Veganuary

In 2014, two British friends concerned about animal, environmental, health, and climate well-being started a movement to encourage people to learn and think more about the issues and take action to make positive change.

Veganuary invites everyone to try a vegan diet for the month of January. That's it. Try it.

 

If you sign up at https://veganuary.com/en-us/ you'll get lots of support including information, recipes, instructions, and updates. If you are part of a school or organization, there are even toolkits to help encourage others to participate.

 

As Jonathan Foley notes in Fixing Food's Big Climate Problem,

The environmental impacts of the food system are enormous. The food system’s giant footprint makes it the largest driver of habitat and biodiversity loss on Earth. Nothing else comes close. The food system is also by far the biggest user of water on Earth, siphoning off around 70% of the world’s water withdrawals. (This figure climbs to an astonishing ~85% if you consider “consumptive” use, where water withdrawals are not returned to the same watershed.) It is also the most pronounced water polluter worldwide, mainly due to fertilizer runoff that has more than doubled the flows of nitrogen and phosphorus through the Earth’s watersheds and ecosystems. This has led to heavily polluted rivers, lakes, and coastal ecosystems across the planet.

Beyond its massive impacts on land, water, and ecosystems worldwide, the food system also contributes to climate change. ... According to the IPCC and other sources, direct emissions from food, agriculture, and land use release around 22% of the world’s greenhouse gases. That’s roughly equivalent to the emissions from the electricity or industry sector – yet food-related emissions still get far less attention from policymakers, investors, philanthropists, and activists.

Everyone who takes part receives daily emails that offer meal ideas, recipes, and lots of information to remind us of the importance of what we eat.You can join a worldwide community of individuals all exploring veganism together as a means of improving their own health, protecting animals, or reducing their impact on the planet. It is a wonderfully inspiring community, which offers support, advice, and friendship. Join here.

Constitutions Under Fire

From the League of Women Voters: 

REGISTER BY JAN. 1 if you plan to attend in person and eat lunch ($). You may also attend at noon free (no food) or via Zoom. Please REGISTER for all options.

Our US Constitution is a founding document of our democracy and yet the process for changing it is in danger of becoming politicized. ...

Our Wisconsin Constitution is also under fire. In 2024, there have been 5 state Constitutional Amendments on the ballet. Unlike the regular bills passed by the legislature, the governor cannot veto a proposed constitutional amendment. This indicates that the Wisconsin  legislature is using the constitutional amendment process to bypass the governor’s veto authority. Legislating through constitutional amendments politicizes our democratic process and corrupts our Constitution. ...

Speaker:  Emily Lau is a Staff Attorney with the State Democracy Research Initiative, a non-profit, non-partisan organization at the University of Wisconsin Madison. She joined the Initiative after earning her law degree from Yale Law School. While in law school, Emily was an intern at the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office in the Complex and Affirmative Litigation Team and a student in the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project clinic, helping the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office litigate cases under the California Unfair Competition Law. She was also an editor on the Yale Journal of Law and Feminism and a member of the First-Generation Professionals board. Before law school Emily worked in the California Governor’s Office in the Brown and Newsom administrations.

Learn more at https://www.lwvlacrosse.org/content.aspx?page_id=4091&club_id=484247&item_id=2461190#

January Unity Gathering

The January Unity Gathering will be a two-day Wisconsin statewide conference held In Madison, WI on January 11-12, 2025. This will be an opportunity for members of the movements for peace, justice, sustainability, and democracy to come together to share information, ideas, proposals, and resources, and to make collaborative concrete plans to promote a more just and sustainable future.

On Saturday and Sunday the group will meet for most of both days in the Wisconsin State Capitol until 4:00 p.m. (GAR Hall (413N) and the North Hearing Room). On Saturday evening there will be a celebratory supper and program from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Crossing (1127 University Ave.)

Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/JUG-info-page

Electrify!

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 19, 2024

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov

Gov. Evers, PSC Announce Wisconsin’s Launch of Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program

Wisconsin among first states to launch both Home Energy Rebate programs under Inflation Reduction Act

Rebates for low- and moderate-income households will help save energy and money when switching to energy-efficient home upgrades and appliances

