Sheboygan event to be one of several hearings with Flynn across Wisconsin.

SHEBOYGAN, WI - On Wednesday, gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn will hold one of several public hearings across Wisconsin on the disastrous Foxconn deal.

"Walker has been consistently dishonest with the people of Wisconsin about the Foxconn deal," said Flynn. "We need to spread the truth and explain why this deal is wrong for Wisconsin."

What: Matt Flynn Foxconn Hearing

When: Wednesday, April 25th, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Where: Sheboygan County Democratic Party

816 Erie Ave

Sheboygan, WI 53081

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Matt Flynn is a Navy veteran, attorney, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He graduated from law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For additional information, visit www.ForwardWithFlynn.com.

"His plans to raise wages, care for every Wisconsinite, and restore clean and honest state government are the best of any candidate running for governor," says County Supervisor Ortiz-Velez.

MILWAUKEE, WI - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Matt Flynn received the endorsement of Milwaukee County Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez on Monday.

"Matt Flynn is the leader we need to bring our state forward. He has a vision for a brighter Wisconsin for all of us and the wisdom to see it through," said Ortiz-Velez. "His plans to raise wages, care for every Wisconsinite, and restore clean and honest state government are the best of any candidate running for governor. He's more concerned with solutions than with petty political fights. I've known Matt for many years, and I'm proud to call him my friend and will be proud to vote for him in the August primary and the November general election. I wholeheartedly endorse Matt Flynn for governor of Wisconsin."

"I want to thank Supervisor Ortiz-Velez for her endorsement," said Flynn. "2018 is a critical election and we need to come together to replace Scott Walker. As governor, I will work with local leaders and re-establish the principle of local control in our communities."

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Matt Flynn is a Navy veteran, attorney, and former Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He graduated from law school at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

For additional information, visit www.ForwardWithFlynn.com.

Illinois-based megadonor has already poured $17.4 million into 10 groups backing Kevin Nicholson's candidacy.

MADISON -- In case you missed it, a new report from ABC News reveals that Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein "is involved in almost every single one of the top spending super PACs supporting [Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kevin] Nicholson."

With Wisconsin's Republican U.S. Senate primary still four months away, the Illinois-based megadonor has already poured $17.4 million into 10 groups backing Kevin Nicholson's candidacy.

"Out-of-state billionaire Dick Uihlein isn't even eligible to vote in Wisconsin's Senate election, but that hasn't stopped him from pouring in millions into our state to try to buy Kevin Nicholson a U.S. Senate seat," said Brad Bainum, DPW spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race. "Nicholson is bought and paid for, and committed to helping Uihlein get even richer."

Here are the highlights from ABC News's coverage:

The single biggest donor this election cycle, Richard “Dick” Uihlein, has quickly become a GOP power player in the past couple of years.

He and his wife Liz Uihlein [...] together donated more than $25 million already so far this election cycle.

Uihlein’s biggest focus so far this cycle has been on supporting Republican Kevin Nicholson's bid to unseat Democratic incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin in the Wisconsin Senate race. He is involved in almost every single one of the top spending super PACs supporting Nicholson.

[...]

Outside groups funded by Uihlein together have spent more than $6.1 million in the Wisconsin Senate race so far this year and pro-Baldwin groups have ramped up their spending to try and compete.

The face-off has resulted in a pricey contest that has attracted the largest amount of spending from outside groups. The Wisconsin race has already seen nearly $10 million in outside money.

Read more from ABC News.

She was a woman of many firsts and broke through many gender and racial barriers, a true pioneer and leader during the civil rights movement, and a trailblazing woman throughout her life.

MADISON, WI – Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) issued the following statement regarding the passing of former Secretary of State Vel Phillips.

“It is with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of Vel Phillips. My father worked for Vel when she served as Secretary of State, and I met her several times as a young girl. At the time, I had no idea how much of an icon and giant she was in terms of her accomplishments. It was an honor to re-connect with her a few years ago and relive the stories of the past and pay homage to a trailblazing woman who inspired many.

“Vel was a woman of many firsts and broke through many gender and racial barriers. She was the first African American woman to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Law School, the first to win a seat on the Milwaukee City Council, the first to become a judge, and the first to become the Secretary of State in Wisconsin.

“She was a true pioneer and leader during the civil rights movement and fought to improve social and economic justice for underrepresented communities. Vel cared deeply about the Milwaukee community and her steadfast dedication to improving opportunities for families remained throughout her retirement. My deepest condolences to her family as Wisconsin celebrates the life of a remarkable woman.”

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Velvalea Rodgers "Vel" Phillips was an American attorney who served as a local official and judge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as Secretary of State of Wisconsin, often as the first woman and/or African-American in her position. She died Tuesday, April 17, 2018 leaving a legacy of fighting for equality that has inspired generations.

