Wisconsin is less than a month away from swearing in the 46th Governor of Wisconsin. Governor-elect- Tony Evers defeated incumbent Scott Walker in November's election. A lot has happened since then including lame-duck session bills trying to limit the incoming statewide Democrats. The extraordinary session bills have sparked bipartisan criticism. Former Governor’s Jim Doyle and Scott McCallum, as well as conservative columnist Charlie Sykes, have all urged Walker to veto parts or all the lame-duck legislation.
Tony’s Panel 1 ( Criminal Justice Reform)
Governor-Elect Evers has brought together a team to work with the transition on Criminal Justice Reform. Evers wants to start putting “people not prisons” first. For example, According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, the 2017-19 state budget appropriated $2.26 billion in general state tax dollars to DOC over two years while only appropriating $2.14 billion to the UW system. (1) Think about that for a second. Your spending more money to send someone to prison than to pay for your local UW. As a cherry on top to this whole spending mess. Walker cut $250 million from the UW in the previous budget.
Evers is continuing to put together powerhouse teams and is proving to Wisconsin that he puts experience and people above politics. The council includes many officials from law enforcement including Milwaukee County Deputy Sherrif Denita Ball, Eau Claire County District Attorney Gary King, Portage County District Attorney Louis Molepske and Dane County Sherrif Dave Mahoney, The council also includes former and current members of Wisconsin’s judicial branch including former Jurists of the State Supreme Court Louis Butler and Janine Geske. Eau Claire County Circuit court judge John Manydeeds is also part of this panel. Evers is also bringing law enforcement and advocacy groups together such as Ali Muldrow the-Director of Gsafe. A group that promotes educational and social justice. (1)
Tony’s second panel ( AG, Energy, and Natural Resources)
Governor-elect Evers wants to bring science back to Wisconsin. Science that protects our natural resources including clean air and water. Climate change is real. We have wildfires, hurricanes and increases carbon levels. We need experience in tackling the environmental challenges that will come. Wisconsin also needs to assist with the crisis that is happening to our dairy farms and stem the tide of the Tariffs that are hurting Wisconsin families.
Ever’s wants to bring in people from all over the spectrum to tackle the challenges that Wisconsin faces. On this council is Spencer Black. Black served in the legislature and was chair of the Natural Resources Committee and Minority leader and Assistant Minority Leader during his tenure. Also serving on this panel is former Public service Commissioner Lauren Azar. Azar also worked on an electric advisory committee U.S Department of Energy as well. To help Wisconsin farmers we have Kara O’Connor on board. O’Connor is the Government Relations Director for the Wisconsin Farmers Union. To make sure the advocacy groups have a seat at the table we have Mark Redsten. Redsten is the President and CEO of Clean Wisconsin. Prior to joining Clean Wisconsin, he has served under numerous boards and commisions for Former Governor Jim Doyle and Dane County Executive’s Joe Parisi and Kathleen Falk. (1)
I would like to give a shout out to the user “flycaster”. His comment about “This is how you pick the best people”. Even though its a knock on the current occupant of the White House, his comment has stuck with me. These advisory panels have a wide list on each one. I just listed the highlights that pop out. I ask everyone to check out the full list provided in the links below.
Evers and Barnes listening tour
Both the Governor and Lt.Governor-elect have announced that they are going on a statewide listening tour. Stops include La Crosse, Milwaukee, Wausau, and Green Bay. Let me be clear, Republicans in the legislature are trying to limit his power but the Democrats are driving the narrative on the lame duck session. Governor-elect Evers has made it more than clear that he is willing to work with anyone that will help move Wisconsin forward. Signing any of these bills will destroy any chance of a Walker comeback.
Despite efforts to cut him off at the knees. Evers is off to a great start. Even appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press. Building great teams and listening to the people who elected him. It will be very interesting to see what happens when he actually takes the oath of office.
1.
www.thewheelerreport.com/…
www.thewheelerreport.com/…
www.thenation.com/...
www.thewheelerreport.com/…