We have a special interview with Wisconsin Election Commissioner (WEC) Mark Thomsen about Trump and the GOP’s baseless accusations that every Wisconsin election clerk conducted illegal election activities. Wednesday evening, Republican WEC commissioners asserted, with no evidence, that Milwaukee and Dane County would illegally restrict access to GOP recount observers. Commissioner Dean Knudson said he was willing to throw out all absentee ballots requested online through WEC, which if it happened would likely swing the election to Trump. Our panel also discusses the escalating COVID-19 crisis in Wisconsin, including Governor Evers’ extension of the mask mandate and his new COVID-19 legislation. We welcome Racine Education Association president Angelina Cruz to discuss the very strong letter WEAC leaders sent to Gov. Evers and DHS Secretary designee Andrea Palm asking for clear state standards on in-person schooling. We also talk about other local elected officials who are receiving threats for proposing local health measures that would slow the spread of the pandemic.

Listen – Episode #468
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The first step to becoming a Milwaukee election recount volunteer is to sign up for an initial training HERE.

Links:

• Wisconsin recount gets off to a rough start as Elections Commission repeatedly clashes.
• After multiple deadlocks, partisan jabs, Elections Commission orders Wisconsin recount.
• Wisconsin’s divisive presidential recount begins.
• Trump pursues recount of 2 liberal Wisconsin counties.
• Gov. Tony Evers unveils new COVID relief bill; Vos calls it ‘more of the same’.
• Gov. Tony Evers to extend state COVID-19 emergency declaration and mask mandate into next year.
• Gov. Tony Evers says he will extend mask mandate into 2021.
• New Public Health Order Prohibits Indoor Gatherings, Limits Outdoor Gatherings to 10 People in Dane County.
• These venues are high-risk areas for spreading the coronavirus, model suggests.
• Racine Public Health Department orders schools to close until Jan. 15.
• Wisconsin Officials Are Getting Threats Before Vote on COVID Safety Measures.
• St. Croix County Board Kills More Measures to Keep People Safe From COVID-19.
• Evers Introduces New Proposals to Deal With COVID-19. Vos Holds Presser But Offers.

As COVID-19 surges dangerously out of control, we look forward to national and state course corrections. Next, we discuss the prospects for national healthcare reform in the coming Biden/Harris Administration. We evaluate Gov. Evers’ new COVID-19 Executive Orders, as health care workers and hospitals are on the brink. We preview the 2021-22 state budget process and the importance of pushing to include BadgerCare Public Option and other structural reforms in Governor Evers’ next two year budget.

LISTEN NOW!

Attend Governor Evers and Lieutenant Governor Barnes virtual state budget listening session on healthcare, Tuesday, November 17th, 6pm.

Attend Citizen Action Virtual Fundraiser with Senator Tammy Baldwin and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes
Wednesday, November 18th, 6pm-8pm
Sponsor and RSVP for the event.

Links:

• Biden wants mask mandates nationwide: ‘We can save tens of thousands of lives’.
• ‘This crisis is urgent’: Tony Evers urges Wisconsin to stay home on day of record cases, deaths.
• Chief Medical Officer: Overwhelmed Wisconsin Hospitals May Have to Stop Treating People.
• Wisconsin Hospital And Business Leaders Given Bleak Update On Virus.
• Wisconsin Election Commission: Correcting Misinformation about Wisconsin’s Election
• Republicans claim Wisconsin clerks illegally altered absentee ballots, but they were following election guidance.
• WEC forced to address misinformation, conspiracy theories following election.
• Republicans’ search for election fraud in Wisconsin focuses on Milwaukee, Rock counties. Here’s why.
• GOP Rep. Suggests WI Electors Should Be Forced to Vote for Trump, Who Lost the Election.
• ACA insures 3 million more lives during pandemic.

We review this week’s historic election that saw huge turnout nationally, including Wisconsin. We discuss how the blue wave this year was met by an almost equal red wave resulting in some disappointing results down ballot based on expectations buoyed by failed polling and the Trump campaign’s ability to expand its base. We shout out Milwaukee and other cities where Black and Brown communities successfully organized and turned out in large numbers putting Biden over the top. We analyze significant progressive gains in the Milwaukee suburbs that resulted in 2 new state assembly members and some heartbreaking narrow defeats for Emily Siegrist and few other state legislative candidates. The panel previews healthcare reform in a Biden Administration that must contend with a likely GOP U.S. Senate. We close with a call to action to get serious about combating COVID-19 outbreak in Wisconsin and America.
Listen Episode #466
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Citizen Action’s 2020 Virtual Fundraiser featuring U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.  Sponsor or RSVP for Event

Links:

Despite Rudy Guliani’s false claim, ballots did not just materialize.
Biden’s Wisconsin Win Fueled by Historic Shift in Conservative-Leaning ‘WOW’ Counties.
Judge ‘shocked’ USPS disregarded order for postal inspectors to search for undelivered ballots.
Wisconsin reports record-breaking day for new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, positivity rate.

