Citizen Action Weekly: January 3rd, 2020

Citizen Action Weekly: January 3rd, 2020

Friday, January 3rd

Wisconsin Supreme Court Candidate Interviews with Jill Karofsky and Ed Fallone. 

Thursday, January 9th 5:45pm – 8pm
Citizen Action Office, 221 S. 2nd St. #300, Milwaukee

6pm: Jill Karofsky
7pm: Ed Fallone

Come meet the candidates for the state’s high court. The primary election will be Tuesday, February 18th, 2020. The General Election will be Tuesday, April 7th, 2020.

You can watch via Zoom web conference.

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate interviews watch party in Viroqua.

Citizen Action of Wisconsin with help locally from our friends at the Vernon County Democrats will be sponsoring a statewide interview with progressive Supreme Court candidates Ed Fallon and Jill Karofsky on Thursday January 9th from 6:00 to 8:00. Interviews will happen in Milwaukee and be remotely shared across the state.

Join us at the Vernon County Democrats office in the lower level 504  East Decker St in Viroqua, 6pm – 8pm. The entrance to the office is on the same side of the building as the parking lot. Please RSVP for this event here.

Supreme Court candidate interview watch party in Eau Claire

Join Citizen Action NWWI Co-op’s Watch Party as we interview Supreme Court candidates Jill Karofsky and Ed Fallone. January 9, 2020 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Eau Claire Democratic Resource Center – 440 Broadway St., Eau Claire. This will be a great chance to hear from these nominees and ask questions before the Spring election.

Supreme Court candidate interview watch party in Appleton

Democratic Party of Outagamie County
2701 N Oneida St suite C-1, Appleton
Thursday, January 9th, 5:30pm – 8:00pm

Citizen Action’s Movement Politics Director, JoAnna Bautch, featured in Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel story on what should happen in Wisconsin in the next decade.

“I hope Milwaukee learns to embrace its diverse population. The entire U.S. is a melting pot of cultures, and we are no different in Milwaukee.

According to the U.S. Census, less than 45% of the population identifies as white only. In Milwaukee, the Latinx population is the fastest-growing constituency, we are home to a large African American community, and we have a rising Asian and Hmong-American community.

Yet we are known as “America’s most segregated city,” and Milwaukeeans of color continually face interpersonal and systemic racism. Embracing diversity means people of color feel safe to live their lives in the place they call home.

A position in an elected office can be lonely for women. In our city, more than 50% of the population is women. However, only 36 of the 132 lawmakers in Wisconsin are women, and in Milwaukee, only three of the 15-member Common Council are women. So, although Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment, women have a long way to go when it comes to representation in politics. Embracing diversity means investing in women’s leadership.”

Read more of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel story!

Coffee with your co-op meetings in the Driftless region

Citizen Action of Wisconsin will be hosting monthly, informal coffee get-togethers throughout the year.  These “Coffee with your Co-op” events will be a great chance to get to know fellow activists, talk about issues that matter, talk strategy for the year and grab coffee with amazing, passionate activists!  We will be hosting events in both La Crosse and Viroqua. Members are invited to both meetings. Please feel free to invite any family or friends that are interested in creating a better Wisconsin!

Saturday January 4th 12:00 PM
JavaVino 2311 State Road La Crosse Wisconsin
RSVP

Saturday January 18th 12:00 PM
Viroqua Food Co-op 609 N Main st Viroqua Wisconsin
RSVP

“Dark Money” movie showing and discussion in Viroqua

Citizen Action of Wisconsin will be sponsoring a viewing and group discussion about the movie “Dark Money” at the Commons, 401 E Jefferson St., in Viroqua on January 15th at 6:00 PM.  Dark Money is a political thriller that examines the greatest threat to American democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections. “Dark Money” uncovers the shocking truth of how American elections are bought and sold.  This Sundance award-winning documentary is directed and produced by Kimerly Redd.  Please click here to RSVP.

City of Milwaukee Mayor and Milwaukee County Executive Interviews, Saturday, January 11th, 8:45 – 1pm

All Citizen Action co-op members are welcome to attend our candidate interviews at Citizen Action’s Office, 221 S. 2nd St. #300, Milwaukee.

RSVP and more information.

Clean Energy and Efficiency for Milwaukee’s Buildings and Houses

Come and join on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 6 PM – 8 PM as we have a lively and serious discussion about clean energy and energy efficiency and what it means for the future of Milwaukee’s buildings and homes. To RSVP for the event, follow the link https://www.facebook.com/events/1518060475023020/

“Legalize marijuana, criminalize voter suppression” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

We discuss the latest news surrounding the organized conservative effort to hold state election commission officials in contempt for keeping voters on the rolls following the Election Commission’s deadlocking on whether to purge people from the voter registration roles. Illinois’ legalization of marijuana started on January 1st and saw huge lines across the state, particularly at locations near the state boarder. We talk about the Democratic presidential primary race, including the of Secretary Julian Castro. We close by reviewing Governor Evers’ first year in office and look towards 2020.

LISTEN NOW – EPISODE #423
Download MP3

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Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, December 20th

Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, December 20th

Friday, December 20th
Happy Holidays

Federal Court Decision Threatens Health Coverage in Wisconsin

Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions, marketplace health insurance, at grave risk of having coverage taken away by right-wing federal judges

This Wednesday, the unending drive by conservative politicians to rip health coverage away from millions Americans, and re-legalize insurance discrimination, came a step closer to tearing apart the health care system. A Republican dominated Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled in favor of the Trump administration in Texas vs. United States, striking down the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate. President Donald Trump and U.S. Attorney General William Bar are using the case as a vehicle for invalidating the entire ACA, including the popular protections against pre-existing condition discrimination. The judges, both Republican appointees, remanded the decision on the other elements of the ACA to the same right-wing lower court judge who already struck it down last year.

Thursday, Citizen Action of Wisconsin teamed up with Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and Protect Our Care to hold a media briefing on the implications of this development for Wisconsin. You can listen to the entire media call here. Speakers made the case that judicial action invalidating the ACA is a clear and present danger.

In addition, Citizen Action is urging lawmakers to codify the ACA’s consumer protections and health insurance regulations in state law to protect Wisconsinites in the event of a damaging U.S. Supreme Court decision. Senate Bill 37, sponsored by Sen. Jon Erpenbach, is a huge step in this direction. Citizen Action is also urging lawmakers to create a plan, triggered by an adverse court decision striking down the ACA, to replace marketplace plans for people who buy insurance on their own and the federal subsidies that make them more affordable.

If the ACA was struck down the following provisions would be eliminated from federal law:

  • Guaranteeing coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions, impacting an estimated 852,000 to 2.436 million Wisconsinites.
  • Prohibition of price discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions. In Wisconsin without this protection a patient with a pregnancy could be charged $17,060 more, and someone with metastatic cancer could be charged $140,510 more.
  • Free coverage of preventative care such as mammograms and colonoscopies for 2,804,258 Wisconsinites.
  • Mental health parity.
  • Prohibition of gender discrimination in coverage and pricing.
  • Prohibition of age discrimination in pricing, the so-called “age tax.”
  • Prohibition of lifetime and annual care limits.
  • Protections against junk health care plans by requiring that all essential health benefits be covered.
  • Substance abuse coverage.
  • Resources and funds to hold insurance companies accountable to regulation.

In addition, 153,000 Wisconsinites would have their health coverage taken away if the ACA was struck down, according to a recent study by the Urban Institute.

Milwaukee resident Megan McGee, who lives with pre-existing conditions, described her reaction to the ruling and the threat to the ACA: “I’ve had back problems and birth complications. I’m told there are no long-term effects of either. But will insurers care? Without the ACA, could I get kicked off my insurance plan? When I think about the possibility of the ACA being overturned, I don’t worry about one thing. I worry about many things: what will happen to me, my 2 year old, a family member who is mentally ill, and my 2 employees.”