Wisconsin has lost a beloved, iconic, tenacious trailblazer whose leadership and career of firsts in our state opened doors for so many African Americans, Democrats and women.

MADISON - The following is a statement from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's Chair Martha Laning on our loss of Wisconsin civil rights icon, former Secretary of State of Wisconsin, judge, open housing pioneer and trailblazer Vel Phillips.

“Wisconsin has lost a beloved, iconic, tenacious trailblazer whose leadership and career of firsts in our state opened doors through which so many African Americans, Democrats and women are proud to have followed. Her spirit is with all of us, in Wisconsin and the nation, as we proudly continue the fight she took to the streets--despite horrific abuse--for civil rights, equality and justice. Her legacy and strength in the face of hatred and injustice stays with us now as we continue her march."

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Velvalea Rodgers "Vel" Phillips was an American attorney who served as a local official and judge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as Secretary of State of Wisconsin, often as the first woman and/or African-American in her position. She died Tuesday, April 17, 2018 leaving a legacy of fighting for equality that has inspired generations.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/paul-ryan-sad-s5.jpgDeep "bench" of Republican hopefuls intimidated by "#bluewave".

MADISON, WI - To kick off the National Week of the Young Child, Kelda Roys will be the featured speaker at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Bright Child Learning Center's brand new infant wing.

Roys’ remarks will focus on her plans to dramatically expand support for families and young children all across Wisconsin. Roys’ early childhood agenda is the most ambitious of any Democratic gubernatorial candidate, and will expand opportunity, close the achievement gap, and improve the livelihoods of thousands of Wisconsin families.

WHAT:

A ribbon cutting luncheon followed by a tour of the new facility

WHO:

Kelda Roys: entrepreneur, former state representative, candidate for governor

Greg Thomas: Owner of Bright Child Learning Center

Other community leaders

WHEN:

Noon on Monday, April 16

WHERE:

Bright Child Learning Center, 3149 Maple Valley Drive, Madison

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Every year, the National Association for the Education of Young Children hosts the Week of the Young Child to raise awareness of the importance of early learning and celebrate young children, their teachers, and their families. To learn more, visit naeyc.org/events/woyc/overview.

Roys, 38, is a small business owner, attorney, former state representative, and past head of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin who has been standing up for women and families throughout her career. In the Assembly, she stood out as an influential and effective lawmaker, delivering results for working families and helping lead the opposition to Governor Scott Walker’s divisive agenda. As a parent and step-parent of four girls, Roys will fight for paid family leave, affordable childcare, great schools, and quality healthcare for all. In a year in which Wisconsin voters are ready for change, Kelda Roys provides the clearest contrast to Scott Walker.

Dick Uihlein, outside groups have spent more than four times as much on negative ads against Tammy Baldwin than against any other senator.

MADISON - "Outside spending in [the Wisconsin U.S. Senate race] likely is 'unprecedented' for a U.S. Senate campaign, excluding special elections, at this stage," according to a new report from the Wisconsin State Journal.

And it turns out that most of those millions have been directed towards either attacking U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin or promoting corporate consultant Kevin Nicholson, who's competing with state Sen. Leah Vukmir for the Republican Party's nomination.

Key Points:

Tammy Baldwin remains a top target of right-wing billionaire megadonors like the Koch brothers and Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein:

• "A broader view of outside spending in the race, based on data provided by Democratic and Republican sources in Wisconsin, puts the total amount spent at more than $13 million."
• "Meanwhile, Baldwin, D-Madison, has faced a negative ad blitz that so far dwarfs any other U.S. Senate incumbent seeking re-election this fall. Outside groups have spent more than four times as much on negative ads against her than against any other senator, the Center for Responsive Politics data show."
• "Much of the anti-Baldwin ad barrage comes from groups funded by the billionaire Koch brothers, among the nation’s most prolific donors to conservative and Republican political causes."

Illinois billionaire Dick Uihlein-funded outside groups have already "spent more than $5 million" on TV and radio ads to buy Kevin Nicholson a U.S. Senate seat:

• "Outside groups have spent nearly $5 million to support Nicholson"
• "Nearly all of the pro-Nicholson ads come from super PACs funded largely by Uihlein."
• "America’s PAC and Restoration PAC, super PACs funded almost entirely by Uihlein, together have spent more than $5 million to back Nicholson or oppose Baldwin, according to the center."
• "Uihlein made a huge early splash for Nicholson when he pledged $3.5 million to a super PAC supporting him...He also has given $850,000 to John Bolton Super PAC, affiliated with President Donald Trump’s incoming national security adviser."
• "The pro-Nicholson spending spree has helped make Uihlein the top national donor to outside groups in the 2018 cycle so far."

Read more -- Wisconsin State Journal: 'Unprecedented' outside spending hits Tammy Baldwin, boosts Kevin Nicholson in US Senate race

As Wisconsinites face skyrocketing health care costs following GOP sabotage, Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson continue to run on taking away 30 million Americans' health care access.

