% >> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
% PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL %PROD
UCTION.
% >> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DELIVERS
% HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
% BEFORE LANDING IN WISCONSIN.
% STATE LAWMAKERS OUTLINE
% STRATEGIES FOR THE LABORIOUS
% BUDGET PROCESS AND A PRIVATE
% LAND DISPUTE LEAVE RESIDENTS
% TRAPPED IN THEIR HOMES.
% I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
% TONIGHT ON "HERE & NOW", A
% PREVIEW OF UPCOMING STATE BUDGET
% DELIBERATIONS.%THE EMERGENCY
EFFORTS BEING
% DEPLOYED IN A SMALL TOWN WITH
% OFF THE CHARTS PFAS
% CONTAMINATION.
% A CONFLICT OF LAND OWNERSHIP
% LEADS TO A STANDOFF WITH NO END
% IN SIGHT.
% AND THE NEXT SERIES OF
% INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES FOR
% THE STATE SUPREME COURT.
% IT'S "HERE & NOW" FOR FEBRUARY
% 10.
% >> FUNDING FOR "HERE & NOW" IS
% PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
% JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS %
WISCONSIN.
%
>> LABORS IN WISCONSIN, UNION
% WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE
% SEEING IT FIRST-HAND.
% BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A
% LONG TIME WE'RE BUILDING THE
% ECONOMY FROM THE BOTTOM UP AND
% MIDDLE OUT.
% BOTTOM UP AND MIDDLE OUT WITH
% UNION LABOR.
% >> Frederica: IS THAT WAS
% PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IN DE FOREST
% THIS WEEK STRAIGHT OFF THE STATE
% OF THE UNION ADDRESS PROMOTING
% HIS ECONOMIC PLAN AND INCREASED
% JOBS AND LOWER INFLATION.
% IN STATE NEWS, NEXT WEEK
% GOVERNOR TONY EVERS WILL LAY OUT
% HIS VISION FOR HOW THE STATE
% SHOULD SPEND THE $7 BILLION
% SURPLUS.
% WE ASKED THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
% AND THE GOVERNOR IF SHE SHOULD
% CRAFT A BUDGET WELCOME BY
% REPUBLICANS OR SHOULD CONTINUE
% TO INCLUDE BIG IDEAS EVEN IF
% THEY WERE DEAD ON ARRIVAL IN THE
% REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE.
% >> I DO SEE IT TWOFOLD.
% WE NEED TO PUT FORWARD THE
% VISION FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE
% WISCONSIN SHOULD LOOK LIKE.
% WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE
% CONTINUING TO SAY THAT WORKING
% FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER AND
% HERE'S THE PATH THAT WE WOULD
% TAKE TO GET THEM THERE.
% AND WE NEED TO FIND EVERY
% OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ACROSS THE
% AISLE.
% THAT'S WHAT THE BUDGET PROCESS
% DOES.
% >> A BETTER QUESTION IS THE
% GOVERNOR WILLING TO NEGOTIATE.
% IF HE WANTS TO PUT OUT A BUDGET
% WITH POLITICAL PRIORITIES THAT'S
% FINE BUT WE'LL DO WHAT WE'VE
% DONE IN THE PAST START AT THE
% BASE AND GO FORWARD.
% IF THE GOVERNOR IS WILLING TO
% WORK WITH US AND NEGOTIATE, I
% THINK WE CAN ACCOMPLISH SOME OF
% THE THINGS HE WANTS TO
% ACCOMPLISH WHILE STILL DOING
% IMPORTANT TAX RELIEF, INVESTING
% IN EDUCATION, EXPANDING SCHOOL
% CHOICE.
% >> SO A REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES
% MAY SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO
% LEGALIZE CANNABIS IN WISCONSIN.
% THAT'S DEAD ON ARRIVAL.
% WE'RE NOT GOING TO EXPAND HEALTH
% CARE THAT'S DEAD ON ARRIVAL.