“The federal court nullification of the ACA is a predictable human-made disaster that would wreak havoc with the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites,” said Robert Kraig, Executive Director, Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “We urge state lawmakers to take action to put the popular federal protections against pre-existing condition discrimination and other insurance industry abuses in state law, and beyond the reach of activist federal judges.”

People’s Action endorses Bernie Sanders for President.

This Thursday, Citizen Action’s national network, People’s Action, announced it’s endorsement of Bernie Sanders for president in 2020. The People’s Action Board of Directors approved members recommendation that People’s Action endorse Senator Bernie Sanders for President following an extensive process that started two years ago and included; candidate forums, questionnaires, member surveys, interviews, and multiple People’s Action delegate meetings. The delegate vote was 76.3% for a Bernie endorsement.

Watch People’s Action video announcing the endorsement.
Watch Bernie Sanders’ thank you video message on Twitter.
Read media of endorsement Politico, The Hill, The Washington Post

Citizen Action Northwestern WI Co-Op Holds Press Conference with Sen. Jeff Smith to Demand Lower Drug Costs

The Citizen Action Northwestern WI Co-op, along with State Senator Jeff Smith, held a press conference this week to demand that the US Senate and President Donald Trump support the H.R. 3 “Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act” bill that passed through the US House of Representatives last week.

While at the podium Sen. Smith said, “We have a president who refuses to lift a finger on this issue and he has sat idly by as prescription drugs continue to rise.” Retired Dr. Rita Simon, co-op steering committee chairperson, and organizer Breana Stanley also spoke about the effects of high drug costs on Wisconsinites. Contact Sen. Ron Johnson and urge him to support the Senate Rx bill (202) 224-5323.

Checkout the media from the event WQOW, WEAU, Eau Calire Leader Telegram

North Central Organizing Co-op 2019 Recap

The North Central Organizing Co-op was actively involved in the efforts to accept the federal funds to expand Badgercare. Efforts included:

  • Press events calling on the State to expand BC
  • 3 members attended and spoke at JFC Hearings in River Falls; 14 in GB
  • Text messaging and phone banking campaigns aimed at getting voters to contact their legislators

Nine members of the NC Organizing Co-op traveled to Iowa to attend the People’s Action Presidential Forum.

Citizen Action, Women for Women Wausau Chapter, and County Board Supervisor Katie Rosenberg organized an event with Sarah Godlewski on the role of the State Treasurer

NC members are active in many of the groups throughout the region and this has made for a collaborative effort among groups to seek and support candidates. Several Co-op members have already come forward as candidates for the:

  •  7th CD special election
  • Wausau Mayoral race,
  • Wausau City Council
  • Marathon County Board and
  • Tomahawk School Boards
  • There are several races with candidates running who are not Co-op members, but are allied with our platform.

The NC Organizing Co-op supports efforts surrounding Fair Maps in:

  • Oneida County
  • Marathon County
  • Portage County

The NC Organizing Co-op has supported Citizens for a Clean Wausau and the Thomas Street Fight

  • Recent victory in that the group was granted permission by the City to test Riverside Park for dioxin contamination (after an 18 month fight for permission)

In 2020, not only will we be running an aggressive ground game electorally, but we will be organizing around Healthcare, Movement Politics (Fair Maps, Voter Registration, Census Work, etc.) and the Green New Deal (Green Homes, Good Jobs; Supporting existing Climate Work and Groups; pushing local initiatives to commit to carbon reduction and the use of more renewable energies). We will be much more successful if we all work together on these goals. Please contact NC Organizer Joel Lewis at 715-551-2525 or email him at joel.lewis@citizenactionwi.org to learn how you can get more involved or to see how you can help. Thank you to all of our members and allies for making 2019 a great year!

The Citizen Action of Wisconsin Southwest Wisconsin Co-op is fully formed!

We are thrilled to announce that we officially    have 250 activists pledged to join our co-op in Southwest Wisconsin.  We have supporters in La Crosse County, Monroe County, Vernon County, Adams County, Sauk County, Crawford county, Richland county and Dane County.  Now we can start to mobilize and organize to create real progressive change! If you have not fully joined the co-op please do so at this link.  It is vital that members fully join so that we can mobilize our power as we move into the most important election of our lifetimes!

We still want to include as many more activists as possible.  If you know anyone who might be interested in joining Citizen Action of Wisconsin please let Ben know ASAP.  He can be reached at ben.wilson@citizenactionwi.org or 608-386-2847.

Citizen Action Southeast Wisconsin Co-op Advancing Bold Climate & Racial Equity Strategy

Citizen Action played the leading role in creating a new Milwaukee City-County Task Force on Climate and Economic Equity, which will deliver preliminary recommendations to local government in early 2020. Two co-op members and one member of the Citizen Action staff (Rafael Smith) are on the task force. Above co-op and task force members Janet Meissner Pritchard and Ted Kraig (on left) participate in financing work group with City of Milwaukee Sustainability Director Erick Shambarger and Clean Wisconsin climate expert Pam Ritger. We need all the co-op members we can volunteering and working to make a Green New Deal in Milwaukee a reality!

To Get involved contact Citizen Action’s leader on the campaign, Rafael Smith rafael.smith@citizenactionwi.org

Protect Our Votes: Citizen Action joins Milwaukee residents against planned voter purge.

This week two rallies were held at Milwaukee City Hall to oppose the scheduled state voter purge of over 200,000 voters from the state rolls, with over 20% of purged voter coming from Milwaukee County. The effort is the latest conservative effort to suppress voters.

Local elected leaders, including co-op member and MKE County Supervisor, Marcelia Nicholson, promised to fight the plan, including with a local resolution to oppose the Milwaukee County election commission from participating in the purge.

Save The Date: CD 7 candidate forum, January 15th, Rice Lake and January 29th, Wausau

“Coffee with your co-op” events in Southwest Wisconsin

The Southwest co-op of Citizen Action of Wisconsin will be hosting two informal “Coffee with your co-op” events in early January.  These events will be a great chance to get to know your fellow co-op members, talk about issues that matter to you, discuss strategy for 2020, and just have a cup of coffee.  These are meant to be a fun, informal setting. Hopefully we will do these events every month. We will be hosting “Coffee with your co-op” events in both La Crosse and Viroqua.  All members are invited to both events. Members are also encouraged to invite any friends or family members who might be interested in learning about Citizen Action of Wisconsin.

Saturday January 4th 12:00 PM
JavaVino 2311 State Road La Crosse Wisconsin
RSVP

Saturday January 18th 12:00 PM
Viroqua Food Co-op 609 N Main st Viroqua Wisconsin
RSVP

“Dark Money” movie showing and discussion in Viroqua

Citizen Action of Wisconsin will be sponsoring a viewing and group discussion about the movie “Dark Money” at the Commons in Viroqua on January 15th at 6:00 PM.  Dark Money is a political thriller that examines the greatest threat to American democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections.  “Dark Money” uncovers the shocking truth of how American elections are bought and sold. This Sundance award-winning documentary is directed and produced by Kimerly Redd.

“Historic 24 hours” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

What a 24 hours! We review the potential implications of a terrible court ruling endangering the future of the Affordable Care Act. Citizen Action’s national network, People’s Action, endorses Bernie Sanders for President. Ryan Greenwood, People’s Action’s Movement Politics Director, joins to tell us why. We discuss the third impeachment of a president in American history, and the latest GOP effort to suppress the vote in Wisconsin, the purging over 200,000 Wisconsinites from the voter rolls

Listen Now
Check here to confirm you are registered to vote in Wisconsin.

