Newsroom

One Wisconsin Now’s Statements on Tonight’s ‘Republican Rally for Failure’ with John Stossel

MADISON, Wis. — One Wisconsin Now released the following statements about tonight’s Americans for Prosperity health care opposition event, the ‘Republican Rally for Failure,’ hosted by corporate-accountability foe, ABC’s John Stossel: “Tonight’s ‘Republican Rally for Failure’ is central in the Republican strategy, bankrolled by Republican interests, to defeat the Democratic President at any cost. They […]

Walker stalls as U.S. stimulates Milwaukee Co. Transit

Eight hundred miles away in our nation’€™s capital, someone’€™s looking to stimulate Milwaukee County’€™s economy as County Executive Scott Walker chooses not to. Yesterday, U.S. Dept. of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Recovery Act funds in the amount of $27.4 million to pay for Wisconsin transit improvements, most of which are heading to Milwaukee County.According […]

Who’s carrying WMC’s water?

We have all seen the misleading smear ads Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce runs each election cycle, and WMC consistently ranks at or near the top in lobbying expenditures each legislative session. But what does WMC get in return? The short answer: anything it wants from the corporate-lapdog Republicans it helps elect to the Wisconsin Legislature. […]

Big Insurance Investment in Ryan Continues to Pay Dividends

€œYoung Gun’€ Paul Ryan is at it again ‘€“ paid off to do the bidding of the health insurance lobby. A report using stats from the Center for Responsive politics showed that big interest group donor to Ryan during his ten years in office is’€¦ you guessed it, health insurance. Half a million bucks. What […]

Van Hollen Plays Politics with Flip-Flop on Domestic Partner Protections

“The Legislature or the governing body of a political subdivision or local governmental unit is not precluded from authorizing or requiring that a right or benefit traditionally associated with marriage be extended to two or more unmarried individuals; for example, family health insurance benefits, certain probate rights, or the ability to file joint tax returns.” […]

Campaign Against Violence Hosts ‘Put the Guns Down’ Festival

On Sunday, August 30th, 2009, Campaign Against Violence (CAV) will cap off its summer initiative with their 5th annual ‘Put the Guns Down Festival’, at Washington Park starting at 11am. The non-profit group known for its leadership development and civic engagement efforts will keep things on a lighter note with this gathering.  The festival will […]

Payday Lender Mouthpiece Admits: Industry Discriminates Against Military Families

On this past weekend’€™s Wisconsin Public Television Here and Now show, viewers were treated to a discussion about a proposed 36 percent interest cap on payday loan sharks between the bill’€™s author, Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) and payday industry lobbyist Erin Krueger. Responding to Rep. Hintz’€™s observation that Wisconsin is the only state without a […]

Since when was anyone in the Bush Admin fired for incompetency?

Let’s list the reasons why US Attorney Steve Biskupic could have been put on the firing list by Karl Rove: 1. Georgia Thompson 2. 14 indictments, just 5 convictions 3. One of the double voters was a conservative… But he probably got two gold stars for these brilliant convictions: 43 year old grandmother who mistakenly […]

Who killed the middle class? Oh yeah…

And conservatives are still arguing for more tax cuts…when is enough enough? A new report tells the story: Income inequality in the United States is at an all-time high, surpassing even levels seen during the Great Depression, according to a recently updated paper by University of California, Berkeley Professor Emmanuel Saez. Though income inequality has […]

Anti-Stimulus Walker Proven WrongAgain As Another $3.1 Million in Stimulus Funds for Milwaukee Airport

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’€™s opposition to the $7 billion in stimulus funds allotted for Wisconsin under President Obama’€™s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has drawn scorn inside and outside of Milwaukee County. The criticism has become more acute due to drastic cuts Walker is proposing for Milwaukee County he says are necessary. Let’€™s not […]

The Before Picture

My Not Mother? This protestor, with a cleaned up sign, made the cover of today’€™s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. I talked with her outside of yesterday’€™s event. Rather, she wagged the Liberty University-generated, health insurance industry-friendly talking points at me and ran through a litany of falsehoods about the health reform plan Rep. Gwen Moore was […]

Over $172,000 in Scott Walker Contributions Violate Campaign Finance Reporting Laws

MADISON, Wis. — Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s gubernatorial campaign failed to report the required employer information of top donors who gave him over $172,000 – a violation affecting one of every six dollars he took in his first finance period. Under chapter 11.60(1) of the Wisconsin Statutes, each violation can result in a $500 […]