MADISON - In Wisconsin and across the country, Republican health care sabotage continues to spike consumer costs, shouldering Americans with skyrocketing premiums -- particularly in rural areas -- and rising worries that their care will soon be completely unaffordable. But GOP U.S. Senate candidates Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir are nevertheless dead set on taking away 30 million Americans' health care access and further spiking consumer costs, as part of their right-wing, corporate-special-interest-giveaway agenda.

Nicholson and Vukmir have continued to campaign on dangerous Trumpcare repeal plans that would gut protections for people with preexisting conditions, spike premiums and take health care away from up to 30 million Americans. And Vukmir and Nicholson are standing by their fellow Republicans' efforts to further destabilize health care markets -- malicious sabotage that's already spiking premiums in Wisconsin and across the country.

Republican-led health care market sabotage has gotten so out of control that a recent Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll finds that a majority of Americans are "worried about their out-of-pocket costs increasing so high that" they won’t be able to afford the care that they need.

Meanwhile, additional polling shows that health care remains the top issue for voters heading into November's midterm elections. In Wisconsin, specifically, a recent PPP survey found that 72% of likely voters name health care a top issue. 

That's bad news for Trumpcare candidates like Nicholson and Vukmir, who are also running on a Republican tax law that spikes health care costs while simultaneously calling for dangerous cuts to Wisconsinites' Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare benefits.

Plan reduces the sales tax rate by 10%, ends MAC tax break that benefits less than 1% of taxpayers, and makes investments in education, job training, and high-speed Internet.

ALTOONA, WI - Wisconsin governor candidate Mike McCabe today proposed transformative tax changes to turn Wisconsin’s tax system from one that allows the wealthiest in the state to pay the lowest overall tax rate into one where everyone pays their fair share.

One centerpiece of the plan reduces the state sales tax rate by 10% while applying the tax to now-exempt purchases made almost exclusively by the richest consumers. In making the proposal, McCabe highlighted the injustice of taxing auto parts and repairs but exempting aircraft parts and repairs from the state sales tax.

“If you need to fix your car or truck, you pay sales tax on top of what it costs you. But if you own a private jet and need repairs or spare parts, you are exempt from the tax,” McCabe said.

“If you buy your kid a winter coat, you pay state sales tax. But if you pay a public relations firm to spruce up your image, there’s no tax,” he said.

Another key feature of McCabe’s tax reform plan is ending what is known as the MAC tax break that benefits a mere one-third of 1% of taxpayers in the state. More than three-quarters of the beneficiaries make more than $1 million a year, and well over 90% of those taking advantage of MAC have incomes exceeding $300,000 annually.

“MAC is a tax loophole big enough to drive a Mack truck through, and it’s the super-rich who are doing the driving,” McCabe said, adding that it resulted in tax breaks averaging more than $2 million for 11 tax filers earning $30 million or more in 2017. Closing the loophole would bring in more than $320 million a year in taxes that some of Wisconsin’s wealthiest people currently are escaping.

“We don’t need any new taxes. But we do need to make sure everyone pays the ones we already have,” he said.

McCabe’s proposed changes to the state sales tax include lowering it from 5% to 4.5% – a 10% reduction in the rate – and applying the tax to purchases that currently are exempt including:

• Aircraft parts and repairs
• Health clubs
• Auto and travel clubs
• Nonresidents’ aircraft hangared and boats berthed in Wisconsin
• Dues and fees to business associations and fraternal organizations
• Building materials, equipment and supplies used in constructing professional sports stadiums
• Motion picture and TV film and advertising materials
• Services such as public relations, accounting, interior design, architectural and engineering, beauty, legal, advertising, tax preparation, real estate broker commissions, collection and credit rating, and janitorial.

McCabe already has called for funding nearly $700 million in new investments in the next two-year state budget by ending two unsuccessful subsidy programs and using the savings to make education and job training more affordable and bring high-speed Internet to parts of the state currently lacking access. He also plans to put in place two other measures to empower working people that involve no additional state spending. These include boosting wages by turning the state’s minimum wage into a living wage and expanding access to health care by changing a single word in state law to make nearly every state resident able to access affordable, high-quality health insurance through the BadgerCare program.

All of these steps to empower people are needed if Wisconsin is to have a prosperous middle class, McCabe said, noting that so far in the 21st Century no state has seen more shrinkage of the middle class than Wisconsin. The state also can tap upwards of $200 million a year in new revenue to invest in health and education by legalizing marijuana and taxing legal sales in licensed dispensaries, as McCabe has proposed. The more than $320 million gained each year by closing the MAC loophole for the rich also can be plowed into needed investments in infrastructure, education and health.

These investments, together with a lower state sales tax on the kinds of purchases low- and middle-income consumers make most, will solidify Wisconsin’s middle class, McCabe said.