% WE'RE NOT GOING TO SUPPORT
% PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
% THAT'S DEAD ON A -- ARRIVAL
% THAT'S WHAT MOST SUPPORT.
% THEY'RE NOT PARTISAN.
% AND THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO
% DEBATE THEM.
% FRANKLY WHEN THEY'RE INTRODUCED
% AS STAND ALONE BILLS IN THE
% LEGISLATURE THE REPUBLICAN WHO'S
% HAVE CONTROL OVER THE COMMITTEE
% PROCESS AREN'T EVEN ALLOWING US
% TO COME TO THE AND HAVE A DEBATE
% AND MEETING.
% >> IF GOVERNOR OF EVERS CHOOSES
% A WISH LIST THERE MAY BE GOOD
% IDEAS IN THERE AND IF HE CHOOSES
% TO MAKE IT SO FULL OF THINGS
% UNAPPETIZING TO REPUBLICANS WITH
% YOU WON'T HAVE THINGS TAKEN A
% SERIOUS LOOK AT.
% IT SEEMS MOST PEOPLE AROUND THE
% COUNTRY IN THE DIVIDED
% LEGISLATURES THE GOVERNOR OF ONE
% PART AND LEGISLATURE OF ANOTHER.
% THEY DON'T START OFF WITH A
% CRAZY IDEA.
% GOVERNOR DOYLE DID THAT IF YOU
% LOOK AT HOW HE PUT HIS BUDGET
% TOGETHER HE PUTTING TOGETHER
% WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS REASONABLE
% AS HE COULD BE AND HOPED THE
% REPUBLICANS WOULD DO THE SAME
% THING.
% HE PROBABLY GOT MORE OF WHAT HE
% WANTED THAN TONY EVERS.
% UP TO HIM TO DECIDE.
% >> FIRST, IF WE START WITH A
% COMPROMISE POSITION PEOPLE OF
% WISCONSIN WOULD BE DISAPPOINTED
% WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE SOME
% ISSUES THEY THOUGHT WERE
% IMPORTANT AND MAYBE REPUBLICANS
% IN THE LEGISLATURE DON'T.
% IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT THE
% VALUES THAT WE HEAR ABOUT AND
% HAVE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT.
% AND COME TO SOME COMPROMISE
% POSITION IF THEY CAN'T.
% >> Frederica: WITH THE
% UNPRECEDENTED PROJECTED BUDGET
% SURPLUS THE JOCKEYING IS
% UNDERWAY FOR HOW MUCH TO SPEND
% FUNDING CRITICAL NEEDS.
% AMONG THEM, CLEANING UP FOREVER
% CHEMICALS FOR PFAS CONTAMINATION
% ACROSS WISCONSIN.
% INCLUDING IN THE TINY TOWN OF
% STELLA NEAR RHINELANDER WHERE
% RESIDENTS ARE NOW SUPPLIED
% BOTTLED WATER BECAUSE TESTING IN
% WELLS FOUND SKY HIGH LEVELS OF
% THE DANGEROUS PFAS.
% THE WORSE CONTAMINATION IN
% WISCONSIN.
% SOME OF THE SURPLUS COULD BE
% USED FOR REMEDIATION.
% WE SPOIK WITH MARY FELZKOWSKI AT
% HER OFFICE.
% FIRST, THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS.
% >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
% >> SO YOU HAVE SAID THAT PFAS
% CONTAMINATION AND MITIGATION IS
% NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.
% IT CERTAINLY SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN
% IN THE RECENT PAST BUT WHAT HAS
% CHANGED NOW?
% >> I WOULD DISAGREE IT'S BEEN A
% PARTISAN ISSUE.
% I THINK THERE'S BEEN MAYBE SOME
% DIFFERENT OPINIONS WHETHER 20 OR
% 70 PARTS PER TRILLION.
% AND I THINK THE REPUBLICANS
% STANCE IS LET'S NOT GET AHEAD OF
% TECHNOLOGY.
% YOU CAN SET A PFAS LEVEL LOW BUT
% IF WE DON'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY
% TO GET THERE, WHY WOULD YOU DO
% THAT.
