Citizen Action Weekend ’26 Newsletter, Friday, March 6th
Work for Citizen Action: Southeast Wisconsin Organizer.
RSVP Citizen Action of Wisconsin Governor Forum, Tuesday, April 14th, 6pm
This August and November, Wisconsinites will vote for their next governor. But before they get there, they need to meet the candidates! Citizen Action is excited to host a governor forum on April 14th, 6pm giving folks a chance to hear directly from the candidates about values such as healthcare, climate change, democracy, and more.
Citizen Action of Wisconsin has a strong record of endorsing in major state primaries, and we’re looking to do just that in this race. We need a governor who will put Wisconsinite’s values first. Healthcare, public education, reimagining safety, union rights, climate justice, and more are on the ballot.
Forum attendees will be asked for feedback on what they heard from candidates, and that feedback will be used to guide our endorsement decision!
Our forum will be virtual, but each co-op region will also have a watch party, where you can come together with other Citizen Action members!
JOIN US APRIL 14th, from 6-8pm!
RSVP required by April 13th to attend the virtual forum or watch party.
Citizen Action members speak at BadgerCare Public Option Media Event at State Capitol.
Citizen Action members joined state legislators at the state Capitol today for a media event, announcing the introduction of a new BadgerCare Public Option Bill that will greatly expand the amount of people who have access to healthcare and help reduce costs.
- Call your legislators today and tell them to co-sponsor the bill 1 (800) 362-9472
- Send email to your legislators in support.
For too many Wisconsinites, high quality, affordable health coverage is simply out of reach. Even having health insurance does not make health care affordable. 52% of Wisconsinites have delayed or skipped medical care due to cost over the past year, and most of them were insured.
Too many of us do not use our insurance because of a well-founded fear of unaffordable deductibles, co-pays, medications, and surprise medical bills. Many of us are uninsured because we do not get insurance from work, cannot afford the monthly insurance premiums, and don’t qualify for BadgerCare.
Public health coverage plans, like BadgerCare, keep health care costs down because they do not have to pay for windfall insurance industry profits, and costly overhead for claims denial, and most importantly because we the people through our government set a fair price, not insurance companies, hospital conglomerates, and Big Pharma.
Citizen Action member Indiana Hauser traveled to the Capitol for the media event to tell her personal story and why she strongly supports the bill. Indiana suffered a traumatic brain injury when she was 16. She continues to experience its medical impacts and neither of her jobs offers insurance.
She says: ‘I’m now in a situation where I have to decide each month which medications I can afford and how many doctors appointments I can afford. Nobody should have to decide between rent and groceries or their medication.”
Watch Indiana Hauser’s speech at the media event.
This is the only bill introduced in many years that comprehensively takes on the issue of rising and unaffordable health care costs.
Thanks to long time Citizen Action member and state Representative Tara Johnson for her leadership as the bill’s lead sponsor in the Assembly.
Watch State Representative Tara Johnson tell a powerful story about why a BadgerCare Public Option is so important to her and compels Tara to fight for the legislation.
Watch State Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde say he and other sponsors of the bill are ready to get to work on the legislation with Republicans, who have left Madison for the year. “We know that this is something that Wisconsinites care about. They want us to stay here. They want us to get this done.”
- Call your legislators today and tell them to co-sponsor the bill 1 (800) 362-9472
- Send email to your legislators in support.
Read media coverage: Wisconsin Examiner; WKOW TV27; CapTimes; Wisconsin Radio Network; Vernon Reporter.
Watch Citizen Action of Wisconsin, executive director Robert Kraig speak at the media event about how The BadgerCare Public Option is the most comprehensive and meaningful legislation on healthcare and the healthcare cost crisis to be introduced this session.
To join our organizing in support of bill, contact: Kristie.Tweed@citizenactionwi.org
Citizen Action Statewide Healthcare Action Team Update
Now more than ever, the BadgerCare Public Option Bill must be at the top of our healthcare agenda. Our healthcare teams have laid important groundwork — and this is the moment to build on that momentum and make affordable, quality coverage a defining issue for legislators and candidates across Wisconsin.
It’s time to significantly expand access to healthcare for low- and middle-income families and small businesses in Wisconsin. Together, we can make that happen.
Join our All Teams – Healthcare Action Team Meeting
🗓 Tuesday, March 10
⏰ 6:00 PM
💻 Via Zoom
At this meeting, we will:
- Unveil our 2026–27 strategic campaign plan
- Launch Phase 1: The Rollout
- Provide training on the BadgerCare Public Option and how to clearly explain it to others
- Map out actions and tactics to build a winning campaign
This is an important moment to plug in and help shape the path forward.
RSVP here to attend (Zoom link will be sent upon registration)
Citizen Action North Side Rising’s 4th Annual Black History Celebration
North Side Rising’s 4th Annual Black History celebration was more than a celebration of history, culture and resilience. Supreme Moore-Omokunde did the honors of pouring libation.
We stand on the shoulders of those who came before. Those who are known in the struggle for equality like the Rev. Jessie A Jackson as well as individual family members. We honored our youngest “member, a 10-year old nicknamed “Tink”. She is the bridge to the future. She is connected to the ancestors and ensures that the fight will continue.
The organizing continues.
