>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS PART
OF OUR "HERE AND NOW" 2018
WISCONSIN VOTE ELECTION
COVERAGE.
[CHANTING]
>> WISCONSIN STUDENTS RALLY FOR
GUN CONTROL AT THE STATE CAPITOL
WEDNESDAY.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," WE
WILL TALK SCHOOL SAFETY ISSUES,
INCLUDING GOVERNOR WALKER'S CALL
FOR A SPECIAL SESSION ON THE
TOPIC.
MADISON PUBLIC SCHOOL
SUPERINTENDENT JENNIFER CHEATHAM
IS HERE.
AFTER THAT, FINANCIAL TROUBLE
FOR WESTERN WISCONSIN FARMERS
AND WHAT ONE WOMAN IS DOING
ABOUT IT.
AND WE'LL LOOK AHEAD TO WHAT
TUESDAY'S PENNSYLVANIA ELECTION
RESULTS MAY MEAN DOWN THE ROAD
IN WISCONSIN.
IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR MARCH
16.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED, IN PART, BY FRIENDS OF
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER CALLED
A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE
LEGISLATURE TO TAKE UP HIS
SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN.
THE PLAN INCLUDES AN OFFICE OF
SCHOOL SAFETY WITHIN THE STATE
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WHICH
WOULD APPLY $100 MILLION WORTH
OF GRANTS FOR SCHOOLS TO MAKE
SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS, HIRE
OFFICERS AND CONDUCT TRAINING.
THE PLAN WOULD REQUIRE MANDATORY
REPORTING OF ANY THREATS OF
SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND ENSURE THAT
LIVE VIDEO STREAMS OF SCHOOLS
CAN BE SHARED WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT, AMONG OTHER PRONGS.
THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER CALLING FOR
THE SPECIAL SESSION CAME ONE DAY
AFTER A NATIONWIDE WALK-OUT ON
THE PART OF SCHOOL STUDENTS OVER
GUN VIOLENCE.
WISCONSIN STUDENTS JOINED THE
NATIONAL "YOUTH EMPOWER" CALL
FOR GUN CONTROL ON WEDNESDAY.
WISCONSIN WAS REPRESENTED BY
SCHOOLS FROM DOZENS OF CITIES
AND TOWNS ACROSS THE STATE, FROM
MILWAUKEE TO ASHLAND, IN WAUSAU
AND LA CROSSE, IN GREEN BAY,
EAU CLAIRE, RHINELANDER AND
VIROQUA, AMONG MANY OTHERS.
REPORTER MARISA WOJCIK COVERED
THE STORY AT THE STATE CAPITOL.
>> ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14,
THOUSANDS OF MADISON STUDENTS
JOINED A NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO
SEND A MESSAGE ABOUT GUN
CONTROL.
A TEAM OF TEENAGERS FROM THE
CITY'S FOUR HIGH SCHOOLS
COORDINATED THE MADISON
WALK-OUT.
THEY HEADED DOWN WASHINGTON
AVENUE AND ENDED AT THE STATE
CAPITOL.
THE NEED TO SEND A MESSAGE ABOUT
GUNS BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.
>> WE ARE THE GENERATION TO PUT
-- TO START PUTTING AN END TO
THIS.
I THINK THE MORE STUDENTS WE
HAVE, THE MORE UNITED WE ARE AND
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED
RIGHT NOW.
WE NEED UNITY AMONGST EVERY
STUDENT BECAUSE EVERYONE WANTS
TO FEEL SAFE.
>> SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WORKED
WITH THE STUDENTS TO ENSURE
THEIR SAFETY DURING THE
WALK-OUT.
[CHANTING]
>> THE MADISON EAST HIGH SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL ALWAYS ENCOURAGES
STUDENTS TO STAY IN SCHOOL, BUT
HE SAYS HE TAKES PRIDE IN THE
ACTIVISM OF STUDENTS.
>> WE DON'T NEED YOUR APOLOGIES.
WE NEED YOU TO CHANGE THE
POLICIES.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> THE YOUTH ORGANIZERS
UNDERSCORED THAT CHANGE NEEDS TO
HAPPEN WITH THEIR VOTE.
>> THERE'S A VOTER REGISTRATION
BOOTH ON SITE.
VOLUNTEERS ARE HERE RIGHT NOW
REGISTERING VOTERS AND ANSWERING
QUESTIONS ABOUT VOTER I.D. LAWS.
