MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today his appointment of Mark G. Schroeder to the Outagamie County Circuit Court. The appointment fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John Des Jardins. Schroeder will serve a term ending July 31, 2022. 

“Mark Schroeder is a highly respected and hardworking court commissioner,” said Gov. Evers. “His deep understanding of the law and consistent, even-tempered approach to the courtroom will be an asset to the people of Outagamie County.”

Since 2014, Schroeder has served as a family court commissioner, where he presides over contested hearings regarding child support, child custody, property division in divorce proceedings, and domestic abuse and harassment injunctions. He has presided over more than 1,000 evidentiary hearings as a commissioner. Prior to that, he served as an assistant corporation counsel with Outagamie County from 2011 to 2014, and as an assistant district attorney with the Outagamie County District Attorney’s Office for eight years. As a prosecutor, Schroeder tried approximately 40 jury trials to verdict. He also worked in private practice.

“I am pleased that Gov. Evers has seen the exceptional skill set Mark Schroeder will bring to the bench,” said Outagamie County Circuit Court Judge Carrie Schneider. “Having worked with him for the last 18 years, I know firsthand that he possesses amazing legal proficiency, will bring his significant years of experience to the courtroom daily, and will serve Outagamie County residents well. I am honored to call him a colleague in his new role as the Outagamie County Circuit Court Branch 7 Judge.”

“I am honored and humbled to be selected by Gov. Evers to serve the people of Outagamie County as a judge,” said Schroeder. “For the past 18 years, I have dedicated my career to serving my community in the public sector and I look forward to continuing that work in the years ahead.”

Schroeder is a longtime resident of Appleton. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin School of Law. Schroeder is active with the Family Court Commissioner’s Association, including serving as its president in 2019, and with the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Leading Affordable Housing Developer Grows Presence in Wisconsin to Meet Demand for More Quality Housing.

MADISON – Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. (WHPC), a leader in the preservation and development of affordable housing for low- to moderate-income populations in Wisconsin, is pleased to announce the appointment of current Board Member Erbert Johnson to Chairman of its Board of Directors. 

“I’m honored to have been appointed as the Chairman of the WHPC Board of Directors and take on this leadership role to continue the important mission of WHPC,” Johnson said. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the independence, pride and dignity associated with obtaining quality housing for individuals and families.

“I look forward to leveraging our strategic network of partners who, along with our experienced and dedicated Board of Directors and team at WHPC, are dedicated to providing affordable housing to people in need throughout Wisconsin.”

Johnson, who joined the WHPC Board in 2011, was approved by the Board as Chairman and assumed the role effective February 16, 2021. He succeeds David W. Kruger, who has served as Chairman since 2017 and has been a member of the WHPC board since 2002. Board Director Brett A. Gerber, President and CEO of Impact Seven, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit community development corporation, will assume the duties of Treasurer previously held by Johnson.

“Erbert’s senior leadership on the Board and the Executive Committee make him a natural and obvious choice to assume the role of WHPC Board Chair,” Kruger said. “His financial and strategic acumen has always generated great respect from all on the Board. He will certainly help lead the organization to even greater levels of success in fulfilling its mission to provide high quality housing to those in need.”

With a strong background in financial management, Johnson believes he is well-positioned to provide the insight and direction to best practices in transactions and processes necessary for WHPC to be a high performing organization. “Quality housing is essential to a full and happy life, and there is much to do to address equity and affordability,” Johnson added. “Serving on the WHPC Board is the best way to help people achieve that goal.”

Johnson is a Wisconsin native and holds a BBA degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin. He is a licensed certified public accountant with extensive experience in public finance advising financial institutions.

About Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp.

Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. (WHPC) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a prominent leader in the affordable housing industry. Its mission is to preserve, provide and protect affordable housing for the most vulnerable low- and moderate-income populations in Wisconsin. It believes housing is a basic right and the first step in building a better life for the people it serves.

Since 2002, WHPC has acquired, developed and renovated over 156 affordable rental housing developments representing more than 8,355 family and senior units in 57 counties throughout Wisconsin, the majority of which provide Section 8 rental subsidy for residents who have an average income of about $11,000 per year. Today, WHPC is a $503 million housing provider with annual revenues of $74 million and net worth in excess of $172 million. Standard and Poor’s awarded WHPC with an AA- rating, asserting WHPC has “strong overall management and a strategic plan that supports the corporation’s mission to provide quality low-income housing.” WHPC has invested over $110 million in private equity for some of the largest investment entities in the country, including Boston Capital, Richman Group, Redstone, Cinnaire, Advantage Capital, Sugar Creek Capital and BMO Harris, all of whom trust WHPC for skilled real estate closing and refined financial management.

As WHPC continues to grow its presence in Wisconsin it will work with its valued partners and, most importantly, its residents, to meet the challenge of helping communities provide affordable housing worthy to be called “home.” To learn more, please visit whpccorp.org.

Wisconsin State Assembly Eager for Rush, Republican leadership refuses to let resolution to promote Black success see the floor.

