Can't make it to an event? Call your Senators at (888) 872-1238 and ask them to Pull the Pork from the Pentagon! Just use the Click-to-Call tool below and we'll connect you directly to your Senators' offices.
Milwaukee: Today Governor Scott Walker announced that he is punting the creation of a health insurance exchange to the federal government.
Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin, made the following statement in response to the decision:
"It is astounding that Walker is putting the demands of ideological extremists over the interests of health care consumers across Wisconsin who need access to quality affordable health care options. Guaranteeing that health care consumers can have a choice of competing health plans, and establishing rules of the road to make sure consumers are not ripped off or denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions should not be controversial. The extreme tea party response to common sense reform is a real barrier to governing in the public interest. Given Walker’s strong opposition to the goals of health care reform, it is likely much better that the federal government operate Wisconsin’s health insurance exchange. Given Wisconsin’s well earned tradition of effective and innovative government, it is a shame that we have a governor who does not want to take responsibility guaranteeing that everyone has some where to go to buy quality affordable health care."
Eau Claire • Wednesday, June 20th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm o The Alliance for Strong Communities and Chippewa Valley Community Television How do the federal budget debates affect Eau Claire families? Featuring, Katherine McFate, Director of OMB Watch, CVTC, Health Education Center Auditorium, Room HEC 115, 615 W. Clairemont Ave. For more information: http://greatereauclairealliance.org
Madison • Saturday, September 15th, 10:00am – 7:00pm o Fighting Bob Fest, Alliant Energy Center, Madison. For more information: www.fightingbobfest.org/
Milwaukee • Saturday, June 23rd, 10:00am – 12:30pm o 9to5 Milwaukee Annual planning meeting and cookout, COA Riverwest Family Center, 909 E. Garfield Ave. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/246300805475210/ • Monday, June 25th, 3:00pm o Justice for Janitors Contract Kick Off. Join SEIU Local 1 janitors who clean downtown Milwaukee buildings as they march through downtown Milwaukee to a building that fired 12 union janitors for lower paid non-union janitors. Meet at SEIU Local 1, 250 E. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee. For more information: call Dave, 414-791-3340. • Wednesday, June 27th, 5:00pm – 7:00pm o Join Citizen Action of Wisconsin for a MKE fundraiser for Wisconsin Progress. Help Wisconsin Progress elect progressives to elected office in MKE and across Wisconsin in 2012 and beyond. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/481022708580823/
Support Striking Palermo’s Pizza workers in MKE. The company has taken retaliatory action against the plant workers who are organizing our own union- Palermo's Workers Union. Join the striking workers at the picket line in front of the plant at 3301 W. Canal St. during workers' shift changes- early morning (8-10 am), mid-afternoon (2-4 pm, and late evening.(8-10 pm). Call Palermo's at 414-643-0919 and tell them you won’t support Palermo’s product until they respect workers right to organize.
Eau Claire • Wednesday, June 20th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm o The Alliance for Strong Communities and Chippewa Valley Community Television How do the federal budget debates affect Eau Claire families? Featuring, Katherine McFate, Director of OMB Watch, CVTC, Health Education Center Auditorium, Room HEC 115, 615 W. Clairemont Ave. For more information: http://greatereauclairealliance.org
Madison • Monday, June 18th, Noon o Solidarity Sing-A-Long, Capitol rotunda, Madison.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Solidarity-Sing-Along/144005335667532 • Saturday, September 15th, 10:00am – 7:00pm o Fighting Bob Fest, Alliant Energy Center, Madison. For more information: www.fightingbobfest.org/
Milwaukee • Monday, June 27th, 5:00pm – 7:00pm o Join Citizen Action of Wisconsin for a MKE fundraiser for Wisconsin Progress. Help Wisconsin Progress elect progressives to elected office in MKE and across Wisconsin in 2012 and beyond. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/events/481022708580823/
Support Striking Palermo’s Pizza workers in MKE. The company has taken retaliatory action against the plant workers who are organizing our own union- Palermo's Workers Union. Join the striking workers at the picket line in front of the plant at 3301 W. Canal St. during workers' shift changes- early morning (8-10 am), mid-afternoon (2-4 pm, and late evening.(8-10 pm). Call Palermo's at 414-643-0919 and tell them you won’t support Palermos product until they respect workers right to organize.
