Last week, over 500 of you took action by making calls, sending letters, signing postcards and letting your state representatives know that ANY form of TABOR has no business in our constitution – you made all the difference. The first TABOR vote was overwhelming defeated. The final TABOR compromise was passed in a private back room Assembly caucus while the public slept, and even then by only one vote.
Now TABOR moves to the Senate for a vote on Wednesday, May 3 – together, with your continued help, we can stop it there. Call your State Senator TODAY, and tell them to oppose any version of TPA. The toll-free NO-TABOR hotline is 1-800-844-2847. If you ever considered calling, make sure you call NOW!
TABOR, otherwise known as the Taxpayer “Protection” Amendment (TPA), will constrict the state and local government’s ability to provide needed services. Funding for our K-12 schools, crime labs, technical college and UW systems and unemployment services will dwindle to the point of crisis. TABOR’s formula is flawed, and is unable to account for the spiraling inflation of energy and healthcare costs. And because it will be cemented into our constitution, it will be very hard to change.
We must stop it now.
Please contact your state senator TODAY, and tell him or her to oppose TPA. Fiscal policy does not belong in our constitution.
What can you do?
1. Call your State Senator TODAY, and tell them to oppose any version of TPA. The toll-free NO-TABOR hotline is 1-800-844-2847. If you ever considered calling, make sure you call TODAY! A sample script is below.
2. Send an Email opposing this Amendment:
Click Here for the “Who Are My Legislators” website at http://waml.legis.state.wi.us/
Type your home address into the box. Press enter.
Click on the Email Legislator link.
Cut, paste and edit the script below, and add your home address.
3. Watch the online video on why TABOR failed in Colorado, and why it will fail here. Visit http://www.cbpp.org/taborvideo.htm to view this 10 minute video.
You’ve already made a tremendous impact on the Assembly – together we can make sure the Senate hears our message loud and clear – TPA is bad for Wisconsin. Every call and email counts!
SAMPLE SCRIPT
Dear Senator XX,
Please oppose any form of TPA. Our state constitution is not the proper place for rigid budget formulas. This gimmick simply shifts the funding burden unto local governments, ignores the real problems facing our future, and avoids making hard choices on spending issues. TABOR was a failed experiment in Colorado, and we don’t need to repeat the mistake here in Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
(Please put your name and address here)
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Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Son of TABOR
Unable to pass off TABOR on an informed Wisconsin public last time around, state Republicans have put new lipstick on their pig and are trying to pass it off as something new. TPA is just one more way to cut social services and further unravel our social fabric. We don't want it. This is from Guy:
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Coming events
From Lynn C.: Two significant ballot issues will be put before Wisconsin voters this fall concerning reinstatement of the death penalty and restricting the legal interpretation of marriage. There is much debate that often deteriorates into argument. Waysmeet Quaker Center would like your help in sponsoring a local workshop to help people learn how to reestablish dialogue around these and other controversial subjects: Non-violent Dialogue Training with "LARA" (Listen, Affirm, Respond, Add) technique. If you are interested in participating in this training on Saturday, July 15, or Sunday, July 16, 2006, please email Lynn ASAP!
Upcoming events. More details at the calendar.
May 1 - Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice, Shirley Abrahamson, 10 a.m., Viterbo Fine Arts Center. Free tickets to the event are available at the MC reception desk.
May 2 - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign demonstation at the State Capitol at 10 a.m. to protest Republican Assembly leaders blocking a full vote on SB1, bipartisan ethics reform legislation.
May 2 - Fundraiser for Peg Lautenschlager, 5 to 8 p.m., American Marine, La Crosse. For more information call 608 255-2006 or e-mail.
May 4 - Parker Palmer "The Courage to Teach", 4 p.m., San Damiano Chapel, Viterbo. Space is limited, and people may call Chris Sanger at 608-796-3070
May 5 - Parker Palmer, "Work as a Vocation", 8 a.m. and noon, Reinhart Center 107, Viterbo. Contact Rick Kyte at 608-796-3704 for details.
May 6 - Three Rivers Intertribal Pow-wow, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mitchell Hall, UW-L
May 8 - Dan Kapanke and Wisconsin's energy future. A forum hosted by UW-L Progressives and WISPIRG at 7 p.m., Ward Room, Cartwright Center, UW-L
May 12 - Reception and fundraiser for progressive Democratic candidate for Wisconsin's 31st Senate district, Chris Danou, in La Crosse. Email to register or for more info.
Please email with calendar items!
Upcoming events. More details at the calendar.
May 1 - Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice, Shirley Abrahamson, 10 a.m., Viterbo Fine Arts Center. Free tickets to the event are available at the MC reception desk.
May 2 - Wisconsin Democracy Campaign demonstation at the State Capitol at 10 a.m. to protest Republican Assembly leaders blocking a full vote on SB1, bipartisan ethics reform legislation.