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) Chairperson Summer Strand, today announced the launch of the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program. Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Wisconsin was awarded $74.5 million for the HEAR Program, which provides instant discounts to low- and moderate-income households for installing energy-efficient appliances and aims to lower costs for working families by helping households save on energy bills. “We’re incredibly excited about this program, which is designed to lower costs for working families and helping Wisconsinites save on their monthly energy bills,” said Gov. Evers. “Eligible households are going to be able to get discounts for installing energy efficient appliances while also allowing folks to have a little breathing room in their monthly household budgets. This is great news for folks across our state, and we’re excited to be among the first states in the country to launch this program.” In August 2022, President Biden signed the IRA, which included $8.8 billion for the Home Energy Rebate programs. Wisconsin was allocated $149 million under the federal formula to administer two Home Energy Rebate programs: the Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) Program, announced in August, and the HEAR program, as announced today. While the HEAR program is focused on helping families install energy-efficient appliances, the HOMES Program provides rebates to households undertaking whole-home, energy-saving improvements, such as heating and cooling systems. Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to launch the HOMES program and is one of the first states in the country to launch both IRA programs. Overall, individual households could save hundreds of dollars on monthly energy bills and save thousands of dollars on energy-efficient home upgrades by participating in the Home Energy Rebate programs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), these energy-saving measures will save American households up to $1 billion annually in energy costs and support an estimated 50,000 U.S. jobs in residential construction, manufacturing, and other sectors. “Due to Gov. Evers’ leadership and the widespread support of our industry partners and engaged stakeholders, Wisconsin continues to lead in the deployment and implementation of these exciting new Home Energy Rebate programs,” said PSC Chairperson Strand. “We have already achieved tremendous success with the registration of new contractors and the delivery of rebates to Wisconsin households undertaking upgrades to make their homes more energy efficient. We are very excited to continue this momentum with the official launch of the HEAR Program, which will help even more people save energy and money through the purchase and installation of energy-efficient appliances and equipment.” Wisconsin’s launch of the Home Energy Rebate programs are part of the nationwide initiative under the IRA to provide $8.8 billion in federal funding for states, territories, and Tribal Nations to lower energy costs and increase efficiency by making it cheaper to install cost-saving measures in homes, such as heat pumps, electrical panels, and insulation. While Wisconsin ranks 24th in the nation for total energy costs per capita, according to the DOE, many Americans spend a large portion of their monthly income on heating, cooling, and powering their homes—with some of the lowest-income families spending upwards of 30 percent of their income on energy bills. “From getting extensive public input on program design to being among the first handful of states to launch both rebate programs, Wisconsin continues to be exceptional,” said Keishaa Austin, Principal Deputy Director of DOE’s Office of State and Community Energy Programs. “With today’s launch of the HEAR program, Wisconsin will provide even more savings to those with the greatest need, enabling thousands of households to afford energy-saving upgrades.” WISCONSIN’S HEAR PROGRAM The Wisconsin HEAR program will launch in two phases. In the newly launched phase, registered contractors can offer discounts for certain appliances and projects that require installation, including electric heat pumps and electric wiring and panel upgrades. Rebates will be available in 2025 for insulation and air sealing that require contractor installation. In the second phase, launching in 2025, eligible customers will receive instant rebates for appliances, such as electric clothes dryers, electric stoves, and insulation bought at stores or through a contractor. Qualified new or existing single- and multi-family homes are eligible to participate. Households may receive rebates for more than one type of appliance and project under the HEAR Program, but the maximum amount a single household can receive is $14,000 total in rebate dollars. Total rebates will range between 100 percent of total project costs up to $14,000 for households making less than 80 percent of their area median income (AMI) and 50 percent of total project costs up to $14,000 for households making between 80 percent and 150 percent of their AMI. Wisconsinites can check the AMI for their county and household size using the 2024 Income Eligibility Household Limits Calculator. More information about HEAR savings and eligibility is available here. In most cases, a home assessment is not needed to receive a rebate through the HEAR program. Eligible appliances and equipment include electric heat pumps, electric stoves, insulation, and electrical panel and wiring upgrades. Heat pump technology is an option for high-efficiency home heating and cooling and works well even in negative temperatures during Wisconsin’s extremely cold winters. More information about heat pump technology can be found on the Focus on Energy website. WISCONSIN’S HOMES PROGRAM Under the HOMES Program, $74.8 million was made available to support whole-home energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, air sealing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades. All Wisconsin households are eligible for HOMES, including existing multi-family buildings. Interested households can currently verify their eligibility status and locate an IRA Registered Contractor who will guide them through the program. More information about HOMES rebates and eligibility is available here. The launch of the Home Energy Rebate programs has been successful and, to date, includes: 193 registered contractors; 1,298 customers approved for income-qualified rebates; and 97 HOMES program project applications received. The HOMES and HEAR rebates are administered by Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s existing statewide energy efficiency program. Utilizing Focus on Energy’s existing statewide framework for delivering energy efficiency programs and rebates uniquely positions Wisconsin to deliver HOMES and HEAR rebates to households across the state expeditiously and effectively. Focus on Energy will continue to manage and maintain its existing programs separately to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance. Focus on Energy created the Residential Rebate Finder to help households find available rebates and incentives by answering several simple questions. Visit the Residential Rebate Finder at FocusonEnergy.com/get-started. More information about the Home Energy Rebate programs is also available here.

