Our forum is not the only thing going on

I would love to start a caravan of Grandmothers to our southern border so that we could hold and nurture the children being used as pawns. That action, however, may be a bit more than I can personally accomplish. That does not mean that I can't show my disgust with the administration that is making it happen. There is a new group in town, The Gaia Coalition. They have created Operation Shake the Ground and enlisted the support of 21 local organizations, GRNS among them. It appears that Trump will be there. Let's give him the welcome that he deserves. There is no address for the event, just a map to Mt. Pleasant. Afterward, according to the Milwaukee Business Journal business executive, Ted Kellner will host a luncheon fundraiser.

By now you have no doubt heard about the Supreme Courts non-decision about Wisconsin's suit for Fair Maps. The issue is not dead. It is not even on life support. We just need to keep working. The Washington Post provides a good explanation of what we must do going forward. Of course, we could flip the Legislature and Governor to Democrat.

With that in mind:

What Would You Ask the Next Governor of Wisconsin?

During the last two weeks, our newsletter previewed responses to two questions for candidates speaking at our Governor Candidates’ Forum, which you can attend the afternoon of Sunday, June 24^th at Ovation Sarah Chudnow Campus in Mequon. Those responses were from Matt Flynn, Paul Soglin, and Kelda Helen Roys, Mahlon Mitchell, and Tony Evers. Today you will find out how Mike McCabe and Kathleen Vinehout answered our questions.

Question 1- What is the role and responsibility of the state regarding protection of immigrants?

McCabe:

Wisconsin should set an example for the nation to follow by swimming against the political current and resisting the backward anti-immigration agenda of the current federal administration.

Once elected, my administration will set a new tone for Wisconsin that acknowledges and honors the contributions to our society made by immigrants, opposes xenophobic federal policies on immigration (including current ICE enforcement practices), stands in favor of creating pathways to citizenship, and works to establish a new mindset that is welcoming and hospitable toward immigrants rather suspicious and hostile.

There also is a great deal that needs to be done to change policing and stop racial profiling, but no step is more important than reversing the philosophical shift that has moved policing away from a “protect and serve” mission to one that can best be described as “intimidate and control.” In addition, Wisconsin should be a safe harbor for Dreamers. DACA has allowed more than 7,500 young people to live and work legally in the state and has undeniably benefited the state’s economy. I have seen estimates that ending DACA would take substantially more than $400 million out of Wisconsin’s economy annually. Ending DACA is not only unjust immigration policy, it is counterproductive economic policy.

Vinehout:

As Governor, I will direct my cabinet to use the powers and resources of the state to help those who are suffering from discrimination, racial profiling, fear of harassment and separation from their families. This includes working with nonprofit organizations that provide support including legal aid to protect families from separation.

I will set a tone that welcomes all people regardless of immigrant status. Words and symbols are powerful means of changing attitudes.

I joined with Representative Zamarripa as the Senate sponsor of SB 210 which prohibited the State of Wisconsin Investment Board from investing in securities from companies that plan, construct, or design the proposed wall along the U.S. Mexican border.

I would work with the Legislature to pass a drivers’ card for immigrants in Wisconsin. Under the federal REAL ID law, states can provide a drivers’ card option for those who do not have a social security number. AB 727, which I co-sponsored, provided that option.

I would work to restore the eligibility for in-state tuition rates at public universities and colleges for undocumented students in Wisconsin that was repealed in 2011.

Many communities have experienced a dramatic increase in immigrant children who are English Learners. Two examples: Green Bay has 600 Somali students; in Arcadia 84% of primary grade children are Latino. In our Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding Reform we heard testimony that in 1990, the state paid 63% of the cost of the bilingual/bicultural program. The current rate is about 8%. In my first budget, as Governor, I would fully fund Bilingual-Bicultural education.

I would veto any bill like Senate Bill 275 that commandeers local law enforcement in the service of the federal immigration authorities or punishes local governments that do not want to take on this role.

Question 2 - Would you leave as is the current public versus voucher structure? If not, how would you propose changing and funding that relationship?

McCabe:

Wisconsin has been trying to fund two separate and parallel systems of education and can’t do justice by one. There should be a basic rule for government. If a program works, keep it and fund it. If it doesn’t work, get rid of it. By that standard, taxpayer-subsidized private schooling should be ended. Handing out state-funded subsidies that make taxpayers pick up the tab for more than 33,000 Wisconsin students to attend private schools will cost the state in the neighborhood of $580 million over the next two years.

Nearly 900,000 students attend public schools in Wisconsin. When the voucher program was started in 1990, it was pitched as a way to boost student achievement, improve school quality and give families more educational choices. Test scores and other indicators show voucher students are not doing any better than those attending public schools and by some measures are actually doing worse. Overall school quality in Wisconsin has slipped. Most families receiving vouchers already were privately schooling their children before receiving vouchers, shooting a hole in the argument that the program provides choices that didn’t previously exist. The state’s private school subsidy program has been around for 27 years and has failed to deliver the promised results.