>> THE STUDENTS ARE NOT GOING TO
STOP UNTIL THERE IS CHANGE.
AND EVEN IF IT TAKES A FEW
YEARS, LIKE WE'LL BE AT THE
POLLS SOON ENOUGH.
I'LL BE ABLE TO VOTE THE NEXT
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
AND IT'S JUST SUCH A POWERFUL
THING TO BE OUT HERE BECAUSE WE
ARE THE NEXT GENERATION.
[CHANTING]
>> LAST YEAR, DEMOCRATS
INTRODUCED A SLEW OF BILLS IN
THE STATE LEGISLATURE ADDRESSING
SPECIFIC GUN CONTROL LAWS.
BUT NOT MUCH ACTION HAS BEEN
TAKEN ON THESE BILLS.
>> WE ARE THE FUTURE!
>> GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER ON
THURSDAY ANNOUNCED HIS OWN
LEGISLATION, FUNDING INCREASED
SAFETY ON CAMPUSES.
HOWEVER, IT DID NOT ADDRESS GUN
RESTRICTIONS.
THE STUDENTS HAND-DELIVERED A
LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
WITH FIVE DEMANDS: UNIVERSAL
BACKGROUND CHECKS, RAISING THE
MINIMUM AGE TO BUY RIFLES,
BANNING BUMP STOCKS, LIMITING
MAGAZINE CAPACITY AND MAKING GUN
SAFETY TRAINING MORE ACCESSIBLE.
>> I TRULY BELIEVE THAT LIKE WE
CAN GET PEOPLE IN OFFICE THAT --
YOU KNOW, THAT OUR VOICES AND
OUR NEW GENERATION IS REALLY
GOING TO MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE IN
THE POLLS.
>> THE STUDENT ORGANIZERS ARE
DETERMINED THAT IF THE CURRENT
LEGISLATURE CAN'T GET IT DONE,
THEY'LL FIND OTHERS WHO WILL.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
>> THAT WAS MARISA WOJCIK
REPORTING.
FROM STUDENTS TO TEACHERS AND
ADMINISTRATORS.
WHAT IS THE RESPONSE TO THE
STUDENT ACTION AND THE
GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR SCHOOL
SAFETY?
WE TURN NOW TO THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF MADISON
SCHOOLS, JENNIFER CHEATHAM, FOR
HER TAKE.
AND THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.
>> I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.
>> SO WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO
SOME 3,000 STUDENTS, MOST OF
THEM FROM YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT,
TAKING PART IN THE WALK-OUT AND
MARCH OVER GUN SAFETY?
>> I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU, I AM
INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE YOUTH.
I FEEL STRONGLY, I KNOW OUR
SCHOOL BOARD DOES AND THE
EDUCATORS IN MADISON, THAT WE'RE
PREPARING STUDENTS TO GRADUATE
FROM HIGH SCHOOL, READY FOR
COLLEGE, CAREER AND FULL
PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE THINK THIS IS AN EXAMPLE
OF STUDENTS BECOMING COLLEGE,
CAREER AND COMMUNITY-READY.
THEY HAVE AN OPINION.
THEY WANT TO VOICE THEIR
OPINION.
AND I'M PROUD OF THEIR
PARTICIPATION.
>> SO MY NEXT QUESTION WAS
WHETHER OR NOT THE MADISON
SCHOOL DISTRICT SANCTIONED THIS
ACTION AND IT WOULD SOUND AS
THOUGH YOU DO.
>> I THINK IT'S MORE NUANCED
THAN THAT.
WE SANCTION STUDENT VOICE.
IT IS A CORE VALUE OF OUR
STUDENT DISTRICT.
AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT
WE DIDN'T ORGANIZE THE EVENT.
AND BY NO MEANS DID WE DO SO.
WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO
STAY IN SCHOOL, AND WE DID.
AND WE COMMUNICATED WITH
PARENTS, IF THEIR CHILD CHOOSES
TO PARTICIPATE IN A
DEMONSTRATION OF ANY SORT, WE
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE
COMMUNICATING WITH THEIR
CHILDREN, MAKING PLANS SO THAT
CHILDREN ARE DOING SO SAFELY.
>> WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE
GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN?
>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GREAT
QUESTION.
I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT HE'S
PROPOSED SOMETHING.
I THINK THAT'S VERY POSITIVE.
