There's a lot going on right now, but we should take a few moments to breathe deeply and relax a bit. The Biden administration is off to a blazing start. Not only are the vaccinations getting into arms faster than anticipated, but the American Rescue Plan (i.e. Covid-19 and economic stimulus) passed last week and is already going into effect. And key figures in the administration, including the president himself, are on a week-long tour to educate people about the plan and to emphasize its impact on the lives of every American.

Here in Wisconsin, though, we have an important election coming up. The key statewide race is for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Grassroots North Shore held a candidate forum with the two women running for the position. There are substantial differences between their positions on key issues. So you should watch the taped forum to hear the differences and make an informed choice. Grassroots North Shore is endorsing Dr. Jill Underly both because of her breadth of experiences in the Wisconsin education system and because she is clear about her opposition to funding private schools with public money. See our full endorsement.

Grassroots North Shore is also endorsing Katie Kegel for Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Branch 3. We are especially excited by her fresh thinking about sentencing. There are many other local races for your community on your ballot. You can find a sample ballot and request an absentee ballot at myvote.wi.gov and you can also find out who is running for what on our 2021 Races page. Drop box information for returning absentee ballots is here and information about in-person early voting is here.

And of course, we'd welcome your participation in our efforts to reach voters through the Weekends of Action being held by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. The shifts — on Saturday, March 20, and Sunday, March 21, as well as March 27 and 28, will include a brief training for those who are new or just need a refresher. Sign up for either or both weekends!

Finally, a word or two about Ron Johnson, an embarrassment to our state if there ever was one. He's gotten a lot of national coverage for his racist defense of the January 6, 2021, insurrection — in the Washington Post, at CNN and others. Not to mention the coverage in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Ousting him from office next year is among our highest priorities. It's taken Wisconsin more than half a century to live down the shame of Joseph McCarthy. We cannot afford to leave Johnson in the US Senate for another term!

EVENTS

Social Tue Mar 16, 2021

Shifting Politics and Climate Change in Wisconsin, 1pm - 2:15pm
Online
Featuring Government Affairs Director Jennifer Giegerich and Northeast Organizer Casey Hicks.The urgency to address climate change has never been greater, but legislative leadership in Wisconsin has opposed clean energy efforts, leaving Wisconsin a decade behind other states on climate action, even as public opinion has shifted so that even some segments of Republican voters support action to address climate change. With your support, we’ve passed 100% clean energy commitments in city halls, county governments, and school boards across the state since 2019 – and we’re just getting started! Please join us to learn about the unique opportunities conservation voters have to push for climate action at the local, state, and federal levels – and how you can help! Register.

Restoring Confidence in U.S. Elections, 4pm - 5pm
Zoom
We would like to invite you to attend our upcoming virtual panel discussion entitled "Restoring Confidence in the U.S. Election System." The 2020 presidential election shook public confidence in the U.S. election system, leading to dozens of lawsuits and an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Join a virtual panel of experts as they offer recommendations about how to go about the vital task of rebuilding public trust in the administration of elections. Register to receive the link to the Zoom conference.

Organized to Fail at School, 7pm - 8:30pm
Zoom
In a presentation titled "Organized to Fail: School Culture and Organization as Key Determinants of Student Achievement," the UWM Wisconsin Educator Effectiveness Research Partnership team will provide a no-nonsense review of two groundbreaking studies. The community will be given an opportunity to respond in breakout sessions. Hosted by MICAH- Milwaukee. Zoom link will be sent after registration. Registration.

Wed Mar 17, 2021

Superintendent Candidate Debate, 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Online
Join Marquette University Law School and the Marquette College of Education as the candidates for Superintendent of Education discuss issues of importance such as addressing Wisconsin’s education achievement gaps, helping schools recover from the pandemic, and funding schools. The session will be moderated by Alan J. Borsuk, senior fellow in law and public policy at the Law School. The discussion will be available via the “Watch Now” button above on Wednesday, March 17, starting at 12:15 p.m. Registration.

Info: Laughing Liberally MKE, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Online
See information on the latest Laughing Liberally offerings.

Joint Finance: What to Expect, 6:30pm - 6:30pm
Online
ACLU will present a discussion about the Joint Finance Committee's hearing dates and locations, ACLU's plans, and what people can expect if they decide to testify in person. More information and registration.

Info: Southwest Region Dems Meeting, 7pm - 7pm
TBA
Southwest Dems (Region 5) cover Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee (Southwest), West Allis, West Milwaukee. For information on when a meeting may be held check here or contact [email protected].

Thu Mar 18, 2021

Badger Bounceback: Economic Recovery, 6pm - 6pm
Zoom / YouTube
Badger Bounceback will be a series of online programs for Wisconsinites to discuss and provide feedback on Gov. Evers' agenda with the goal of working together to help pass a bold, bipartisan budget that will help our state bounce back from COVID-19 to better than we were before this pandemic hit. The first session will examine Economic Recovery and Opportunity. More information and schedule. Registration.