MacIver Also Watching Stimulation Closely

Scott Walker got called out recently for sitting by and watching as Wisconsin and the U.S. stimulate Milwaukee County’€™s economy for him. Now the conservative MacIver Institute has created a project called the Wisconsin Stimulus Watch that will also pay close attention and put its spin on the jobs coming to Wisconsin via the American […]

“Just a Mom” town hall troll really GOP operative

Heather Blish introduced herself to Rep. Steve Kagen’s Town Hall last week in true Sarah Palin fashion — holding her baby as prop and claiming she is “just a mom” with real concerns about health care reform. Her ‘regular mom’ act was so authentic she even got on the teevee news! You could almost hear […]

Walker’s War on Milwaukee County turns against homeless vets

You’ll remember One WI Now’s ongoing coverage of Milwaukee County Exec Scott Walker opposition to accepting federal stimulus dollars to help Milwaukee County provide vital services to its residents. Then you’€™ll recall Walker’€™s ridiculous budget proposal that slashed funding for programs serving seniors, the disabled and at-risk youth. Further, Walker’€™s insane budget proposal went directly […]

Petri Risks Teabagger Wrath with Opposition to ‘Birthers,’ Support for Public Option

MADISON, Wis. — U.S. Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI6) might find himself the victim of health insurance industry financed “teabagger” protests after video of him supporting a public option for health care reform, and rejecting the argument of so-called “birthers” was released today by One Wisconsin Now. “We applaud Rep. Tom Petri for standing up against […]

RPW Blog Continues to Feature Anonymous Author of ‘Fag Lobby’ Comments

The Republican Party of Wisconsin still features the anonymous blogger ‘€œDad29’€ as a featured contributor, almost a week after the blog’€™s author angrily responded to comments on “his’€ blog with the homophobic retort: ‘€œTypical fag lobby.’€ Dad29 is able to take nasty, homophobic pot shots from a coward’€™s vantage point cloaked in anonymity. That the […]

Consumer Protection Roundup, Week of Aug. 3 – Aug. 8

This past weekend was a busy one for consumer protection news in Wisconsin. As a part of a new regular installment, I’€™ll bring you a roundup of the most important news in consumer rights, better business accountability and highlights & lowlights from the view of the consumer. AG Van Hollen drags feet while CA-based ‘€˜mortgage […]

At Journal Communications, rich get richer while others get pay cuts and layoffs

Hard times have fallen on Journal Communications and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Thirty-four more buyouts, Editor and Publisher reports. More layoffs are likely.  The Newspaper Guild already had accepted 6.6% wage cuts in April to try to save some jobs, after nine people accepted buyouts in the spring.  Steve Smith, chairman of the board and […]

Was Rick Wiley behind ‘Rick Perry Gay?’

Former director of WISGOP Rick Wiley recently joined Mark Neumann’s campaign for governor. Kay Bailey Hutchison announced she’s leaving the US Senate to run for governor of Texas against secessionist-GOPer incumbent Rick Perry. Ah what a small world we live in. See, Rick Wiley left his post with the Hutchison campaign to join Neumann’s. Seems […]

CRG Cries about Media Coverage During Media Coverage

Everyone in Wisconsin knew the Citizens for “Republican” Government’s recall of Gov. Doyle effort was going no where. But it was a nice ruse: Announce the recall, knowing CRG’s recall squealing is crack to the Milwaukee media and other conservative-inclined outlets.Get your talking points our criticizing the governor through dribbling press releases about the “progress” […]

Walker Hypocrisy Watch: No Policy in the State Budget

With the shock still throughout Milwaukee over County Executive Scott Walker’€™s plan to slash funding for seniors, the disabled, at-risk youth, as well as end funding for homeless shelters, Walker engaged in exactly the kind of leadership we’€™ve enjoyed from the career politician ‘€“ he hightailed it out of town. Landing in Eau Claire, Walker […]

Marketing disguised as “education” driving up the costs of health care

If you still need convincing that our health care system needs a public option, take a look at some of the testimony coming out of the Senate congressional hearing: Drug company funding of continuing medical education for doctors has become one of the most lucrative ways for pharmaceutical firms to promote and sell their products, […]

Green Bay’s City Clerk using post to push right-wing political agenda

Green Bay’€™s Republican City Clerk is using what should be a non-partisan office to push his right-wing political agenda to restrict voting rights. Chad Weininger, the former deputy chief of staff for ex-Rep. Mark Green (R) who was a staunch advocate for restrictive voter ID laws in Congress and throughout his unsuccessful campaign for governor, […]

Walker watches Obama, Doyle stimulate Milwaukee

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker made national headlines early this year when he announced he would abstain from taking federal stimulus dollars to support the infrastructure of his home county. But whether Walker likes it or not, Gov. Doyle and the Obama administration are giving Milwaukee County and the rest of Wisconsin some sorely needed […]

Scott Walker, flaming liberal Baptist???

