Vos sees the writing on the wall

Robin Vos, the longest serving Assembly Speaker in Wisconsin history, will not be running for reelection this year! Yippee!!! Here is Dan Shafer's quick summation in his substack The Recombobulation Area (February 20, 2026 ). "The era he’s presided over has been destructive and damaging for Wisconsin, and he’s been at the heart of it all. Wisconsin is unequivocally worse off for his years of leadership in the state. His calculating, power-consolidation-at-all-costs approach has held the state back time and time again. His clear disdain for his opposition, lacking even a baseline level of respect, is abhorrent. The way he’s deployed a politics of dismissive cruelty to blue cities like Milwaukee has been repulsive. His stubborn refusal to act at a moment of genuine crisis in 2020 was cataclysmic, and is one of endless examples when he’s put politics over people. He’s been a singular force against good governance throughout his time as Assembly Speaker. The way he operates is the antithesis of everything politics should be." About Vos's retirement, he says: "For the good people of Wisconsin, this is true cause for celebration." Amen to that!!

Vos decided to close up shop for the remainder of the year, ending the legislative session last week. And he was determined to bury a bill extending postpartum care to lower income mothers, keeping it bottled up in committee even though it had already passed the Senate. Democrats used an arcane strategy that threatened to up-end the legislative calendar but Vos finally relented at the urging of several Republicans who were also sponsoring the bill — and perhaps in a sign that with his retirement pending he no longer held an iron grip over his caucus. The measure passed! (ProPublica, February 19, 2026). Dems used the same strategy for a bill on insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings, and got that one passed too! Now Vos can go home and watch the paint dry: there will not be a regular legislative session for the rest of the year.

Nevertheless, in his State of the State address Governor Evers "announced he will be signing an executive order calling the Wisconsin State Legislature into a special session later this spring to pass a constitutional amendment banning partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin" (WisPolitics, February 17, 2026). More happy, happy, joy, joy!!

To amend the Wisconsin Constitution requires two successive state legislatures to pass it. Then it goes to the people for a referendum. So this effort has a ways to go. And Governor Evers will no longer be in office if the legislature manages to pass the proposed amendment. And that makes it all the more imperative that we elect Democrats to the governorship and provide Democratic majorities in both the Assembly and the Senate in November. So get your skates on so you can start now with turning out the vote for the Wisconsin Supreme Court election in April and support for the Democratic ticket in the fall! Here's the canvassing schedule for the North Shore and some parts of Milwaukee. Please sign up for one or more shifts in a location near you.

Canvass in Fox Point/Bayside, Saturdays: Feb 28; Mar 7, 14, 21, & 28.
Canvass in Glendale, Sundays: Feb 22; Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, & 89.
Canvass in the Lakefront, Saturdays: Mar 7, 14, 21, & 28.
Canvass in Shorewood, Saturdays: Feb 28; March 7, 14, 21; Apr 4.
Canvass in West Allis, Saturdays: Saturdays: Mar 7, 14, 21, & 28.
Canvass in Whitefish Bay, Saturdays: Feb 28 & Mar 7 & 21.

So I have to say a word about the Trump show last night. You know — the State of the Union address that took more than 100 minutes to deliver. I did not watch it. You may not have either. My word about it, nevertheless, is peeyew. Apparently he avoided some subjects like ICE and Epstein. Instead he lied his way through, claiming that "this is the golden age of America." He "bragged about tax cuts for billionaires, claimed 'no inflation' and said 'prices are plummeting downward,' bragged about how all his job creation was in the private sector (conveniently ignoring that the country only created 181,000 jobs in all of 2025), and claimed he secured $18 trillion in new investment—a number so ludicrous that the libertarian CATO Institute called it 'mostly fake,' 'wildly exaggerated,' and 'ridiculous'" (Daily Kos, February 25, 2026). Kos sums up like this: "He was nasty, rude, divisive, and as always, full of lies."

In an admirable bit of snark, a headline in today's The Guardian reads "‘Nobel prize for fiction’: Trump’s State of the Union provokes polarized reactions." In her opinion column in The Guardian today, Moira Donegon notes "Trump has lost the ability to entertain. Sadly, he hasn’t lost the ability to offend." And that's all the time I intend to devote to his fantasies.

And once again, the courts, however slowly, are pushing back on some of the regime's most noxious policies. Just today a Federal Judge Finds Third-Country Deportations Unlawful (the link is shared to avoid the paywall). "The ruling amounts to a sweeping repudiation of one of the administration’s most aggressive deportation policies, one in which immigrants are flown to distant places to which they have no ties, including Eswatini, Rwanda and Ghana."

Now it's time to get busy!

