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The Madison Club
From WisPolitics.com …
Editors’ note: Today’s AM Update and News Summary will be the final WisPolitics.com products of the week. Platinum subscribers will receive alerts if there is breaking news the rest of today. Products will resume Monday morning. Thank you for subscribing.
— In this week’s GOP radio address, Rep. John Macco slammed the proposed tax increases in Gov. Tony Evers’ budget.
The Ledgeview Republican said Evers’ budget would raise Wisconsinites’ tax burden by $1 billion. He also touted Republican efforts to lower taxes over the last eight years under former Gov. Scott Walker.
Republicans “invested in education and infrastructure, paid down debt and saved for the future,” Macco said, adding that “with Wisconsin working, now’s not the time to turn back the clock. In fact, now is the time for comprehensive state tax reform.”
Macco urged Wisconsinites to visit www.WIWaysandMeans.com to share their opinions on tax reform in the state.
“I look forward to hearing your considerations on how we can make Wisconsin’s tax structure work for everyone,” Macco said.
See the release:
https://www.wispolitics.com/2019/weekly-republican-radio-address-john-macco-on-tax-day-2019/
— In the weekly Dem radio address, Sen. Mark Miller called on Republicans to “respect the will of the people” and work to pass Gov. Tony Evers’ budget.
The Monona Dem touted what Evers calls the “people’s budget,” saying the majority of Wisconsinites back the plan’s provisions.
He cited the recent Marquette Law School Poll findings, saying most voters agree with Evers’ proposals in areas such as bolstering special education funding and raising the minimum wage.
“The people want to see politicians on both sides of the aisle working together to find common sense solutions to long neglected issues like health care, public school funding, and prison overcrowding,” Miller said.
See the release:
POLITICAL TV
(Check local listings for times in your area)
“UpFront” is a statewide commercial TV news magazine show airing Sundays around the state. This week’s show features U.S. Sen. RON JOHNSON, R-Oshkosh, talking about his trip to the southwestern border.
*See viewing times in state markets here: http://www.wisn.com/upfront/
*Also view the show online each Monday at WisPolitics.com
“Rewind,” a weekly show from WisconsinEye and WisPolitics.com, airs at 8 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. on Sundays in addition to being available online. On this week’s episode, WisPolitics.com’s JR ROSS and WisconsinEye’s STEVE WALTERS discuss the latest happenings in the Capitol.
*Watch the show later at http://www.wiseye.org
*And listen to the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rewind-your-week-in-review/id1454043841
Wisconsin Public TV’s “Here and Now” airs at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and is anchored by FREDERICA FREYBERG. This week, she talks with political and economics commentator EINAR TANGEN about the Foxconn news; Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault Legal Services Director IAN HENDERSON about the new rape kit legislation; and WisContext reporter WILL CUSHMAN on his new reporting on low milk prices.
“For the Record” airs at 10:30 a.m. Sunday on WISC-TV in Madison. Host MARK KOEHN fills in for NEIL HEINEN and speaks with ALEX LASRY, vice president of the Milwaukee Bucks and chair for the Milwaukee 2020 Bid Committee. The show was originally scheduled to air last week, but was preempted due to CBS airing the final round of The Masters, which was moved up on Sunday to avoid incoming weather.
“Capital City Sunday” airs at 9 a.m. Sunday on WKOW-TV in Madison, WAOW-TV in Wausau, WXOW-TV in La Crosse and WQOW-TV in Eau Claire. This week, EMILEE FANNON sits down with Gov. TONY EVERS and Assembly Speaker ROBIN VOS.
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April 25: WisPolitics.com luncheon with JFC co-chairs
Join WisPolitics.com for lunch at The Madison Club, 5 East Wilson St., Madison, on Thursday, April 25, with the veteran Republican co-chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee.
Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, will discuss Gov. Tony Evers’ budget plan and GOP budget priorities.
See more on the co-chairs:
Nygren: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/89/nygren
Darling: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/08/darling
Check-in and lunch begins at 11:30 a.m., with the program going from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
WisPolitics.com subscribers and members as well as Madison Club members and their guests receive discounted pricing for WisPolitics luncheons of $19 per person. Price for general public is $25 per person.