% >> Frederica: DO YOU FEEL AS
% THOUGH WE HAVE MORE TIME WHEN
% WE'RE DEALING WITH THE FOREVER
% CHEMICALS.%>> WE DON'T HAVE A
NY TIME.
% >> Frederica: WHEN WE'RE TALKING
% ABOUT PEOPLE'S HOUSE WE HAVE TO
% BE REALSISTIC.
% TECHNOLOGY IS MOVING AT AN
% ACCELERATED RATE AND HAVE TO
% HAVE ATTAINABLE LEVELS.
% >> Frederica: DO YOU HAVE AN
% IDEA WHAT LEVEL YOU THINK IT
% SHOULD BE?
% >> WHEN YOU TALK TO EPA THEY
% WERE AT 70 PARTS PER TRILLION
% AND WISCONSIN WAS PUSHING FOR
% LEVELS AT 20 PARTS PER TRILLION.
% IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT EPA
% IS MOVING TOWARDS 20 PARTS PER
% TRILLION ALSO.
% >> Frederica: MEANWHILE IN THE
% TOWN OF STELLA, RESIDENTS WITH
% PRIVATE WELLS ARE SEEING THE
% HIGHEST WELLS OF THE FOREVER
% CHEMICALS ANYWHERE ACROSS THE
% STATE AND WHAT IS IT 50
% HOUSEHOLDS ARE NOW BEING GIVEN
% DRINKING WATER.
% WHAT YOUR MESSAGE TO THESE
% PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT?
% >> I WENT TO THE MEETING IN
% STELLA WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING
% AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WAS
% THERE AND SOME WELLS ARE COMING
% IN AT 46 MILLION PARTS PER
% TRILLION.
% AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S
% COMING FROM BUT PFAS HAS A
% FINGERPRINT SO WHEN THEY START
% TESTING THE CHEMICALS IT WILL
% HAVE A DISTINCT FINGERPRINT, SO
% TO SPEAK AND I KNOW IT'S NOT A
% GOOD SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION BUT
% THEY'LL BE ABLE TO TRACE IT BACK
% TO ITS SOURCE.
% RIGHT NOW I THINK WHAT WE'RE
% DOING AS FAR AS MAKING SURE THEY
% HAVE CLEAN DRINKING WATER, I
% CAN'T IMAGINE BEING SOMEONE IN
% THE TOWN OF STELLA, IT'S NOT
% ONLY YOUR LIFE BUT NOW WE HAVE A
% DECREASE IN PROPERTY VALUES.
% EVERYTHING THERE HAS NO ANSWERS.
% >> Frederica: CAN TILL THE
% PEOPLE IN STELLA AND WHERE ELSE
% ACROSS THE STATE THAT THE
% CALVARY IS NOW COMING BECAUSE
% BUDGET RIDERS WILL BE ABLE TO
% WORK WITH MORE THAN $7 BILLION
% SURPLUS TO ADDRESS PFAS
% CONTAMINATION?%>> THE SURPLUS
WE'RE GOING PAUSE
% ON THAT.
% $4.5 BILLION IS ONE-TIME MONEY.
% IT'S NOT FOREVER MONEY OVER
% YEAR.%THE BUREAU ESTIMATES T
HE SURPLUS
% THAT WILL BE A CONTINUING
% SURPLUS IS ABOUT $2.9 MILLION.
% SO A LARGE SURPLUS IS ONE-TIME
% MONEY BUT IN MY WORLD THIS WOULD
% BE GREAT START FOR ONE-TIME
% MONEY.
% I SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR PUTTING
% $100 MILLION IN THERE AND WOULD
% LIKE TO LOOK AT THE PROGRAMS.
% WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT WELL
% COMPENSATION FUND AND THAT MIGHT
% NOT BE STRUCTURED PERFECTLY FOR
% THE PEOPLE DEALING WITH PFAS.
% WE NEED A LOT MORE KNOWLEDGE
% WHERE IT CAME FROM AND HOW TO
% CLEAN IT UP.