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Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, December 13th

Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, December 13th

Friday, December 13th

Citizen Action hires new movement politics director, JoAnna Bautch

Citizen Action is very excited to announce the hiring of JoAnna Bautch as our movement politics director! JoAnna will be developing Citizen Action’s electoral and voter engagement programs, with a focus on helping current (and future) members run for office on our long term agenda for structural reform. JoAnna will also help recruit and develop members who want to learn how to run campaigns and support Citizen Action candidates who, if elected,h will co-govern with us.

JoAnna is passionate about the growth of her community. She is born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, and loves everything the city has to offer.

Raised by a single mother, JoAnna knows the importance of a strong work ethic, and coming from a matriarchal family, she knows the power of the Latina voice. Although JoAnna struggled through high school, she is a proud MPS graduate, and in May of 2017, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Alverno College.

JoAnna stays active with her community as a board member of Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) Milwaukee Chapter, the Milwaukee Water Commons, and TRUE Skool. She is also a member of the 88Nine Cultural Commons/Community Stories Live Steering Committee and the Alverno College Latinas Con Fuerza Ceremony committee, a ceremony she helped found during her senior year at the college.

In her spare time, JoAnna enjoys drinking coffee at local coffee shops, taking in various cultures at different festivals and eating tacos from a food truck.

If you are interested in running for office in the future or learning the skills needed to help run campaigns contact JoAnna at joannab@citizenactionwi.org

Thanks to all who attended Citizen Action’s annual meeting at 6 locations

North Central Organizing Co-op Joins In On the Citizen Action of Wisconsin Annual Meeting

For the first time, members of Citizen Action of Wisconsin from all across the State, were able to join in on the Citizen Action of Wisconsin Annual Meeting, from their own regions! It turned out great. The North Central Organizing Co-op joined in from Wausau.

We were fortunate enough to be joined by both Democratic candidates for the 7th CD Special Election, Lawrence Dale and Tricia Zunker, as well as both Mayoral challengers for Wausau City Mayor, Katie Rosenberg and Christopher Norfleet.

Co-op members from each region were given awards for their dedication and altruism. Then, each Co-op gave a 3 minute presentation on what has been accomplished in 2019 and what we hope to accomplish in 2020. The top 3 issues that we will be focusing on, besides elections at all levels, are Healthcare, Green New Deal (big umbrella which includes fighting against environmental pollution, green jobs, etc.), and Movement Politics (big umbrella which includes fair maps, census work, electoral work, etc.). Co-op member, and member of the Citizens for a Clean Wausau, Tom Killian gave the speech on our accomplishments and priorities.

We ended the meeting by breaking out into strategy groups, to make a solid plan for moving forward. There was a lot of excitement in the room, and a willingness to work together for a better future. Great things are happening at Citizen Action.

If you would like to be a part of the movement, please contact Organizer Joel Lewis at 715-551-2525 or email him at joel.lewis@citizenactionwi.org

Healthcare Consumer Protection Team-Looking for Heroes

Healthcare Co-Op members Zena Blom and Khristine are going to be leading some initiatives around consumer protections in healthcare. They are looking for a few interested members to be on their team.

An example is how hospitals and insurance companies are denying women access to preventative care like mammograms which should be at no cost as mandated by the ACA. However, they are circumventing the spirit of the ACA by inventing a technicality to make themselves more money. In this case, women are facing yearly prohibitive costs for their mammograms. Do you know what happens when women have to pay $500, $1000, $1500 and up for extra imaging per year?  They avoid going in for their mammogram which puts us back to square one.It’s profit over lives once again.

Here is a great story detailing this issue. 

If stories like this make you mad, it’s time to get even.  The team needs you to help strategize and to take some planned group actions.

Universal Family Care and Long Term Care

It’s time to talk about care. The profession of care as a profession has long been undervalued in America. From early childhood care all the way to elder care and those that care for the disabled.  Next year, we are going to charge forward with a campaign that changes that and it’s called Universal Family Care. Members Lynn Carey and Rita Simon are helping to lead on this issue and might be calling you soon asking for help.

You can read more about here.

Let me know if this important to you.  After all, who will care for you when the time comes?

Citizen Action supports investing in Milwaukee Public School students 

Monday morning Citizen Action members stood with parents, educators, community members and leaders from community organizations who are ready to organize to win a new school referendum for more resources for our kids.

In the past 25 years, 97% of Wisconsin’s school districts have gone to and passed referenda raising funds for their students. Recently, the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association partnered with Leaders Igniting Transformation to commission a poll to gauge voter interest in a referendum to increase the revenue limit. The poll shows overwhelming support for such a referendum, with 62% of likely primary voters saying they’d be willing to pay more in property taxes to increase funding for our public schools.

The Milwaukee School Board will likely approve a referendum later this month for the April 2020 election. The referendum passed a board committee this Thursday evening.

Watch video of media event on Monday.

Northwestern WI Coffee With Your Co-Op, Saturday, December 14th, 10am – Noon

Coffee and Conversation with Breana Stanley, the Northwestern WI Co-op Organizer for Citizen Action WI. Come talk about what’s concerning you in our region, statewide, and nationally. What you wanna work on, and anything else that you believe if necessary for Breana to know!

Bridge Street Brew in Chippewa Falls
December 14, 2019 | 10:00am
RSVP and more information

“Dark Money” movie showing and discussion in Viroqua

Citizen Action of Wisconsin will be sponsoring a viewing and group discussion about the movie “Dark Money” at the Commons in Viroqua on January 15th at 6:00 PM.  Dark Money is a political thriller that examines the greatest threat to American democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections.  “Dark Money” uncovers the shocking truth of how American elections are bought and sold. This Sundance award-winning documentary is directed and produced by Kimberly Redd.

Citizen Action of Wisconsin is committed to restoring political power to the people rather than corporations.  “Dark Money” really explores the problem and how we can fix it. After the showing there will be a discussion. We hope everyone is able to attend and learn more.  RSVP for this showing here.

Merchant Bank joins Associated Bank in offering green home loans in support of “Green Homes, Good Jobs” campaign. 

Merchant Bank in Minnesota (with a presence in places such as Onalaska) has confirmed they  will be offering and training their staff on the green mortgages we are helping members with.  These green mortgages will help homeowners outfit their homes with energy efficiency upgrades such as solar panels, new insulation, air sealing, new heating/cooling units and more.  Residential upgrades are one of the best ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Our “Green Homes, Good Jobs” campaign is designed to save homeowners money RIGHT NOW on utility bills while creating good, union jobs here in our area.

Merchant Bank responded to a member-led letter writing campaign, started by southwest Wisconsin co-op member Janette Dean, confirming their intention to help residents upgrade their homes.  In order to help as many people upgrade as possible we are asking co-op members across the state to contact area banks/credit unions and ask them to offer green mortgages.  A sample letter and instructions on how to lobby financial institutions can be found right here. Please take a moment to email banks and credit unions in your area and ask them to do their part to fight climate change!

If you are interested in upgrading your own home contact Kevin Kane at kevin.kane@citizenactionwi.org right away.

Northeast Coop organizer speaks at Wisconsin Conservation Voters Event

Noah Reif, our Northeast co-op organizer, was invited by Wisconsin Conservation Voters to speak about our Green Homes & Good Jobs campaign. Over thirty interested community members attended to discuss the opportunities, obstacles, and learn what the next steps of clean energy look like in the Fox Valley!

7th CD Candidate Forum in Rice Lake, January 15th, 6pm

“2020 prescription drug plan” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

We discuss the new House Democratic prescription drug plan that passed the House on Thursday. We review a new study that found for the first time in history, U.S. billionaires pay a lower tax rate than the working class. Also, Senator Tammy Baldwin joins only 26 other U.S. Senators telling Donald Trump to fire white nationalist advisor Stephen Miller. We close with a discussion of defrauded student loan borrowers who are being further abused by Trump’s Education Secretary, and finally some brief reflections on impeachment.