This luncheon is sponsored by: Husch Blackwell, American Family Insurance, Xcel Energy, Walmart, AARP Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
To register, visit: https://eventbrite.com/e/wispolitics-with-alberta-darling-john-nygren-tickets-56595231862
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Edge Messaging
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Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges & Universities
TOP HEADLINES
Foxconn says it’s committed to its contract with the state
… “Foxconn remains committed to our contract with the State of Wisconsin,” the company said in a statement. “While we continue our weekly engagement with the Evers Administration [DOA, WEDC] … we are open to further consultation, collaboration, and new ideas.” Foxconn statement did not mention 13K jobs, but spokesman later confirmed it. Vos on WISN: “I certainly have never had them say, ‘We’re going to only have half the jobs we promised.’ … He is clearly above his pay grade on some of these decisions.” … [renegotiating idea] shows “how naive Governor Evers is” … said it is highly unlikely the WEDC board would approve a change to the contract … even after Evers regains the ability to appoint the agency’s CEO in September. … [said] reopening the contract would deter companies from wanting to strike future deals with the state. … questioned whether Evers has “some sort of a contact with the Democrats who are running for president” to blame Pres. Trump if the project fails. Rehash Display Supply Chain’s O’Brien noting Gen 6 plant is a quarter the size of Gen 10.5, and only costs $2B to build. Baldauff said Evers’ job doubt stemmed only from smaller plant it now promises, re-negotiation talk is “a natural outgrowth” of Evers’ talks with Foxconn.
https://madison.com/wsj/0d9c65f9-733f-5ce3-839f-0341a98f463a.html
Foxconn’s Deal With WI Should Be Revised, Gov. Evers Says
… “I think at this point in time that would be an unreal expectation when they’re downsizing the footprint of what they’re doing,” Mr. Evers told reporters at his office in Madison on Wednesday. … [rehash Foxconn saga] … Foxconn said at the time that it would hold to its pledge to create 13,000 jobs, telling The New York Times that 25 percent of its Wisconsin employees would be focused on manufacturing. Soon after, following a conversation between Mr. Trump and Terry Gou, Foxconn’s billionaire founder, the company said it still intended to build a plant to produce displays for consumer products. Mr. Gou announced plans on Wednesday to run for Taiwan’s presidency. Mr. Trump has praised his business acumen, calling him “one of the great businessmen of our time.” His company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “The present contract deals with a situation that no longer exists, so it’s our goal to make sure that the taxpayers are protected and environmental standards are protected,” Mr. Evers said. “And we believe we need to take a look at that contract and see if it needs to be downsized as a result.”
https://nytimes.com/2019/04/17/business/foxconn-tony-evers.html
Vos predicts changes to Foxconn contract won’t win approval
Stands by claim company will create 13,000 jobs … Vos on Thursday said, “The only thing that could happen is to make the deal worse for Wisconsin. Why would we ever want that?” Vos said. “Either fewer jobs or fewer investments. It is beyond my level of understanding to think that a governor of Wisconsin is basically rooting for the failure of the largest economic development in our state’s history.” … “I am adamantly opposed to the governor making a one-sided attempt to reopen the contract,” Fitzgerald said in a statement. “The state is not in a vulnerable position and if the job growth and investment doesn’t come, the state doesn’t pay.” Excerpts Foxconn statement. Display Supply Chain’s O’Brien said little is known about Foxconn’s plans, “It depends on what you’re making, how you’re making it and how many you’re making,” estimates Gen 6 output of 30,000 displays a month and said employment could be higher if production numbers are higher. Foxconn has not said anything about expected output volume. Industry expert Moel predicted about 2,000 positions total but automated plant could have far fewer. Foxconn has permits for $2M work in EC. Vos dubbed WEDC Board approving changes “very, very, very unlikely … before September … and hopefully after it as well. … He is not doing no harm. He is doing harm,” Vos said. “Because if you are an investor that is thinking about building a hotel or bringing in a supplier to Foxconn, why would you ever consider doing it now that the governor has started saying the project is being undermined?”
https://jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/18/3507684002/
Walker calls Foxconn deal ‘iron clad’
The remarks come after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said it was not likely Foxconn would bring the promised 13,000 jobs to Wisconsin. 2:48 video includes Evers’ remark, Walker’s response, “The optimistic view is it’s going to happen. But even if they, say, instead of 13,000, they only did half that, it’s still the biggest economic development project in state history and they only get half the credits.”
