the people they serve.

“Governor Evers crafted this budget by doing what all elected officials should be doing - listening to the people of Wisconsin and addressing their needs. A majority of Wisconsinites support affordable healthcare, legal cannabis, and much more that was taken out of the budget. We cannot afford to continue ignoring the needs of our state. The people of Wisconsin are our bosses, we cannot legislate without listening to them.

“If Republicans want to take up these issues separately, then let’s actually take them up. I call on my Republican colleagues to move the polices forward that they claim do not belong in the budget. Let’s discuss these policies on their merits in public hearings, executive sessions, and on the floor. We all lose when we ignore the will of the people. Shame on Wisconsin Republicans for ignoring them now.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/kewaunee-harbor-family-s5.jpgWisconsin will lose out on billions as State Republicans thwart economic recovery by dismantling the Governor’s Bounceback budget.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/assembly-wi-robin-vos-s5.jpgMore than 380 items removed from budget. Gov. Evers calls on Wisconsinites to contact their Legislators.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/clean-drinking-water-s5.jpgClean water, clean energy are at risk of being stripped out of the state budget by JFC with a single vote on Thursday say Conservation Voters.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/hemp-farmer-wisc-s5.jpgGOP set to strip out cannabis legalization from the governor’s proposal Thursday.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccination-65-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about the importance of getting vaccinated to protect our neighbors and families. Like other past health crises, COVID-19 vaccines will get us closer to reaching herd immunity and putting the pandemic behind us.

First stop in two-day tour to raise public awareness to the many serious crises that must be addressed by budget.

CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI - Today, May 5th, we will hold the first of 16 public speaking events that will happen in all 16 Joint Finance Committee member’s districts. We will kick off our first event in the home district of State Senator Kathleen Bernier. This event is being led by our partner, Citizen Action - Wisconsin, and will occur in front of the Courthouse (711 N. Bridge St.) in downtown Chippewa Falls at noon.

The remaining 15 tour stops will occur on Friday, May 7th and Saturday May 8th. Three will be stand-alone events like the Chippewa Falls event and will occur in Rhinelander, River Falls, and Sheboygan. (Schedule and locations below)

The remaining 12 Joint Finance Committee Member districts will be visited as part of a two-day tour led by the Building Unity “UnityMobile.” (pictured above) This two-day leg of the Just Budget Unity Tour will travel over 500 miles and will hold 12 public “speak-outs” calling for justice in the state budget. All events will be outdoors and covid-safe.

This 12-stop tour will be accompanied by Pastor Jonathan Barker of Kenosha, author of “Jesus Would Demand a Green New Deal” and one of the Wisconsin Seven who recently ended a 22-day water-only fast demanding climate justice in the state budget, as well as Debra Gillispie of Milwaukee, the founder of the group Mothers Against Gun Violence, and other Wisconsin justice activists.

On the evening of Friday, May 7th at 6:30 PM, will conclude this tour day with a virtual gathering where we will share videos made by the Just Budget Video Project, as well as footage from the day’s six tour stops. Register for Zoom link to attend this virtual event: https://forms.gle/p6n79KH9pWsqGFrGA. Members of the press and others will be given the first 10 mins to ask any questions about the tour or our Just Budget Video Project.

The Coalition for a Just WI Budget and partners hope that this statewide demonstration of unity will inspire others to ask what they can do to make sure that their voices are heard for justice during this budget season.

We hope to raise public awareness to the many serious crises that must be addressed by this budget. People in Wisconsin are hurting and the future is not looking good for our youth. It’s time to care for each other and our planet home. Expanding medicaid, will save Wisconsin roughly $1.6 billion and insure over 90,000 more people. Legalizing marijuana will increase tax revenue, employment, and economic development while reducing crime and our mass incarceration problem. Criminal justice reform that includes treatment alternatives and diversions, will save lives and Wisconsin tax dollars. Investing in clean water, energy conservation, and green energy jobs are investments that are needed for a livable future. It is time for fair taxation. We need to end the tax breaks to the wealthiest Wisconsinites and invest to bring health, prosperity, and equity to all of our schools and communities.

Just Budget Unity Tour Schedule:

* These events are stand-alone events and will not be joined by the Building Unity “UnityMobile.”

Learn more about Building Unity and the Coalition for a Just Wisconsin Budget at

www.BuildingUnityWisconsin.org. We will be steaming much of the tour stops to Building Unity’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/buildingunitywi

Every Republican, including Rep. Gallagher, voted against critical support.