Marquette Law School Poll shows the majority of Wisconsinites continue to support key provisions of Gov. Evers’ budget.

MADISON, WI – Senator Mark Miller (D-Madison) offered the Democratic weekly radio address highlighting overwhelming public support for key provisions in Gov. Evers’ 2019-2021 budget proposal.

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here:

https://sen-dem.cms.legis.wisconsin.gov/media/1299/sen-miller-radio-address.mp3

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hello, I am State Senator Mark Miller with this week’s Democratic radio address.

“The latest Marquette Law School Poll shows the majority of Wisconsinites continue to support key provisions of Governor Tony Evers’ 2019-2021 state budget proposal.

“74 percent of voters support a major increase in state aid for special education, 70 percent agree the state should accept federal funds to expand Medicaid coverage, and more than half of voters support an increase in the minimum wage.

“Additionally, 71 percent of voters favor eliminating mandatory minimum sentences and 65 percent support allowing offenders to petition judges to expunge or clear their record after their sentences are completed in cases of nonviolent, lower-level offenses. Expanding job training for prisoners is supported by 88 percent, and the increased use of treatment programs and of alternatives to jail for offenders with drug or alcohol issues is supported by 78 percent of voters.

“As the governor has said, this budget is about creating a Wisconsin that works for everyone. This isn’t the Tony Evers budget, the Democratic budget or the Republican budget—the support from people around the state is proof positive that this is the People’s Budget.

“The people want to see politicians on both sides of the aisle working together to find common sense solutions to long neglected issues like health care, public school funding, and prison overcrowding.

"The time is now for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to respect the will of the people and work with Democrats to pass Governor Evers budget.”

MADISON - Now that Judge Neubauer has conceded defeat, I wanted to take a second to give you my 20-20 hindsight on the race.

She wasn’t outspent by the outside groups, as we show here:

Special Interests Doled Out $4.3M in Wisconsin Supreme Court Race

But my theory is that a lot of the ads by Greater Wisconsin and other pro-Neubauer groups actually served to turn out the vote for Judge Hagedorn, since they stressed how anti-gay and anti-abortion he is. This motivated the social conservatives to go out and vote for him!

Turnout was 26.6 percent. In off-season, low-turnout races, the highly motivated one-issue voter has more influence than, say, in presidential races. Wisconsin Right to Life and the NRA appear to have gotten their folks out, with some unwitting help from Neubauer’s outside groups. And rightwing talk radio may also have played a part, as well.

April 2 brought some good news: The momentum for banning gerrymandering keeps gaining speed:

3 More Wins for Banning Gerrymandering in Wisconsin

I was thrilled to see these wins, as I participated on a panel in La Crosse in late March on this issue, and I spoke in the Town of Newbold on it, as well. Congratulations to all the grassroots activists who made these victories possible!

Last week, I also went up to Wausau, this time to give a talk on the history of voter suppression, and what to do about it. Here’s the text. I hope you like it:

The Fight Against Voter Suppression

In the days aweeks ahead, we’ll be pushing for more pro-democracy reforms. I hope you’ll support us in this urgent work.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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P.S. If you like the work we’re doing, please send a tax-deductible donation to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign by clicking here or by mailing a check, the old-fashioned way, to 203 S. Paterson St., Suite 100, Madison WI 53703 Thanks for your support!

Panel talks of Godlewski's request for the resources needed to properly run the office, her plans to create a state-run retirement public option and opportunities to refinancing student loan debt, and more...

MILWAUKEE - In the latest episode of our What the Godlewski does the State Treasurer do? segment, we discuss her state budget request for the resources needed to properly run the office. We also discuss Godlweski's plans to create a state-run retirement public option and opportunities to refinancing student loan debt.

We review the week’s news including: Judge Lisa Neubauer concession in the hotly contested Supreme Court race; an Appeals court sides with Governor Evers on appointments; and Sen  Tammy Baldwin joins Sen. Bernie Sanders in introducing a new Medicare for All bill with a record 13 co-sponsors. We also review the top issues raised during the first 2 Joint Finance Committee public budget hearings in Janesville and Oak Creek, and debrief the latest MU Law poll finding of 70% support for expanding BadgerCare.

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MADISON - This week, Rep. Dianne Hesselbein (D - Middleton) talks about the positive impacts Medicaid expansion would have on our state.

Audio File of Radio Address

Hello, this is Representative Dianne Hesselbein with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

Governor Evers’ has introduced “The People’s Budget”.

So it’s no surprise the most recent Marquette poll showed that 70% of Wisconsinites support the Medicaid Expansion – a cornerstone of the Governor’s budget proposal.

Unfortunately, since 2014 Republicans have refused to do the right thing and accept these funds.

Let me give you a quick reminder about the positive impacts Medicaid expansion would have on our state.

Over 80,000 people across Wisconsin would gain access to affordable health coverage under BadgerCare. Insuring more people means healthier families and a healthier workforce.

Accepting the expansion is also the fiscally responsible thing to do for our state. It would save $324 million dollars for Wisconsin taxpayers.

Medicaid expansion also helps address the opioid crisis.

Low-income adults are an especially high-risk population that are more likely to be uninsured and vulnerable to opioid abuse. Governor Evers’ budget proposes assisting all individuals in crisis, including those in need of substance abuse treatment.

Finally, Medicaid expansion is the right thing to do for our rural communities.

Studies have proven there is a direct correlation between states that have expanded Medicaid and the ability of rural hospitals to stay open in those states due to increased reimbursement rates.

While Republicans have blocked Medicaid expansion at every turn, it’s never too late to do the right thing.