Listen Now – Episode #421
Download Mp3
Press Clips

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Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, December 6th

Friday, December 6th

Attend Annual meeting this Saturday, December 7th, in Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Verona, Wausau, De Pere, and LaCrosse Wisconsin.

The Citizen Action of Wisconsin Annual meeting will take place this Saturday, December 7th, 12pm. Doors open for lunch at the Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St. Milwaukee. Meeting starts at 1pm.

Each regional organizing co-op will be having a meeting within their region at the same time.

The meeting will feature a “year in review” from all the co-ops, 2019 member awards, and then turn our meeting back to the regional co-ops. This meeting is open to non-members as well as members

RSVP for Southeastern (MKE) WI Annual Membership Meeting and Strategy Session
RSVP to Verona membership meeting
RSVP to LaCrosse membership meeting
RSVP to Wausau membership meeting.
RSVP to Eau Claire membership and Strategic planning meeting.
RSVP to De Pere memberhip meeting 

Citizen Action Northwestern Co-op Urged County Board to Vote No on “School Choice Week” Resolution

On Tuesday, December 3rd, About 15 members of the Citizen Action Northwestern Co-op joined forces with other community members to urge the Eau Claire County Board to vote NO on the resolution to make January 26, 2020 – February 1, 2020 “School Choice Week.”

This resolution would celebrate Wisconsin’s Republican-led voucher program that has siphoned off taxpayer money to private, religious schools leaving public schools with lack of funding and scrapping for resources.

Several members spoke, including Chris Humboch-Boyle, who leads the education issue team within the co-op.

The resolution failed at the end of the night when the board voted 24-2 to not accept the proclamation.

The Citizen Action of Wisconsin Southwest Wisconsin Co-op is fully formed!

We are thrilled to announce that we officially have 250 activists pledged to join our co-op in Southwest Wisconsin. We have supporters in La Crosse County, Monroe County, Vernon County, Adams County, Sauk County and Dane County.  Now we can start to mobilize and organize to create real progressive change!

If you have not fully joined the co-op please do so at this link.

We still want to include as many more activists as possible.  If you know anyone who might be interested in joining Citizen Action of Wisconsin please let Ben know ASAP.  He can be reached at ben.wilson@citizenactionwi.org or 608-386-2847.

The North Central Organizing Co-op Needs You in the New Year

As you can imagine, 2020 is going to be one crazy year for all of us, and that is why the Co-op needs you. In the New Year, we will be focused on 3 top issues, in addition to the electoral work that we do. Those top 3 issues are Healthcare For All, Movement Politics (which includes Fair Maps, Census Work, Voter Registration, Seeking and Supporting Candidates, etc.), and Green New Deal initiatives. The last one will be a wide umbrella, like replicating work that has been done in other Co-op regions, or supporting the work of allied groups. And obviously, we have a whole slew of candidates throughout the region to support, at all levels.

Candidates from our Co-op have emerged to run for the 7th CD Special Election, Mayoral race in Wausau (and possibly Ladysmith), Wausau City Council, Marathon County Board of Supervisors, and Tomahawk School Board. Some of these candidates merely need your vote, but others may need help knocking doors, phone banking, or more. If we all stand together we are stronger!

We continue to work in collaboration with all groups that want to. In fact, many of these candidates that are running are the result of a candidate committee made up of several groups within the region. We can win our State back and continue to fight for what is right in our community, but we need you to do it!

Please call your Organizer, Joel Lewis at 715-551-2525 or email him at joel.lewis@citizenactionwi.org to see how you can help.

Also, attending the Citizen Action Annual Meeting tomorrow in Wausau tomorrow at 12:30 is a great way to get a kickstart on this. This meeting will be at the First Universalist Unitarian Church, 504 Grant Street, Wausau, WI 54403. It begins at 12:30, with 30 minutes of social, and then at 1, we will be joining other Co-op members from around the State, to hear an address from Robert Kraig, and then a report from each Co-op region. Then, we will disconnect and break out into strategy groups to discuss the particulars of the top 3 priorities in 2020. It would be great to see you there!

Powered Up Baraboo group forms to fight climate change in Baraboo

Climate activists in Baraboo have formed a local climate action team called Powered Up Baraboo dedicated to reducing Baraboo’s carbon footprint and doing their part to fight climate change locally. Citizen Action of Wisconsin member and lifelong activist Judy Spring was instrumental in forming this group.

On December 3rd 2019 Powered up Baraboo held their first meeting and over 60 people came to show their support!  During this meeting four action teams were formed to focus on different issues such as schools, homes and businesses, green spaces and municipal actions.  During the course of the meeting ten homeowners signed up to receive information from Citizen Action of Wisconsin on how they can reduce their own carbon footprint by upgrading their homes with solar panels and other energy efficient upgrades.  Powered up Baraboo is committed to creating real action on locally to fight climate change.

Anyone in the Baraboo area interested in getting involved with Powered Up Baraboo should contact Judy Spring at springjudy331@gmail.com.

Eau Claire Coffee With Your Co-Op, Friday, December 13th, 10am – Noon

Coffee and Conversation with Breana Stanley, the Northwestern WI Co-op Organizer for Citizen Action WI. Come talk about what’s concerning you in our region, statewide, and nationally. What you wanna work on, and anything else that you believe if necessary for Breana to know!

Shift Cyclery and Coffee shop in Eau Claire
December 13, 2019 | 10:00am
RSVP and more information

“Dark Money” movie showing and discussion, January 15th, Viroqua

Citizen Action of Wisconsin will be sponsoring a viewing and group discussion about the movie “Dark Money” at the Commons in Viroqua on January 15th at 6:00 PM.  Dark Money is a political thriller that examines the greatest threat to American democracy; the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections.  “Dark Money” uncovers the shocking truth of how American elections are bought and sold. This Sundance award-winning documentary is directed and produced by Kimberly Redd.

Citizen Action of Wisconsin is committed to restoring political power to the people rather than corporations.  “Dark Money” really explores the problem and how we can fix it. After the showing there will be a discussion. We hope everyone is able to attend and learn more.  RSVP for this showing here.

High School Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

We discuss a series of violent incidents and threats of violence in Wisconsin high school this week and the reaction of elected leaders. We review a new study finding that a higher percentage of medical care in Wisconsin is wasteful and low quality. The study also concludes that if every primary care physician in Wisconsin provided the same quality of care the cost would be 30% lower. Claire educates us about nearly 700,000 SNAP recipients who will likely lose food stamp benefits under new Trump rule released this week. Finally, we welcome City of Eau Claire council member Kate Beaton to discuss the city’s new climate plan and their exciting goal to get to 100% electric cars.

LISTEN NOW

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Citizen Action Weekly: Happy Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend

Citizen Action Weekly: Happy Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend

Happy Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend

Citizen Action Members Stand in Solidarity with Students on UWEC Campus Following Racist Threats.

On Monday, November 25th, several Citizen Action members joined students and faculty on the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire Campus to stand in solidarity as they protest the recent threats made against the student organization, Black Male Empowerment. Our members stood in observance and in the capacity of providing protection from negative feedback. The protest garnered approximately 350 students and community members as they stood silently in the middle of campus with signs decrying the lack of action from school administrators as well as a march to Chancellor Jim Schmidt’s office with a list of demands to make UW-EC more inclusive and more safe for students of color. Thank you to all of those who joined from Citizen Action and stood up for those marginalized in the community to let it be known that hate speech, of any kind, will not be tolerated.