Vaccine Info Phone Bank, 6pm - 6pm
Phone from home
Milwaukeeans, help us ensure all residents and employers over the age of 65 get vaccinated ASAP by signing up for a vaccine informational phone bank session with us every Thursday at 6pm for the month of March! If you know someone who does not have an email address, does not have internet access, or needs assistance with scheduling an appointment, please call theCOVID-19 Hotline at (414) 286-6800 or email [email protected]. Sign up to help!

Christianity and Race, 7pm - 7pm
Zoom
Rev. Dr. Matt Hadley, Senior Pastor of United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, and Rev. Dan Dick, Assistant to the Bishop, Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church, will give the last of eight presentations in this series on race in America: "Christianity and Race." Sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. Zoom link.

Fri Mar 19, 2021

League of Senior Voters, 10am - 11am
Zoom
This meeting will set forth the plan for implementation of the Vos Patrol Agenda. The Agenda is designed to expose, diminish, and eventually get Vos out of the legislature. Further, the meeting will help develop a working model of how the Vos Patrol can build public awareness and support and will identify the work that we hope to do this spring and who will be involved in what aspects of the campaign. We hope you can join us for this important next step. Register in advance for this meeting.

State Superintendent Forum, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Zoom
The Wisconsin Policy Forum will host a discussion with State Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates Deborah Kerr and Jill Underly. Registratioon (required).

Laughing Liberally MKE: Show, 8pm - 8pm
Online
To celebrate this important milestone, one year of social and physical isolation, Laughing Liberally will present Laughing Liberally Milwaukee’s “Pan-niversary” Extravaganza featuring some of Milwaukee’s top progressive comedians. $5.00 per household. Virtual tickets.

Sat Mar 20, 2021

Weekend of Action Phone Bank, All Day
Phone from home
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is holding phone banks for the April 6 election to increase turnout and to encourage voting for Jill Underly for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Training for those who have not had recent experience with phone banks is available. Sign up for shifts.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Capitol Drive & Humboldt Boulevard, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace is resuming in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sun March 21, 2021

Weekend of Action Phone Bank, All Day
Phone from home
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is holding phone banks for the April 6 election to increase turnout and to encourage voting for Jill Underly for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Training for those who have not had recent experience with phone banks is available. Sign up for shifts.

Tue Mar 23, 2021

Virtual Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom
Drinking Liberally MKE will get together on Zoom. More information.

Wed Mar 24, 2021

Info: Drinking Liberally Glendale, 6:30pm - 9pm
TBA
For information on whether the event will take place, check here.

Deconstructing White Supremacy: The intersection of racism and antisemitism in the movement, 7pm - 8:30pm
virtual
Guest speaker Eric Ward, Executive Director of the Western States Center and a leading expert in the connections between antisemitism and white nationalism, will examine this critical issue, accompanied by a conversation with Rabbi Dena Feingold of Beth Hillel Temple in Kenosha. RSVP. This virtual event is part of a series called "Breaking Down Antisemitism."

Thu Mar 25, 2021

Mental Health Board Meeting, 9am - 9am
Teleconference
This is a teleconference meeting (see Agenda for details). More information.

Vaccine Info Phone Bank, 6pm - 6pm
Phone from home
Milwaukeeans, help us ensure all residents and employers over the age of 65 get vaccinated ASAP by signing up for a vaccine informational phone bank session with us every Thursday at 6pm for the month of March! If you know someone who does not have an email address, does not have internet access, or needs assistance with scheduling an appointment, please call theCOVID-19 Hotline at (414) 286-6800 or email [email protected]. Sign up to help!

Sat Mar 27, 2021

Weekend of Action Phone Bank, All Day
Phone from home
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is holding phone banks for the April 6 election to increase turnout and to encourage voting for Jill Underly for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Training for those who have not had recent experience with phone banks is available. Sign up for shifts.

4th CD Annual Convention, 12pm - 3pm
Zoom
Members with a current paid membership with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and who are registered with their county party can be a delegate to the 4th Congressional District Convention and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Convention. You can pay your membership fees and join the Democratic Party of Wisconsin at www.wisdems.org prior to the start of the convention. Contact The 4th CD at [email protected] or call 414-758-1261 and ask to be placed on the official delegate list by March 25, 2021. Review the full agenda. Registration.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Cesar Chavez Drive (16th) & Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace is resuming in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sun March 28, 2021

Weekend of Action Phone Bank, All Day
Phone from home
The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is holding phone banks for the April 6 election to increase turnout and to encourage voting for Jill Underly for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Training for those who have not had recent experience with phone banks is available. Sign up for shifts.

Mon Mar 29, 2021

Riverwest Votes, 7pm - 8:30pm
zoom