Friday, April 12th

Citizen Action members let the Joint Finance Committee know what was a priority for them in the next version of the Wisconsin state budget. Popular topics were accepting the BadgerCare expansion money from the Federal government, raising the wage to help solve the long term care worker shortage, keeping pre-existing conditions protections, marijuana legalization, fair maps, and increased funding for public education!

Accion Ciudadana member Virginio Miranda advocated to restore drivers licenses for all regardless of immigration status. Our 30 plus members also stood in solidarity with other speakers there to address mass incarceration.

Media from hearings CBS 58 WTMJ 4

The Western Wisconsin Co-Op Turns Three!

Our co-op’s third annual membership meeting has come and gone. It was an excellent opportunity to reflect on the amazing work that membership has undertaken as well as plot a course into 2020 and beyond!

We were joined by Citizen Action members Representative Jodi Emerson, Senator Jeff Smith, and State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. Our membership elected two new steering committee members, Rita Simon and Mireya Sigala- Valadez!

A special thanks to our steering committee members who have completed their term: Steve Hanson, Deb LaBonte, Damian O’Brien, and our chair Terry Meyer. We would also like to thank our amazing volunteers who helped to make this event possible and we look forward to our fourth meeting in 2020!

North Central Organizing Co-op and NAOMI team up for Joint Finance Committee Hearings

The WISDOM affiliate in North Central WI recently held their annual Sustainer breakfast. Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s North Central Co-op Organizer and members of the Co-op attended. The NC Organizer, Joel Lewis, spoke to the group about the importance of accepting the federal funds to expand Badgercare.

The entire room committed to calling their legislators in support of this issue and many are attending the JFC hearings in River Falls. Some will be going to Green Bay. If you would like to attend either one of these, please look below for details.

Attend a Joint Finance Budget Public Hearing!

River Falls
Monday April 15th
UW River Falls University Center
Riverview Ballroom #260
500 Wild Rose Ave. River Falls
RSVP & More information

Green Bay
Wednesday April 24th
UW Green Bay University Union, Phoenix Rooms
2430 Campus Court., Green Bay
RSVP & More information

Each public hearing officially starts at 10am and goes until 5pm,
We are encouraging people to arrive early (8:30pm)

RSVP to attend and receive a Citizen Action t-shirt.

Attend Gov. Evers, Lt. Gov. Barnes Budget Listening Tour

Join Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes at their statewide budget listening tour to hear from people of Wisconsin about what the governor’s budget means to Wisconsinites and their families.

Superior
Tuesday, April 16th
Superior Middle School
4:30pm – 6:00pm

Eau Claire
Tuesday, April 16th
CVTC Business Education Center
5:00pm -6:30pm.

Oshkosh
Tuesday, April 23rd
TBD

Milwaukee
Thursday, April 25th
TBD

Wisconsin Democrats holding BadgerCare expansion public hearing

Wisconsin Democrats will be visiting various parts of Wisconsin to discuss Medicaid expansion. These town halls will present the facts about Medicaid expansion and allow for questions from attendees. Each event is free and open to the public. Speakers will include Democratic legislators, Administration officials, and health care advocates. Below is a list of the scheduled town halls in the coming weeks:

Green Bay
Tuesday, April 16
5:30 – 7:00pm
Brown County Central Library
515 Pine St., Green Bay

Madison
Wednesday, April 17
5:30 – 7:00pm
Goodman Community Center
149 Waubesa St. Madison

Brookfield
Wednesday, April 17
7:00 – 8:00pm
Brookfield Public Library
1900 N Calhoun Rd, Brookfield

Chippewa Falls
Thursday, April 18
7:00-8:00 PM
Chippewa Valley Tech College
770 Scheidler Rd., Chippewa Falls

Viroqua
Tuesday, April 30
5:30 – 7:00
McIntosh Library
205 S. Rock Ave., Viroqua

Beloit
Tuesday, April 30
5:30 – 7:00
Beloit Public Library
605 Eclipse Blvd, Beloit

Northeast Wisconsin General Assembly, April 13th, 11am – 3pm

Join us on the 13th for a fun annual meeting! From 11am – noon we will have a potluck and networking hour so bring a dish to share and get to know your fellow progressives in the Northeast. Register here.

Our programming will start at noon and will include:

• A panel on the State Budget with Sen. Dave Hansen and Rep. Amanda Stuck
• Presentation from Citizen Action’s Bright Futures Organizer, Supreme Omokunde Moore on youth substance abuse prevention in state budget
• Presentation from our Health Care for All Organizer, Karen Kirsch on BadgerCare Expansion and other health care priorities in state budget
• Discussion of co-op growth and vision for 2020
• Breakouts to collaborate on how to take action

Child Care will be provided. Please share on Facebook.

Wisconsin withdraws from the Federal ACA lawsuit

This week a Federal court ruled in favor of Governor Tony Evers efforts to withdraw Wisconsin from a lawsuit seeking to repeal the ACA. In a stunning power grab after the November elections, Republicans tried to prevent the Governor from doing so in a lame duck session.   The ACA is the only mechanism that completely protects everyone with pre-existing conditions.

Tell Congress we need Medicare For All!

This week Sen Tammy Baldwin joined Sen. Bernie Sanders in introducing a new Medicare for All bill with a record 13 co-sponsors.

Click here to sign in support of Medicare For All.

“Treasurer Godlewski’s Budget” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

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.

Wisconsin Treasurers Office website.
Apply for Intership with State Treasurer

More information about the State Treasurer task force on state-run retirement options.
More information about the State Treasurer task force to refinance student loan debt.

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