So we bombed Iran and all we have to show for it is this lousy Battle Damage Assessment (gifted from the New York Times, June 24, 2025) and this paltry newsletter!
Seriously, though, this will be a short one. Technically, I am on vacation. But stuff still happens, both nationally and in Wisconsin. In today's TAKE ACTION section, you will find two easy-peasy things to do, both urging you to contact an elected official to vote no or to veto some legislation. So when you get to that section, just pick up your phone or go to your computer and take care of business!
In addition to those two activities, Debbie Patel together with her co-host Brittany Vulich is holding a garden party to support the Comité sin Fronteras (Committee without Borders) on Sunday, June 29, at 3:00pm at her house (9130 N Spruce Rd, River Hills). It's a Friend- & Fund-Raiser Garden Party. So registration is required. The financial goal is to raise $5,000 at this event, which Debbie will match. Donations can be made online. All funds will be used to support immigrants in the greater Milwaukee area, and will go where the need is greatest.
Comité is a group of young immigrant leaders and activists focused on immigration reform. Today’s immediate focus is training volunteers to verify and document ICE raids. We do not interfere or break laws. Instead, we help immigrants know their rights, and bear witness when those rights are violated. This work helps all of us in the fight to protect democracy and the rule of law. Do what you can to get behind this effort. Donate here. Register to attend here.
A big topic in the national news is the fate of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" in Congress and, more importantly, in public opinion. Sahil Kapur at NBC News surveys the polls for us. One interesting poll he cites comes from Fox News: "A Fox News poll found that 38% of registered voters support the “One Big Beautiful Bill” based on what they know about it, while 59% oppose it." There are a bunch of other polls in his piece showing the same sort of public response. Read the whole thing.
While the Big, Ugly, MAGA-backed reconciliation bill bumbles along in the Senate, Wisconsin's legislature seems even more bizarre as it tries to pass its budget bill for the 2026-2028 biennium. Here's how the Wisconsin Examiner summarizes the current state of affairs: "With the state’s budget deadline less than a week away, the Wisconsin State Assembly approved a slate of bills that would create new programs but withheld funding, which Republicans said would come later. Democrats criticized Republicans, saying they couldn’t trust that the funding would actually be passed." Meanwhile Governor Evers has said publicly that he will not sign a budget if it fails to provide funding for the Child Care Counts program.
In an effort to see into the future — sort of like holding up a wet finger to the wind to find out what the weather will be like 18 months from now — a post in Daily Kos today (June 25, 2025), extrapolates from a very good primary for progressives in New York City and also in Syracuse and Buffalo. The blogger calls it a "strong night for left" and implies that it augers well for the midterms. Let's hope he's right.
And that's all for today. Stay cool but get busy.
TAKE ACTION
We expect the Big Bad Budget Bill debate to begin on the US Senate floor Wednesday evening, with a final vote on Thursday. The House may vote on the final version on Friday or into early next week. Contact Senator Ron Johnson and tell him to VOTE NO!
Contact information for Senator Johnson:
email web form
phone his Washington, D.C., office: (202) 224-5323.
phone his Milwaukee office: (414) 276-7282.
CALL TO ACTION: Urge Governor Evers to VETO the Modern-Day Poll Tax
Wisconsin lawmakers just passed AB 87 / SB 95, a bill that would strip voting rights from people with past convictions unless they can afford to pay restitution and fees, even after serving their time and completing probation. Let’s be clear: this is not about justice. This is a Jim Crow-style poll tax designed to silence voters and suppress turnout, particularly in Black and brown communities. We need your voice right now to help stop it. TAKE ACTION NOW: Send a letter to Gov. Evers using this form. Learn more from the CCWI Press Release.
EVENTS
Thursday, June 26
How Women Will Defeat Authoritarianism, 6:30 - 7:30pm CDT
virtual
Nothing gets done without women! Throughout history, women have been on the frontlines of social and political change and right now is no exception. Join us for an inspiring conversation with renowned author and political science scholar Dr. Erica Chenoweth as we discuss how women-led movements have challenged and defeated authoritarians in the past and what we need to be doing in this moment. And even better–you will walk away with everything you need to take action. RWB will launch its new guide "160 Ways to Change the World Without Losing Your Sh*t" to help you make a real impact in your community. Whether you're getting involved for the first time or have been a lifelong organizer, this guide will help you step up, speak out and get sh*t done! See you there! Sign up.
Friday, June 27
LWV League Café, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Milwaukee Public Library East Branch Community Room
2320 N Cramer St, Milwaukee
League Cafe meets monthly and welcomes League members old and new, as well as community members. In a small group setting, we get to know each other better, share knowledge and have interesting conversations. In rotating months, we meet as a general discussion group, and in opposite months, convene as a book club to discuss noteworthy books on racial equity, immigration and/or voting.
Saturday, June 28
Fair Maps Coalition Community Hearing, 10:00 - 12:00pm
Whitefish Bay Public Library, 5420 N Marlborough Dr, Whitefish Bay
Wisconsin has fair legislative maps—for now. But without a statute or constitutional amendment in place, fair maps could disappear after the next census, which is just five years away! Members of the Coalition and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin (including GRNS co-chair Cheryl Maranto and past co-chair Debbie Patel) have been reviewing best practices from around the country, and considering the initial step forward: a legislative fix. It’s time to get public input. FMC is holding public hearings around the state, including one at the Whitefish Bay Public Library Program Room: 10-noon Saturday, June 28. We hope to see you there. Registration required.