% >> Frederica: DO YOU BELIEVE THE
% REPUBLICAN MAJORITY AND BUDGET
% RIDERS WILL ALSO SAY THAT THEY
% LIKE THE $100 MILLION THE
% GOVERNOR IS TALKING ABOUT?
% >> WE HAVEN'T HAD THOSE
% CONVERSATIONS YET SO I CAN'T SAY
% BUT I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES ARE
% CONCERNED WITH THIS AND THAT WE
% WILL ADDRESS IT.
% I CAN'T SPEAK FOR EVERYONE ELSE
% AND THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT ON
% THAT.
% >> Frederica: WHY SHOULDN'T
% BUSINESSES THAT CAUSED THIS
% CONTAMINATION HAVE TO SPAY FOR
% THE REMEDIATION?
% >> I DO BELIEVE ANY TYPE OF
% REMEDIATION WILL BE A PUBLIC
% PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP BOUGHT WE
% HAVE A CHEMICAL DEVELOPED,
% STUDIED BY THE EPA AND GIVEN A
% STAMP OF APPROVAL BY THE
% GOVERNMENT THAT SAID THIS IS A
% GOOD CHEMICAL, GO AHEAD AND USE
% IT.%WE USE IT IN MEDICAL DEV
ICES.
% WE USE IT IN FOOD.
% WE USE IT IN WATER-PROOFING
% CLOTHING.
% WE USE IT IN FIRE FIGHTING FOAM.
% THE RHINELANDER AIRPORT IS BEING
% SUED BECAUSE FOR BEING A PFAS
% CONNECT
% CONNECTITAMINATOR AND ARE WITH
% TO BANKRUPT A COMPANY THAT WAS
% GIVEN A GOVERNMENT-APPROVED
% CHEMICAL AND TOLD IT WAS SAFE TO
% USE IF WE DO THAT, I THINK IT
% CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION BUT
% NOT THE FULL SOLUTION.
% TOUGH QUESTIONS.
% >> Frederica: WITH THAT TOUGH
% QUESTION WE NEED TO LEAVE IT,
% SENATOR.
% THANKS VERY MUCH.
% >> YOU BET.
% THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
% >> Frederica: THAT WAS SENATOR
% MARRY FELZKOWSKI.
% HER DISTRICT ALSO INCLUDES LAC
% DU FLAMBEAU WHERE ACCESS TO
% HOMES OVER TRIBAL LAND HAS BEEN
% BLOCKED OVER AN EASEMENT %DI
SPUTE.
% >> IT'S BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE LAC
% DU FLAMBEAU BLOCKED FOUR ACCESS
% ROADS THROUGH TRIBAL LANDS AND
% RESIDENTS SAY THEY'RE NOT SURE
% IF THE CHANGE WILL COME ANY TIME
% SOON.
% >> UNLESS ALL THE PARTIES ARE
% REALLY WILLING TO SIT DOWN IN
% PERSON, I'M CONCERNED THIS COULD
% DRAG ON FOR A WHILE.
% >> THE DISPUTE THAT BLOCKED THE
% ROADS HAS TAKEN COURSE OVER THE
% LAST 10 YEARS.
% STARTING IN 2013, AGREEMENTS FOR
% PASSAGE ON THE ROADS LAPSED
% BETWEEN THE TRIBE AND TITLE
% COMPANIES THAT ENSURE MOST THE
% HOUSES IN THE AREA.
% SINCE THEN NO NEW AGREEMENT HAS
% BEEN IN PLACE.
% THE ROADS IN QUESTION CUT
% THROUGH TRIBAL LANDS, WHICH,
% ACCORDING TO THE TRIBE, MEANS
% NON-TRIBAL HOMEOWNERS HAVE BEEN
% TRESPASSING.
% HE SAID HE AND HIS NEIGHBORS
% WERE GIVEN ABOUT TWO WEEKS'
% NOTICE BEFORE THE BARRIERS CAME
% UP.