AND I DON'T THINK IT YET GETS TO
WHERE WE NEED IT TO BE.
I THINK A COUPLE OF CONCERNS
THAT I HAVE ARE THE ONE-TIME
FUNDING.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE CONTINUALLY
WORKING ON SAFETY AND SECURITY
MEASURES.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE DO ONCE.
WE DO IT CONTINUALLY, WHICH
MEANS A CONTINUAL INVESTMENT.
SO IT CONCERNS ME THAT THE
PROPOSAL IS FOR ONE-TIME
FUNDING.
I'D LIKE TO SEE A COMMITMENT TO
ONGOING FUNDING FOR SAFETY AND
SECURITY.
>> DO YOU HAVE A NUMBER IN MIND
THAT YOUR DISTRICT WOULD NEED TO
MAKE ITSELF SECURE GOING
FORWARD?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
NO, I DON'T.
I THINK IT WOULD BE INTERESTING,
THE PER-PUPIL AMOUNT THAT WAS
ONGOING TO SUPPORT SAFETY AND
SECURITY MEASURES AND FOR SCHOOL
DISTRICTS TO BE FLEXIBLY ABLE TO
USE THOSE FUNDS TO ALIGN OUR
SAFETY AND SECURITY PRACTICES TO
BEST PRACTICES.
>> SO HIS PLAN WOULD INCLUDE
THESE GRANTS, AS YOU SAY, TO
MAKE SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS AND
HIRE RESOURCE OFFICERS.
WHAT DOES YOUR DISTRICT NEED IN
TERMS OF THOSE KINDS OF
ENHANCEMENTS?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
THERE ARE SEVERAL KIND OF
COMPONENTS OF SAFETY AND
SECURITY.
THERE ARE FACILITIES
INVESTMENTS.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT
TEACHERS, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN
SECURE THEIR DOORS, YOU KNOW, IF
THERE WERE TO BE A THREAT IN A
SCHOOL.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE
ARE FRONT ENTRANCEWAYS THAT
ALLOW FOR CLEAR VISIBILITY OF
WHAT'S HAPPENING OUTSIDE OF THE
SCHOOL, RIGHT?
SO THERE ARE FACILITIES
ENHANCEMENTS.
THERE'S ALSO ONGOING TRAINING.
IT'S, AGAIN, SOMETHING YOU DON'T
DO ONCE, YOU BUT EVERY YEAR WE HAVE
TO CONTINUALLY TRAIN STAFF.
SO THERE ARE INVESTMENTS IN THAT
EARL.
AND THEN OF COURSE THERE'S
STAFFING.
WE HAVE SECURITY ASSISTANTS, FOR
EXAMPLE, IN MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS.
WE PAY FOR AN EDUCATION RESOURCE
OFFICER AT EACH OF OUR HIGH
SCHOOLS.
WE FUND THAT AS A SCHOOL
DISTRICT.
SO, AGAIN, I THINK THERE ARE
MULTIPLE FACETS AND WE'D LOVE TO
SEE SOME FUNDING DEDICATED TO
ALL THOSE AREAS.
>> AND THOSE EDUCATION RESOURCE
OFFICERS ARE POLICE OFFICERS AND
THEY CARRY GUNS.
>> THAT'S TRUE, YEP.
WE HAVE ONE MADISON POLICE
DEPARTMENT OFFICER TRAINED
SPECIFICALLY TO BE AN EDUCATION
RESOURCE OFFICER ASSIGNED TO
EACH OF OUR FOUR COMPREHENSIVE
HIGH SCHOOLS.
>> ONE OFFICER FOR HUNDREDS AND
HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN ALSO
CALLS FOR INCORPORATING
TRAUMA-IN FORMED CARE INTO
TRAINING PROGRAMS.
HOW ROBUST OR LACKING IS THAT
TRAINING RIGHT NOW IN YOUR
DISTRICT?
>> YEAH.
WE HAVE CERTAINLY MADE
INVESTMENTS IN TRAINING ON
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE AND WE'VE
ACTUALLY TAKEN IT BEYOND THERE.
WE INVEST IN INTEGRATED MENTAL
HEALTH AND A SUBSET OF OUR
SCHOOLS ARE EXPANDING THAT
PROGRAM IN THE COMING YEAR.