Short but good discussion of what went wrong and what is next for the Progressive Movement in Wisconsin. AlJazeera English News Report: Scott Walker sparked massive protests when he eliminated collective bargaining rights of most public workers in his state, Wisconsin. But after months of political turmoil, the Republican US governor claimed a decisive victory in a recall election. How will this impact the US presidential race? Guests: Robert Kraig, Alex Seitz-Wald, Brendan Steinhauser.
At the mock public hearing, presided over by Rev. Willie Brisco, President of MICAH, each member of the Milwaukee Common Council had an assigned chair, and was called to the podium to address the audience. However only two Common Council members were present, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs (District 6) and Alderman Tony Zielinski) (District 14). For the 12 absent members, constituents of each district spoke in their place demanding immediate action on the dire jobs crisis in Milwaukee. At the end of the event, coalition members where led by Sheila Cochran, Secretary Treasurer of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, in delivering a petition to Council President Willies L. Hines, Jr. asking him to call an immediate special session to take action on the Milwaukee Jobs Act.
It’s outrageous that city hall politicians, all of whom have good salaries and benefits at taxpayer expense, are putting off action on the pressing jobs crisis facing tens of thousands of city residents just to serve their own political purposes. Given the depression-like conditions afflicting many parts of our city, we must have leaders who will put the needs of the community ahead of their own narrow self-interests.
The Milwaukee Jobs Act Coalition includes Citizen Action of Wisconsin, 9to5 Milwaukee, Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH), League of Young Voters, Voces de la Frontera, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, Wisconsin Jobs Now, United Wisconsin, South Side Organizing Committee, Milwaukee Area Labor Council, Milwaukee Building Trades, Laborers Local 113, Urban Underground, Tikkun-Hair, African-American Chamber of Commerce, SEIU WI State Council,United Steelworkers Local 2-232, IBEW Local 494, We Are Milwaukee, Amalgamated Transit Workers Union, and Move to Amend.
Background: The MKE Jobs Act will 1) Ensure jobs created with taxpayer money are good jobs with benefits; 2) Put young people to work year-round in small businesses and non-profits; 3) Require community reinvestment from banks that benefit from taxpayer money; 4) Put Milwaukee residents to work restoring our infrastructure and maintaining foreclosed properties; 5) Hold businesses that receive our tax dollars accountable for creating the jobs they promise.
Jennifer Epps-Addison Economic Justice Program Director for Citizen Action of Wisconsin
Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act & Supreme Court Case
Why it's so important: Because there is A LOT at stake in 2012. Opponents of the Affordable Care Act are already stepping up their attacks. They want to take away all the important protections we won for our families. Let's not let them. Whether or not Obama wins is in large part based on the progress of his largest piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act. This law is the US's first comprehensive healthcare reform legislation, the most important law in decades, and the largest redistribution of wealth from top to middle and bottom since the 1960's!
What we need your help on: The 2 year Anniversary is March 23rd, the Supreme Court case starts on March 26th; we are working to schedule a call with our Wisconsin Representatives who helped write the law, and leaders in Health Policy to explain WHY this law is so important, WHY we must fight for it. To do that we are scheduling house parties around the state to host a group to join this call and hear what is in the law, how to message it, and why it is so important!. You pick a location & get a few folks together. It's great if it can be your home! If not, ask your community group to dedicate their meeting to this.
What our commitment to you looks like: We will send you a speaker to come and present, simply and effective what is in the Affordable Care Act, and we will connect your party up with parties across the state via phone conference with elected officials and healthcare advocates. Your special guest will be prepared to talk about What's At Stake in 2012. They will also mention easy ways people with busy schedules can help to effectively protect the Affordable Care Act.