We welcomed Timothy Schaefer, a staff assistant to Darrin Madison, AD-10 , to discuss Assembly Bill 785/Senate Bill 780 which caps every household’s energy costs at 2% of annual income. Our members asked questions, discussed strategy and messaging with the goal of informing and energizing the community.
All CAW Co-op’s are planning events that will give constituents the opportunity to ask each candidate if they are in support of these bills. Will they co-sponsor and vote “Yes”? Go to this link and tell your legislator to vote yes for these bills.
Urge Legislators to co-sponsor Utility Rate Cap Bill! Your wallet will love you.
To get involved in our work to protect the environment, the wallet and expand medical care for all Wisconsinites contact:
- Keaviea Guiden: keviea.guiden@citizenactionwi.org
- Maletha Jones: maletha.jones@citizenactionwi.org
- Valerie RIcks: valerier@citizenactionwi.org
Attend Wisconsin Town Hall: Data Centers and Utility Rates, April 1st, 6pm
Join Citizen Action of Wisconsin and state elected officials for a virtual town hall about the growing impact of large technology data centers in our state. Companies are proposing massive data centers across Wisconsin to power artificial intelligence and cloud computing. These facilities require enormous amounts of electricity and water, and utilities are already proposing new power plants and grid upgrades to meet that demand. Without clear protections in place, families and small businesses could end up paying the cost through higher utility bills.
At this town hall, we will break down what data centers are, how they could affect electricity costs, water use, climate goals, and what policy solutions can protect Wisconsin communities. State Representatives will join the conversation to hear directly from residents and answer questions.
Wednesday, April 1st, 6:00 PM –7:15 PM
Virtual (Zoom) Register to join us
Take Action on $20 Living Wage Bill in the State Legislature
Co-sponsors for the $20 Wage bill so far, include:
Senate: Kelda Roys, Dora Drake, Chris Larson, Mark Spreitzer, Tim Carpenter
Assembly: Angelina Cruz, Ryan Clancy, Angelito Tenorio, Clinton Anderson, Margaret Arney, Mike Bare, Brienne Brown, Karen DeSanto, Ben DeSmidt, Joan Fitzgerald, Russell Goodwin, Kalan Haywood, Francesca Hong, Andrew Hysell, Alex Joers, Tara Johnson, Karen Kirsch, Darrin Madison, Renuka Mayadev, Maureen McCarville, Tip McGuire, Vinnie Miresse, Supreme Moore-Omokunde, Lori Palmeri, Christian Phelps, Priscilla Prado, Amaad Rivera-Wagner, Ann Roe, Joe Sheehan, Christine Sinicki, Ryan Spaude, Sheila Stubbs, Lisa Subeck, Sequanna Taylor, Randy Udell, Robyn Vining
If your state legislator is not on this list, call them and ask them to sign on, call today at 1-800-362-9472. If they are signed on, call and thank them for leading!
TAKE ACTION: Send email to your legislators in support of the $20/hour bill.
Vote in 2026 Spring Election by Tuesday, April 7th
See list of Citizen Action of Wisconsin endorsed candidates.
For more information about voting early, registering to vote, finding your polling location.
Citizen Action in the News
Citizen Action was included in statewide media coverage on the introduction of the BadgerCare Public Option bill. Citizen Action Driftless Area Organizing Co-op Member Indiana Hauser told her story at the Capitol press conference, and Citizen Action Executive Director Robert Kraig also spoke. See coverage from ABC TV 27 Madison and Wisconsin Examiner. Both news stories were picked up by news outlets across the state. You can watch the entire news conference on WisconsinEye.
Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig was on the Jeff Santos Show to discuss Trump’s dangerous and poorly planned war on Iran and the sacking of Kristi Noem.
Watch Here (Robert’s interview at the 2 hour 7 minute mark of the video).
The nationally syndicated Jeff Santos Show is broadcast in Wisconsin on the Civic Media radio network from 2 PM to 5 PM on weekdays.
Listen to “Fighting authoritarians with healthcare” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast
After a brief discussion of Trump and Netanyahu’s war with Iran, we turn to defeating authoritarianism by fighting for policies that help people with their most pressing priorities, like good paying jobs, well funded public schools, healthcare and childcare.
We discuss the introduction of new legislation for a BadgerCare Public Option, which represents the most comprehensive healthcare affordability proposal introduced in Wisconsin this session. The legislation would open Wisconsin’s trusted BadgerCare program to anyone who lacks adequate employer-sponsored coverage.
We bring attention to Legislative Republicans taking a chunk out of Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI’s) already approved funding over debunked allegations that they paid for a junket in the Dells. What kind of budget deal allows the Republicans to unilaterally veto agreed funding levels after ignoring the results of their own investigation?
We lament the expiration of the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program due to GOP opposition following a large land purchase to extend the Ice Age Trail in Devils Lake area. And, as the Legislature may do nothing to regulate data centers – as Big Tech and utilities want – local people fight back, as a Judge allows a Port Washington referendum to continue. Finally, what is the division between Governor Evers and Legislative Democrats on gerrymandering? Will Vos reach another damaging deal with Evers before they both head off into the sunset?
Listen to the show.
- Call your legislators today and tell them to co-Sponsor the bill. Toll free Hotline: 1 (800) 362-9472
- Send email to your legislators in support of BadgerCare Public Option.
To join our organizing in support of the BadgerCare Public Option, contact: Kristie.Tweed@citizenactionwi.org