Wisconsin Democrats stand with the people of Wisconsin who overwhelmingly want us to accept the Medicaid expansion.

Panel talks about spring election results, public schools in Milwaukee, the state budget battle, and more...

MILWAUKEE, WI - We review this week’s spring election results which saw new progressive gains in cities and a conservative voter surge behind right-wing Judge Hagedorn. We talk about the historic victory for public schools in Milwaukee and election of young progressive mayors in Green Bay, Oshkosh and Madison. We dissect the disappointing Supreme Court result and its implication for the court and the 2020 elections. We close by previewing the state budget battle which commences with Joint Finance Committee public hearings Friday in Janesville.

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MADISON, WI – Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) offered the weekly Democratic radio address today.

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is below:

“Hi, this is State Senator LaTonya Johnson.

“As the Wisconsin Legislature moves forward in the state budget process, it is important that our elected leaders have an open dialogue with residents and families across the state.

“Governor Tony Evers’ budget is about creating a Wisconsin that works for everyone – a Wisconsin for us. It prioritizes investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure, good government, criminal justice reform, and a clean environment.

“In order to provide greater opportunities for residents like you to learn about the budget and share your thoughts on the Governor’s budget proposal, the Joint Committee on Finance is hosting listening sessions throughout the state starting this week. As a State Senate Democratic member of the Joint Committee on Finance I hope you’ll share your thoughts with us and make your voice heard.

“Wisconsin Democrats remain committed to funding our public schools, developing policies that build strong family supporting jobs and finding a way, and a long-term solution to our state’s transportation crisis.

“As we move forward in the budget process it is important for citizens to weigh in and say what is important to them. Please contact you legislator and make your state budget priorities heard.”

Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor puts children’s future and the needs of local schools first to members of Joint Finance Committee says Johnson.

MADISON - What zip code a child lives in should not determine what opportunities they are provided. Today, we heard from State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor who gave members of the Joint Finance Committee a chance to ask questions about the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) provisions included in the state budget.

After years of underfunding from Republican lawmakers, the governor has put our children’s future and the needs of our local schools first. We know that the people of Wisconsin, from every corner of the state, have been asking for a greater investment in our public schools. Under Walker, local taxpayers have voted in favor for $1.4 billion in referenda funding to support their schools.

Through the years, special education support to local schools has not kept up with the needs of our children. In fact, Wisconsin provides the lowest reimbursement rate for special education in the nation. The governor invests over $600 million in special education, bringing state support for these critical state programs up to 60% by the end of the biennium. This investment supports our Wisconsin value that every child in our state should have access to a high-quality education.

Another significant investment the governor makes in his state budget proposal is in mental health care for students. According to DPI, one in five students face a mental health issue and 80% of mental health incidents go untreated. For those who do receive treatment, roughly 70% of the time it is administered at school. For these reasons, I am happy to see roughly $64 million go to mental health services for students in the state budget. This includes ensuring schools are supported in their ability to hire critical health and safety staff, such as social workers and nurses.

The Evers administration worked hard to listen to the needs and values of Wisconsinites, and that is exactly what is reflected in his state budget. I look forward to continuing this budget process in a positive, bipartisan way to ensure the People’s Budget lands on the governor’s desk for his signature into law.

****

Statement from State Senator LaTonya Johnson regarding Wednesday’s agency briefings in the Joint Finance Committee on Governor Tony Evers’ 2019-2021 state budget.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/farm-family-s5.jpgState Senator Dave Hansen of Green Bay responds to Rep. John Nygren’s column on the State Budget in the Marinette Eagle Herald.

MADISON - This coming Tuesday, April 2, is Election Day in Wisconsin, and I’m not too proud to beg: I beg you to go out and vote.

There is a highly competitive race for Wisconsin Supreme Court between Judges Lisa Neubauer and Brian Hagedorn, and the money contest has tightened considerably, as we noted here:

Outside Spending Groups Make Homestretch Push for Hagedorn

In Madison, there is a big mayoral race between Paul Soglin and Satya Rhodes-Conway.

And in La Crosse County, Vernon County, and the town of Newbold (near Rhinelander), citizens get to vote on an advisory referendum for banning gerrymandering in Wisconsin. We urge a yes vote on that one!

Here’s another reason to go vote: In spring elections, your vote has much more weight than at other times because turnout tends to be much lower. So enjoy your increased power, and throw your weight around on Tuesday.

Thanks for being such an active and responsible citizen.

Best,

Matt Rothschild
Executive Director
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MADISON - State Representative LaKeshia Myers (D - Milwaukee) says it's important you vote next Tuesday, April 2nd and gives some links to help you do that.

Audio File of Radio Address

Hello, this is Representative LaKeshia Myers with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.

I'm here to remind you that the Spring General Election is on Tuesday, April 2nd.

There's something powerful about voting.

When we vote, we decide the future direction of our state.

I am asking that you not take that powerful tool for granted.

In order to make your voice heard, it is important to be aware of how, when, and what you’ll need to vote.

First, make sure you're registered.

You can check myvote.wi.gov to see if you’re currently registered, if not, you can register at your local clerk’s office during business hours or at your polling place on Election Day.

Second, you need to make sure you have the proper ID needed to vote.

Go to bringitwisconsin.com to find out the acceptable forms of identification.

If you need a free ID to vote - take proof of identity, proof of residency, proof of citizenship, and social security card to your local DMV.

And finally, polls are open from 7:00am to 8:00pm. So make a plan for “how” and “when” you will get to vote.

Your vote is your voice. Make sure you are heard on Tuesday, April 2nd. Don’t forget to vote.