Citizen Action Weekend E Newsletter, November 17th
Citizen Action is hiring Deep Canvass Field Organizers in Green Bay and Milwaukee.
For more information contact Priscilla Bort at [email protected]
Join/Donate Citizen Action Today!
Attend Citizen Action’s 2023 Annual Member Meeting. Saturday, December 2nd, 10am – Noon.
It’s almost 2024! Join us for our 2023 Annual Meeting as we continue our Organizing Revival building a progressive base of leaders across the state to garner the power we need to transform our healthcare system, fight climate change, create a green economy, and to defend our democracy by electing progressives in 2024.
Join us for our 2023 Annual Meeting for a review of our accomplishments and to get ready for the 2024 Organizing Revival, and to get engaged to lead the way on the change we need.
HOLD THE DATE: Citizen Action 3rd CD Candidate Forum, Sunday, December 17th, 6pm!
Join us for a virtual candidate forum featuring candidates challenging Derrick Van Orden for the 3rd Congressional District in Western Wisconsin. The forum will feature questions from Citizen Action Organizing coop members who live in the 3rd Congressional District. Citizen Action has 3 separate Organizing Co-ops located in the district, making this a huge event for us!
This forum is part of our endorsement process and will include a survey of attendees on their candidate preferences and if you think Citizen Action’s Board should vote to endorse in the Democratic Primary. All final endorsement decisions are made by our Board, but member opinions matter very much in that decision.
Attend BadgerCare Public Option media conference in La Crosse, Monday, November 20th, 11am
State Rep. Steve Doyle and Rep. Jill Billings, along with Driftless Region advocates, will speak at the St. Clare Health Mission, Monday, November 20th, 9:30am, about the local impacts posed by this legislative session’s only comprehensive bill to curb the skyrocketing healthcare costs that prevent people from seeking care.
The game-changing plan would lower healthcare costs throughout the state and create more affordable healthcare options for families, small businesses and individuals. All told, the BadgerCare Public Option Bill is the most comprehensive health care reform bill proposed in Wisconsin in over a decade.
Attend BadgerCare Public Option House Party with State Representative Kristina Shelton, Monday, November 27th, 6pm, Green Bay Labor Temple.
Support local climate legislation in Green Bay by attending our climate action meeting!
Green Bay is in the final steps of implementing a Clean Energy Plan that paves the way for bringing the city to carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan comes to a Common Council vote on Tuesday, December 5th, and we need as many voices as possible to speak in support of this initiative.
Join us in the Northeast Co-op for a virtual climate action meeting on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00pm to prepare for the Common Council meeting as well as hear some local climate updates.
Attend Virtual Healthcare Action Monthly Meeting, Wednesday, November 29th, 7pm.
Join us for November’s Virtual Healthcare for All monthly meeting, Wednesday, November 29th, 7pm. This month we will be providing updates on BadgerCare Public Option bill introduced by State Rep. Kristina Shelton and State Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde.
The BadgerCare Public Option creates a basic health plan that would be available to Wisconsinites making between 133% to 200% of the federal poverty line. This means a family of four earning up to $60,000 per year or a family of three making up to $50,000 would be eligible for the basic health plan.
Citizen Action Southeast Organizing Coop members engaging with the Growing MKE plan.
Engagement includes advocating for green policies and strategic growth. To learn more about the Growing MKE plan, headed by the Milwaukee Department of City Development, view the DCD website or article from Urban Milwaukee.
This work includes continued advocacy on expanded and greener public transportation in conjunction with planned expansion in housing. Citizen Action members are planning to attend the December 4th Growing MKE meeting at the Good Hope Library.
Interested in joining or learning more?
Reach out to Citizen Action Southeast Co-Op Organizer Kat Klawes at [email protected].
Marathon County Board and Wausau School Board Actions Highlights the Need for Movement Politics
Recent happenings in Marathon County and Wausau, illustrate just how important it is that we all work to find Progressive candidates to run for office at every level. There is a consistent push, across the State, to defund or privatize anything public. You’ve likely seen our updates regarding efforts to privatize a County-owned nursing home in Lincoln County.
Marathon County is no different, but lately, it’s been the Marathon County Public library. The County Board has suggested banning books from the library. They have tried to punish Library Board members. And most recently, they were considering a significant cut in funding for the library. You can read about those failed efforts here. Thankfully, the community banded together, and the Board had to reconsider.
Then comes the Wausau School Board. Because of declining enrollments and cuts in State funding, they have known that they need to consolidate schools for quite some time now. The problem is that the most recent plan was made largely, without any input from the public. And the changes would be huge. The community responded, and the Board listened, and now, they will need to go back to the drawing board. You can learn more about this whole ordeal here.
These happenings illustrate just how important it is that more people run for office, to challenge those that do not listen to the people. If you have been frustrated with decisions being made by local government, then you have the ability to change things. Sometimes, incumbents don’t even have a challenger. Citizen Action of Wisconsin can help if running for office is something that you are passionate about. Reach out to your local Organizer to find out how we can help!
To get involved in the Citizen Action North Central Coop contact: [email protected]
Citizen Action in the News
Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig was on the Paul Revere Show hosted by Mark Thomsen in the second half hour to talk about Wisconsin politics and organizing.
Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig was on the Earl Ingram Show for the full hour, with guest host Stew Daniels, to discuss Citizen Action’s mission, issues, organizing strategy, and how to get involved.
Listen to “Special Reports: U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan on Gaza & State Senator Chris Larson on the stadium deal” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast
This week we have a special report where Robert interviews two Wisconsin elected officials who are demonstrating the courage to lead. First, we have an interview with Congressman Mark Pocan to discuss his thoughtful and nuanced stance on the Gaza War that defends the humanity and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians, opposes collective punishment, and recognizes the magnitude of the crimes committed by Hamas on October 7. Robert talks with Mark about the situation on the ground, what is needed to preserve human life and to finally land a permanent political settlement of the conflict.
Second, we interview State Senator Chris Larson, who has fought for months to get a better deal for the public from the Milwaukee Brewers. The one sided half billion dollar subsidy passed the Senate after a massive full court lobbying campaign, but not without a fight.
Listen to the show.
Social media post of the week