% IN A STATEMENT RELEASED JANUARY
% 31, THE LAC DU FLAMBEAU TRIBAL
% PRESIDENT JOHN JOHNSON SENIOR
% SAID QUOTE THE LAND OF LAC DU
% FLAMBEAU AND TITLE COMPANIES
% HAVE NOT ALWAYS ACTED IN GOOD
% FAITH TO RESOLVE THE IRISH.
% THE OF -- ISSUE.
% IN RESPONSE TO THE BARRIERS,
% FIRST AMERICAN, ONE OF THE TITLE
% COMPANIES INVOLVED, TOLD PBS
% WISCONSIN, QUOTE, FIRST AMERICAN
% TITLE HAS MADE A GOOD FAITH
% OFFER ON BEHALF OF OUR INSURED
% HOME OWNERS BASED ON RIGHT OF
% WAY EASEMENTS.
% THOUGH FIRST AMERICAN SAID THEY
% MADE AN OFFER, THE BARRIERS HAVE
% REMAINED IN PLACE.
% BECAUSE OF THESE ROADS BEING
% BLOCKED, ABOUT 55 HOUSEHOLD NOW
% STUCK IN A SITUATION WHERE
% THEY'RE CARS COULD LEAVE BUT NOT
% BE ALLOWED BACK IN.
% >> THE THING WE'VE TRIED TO SAY
% IS THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE
% RESPONSIBILITY ARE THE PEOPLE
% THAT ULTIMATELY ARE PAYING THE
% PRICE ARE THE HOME OWNERS.
% >> TO GET GROCERIES AND
% SUPPLIES, THEY WALK ACROSS THE
% LAKE TO THEIR CAR, WHICH IS
% PARKED AT A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE
% LOCATED ON A PUBLIC ROAD.
% >> IF WE NEED TO GET GROCERIES,
% FOR EXAMPLE, OUR KIDS ARE ALL
% GROWN BUT WE HAVE THEIR PLASTIC
% SLEDS AND WALK ACROSS THE LAKE
% AND GO TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND GET
% THE JEEP AND ONLY GET AS MUCH AS
% STUFF AS WE CAN FIT ON THE SLEDS
% BECAUSE IT'S GOT TO MAKE IT
% BACK.
% >> HE SAID THE TRUCK ACROSS THE
% LAKE ISN'T TOO BAD FOR HIS
% FAMILY BUT FOR OTHERS IN HIS
% COMMUNITY THE TRIP ISN'T
% POSSIBLE.
% >> WE HAVE A PERSON AND IS THE
% HAD A HIGH SCHOOLER THAT IS A
% SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD AND SHE AND
% HER CHILD HAD TO LEAVE AND MOVE
% BACK TO IOWA TO SOME FAMILY
% MEMBERS BECAUSE THEY
% LITERALLY -- THERE WAS NO WAY TO
% HANDLE THIS OTHERWISE.
% >> WHILE THE ROADS ARE BLOCKED,
% THE SHERIFF SAID HE HAS BEEN IN
% CONTACT WITH THE LAC DU FLAMBEAU
% TRIBAL POLICE WHO SAY THEY HAVE
% DIRECTED TWICE DAILY WELLNESS
% CHECKS.
% POLICE SAY THEY HAVE DELIVERED
% MEDICATION TO AT LEAST TWO
% RESIDENTS AND OFFERED FOOD BOX
% DELIVERIES.%HOWEVER, HE SAID
THE WELLNESS
% CHECKS ARE FAR LESS FREQUENT
% THAN THE TRIBE CLAIMS.
% >> THEY'VE BEEN IN OUR
% NEIGHBORHOOD TWICE IN THAT TIME.
% I KNOW SOME PEOPLE HAVE MAYBE
% ONLY HAD A CHECK-IN ONE TIME.
% >> WHILE RESIDENTS WAIT FOR A
% SOLUTION TO GRANT THEM ACCESS TO
% THE ROADS AGAIN, GOVERNOR EVERS
% MET WITH TRIBAL LEADERS MONDAY
% AND SAID THE MEETING WAS
% PRODUCTIVE.