We've put together additional resources & just in case there is something more you want, call Kevin at (414) 550 8280 or email at kevin.kane@citizenactionwi.org and we'll work to make it happen.
Why it's effective: The Tea Party and others are stepping up their efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Many of their events will be planned around the coming Supreme Court case (March 26-28). This gives us a chance to be out ahead of them.
When it comes to winning social movements, house parties have always played an important role. They are one of the most effective ways to spread information, empower community members and fight the opposition.
Health care will be among the biggest issues in 2012. If it's perceived as a failure, most likely the President will not win reelection.Here's why it matters to us: The right-wing knows this. So they will use the time between now and November 2012 to spread their lies.
For us, that means back to the basics! How did we win the passage for health care reform while they were spreading lies about chips in your brain and death pannels? Because people like you stepped up, got a few folks together and spread the truth.
If you can host a house party between March 19th and March 22nd, please sign up here so we can get back to you!
I have no faith that the government has any capability of doing that effectively or efficiently [except for Medicare, Medicaid, the Veterans Administration, oh and the healthcare that he gets as a member of Congress...] . If this law is fully implemented, it will result in rationing [that already happens because of costs],lower the quality of care, and dramatically decrease medical innovation. That is the inevitable result of government run, socialized medicine [There's no government run option, it's private plans your purchasing at a public transparent Competitive Health Marketplace that ensures no discrimination and gives you atax credit to afford insurance].
Unfortunately, the damage to the quality of our healthcare is only half the problem. This law will also lead to trillions of dollars of deficit spending over the next two decades [this law is 100% paid for and will actually reduce the deficit] because the cost of this new entitlement has been significantly underestimated [so there's no proof, he just "feels" its understated?]. We simply can't afford it [We can't afford not to]. We are already facing a debt crisis in this nation caused by out of control government spending [in large part because of the rising costs of healthcare] and the growth of entitlement programs that are not financially sound [So will he give up his government run healthcare?]. It will be difficult enough to fix current programs without adding an entirely new entitlement [Do you mean "entitled" to not be denied because of preexisting conditions? "Entitled" to insurance companies actually competing for you and reducing costs?]
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act should be repealed so we can start over and address the real problems of our healthcare system [Where's your "better" plan then?]. We should start with medical malpractice reform [This actually wouldn't affect Wisconsin in any real fashion] that would save hundreds of billions of dollars in unnecessary tests and junk lawsuits [This is made up numbers and not supported by any facts...]
We should return healthcare to the free market [the Affordable Care Act increases competition, he wants insurance companies in control] to lower costs and improve quality and customer service. Allowing individuals to purchase insurance across state lines[a race to the bottom in protecting patient. It does nothing to address preexisting conditions], reducing mandates that drive up the cost of insurance [such as requiring them to pay for prevention to keep you healthy?], encouraging the growth of Health Savings Accounts [The 36 countries that have better healthcare than the US do not focus on HSA's], equalizing the tax treatment of individual versus employer purchased care, improving medical information systems [the Affordable Care Act is doing that now, repeal would be a step backward], and fostering patient centered care should be the type of solutions we pursue [again, the Affordable Care Act does this, repeal would stop it in its tracks]
We need these kind of commonsense reforms that address cost and affordability [like ending preexisting condition discrimination? Your plan doesn't include this] without sacrificing the high-quality care for all Americans or stifling the innovation that saves lives [45,000 people die each year because they can't access insurance; how does your plan save them like the Affordable Care Act would?].
