Politics
K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL
K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL
by Kathleen Michel of Grassroots Northshore
In its hasty and irresponsible passage of an omnibus motion funding the Department of Public Instruction, the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee disavowed the constitutional commitment that every member of the state legislature has sworn an oath to uphold.
This principle, that every child in Wisconsin has a 'fundamental right to an equal opportunity for a sound basic education,' is at the core of our state's best traditions and promises.
Those who seek to undermine this moral and ...
PREVAILING WAGE
PREVAILING WAGE
By Nancy Stencil
Oh my, such the times we Wisconsinites are living in! Wages are stagnant and income equality is at an all-time high in America. I can't believe the attacks that Wisconsin Republicans snuck into the budget at the last minute…provisions that will lower wages for all of us and weaken our middle class.
The prevailing wage bill failed to pass using the normal democratic process. Weakening the prevailing wage was slipped into the budget, just days before it was signed, in order to avoid public debate and scrutiny.
Prevailing wage is a ...
NO VOUCHERS COALITION
NO VOUCHERS COALITION
From their Facebook page
The grassroots group was founded by Pam Kobielus in July 2014 in response to the attacks on our quality public schools in Northern Wisconsin communities. In less than a year, the membership has grown, by word-of-mouth only, to more than 500 non-partisan public school parents and supporters.
The group has grown so rapidly because members strongly oppose money taken off the top of local public school budgets. This costs $64 million annually.
No Vouchers Coalition opposes the siphoning of public taxpayer money to subsid...
So Enbridge Sued Us
SO ENBRIDGE SUED US
By James Botsford
(Editor’s Note: James and Krista Botsford of Wausau, Wisconsin are being sued by Enbridge, a multi-national oil pipeline corporation based in Canada, over land in North Dakota that the Botsfords own.)
One day around dinner time the phone rang and it was someone from a multi-national oil pipeline corporation telling me they wanted to run a 24-inch pipeline across our farmland capable of transporting 300,000 barrels of oil a day in order to get it to a seaport so it could be sold on the world market.
I told them my wife and I ...
Shrink the Pentagon’s Massive Contribution to Climate Change
Shrink the Pentagon's Massive Contribution to Climate Change
by Lenore Hitchler
(This article was first published in The Capital Times)
Roads melting from a heatwave in India. Droughts. Floods in Bangladesh. Many scientists believe the dramatic increase in extreme weather is a result of global climate change. Pope Francis is particularly concerned about the ethics of not stopping global warming, as he discusses in his encyclical.
A lot of talk about the causes of climate change emphasizes the contributions of individuals to the problem. The solutions to climate ...
STOP Shopping Til THEY Drop! Family Values Weekend: A new tool for change.
STOP Shopping Til THEY Drop!
Family Values Weekend: A new tool for change.
By Philip Anderson
Progressives are often frustrated by the overwhelming odds against building a better society. Money rules elections. Corporate lobbying trumps public opinion. Voters are apathetic and vote against their own interests. Crazy reactionaries succeed and common sense reforms go nowhere. We organize, march, write letters, contact our legislators, sign petitions, and advocate for the common good seemingly to no avail.
Perhaps we need a new tool. A new protest that will demand ...
Statement on the Proposed State Budget
Statement on the Proposed State Budget
By Pete Flesch
Crawford County Board Chair
Despite the promised removal of language gutting Wisconsin's open records law, this proposed budget is still a disaster that deserves to be rejected. Here are some of the reasons why:
Transportation Funding: A path to nowhere
This budget does nothing to address sustainability of the transportation fund, where revenues continue to decline. Instead it puts half a billion dollars on the state's credit card and delays needed maintenance and repair. How far do you suppose that $5 of ...
GOVERNOR’S VETOES REMOVE LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT
GOVERNOR’S VETOES REMOVE LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT
by Wisconsin State Senator Kathleen Vinehout
“I object to the infringement on gubernatorial power and duties,” wrote Governor Walker in his veto message. By his budget vetoes he made it clear he did not want legislative oversight.
The governor removed at least 15 portions of state law passed by the legislature that provided legislative authority or provided oversight of the executive branch.
Remember your 4th grade civics class lessons about the delicate balance of powers between the three branches of government ...
Progressive Media Summit
Progressive Media Summit
By Rev. John Stanley, Wisconsin Grassroots Network
You are invited to the Progressive Media Summit on Saturday, August 8. The place is 2220 Division Street, Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The time is 2 – 5 p.m.
This summit is aimed at creating a network of progressive media groups from around the state, forming a Media Association. Our goal is to develop a network to compete with the far-right monopolized media.
Here is the Agenda:
2 p m. Introduction/Welcome: Rev. John Stanley (For WGN)
SPEAKERS:
2:10 – 2:25 Social Media Chris ...
Save the Date: Education, Inc. Documentary: “Follow the Money Corrupting Our Schools”
Save the Date:
Education, Inc. Documentary:
"Follow the Money Corrupting Our Schools"
Friday Aug. 14, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
AND
Tues. Aug. 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Marathon County Public Library
300 N. 1st Street
Wausau, WI 54403
3rd Floor Mtg. Rm (use elevator)
Please be aware of the 2-hour parking limit in the Library's main lot, we ask that you utilize the nearby parking ramps instead.
This documentary explores the hidden corporate and political interests attempting to take over American public education across ...