TAKE ACTION

On February 1, Grassroots North Shore hosted a fabulous webinar focused on the role of the courts in preserving our democratic republic, featuring three renowned litigators: Jeff Mandel founder, president and general counsel at Law Forward; Mary McCord from Executive Director of Georgetown Law's Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP); and Paul Kiesel from Speak Up for Justice. If you missed it or just want to refresh your memory, you can watch it on our YouTube channel.

There are so many depredations emanating from the Trump regime that you could probably attend a different demonstration every day from now until 2028! And now that the weather in Wisconsin is a bit more hospitable for big outdoor crowds, it's time to get engaged. So here are two coming right up.

First, there will be Stand Up for Science rallies all around the country on Saturday, March 7. You can find the nearest one on the website. When I looked last week, the nearest one will be in Madison — sign up for it here. There may be one in Milwaukee too. Check it out.

Second, the next NO KINGS rally is scheduled for March 28 in Washington Park in Milwaukee. I'll have more details closer to the date but right now make sure you mark your calendar and plan to attend. Also, staging big rallires is not cost free. If you can afford to give a few shekels, here's where to go: nokingsmke.com.

Prepare for ICE incursions: Help save children and hardworking parents from DHS and ICE incarceration!

Kathleen Blake is offering a flyer you can use to host your own Whistle & Zine packet construction party. You can download it here. She will supply the whistles and a pdf of the zine (instructions). The flyer is intended for anyone – neighbors, church friends, Zentangle enthusiasts, gardening clubs, or family projects. Let's create positive change! She has listed locations that urgently need DROP-OFFS of whistle packets. Call her for addresses. Spread the word! Use the space at the top right for your DIY party details. Get others involved!

We provide the whistles and zines; you simply enjoy the company of friends while contributing to the safety of our neighbors and loved ones. Order your materials today: Kathleen@[email protected].

From the national Indivisible weekly newsletter: Join the week of action to halt ICE/Border Patrol terror. Members of Congress return to DC tomorrow; this will be a critical week in our fight against new ICE and Border Patrol funding without meaningful guardrails and a stop to the violence in our communities. Groups are encouraged to organize nonviolent rallies outside congressional offices, and everyone should use our call and email tools to keep up the pressure on their Members of Congress.

The Milwaukee County Democratic Party is holding a series of events in their Bay View office — 2999 S Delaware Ave, Milwaukee — to provide an opportunity for people to meet the gubernatorial candidates one at a time. Here's the list of all the meetings. Be sure you save the dates and times for the candidates you want to meet.

Francesca Hong, Sunday, February 22, 1:00 - 2:30pm
Kelda Roys, Thursday, March 5, 6:00 - 7:30pm
David Crowley, Saturday, March 7, 12:00 - 1:30pm
Missy Hughes, Wednesday, March 11, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Mandela Barnes, Wednesday, March 25, 6:00 - 7:30pm

EVENTS

Wednesday, February 25

Cuppa Tosa Meet & Greet, 10:00am – 1:00pm
Cuppa Tosa, 11320 W Bluemond Rd, Wauwatosa
Join us for a meet & greet at Cuppa Tosa to ask questions, meet your neighbors, and get to know Amy Zimmerman, candidate for Wisconsin Assembly District 13!

Phone bank for Ground Truth with Swing Left Milwaukee! , 5:00 - 8:00pm CT
Virtual
Join fellow members of Swing Left Milwaukee on the national Ground Truth phone banks! Ground Truth is a new program from Swing Left, designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone. Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're bringing people together to build the community of real people, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening. Sign up.

Chris Larson Campaign Kickoff, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Art Bar, 722 E Burleigh St, Milwaukee
Join Senator Chris Larson at the Art Bar as he kicks off his reelection campaign for the Wisconsin State Senate. RSVP and donate.

Thursday, February 26

The Real Impact of Vouchers on Public Schools, 6:30 - 7:30pm CT
Virtual
School vouchers are often sold as “more choice” for families, but in reality they are an extremist scheme to drain public resources and defund public schools. In states like Arizona and Florida, where voucher programs have been aggressively expanded, the reality has been devastating for public schools, students, and communities.

Join Sharon Kirsch and Beth Lewis of Save Our Schools Arizona and Damaris Allen of Families for Strong Public Schools in Florida for an important and eye-opening conversation about what actually happens when voucher programs take hold. They’ll share firsthand stories and data from their states, including massive losses in public school funding, school closures, and widespread fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars. Learn what is happening in these states so you can be prepared to organize, advocate, and stop voucher expansion in your own communities. Sign up.

Saturday, February 28

Weekly Power to the People Protest, 10:00 - 11:30am
S 76th Street & W Layton
Join us this week—and every week—as we gather to make our voices heard. Our weekly protest is a space for community, solidarity, and action. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends—every presence matters. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Parking is available at the Best Buy overflow parking lot along Layton. BMO Bank has let those who are mobility impaired park on the northwest corner. As a courtesy, please park as far away from businesses as possible, so that customers have a place to park. This is a local event sponsored by Birds on a Wire and Indivisible - Southeast Wisconsin. Sign up.