Read more from Wisconsin Reporter

Southwest Wisconsin Co-op Recruitment update

Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s newest organizing co-op is almost fully formed!  We currently have 245 activists across southwest Wisconsin who have pledged to join.  If you know anyone who cares about healthcare for all and fighting climate change in the area please put them in contact with Ben at ben.wilson@citizenactionwi.org.  He would love to schedule a time to meet with them to discuss Citizen Action’s work to create a better tomorrow in Wisconsin.  If you have pledged to join us please take a moment to complete your membership by joining us at this website. It is very important as we move forward that members take a moment to complete their membership and fully join.

Also don’t forget to RSVP for the annual membership meeting December 7th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.  Click here to RSVP in La Crosse (3460 Losey blvd)or click here to RSVP in the Madison area (500 Silent st in Verona).  Please feel free to invite anyone you know who is interested in learning more to the annual meeting.  The annual meeting will be a chance to celebrate Citizen Action’s victories and set an agenda as we move into the most important election of our lifetimes.  We want as many members (and people interested in learning more) on hand as possible. We want everyone to have a voice in planning our actions next year!

Are you interested in upgrading your home with energy efficient upgrades like solar panels, new insulation, new windows and new heating/cooling units?

If you are interested in saving money while reducing your own carbon emissions please take a moment to fill out this quick survey. You might be able to upgrade your home with solar panels and start saving money RIGHT AWAY!  Citizen Action of Wisconsin would love to help you.

Our “Green Homes, Good Jobs” campaign is designed to save people money, reduce our carbon footprint and create good, union jobs right now.  Fill out the survey and find out if we can help you!

Attend Citizen Action’s Annual Meeting, Saturday, December 7th, 1pm

The Citizen Action of Wisconsin Annual meeting will take place on Saturday, December 7th, 1pm.at the Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St. Milwaukee.

Each regional organizing co-op will be having a meeting within their region at the same time,

We will connect with the meeting in Milwaukee to hear year in review from all the co-op, 2019 member awards, and then turn our meeting back to the regional co-ops. This meeting is open to non-members as well as members

RSVP for Southeastern (MKE) WI Annual Membership Meeting and Strategy Session

Citizen Action Northeast Organizing Co-op Annual Meeting and Strategy Session, December 7th @12PM

Join our organizing co-op as we gather for a membership social, an update on our statewide work in 2020, and a regional strategy session!

Fight climate change at home” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! After discussing a new study finding Foxconn will likely depress economic activity in the state by tens of billions of dollars, we welcome Kevin Kane and Rafael Smith to discuss their organizing efforts to fight climate change at home in rural and urban Wisconsin.

Contact Rafael.Smith@citizenactionwi.org to get involved in the campaign to support the Milwaukee climate task force.

Contact Kevin.Kane@citizenactionwi.org to find out about how you can green your home anywhere in Wisconsin.

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Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, November 22nd

Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, November 22nd

Friday, November 22nd

Southwest Co-op Membership Recruitment Drive Update

The brand new Citizen Action Southwest Wisconsin Organizing Co-op is nearly fully formed!  We currently have 242 pledged members. There is still time to join. We want to activate every area activist who cares about creating a better Wisconsin!  If you are interested in learning more about Citizen Action contact Ben at 608-386-2847! Together we can create a better Wisconsin for the next generation.

Click here to complete your co-op membership.

Even though we are almost to our goal we want to mobilize everyone in Southwest Wisconsin that believes in a better tomorrow for Wisconsin.  Do you have friends or family members who believe in progressive change across the state? Lets get them involved! You can make a huge difference by hosting a small group meeting.  These meetings can take place at someone’s home, a coffee house, over a nice dinner or at the public library. All you have to do is get people to show up and Ben will give the presentation and take all questions.  If you think you can help turn out 3-8 people for a one hour meeting contact your co-op organizer, Ben Wilson, right away and let’s get one scheduled!

CAW Long Term Care members take Detroit! 

Karen Kirsch, Lynn Carey, and Rita Simon flew to Detroit to attend the annual field convening of Caring Across Generations. Caregivers, organizers, activists and the disabled community attended. It was a productive table with all perspectives and insights into the care-giving economy.

Families are facing catastrophic stress and financial burdens around their care-giving needs ranging from the cradle to their golden years. We agreed that the best way to solve this problem is to band together and push for a care infrastructure that we all deserve. It’s called Universal Family Care and it will be the New Green Deal of Care-giving. Now is the time to get on board as its the next big push in building a better society.

Why you should be involved? 

If you are struggling with logistics and paying for quality childcare?
If you are struggling with logistics and paying for quality in-home elder care?
If you work in any care capacity?
If you care about children? If you care about the disabled? If you care about the elderly?
You can read more about this big initiative here.

Contact Karen.kirsch@citizenactionwi.org

Healthcare Leadership Team

We are looking for a few more members to join the leadership team that helps to steer the HealthCare Co-op. We meet once a month for an hour and then of course, you would help with events and issues as determined. Sometimes we work around the news cycle and sometimes we drive issues on our own but we are exclusively healthcare focused.

Contact Karen.kirsch@citizenactionwi.org

Attend Citizen Action’s Annual Meeting, Saturday, December 7th, 1pm

The Citizen Action of Wisconsin Annual meeting will take place on Saturday, December 7th, 1pm.at the Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St. Milwaukee.

Each regional organizing co-op will be having a meeting within their region at the same time,

We will connect with the meeting in Milwaukee to hear year in review from all the co-op, 2019 member awards, and then turn our meeting back to the regional co-ops. This meeting is open to non-members as well as members.

RSVP for Milwaukee
RSVP for Southwest co-op meeting

Citizen Action Northeast Organizing Co-op Annual Meeting and Strategy Session, December 7th @12PM

Join our organizing co-op as we gather for a membership social, an update on our statewide work in 2020, and a regional strategy session!

Citizen Action Organizing Co-op Informational Meeting, West Salem, Saturday, Nov. 23, 10:30am

Are you concerned about the way things are going in our country? Do you feel like you have lost your political power? Do you want to do more to fight climate change? Do you want to help create well paying, skilled union jobs right here in our area? Do you care about making sure everyone in Wisconsin has healthcare? Join Citizen Action for our upcoming event!

Come and learn about how you can get involved in a true progressive movement dedicated to creating real change in the Driftless region.

This is a great opportunity to learn how you can be a part of our organizing co-op.

West Salem, November 23rd, 10:30am
Village of West Salem Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library
201 Neshonoc Rd.

“Green New Deal in Sconnie” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

After an impeachment discussion and analysis of the new MU law Poll, we are joined by Milwaukee County Supervisor Supreme Moore-Omokunde to discuss Milwaukee’s new joint County/City task force to address climate change and economic equity. The task force starts the process of developing a concrete plan to use the leverage of local government to restructure the local fossil fuel-based economy and reorganize it to dramatically reduce the shocking racial inequality that plagues Milwaukee.

To get involved in the MKE climate and equity campaign contact: Rafael.Smith@citizenctionwi.org

Next MKE Climate Task force Meeting
Tuesday, November 26th; 2pm
Milwaukee City Hall #301B

Listen Now – Episode #418

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Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, November 15th

Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, November 15th

Friday, November 15th

Southwest co-op hosts media event spotlighting “Green Homes, Good Jobs” Campaign

Thursday afternoon Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s Southwest Co-op hosted its first major media event to highlight the “Green Homes, Good Jobs” campaign.

100 home owners have already signed up to receive home energy efficient upgrades such as solar panels, new insulation, and new heating/cooling systems.

This campaign is designed to not only fight climate change but also save homeowners’ money and create good union jobs right here in Wisconsin.

You can read about this media event right here and here.

If you are interested in upgrading your own home you can get more information about the program here.

City of Milwaukee/Milwaukee County Climate Task force holds first meeting Monday

This Monday afternoon the first meeting of the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County Joint Task Force on climate change and economic equity was held.