Student achievement hasn’t increased. Wisconsin’s education system has not been made better, it’s been made worse. Families aren’t getting more choices, taxpayers are mostly just subsidizing the decisions some families already were making and previously were paying for themselves. Resources are being siphoned away from community schools, weakening them badly. After all these years, it’s clear the voucher experiment hasn’t worked. We shouldn’t throw good money after bad. We should pull the plug on this failed subsidy.

Vinehout:

Public dollars should be spent on public programs that are accountable to the public. Public tax dollars should not be spent on private programs that are not accountable to the public.

I would stop the statewide voucher expansion and the statewide special needs voucher system passed by Republicans a few years ago. In my alternative budgets, I took this money to more fully fund public schools. And, I would do this in my first budget as Governor. I would veto any law that, in any way, expanded public dollars going to private school subsidies.

I would work to change the laws that now exist that treat public schools unfairly. I would make sure public schools are paid at least what private schools are paid to take care of the same kids. Further, existing private schools should follow all the same rules, the same tests, the same accountability, and the same standards as public schools. I would eliminate the expensive tax credit that allows parents to deduct private school tuition from their income taxes.

Further, I would fully fund our public schools. This means making dramatic changes to the way we pay for schools. Recognizing that some students costs more to educate and students needs have changed in a way our present funding formula does not take into account. Reliance on the property tax to fund schools should be reduced. State aid should cover a larger percentage of the costs.

Every student deserves a great public school. For those parents that want to go to private school, I say, “Great – that is your choice – but you need to pay for that private education.”

Many important questions will be asked and answered on June 24^th-- sign up to come and then bring your friends, family, and colleagues along. Free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served.

Sunday, June 24, Ovation, Sarah Chudnow Campus, 10995 N. Market St., Mequon. RSVP Today

EVENTS

Tues June 19, 2018

Juneteenth Day, 9 am - 6 pm
Martin Luther King Drive, between Burleigh and Center St, Milwaukee
The event kicks off with the parade. Live entertainment features local African dance groups, a variety of musical groups, and the Miss Juneteenth Day Pageant. Soul food and other festival favorites are available all day long. Juneteenth Day is a community celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. Free admission.

Julie Henszey Fundraiser, 5 pm - 7 pm
Westallion, 1825 S 72nd St, West Allis, WI 53214
Join Julie Henszey at a reception to support her campaign for the Wisconsin State Senate in the 5th District. Host: $1,000, Patron: $500, Friend: $250, Sponsor: $100, Suggested contribution: $50 Contributions of any amount gratefully accepted
To join the host committee or for any questions please contact Alex: [email protected] or 414-563-7717. Website: https://www.julieforwi.com/

Wed June 20, 2018

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
Come join fellow Wauwatosa progressives for good conversation. http://livingliberally.org/drinking/chapters/WI/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 June 21, 2018

NARCAN Saves Lives, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Cross Lutheran Church, 1821 N 16th St, Milwaukee
Learn how NARCAN can save lives. Ken Ginlack, Emergency Department Case Manager from Ascension; Kevin Sick, from Aids Resource Center of Wisconsin; and Marquette Police Officer Paul Zienetek will discuss how NARCAN, when properly used, can bring people back from an overdose. Persons whose lives were saved by NARCAN will share their experiences. A limited number of NARCAN kits will be given out to those in attendance. Hosted by OFA-WI. RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/narcan-community-engagement-event

Fri June 22, 2018

The road to Change tour stop and meet-up, bus arrives 2:00 pm, program at 3:30 pm
Optimist Community Park, 4201 Ruger Ave, Janesville, WI
The teens from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida are traveling across the country this summer to get out the vote for gun violence prevention...and their tour bus is stopping in Janesville on Friday!

Reception for Josh Kaul for Attorney General, 4:30 pm - 6 pm
Boone & Crockett at the Cooperage, 822 South Water Street, Milwaukee
Josh Kaul is a former federal prosecutor running for Wisconsin Attorney General. He wants Wisconsinites to live in a state that's safer and stronger than we're on track for right now, and he believes that Wisconsin's AG should focus on protecting Wisconsin families, not playing partisan politics. RSVP: www.joshkaul.org/milwaukee0622

Sat June 23, 2018

Community Brainstorming, 8 am - 11 am
St. Matthew CME Church, 2944 N. 9th St., Milwaukee
Community Brainstorming Conference Breakfast Forum Breakfast: 8 am, Program: 9 am All Are Invited, Come and Participate. http://www.communitybrainstorming.org/.

