An Economy that Works for Everyone

By Chris Taylor 

Last fall, I had the opportunity to travel across Wisconsin.  No matter where I went, I found stagnant wages, underemployment and was confronted with a growing sentiment that our economic system is rigged against hardworking Wisconsinites.  It’s easy to see why.

Over the last three decades, the average incomes for Wisconsin’s top 1 percent have increased by 120 percent, yet the incomes of the remaining 99 percent grew by just 4 percent (Pulling Apart 2016, by the Wisconsin Budget Project and COWS).  Not only are middle income people paying the largest percentage of their income of any group in state and local taxes (Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy), but the number of Wisconsin middle income families is declining faster in Wisconsin than any state in the nation (Pew Charitable Trust).

Wisconsin’s economic system is rigged to benefit those at the top and one need not look further than the Manufacturing and Agricultural Tax Credit beloved by Governor Walker and legislative Republicans.  The biggest corporate tax giveaway in Wisconsin history, this corporate handout is projected to cost more than $650 million over the next biennium, with 88 percent of this tax giveaway going to individuals making more than $500,000.  11 millionaires, making more than $35 million each, will receive nearly $22 million in tax breaks, funded by your tax dollars.  Despite claims that this drives economic development, recipients are not required to create one single job and can even outsource jobs!  In fact, Wisconsin had roughly 4,000 fewer manufacturing jobs in September 2016 than September 2015.

While Wisconsin’s wealthy continue to receive bountiful handouts, most other working families continue to struggle, working harder and harder just to get by. This is why last week I joined several of my Democratic colleagues in introducing legislation that provides Wisconsin’s middle income families with the raise they need.

Combined with instituting a millionaire’s tax on families making more than $1,000,000, we take the money Republicans want to send to Wisconsin’s wealthy and we instead give a tax break to the low and middle class families who need it the most.  Our tax cut is targeted to individuals earning between $12,000 and $60,000, and married couples making between $20,000 and $100,000, with the average family of four earning an annual income of $45,000 receiving a $607 tax break.  From needed car maintenance to additional extracurricular programs for the kids – we know Wisconsin families benefitting from our tax cuts will reinvest this money in Wisconsin’s economy.  A thriving middle class isn’t just the result of a strong economy – a strong middle class builds a strong economy.  This proposal puts more money into the pockets of Wisconsin’s families, which means more money in our local economy.

To the hard working families of Wisconsin—we hear you. We understand the struggles you face every day.  We are committed to doing everything we can to give you a needed raise and to build an economy that works for you, not just those at the top.

Office of Representative Chris Taylor

306 West – (608) 266-5342

PO Box 8953

Madison, WI  53708

Ladies And Gentlemen; Your Next Governor - Bob Harlow

By Jeff Simpson 

True leaders, identify a problem and then start working to fix it.   Robert Harlow did just that.   Bob is a well rounded lifetime Wisconsinite, who grew up in Barneveld.

