STATEWIDE - We discuss the potential for a new COVID-19 relief package in Congress and the GOP conspiracy to get Kanye West on the presidential ballot in Wisconsin. Could it influence the outcome in November?

We welcome Citizen Action endorsed State Representative candidates Supreme Moore-Omokunde and JoAnna Bautch to discuss their campaigns and next week’s important primary election on Tuesday, August 11th. Will they shake up the Democratic Party in Madison? We encourage you to volunteer with a candidate to help get out the vote.

We close the show with Voces de la Frontera’s Christine Neumann-Ortiz and Mario Ramirez discussing their Friday 11am rally in support of fired Strauss workers in Franklin, and the importance of their statewide organizing campaign fighting for the rights of all “essential” workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Wisconsinites are still suffering because of Donald Trump’s failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic, say DEMS.

WISCONSIN -- On Thursday, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman released the following statement in response to the new BLS numbers:

“Wisconsinites are still suffering because of Donald Trump’s failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His failure to stand up to the Chinese government, refusal to accept the guidance of public health experts, and inability to implement a national testing and tracing program have millions across the country wondering how they’ll pay their rent, put food on their table, or what it could mean for their families if they get sick with this deadly virus. The only way we can rebound and get our economy back on track is by electing Joe Biden the next president of the United States”

Labor Union reaffirms its commitment to achieving economic and racial justice.

MADISON - AFSCME Wisconsin heartily supports the Dane County Board of Supervisors Personnel and Finance Committee’s unanimous recommendation in support of recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for county employees beginning in 2021. Juneteenth celebrates the rich culture and contributions of African Americans and commemorates the ongoing struggle for freedom and equity.

Dane County employee and AFSCME Wisconsin Local 720 member Angela Wilson-Richards stated, “I am very happy to hear that the Personnel and Finance Committee has honored the recommendation to make Juneteenth a paid holiday. As an American Descendant of Slavery (ADOS), I understand that my ancestors’ freedom did not begin in 1776, but in 1865 when all slaves realized they were emancipated. As there is a paid holiday for July 4th, it seems only befitting to recognize June 19th as well.”

AFSCME Wisconsin reaffirms its commitment to achieving economic and racial justice in Dane County and across Wisconsin by advocating for quality public services, eradicating systemic injustices in our society, and protecting Dane County employees’ freedom to build workplace power and achieve prosperity.

AFSCME Wisconsin Local 720 President Sonia Kurhajetz explained, “I became an even prouder Dane County citizen when I learned that the Personnel and Finance Committee recommended the resolution to observe Juneteenth as a county holiday. Black Lives Matter is not a moment, it is a movement. It's through recognition and acts such as this that we, as a community, can continue to prove to our Black neighbors that their lives and histories matter and we celebrate them."

AFSCME Wisconsin calls upon all other Wisconsin municipalities to join Milwaukee and Dane Counties by extending holiday status to Juneteenth as is deserved.

MADISON - Lt. Gov. Barnes today delivered the Democratic Radio Address thanking Wisconsinites for wearing face coverings and providing some tips on how and when to wear a face covering.

Audio file of radio address.

Hi, Wisconsin! It’s Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes here.

As every region of our state continues to see high levels of COVID-19, I wanted to take a moment today to thank you for wearing a face covering or mask whenever you’re out and about.

This simple task could save lives as we know face coverings and masks are effective tools to stop the spread of COVID-19.

So I wanted to share some tips to make sure you’re wearing your mask the right way and at the right times.

First of all, wear your mask whenever you are indoors in a space that is not your own home.

Second, wear a mask anytime you’re around others who you don’t share a home or living unit with.

Next, always wash your hands before and after putting on or taking off your mask. And try not to touch it or move it around without washing your hands.

And finally, remember that a mask or face covering is not a substitute for physical distancing. Please continue to maintain 6 feet of distance between you and anyone who is not a member of your household.

These steps are critical to our efforts to box in this virus and keep Wisconsinites safe. My mask protects you, your mask protects me.

So Mask Up, Wisconsin, and let’s get through this together.

Congressional Candidate says Republicans won't take any positive steps to help contain the virus in Wisconsin, but obstruct the few real life saving measures we have.

BROOKFIELD, WI – Less than 24 hours after Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers issued a state-wide mask order as a measure to control the increase of Coronavirus outbreaks in Wisconsin, Fitzgerald and the Republicans appear to be rallying once again to block the Governor's mandate. Democrat Tom Palzewicz, who is running (likely against Fitzgerald) for the Fifth Congressional District, questioned this plan.