Rejecting $38 million from Federal Government for Health Insurance Marketplace Reforms
Late Wednesday Governor Scott Walker announced that his administration will turn down a $38 million federal grant to implement a key feature of the national health care reform law. The money was to be used to create a competitive health insurance marketplace, called a health insurance exchange, which would guarantee Wisconsin health consumers more choices of quality affordable health insurance, and provide tax credits to help middle class families afford insurance. The new competitive marketplaces outlaw a number of health insurance industry abuses, including discrimination based on preexisting conditions, age, and gender. The decision comes on the heals of his December announcement that Walker was suspending all planning for implementation of these vital reforms.
“Given the oppressive burden of health care hyperinflation on the health security of Wisconsin workers and families, it is highly irresponsible for Walker to turn away millions in federal money that will increase access to affordable coverage, end discrimination against people with preexisting conditions, and create new tools for controlling costs,” said Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “Whether his motivation is political, or he is merely carrying water for the health insurance industry, it is reckless to undermine vital health care reforms without any public discussion and without developing any serious alternative to a status quo that is not working for Wisconsin.”
Citizen Action of Wisconsin’s annual report, Wisconsin Health Insurance Cost Ranking 2012, shows that Wisconsin health insurance hyperinflation has been almost 20% worse than the national average over the last decade, and that every metro area with the exception of Madison has had above average health insurance inflation. The report also found that Madison costs are 19-32% lower than the other major metro areas of Wisconsin because it has a more competitive health insurance market place. “In the absence of implementing the Affordable Care Act, Governor Walker has offered no alternative plans for reining in skyrocketing health insurance hyperinflation,” continued Kraig. “His only major proposal for changing the health care system is forcing between 53,000 to 65,000 people off BadgerCare in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.”
Green Bay • Sunday, November 28th, 1:00pm o Affordable Care Act Presentation, Green Bay Labor Council, 1570 Elizabeth St., Green Bay. How does the healthcare reform affect you and your community? For more information: Kevin.kane@citizenactionwi.org • Occupy Green Bay. For more information: http://twitter.com/#!/occupygreenbay
Madison Area • Friday, November 18th, 6:00pm - 9:00pm o Celebrate with Fair Wisconsin at Autumn Auction! The Brink Lounge, 701 East Washington Ave, Ste 105, Madison. Please join Fair Wisconsin and fairness advocates in an evening of food, fun, friends and an array of unique and exciting auction items! Celebrate a full year of strengthening our community and building a fairer Wisconsin and don't miss this opportunity to get your hands on some wonderful auction items as gifts for others or a treat for yourself! RSVP TODAY: https://equalityfederation.salsalabs.com/o/35038/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=1185 • Saturday, November 19th, 11:00am – 12:00pm o Madison Protest for Jobs not Cuts!, WI Manufacturers & Commerce, 501 East Washington Ave., Madison. 11am gather for rally @ WMC. 12:00pm Feeder March to Capitol Rally. For more information: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169123126515730 or www.jobsnotcutsprotest.org • Saturday, November 19th, 11:00am: Pre-Rally; 1:00pm: Rally o Stand up for Wisconsin Capitol Rally, State Capitol, Madison. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169123126515730 • Every Weekday, Noon o Solidarity Sing-A-Long, Capitol rotunda, Madison. Join Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice on the ground floor Capitol Rotunda for a solidarity sing-along at noon, featuring best-loved songs from the labor and civil rights movements. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Solidarity-Sing-Along/144005335667532 • Everyday, 5:30pm
o Occupy Madison General Assembly, 800 E. Washington, Madison. For more info: www.twitter.com/occupymadison99http://www.facebook.com/OccupyMadison • November
o City of Madison Voter ID Workshops. Learn about recent changes to state election law, including voter ID requirements. Learn more about locations and times: http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/Calendar.cfm/; voting@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4601