I grew up a couple miles outside of Barneveld, Wisconsin. My dad had a woodworking business when I was a kid, and my mom writes and teaches. I am a third generation Wisconsinite. Three of my grandparents came here from Iowa and the fourth from Missouri. My parents grew up in Madison, where three of my grandparents were professors at the University.
I loved sports as a kid, especially football. I played on the line. I also loved music. I played in the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra for three years and was fortunate enough to have my composition "Yangzi" premiered by the WYSO Philharmonia under the direction of Thomas Buchhauser when I was a senior in high school.
During high school, I also became very involved in politics. My local American Legion post gave me the great opportunity to attend Badger Boys State, where I was selected by the Federalist Party as their Gubernatorial nominee. In 2008, I campaigned all summer for the Barack Obama campaign and learned how much I love going door to door talking to voters. I also interned for our great State Senator Dale Schultz. The experience stuck with me strongly. To this day, Dale is one of my leading role models.
I spent my college years at Stanford University, where I earned a Bachelors of Science in Physics. During that time, I developed a passion for grueling outdoor adventures. I climbed mount Shasta, and I hiked the Grand Canyon from the south rim to the north rim and back.
In addition to my physics studies, I have diverse experience in several areas of engineering and science. Software that I wrote is used every day by the Army Corps of Engineers Search and Rescue Team. The software handles communication between their mobile phones and sensors placed on structural elements in disaster zones, allowing them to monitor the situation and alerting them to get out if the building starts to fall.
When I was a senior at Stanford, the Stanford Office of Technology Licensing filed a provisional patent on my invention to create a new programmable micro-technology for mixing chemical and biological reactants with the goal of creating a "personal computer" equivalent of the huge machines that are currently used in research, drug discovery and drug manufacturing. And, with the mission to empower individuals with the same scientific tinkering and drug manufacturing capabilities that are currently restricted to big companies.
Through those, and many more experiences, I want to bring an innovative management style to the Governor's mansion. A culture that hires smart people with an innovative mindset, puts new ideas to the test, and constantly iterates on systems to make them better. Because we need change in the Governor's mansion. Wisconsin is falling behind with the old, stale ideas of our current politics. The people of Wisconsin deserve better. You deserve a government that is just as smart and forward looking as you are.

Bob saw an opening ion a lack of leadership in Wisconsin and is stepping up to fill the void.   Harlow even has an eight point plan to turn Wisconsin around(which is ten points more than our current Governor).

1. CREATE 35,000 JOBS THROUGH RECORD INVESTMENT IN WISCONSIN'S INFRASTRUCTURE.
2. JUST YOU AND YOUR DOCTOR, PERIOD. A HEALTHCARE PLAN FOR WISCONSIN.
3. REPEAL SCOTT WALKER'S LEGISLATION THAT BANNED UNIONIZED WORKPLACES.
4. HELP WISCONSINITES GROW WISCONSIN IDEAS AND RESEARCH INTO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES.
5. IMMEDIATELY RESTORE THE RIGHT OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES TO BARGAIN COLLECTIVELY.
6. VETO ALL NEW PIPELINE AND MINING PROPOSALS.
7. TEST DRINKING WATER ANNUALLY AND PASS LEGISLATION THAT GIVES THE GOVERNOR POWER TO IMMEDIATELY STOP POLLUTERS IF CONTAMINATION IS DETECTED.
8. MAKE SURE EVERY SCHOOL IN WISCONSIN IS FUNDED AT OR ABOVE THE NATIONAL PER-PUPIL AVERAGE.

Funding our schools, giving Wisconsinites a voice in their workplace and clean drinking water?  Who ever thought that would be a radical agenda?  However it is just what the Doctor ordered.

In a time when no one else has stepped up to become the resistance, and challenge the far right wing control, Bob Harlow has.

Instead of recycling old all-stars, or waiting for some high priced, low result consultant to tell us who should run and how far to the right they should run,

Bob Harlow has decided to take matters into his own hands, step up and work on becoming out next Governor.

I like the thought of that.

Check out Mr, Harlow here and here and feel free to donate here!

2018 will be here before you know it!

Scott Walker - Iowa Everyman

By Jeff Simpson 

In the history of Presidential primaries, has there ever been anyone so desperate to win Iowa's Caucus?   Scott Walker, who used to be Governor of Wisconsin, has all but moved to Iowa.  Walker was supposed to be keynote speaker of the California GOP convention(55 electoral votes and deep pocket donors) and cancelled, to spend even more time in IA(6 electoral votes).

Don't worry California, he will be back(and telling you how much he loves you), when he can use you.   If you are of no use to him he has no reason to be there.

To be fair(and we are nothing if not fair here), Walker could have cancelled because he has "no idea where Cali is".

Now the walker campaign, which his billionaire donor promised me, would win in the end:

 Anthony Scaramucci ‏@Scaramucci  Sep 7@JeffSimpson7 @FT @ScottWalker @rick_wiley our guy will be there in the end just watch. And Rick is going to help him win.

Has decided that its best to spend all of your time in Iowa to win a Caucus!  Brilliant strategy.