Members of the task force took their oaths and then were given a warm welcome from Common Council President Ashanti

Erick Shambarger of the Environmental Collaboration Office followed with a presentation about the city’s current plans to meet the Paris Accords.

Dozens of community members attended and made their voices heard about what they would like the task force to focus on. The task force members decided they would meet two times a month over the next six months. The next meeting will be November 26th at 2pm in city hall in room 301-B. All are welcome to attend.

For more information on task force campaign contact: Rafael.Smith@citizenctionwi.org

Read media about task force.

New Southwest Co-op member (and state Senate candidate) spotlight

One of the newest members to join the Citizen Action of Wisconsin Southwest Wisconsin co-op is Joni Anderson.  Joni is the vice president of her union and is running for the State Senate in Senate District 14. Joni is running on a platform of Medicare for all, fighting climate change and fairer elections by ending unfair gerrymandering in our state. Citizen Action is excited to add Joni to our newest organizing co-op!

North Central Organizing Co-op Members Attend Fair Maps Summit

This past Saturday, several members of the NC Organizing Co-op joined a large turnout of people at the Fair Maps Summit in Marshfield. The large turnout of people from across the state demonstrate that this issues is a top priority for a lot of Wisconsinites.

Members of the Co-op from Oneida and Marathon County were in attendance, which is vitally important considering that these two counties have not passed a Fair Maps resolution. In Oneida County, Fair Maps activists have started going to each municipality to pass resolutions in support. The Town of Neubold has already passed one. Now, they’re working on the City of Rhinelander next. This work is being done by members of the groups that belong to the Fair Maps Coalition.

If you would like to know what you can do to help with Fair Maps, contact Joel Lewis at 715-551-2525 or joel.lewis@citizenactionwi.org

Attend Citizen Action’s Annual Meeting, Saturday, December 7th, 1pm

The Citizen Action of Wisconsin Annual meeting will take place on Saturday, December 7th, 1pm.at the Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St. Milwaukee.

Each regional organizing co-op will be having a meeting within their region at the same time,

We will connect with the meeting in Milwaukee to hear the awards and to hear a synopsis of our work from Executive Director Dr. Robert Kraig, and then turn our meeting back to the regional co-ops. This meeting is open to non-members as well as members.

RSVP
RSVP for Southwest co-op meeting

Citizen Action Organizing Co-op Informational Meeting

Are you concerned about the way things are going in our country? Do you feel like you have lost your political power? Do you want to do more to fight climate change? Do you want to help create well paying, skilled union jobs right here in our area? Do you care about making sure everyone in Wisconsin has healthcare? Join Citizen Action for our upcoming event!

Citizens Action is hosting small group informational meetings. Come and learn about how you can get involved in a true progressive movement dedicated to creating real change in the Driftless region.

This is a great opportunity to learn how you can be a part of our organizing co-op.

West Salem, November 23rd, 10:30am
Village of West Salem Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library
201 Neshonoc Rd.

“Treasurer Godlewski is Back!” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast.

We welcome the return of State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski to the show. Sarah talks about the importance of paid family leave policies and the new state task force she is leading on retirement security. Our panel discusses the implications of the entrance of Deval Patrick in the presidential election. We review the do-nothing legislature which is adjourning for 2 months with little to show. Sean Duffy reveals he really left Congress to become a lobbyist for wealthy financial interests. Citizen Action’s new co-op in the “driftless” region launches effort to fight climate change, including  through renewable energy upgrades to over 100 homes.
Listen Now – Episode 417
Download MP3

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Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, November 8th

Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, November 8th

Friday, November 8th

Citizen Action members travel to Detroit for Universal Family Care convention. 

Citizen action members Lynn Carey and Rita are attending the annual field convening meeting in Detroit to talk about the Universal Family Care movement which includes the issue of long term care.

SAVE THE DATE: Annual Meeting, Saturday, December 7th, 1pm

The Citizen Action of Wisconsin Annual meeting will take place on Saturday, December 7th, 1pm.at the Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St. Milwaukee.

This year we are trying something a bit different. Each regional organizing co-op will be having a meeting within their region at the same time, rather than asking their members to travel to Milwaukee. We will connect with the meeting in Milwaukee to hear the awards and to hear a synopsis of our work from Executive Director Dr. Robert Kraig, and then turn our meeting back to the regional co-ops. This meeting is open to non-members as well as members.

RSVP for MKE
RSVP for Southwest co-op meeting

La Crosse City Council Judiciary and Administration committee approves solar ordinance

On Tuesday November 5th Southwest Co-op organizer Ben Wilson and co-op member Janette Dean attended the La Crosse City Council Judiciary and Administration committee meeting.   The committee voted to move forward with a solar ordinance that will make it much easier for La Crosse homeowners to install solar. It completely legalizes solar installation on roofs or on the ground anywhere in La Crosse.  It also changes the classification of solar panels to be considered an accessory which means the permitting process will be much quicker for anyone looking to upgrade. This ordinance helps fulfill the city’s goal of 100% carbon neutrality by 2050 (hopefully much sooner).  Janette, along with students from Fridays for Future, spoke in support of the bill. The full council votes on the ordinance next week.

Citizen Action of Wisconsin Southwest Co-op membership update

The Southwest Wisconsin co-op is now more than halfway through our 60 day recruitment drive and we are over halfway to our goal!  We are looking for 250 passionate activists to join and so far we have 164! We are getting closer everyday! If you have not fully joined the organizing co-op you can do so right here.

Northeast Co-op Update: Green Bay City Council passes budget that includes Resiliency & Diversity Coordinator

Thanks to the leadership of Mayor (and co-op member) Eric Genrich and members of the city council, Green Bay has taken a critical step towards addressing the growing climate emergency and fighting for a more inclusive city. The final vote was 7-5 in favor of passing the budget, with the yes votes including two co-op members, Barbara Dorff and Randy Scannell. Thank you to everyone who called your alders in support of the creation of these two positions, your voices made a difference in this fight!

Read more on city budget
Read more on Resiliency Coordinator.

Citizen Action Organizing Co-op Informational Meeting

Are you concerned about the way things are going in our country? Do you feel like you have lost your political power? Do you want to do more to fight climate change? Do you want to help create well paying, skilled union jobs right here in our area? Do you care about making sure everyone in Wisconsin has healthcare? Join Citizen Action for our upcoming event!

Citizens Action is hosting small group informational meetings. Come and learn about how you can get involved in a true progressive movement dedicated to creating real change in the Driftless region.

This is a great opportunity to learn how you can be a part of our organizing co-op.

West Salem, November 23rd, 10:30am
Village of West Salem Hazel Brown Leicht Memorial Library
201 Neshonoc Rd

More information and RSVP

People’s Action candidates and agenda win Tuesday! Setting the stage for a big 2020.

Tuesday was big!

Omari Shakur, a longtime community activist & leader of Community Voices Heard, won his race to be Councilman-At-Large in Newberg, NY

While there were very important high profile victories in the Kentucky Governor race and the Virginia statehouse last night, it is worth highlighting some amazing members of People’s Action affiliates who also won last night. These leaders are committed to co-governing with our organizations to help make our agenda a reality.

These victories should inspire our movement nationally and here in Wisconsin. We at Citizen Action remain committed to continue our organizing to find new member leaders who are willing to run for office in 2020 and beyond to help change our communities, state, and country.

Arizona

  • Regina Romero, who has committed to co-governing with People’s Action affiliate LUCHA, was elected as Tucson’s first Latina mayor! She won in a landslide victory! “I’m still savoring the historic community-led victories of last night,” said Alejandra Gomez, executive director of LUCHA. “LUCHA is so proud to have been part of the collective that supported Regina.” Romero ran on a bold agenda to battle climate change, reform criminal justice and improve education and economic inclusion in Tucson. LUCHA worked tirelessly to turn out the vote for Romero.” Read more.