Milwaukee Area • Thursday, November 17th, 3:30pm o Get on the Bridge Rally, National day of action to declare an economic emergency for the 99%! Meet in Carver Park, 911 W. Brown St. Milwaukee. 25 million Americans need work and Congress won’t pass a jobs bill. Decaying bridges symbolize the failure to put millions of people back to work. Join us early in Caver Park for music and festivities. For more information: www.wi99.org • Thursday, November 17th, 6:00pm - 9:00pm o MICAH Annual Meeting, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 2207 N. 2nd Street, Milwaukee. MICAH invites you to join us for our annual public meeting, as we highlight our strides in Social Justice during the last year, and lay out the work for the year to come. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=291759040842304 • Thursday, November 17th, 7:00 pm o Affordable Care Act Presentation, Waukesha County Democratic Party, Location TBA, Waukesha. How does the healthcare reform affect you and your community? For more information: Kevin.kane@citizenactionwi.org • Monday, November 21st, 6:30pm – 8:30pm o Town Hall launching Milwaukee Jobs campaign, Cross Lutheran Church, 1821 N. 16th St., Milwaukee. Join Milwaukee residents and community organizations (including Citizen Action) as we discuss the Milwaukee Jobs Campaign that will support legislation at the City and County to address the jobs crisis. For more information: Jennifer.epps@citizenactionwi.org, 414-213-7574 • Thursday, December 8th, 7:00pm – 9:00pm, reception from 9-9:30pm. o Medicaid panel discussion on cuts to the BadgerCare, Family Care and Senior Care programs in Wisconsin. First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee, 1342 N. Astor St. The panel moderator will be Joel McNally. Panelists include: Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin; Ms. Barbara Beckert, Director of the Milwaukee office of Disability Rights of Wisconsin; Dr. Ian Gilson, Internal Medicine/staff physician at Sargeant Internal Medicine; Ms. Geri Lyday, Administrator of Milwaukee County Disabilities Services Division • Everyday, 7:00pm – 8:00pm o Occupy Riverwest, Gather at Garden Park, corner of Bremen Street and Locust Street, Milwaukee, in an effort to raise the consciousness of our community to the 99% movement. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/OccupyRiverwest
Neenah • Thursday December 15th, 5:30pm – 6:30pm o Northeast Wisconsin Area Labor Federation (NE ALF) Community Partner Informational Sessions. These sessions will be to introduce you to who and what the NE ALF is as well as introducing you to some of the partner organizations we work with. Neenah/Menasha Labor Temple, 157 Green Bay Rd, Neenah
Oshkosh • Friday, November 18th, 4:00pm – 6:00pm o Oshkosh Public Hearing on Medicaid Cuts, hosted by Sen. Jessica King. UW Oshkosh Reeve Memorial Union, Room 202, 800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh. A brief presentation on the proposed cuts will start of the hearing, and then the public is encouraged to share their personal stories and opinions. • Monday, November 28th, 6:30pm – 8:00 pm o Finding Common Ground Town Hall Forum: Toward More Constructive Conversations, About Government, the Economy and Taxes, Oshkosh Riverside Campus, Room 133, 150 N. Campbell Road, Oshkosh. Join Patrick Bresette from the D?mos Center for the Public Sector who will share research about framing constructive conversations about otherwise difficult subjects such as government, taxes and the role of government in the economy. For more information, e-mail us at citizensstrongoshkosh@gmail.com
Sheboygan • Tuesday, November 29th, 5:30pm – 6:30pm o Northeast Wisconsin Area Labor Federation (NE ALF) Community Partner Informational Sessions. These sessions will be to introduce you to who and what the NE ALF is as well as introducing you to some of the partner organizations we work with. Sheboygan Buildings & Trades Hall, 1104 Wisconsin Ave., Sheboygan.
Stevens Point • Thursday, November 17th, 4:00pm
o Occupy Stevens Point Global Day of Action - Solidarity March in Stevens Point. Meet at UWSP Sundial, 900 Reserve St. For more information: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=320186861328251 • Sunday, November 20th, 1:00pm o Occupy Stevens Point, Organize, Mobilize, and Integrate movements – Community meeting. Portage County Public Library, 1001 Main St. • Occupy Stevens Point. For more information, http://www.facebook.com/groups/264166006958042/