Now that we know the strategy, we see Scott Walker do the one thing he has an actual talent for - pandering.  

Here he is "thoroughly enjoying" a day spent with the plebe's of Iowa during the Iowa-Iowa State football game:

Great day hanging out in Iowa at the @TheIowaHawkeyes and @CycloneATH game! - SW #Walker16 #CyHawk pic.twitter.com/eQV248m9xF

— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) September 13, 2015

Here is Scott Walker telling the crowd that he loves Iowa and Iowa State equally, and with all of his heart and he wishes his children had attended there:

 
Scott Walker loves Iowa so much, he even went to an Iowa High School Football game.  That Scott Walker just loves spending time with Iowans(in the food line):



Intense moment of the game for these two very serious Iowa High School Football fans:



And here he is helping the youth of Iowa understand his first day plan and how he plans on ending their healthcare, but giving them a high five because they are too young for him to send to war in Iran:



Iowa voter explaining to the crowd what her pre-existing condition(Ps it is not hat head) is that will bankrupt and kill her when Scott Walker eliminates Obamacare on day one.  



Here is Scott Walker explaining to a farmer that this barren land looks like what he left in Wisconsin of our educational system, and he is hoping for a chance to do the same all over the country.  Scott is also explaining to the farmer that if he is currently growing corn he loves him some ethanol, and if he is not he can not stand the stuff!  



Finally, here he is talking a sitting room only crowd of 35. It was nice that the local chapter of retired Caucasians, gave him a few minutes of their meeting time.  



I am starting to pity his pathetic pandering.  Its not very becoming of a human being, much less a Presidential candidate!

ICYMI - Robin Vos

By Jeff Simpson

In case you missed this money quote:

Robin Vos, who is said to be considering a gubernatorial bid in 2018, 

Robin Vos for Governor

We would have a different First Lady every week.

Vos has done such an amazing job at home, why wouldn't we want to give him the whole state?

Who Knew Legitimacy Was So Costly?

 

By Jeff Simpson

“Everything we’ve done is completely legitimate,” Walker told reporters Saturday in Madison.

Yet, Mr. Walker has spent well over $1,000,000 on lawyers, which is alot of money when you have done nothing wrong.   Mr. Walker also has a hard time distinguishing between illegal and unethical.    

To put things in perspective, he spent more than ONE MILLION DOLLARS on lawyers when he did everything right and sent ALS $10 to help find a cure(sans stem cells).  I wonder why he did not "nominate" Eric O'Keefe? 

Life is about priorities!  

For those eating breakfast this morning, here are 6 of the most important passages that you should read! Have a little more time - read this!  

Delicious

By Jeff Simpson

We take time to from reading the Walker docs, to check in on Scott Walker's brother in arms (well not arms anymore) Indicted Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry! 

One of Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry’s charges comes with a possible prison sentence of 99 years behind bars, but that might not be his biggest hardship. According to Texas and federal law, NRA dreamboat Perry has probably lost the right to buy guns or have a concealed carry permit during the period of his indictment. Should he get convicted, he’ll lose his right to own guns altogether for at least five years after he gets out of prison. The Perry family asks for your prayers during this troubling time.

According to an article published in the Austin American-Statesman, federal law prohibits a person under indictment from carrying a concealed weapon or from acquiring new weaponry (whether by purchase or as a gift) if their charges call for more than a year in prison – a margin Perry’s charges beat by roughly 98 years.

By the way, Sean and Rick:

Beau McCoy - Vote For Me, I will Hit The President!

By Jeff Simpson

Beau McCoy (R-Racist) republican gubernatorial candidate thinks its best if the people of Nebraska do not have healthcare! 

Obamacare

Beau makes his feelings clear about Obamacare by saying, "It's bad for Nebraskans.  It's bad for every American.  It needs to be repealed."  Until then, Beau has been leading the effort to protect Nebraskans from as many of the harmful effects of Obamacare as possible.  He supported the state not opening its own healthcare exchange due to its extremely high long term cost.  He is committed to not expanding Medicaid under a plan that would cost the state millions of dollars.