May 2 - Fundraiser for Peg Lautenschlager, 5 to 8 p.m., American Marine, La Crosse. For more information call 608 255-2006 or e-mail.
May 4 - Parker Palmer "The Courage to Teach", 4 p.m., San Damiano Chapel, Viterbo. Space is limited, and people may call Chris Sanger at 608-796-3070
May 5 - Parker Palmer, "Work as a Vocation", 8 a.m. and noon, Reinhart Center 107, Viterbo. Contact Rick Kyte at 608-796-3704 for details.
May 6 - Three Rivers Intertribal Pow-wow, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mitchell Hall, UW-L
May 8 - Dan Kapanke and Wisconsin's energy future. A forum hosted by UW-L Progressives and WISPIRG at 7 p.m., Ward Room, Cartwright Center, UW-L
May 12 - Reception and fundraiser for progressive Democratic candidate for Wisconsin's 31st Senate district, Chris Danou, in La Crosse. Email to register or for more info.
Please email with calendar items!
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Weapons of Mass Deception
We finally had a chance to watch "Good Night and Good Luck." I assume some national news people have seen this film. Apparently they were not as moved as we were.
On May 15, Open Eye Documentary and Independent Film Society will show the film Weapons of Mass Deception, the Danny Schechter film about the media's cheerleading in the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. The film will start at 7 p.m. and be shown at the La Crosse Public Library in a FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC venue.
Most Americans get their news from local TV news. Now THAT'S a depressing thought considering local evening television "news" usually consists of two or three local stories, one mention (when time permits) of an issue of national importance (with no attempt to place the issue in any context or provide background) and at least one story about a cat who flew to France accidentally or a bird that can play happy birthday on the piano.
We need more good information and we need it now. This web site and the links we provide is one small voice. We need a lot more.
On May 15, Open Eye Documentary and Independent Film Society will show the film Weapons of Mass Deception, the Danny Schechter film about the media's cheerleading in the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. The film will start at 7 p.m. and be shown at the La Crosse Public Library in a FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC venue.
Most Americans get their news from local TV news. Now THAT'S a depressing thought considering local evening television "news" usually consists of two or three local stories, one mention (when time permits) of an issue of national importance (with no attempt to place the issue in any context or provide background) and at least one story about a cat who flew to France accidentally or a bird that can play happy birthday on the piano.
We need more good information and we need it now. This web site and the links we provide is one small voice. We need a lot more.
Friday, April 28, 2006
What did you expect?
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign has been reporting daily on the soap opera going on in the State Assembly. A bi-partisan campaign ethics reform bill, SB 1, has passed the Senate and has the Governor's nod. But the Assembly leadership, including Mike Huebsch of West Salem have just pulled the football once again. Here's the latest from the WDC:
"After briefly toying with scheduling a vote on Senate Bill 1, the Democracy Campaign-backed bill that would toughen state ethics enforcement, Assembly Republicans voted behind closed doors yesterday not to bring up the legislation before the end of the legislative session next week.
"Representatives Terri McCormick of Appleton and Sheryl Albers of Reedsburg were the only Assembly Republicans to vote to bring the bill to the floor, sources who attended the meeting told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
"Several Assembly GOP members said they and their colleagues did not believe there needs to be tougher enforcement of ethics laws and they worried that the proposed new enforcement agency would have nothing to do but investigate state lawmakers. Under SB 1, the new agency would be responsible for administering elections, regulating lobbyists, enforcing campaign finance laws and the state ethics code, as well as having the new authority to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing.
"Other Republican lawmakers indicated that action on SB 1 would be seen as a slap at convicted ex-Speaker Scott Jensen, who is due to be sentenced in less than three weeks."
So, Mike Huebsch, who got nearly 75% of his campaign funds from out of district in 2004, has killed a good first step at cleaning up politics in Wisconsin. The WDC invites those who can make it to Madison on Tuesday, May 2 to assemble at the State Capitol (by the Fighting Bob statue) at 10 a.m. to demonstrate support for SB 1.
And, if you can't go there physically, please call Huebsch (608) 266-2401 or (888) 534-0094 or at home in West Salem at 786-3512 (or you can email him) and demand a vote on SB 1.
"After briefly toying with scheduling a vote on Senate Bill 1, the Democracy Campaign-backed bill that would toughen state ethics enforcement, Assembly Republicans voted behind closed doors yesterday not to bring up the legislation before the end of the legislative session next week.
"Representatives Terri McCormick of Appleton and Sheryl Albers of Reedsburg were the only Assembly Republicans to vote to bring the bill to the floor, sources who attended the meeting told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
"Several Assembly GOP members said they and their colleagues did not believe there needs to be tougher enforcement of ethics laws and they worried that the proposed new enforcement agency would have nothing to do but investigate state lawmakers. Under SB 1, the new agency would be responsible for administering elections, regulating lobbyists, enforcing campaign finance laws and the state ethics code, as well as having the new authority to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing.
