DID YOU KNOW?

Over the past several years our current state administration has quietly been stripping away the duties of the State Treasurer. Now, following a familiar playbook, they are saying that the position of Treasurer no longer has enough official duties to warrant its existence, and, therefore, should be eliminated. The end result would be to further concentrate power and give top members of the Walker administration even more control. To that end, they have put a Referendum Question on the April 3^rd ballot.

 The League of Women Voters provides the following information regarding that referendum.

Wisconsin Constitutional Amendment - Elimination of state treasurer

What it will say on the ballot

At the April 3 Spring Election, all Wisconsin voters will be asked to vote on the question:

Elimination of state treasurer. Shall sections 1 and 3 of article VI and sections 7 and 8 of article X of the constitution be amended, and section 17 of article XIV of the constitution be created, to eliminate the office of state treasurer from the constitution and to replace the state treasurer with lieutenant governor as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands?

What the state treasurer does

The state treasurer is a partisan office. The current duties prescribed by WI law include signing certain checks and financial instruments and helping publicize the state's unclaimed property program (the program is managed and advertised by the Department of Revenue). Per the constitution, the treasurer serves along with the attorney general and secretary of state on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.

The Board manages the state's remaining trust lands (more than 77,000 acres of forest), manages trust funds (more than $1 billion) primarily for the benefit of public education, and maintains the state's archive of 19th-century land survey and land sales records.

What this referendum vote would do

This amendment would complete the transfer of financial duties from an independent elected official to agencies under the control of the governor. Supporters of the amendment contend that there are no remaining responsibilities that justify a separate office. Opponents are concerned about the consolidation of power in the executive branch.

Two successive legislatures voted to put this question to voters (as required by the Wisconsin Constitution). The decision made by voters on April 3rd is binding.

What a Yes or No vote means

A "Yes" vote means the voter agrees that the constitutional position of state treasurer should be abolished.

A "No" vote means the voter wants to retain the constitutional position of state treasurer.

Show the administration we know what they are up to: vote NO.

On March 24, 2018, the students from the Marjorie Stoneman-Douglas High School in Parkland Florida are staging a march in Washington, D.C.:  they call it a March for Our Lives.  Students from across the country will be massing to stage similar events in support of that effort.  Here in Wisconsin, they will be gathering in Madison, and then marching fifty (50) miles to Paul Ryan’s home in Janesville.  To learn more, go to their website, 50milesmore.org

Many thanks to Pat Slutske for this week's content

Tues March 13, 2018

Stop SB54,  10 am -  4 pm
Wisconsin State Capitol, 2 E Main St, Madison, WI 53703
Join SOPHIA and other social justice groups at the capitol to lobby every Senator to vote against SB54 and the spending of $350 million of borrowed money to expand our prison system.
While other states, both states led by Republicans and states led by Democrats, are reducing their prison populations and closing prisons, our Assembly voted to go exactly the opposite direction and have left it to the Senate to approve or defeat it on March 20. Contact [email protected] if you would like to be informed of more details as they develop

Tom Palzewicz meet & greet,   6 pm -  8 pm
16930 A Lake Rd., Brookfield
Dr. Peter and Linda Geiss are hosting a meet and greet for Tom Palzewicz.

Conversations on Race,  6:30 pm - 9 pm
Brown Deer United Methodist, 5736 W. Brown Deer Rd., Brown Deer
Conversations on Race is for people who are ready to discuss how we are approaching racial issues both personally and systemically. It is a time to learn about the fears, angers, prejudices, systemic privileges and spiritual power that we each hold. With the events in Charlottesville, we will continue our discussion of White Supremacy and the impact every day in American culture and life led by Lisa Jones and Joe Masterson. This event is open to the public and is handicap accessible.

Drinking Liberally MKE,  6:30 pm - 8 pm
Art Bar, 722 E. Burleigh St., Milwaukee
Now, more than ever, Drinking Liberally is a space to gather, support each other, and form the progressive community we're going to need to get through the next four years. Come share a pint with your fellow progressives! Drinking Liberally MKE meets on the second Tuesday of every month, hosted by Matt Filipowicz.

350.ORG Monthly Meeting,   7 pm - 8:30  pm
1500 E. Park Pl, Milwaukee (Urban Ecology Center
Description:350.ORG is the global organization building a grassroots movement in 188 countries to address global warming and solve climate the crisis. 350.ORG meets every second Tuesday of the month. www.350mke.org.

Wed March 14, 2018

State Supreme Court Calls for Rebecca Dallet,   9 am - 1 pm
Grassroots North Shore, 5600 W Brown Deer Rd, Brown Deer
Help ensure a Supreme Court that works for the people of Wisconsin. More information

National Student Walkout,  varied   
Your Communities Listed
Find out what your local students are planning and support them.