The facts be dammed:

Actual Obamacare results are in. And in most cases they are exceeding expectations.

• 8 Million+ citizens are now enrolled in Obamacare.
• 35% of citizens enrolled in Obamacare are under 35 years old.
• Obamacare has brought economic security to all consumers of health insurance.
• Over 14 million have received insurance over the exchanges and via the Medicaid expansion to Obamacare.
• Medical cost is now growing at less than 1/2 the previous rates.
• Obamacare is shrinking the deficits.
• It is fact that repealing Obamacare would increase the budget deficit, raise premiums, and take away insurance from millions of Americans.

 It is almost an impossibility to win a primary on the right if facts are important to you.  However Beau takes it one step further, if you are a  minority stand out of Beau McCoy's way or you will get backhanded!  

What kind of society are we living in that this is ok?  who in the world would come up with this idea and approve it through to the final stages of actually putting it out there to view?

Where is the republican party of Ike? and is there any hope at all for a resurgence of sanity?

Domestic Abuse is No Joke

By Jeff Simpson

At least to Mary Burke it isn't!

Officials with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke say that they will make a charitable donation with the hefty campaign check they received from a well-known trial attorney accused of caning his wife.

On Dec. 20, Daniel Rottier, president of the personal injury firm Habush, Habush & Rottier, chipped in $4,500 to Burke's campaign. Burke is taking on Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

Rottier, 62, was charged earlier this month with a misdemeanor battery count of using a dangerous weapon to commit domestic abuse. A plea hearing is set for Friday.
His wife told authorities that a drunken Rottier struck her with a cane while the two argued about plans to take their children to a movie.

Asked about the donation late Wednesday, Burke spokesman Joe Zepecki said the campaign will be making a $4,500 contribution to Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, a Madison nonprofit that runs a shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.

Congrats for Mary Burke to do the right thing by donating his money where it will make a difference and not giving it back to him.    Domestic Abuse Intervention Services is a great nonprofit and you should give to them also!  

While Mary Burke was doing the right thing, Joe Fadness(head of the Republican Party in WI) was busy making jokes and spending another domestic abuser's money!    My unofficial count, says that Bill Feehan donated $1900 to Scott Walker.  None of which was returned or donated. Hey Gov, see the link to DAIS above, they could use the $1900 to help people like Bill's ex-girlfriend! 

However, i know we have to give Billy a pass, since he only beat his girlfriend up once(how many times has Rottier been accused of it?):

Disorderly conduct

As the challenger in an important state Senate district, candidate Bill Feehan said he expected to be asked about his past run-in with the law.
In 2000, Feehan cut a deal with prosecutors in which they dropped a misdemeanor domestic battery charge against him for allegedly choking and injuring his girlfriend at the time. In return, he pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge.
But the Republican businessman, who is taking on freshman state Sen. Jennifer Shilling of La Crosse, said he doesn't believe he has anything to apologize for.
"My character speaks for itself," said Feehan in an interview. "The people I know are supportive of me, and they understand this for what it is - a low blow by the Democrat Party."
According to court records, Feehan was arrested in September 2000 after an argument with his girlfriend at the time.
The girlfriend had accused Feehan of leaving her stranded at a La Crosse bar after a disagreement and then taking a dog from her apartment. He maintained that the dog was his.
She told authorities that she went to his residence, rang his doorbell and when he didn't answer, began throwing boxes and other items from his garage. In response, she said, he came outside, grabbed her by the throat and choked her, tossing her to the ground - something he denied. He accused her of kneeing him in the groin; she later acknowledged that she had done this but said it occurred while being choked.
Police described Feehan as difficult during an interview and after his arrest.
"He remained beligerant (sic) and cocky throughout the encounter," wrote Sgt. Dale Chroninger of the Holmen Police Department.
In October 2000, Feehan was charged with misdemeanor counts of battery and disorderly conduct. Three months later, prosecutors reduced the charges to an ordinance violation, and he pleaded no contest.
In an interview last week, Feehan said he was wrongly accused.
He added that those guilty of domestic abuse do it repeatedly. He said he has only the single allegation from years ago on his record.
"I've been happily married to one of the most successful businesswomen in Wisconsin for the last eight years," he said. "I don't know what more to say."