Madison, WI – Wednesday, The Wisconsin State Assembly passed a resolution honoring the life of talk radio host Rush Limbaugh. In contrast, the Black Resolution still has yet to be scheduled to be heard on the Assembly Floor. On this situation, Rep.Stubbs issued the following statement:

“The Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus is made up of some of the hardest working legislators in the state. We take seriously our job to represent the Black community, and promote Black success through legislation. As Chair of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus, I find it unfair and unreasonable that the Black History Month resolution is treated with scrutiny every year, while resolutions honoring divisive men like Rush Limbaugh can move through this body with ease”

“The Black History Month Resolution honored victims, trail blazers, community leaders and change making organizations, and was introduced weeks ago. However, Republican leadership has continued to refuse letting it see the floor. It is unconscionable that Rush Limbaugh can be honored by this body, but Colin Kaepernick and Stacey Abrams cannot."

"My office added the names of Stacey Abrams and Vice President Kamala Harris to the Black History Month Resolution, as well as other locals to be recognized. Acknowledging these leaders with a Wisconsin connection should not be controversial”

“This inequitable treatment is a shame on our legislative body, and is disrespectful to the people we represent. Just because February is over, does not mean we cannot honor the members of the Black community who found success in or beyond Wisconsin.”

“No other resolution gets this kind of disrespect every year. This is the case because this resolution comes from Black legislators, and is for the Black community. This inequitable treatment is a shame on our legislative body, and is disrespectful to the people of Wisconsin that we represent”

“It is not too late for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to stop obstructing the work of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus, and work with us to honor the achievements of Wisconsin’s Black Community.”

Resolution passes to commit Brown County to achieving 100 percent clean energy and creates a subcommittee that will be made of local experts, residents, and supervisors to develop a plan to reach that goal.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/road-construction-worker-s5.jpgDays after Gov. Evers urged bipartisan support, Republicans obstruct state infrastructure investments.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/asian-american-pacific-islander-lamag-s5.jpgWe have to stand up to anti-Asian racism, violence, and discrimination in our communities, says Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.

Assembly passes Bill to allow more individuals, especially female entrepreneurs, to practice the art of natural hair braiding without unnecessary training. Now on to the Senate.

Madison, WI – Wednesday, Assembly Bill 121, relating to the deregulation of natural hair braiding, passed through the Wisconsin State Assembly, and now heads to the Wisconsin State Senate. This bill specifies that a person does not need to obtain a barbering or cosmetology license in order to perform natural hair braiding. On AB 121’s passage, Representative Stubbs (D-77) issued the following statement:

“Equity is about opening opportunities, and removing barriers. This legislation will allow for more individuals, especially female entrepreneurs, to practice the art of natural hair braiding without unnecessary training. AB 121 removes restrictions and opens opportunities for hair braiders in our state, many of whom are Black women. This will not only improve their economic lives, but also stimulate our state’s economy as a whole.”

“Across Wisconsin, many Black Women practice the time honored tradition of natural hair braiding. So many mothers, daughters, aunts and grandmothers were raised with the knowledge of how to braid hair, and how hair braiding is connected to their family and their culture. No license should stand in the way of practicing time honored traditions”

“Under this legislation, Wisconsinites will no longer be burdened by these licensing requirements. Instead natural hair braiders can spend more time honing their craft instead of spending time and money on programs that have little to do with braiding. Thirty other states have analyzed natural hair braiding and came to the proper conclusion that cosmetology and barbering licenses are unnecessary. Wisconsin should follow suit, and AB 121 will allow our great state to get on the right track.

“Here in Wisconsin, we move forward. It does not matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican, or if you are Black or white, we all agree that our state should foster success wherever possible. I want to thank all of my colleagues that stood with me on this bipartisan bill, and I look forward to seeing it pass through the Senate, and be signed into law”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/frac-sand-spill-ap-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about the policies developed by the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change included in the budget, such as innovative flood mitigation strategies and proposals to help our farmers.

2 bills passed Tuesday will ensure a procedure is in place that upholds survivors’ dignity, choice, and the right to a fair and just process.

MADISON - Tuesday, Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) voted in favor of SB 71 and SB 94 which both address the sexual assault kit backlog in Wisconsin. Senator Agard released the following statement:

“While no piece of legislation can ever erase the trauma of sexual violence, failures to effectively and efficiently collect, submit, and store kits should never be a barrier to justice,” Senator Agard stated. “It is vitally important for people to trust their government when they are the victim of a horrible crime. What we are doing today is creating a system so people can trust their government and the handling of these cases. ”

“Ultimately, the most fundamental role of government is to protect its citizens When someone in our community is the victim of a sexual assault - the system has failed. It is the role of government to step up and provide for a safer, more compassionate path so that people can heal. So that victims become survivors.

“I have championed legislation about sexual assault kits and our state’s backlog for three sessions. I have heard from victims and survivors of sexual assault. I carry their stories with me, and have promised them I will work tirelessly on their behalf to create a better system.

“The bills passed today will ensure a procedure is in place that upholds survivors’ dignity, choice, and the right to a fair and just process, protecting those who choose not to report at the time of an assault, or who change their minds.

SB 71 is aimed at 2 common sense things: First, ensuring that justice is not delayed for survivors of sexual assault. And second, making sure that we do not have a backlog of untested sexual assault kits in Wisconsin ever again.

SB 94 establishes a Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System to provide victims of sexual assault access to information about the status of any sexual assault kit they have provided.

“I am proud of the bipartisan group of legislators that worked on these bills, and extend my thanks to Attorney General Josh Kaul, who has championed this legislation. I am hopeful that the Assembly will take up these bills quickly and send them to Governor Evers’ desk,” Senator Agard concluded.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-vaccine-drivethru-latimes-s5.jpgDate moved up to March 22 due to availability of appointments and increased vaccine supply.