Maine

  • Safiya Khalid became the first Somali American elected to Lewiston’s city council, with support from the Maine People’s Alliance

Massachusetts

  • Neighbor to Neighbor Action Fund (N2N) is celebrating the victory of member Victor Davila, who won a Springfield city council seat by 39 votes!
Kissy Coakley, a member-leader from Take Action Minnesota, won her race for the Minnetonka City Council.

Minnesota 

  • Long-time Take Action MN leader Kissy Coakley, who was a leader in their campaign against Target to Ban the Box, was elected as the first African-American woman to serve on the Minnetonka City Council. “Kissy wants to take what makes Minnetonka a safe, supportive, and thriving community and make it accessible to everyone, “ said Elianne Farhat, executive director of TAMN.“As a leader at TakeAction Minnesota, Kissy has been a champion for criminal justice reform measures—including taking on Target Corporation to change their hiring practices,” Farhat said. “She will bring that same determination and vision to City Council—and will listen and lead with the people to make sure everyone in Minnetonka can live full, joyful lives.”
  • Nelsie Yang, a TakeAction Minnesota organizer, will become the youngest member of the Saint Paul City Council ever! She is also the first ever Hmong woman council member. Read more about Nelsie

Michigan

  • In Kalamazoo, Michigan People’s Campaign leader Patrese Griffin won her election to Kalamazoo City Council. She was selected by the Kalamazoo City Commission to fill a vacant seat earlier this year, and last night’s vote validates her bold leadership with the voices of the community she represents.

Missouri

  • In St. Louis, Rasheen Aldridge – a former leadership team member of Missouri Jobs With Justice who was active in the Ferguson protests, served as a member of the Ferguson Commission and fought to raise the minimum wage, will be joining the Missouri state legislature as a State Representative for the 78th District.

New York

  • Omari Shakur won a seat on the City Council in Newberg, NY. Omari is now the first formerly incarcerated council member in the city. Over the past year, Shakur has been actively working with Mayor Torrance Harvey and Councilman Anthony Grice, who won reelection, to hold landlords accountable. Their victories, which were won in a coordinated effort by CVH, the Working Families Party and Democratic Party, solidify a strong council to fight for rent control, local hiring and housing ordinances, as they give the coalition four of seven seats on the council.
  • Jumaane Williams, who spoke at the People’s Action’s Convention in Washington, D.C. in April, was re-elected as Public Advocate in NYC.  NYTimes Article

Pennsylvania

  • Kendra Brooks won a seat on Philadelphia City Council running as a 3rd party candidate on the Working Families Party ticket!

Thanks to People’s Action’s Laurel Wales for contributing to this story.

Movement wins on Election night” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

We discuss this week’s election results from around the country, and what they portend for 2020. We look at the significance of high profile victories in the Kentucky and Virginia and highlight some amazing members of the Working Families Party and People’s Action affiliates who won elections. We analyze the latest escalation of the Legislature’s partisan war against Governor Tony Evers: the State Senate firing of Agriculture Secretary Brad Pfaff. What does it mean, and who in Governor Evers’ cabinet is their next target? Foxconn wants to omit sprinklers from part of their new factory (what could go wrong?), the special session on gun safety comes and goes with no action, and the top electoral issues, healthcare reform, remains a no show in the legislature, despite GOP vows to do something about pre-existing condition discrimination.
Listen Now

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Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, November 1st

Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, November 1st

Friday, November 1st

Vote in People’s Action Presidential Primary Candidate Survey!
Voting ends Sunday, November 3rd 

Citizen Action is surveying our members on their attitudes in the Democratic presidential primary election. We are encouraging all members to VOTE in the survey starting. Voting will continue until Sunday, November 3rd.

VOTE TODAY!    Voting ends Sunday, November 3rd 

Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment starts November 1st! Sign up today.

It’s that time of year again as open enrollment for the ACA begins. We will be sharing some informational social media posts so please be sure to share and help spread the word. The window for when you can sign up, barring special circumstances, ends December 15th.

Citizen Action Co-op member appointed to Greenfield School Board

Robert Hansen, the former School Board President of Greenfield, was re-appointed to the board Monday, October 28th. Robert first joined Citizen Action in its first wave of Co-op building in the Milwaukee area and has recently joined the Healthcare Co-op. When he was on the school board previously, his tenure produced one of the first in-school healthcare clinics in the Milwaukee area that serve the school district employees and their families.Today, that clinic has expanded to also offer some healthcare services to students. Congratulations to Robert and thank you for being a good example of how to build power at the local level.

Co-op Member Eric Genrich proposes budget to Green Bay City Council 

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich is bringing his budget proposals to the Green Bay city council. Included in his budget is the creation of a “Resilience Coordinator” to better position Green Bay to combat the negative effects of climate change and explore opportunities for the city to invest in Clean Energy. Another proposal includes the creation of a position within the human resources department to embrace diversity in our community. As an organization that is dedicated to both climate restorative justice and combating systemic oppression, we are pleased by the steps that Eric is taking to ensure our community is welcoming to all people. Thank you for your leadership, Eric! If you live in Green Bay, please contact your city alder and ask that they support the creation of these two critical positions.

Do You Want to Run For Office? The North Central Organizing Co-op, and our other Organizing Co-ops Across the State Can Help!

Citizen Action of Wisconsin has made it a priority to find and support candidates, at all levels, that share our vision for a world that puts people and the planet first. We call this Movement Politics, and many of our members, partners and allies played a role in the Movement Politics Candidate Platform, that is used in the local and state candidate endorsement process. In addition, our national network, People’s Action, has a complimentary national platform.

In 2018, 49 Citizen Action co-op members won spring elections. The NC Organizing Co-op had 16 members running for office in 4 different counties. They had members running for School Boards, City Councils, County Boards, Assembly and State Senate! Co-op members, after an official endorsement is made, can help candidates in many ways. In NC, the Steering Committee Chair knocked doors and phone banked in 4 different assembly districts and ran postcard writing efforts in some of the most rural areas.

There is support out there to help you get ready to run for office and to help you win! Spring is not that far away! The Co-ops already have members running for the House of Representatives, State Legislature, City/Town/Village Councils, County Boards, and School Boards in 2020. We are looking for more people to run! If you live in WI, and are interested in running, chances are that one of our Co-op Organizers, and the Co-op members can help. If you are interested in running, contact one of these Co-op Organizers:

Karen Kirsch – Health Care Organizer
karen.kirsch@citizenactionwi.org | 414-588-0927 Bio

Joel Lewis – Central Wisconsin Organizer
joel.lewis@citizenactionwi.org  | 715-551-2525 Bio

Noah Reif – Northeast Wisconsin Organizer
noah.reif@citizenactionwi.org | 262-343-6163 Bio

Ben Wilson – South West Organizer
ben.wilson@citizenactionwi.org | 608-386-2847 Bio

Breana Stanley – North West Organizer
breana.stanley@citizenactionwi.org | 715-642-3538

Citizen Action of Wisconsin Southwest Co-op membership update

The Southwest Wisconsin co-op is now 30 days into our 60 day recruitment drive and we are over halfway to our goal!  We are looking for 250 passionate activists to join and so far we have 142! We are getting closer everyday! If you know someone in Southwest Wisconsin who cares about creating a better Wisconsin have them reach out to Ben at ben.wilson@citizenactionwi.org.

Citizen Action Organizing Co-op Informational Meetings

Are you concerned about the way things are going in our country? Do you feel like you have lost your political power? Do you want to do more to fight climate change? Do you want to help create well paying, skilled union jobs right here in our area? Do you care about making sure everyone in Wisconsin has healthcare? Join Citizen Action for our upcoming event!

Citizens Action is hosting two upcoming small group informational meetings. Come and learn about how you can get involved in a true progressive movement dedicated to creating real change in the Driftless region.