 

Cause & Effect - Chain of Events!

By Jeff Simpson

Step 1:  The people of Wisconsin elect Scott Walker as Governor. 

Step 2:  Scott Walker hires the incredibly unethical, dishonest scumbag Dennis Smith as Secretary of the Department of Health Services. 



Step 3:   Dennis Smith, when he wasnt sleeping with his employees, was busy turning down federal Medicaid money meant for WI.

Step 4:  The rejection of federal money will cost the Wisconsin taxpayers $1,800,000,000.

Step 5: Wisconsites WILL die because of this decision.

Step 6:  "pro"-life Wisconsin will give Scott Walker a 100% pro-life rating.  

Repeat/Reuse/Recycle 

Time To Raise Minimum Wage!

 

The latest from Senator Kathleen Vinehout, the next Governor of Wisconsin:

"What is Wisconsin going to do about the minimum wage?” the woman asked at a recent town hall meeting. Increasing the minimum wage has been on the minds of many Wisconsinites.

As I travel, I hear many stories from working families who are struggling to make ends meet. Low wage workers fall further and further behind and are more dependent on the state’s cash strapped social safety net programs.

There is a step the state can take that would make an immediate impact: we could raise the minimum wage.

In 1913, Wisconsin became one of the first states to enact a minimum wage law. The purpose was to help lift workers out of poverty and to stimulate the economy. Unfortunately, since that time, increases to the minimum wage have not kept pace with the rising cost of living. Since the 1970’s the real value of the minimum wage has been plummeting. The real life consequences impact many of our hardworking neighbors.

According to the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families (WCCF) the typical household in Wisconsin earned $4,500 less in 2012 than in 2008.
The Council also reported the poverty rate in Wisconsin has increased; with one out of six children now living in poverty. In 2012, a total of 737,000 people lived in poverty. As the Council noted, “If poverty were a city, it would be Wisconsin’s largest city.”
The National Low Income Housing Coalition reported in 2012, a minimum wage worker in Wisconsin would have to work a total of 79 hours to afford a 2-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent.
Raising the minimum wage would put more money in the pockets of working families. Those workers would spend their extra earnings to provide for their families. The additional household spending benefits businesses in our communities.

Studies show that states with minimum wages higher than the federal floor had stronger job growth than in states that kept the lower federal level. In a 2006 study, the Fiscal Policy Institute found states that raised the minimum wage had more rapid small business and overall retail growth than states with the lower federal minimum wage.

Reports from employers cited additional benefits of a wage increase - higher productivity, decreased turnover, lower recruiting and training costs, decreased absenteeism, and increased worker morale.

For the past several sessions, my colleague Sen. Bob Wirch has been a tireless advocate for boosting the state’s minimum wage. This year, Senators Wirch and Harris introduced legislation that would increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $7.60 per hour and tie future raises to an increase in inflation. I joined my colleagues as a co-author of Senate Bill 4.

Raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation should not be a partisan or controversial idea. Other states around the nation - New Jersey, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Florida, and Washington – put the issue on the ballot and all received overwhelming approval.

Similarly, indexing provisions have been enacted in eleven states, from all parts of the country and all along the political spectrum.

A poll conducted by the non-partisan Pew Center indicates that over 80% of Americans favor a higher minimum wage. Americans understand that increasing the minimum wage would provide greater stability to working families and an infusion of spending that will benefit the economy.

The Center on Wisconsin Strategy estimates that raising our minimum wage to $7.60 per hour would benefit at least 316,000 working people in our state. While I support this modest increase I recognize it falls short of what the minimum wage should be if it kept pace with inflation.

If we really want to lift people out of poverty and reward them for their hard work, let make steps to raise the minimum wage to $10.60 per hour. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics that $10.60 an hour would take us back in real dollars to the minimum wage of 1968.