Remember the lesson we learned in the 2008 presidential campaign? If your pastor says something and you don’t condemn it, it’s like you said it. Given that, you’ll be surprised to learn that Scott Walker opposes the state ban on gay marriage, supports reproductive rights for women, and is strongly against the war in Iraq. […]

Good Day, Sarah. I Said ‘Good Day’

One Wisconsin Now spent much of last summer visiting 10 of Wisconsin’s finest cities to urge Sen. John McCain to reject the failed policies of George W. Bush. Accompanied by a clown in a cowboy hat with a bullhorn, OWN’s masked McCain would gleefully use a giant rubber stamp to affix his “McSame” approval of […]

Domestic Partner Foe Appling: Lying to Us Then, Or Now?

Appling: “If the state Legislature wants to take up adoption and inheritance rights, it can do that” if the amendment becomes law, Appling said. “Nothing in the second sentence prohibits that.” [Associated Press, 12/8/05] Appling: “Contrary to the message being given by opponents of the amendment, the second phrase does not ‘ban civil unions.’” [Daily […]

Attention WMC: Businesses want to come to Wisconsin

Despite the best efforts of WMC to scare businesses away from Wisconsin with their never-ending ‘tax-hell’ rhetoric, Wisconsin is attracting companies and good-paying, family-supporting jobs. The Wisconsin State Journal reports the University Research Park has nine new business tenants, three of which were companies moving to Wisconsin from other states. The nine new biotech and […]

Voucher schools finally being asked for some proof that they’re high quality

It appears that Howard Fuller’€™s transformation from wanting limited regulation of voucher schools to wanting, you know, voucher schools programs to be of high quality, is continuing, albeit at a slow march. Here’€™s Fuller in 2004 about his support of Bush’s No Child Left Behind bill’€™s testing provisions (even though he opposed similar provisions for […]

Principles for sale: ACU-FedEx, WIL-K12 Inc?

The American Conservative Union (ACU) was put on the defensive this week after POLITICO revealed it attempted netting $3 million from FedEx in exchange for executing a huge campaign to support FedEx-friendly legislation. This makes me wonder: was Brian Fraley’€™s Wisconsin Institute for Leadership (WIL) playing the same pay to promote game when it took […]

Gov. Doyle give Scott Walker a lesson in leadership during a recession

Last week, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker proposed a series of devastating cuts that unfairly target the most vulnerable in Milwaukee County. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Walker’€™s budget would cut $2.4 million from programs for the elderly and disabled. Walker’€™s budget would totally eliminate the Youth Sports Authority program, aimed at helping at-risk teenagers […]

Leah Vukmir Nabs ‘Award’ by Anti-Health Care, Right-Wing Corporate Front Group

MADISON, Wis. — The awarding of ultra-conservative Rep. Leah Vukmir with the American Legislative Exchange Council’s “Legislator of the Year” reflects her embrace of extremist policies which increase pollution, hurt workers and prevent access to affordable health care for all. “For the right-wing fringe, Leah Vukmir is the total package,” said Scot Ross, One Wisconsin […]

A judge with poor judgment? Isnt that, like, kind of against the point?

Serially ethical recidivist Supreme Court ‘€˜Justice’€™ Mike Gableman has made headlines again. This time, he escapes by the skin of his now-perfectly aligned teeth to avoid reprimand from the Office of Lawyer Regulation for making illegal fundraising phone calls from his Burnett County District Attorney office phone. Paul Schwarzenbart, lawyer for OLR wrote “for lack […]

Persecuting the innocent in the name of reform

“Money is the mother’s milk of politics,” Jesse Unruh once said when he was speaker of the California state Assembly in the 1960s. There may be a little rumble in Big Daddy Unruh’s grave, but it seems unlikely he reads the Journal Sentinel, even online. If he did, he’d find that good government groups are […]

Estate Tax Repeal Plan: $800 Billion in New Debt to Cut Taxes on Ultra-Wealthy

“The estate tax can’t have much effect on hiring by small businesses because hardly any owners ever face the estate tax …only 100 small businesses and family farms will pay any tax in 2009” —Tax Policy Center MADISON, Wis. — A discredited report being circulated by Scott Jensen’s MacIver Institute is calling for $800 billion […]