"Other Republican lawmakers indicated that action on SB 1 would be seen as a slap at convicted ex-Speaker Scott Jensen, who is due to be sentenced in less than three weeks."
So, Mike Huebsch, who got nearly 75% of his campaign funds from out of district in 2004, has killed a good first step at cleaning up politics in Wisconsin. The WDC invites those who can make it to Madison on Tuesday, May 2 to assemble at the State Capitol (by the Fighting Bob statue) at 10 a.m. to demonstrate support for SB 1.
And, if you can't go there physically, please call Huebsch (608) 266-2401 or (888) 534-0094 or at home in West Salem at 786-3512 (or you can email him) and demand a vote on SB 1.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Earth Day Every Day
EARTH WEEK! coninutes
On March 17, Governor Doyle signed into law Wisconsin's new Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act, which will mandate more efficient and cleaner energy use. "The new energy legislation, Senate Bill 459, requires 10 percent of the state's electrical supply to come from renewable energy resources by 2015. It replaces an earlier law that required 2.2 percent renewable power by 2011. The act sets tougher standards for state agencies, requiring the six largest state agencies to draw on renewable power for 10 percent of their power needs by the end of next year, and 20 percent of their power needs by 2015. It requires the state to pursue additional funding for the research and development of agricultural digesters, and it also calls for a pilot program to test the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of burning leftover corn plants to heat residences.
"The act requires Wisconsin utilities to directly support energy efficiency programs, ensuring annual expenditures of $85 million a year to promote energy efficiency. It also increases funding to local governments for energy efficiency projects, requires the state to update building codes to include higher energy efficiency standards, and requires the state to set higher energy standards for state building projects and purchases."
On Monday, May 8 please join WISPIRG and the UW-L Progressives as they host an energy forum with State Senator, Dan Kapanke at 7 p.m. in the Port o' Call, Cartwright Center, UW-L.
Let's make sure Senator Kapanke hears from his constituents that we want more clean energy, more energy efficiency and more state focus on how new energy technologies, including energy efficiency, can benefit the people, businesses and workers of Wisconsin.
Remember - REBATES available! from Focus on Energy You can get $2 per Energy Star compact fluorescent bulb or $5 per multipack (up to a total of 12 bulbs) from now through June 30. Take advantage of this offer to switch out high wattage incandescent bulbs and save money and energy. For example, Farm and Fleet in Onalaska has a sale on (through April 30) for compact fluorescent bulbs (12 watt (60 or 75 watt equivalent) for $2.49. Use your $2 per bulb rebate and get a cf energy saving bulb for just 49 cents! Focus on Energy also has a rebate program for schools, businesses, farms, local governmental units, private colleges and universities, etc., too up to 2,500 bulbs per entity!
On March 17, Governor Doyle signed into law Wisconsin's new Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act, which will mandate more efficient and cleaner energy use. "The new energy legislation, Senate Bill 459, requires 10 percent of the state's electrical supply to come from renewable energy resources by 2015. It replaces an earlier law that required 2.2 percent renewable power by 2011. The act sets tougher standards for state agencies, requiring the six largest state agencies to draw on renewable power for 10 percent of their power needs by the end of next year, and 20 percent of their power needs by 2015. It requires the state to pursue additional funding for the research and development of agricultural digesters, and it also calls for a pilot program to test the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of burning leftover corn plants to heat residences.
"The act requires Wisconsin utilities to directly support energy efficiency programs, ensuring annual expenditures of $85 million a year to promote energy efficiency. It also increases funding to local governments for energy efficiency projects, requires the state to update building codes to include higher energy efficiency standards, and requires the state to set higher energy standards for state building projects and purchases."
On Monday, May 8 please join WISPIRG and the UW-L Progressives as they host an energy forum with State Senator, Dan Kapanke at 7 p.m. in the Port o' Call, Cartwright Center, UW-L.
Let's make sure Senator Kapanke hears from his constituents that we want more clean energy, more energy efficiency and more state focus on how new energy technologies, including energy efficiency, can benefit the people, businesses and workers of Wisconsin.
Remember - REBATES available! from Focus on Energy You can get $2 per Energy Star compact fluorescent bulb or $5 per multipack (up to a total of 12 bulbs) from now through June 30. Take advantage of this offer to switch out high wattage incandescent bulbs and save money and energy. For example, Farm and Fleet in Onalaska has a sale on (through April 30) for compact fluorescent bulbs (12 watt (60 or 75 watt equivalent) for $2.49. Use your $2 per bulb rebate and get a cf energy saving bulb for just 49 cents! Focus on Energy also has a rebate program for schools, businesses, farms, local governmental units, private colleges and universities, etc., too up to 2,500 bulbs per entity!
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