Sunday, June 29
Climate Action: North Shore Meet & Greet, 2:00 - 3:30pm
645 W Bender Rd, Glendale
Are you concerned about climate change but feel overwhelmed or powerless to effect change? Connect with like-minded neighbors to brainstorm ways we can work together on the local level to create the healthy climate and environment we want for current and future generations. This event will provide an opportunity to connect informally and learn about local efforts underway from the recently formed Climate Action Group of the League of Women Voters. See you there! Light refreshments will be provided.
Friend & Fundraiser Garden Party for Comité Sin Fronteras (Committee Without Borders), 3:00 - 5:00pm
9130 N Spruce Road, River Hills
If you are troubled by the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrants and want to make things better, please attend Brittany Vulich and Debbie Patel’s Garden Party Friend & Fundraiser for Comité Sin Fronteras. Enjoy a shaded garden, Latinx street fare, and each other’s company. Hear testimonials from those working tirelessly to help immigrants in distress. Learn about people who do everything our government expected of them, yet today are denied not just a path to citizenship, but due process and common decency.
Our financial goal is to raise $5,000 at this event, which Debbie will match. Donations can be made online. All funds will be used to support immigrants in the greater Milwaukee area, and will go where the need is greatest. Please sign up to attend.
Tuesday, July 1
Anti-Strongman and the Power of Empathy with Jacinda Ardern, 5:00 - 6:00pm CDT
virtual
In a world increasingly dominated by strongman politics, Jacinda Ardern offers a different type of leadership. As Prime Minister of New Zealand, she showed the world what it looks like to lead with empathy and compassion while delivering real change. Under her leadership, her country saw swift action on gun reform after a tragic mass shooting and she led the most effective pandemic response in the world. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jacinda Ardern about what it means to be an “anti-strongman” leader in today’s political landscape. We’ll explore how she brought people together during moments of crisis, why empathy is a strength, and why we need more women in power. See you there! Sign up.
Friday, July 11
League of Progressive Seniors Forum, 9:30am
Knickerbocker Hotel
LPS is scheduled to hold a forum on Friday July 11 with Ralph Martire from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability in Chicago. He will discuss the proposed tax bill, its many provisions, and their effects. The group is part of a national network of progressive economic policy think tanks. See its website.
Saturday, July 12
Sierra Club: Fish for the Future, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Urban Ecology Center - Washington Park, 1859 N 40th St, Milwaukee
Thanks to the creativity and dedication of people from across the country, we’re about to break the record for the largest display of origami fish — each one a symbol of our shared commitment to protect the Great Lakes and shut down Line 5. With every fish, we’re sending a clear message: clean water matters more than corporate pipelines.
Now it’s time to bring it all together. On July 12 we’ll attempt to break the world record for the largest display of origami fish — and you’ll want to see it with your own eyes. Imagine a display of over 18,000 paper fish, each one telling a story, carrying a pledge, and making it impossible for decision-makers to ignore the call: Shut Down Line 5.
This isn’t just an art installation. It’s a movement. It’s a splash of resistance. And it’s a celebration of the people who believe in a future where our water is safe, clean, and protected. More details coming soon. RSVP.
Save the Date
Tuesday, July 15
LWV Lunch and Learn, 12:00 - 1;00pm
Zoom
Join us for Lunch & Learn at noon on Tuesday, July 15th, with Gwen Moore. Link to event.
Meeting ID: 826 6836 9045
Passcode: 900321
Saturday, July 19
Voces de la Frontera: Milwaukee ICE Verifier Training Series, 1:00 - 2:30pm
733 W Historic Mitchell St, Milwaukee
Become a community defense network verifier! Verifiers are people who respond to ICE alerts by quickly traveling to the reported locations to confirm or deny ICE activity. The role requires reliable transportation and some daytime flexibility. Trainings are held at the Voces Milwaukee office (733 W Mitchell St) every first and third Saturday of the month from 1-3pm. Please sign up in advance.
Monday, July 21
Messaging for Solidarity - Race Class Narrative with Anat Shenker-Osorio, 6:00 - 7:30pm CDT
virtual
The opposition regularly uses racial fear as a tool to exploit economic realities and turn people against one another. The Race Class Narrative messaging and analysis help us fight back against these attacks to build solidarity across differences. Host of the Words to Win By podcast and Principal of ASO Communications, Anat Shenker-Osorio examines why certain messages falter where others deliver. She has led research for new messaging on issues ranging from freedom to join together in union to clean energy and from immigrant rights to reforming criminal justice. Anat's original approach through priming experiments, task-based testing and online dial surveys has led to progressive electoral and policy victories across the globe. Sign up.
Wednesday, July 23
Unite and Rise Trainings: Championing Issues that Matter Most to You, 10:00 - 11:15am CDT
virtual
This webinar will be a roundtable discussion that focuses on the challenging yet ever evolving conversations around issues. Whatever issue that speaks to voters and compels them to use their voice as their vote is the energy that LWVUS must harness to effect lasting and ever-present change to dispel apathy and breathe new life into our democracy. Join Chelsey R. Cartwright, Democracy Truth Project Manager, Local League Leaders, Pinny Sheoran, co-presidents of the Michigan League Denise Hatrsough and Paula Bowman, and members of the Young Voter Power cohort and Founder & CEO of MisfitMinds Collective, Kristin Turner for an engaging conversation on how issues must be anchored to build trust, harness collective action with an emphasis on unity and transformation as our shared strengths. Registration required.
July Banned Book Club: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, 6:30 - 8:00pm CDT
virtual
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness is a groundbreaking account of the modern criminal justice system and how it has created a new caste-like system that has resulted in the imprisonment of millions of Black Americans and making them second-class citizens. This book has been banned in prison systems in North Carolina and New Jersey and later allowed after the ACLU protested the bans. Sign up.
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