This is a great opportunity to learn how you can be a part of our organizing co-op.

Holmen, November 7th, 6:30pm
Holmen Library, 121 Legion St W
More information and RSVP

West Salem, November 23rd, 10:30am
Oma cafe 234 Leonard st N
More information and RSVP

“Speaker Vos says climate change is real… probably” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

photo by Blake Imeson

We discuss Republican Assembly leader Robin Vos saying climate change is “probably” real but there is nothing we can do about it the same week a new Harvard study says Wisconsin should invest in windmills and solar to reduce our high dependence on coal which has significant health impacts on residents and climate. We are joined by Citizen Action’s Healthcare Director, Claire Zautke to discuss a new Georgetown study finding a second consecutive year of increases in uninsured children in America and Wisconsin continues to trail our neighboring states in coverage rates. We also discuss new legislation for marijuana decriminalization in Wisconsin, Wisconsin again has the worst gap in academic achievement between black and white students, and Sean “Duffman” Duffy put his foot in his mouth again and facing criticism after questioning decorated Army veteran’s loyalty to country in an effort to defend Trump.

Listen now – Episode #415
Download MP3

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Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, October 25th

Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, October 25th

Friday, October 25th

Vote in People’s Action Presidential Primary Candidate Survey 

Citizen Action is surveying our organizing cooperative members on their attitudes in the Democratic presidential primary election. We are encouraging all members to VOTE in the survey starting. Voting will continue until Sunday, November 3rd.

VOTE TODAY! 

Northeast Wisconsin Co-op and The Future of Higher Education

Pictured left to right, Dave Hansen*, Katrina Shankland, Jon Shelton
Citizen Action would like to recognize the hard work of two Northeast co-op members, Senator Dave Hansen and Professor Jon Shelton in their commitment to advancing higher education. Senator Hansen and Representative Katrina Shankland introduced a comprehensive higher education package that would address the overall lack of funding our University of Wisconsin schools are currently facing.
Spearheaded by Representative Shankland, the “Reaching for Higher Ed” bill package includes provisions to “Fund the Freeze”, create a Bill Ribbon Commission for Higher Ed, with the stated purpose of restoring affordable higher education programs in Wisconsin.
Through his work with UWGB United, Professor Jon Shelton helped to organize an event at UWGB where Hansen, Shankland, and other stakeholders could answer questions about their proposed legislative package. If you wish to learn more about the legislative package, you can do so here. Thank our legislators for their exceptional work in the state by calling Senator Hansen’s office at (608) 266-5670 and Representative Shankland’s office at (608) 267-9649.

Citizen Action Presents: Deindustrialization and the Green New Deal Panel Discussion Event, Tuesday, October 29th, 6pm

The Climate Justice Issue Team of the Citizen Action SE Wisconsin Co-op is hosting a series of forums on topics related to the Green New Deal in Milwaukee. The next forum in the series is on Tuesday, October 29th, 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Amalgamated Transit Union Hall, 734 N. 26th St. in Milwaukee. Panelists will discuss the history of deindustrialization and the current reality of insufficient jobs and economic opportunity in communities of color in Milwaukee and how green new deal investments can help end the depression-like conditions that many Milwaukee area residents live in.

RSVP on facebook

New “Driftless Organizing Co-op” Drive Hits Halfway Mark to Advance Good Jobs, Green Homes and “Solar for All”!

Less than 3 weeks into the drive to launch a new “Driftless Organizing Co-op” in the Southern/Western urban & rural communities of the state, we have found over 125 people wanting to join! There is still plenty of time in the drive, we encourage you to join us if you live in communities between Madison & La Crosse and/or share via the buttons on the page. And click here to set up your membership dues if you haven’t yet done so!

Working with allies such as IBEW 14 & 159, Western WI Building & Construction Trades Council, environmental, faith, community and small businesses, we are advancing a campaign to challenge utilities and financial institutions to make it easy for people to upgrade their home to fight climate change. Experts say doing so has the biggest impact on carbon reduction. We believe we can help hundreds of thousands of homes now, but we won’t stop until every building has the ability to afford and install solar panels, green building upgrades, etc. & ensure high skilled trades jobs are created. Good for the planet, the person and the workers.

Northwestern Organizing Cooperative Fall Social and Summit this Saturday, October 26th, 10AM

The Northwestern WI Co-op is hosting their annual Fall Social and Summit! There will be food, beverages, and amazing conversation. Please bring a brunch dish to pass. Angelique Rogers, Organizing Director, will be the guest speaker. She is going to talk about our strategic planning going into 2020.There will also be opportunities to talk to leaders in the co-op about our work in healthcare reform, climate change, and voter suppression. This is not just for members! If you know anyone that may be interested in becoming a member, bring them along.

Saturday, October 26th, 10:00AM
2010 W. Moholt, Eau Claire.

North Central Organizing Co-op Wins Long Running Fight

Members of the NC Organizing Co-op joined members of Citizens For a Clean Wausau (CCW) at Wausau City Hall, to urge the Council to vote in favor of allowing City residents to test soils in a park that is potentially contaminated with dioxins from years of pollution from various entities. Here is more on this victory, from Co-op member, and founder of CCW, Tom Killian:

“After a year and a half of community concern and deliberation at City Hall regarding Riverside Park, on Tuesday, October 22, the Wausau City Council approved the request of Citizens for a Clean Wausau (CCW) for access to the park to take soil samples and analyze them for dioxins and furans.

Results from 2006 private soil samples near a culvert area in the park revealed Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) direct contact soil exceedances for dioxins and furans. The samples were taken in relation to a lawsuit involving WAULECO and Sentry Insurance. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit alleged that dioxin contamination stemming from the former industrial site west of the park had caused certain illnesses in the past and – in some cases – death.” The vote in favor of testing passed 8-3, with multiple Council members voting yes, who in the past, resisted voting in favor.

Citizen Action Organizing Co-op Informational Meetings

Are you concerned about the way things are going in our country? Do you feel like you have lost your political power? Do you want to do more to fight climate change? Do you want to help create well paying, skilled union jobs right here in our area? Do you care about making sure everyone in Wisconsin has healthcare? Join Citizen Action for our upcoming event!

Citizens Action is hosting a small group informational meeting. Come and learn about how you can get involved in a true progressive movement dedicated to creating real change in the Driftless region.

This is a great opportunity to learn how you can be a part of our organizing co-op. You can also learn about Citizen Action’s unique organizing model.

La Crosse, October 26th, 10:30am
Pearl St Books 323 Pearl St.
More information and RSVP

La Crosse, October 26th, 2:00pm
University of Wisconsin La Crosse Student Union 521 East Ave South
More information and RSVP

Holmen, November 7, 10:30am
Holmen Library, 121 Legion St W
More information and RSVP

West Salem, November 23rd, 10:30am
Oma cafe 234 Leonard st N
More information and RSVP

Good Jobs and Green Homes
October 27th, 2pm
Reedsburg Public Library, 370 Vine St., Reedsburg

“The con continues” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

We discuss this week’s impeachment news, including the storming of a closed hearing by right-wing Members of Congressmen. Foxconn announced this week that their highly touted “innovation centers” in Wisconsin cities will not happen any time soon. Gov. Evers’ special session on guns is immediately rejected by Sen. Fitzgerald and other Republicans, who plan not to hold any debate or hearings. Also Chicago educators are on strike joining autoworkers in taking direct action against economic injustice, and yet another MU Law School poll is released, with interesting results. We also welcome Citizen Action co-op member and Eau Claire County Board Supervisor Zoe Roberts to discuss the Eau Claire City Council passage of a resolution officially recognizing November 14-20 as Transgender Awareness Week and November 20th as Transgender Day of Remembrance.

LISTEN NOW – EPISODE #414
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