Glendale: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
N Port Washington Rd & W Silver Spring Dr, Glendale
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, hats & gloves, umbrella, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Bayshore parking lot.

Tosa: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th St & North Ave, Wauwatosa
equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot.

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Mapping Racism and Resistance in Milwaukee County: A presentation about racial covenants, 1:00 – 2:00pm
2620 W Center St, Milwaukee
Join UW-Milwaukee professors Anne Bonds and Derek G. Handley for a presentation and discussion about racial covenants and Black resistance. Racial covenants were a widely used tool to racially segregate housing and communities in the first half of the twentieth century. For nearly three years, Bonds and Handley have been working together with thousands of community members to read and transcribe racial covenants in property records in order to map these covenants and understand their geography and impact in Milwaukee County’s racially segregated landscape. At this same time, they’ve researched how Black activists and their allies sought to challenge and resist racial covenants in their struggle for access to decent, affordable housing.

League of Women Voters Birthday Party, 2:00 - 4:00pm

Join us to celebrate the League's Birthday!

2-2:30 Mix and Mingle
2:30-3:30 Performance by Jessica Michna (First Impressions) and Q&A
3:30-4 Brief slideshow of the History of the League.

We will serve cupcakes. There will be a cash bar option.

Monday, March 2

Astor Street Regulars, 12:00pm
Wisconsin Club 900 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
Jeff Mandell for Law Forward: Protecting our Freedoms. WHAT NOW? If this is what you wake up to every morning--save the date to meet Jeff Mandell of Law Forward. Attorney Mandell is one of Wisconsin's experts in election and constitutional law. He is Co-founder of Law Forward, a non-profit legal advocacy organization based in Madison, Wisconsin.

In 2021 Law Forward requested Milwaukee Attorney General John Chisholm to launch an investigation on Republicans who had sent fraudulent electoral college certifications for Trump during the 2020 US presidential election. It was a successful case! Since founding in 2020, fake electors, fair maps, union rights, voting rights, accountability (see Gableman) and Elon Musk seeming to try to buy an election are issues we will hear about.

To RSVP, email Phyllis Bankier by February 25. Lunch will be $35. Cash preferred, pay at the door. We must hold you to your reservations as we are charged for all lunches not canceled 5 days before the event.

Thursday, March 5

RWB Civics Salon: How State Government Works, 6:30 - 7:30
Virtual
State government shapes our lives in ways we feel every day from schools and healthcare to reproductive freedom, voting rights, housing, and public safety. And yet, it’s often the level of government we know the least about. Join us for RWB Civics Salon: How State Government Works to better understand where real power lies and how change actually happens close to home. We'll break down what the state government really does, who’s calling the shots, and why statehouses have become ground zero for fights over democracy, rights, and equality. Understanding state government isn’t just nice to have, it’s how we protect what matters. See you there! Register.

Drag Queen Bingo, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Pop! 124 W. National Ave, Milwaukee
Come to meet people, stay for the fun! The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County brings people together to celebrate, learn, and stand firm that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. Community, connection, and bingo—what’s not to love?

Saturday, March 7

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Monday, March 9

DPMC Platform and Resolutions Meeting, 6:00pm
Google Meet
See A Guide to Platform and Resolutions. RSVP for the link to the Google Meet meeting available soon.

Tuesday, March 10

Resistance and Resilience at the Movies!,
Avalon Atmospheric Theater, 2473 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Milwaukee
Join Indivisible South Shore and Indivisible SE Wisconsin Indivisible for a FREE movie night. We invite you to this community building event that will continue to inform and build our shared RESISTANCE and RESILIENCE. Gather, get your free popcorn, buy a drink, and settle in for the viewing of "How to Start a Revolution". After the movie, stay for a guided talk-back and a small give-away.
           • Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Mingle and check out local coalitions.
           • Movie begins at 6:30 p.m.
           • Gathering closes at 8:30 p.m.
Due to limited capacity, RSVPs for EACH PERSON are REQUIRED. *Because of limited capacity, if your plans change, please CANCEL your attendance. RSVP.

Save the Date

Tuesday, March 18

Lubar Center Spring Elections Program, 12:15 - 1:15pm
Eckstein Hall, Milwaukee On March 18, Chris Taylor will visit to discuss her experience, including her current position on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals since 2023. She began her career as an attorney, served in the Wisconsin State Assembly beginning in 2011, and was a judge of the Dane County Circuit Court for three years. The programs will begin promptly at 12:15 p.m. and include lunch, conversation, and community in Eckstein Hall. Register.