“Making Change in Washington. Can Progressives Co-Govern with Biden?” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

 Progressives have more influence in the Joe Biden’s Washington than we have had since the 1960s, but are we prepared to translate our outside power into the governing power we need to win bold reform? In this special edition of Battleground Wisconsin, we discuss how the progressive movement must evolve to meet our moment with two national organizing strategists,…

Bill Kaplan: Speaker Vos’ foolhardiness vs. healthcare security

The U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 cases and deaths, 26+ million and 440,000+ respectively. Wisconsin has 542,000+ cases and 5,900+ deaths. There is hope, vaccines are being administered, but it will take months for the Biden administration to ramp up production and distribution. In the interim, the American Hospital, Medical and Nurses Associations said: Americans can “help stop the…

“Wisconsin Republicans fight for anti-maskers” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

Battleground Wisconsin · Wisconsin Republicans fight for anti-maskers We discuss the horrific vote by Senate Republicans to cancel the state health emergency and the mask mandate while also nixing COVID-19 relief. The panel welcomes State Senator Chris Larson to talk about Tuesday’s Senate vote and the policy atrocities taking place at the State Capital. Is there any rationale for the…

46th President looks to future; Wauwatosa Police look to stone age.

Battleground Wisconsin · 46th President looks to future; Wauwatosa Police look to stone age We discuss the historic inaugural week of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and Biden’s flurry of executive orders and an exciting new immigration bill. We look behind the organizing that resulted in changes to the Wisconsin COVID vaccination plan to include teachers, grocery…

Bill Kaplan: Expand healthcare coverage in 2021

The pandemic has not peaked, with a cumulative 24 million+ cases nationally and 400,000+ deaths. Wisconsin staggers from a cumulative near 525,000 cases with about 5,500 deaths, including a new daily record of 128 deaths. Moreover, the resultant recession resulted in millions losing employer-based healthcare coverage. But the Affordable Care Act (ACA) proved durable. Enrollment for ACA private insurance increased…

Green Jobs Bill in first 100 days? Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

Battleground Wisconsin · Green Jobs Bill in first 100 days? We discuss President Trump’s latest impeachment, shocking new details of his failed insurrection, and the Wisconsin Republicans who are aiding and abetting the violent overthrow of American democracy. We welcome Citizen Action Climate & Equity Director Rafael Smith to discuss a groundbreaking opportunity to pass a large New Deal-style green…

Bill Kaplan: Trump, his racist mob and Ron Johnson lost

Last week began with Democratic Senate wins in Georgia and control of the Senate. Senator-elect Raphael Warnock said: “We are sending an African-American pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. served, and also Jon Ossoff, a young Jewish man, the son of an immigrant, to the U.S. Senate. … In this moment, we’ve got to bring people…

“The power behind the insurrection” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

Battleground Wisconsin · The power behind the insurrection We give our reactions and initial analysis of the unprecedented Trump insurrection at Congress. What does it mean for American democracy? We dig into how the shocking events at the Capital lay bare our white supremacist society. Insurrectionists were largely allowed to enter and leave Congress with little resistance and few arrests…

Citizen Action Statement on Charging Decision in Shooting of Jacob Blake

For Immediate Release: January 6, 2020 Contact: Robert Kraig, (414) 322-5324, [email protected] Milwaukee: Late yesterday afternoon Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced his decision not to criminally charge the police officer who shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back this summer. Citizen Action of Wisconsin stands in solidarity with Jacob Blake, his family and friends, hundreds of thousands…