Emily Siegrist Meet & Greet,   5:30 pm -  7:30 pm
Grassroots North Shore, 5600 W Brown Deer Rd, Brown Deer
Emily Siegrist, Democratic candidate for Assembly District 24 (currently held by Dan Knodl), invites you to a meet & greet event to become acquainted with her and her campaign. details

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Thurs March 15, 2018

Tom Palzewicz Event,  5:30 pm -  7:30 pm
1825 S 72nd St, West Allis (Westallion Brewing Company)
We're having another campaign event, this time at the veteran-owned Westallion Brewing Company in West Allis. Join us Thursday, March 15th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm for some great beer and banter! 

Waukesha County Democratic Party Meeting,  7 pm -  9 pm
336 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI
Monthly Membership Meeting.

Fri March 16, 2018

LIT Bounce Off Fundraiser,  7 pm -  9 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S 5th Ct, Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA

Come out to support LIT's work of radical youth of color-led organizing, liberation and anti-oppression teaching, and public policy innovation to create political power that meets the needs of and is controlled by young people.
20% of door admission will go to help support our critical work, just say the magical words of "Let's get LIT".
For those looking to support can also donate at https://www.litmke.org/contribute/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1512582232382233/details

Sat March 17, 2018

NAACP Monthly Meeting,  11 am -  1 pm
l2745 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Milwaukee
Monthly membership meeting of NAACP Milwaukee Branch. The meeting is held in the basement conference room.

State Supreme Court Calls for Rebecca Dallet,   1 pm - 4 pm
Grassroots North Shore, 5600 W Brown Deer Rd, Brown Deer
Help ensure a Supreme Court that works for the people of Wisconsin. More information

Laughing Liberally Milwaukee,  8 pm -  10 pm
Comedy Sportz Theater, 420 S. 1st St., Milwaukee
Laughing Liberally Milwaukee presents a night of progressive political comedy. In addition to some of the finest progressive comedians Milwaukee has to offer, each Laughing Liberally Milwaukee will feature a special interview with a local political figure, journalist or activist. Advance tickets ($8)

Sun March 18, 2018

Fair Maps - The inside scoop,  1:30 pm - 3 pm
Plymouth Church UCC, 2717 E Hampshire St, Milwaukee, WI 53211

Care about fair elections and preserving the basic democratic principle of one person one vote?The landmark gerrymandering case Gill v. Whitford could change the parameters for partisan map rigging in Wisconsin and could have implications on electoral districts throughout the country. Join us to hear the latest news on the case and learn more about how, together, Wisconsinites can end partisan map rigging once and for all!Speakers include Sachin Chheda of the Fair Elections Project and Anna Dvorak of the Citizen Action Organizing Cooperative.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1841091076191630/ 

http://www.citizenactionwi.org/fair_maps_update3-18-18

DPMC Spring Awards Gala,   5:30 pm
Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago St., Milwaukee
The Democratic Party of Milwaukee County will hold its Spring Awards Gala! Special guest speakers to be announced. These awards will be made: Lifetime of Service, Democrat of the Year, Elected Official, and Organization of the Year. Send nominations for these categories to [email protected] by February 11 at 11:59 pm. Tickets: Individual $75, $90 after March 9 Host table $2500 Sponsor table $1000 Host $250 Sponsor $100 More information and online ticket purchase: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2018awardsdinner

Mon March 19, 2018

DPMC Issues Committee Meeting,   4:30 pm -  5:30 pm
J&B's Blue Ribbon, 5230 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee
NOTE NEW LOCATION. The Democratic Party's Issues Committee will hold its monthly meeting. All Democrats are welcome to participate.

DPMC Meeting,   6 pm -  8 pm
J&B's Blue Ribbon, 5230 W. Bluemound Rd., Milwaukee
NOTE NEW LOCATION. Milwaukee County Democrats meet monthly to discuss party business, hear speakers on current topics, pass resolutions, and network with other progressives. All interested Democrats are invited.

Grassroots Waukesha Member Meeting,  6:30 pm - 8 pm
336 Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha, WI

Suicide, the Ripple Effect,   7:30 pm -  9 pm
Marcus North Shore Cinema, 11700 N Port Washington Rd, Mequon
Every 40 seconds someone around the globe dies by suicide.
This is a staggering statistic and one that the Charles E. Kubly Foundation keeps focused on as we work with our non-profit partners to bring hope and help to those affected by depression and prevent suicide. View Suicide: The Ripple Effect  at a local Milwaukee area theater.  This hopeful film highlights Kevin Hines, suicide survivor and advocate, and is on a mission to provide awareness while sharing his journey of survival and recovery. tickets here

Tues March 20, 2018

Andy Gronik Fundraiser,  5 pm -  7 pm
The Wicked Hop, 345 N. Broadway, Milwaukee
Andy Gronik, candidate for governor of Wisconsin, will hold a fundraiser in Milwaukee.