AND WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH
THE COUNTY, FUNDING A PROGRAM
CALLED "BUILDING BRIDGES" THAT
ALLOWS FAMILIES AND STUDENTS TO
GET THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
THAT THEY NEED.
SO I SAY THAT MAINLY BECAUSE
TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IS ONE
PIECE OF A LARGER PACKAGE OF I
THINK EE ESSENTIAL INITIATIVES TO
PROVIDE THE MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES THAT STUDENTS AND
FAMILIES NEEVMENTD
>> CRITICS SAY THAT THE PLAN
DOES NOT ADDRESS THE GUN ISSUE
LIKE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND
CHECKS.
IS THAT SOMETHING AS SCHOOL
SUPERINTENDENT THAT YOU WANT TO
WEIGH IN ON?
>> I DO.
THE MADISON SCHOOL BOARD HAS
ALREADY STATED ITS SUPPORT FOR
COMMON SENSE GUN REFORM.
THEY APPROVED A RESOLUTION AT
OUR SCHOOL BOARD LAST MONTH
ALONG THOSE LINES.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT
INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNOR'S
PACKAGE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.
JENNIFER CHEATHAM, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
>> NOW TO AGRICULTURAL NEWS AND
CHALLENGES FACING FARMERS IN THE
WESTERN PART OF THE STATE.
IN TONIGHT'S CLOSER LOOK, LOW
CROP AND MILK PRICES ARE TAKING
A TOLL THAT'S BOTH ECONOMIC AND
EMOTIONAL FOR STATE'S FARMERS.
"HERE AND NOW" CONTRIBUTOR ANDY
SOTH REPORTS ON HOW ONE SMALL
SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY IS
RESPONDING, LED BY THE OWNER OF
THE LOCAL FEED MILL.
?
>> IN SENECA IN CRAWFORD COUNTY
IN THE STATE'S SOUTHWEST CORNER,
THE TALK OF THE TOWN HAS BEEN
THE BASKETBALL SEASON'S
CONFERENCE-WINNING SEASON.
IT'S WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT
MORNINGS AT OLSON'S FEED SERVICE
ON HIGHWAY 27.
>> WE COULD SHAKE THEM.
WE ONLY BEAT THEM BY TEN.
>> SOMETIMES I JOKE THAT WE'RE
THE FEED MILL, OR THE RUMOR MILL
OR CONVERSATION MILL.
>> IT'S BEEN A WELCOME
DISTRACTION.
TALKS OF TARIFFS ARE WEIGHING ON
THESE DAIRY FARMERS' MINDS.
>> WE GOT TO GET MILK OUT OF THE
COUNTRY, GRAIN OUT OF THE
COUNTRY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> AT THE FEED MILL THEY'VE SEEN
THE ECONOMIC STRAIN ALREADY-LOW
MILK PRICES HAVE PUT ON
PRODUCERS.
FEED IS A MAJOR EXPENSE.
AT THE MILL THEY MAKE CUSTOM
MIXES SPECIFIC TO EACH HERD'S
NUTRITIONAL DEMANDS.
THEN THEY DELIVER THE PRODUCT
DIRECTLY TO THE FARM, WHERE IT'S
RATIONED TO THE COWS.
>> WHAT I TRY TO DO IS JUST TRY
TO MATCH THE BEST INGREDIENTS
FOR THE ANIMALS TO MAKE THEM THE
MOST PROFITABLE.
>> REQUESTS FOR THOSE MORE
ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS HAVE GONE UP.
>> WE TRY TO COME UP WITH
SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE
LESS EXPENSIVE OR MAYBE YOU
DON'T HAVE TO FEED QUITE SO MUCH
OF SOMETHING.
>> BUT FOR TAMMY OLSON, THE REAL
BAROMETER OF HARD TIMES HAS BEEN
THE MOOD OF HER CUSTOMERS.
>> NORMALLY WE HAVE VERY UPBEAT,
HAPPY PEOPLE THAT WALK THROUGH
HERE AND WE'RE ALWAYS LAUGHING
AND JOKING AROUND.
AND IT JUST HASN'T BEEN THAT
WAY.
I'M LIKE, HOW ARE YOU DOING
TODAY?
AND I KEPT GETTING THE SAME
ANSWER.
WELL, WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MINDS WORKS
IN AN INDUSTRY WHERE NOT ONLY
ARE YOU NOT MAKING MONEY, BUT
IT'S ALMOST AS IF YOU'RE PAYING
TO WORK IN THIS INDUSTRY.