We discuss the big election and the prospect of making major Democratic gains in the State Legislature. Next, we dissect Assembly Speaker Robin Vos’ 11th hour turnaround on addressing the raging COVID-10 pandemic. Has he finally been persuaded by science, or is he desperately fighting for his political life? In a Battleground Wisconsin exclusive, we release a shocking voice mail of a disgruntled parent left for a union leader which perfectly reflects the hatred and disrespect of public employees fomenting by radical right politicians. Finally we delve into what progressives are organizing for protecting the vote on election day and post-election challenges to the vote count and majority rule from from Trump, radical right judges, and the State Legislature. Subbing for Claire Zautke on the panel this week is Citizen Action Movement Politics Director JoAnna Bautch.
Listen to Episode #465
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Sign the PLEDGE to ensure every vote in Wisconsin is counted.
Wisconsinites are signing this pledge calling on our elected leaders to ensure the integrity of our elections and that every vote is counted. When you sign the pledge, we’ll follow up with key information about how to plug into gatherings in your community or online. Sign and share.

Read more about how you can help defend democracy.

Watch new documentary film, Can You Hear Us Now?
Watch Citizen Action hosted Q&A with the film’s director, producer, key actors in the film and Citizen Action co-op member and candidate for State Assembly, Emily Siegrist.

Links:

Fauci: COVID-19 vaccine likely not available until next year.
As the crush of COVID cases continues, Wisconsin is on track to run short of ICU beds in two to six weeks.
While in court to stop mask rules, Robin Vos calls to remove politics from COVID response.
Vos Admits, ‘Obviously, What We’re Doing Now as a State Isn’t Working’.
State Supreme Court accepts case that could wipe out Evers’ emergency COVID-19 orders.
Will the Wisconsin Legislature be won with coattails?
New Marquette Law School Poll finds Biden lead over Trump stable at five percentage points.

We welcome documentary filmmakers, Susan Peters and Jim Cricchi, who will be debuting their outstanding film Can You Here Us Now? next week on Wednesday at 6pm. The film looks at the ways that years of one-party rule in Wisconsin have reshaped democracy in a state once known for its progressive history. We also talk with State Assembly candidate August Schutz who is running the gerrymandered 62nd District in Racine County. We discuss the shocking COVID-19 numbers in the state and our failed response from Republican leaders like Ron Johnson who asserts we are flattening the curve and State Representative Joe Sanfilippo who said the government has no role in helping deal with the pandemic. We released a report this week finding Wisconsin billionaires are getting richer during the pandemic. Also early voting has started in Wisconsin with long lines in many cities as the state prepares for potential militia activity on Election Day.

Listen Now – Episode #464
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RSVP & Watch trailer for Can You Hear Us Now?

Read Citizen Action Report: Wisconsin Billionaires’ Net Worth’s Jump $11 Billion or 28% Since Pandemic.

Learn more about August Schutz for State Assembly District 62
Donate to August Schutz.
Volunteer for August Schutz.

Volunteer to help defend democracy at the polls on Election Day.

Show links:

• Do nothing state representative Joe Sanfilippo must go.
• Here’s Where The Threat Of Militia Activity Around The Elections Is The Highest.
• Following Justice Rally, activists wonder what Wauwatosa considers ‘peaceful protest’.

Another week, another set of record COVID-19 infections, deaths, and hospitalizations in Wisconsin. Will the do-nothing Republican Legislature start doing its job at this moment of great peril, or is undermining Governor Tony Evers all they care about? We discuss the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Amy Coney Barrett, who has been the most evasive Supreme Court nominee in modern history. She would not even commit on the right to birth control, or that climate change is a threat, let alone Roe v. Wade and the Affordable Care Act. Robert talks about the civil rights violations by Wauwatosa Police in their outrageous and discriminatory response to peaceful protesters. Finally, we are joined by State Assembly candidates Kriss Marion and Shaun Murphy-Lopez who are challenging Republican incumbents in the Driftless region of the state.

RSVP for Citizen Action Movie Night with Can They Hear Us Now?
Wednesday, October 28th, 6pm.
Watch preview of the movie.

Learn more about Kriss Marion for State Assembly District 51.
Donate to Kriss Marion.
Volunteer for Kriss Marion.

Learn more about Shaun Murphy-Lopez for State Assembly District 49.
Donate to Shaun Murphy-Lopez.
Volunteer for Shaun Murphy-Lopez.

Show Links:

Judge blocks Gov. Tony Evers’ order limiting indoor gatherings at some businesses.
City-County Climate Equity Goals Are Big.
Wauwatosa residents decry ‘militarized occupation’ of their community.

We discuss the continued failure to control the COVID-19 outbreak in Wisconsin, including the deliberate Republican state legislative effort to undermine any state response. We debrief the new MU Law Poll and the VP debate. Yet another police officer will have no charges brought against them for the killing of a Black teen in Wauwatosa. We close the show by welcoming State Assembly candidates Jacob Malinowski and Jessica Katzenmeyer to discuss their suburban Milwaukee campaigns.

Listen Now – Episode #462
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Learn more about Jacob Malinowski for State Assembly District 82
Donate to Jacob.
Volunteer for Jacob.