Voices from Solitary Confinement,  6 pm - 9 pm
Plymouth Church, 2717 E. Hampshire St., Milwaukee
A 2011 United Nations report said, “It is clear that short-term solitary confinement can amount to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." Hear the real words of men and women who are locked away in solitary confinement, interact with survivors of solitary confinement, and learn what we need to do to put an end to the use of solitary confinement.
More information: David Liners, WISDOM State Director, [email protected] or 414-738-2099.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1202235679879824/

Economic Issues Event,  6 pm - 8 pm
Greenfield Library, 5310 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield
Citizens Coalition will hold an event discussing economic issues that will play a significant part in this year's elections: infrastructure, Social Security, taxes, jobs, healthcare, education debt, and military issues. The featured speaker will be William Holahan, Emeritus Professor of Economics at UWM, whose research interest has been in applied microeconomics and public policy. All are welcome. Registration starts at 5:45.   More information: Don Carlson, 414-719-0807 or [email protected].

CLOSEmsdf Monthly Meeting,  6 pm - 7 pm
2821 N. 4th St., Suite 108, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Get involved with the efforts to decarcerate Milwaukee. The #CLOSEmsdf Campaign is now 40 organizations strong. Visit https://closemsdf.org/ for information.  Sign the #CLOSEmsdf petition at https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/its-time-to-close-milwaukee-secure-detention-facility-msdf

Wed March 21, 2018

State Supreme Court Calls for Rebecca Dallet,   9 am - 1 pm
Grassroots North Shore, 5600 W Brown Deer Rd, Brown Deer
Help ensure a Supreme Court that works for the people of Wisconsin. details

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Drinking Liberally Wauwatosa,   6 pm -  9 pm
Red Dot, 6715 W North Ave, Wauwatosa

Southwest Region Dems Meeting,   7 pm 
Studz Pub Sports Bar & Grill, 6833 W. National Ave., West Allis
NOTE NEW DATE AND PERMANENT LOCATION. Southwest Dems will hold their monthly meeting. Region 5 covers Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee (Southwest), West Allis, West Milwaukee. For more information contact [email protected].

Thurs March 22, 2018

Mental Health Board Meeting,   4:30 pm
Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee
Milwaukee County Mental Health Board Meeting. Public Comment: Budget. More information: http://county.milwaukee.gov/BehavioralHealthDivi7762/Mental-Health-Board.htm.

Sat March 24, 2018

March for Our Lives - Milwaukee,   10 am -  12 pm
Milwaukee County Courthouse, 901 N 9th St, Milwaukee
Come show your support for these amazing young people who are standing up to gun violence. The march will begin at the MilwaukeeCounty Courthouse and end at City Hall. Sponsored by the survivors of the Parkland, Fla., school shooting, and their local Milwaukee high school supporters. 

4th CD Convention,   11 am -  3 pm
McGovern Park Senior Center,00 W. Custer Ave., Milwaukee
Description:The 4th Congressional District of the Democratic Party will hold its convention. Registration opens at 11:00am. The Convention convenes 12:00pm – 3:00pm. Cost: Preregistration is $20 per person with lunch, $10 without lunch; in-person registration $15 per person without lunch. To be a delegate, contact Secretary Felisia Martin at [email protected] or 414-745-9185 by March 19. Online registration: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/4thcddems

State Supreme Court Calls for Rebecca Dallet,   1 pm - 4 pm
Grassroots North Shore, 5600 W Brown Deer Rd, Brown Deer
Help ensure a Supreme Court that works for the people of Wisconsin. More information

Sun March 25, 2018

Sunday Demonstration,   12 pm -  1 pm
Cutler Park, Wisconsin Avenue, Waukesha
What are you most concerned about? Social justice, democracy, the environment? Join us for a silent demonstration. We meet at Cutler Park in Waukesha on the sidewalk along Wisconsin Avenue near the Public Library. Bring a sign or use one of ours. Sponsored by Grassroots Waukesha.

Mon March 26, 2018

Shorewood Spring Election Candidate Forum,   6 pm -  8 pm
North Shore Presbyterian Church, 4048 N Bartlett Ave, Shorewood
The candidates for the Shorewood Village Board and Village president will be answering your questions in a moderated forum.
Doors open at 6:00 pm. The program starts at 630pm. Hosted by Grassroots North Shore  RSVP

Tues March 27, 2018

SWAN: Restoring Our Rivers,  10  am -  2:30 pm
Sprecher's Restaurant & Pub, 5689 N Bayshore Dr, Milwaukee, 

Gerrymandering" Film,   6 pm 
Bay View Public Library, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee
Gerrymandering, directed by Jeff Reichert, is about redistricting battles: how the lines that determine who represents us in our state legislatures and Congress are drawn; who draws them; what interests are at stake; and the implications for the average American voter. Free event sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. The film is also online:
https://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/gerrymandering