IT'S BEEN VERY SAD, VERY WHAT AM
I GOING TO DO.
THEY'RE FRUSTRATED, DISTRESSED.
IT'S DESPAIR.
>> DESPAIR SHE RECOGNIZED WHEN
READING ONLINE ABOUT A RISE IN
SUICIDE AMONG FARMERS.
>> AND I FOUND THAT TO BE VERY
DISTURBING AND HEARTBREAKING.
AND THEN I FOUND OUT THAT
WESTERN WISCONSIN LED THE NATION
IN BANKRUPTCIES IN 2017.
>> FARM OR SO-CALLED CHAPTER 12
BANKRUPTCIES HAVE CONSIDERED
STEADILY IN THE WESTERN
WISCONSIN DISTRICT, DOUBLING
FROM 2014 TO LAST YEAR.
>> AND I'M LIKE HOW COULD I BE
PROUD OF THAT STATISTIC?
I'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT I'M
FROM WISCONSIN AND THAT I
PARTICIPATE IN OUR DAIRY
PRODUCTION AND THE REAL SEAL AND
I CAN'T BE PROUD OF THIS.
>> ON THE FEED MILL'S FACEBOOK
PAGE, WHERE OLSON HAD BEEN
POSTING UPDATES ON HER RECENT
BEAR SIGHTINGS, THEY STARTED
SHARING THE HARD NEWS.
BUT SHE KNEW SHE HAD TO DO MORE
THAN POST ABOUT THE PROBLEMS.
>> AND UNCHARACTERISTICALLY I
REACHED OUT AND I MADE SOME
PHONE CALLS AND SENT SOME EMAILS
TO MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND
MUCH TO MY SURPRISE AND MUCH TO
HIGH HAPPINESS, THEY SENT ME
THEIR SCHEDULES AND WE SET THE
DATE OF MARCH 16 AND WE WE ARE
HAVING A TOWN HALL MEETING.
>> GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND
INDUSTRY WILL BE REPRESENTED.
AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR
THOSE FEELING DESPAIR,
INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET HELP.
>> THESE PROGRAMS ARE OUT THERE.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT
PEOPLE KNOW THAT AND REALIZE
THAT THEY'RE AVAILABLE TO YOU
AND USE THEM.
THERE'S NO SHAME.
NOBODY'S GOING TO TURN THEIR
BACK ON YOU.
>> THAT REPORT WAS SUPPORTED BY
THE O'BRIEN FELLOWSHIP IN PUBLIC
SERVICE JOURNALISM AT MARQUETTE
UNIVERSITY, WHERE ANDY SOTH IS A
FELLOW THIS YEAR.
NOW JOINING US BY PHONE IS TAMMY
OLSON, FRESH FROM THE MEETING
SHE ORGANIZED IN SENECA THAT
TOOK PLACE EARLIER TODAY.
TAMMY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
BEING HERE.
>> OH, THANK YOU FOR INVITING
ME.
I APPRECIATE IT.
>> SO HOW DID THE TOWN HALL GO?
>> VEER MUCH VERY MUCH AS EXPECTED.
WE HAD 110 CHAIRS AND THEY WERE
FULL AND I WOULD SAY THERE WERE
PROBABLY AT LEAST ANOTHER 80
PEOPLE PLUS STANDING.
IT WAS OVERWHELMING, THE SUPPORT
THAT WE RECEIVED.
AND FOR A BRIEF MOMENT I WAS
WORRIED THAT NOBODY WAS GOING TO
SPEAK.
AND THAT WORRY WAS UNFOUNDED.
WE HAD WONDERFUL CONVERSATIONS,
EMOTIONAL CONVERSATION.
AND I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE
WERE ABLE TO GET THEIR QUESTIONS
ANSWERED, IF NOT ANSWERED.
WE LED THEM IN A DIRECTION THAT
THEY CAN FOLLOW UP.
EVERYBODY GOT CONTACT
INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED.
>> HOW HARD IS IT FOR FARMERS
TO, QUOTE, KIND OF GET INVOLVED
IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS?
>> I THINK THAT ONCE IT WAS
ORGANIZED, THEY WERE VERY HAPPY
TO HAVE A FORUM.
THEY'RE BUSY PEOPLE.
THERE'S NOBODY HARDER WORKING
THAN A FARMER, WHETHER IT BE
BEEF, GRAIN, DAIRY.
THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO ORGANIZE
WHAT I TRIED TO ORGANIZE FOR
THEM.
AND THEY WERE CERTAINLY
APPRECIATIVE OF IT AND THEY
SHOWED UP IN FULL FORCE WITH
THEIR VOICES.
AND I WAS GLAD THEY DID.
>> WAS IT A RELIEF FOR FARMERS
TO HAVE THE EAR OF POLICYMAKERS
TODAY?
>> I'M NOT SURE IF IT WAS A
RELIEF, BECAUSEU KNOW, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW,
THERE'S NO QUICK ANSWER TO THIS.
AND THEY KNEW THAT COMING IN.
AND I THINK WHEN THEY REALIZED
THIS IS THEIR FORUM TO TELL THEM
WHAT THEY NEED, THEN THERE WAS A
LITTLE BIT OF A, OKAY, YES,
LET'S DO THAT.
AND I WAS VERY IMPRESSED.
I'M THE FIRST ONE TO JUMP ON THE
FARMER BANDWAGON.
THERE IS NO DUMB FARMER.
THAT IS A STAIRP STEREOTYPE THAT MAKES
ME VERY ANGRY.
THEY'RE VEER VEER VERY HARD-WORKING AND
INTELLIGENT.
THEY HAVE TO BE THEIR OWN MICKS.
SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO BE THEIR
OWN DOCTORS.
THEY ROSE TO THE OCCASION.
I'M VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THEM.
>> SO WHAT WAS THE OVERRIDING
MESSAGE THAT WAS BEING SENT
THERE TODAY?
>> THE OVERRIDING MESSAGE I
HEARD WAS THAT OUR OFFICIALS ARE
NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR US AND
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO.
NOW YOU HEARD US.
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?
AND WE ARE GOING TO KEEP ASKING
YOU THIS QUESTION.
WE NOW KNOW HOW TO GET AHOLD OF
YOU.
WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT.
AND I HOPE THEY DO.
>> SO WERE THE PEOPLE THERE, THE
POLICYMAKERS, THE LAWMAKERS, THE
AGENCY PEOPLE, WERE THEY
RECEPTIVE TO THIS MESSAGE?
AND DO YOU GET THE SENSE THAT
THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF
ACTUAL RELIEF FORTHCOMING?
>> NOT ONLY WERE THEY RECEPTIVE,
I THINK THEY WERE VERY GRACIOUS.
THEY UNDERSTOOD THE REMOTIONS
DID GET HIGH.
THERE WERE MOMENTS WE HAD TO TRY
TO BACK IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
AND IT WAS BENEFICIAL.
I THOUGHT SHE DID AN AMAZING JOB
AT BRINGING THAT POT TO A SIMMER
AND MAYBE GIVE A LITTLE BIT OF
HOPE.
TELL ME WHAT YOU NEED.
I TALK TO THESE PEOPLE DAILY.
I CAN GET THEIR MESSAGE ACROSS.
IT'S GOING TO BE WHEN THE FARM
BILL IS INTRODUCED AND
DISCUSSED.
>> ALL RIGHT.
TAMMY, WE LEAVE IT THERE, BUT
WE'D LIKE TO KEEP FOLLOWING YOU
AND THIS ISSUE AND THE PEOPLE
THERE.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME,
TAMMY OLSON.
>> THANK YOU.
>> SPECIAL SESSION, SPECIAL
ELECTION, REGULAR ELECTIONS.
WE WANTED TO BREAK IT ALL DOWN
WITH BILL MCCOSHEN, CAPITOL
CONSULTANTS, AND ONE WISCONSIN
NOW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SCOT
ROSS.
SO FIRST REACTION TO THE
GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR A SPECIAL
SESSION ON SCHOOL SAFETY?
>> WELL, SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE
DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOUSES
ON WHETHER OR NOT THERE WILL BE
A SPECIAL SESSION.
THE SPEAKER, ROBIN VOSS, AND THE
GOVERNOR AGREED THERE SHOULD BE
A SPECIAL SESSION.
SCOTT FITZGERALD SAID NOT SO
FAST.
REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER OR
NOT THIS IS GOING TO ACTUALLY
HAPPEN.
>> ASIDE FROM THE FACT
REPUBLICANS CAN'T GOVERN, LET'S
REMEMBER THIS IS A PLAN SCOTT
WALKER IS DOING BECAUSE HE HAS A
POLITICAL PROBLEM.