"All across the nation, we see simple measures, like wearing masks, play an important role in controlling this pandemic. But for some reason, Republicans rail against these measures," said Palzewicz. "We are considered a 'hot spot' state by the Trump administration, and Chicago doesn't want Wisconsinites to visit. Yet, Scott Fitzgerald and Robin Vos don't want to take any positive steps to help contain the virus in Wisconsin. Since they blocked the Governor's Badger Bonce Back plan in May, the cases of Covid-19 have been on the rise here, reaching their highest levels just this week. They offer no plan, no common-sense measures to protect public health. They want to stop Governor Evers from doing his job.

"Our Governor, Tony Evers, continues to define what strong leadership looks like, but there is no Republican collaboration, just litigation, and threats. It's all about power and control and has nothing to do with public safety or protecting Wisconsin. Fitzgerald has moved from just being an obstructionist to now advocating against life saving measures."

934 people have lost their lives in Wisconsin and 96% of our state’s population lives in a place with a high level of COVID-19. Blocking real public health plans to keep us safe is reckless.

WEST POINT, WI - People have been struggling to navigate a UI System filled with barriers created by Senator Fitzgerald and his caucus. The pleas for social justice and safe elections have been ringing across the state for months. And yet, the only time we rush back to the floor is to restrict the Governor’s ability to respond to this pandemic.

And I’m not buying the ‘freedom’ argument or ‘it’s my body and my choice’ argument either. Voting rights have been eroded from people of color, and women have been losing their ability to make their own healthcare decisions for years now.

Almost 600 people have lost their lives in Wisconsin and 96% of our state’s population lives in a place with a high level of COVID-19. Saying no is an easy thing to do. But not having a plan to keep Wisconsinites safe during a pandemic is reckless.

As we’ve seen before, the GOP has NO PLAN for this pandemic, only to say ‘NO’ to the one thing we know will keep Wisconsinites safe.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-protest-madison-s5.jpgSenate Republican move to overturn Governor’s order requiring people to wear masks in public is simply pandering for votes and power, ignores public health.

MADISON - You might have thought I was being a bit on the hysterical side last week when I wrote to you about the risk of Donald Trump imposing martial law. But there he was this week tweeting about postponing the election!

Fortunately, this move backfired, as he was met with near universal condemnation, including from Republican elected officials (even in Wisconsin!).

We at the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign signed on to a letter denouncing this reckless move, which you can read here.

Meanwhile, this week we kept doing what we do, day in and day out: Exposing money in Wisconsin politics.

Before I came to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, I didn’t even know what Legislative Campaign Committees are. But I soon found out: They’re the treasure chests that the Speaker, the Senate Majority Leader, and the two minority leaders have at their disposal for elections.

This year, these campaign committees raised record amounts, with the Republicans way ahead, as you’ll see here:

Legislative Fundraising Committees Raise Record Cash

In a related post, we discussed another record that was broken: fundraising by all the legislative candidates. Speaker Vos, for his personal campaign, led the way with $355,000 on hand. Add that to the $2,371,000 he controls as head of the Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, and you can see why he’s so powerful. You can find all the details here:

Legislative Donors Undaunted by Pandemic

And here’s some good news! The Marathon County Board this week passed a resolution in favor of independent, nonpartisan redistricting. That makes 52 counties out of the 72 in Wisconsin that have passed board resolutions to ban gerrymandering. Also this week, the Bayfield County Board voted to let the citizenry weigh in on this issue on November 3 with an advisory referendum. That makes 10 county referendums coming up: Adams, Bayfield, Brown, Crawford, Door, Dunn, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, and Rusk.

Thanks to all the amazing grassroots activists who are making this happen!

I hope you have a nice weekend.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

By wearing face coverings we are taking a positive step toward fighting this pandemic together.

Madison- Rep. Gruszynski (D-Green Bay) released the following statement today responding to Governor Evers declaring a Public Health Emergency and Face-covering Emergency Order:

“As we move through the COVID-19 pandemic we must listen to science and the public health experts who best understand this pandemic. I applaud Governor Evers for this action in working to protect the health of the constituents the 90th District and all Wisconsinites. Science and public health experts are telling us that wearing a face-covering helps protect our communities, including those at higher risk for severe illness and workers who frequently come into contact with others like nurses, grocers, and first responders. The sooner we get back to working together to flatten the curve and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the sooner we can get safely back to work, school, sports, concerts, and doing all the things we all miss. By wearing face coverings we are taking a positive step toward fighting this pandemic together.”

Everyone should read FAQ on Governor Evers’ Face-covering Emergency Order, not attached.

As we battle the new surge of COVID-19, remember we are in a battle against this virus, not each other.