Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, April 19th
Friday, April 19th
Citizen Action members attend UW-River Falls state budget hearing.
This Monday was Western Wisconsin’s turn to be heard at the Joint Finance Committee public hearing on the state budget in River Falls. Members traveled from great distances to speak at the hearing.
A huge thank you to everyone who offered organizing support and provided testimony at the hearing! The testimony was extremely impactful and is making a difference in this fight.
The day included a media conference with co-op members and State Senators Patty Schachtner and Jeff Smith. We left no doubt that accepting the federal money for Medicaid was a top priority for the people of Wisconsin.
Listen to WPR story featuring Citizen Action co-op member Don Dunphy.
The next JFC public hearing is Wednesday, April 24th at UW-Green Bay. More information.
Additionally, the governor’s budget tour stopped in Eau Claire this week and was extremely well attended by Citizen Action members, who were very active in the group issue discussions.
Momentum is building and we need to make sure we need to keep voicing our support! On Thursday, there is a major opportunity to continue our push to expand BadgerCare!
North Central WI Co-op members travel to UW-River Falls.
Several members and allies of the Citizen Action of WI North Central Organizing Co-op made the journey to UW River Falls on Monday to testify in support of accepting the federal funds to expand Badgercare and other issues including public education and clean water. Members of the WISDOM affiliate from North Central, NAOMI, also made the trek, and spoke in support of Badgercare expansion, as well as other issues. You can see footage of testimony from NC Co-op Steering Committee member (from Rusk County), Chrysa Ostenso and the Chair of their NC Steering Committee (from Lincoln County), Don Dunphy here.
Foxconn reality check” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast
We are joined by state representative Jonathan Brostoff to discuss Gov. Evers’ conclusion that Foxconn is unlikely to hire 13,000 workers and his decision to renegotiate the contract. We review the new UW-Madison study that found accepting Medicaid money would save state residents $100 million a year, on top of savings to the state savings. We also talk about the Trump MAGA rally coming to Green Bay, the Koch Brothers’ “astroturf” state budget campaign, and Congressman Sean Duffy dishonestly sneering at the Green New Deal.
LISTEN NOW – EPISODE #388
Download MP3
Press Clips
Energy Efficiency Organizing at County Boards in Central Wisconsin
About a year and a half ago, the members of the North Central Organizing Co-op began organizing for the passage of PACE resolutions at the County level that enable businesses to invest in energy efficiency upgrades for their business.
In Oneida County the effort was met with a lot of resistance because of misinformation.
After much effort, the PACE resolution passed this Tuesday! At least 10 Co-op members spoke in support. Co-op member and County Board member, Steven Schreier, led the effort on the Board to get the resolution passed. Steve was just recently re-elected in April with the support of Citizen Action.
Other counties that have passed the resolution because of the efforts of Co-op members include Rusk and Sawyer counties. You can hear about this victory on WXPR.
North Central Co-op members win award.
For well over 5 years, concerned citizens and neighborhood residents in Wausau have been resisting the expansion of the Thomas Street corridor. Many of these activists and community leaders were founding members of the Citizen Action of WI North Central Organizing Co-op.
They created a separate group, known as Citizens for a Clean Wausau (CCW). This group discovered that years of toxic runoff has contaminated this neighborhood, that many people over the years had possibly gotten sick or even died from exposure, and that if this area were to be redeveloped, it could potentially affect even more people and the natural environment around it (the Wisconsin River passes along this site).
Two members of both CCW and the North Central Co-op, Joyce Luedke and Steering Committee member Randy Radtke, accepted an award, on behalf of CCW for openness in government through their efforts! The award is called the 2019 Openness in Government Award and was presented to CCW by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.
Radioactive House Party Meeting
Please join us for the Radioactive House Party meeting on Monday, April 22nd, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. We will be meeting at 2020 E. Kenmore Pl. Shorewood. Come hear what are next exciting plans will be around countering the Republican narrative and pushing our agenda. Please bring some snacks, food, drinks.
Attend the Green Bay Joint Finance Budget Public Hearing!
Wednesday April 24th
UW Green Bay University Union, Phoenix Rooms
2430 Campus Court., Green Bay
RSVP & More information
The public hearing officially starts at 10am and goes until 5pm. We are encouraging people to arrive early (7:00am if you want to speak)
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.
Oshkosh
Tues., April 23th, 5:30–7 p.m.; doors open at 4:45 p.m
Oshkosh Senior Center
234 N Campbell Road, Oshkosh
Milwaukee
Thursday, April 25th; 5–7 p.m.; doors open at 4:15 p.m
Journey House Inc
2110 W Scott St. Milwaukee
Wisconsin Democrats holding BadgerCare expansion public hearing
Wisconsin Democrats are 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:
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
Facebook post of the week