HIS PLAN DOES NOTHING TO KEEP
GUNS OUT OF SCHOOLS.
IN FACT, GIVING $100 MILLION
SLUSH FUND TO BRAD SCHIMEL SEEMS
LIKE THE WORST POSSIBLE IDEA YOU
COULD HAVE IF YOU REALLY WANT TO
KEEP GUNS OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE
OPTICS OF THE GOVERNOR BEING
WAY, WAY OUT OF STATE UP NORTH
WHEN THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS
MARCHED ON THE CAPITOL OVER
SCHOOL SAFETY?
>> I'LL GIVE HIM A BREAK ON
THAT.
I'M SURE IT WAS PROBABLY
SCHEDULED.
HE HAS BEEN TRAVELING AROUND THE
STATE AS HE'S GETTING READY FOR
HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN.
WHETHER YOU'RE IN FLORENCE, LADY
SMITH, MADISON, YOU KNOW THAT
SCOTT WALKER IS IN THE POCKET OF
THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION,
ONE OF THE BIGGEST ELECTION
OFFICIAL GRABS IN ALL OF NORTH
AMERICA.
>> I AGREE.
THE GOVERNOR IS TRAVELING ALL
THE TIME AND YOU CAN'T ADJUST
YOUR SCHEDULE BECAUSE PROTESTORS
SHOW UP ON A PARTICULAR DAY.
SCHOOL SAFETY IS A LARGE ISSUE
NATIONALLY BECAUSE OF WHAT
HAPPENED IN FLORIDA.
DIFFERENT GOVERNORS ARE TAKING
DIFFERENT APPROACHES.
I THINK THIS IS A REASONABLE
APPROACH.
IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER
THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO ACT
ON IT.
BUT IT IS AN ISSUE VOTERS ARE
FOCUSING ON.
>> WE SAW A RECENT MARQUETTE
POLL THAT SAID 81% OF THE
RESPONDENTS WERE IN FAVOR OF
BACKGROUND CHECKS.
IS THE APPROACH THAT WISCONSIN
IS LOOKING AT SOMEWHAT TONE
DEAF?
>> NO.
I DON'T THINK SO.
WALKER IS IN FAVOR OF BACKGROUND
CHECKS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP IS IN FAVOR OF
BACKGROUND CHECKS.
I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT'S NOT PART
OF THE PACKAGE HERE.
IT PROBABLY COULD HAVE BEEN AND
MAYBE WILL BE BEFORE THIS THING
IS ALL DONE.
BUT AS FAR AS IT RELATES TO
GUNS, THAT'S A TRICKIER ONES.
THE GUNS WEREN'T THE ISSUE IN
FLORIDA, IT WAS A FAILURE BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT THAT REALLY CAUSED
THAT TO HAPPEN.
>> I'M GOING TO BE VERY QUICK.
SCOTT WALKER AUTHORED A BILL TO
PUT CONCEALED CARRY ON THE
STREET.
IN 2002 HE RAN FOR COUNTY
EXECUTIVE AND VOTED AGAINST
CONCEAL CARRY.
AS GOVERNOR HE SIGNED IT INTO
OFFICE.
SCOTT WALKER HAS ONE WAY TO DEAL
WITH THINGS.
HE HAS A PROBLEM BECAUSE PEOPLE
WANT REAL COMMON SENSE GUN
REFORM.
INSTEAD, HE IS THROWING MONEY AT
BRAD SYM SCHIMEL.
THAT IS NOT A SOLUTION.
>> SO YOU SAY THE ISSUE IS NOT
THE GUNS?
>> IT'S NOT THE GUNS.
NOT IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE.
WHAT HAPPENED IN FLORIDA WAS A
FAILURE ON THE PART OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT.
THEY HAD DOZENS OF NOTICES ABOUT
THIS KID AND THEY DIDN'T DO
ANYTHING WITH THEM.
AND THEN THE GUYS THAT DID
RESPOND STOOD OUTSIDE AND LET
THIS SHOOTING CONTINUE.
WHAT HAPPENED FROM LAW
ENFORCEMENT THERE IS A LESSON TO
LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE
NATION WHAT YOU CANNOT DO IN A
SITUATION LIKE THAT.
>> LET'S MOVE TO PENNSYLVANIA.
SCOT ROSS?