% IN A STATEMENT THE GOVERNOR
% SAID, QUOTE, AS THIS IS AN
% ONGOING PRIVATE DISPUTE, MY
% PRIORITY AS GOVERNOR IS
% ENCOURAGING EVERYONE IN THE AREA
% TO ENGAGE AMICABLY AND
% PEACEFULLY WHILE WORKING TO
% BRING ALL PARTIES TO THE TABLE
% TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE QUICKLY.
% THE TRIBE PUT OUT A STATEMENT
% HOPING BE RESOLVED IN A TIMELY
% MANNER AND THE TOWN MET TUESDAY
% TO CONSIDER POSSIBLE LEGAL
% ACTION.
% ONE POSSIBLE SHORT-TERM SOLUTION
% REQUESTED BY BOTH THE TOWN AND
% FIRST AMERICAN WOULD BE TO
% NEGOTIATE NEW EASE MANIES AND
% LIFT THE BARRIERS WHILE
% NEGOTIATES.
% HOWEVER, NO ACTION HAS BEEN %
TAKEN.
% HE SAID NOBODY IS SHARE WHEN THE
% BARRICADING WILL BE LIFTED.
% >> WE NEED THESE PEOPLE TO ALL
% TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS TO
% GET THIS FIGURED OUT, GET THE
% ROADS UNBLOCKED AND GET THE
% EASEMENTS IN PLACE, MAKE SURE
% THE TRIBE IS COMPENSATED FAIRLY
% FOR THEIR EASEMENTS AND WE CAN
% ALL GET BACK TO LIVES.
% >> FOR "HERE & NOW", I'M NATHAN
% D
% DENZINE.%>> Frederica: FINALL
Y WE HAVE A
% FOURTH IN OUR SERIES OF
% INTRODUCE WITH THE CANDIDATES
% FOR A SEAT IN THE WISCONSIN
% SUPREME COURT.
% THE PRIMARY IS FEBRUARY 21 WITH
% THE TOP VOTE GETTERS ADVANCING
% TO THE GENERAL ELECTION IN
% APRIL.
% EARLIER THIS WEEK ZAC SCHULTZ
% SAT DOWN WITH JENNIFER DOROW A
% WAUKESHA COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
% JUDGE.
% >> CAN YOU BREAK DOWN YOUR
% JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY.
% >> I'M A JUDICIAL CONSERVATIVE
% AND UPHOLDING THE LAW GIVING
% DEFERENCE TO OUR LEGISLATIVE
% STATUTES BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE
% POLICY IS MADE AND NEVER OF
% LEGISLATING FROM THE BENCH.
% >> HOW DO YOU DEFINE LEGISLATING
% FROM THE BENCH BECAUSE THERE'S A
% LOT OF DISAGREEMENT WHEN A COURT
% MAKES A RULING WHETHER THEY'RE
% REARRANGING A LAW TO FIT A NEED
% OR OPINION VERSUS THIS IS ALL WE
% HAVE TO GO ON?
% >> WHEN A JUDGE OR JUSTICE
% INSERTS THEIR OWN POLITICAL %
AGENDA, POLICY, VIEWS OR
% PERSONAL OPINIONS ON WHAT THE
% LAW SHOULD BE, THAT'S MY
% DEFINITION OF LEGISLATING FROM
% THE BENCH.
% AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE THE IT'S
% THE ROLE OF A JUDGE TO APPLY THE
% LAW AS WRITTEN TO THE FACTS OF
% THE CASE COME BEFORE US TO NEVER
% PREJUDGE THOSE CASES TO BE FAIR
% AND IMPARTIAL AND IN OUR
% GOVERNMENT WE HAVE A SYSTEM SET
% UP, A CLEAR SEPARATION OF
% POWERS, OUR LEGISLATIVE FIGURES,
% OUR ASSEMBLY MEN AND SENATORS,
% THEY MAKE THE LAW.
% THAT'S WHERE THE POLICY OF THE
% IS SET.