An online version of this release is available here.

Indivisible?

In 2004, George W. Bush was reelected as  president, and many of us had a very bad feeling. Very bad. So, early in 2005, a group of local activists held the very first Coulee Progressives State of the Union at the Concordia. That year, our  theme was Don't Mourn, Organize!

Groups who focused on voting and civil rights, environmental protection, climate action (yes, way back then), social justice, anti-war, critical thinking, self-reliance, and more brought their flyers, posters, displays, petitions, and sign up sheets to connect with and reach out to allies in our community. We operated on trust, sharing and cooperation with food and funds magically appearing as needed. It was fun, energizing, and important.

Several more CP SOTU events were held through 2011, and then, for a few years, The Progresstival took up the gauntlet. But the last Progresstival was just before COVID hit in 2020 and it seemed to be running out of steam even then.

Now, it's 2024, and here we are again, except even deeper, with precious friends and systems to protect and a dangerous future to prepare for. The social environment is different than it was in 2004 - the online world is wider and we have more groups working on important issues - but the connections are still tenuous in many cases, and sometimes we cross-schedule or don't connect on parallel issues.

Is it time for a reset and connect? 

Indivisible started after the 2016 election of Donald Trump. Founded by Congressional staffers, it produced a guide that educates about, trains for, and promotes actions and behaviors to "resist the GOPs agenda, elect local champions, and fight for progressive policies."

There is not an active Indivisible group in La Crosse. Should there be? Should we all connect in early 2025 to plan out how we will support and protect each other and counter the coming political superstorm?

If this will not be just another bad four years, as some are warning, we need to get ready.

What do you think? Email couleeprogressive (singular) at hotmail.

12/18: Together we can take climate action!

 

Together, We Can:

How to move climate solutions forward in 2025

with Dr. Jonathon Foley,
Executive Director, Project Drawdown 

Wednesday, December 18 at 11 a.m.

Clearly, this is a worrisome time for those working on climate. Federal action on climate in the U.S. is likely to stall. International agreements to reduce greenhouse gases aren't moving at the pace the science tells us we need. And climate misinformation and disinformation continue to be a problem.

Despite these challenges, Project Drawdown isn’t backing down. In fact, we will stand up taller than ever to meet the moment. 

During this inspiring and informative presentation, you’ll learn how we are: 

• standing up for science — and making sure that action follows facts.
• amplifying effective climate solutions — and blowing the whistle on greenwashing and disinformation.
• supporting unlikely heroes who are making a difference — defying powers that aim to drive us apart.
• spurring cities, states, businesses, schools, banks, and others to act — no matter which way the political winds blow.

Dr. Foley will highlight ongoing work at Project Drawdown across all four of these areas while also previewing what is on the horizon for 2025. And he will discuss how we all have a role to play in advancing bold climate action. You will walk away from this talk feeling equipped to take on the challenges – and opportunities – that lie ahead.

Lean more and register (free) at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bsp0Uu5jS0ipT2XYkZ6KeQ#/registration

The Shitshow Cometh

Many national security, fascism, authoritarianism,  and geopolitical experts have been warning that Trump 2.0 is not going to be a normal awful administration that could end in two or four years if the Democrats get their act together. Rather, according to them, we are stepping into a new governance paradigm, from a flawed democratic republic to a "supranational autocracy." If you haven't been following along, it's time to catch up, because if they are right, this is the end of the world as we know it.

More here.

Run for something

There are many opportunities coming up for those who want to represent, advocate, and work for improvements in local government, including openings on the school board and city council, and an election for La Crosse mayor. Spring elections are April 1 with primaries, if needed, on February 18. Candidates started circulating nomination petitions on December 1. All paperwork must be filed by January 7.

The La Crosse School Board web page includes everything a candidate needs to prepare and run for office. School board terms are three years.

Voters will choose a new mayor in 2025 and there are eight contests for four-year terms on the City Council - districts 5 and 7 - 13. The city's Candidates for Elective Office page has more details for those wishing to run. The aldermanic district map is here (.pdf download) and shown above.

As of December 6, these candidates have filed to run in City of La Crosse Elections. Will update as needed and find the official list at the city's web page referenced above.