>> YES.
I GREW UP THERE.
MY DAD AND MY BROTHER STILL LIVE
THERE.
AND THIS WAS AN UTTER
SHELLACKING FOR DONALD TRUMP AND
PAUL RYAN.
PAUL RYAN SPENT $13.5 MILLION
AND LOST A SEAT THAT DONALD
TRUMP WON BY 20 POINTS.
THE LAST TIME A DEMOCRAT HELD
THAT OFFICE I THINK I WAS IN MY
LATE 20s.
THIS IS A HUGE, HUGE VICTORY.
AND AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS
A BIG BLUE WAVE COMING.
>> INDICATION OF THAT?
>> NOT EVEN CLOSE.
THIS RACE IS SEPARATED BY 600
VOTES.
PERHAPS LAMB WINS, PERHAPS HE
DOESN'T.
I WOULD SAY THIS.
HE'S THE KIND OF DEMOCRAT THAT
MY MOM AND DAD WOULD HAVE VOTED
FOR IN THE PAST, PRO-LIFE,
PRO-GUN, PRO MILL TEAR AND
ANTI-BIG GOVERNMENT.
HE CAME OUT AGAINST NANCY
PELOSI.
THAT'S SOMETHING MY PARENTS
WOULD HAVE RELATED TO.
HE'S A MODERATE DEMOCRAT WHICH
IS DIFFERENT FROM ANYWHERE IN
THE COUNTRY.
>> MY MOM ABSOLUTELY WOULD HAVE
VOTED FOR LAMB BECAUSE SHE'S
PRO-UNION AND SHE WAS A SCHOOL
TEACHER FOR 35 YEARS.
LET'S NOT KID OURSELVES.
HE CAME OUT AGAINST TRUMP'S TAX
CUT, CUTS TO OBAMACARE, AGAINST
TAX ON -- OF COURSE, ON SOCIAL
SECURITY MEDICARE.
HE SAID NO MORE RESTRICTIONS ON
ABORTION EVEN THOUGH HE IS
PRO-LIFE.
>> SO YOU REJECT THE IDEA THAT A
CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT WON,
BECAUSE HE WAS A CONSERVATIVE
DEMOCRAT AS OWE PEDS OPPOSED TO A TIDE
AGAINST DONALD TRUMP.
>> MANY ELECTIONS ARE WON ON
FILING DAY.
TO PAINT HIM AS A REPUBLICAN,
WHICH IS WHAT PAUL RYAN AND THE
REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO DO
BECAUSE THEY GOT SHELL LACKED I
THINK IS DWIS IN DISINGENUOUS.
>> ARE YOU SAYING REPUBLICANS
AREN'T WORRIED ABOUT THIS?
>> THEY OUGHT TO BE.
IT'S A WAKE-UP CALL.
TTDONALD TRUMP WON THIS DISTRICT.
SO IT'S A WAKE-UP CALL FOR SURE.
>> SO MILLIONAIRE ANTI-TRUMP TOM
STYER IS SETTING UP SHOP IN
WISCONSIN.
TAMMY BALDWIN IS BEING BASHED ON
THE AIRWAVES.
WHAT KIND OF WARFARE SHOULD WE
EXPECT?
>> THEY SPENT THE MOST MONEY OF
ANY SENATE RACE AGAINST TAMMY
BALDWIN SO FAR.
THERE'S OPPORTUNITY HERE.
IT'S WHY SCOTT WALKER IS
REFUSING TO HOLD SPECIAL
ELECTIONS.
WE HAVE AN ELECTION COMING UP ON
APRIL 3 WHICH LITERALLY THE EYES
OF AMERICA ARE GOING TO BE BACK
ON WISCONSIN POLITICALLY BECAUSE
WHAT HAPPENS HERE IS
PROGRESSIVES HAVE A FIRST CHANCE
TO WIN A SUPREME COURT SEAT IS
BIG NEWS.
>> ELECTORAL HISTORY IS ON TAMMY
BALDWIN'S SIDE, BUT REPUBLICANS
SEE THIS AS A GOLDEN
OPPORTUNITY.
LOOK FOR $50 MILLION OR MORE TO
BE SPENT.
>> BILL MCCOSHEN, SCOT ROSS,
THANK YOU.
>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR
TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED, IN PART, BY FRIENDS OF
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
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AND NOW'S" 2018 ELECTION
COVERAGE, GO