Learn more about Jessica Katzenmeyer for State Assembly District 15.
Donate to Jessica.

Links:

Editorial: Robin Vos and Scott Fitzgerald refused to work with Gov. Tony Evers to contain coronavirus. They have made things worse.
With COVID-19 on a Rampage Through Wisconsin, Pence Defends His Pandemic Record in Debate.
Wisconsin reports more than 2,300 new coronavirus cases, 16 deaths as crisis continues to spiral ‘out of control’.
Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Conservatives Say Republicans Can Appeal Absentee Ballot Ruling.
Wisconsin grapples with explosion of new Covid cases amid political in-fighting.
Protesters March Against Decision Not To Charge Officer In Wauwatosa, Wis., Death.
‘The fight continues’: Family of Alvin Cole, third person fatally shot by Tosa Officer Joseph Mensah, still calls for firing, charges.
ACLU of Wisconsin Responds to Milwaukee DA’s Decision Not to Charge Wauwatosa Officer Mensah For Fatal Shooting Of Alvin Cole.
Amid major national developments, new Marquette Law School Poll finds Wisconsin voter preferences holding steady in presidential race.

We debrief the presidential “debate” this week, discuss the potential of a Trump strategy to use the state legislature to overturn electors and appoint new electors that support Trump, and sound the alarm on the deepening COVID-19 crisis throughout Wisconsin. We are joined by Kristin Lyerly and Kathy Hinkfuss who are running for State Assembly in the Green Bay area. Both are healthcare professionals who are running outstanding campaigns to win in gerrymandered districts.
Listen now – Episode #461
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Learn more about Kristin Lyerly for State Assembly District 88
Donate to Kristin Lyerly.
Volunteer for Kristin Lyerly.

Learn more about Kathy Hinkfuss for State Assembly District 4
Donate to Kathy Hinkfuss.
Volunteer for Kathy Hinkfuss.

Links:

Will the Wisconsin GOP help Trump steal the election?
‘I wish they could see how bad things are getting‘: As Wisconsin hospitals fill up with COVID patients, front-line workers sound.
Community groups demand action to prevent virus spread, protect health and education.
President Trump planning rallies in Green Bay and La Crosse, areas labeled as coronavirus ‘red zones’ by White House.
Wisconsin might need 9,000 contact tracers. It has 1,200.

We discuss the grossly insufficient indictment brought against only one of the Louisville police officers who killed Breonna Taylor. We welcome Citizen Action president Mark Thomsen to educate our listeners about new state legislation (LRB-6434/2) providing a blanket COVID-19 liability shield for businesses and how you can fight it. We continue our interviews with state legislative candidates talking with Deb Andraca and Sara Rodriguez who are making serious challenges to GOP assembly members in the Milwaukee suburbs. They tell us why these Republican gerrymandered districts are changing and ready to elect Democrats this year.
LISTEN EPISODE #460
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Support organizations in Louisville as they continue to mobilize people in this moment:

Louisville Community Bail Fund
BLM General Fund
Anti Eviction Fund
Healing for Louisville

Learn more about Deb Andraca for State Assembly District 23
Volunteer for Deb.
Donate to Deb.

Learn more about Sara Rodriguez for State Assembly District 13
Volunteer for Sara.
Donate to Sara.

Read LRB-6434/2
Wisconsin Association for Justice talking points against LRB-6434

We discuss Wisconsin’s rapidly rising COVID-19 infection rate supercharged by the ill-conceived reopening of colleges and K-12 schools. We talk about the role of individual responsibility in containing the pandemic in the face of the worst national and state response in the developed world. Claire reviews a large national survey released this week finding the uninsured rate rose just before the country was hit by the coronovirus. We look at the huge opportunity Democratic State Assembly candidates have at winning seats previously thought safe for Republicans due to rigged district lines. What does winning these races have to do with creating fair maps? We welcome Citizen Action co-op member Emily Berge, who is a candidate for State Assembly in District 68 in the greater Eau Claire area, to discuss her campaign and what she is hearing on the ground.
LISTEN NOW – EPISODE #459
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Learn more about Emily Berge for State Assembly District 68.
Volunteer for Emily Berge.
Donate to Emily.

Attend Citizen Action online meet and greet with Emily Berge
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7pm
Facebook event page

Links:

Monitoring the Coronavirus Outbreak in Metro Areas Across the U.S.
Coronavirus in Wisconsin: Seven-day average continues to rise after another 1,400 cases Wednesday.
Trump says CDC Director Robert Redfield ‘confused’ about coronavirus vaccine, mask efficacy. Redfield responded.
Uninsured Rate Rose Again in 2019, Further Eroding Earlier Progress.
NPR’s Rachel Martin talks to Laura Helmuth of Scientific American about the magazine endorsing Joe Biden for president. It’s the first presidential endorsement in the magazine’s 175-year history.
Face Mask Mandate Is Set to Expire–Unless Evers Extends It.
Vos Lowers Expectations for a Veto-Proof GOP Majority in Legislature.
Three seats from a GOP supermajority, Wisconsin Assembly leaders eye pickup, defense options.