MAYOR (incumbent not running)

• Vicki Markussen
• Ellie McLoone
• Shaundel Washington-Spivey

DISTRICT 5 (vacant)

DISTRICT 7

• Mac Kiel (i)
• Gary Padesky

DISTRICT 8

• Mackenzie Mindel (i)

DISTRICT 9

• Chris Woodard (i)

DISTRICT 10

• Jennifer Trost

DISTRICT 11

• Martin E. Gaul

DISTRICT 12

• Doug Happel (i)
• Lisa D. Weston

DISTRICT 13

• Mark Neumann (i)

Enviro Education Grants

Every year, the Coulee Region group of the Wisconsin Chapter of the Sierra Club (CRSC) offers grants of up to $200 each for environmental education projects, classes, and programs for elementary through middle school students.

Past awards have helped fund bird feeders, butterfly hatching supplies, outdoor exploration kits, art materials, school prairies, environmental education literature, and more.

 Grants are available to teachers, leaders, programs, and projects in Crawford, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties.

Applications are due on or before January 5, 2025. Grants will be distributed by the end of January 2025 and funds should be used or projects completed by the end of spring semester 2025.

APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SIERRA CLUB MEMBERS.

These grants are part of the Sierra Club's commitment to nurturing the next generation of environmentalists and are funded by an annual donation the club receives from the Paul E. Stry Foundation, Inc.; shared dues from Sierra Club memberships; calendar sales; and donations to the club.

To learn more and apply for these Environmental Education Grants, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdf3att2. Contact CRSierraClub@gmail.com or text or call 608-315-2693 with questions.

Governor's Budget Sessions

Wisconsin's 2024 fiscal year ended with a budget surplus of $4.6 billion.

Governor Evers will hold a series of public input sessions in December as he puts together his next budget for 2025-27. While past Evers budgets have been pretty much DOA because of the  hyperpartisan gerrymandering that has given Republicans outsized control of the state Assembly and Senate for the last decade, recent map updates have started to change the balance of control. This may mean this budget proposal could actually be considered in the legislature.

Its hard to say how much real participant input makes it to the Governor's ears and how much these events are mostly for show, but it can't hurt to flood the space with progressive priorities.

The La Crosse session is WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Northside Elementary School, 1611 Kane St. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/governor-evers-la-crosse-budget-listening-session-tickets-1054140004129

To attend the virtual session on December 16 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtduqpqTgoE9Pizvu2wqHuwv84YCkT_OdI#/registration

If you attend a session, please ask the Governor to 

1. Expand Medicaid coverage  Invest in health care sector education and training. Support long-term care. Invest in better mental health services.

2. Move public transportation back into the state transportation budget. It was removed to the general fund last session by Republicans meaning transit, a most important tool for increasing equity and reducing carbon emissions is now competing with every other thing.

3. Reinstate Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) which allow counties to form governmental bodies with taxing authority to start and support regional public transit systems. We had RTAs for a brief moment until Republicans took them away. Read more about it  here: https://archive.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/121196218.html

4. Support environmental protection - funding for PFAS and lead remediation, reauthorizing the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, doubling down on and speeding up programs and policies that promote a quick clean energy transition.  Read more from Wisconsin Conservation Voters.

5. Revamp, expand, and fund a robust State Climate Action office (emphasis on ACTION).

6. Increase state aids for schools, including free meals for all school children.Support affordable childcare.

7. Send your suggestions and we will add them here.

Dec. 11 - The Voting Rights Act at 60

 

The 60th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, a League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area program. Wednesday, December 11, 11:30 to 1:00 p.m. at The Waterfront or online. 

In August 2025 we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Our speaker will highlight the history of voting rights in America up to and including the VRA. He will also review the consequential Shelby County and Brnovich Supreme Court decisions that have limited aspects of the VRA and will discuss current efforts to restore the VRA.

Speaker: Sam Scinta is a partner in SG Civic Planning, a consulting firm focused on work with local governments and developers across Wisconsin and Minnesota. He is a lecturer in the Servant Leadership Program at Viterbo University, where he teaches a class on Civics and the Common Good, and the Political Science Department at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.

Lunches must be reserved and paid for by the end of day Wednesday, Dec. 4. The lunch is $20, or you can attend for free at noon without ordering lunch. Register at www.lwvlacrosse.org/program, or at the button below. Pre-paid lunches are nonrefundable. Registration will provide lunch as well as a Zoom link for virtual attendance.

A recording of the program will be posted on our website the day after the live event.

Contact lwvlawi@gmail.com with any questions.

REGISTER HERE: www.lwvlacrosse.org/program