WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced the Temporary Federal ESOP Grant Program Act Tuesday, legislation to recapitalize businesses as they resume operations by helping them to create or expand an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). “Unfortunately, many businesses of all sizes remain either totally or significantly shut down months into the coronavirus pandemic. PPP provided short-term financial support to small businesses, but now Congress needs to think outside the box to help otherwise viable businesses reopen,” said Sen. Johnson. “This legislation would help affected businesses resume operations while also giving employees a stake in a business’ success. I

MILWAUKEE – The ACLU of Wisconsin condemned the recent abductions by federal forces in Oregon and the Trump administration’s plan to extend these tactics in other cities throughout the country. Chris Ott, Executive Director of the ACLU of Wisconsin, issued this statement:  “It’s hard to say too much about the seriousness of what we’ve seen in Portland, or plans to expand these repressive, sinister tactics to other cities in the United States. Sending unmarked government agents to abduct people off the street in secret is an incredibly dangerous line to cross. It’s the kind of thing that happens in police

Green Party vice-presidential nominee Angela Walker will host a “socially distant petitioning and safe hugs” event Saturday, July 25th from 11AM to 6PM at the Washington High School playground, 2525 N Sherman Blvd. Walker, a Milwaukee native currently living in Florence, SC, was nominated July 11 by the Green Party as Howie Hawkins’ running mate. The pair was also nominated by the Socialist Party USA earlier this year. In her first run for public office in 2014, Walker challenged then-Sheriff David Clarke as an independent socialist, getting 20% of the vote. Photos and more biographical information are at the campaign

Today, Joe Biden released the third plank of his plan to “Build Back Better” and create a 21st century caregiving and education workforce. With this plan, Biden will make substantial investments in the infrastructure of care in our country — to make child care more affordable and accessible for working families, and to make it easier for aging relatives and loved ones with disabilities to have quality, affordable home- or community-based care. The plan could have large impacts on Wisconsin’s caregiving workforce and families. For example: Biden will provide all 3- and 4-year-olds access to free, high-quality universal pre-kindergarten. This means

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Kaul today joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule unlawfully curtailing state authority under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. For more than three decades, the EPA has consistently acknowledged and respected that Section 401 provides states with the authority to review, impose conditions on, or deny certification for federally permitted projects. However, as directed by President Trump’s April 2019 executive order, the EPA issued a final rule radically altering its water quality certification regulations to restrict state authority under the Clean

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is seeking public input on improvements along WIS 106, east of Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County. A virtual public presentation detailing the project is available for viewing at www.wisconsindot.gov. Simply search “Southwest Region Highway Projects and Studies”, select the link, scroll down to Design Projects – Jefferson County – WIS 106 (Edgewater Rd to County CI). The public, especially adjacent property owners, are encouraged to view the virtual meeting website and provide input. Comments are requested by August 21, 2020. The project, currently scheduled for construction in 2026 but advanceable to 2022, includes resurfacing nearly

MADISON, Wis. — State Senate candidate Dan Kapanke, who has a long record of pay-to-play allegations, is still soliciting corporate donations from industries whose interests he has voted to protect. Kapanke, a Republican who served as a state senator from 2005-2011, received thousands of dollars from executives at Ashley Furniture and the agriculture industry, all of whom have benefited from votes Kapanke took in the Senate. A Better Wisconsin Together Executive Director Nicole Safar commented, “The 2020 campaign looks like more of the same from Dan Kapanke – how will he put his corporate donors ahead of the citizens of

The Wisconsin AFL-CIO is proud to announce the following 2020 endorsements for theWisconsin State Legislature. Wisconsin union members are ready to vote on August 11, 2020 in the Partisan Primary Election and on November 3, 2020 in the General Presidential Election. Working families are preparing to vote safely for candidates who will support union rights and a strong middle class with a worker-first recovery. Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, said, “Wisconsin voters deserve legislators who will support working families during this unprecedented time as Wisconsinites face three crises:  a global health pandemic, economic free fall, and systematic racism. Our