AG WITH PIE AND ICE CREAM
Join the Shawano Dems’ for a pie and ice cream social beginning at 6:30 pm at the Sugar Bowl (136 S. Main St.) on June 19th. For a donation you can choose from several of Denise Riley’s delicious pies.
Shawano County certified organic farmer Rick Adamski will speak about the current status of agriculture at 7:00 pm. He will suggest solutions that can help to improve the status for farmers. Rick currently represents eastern Wisconsin on the WI Farmers Union Board. The Dems’ meeting will follow.
MONDAY MOVIES
Invite your friends to join you in viewing these films. On Monday, June 17th the movie “On the Basis of Sex” will be shown at the Shawano Public Library at 6:00 pm in the Engel Room. This movie about the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg is sponsored by the Shawano Area Women’s Network.
June 24th the film “Dark Money” will be shown at the Shawano Civic Center at 6:30 pm. Popcorn will be provided for this political thriller which examines the influence of untraceable corporate money on our elections and elected officials.
PANCAKES FOR PROGRESSIVES
In an effort to stay in touch in these turbulent times, the Shawano Dems will be sponsoring several social events in the months leading up to the 2020 election. On Saturday, June 29h join them for pancakes and sausage in the back room of Angie’s Main Café (132 S. Main. St.) beginning at 9:00 am. The suggested donation is $5.
Those who wish to help with voter contact can pick up packets after the event. June 29th and 30th has been designated as a Weekend of Action. Whether face to face or on the phone you will be provided a contact list and a script which will ask voters what issues are important to them. There will be burner phones available for those who wish to use them.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 13: Listen to the Shawano Dems on the WTCH Breakfast Club 8:00-9:00 am at 960 AM and 96.1 FM
June 17: “On the Basis of Sex” at the Shawano Public Library at 6:00 pm.
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June 19: 6:30 pm pie and ice cream social at the Sugar Bowl in Shawano prior to the 7:00 Shawano Dems’ meeting. Speaker will be Rick Adamski.
June 24: “Dark Money” at the Shawano Civic Center at 6:30 pm.
July 3: Executive Committee Meeting 5:30 pm at the Civic Center
July 4 and 6: Fourth of July parades Bonduel/Gresham
July 25: Summer Picnic at Kuckuk Park
Oct. 5: Fall Dinner at Shawano Lake Golf Course
Chair’s Comments
This month we will be reporting on the Wisconsin State Democratic Convention on the Breakfast Club and in the Shawano Leader. Here is our op-ed:
Conventions can be educational, inspiring and just plain fun. It is a time to renew friendships and have spirited conversations.
The Wisconsin Democratic Convention was held at the Potawatami Hotel and Casino in Milwaukee on June 1st and 2nd. The mood was upbeat as all the newly elected state constitutional officers including Governor Tony Evers, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, Attorney General Josh Kaul, and State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski spoke about their forward visions for Wisconsin. Senator Tammy Baldwin, who was re-elected in a landslide in 2018, and Congresswoman Gwen Moore also attended and gave inspiring speeches.
Lieutenant Governor Barnes spoke about the state-wide listening tour he and Governor Evers took following their election. The purpose was to hear the concerns of all Wisconsinites no matter what political party they identified with. Based on the results of that tour, the governor put together his budget priorities. Expansion of healthcare, education and roads (transportation) were the top three areas in Governor Evers’ first state budget.
Even though 70% of the public wanted Wisconsin to accept the Medicaid Expansion funds, the Republican legislature refused to do the right thing and accept the federal funds. The “People’s Budget” being proposed by Governor Evers would be used to increase county aid for crisis mental-health services, treat those with addictions, provide more support for maternal and infant health, and expand dental care. Accepting the Medicaid Expansion funds would provide healthcare for 82,000 low income individuals who can’t afford quality healthcare and would save taxpayers $324 million dollars. Governor Evers vows to continue the fight to secure our fair share of the federal money.
Many of Wisconsin’s school districts are struggling to make ends meet.
Governor Evers’ budget proposes a $1.4 billion increase in K-12 school funding. The Republican controlled Legislature’s budget committee approved increasing the funding by only $500 million over the next two years. The budget committee also wants to spend only $100 million more on special education which is only one-sixth of what Governor Evers is calling for. Governor Evers says the legislature’s education funding proposal is inadequate for our schools’ needs, but he is optimistic that he can negotiate for more funding.
Governor Evers promised that he will find a fix for the “damn roads” one way or another. He plans to review the entire transportation funding plan and how it will fit into the larger two-year budget. He won’t rule out the possibility of paying for roads with a gas tax increase along with a variety of other vehicle fee increases.
State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski is working hard to find money that could be used to help Wisconsinites. She announced that she has uncovered over $200,000 so far and expects to continue finding more savings as she works through the state’s finances.