Ryan’s ‘Growing Campaign Chest’… Filled with Out of State Implants

A lengthy piece entitled “Ryan’s Campaign Chest Growing” in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about the Young Gun, claims only 10 percent of Paul Ryan’s contributions this filing period came from outside of Wisconsin. One Wisconsin Now pointed out the other day that Ryan had been deceptive in his release on his filing when he wrote […]

Scott Walker turns his back on elderly, disabled, at-risk youth, homeless

Scott Walker has declared war on the people of Milwaukee. How else can you describe the destructive and irresponsible cuts proposed by Scott Walker that target those most in need made public yesterday? Seniors. The disabled. The poor. The homeless. At-risk youth. All under attack in Walker’s War. We must stand up together and speak […]

Robin Vos ‘War on Reality’ Ignores 77 Percent of Wisconsin Business Council Member Contributions Went to GOP, Conservatives

MADISON, Wis. — A One Wisconsin Now analysis of the political giving of the announced officials of the Wisconsin Business Council shows that conservatives and Republicans netted 77 percent of member giving, contradicting charges made by Rep. Robin Vos (R-Caledonia) the new organization is a liberal front group. “Robin Vos says an organization whose officials […]

Don’t like a public option? What’s your solution then?

Two poignant facts in a recent State Journal article: 1.) For the first time, enrollment in Medicaid, the state’€™s health insurance plan for the poor, has exceeded 1 million people. 2.) Medicaid, now covering 18 percent of Wisconsin’€™s population, has a $6 billion budget that makes up a fifth of the state budget. State Sen. […]

The Quickening Descent to Corporate-Owned Hell

If there was any debate about the rising influence of corporate interests like Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce before the State’€™s highest court, the last two weeks have ended the discussion. It now appears the Wisconsin Supreme Court is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wisconsin’€™s corporate crooks. Those of you following One WI Now’€™s reporting on […]

Scott Walker Website: ‘What I hate about Doyle’

Anyone saddened by the coarse tenor to which much public discourse has devolved would see Scott Walker’s website as a nadir in our plummeting standards. Sadly, as this screen capture from Wednesday shows, right on the front page of his site appears in bold, underlined type: “What I hate about Doyle.” Is this how far […]

The GOP’s Chief Judicial Racist

Here’s a link to the story about rank(ing) Judiciary Committee Member Sen. Jeff Session (R-Asshole, er…Alabama) that lays out his long career of racism. In fact, he was such a known racist that he was rejected by the U.S. Senate for a judgeship that Ronald Reagan nominted him for. http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=8dd230f6-355f-4362-89cc-2c756b9d8102 Just a couple of the […]

WISTAX guess lands front page real estate, shows bias

Conservative go-to-guy Todd Berry of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) landed front page real estate in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today without digging up any facts in his perpetual Wisconsin mudslinging. His attacks were seconded as usual by WMC as well as John Gard.The article, ‘€œBusiness leaders decry tax increases in state budget,’€ is all […]

A ‘Sincere’ Apology to Ted Kanavas

After threatening to move to the Eden that is the Lone Star State, Sen. Ted Kanavas has been poked fun at by your friends here at One Wisconsin Now. But after reading the front page of today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, I think we might owe Kanavas (aka “Waukesha, Texas Ranger”) an apology. Seems like we […]

WPRI’s Cadre, John Torinus and the Myth of Liberal Media

Bopping through the Wisopinion.com list of blogs of the day, I was amused to see not one, but two posts from the conservative and oft-error-plagued Wisconsin Policy Research Institute featuring former members of the so-called liberal media. Right there from Charlie Sykes’ yap tank, a post from Ken Lamke, former reporter with the Milwaukee Journal […]

Paul Ryan’s Special Interest Contribution Math

Turns out Paul Ryan doesn’t want us to know almost four out of every 10 dollars he raised this finance period came from special interest PACs. Yep. Ryan tossed out a release claiming “Wisconsin residents account for 95 percent of Ryan’€™s individual contributions over the course of the past year.”   You will be shocked, […]

States spending stimulus as Congress intended

Here’€™s an important read for you if interested in some actual facts to counter the nonsense being spun by Fox News, Rush Limbaugh and the Congressional Republicans who want to see America fail so they can wrestle back the power to continue the same failed Bush policies which destroyed our economy. The non-partisan Center on […]