Stand for Peace, 12 pm - 1 pm
Varies. Find the week's location here.
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by the United Nations Association of Milwaukee, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Sun June 24, 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

GRNS Governors Forum, 3 pm - 6 pm
Ovation, Sarah Chudnow Campus, 10995 N. Market St., Mequon
The seven top-polling candidates for the Democratic nomination for Governor will respond to a wide array of questions and issues at a Grassroots North Shore forum. The invited candidates are Tony Evers, Matt Flynn, Mike McCabe, Mahlon Mitchell, Paul Soglin, and Kathleen Vinehout. RSVP: http://www.grassrootsnorthshore.com/18_06_24_gov_forum

Mon June 25, 2018

Mayor Barrett Roundtable, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Ivy House, 906 S. Barclay St., Milwaukee
Mayor Tom Barrett's Annual Restaurant Roundtable.
Sponsorship levels: Sponsor: $1,000 (10+ tickets), Mayor's Club Membership: $400, Attendee: $100. To Sponsor and RSVP:https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mayorsclub-rr email Zach @[email protected] or call Zach at (414) 271-8050

Wed June 27, 2018

Sarah Godlewski, candidate for WI State Treasurer, Fundraiser, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Three Lions Pub, 4515 N Oakland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211
Join hosts Linda Frank, Meghan Christiansen, Kristin Hansen, Ann Jacobs, Heather Ullsvik & Jerry Lynn at a fundraiser for Sarah Godlewski. RSVP

Thurs June 28, 2017

Emily Siegrist, Democrat Candidate for AD 24., 5:30 pm - pm
7315 N Redwood Rd, Glendale
Please join hosts Phillip Bailey and Jason Rae for a special event in support of Emily Siegrist, Democrat Candidate for State Assembly District 24.
Emily Siegrist is a Nurse Practitioner currently teaching nursing students at MSOE, with two young kids (4-year-old and 1-year-old), and was in the Army National Guard. She is running to increase access to affordable health care, increase funding for our public schools, and address our crumbling infrastructure.
Please consider joining our host committee by emailing us at [email protected]

Jails, Justice and Community, 6 pm - 7:30 pm
Linneman's Riverwest Inn, 1001 E. Locust Ave., Milwaukee
Jails, Justice and Community: Important updates from community leaders, including the ACLU, Youth Justice MKE, #CloseMSDF, and the NAACP, on • #CloseMSDF (the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility) • The Milwaukee Police: Community Accountability Initiatives
• Lincoln Hills — Bring ‘em Home. https://www.facebook.com/events/248385929070824/

NARCAN Saves Lives, 7 pm
Cross Lutheran Church, 1821 N. 16th St., Milwaukee
Learn how NARCAN can save lives. Ken Ginlack, Emergency Department Case Manager from Ascension; Kevin Sick, from Aids Resource Center of Wisconsin; and Marquette Police Officer Paul Zienetek will discuss how NARCAN, when properly used, can bring people back from an overdose. Persons whose lives were saved by NARCAN will share their experiences. A limited number of NARCAN kits will be given out to those in attendance. Hosted by OFA-WI. RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/narcan-community-engagement-event

Fri June 29, 2018

Foxconn Demonstration, Operation: Shake the Ground!, 12 pm - 2:30 pm
Mount Pleasant (no specific address given)
Join the fight against corruption and corporate interest in Wisconsin! We will be showcasing our resistance against Foxconn and economic, political, social, and environmental oppression throughout Wisconsin on June 29th during their Groundbreaking Ceremony in Mt Pleasant. We will be joined by Mt. Pleasant landowners, legislators, teachers and students from all over the state, media, union workers, civil rights and environmental activists, and indigenous voices. We will not move forward so long as our voices continue to be ignored. Show your support, please join us. Our differences may define us as individuals, but how we come together in Solidarity defines us as a community. More details are forthcoming. Follow the event on Facebook "Operation: Shake the Ground!"

Chris Ralf for AD 60, 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Fermentorium Brewery & Tasting Room, 7481 State Road 60, Cedarburg, WI 5301
Come join us on Friday, June 29th from 6:00 to 8:30 PM at the Fermentorium Brewery & Tasting Room in Cedarburg. The Fermentorium is Cedarburg’s premier brewery, handcrafting dozens of great beers and is located at 7481 State Road 60, Cedarburg, Wisconsin 53012.
Celebrate with Chris and help her meet her June filing fundraising goals. We will form teams of four and vie for fun prizes and bragging rights as we test our general knowledge. Bring a snack to share if you like. Since this is a fundraiser to help Chris’ team get the word out to all of AD 60, the recommended donation is $20 (please make checks payable to Chris Rahlf for Assembly or donate online at Act Blue ) Please RSVP by emailing us at [email protected] or by clicking here to access our Facebook event

Reception for Josh Kaul for Attorney General, 4:30 pm - 6 pm
Boone & Crockett at the Cooperage, 822 South Water Stree
Josh Kaul is a former federal prosecutor running for Wisconsin Attorney General. He wants Wisconsinites to live in a state that's safer and stronger than we're on track for right now, and he believes that Wisconsin's AG should focus on protecting Wisconsin families, not playing partisan politics. RSVP: www.joshkaul.org/milwaukee0622

Sat June 30, 2018

Mon July 2, 2014

Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Clarke Irish Pub, 314 W. Main St., Waukesha
Drinking Liberally Waukesha meets the first Monday of each month

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