Weekly News from Your Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair

Remembering an Icon: Vel Phillips

Wisconsin lost a true trailblazer this week. Civil rights icon, former Secretary of State of Wisconsin, judge and open housing pioneer Vel R. Phillips passed away this week at the age of 94.

Vel was iconic and tenacious. Her leadership and career of firsts in Wisconsin opened doors for so, so many. Her spirit is with all of us, in Wisconsin and the nation, as we proudly continue the fight she took to the streets for civil rights, equality and justice despite horrific abuse. Vel was beloved by so many, and her legacy and strength in the face of hatred and injustice stay with us now as we continue her march.

If you want to learn more about Vel’s amazing, inspiring journey, PBS has done an outstanding documentary on her life that I highly recommend. You can watch it online here.

We lost another important public figure this week. First lady Barbara Bush committed her life to public service for the people of America, speaking her mind with honesty and integrity. While we may not have always agreed with her, her quest to expand literacy and her role as a leader of family and country will long be remembered and honored.

“PARDEEVILLE, Wis. (AP) — Margo Miller thanked her hosts, covered herself in a blue poncho and headed back into the driving sleet Saturday morning, with more doors to knock in this rural subdivision but with another new volunteer’s name on her clipboard.

Miller and about 50 other Democratic activists who braved the spring storm returned with 160 petition signatures for a special state Assembly campaign, a local sleeper election that Democrats hope will be anything but…”

Thank you to all the volunteers, organizers and activists that are doing the important work of talking to your neighbors about our Democratic values. By fully funding our schools we provide opportunity for all children to succeed. By ensuring workers receive a fair wage we provide financial security for everyone. And by prioritizing and investing in our infrastructure we build a sense of community and responsibility to all our neighbors! There is so much enthusiasm building in Wisconsin to take back our state!

That’s why we have such a big field of candidates running for governor.They’ve all seen the damage Scott Walker has done to Wisconsin, and they all know that their values and ideas would bring about the change that Wisconsinites are asking for. When I go on the road and talk to people around the state, I hear again and again that they think any one of the candidates would do a better job leading our state than Walker has. I, for one, am very proud that we have so many incredible people stepping forward to run.

If you haven’t already, you should sign up to receive emails from Team Tammy to keep up-to-date with her campaign! Sign up here:

I want to thank Rep. Gordon Hintz, Rep. Katrina Shankland, Rep. Amanda Stuck and Rep. Dana Wachs for hosting the first Foxconn Town Hall this week in Wausau! Despite nasty weather conditions, over 100 engaged citizens turned out to have their voices heard on this important issue.

It’s important that Wisconsinites continue to have a voice when it comes to Foxconn. Taxpayers will supposedly be paying off Walker’s deal with Foxconn for at least the next 25 years (though I don’t think we’ll every pay it off), and Foxconn poses a huge threat to our environment, our infrastructure funding and our democratic norms. We have to hold Foxconn and Republican leadership accountable and ensure that our interests are protected.

If you didn’t get a chance to attend this week’s Town Hall in Wausau, you have two more opportunities:

Chippewa Falls
Monday, April 30
6:00 – 8:00pm
Chippewa Falls Public Library
105 W Central St, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

Menasha
Wednesday, May 2
6:00 – 8:00pm
Menasha Public Library
440 1st St, Menasha, WI 54952

Tax Day 2018

This Tuesday was Tax Day, and it was as good a day as any to remind ourselves how Republicans and Democrats differ on the issue of taxes. Democrats believe in tax fairness and building an economy that works for everyone. We believe that hard-working Wisconsinites living paycheck to paycheck deserve relief.

The GOP, however, passed a tax plan at the end of 2017 that prioritizes the wealthiest among us. It gives 80% of the new tax breaks to the wealthiest 1% and big corporations. A tax plan that truly reflected our Wisconsin values would reward hard work and give a boost to those who need it. Instead, the GOP have chosen to reward their wealthy special interest donors with a windfall of cash.

Our Senator Tammy Baldwin wrote a great column explaining the GOP tax plan. It’s a quick read!

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