https://wisn.com/article/scott-walker-calls-foxconn-deal-iron-clad/27199926
Priebus to Trump before pivotal Comey meeting: ‘Don’t talk about Russia’
… long-awaited Mueller report has Priebus at the center of such events as the ouster of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, the failed attempt to force then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to resign and the Comey dinner — a major focus of the special counsel’s probe. … “Don’t talk about Russia, whatever you do,” Priebus recalled telling Trump during an interview with investigators in the Mueller probe. … Priebus comes across as someone who is overwhelmed by the number of fires he is forced to try put out. At one point, Priebus told investigators, White House counsel Donald McGahn threatened to quit because Trump was asking him to “do crazy s—,” including firing special counsel Robert Mueller. … “Even though Priebus did not intend to carry out the President’s directive, he told the President he would get Sessions to resign,” the Mueller report says. Trump later backed off his demand. … “Priebus recalled that the President said he had been told his entire life he needed to have a great lawyer, a ‘bulldog,’ and added that Holder had been willing to take a contempt-of-Congress charge for President Obama,” the report says. Highlights passages involving Priebus, Comey dinner, Flynn firing, Russian sanctions, Session resignation letter [shock collar”], learning of Trump Tower/Russia meeting from FNC host Hannity.
https://jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/18/3507883002/
WI tagged key state by Trump campaign mgr Manafort in 2016 briefing with Russian
… WI and other Midwestern battleground states were discussed during an election briefing … Manafort gave to Konstantin Kilimnik … “That briefing encompassed the campaign’s messaging and its internal polling data,” the [Mueller] report says. “It also included discussion of ‘battleground’ states, which Manafort identified as Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.” … Investigators found that some of Trump’s aides engaged in contacts with people linked to the Russian regime as the Kremlin was carrying out a wide-ranging effort to intervene in the election using hacked documents and phony social media campaigns, carried out because the Russian government believed it would benefit from Trump winning the election.
https://jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/18/3512344002/
Looking into Wisconsin’s connections to the Mueller report
… Priebus’ name is mentioned more than 200 times in the report. [Comey dinner, Session resignation] … We found only one reference about battleground Wisconsin … included a briefing between Paul Manafort, Trump’s one-time campaign manager, and a Russian political consultant. … [Priebus background] … Priebus is credited with helping navigate Trump’s unpredictable campaign to victory including turning Wisconsin red for the first time in three decades. Fired after 6 months, returned to MB&F.
https://tmj4.com/news/local-news/looking-into-wisconsins-connections-to-the-mueller-report
Democratic lawmaker introduces bill to legalize marijuana
… Rep. Melissa Sargent … flanked by cannabis advocates in the state Capitol on Thursday … said she has the momentum … “The power of the people is the will of the land,” Sargent said. “I’m not afraid of the mountain that we have to climb here.” … would legalize both medicinal and recreational use of cannabis, following the path of 10 other states that have done so. … Republicans have largely expressed disapproval of anything beyond medical marijuana. … Vos said the debate over marijuana does not belong in the budget debate. Evers has signaled he would be open to full legalization.
https://madison.com/wsj/3f44c68c-7e29-5014-9031-87872ecf82dd.html
NIGC: St. Croix Chippewa officials pocketed, misspent at least $1.5M in casino cash
… National Indian Gaming Commission’s Notice of Violation … lists 527 violations of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, NIGC regulations and tribal ordinances. … 74 [payments] totaling $154,173 that went to [tribal chair] Lewis Taylor … from 2014 to 2017 … tribal council member Elmer “Jay” Emery received 94 payments totaling $235,888 during the same period … from 2015 to 2017, the St. Croix Casino Turtle Lake issued 275 payments totaling $562,246 to seven tribal members. … often with the only supporting document being a request for disbursement form with the words ‘travel’ or ‘consulting fees’ scrawled into the comments section,” the notice signed by NIGC Chairman Jonodev O. Chaudhuri states. “Upon further questioning by NIGC investigators, the tribe was unable to produce documentation to support treating the payments as expenses of the gaming operation.” … State and federal officials declined to say whether there were any criminal investigations as a result of the NIGC report. Tribal law experts Dahlstrom and Dilweg comment. Tribe’s atty. Harkins no comment. Lewis Taylor, IGC chair Taylor, tribal law office did not respond.
https://jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2019/04/19/3512411002/
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