% AND THEN JUDGE INTERPRET THAT
% WHEN CALLED UPON TO DO THAT.
% IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT JUDGES
% ACT MORE LIKE UMPIRES.
% WE DON'T MAKE THE LAW, WE JUST
% DECIDE THE LAW AND IF YOU THINK
% OF THE ANALOGY TO BASEBALL JUST
% CALLING THE BALLS AND STRIKES,
% NOT THE PITCHER, NOT THE
% CATCHER, BUT JUST CALLING THE
% BALLS AND STRIKES AND THAT'S
% WHAT A JUDGE DOES AND A JUSTICE
% SHOULD DO IS CALL THE LEGAL
% BALLS AND STRIKES THAT COME
% BEFORE HIM OR HER.
% >> SO YOU SAID THE POLITICS
% SHOULD ENTER INTO THE DECISION
% BUT OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A
% POLITICAL RACE AND THERE ARE A
% LOT OF POLITICAL FACTORS
% WEIGHING IN TO ALL THE
% CANDIDATES AND CONSTITUENTS ARE
% THINKING WHO THEY WANT TO VOTE
% FOR, SOME ARE THINKING THROUGH A
% POLITICAL FRAME OF REFERENCE.
% HOW DO YOU BALANCE THAT WHEN YOU
% WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT YOU
% WILL BE IMPARTIAL ON THE BENCH
% AND PEOPLE ALSO WANT A SENSE OF
% YOUR POLITICS?
% >> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HONOR
% THAT THIS IS A NON-PARTISAN RACE
% AND THAT MY POLITICAL VIEWS OR
% MY POLICY PREFERENCES ARE NOT
% GOING TO IMPACT WHAT I DO ON THE
% BENCH.
% IT'S VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE
% LIBERAL CANDIDATES AND I KNOW WE
% GIVE THEM LABELS, LIBERAL AND
% CONSERVATIVE BUT IT'S A SIMPLE
% WAY FOR THE PUBLIC TO IDENTIFY
% OUR APPROACH AND WHAT THE LAW IS
% AND HAVE YOU TWO CANDIDATES
% OPENLY GIVING US THEIR POLITICAL
% AGENDA, CAMPAIGNING ON A
% POLITICAL AGENDA AND FORECASTING
% HOW THEY WOULD VOTE ON MANY
% IMPORTANT ISSUES.
% THEY'RE TELLING THE FUTURE
% LITIGANTS, THEIR MIND IS MADE
% UP.%THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT TH
E FACTS
% OR THE LAW.
% VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE I'LL DO X, Y
% OR Z.
% THAT IS NOT THE METHODOLOGY I
% WILL FOLLOW AND THAT I HAVE BEEN
% FOLLOWING FOR 11 YEARS ON THE
% BENCH.
% IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT EVERY
% JUDGE AND JUSTICE STAY IN THEIR
% CONSTITUTIONAL LANE AND THAT'S
% WHAT I'LL DO.
% >> WHAT SHOULD VOTERS THEN THINK
% OF YOUR BACKGROUND, WHO WITH YOU
% WERE APPOINTED BY AND WHO IS
% ENDORSING YOU AND WHERE THE
% OUTSIDE MONEY THAT SUPPORTS YOU
% COMES FROM AND FAMILY MEMBERS
% AND THEIR CONNECTIONS TO
% POLITICAL PEOPLE AND THE
% LIBERALS ARE SAYING WE'RE BEING
% UP FRONT AND HONEST AND IT'S THE
% CONSERVATIVES TRYING TO HIDE
% WHERE THE REAL INFLUENCE MAY BE.
% >> THE CANDIDATES ON THE LEFT
% ARE TELLING YOU ABOUT A
% POLITICAL AGENDA WHEN THIS IS
% NOT A RACE FOR A LEGISLATIVE OR
% GUBERNATORIAL POSITION.
% THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME
% AS SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN
% UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW AND
% BEING FAIR AND IMPARTIAL TO NOT
% TALK ABOUT MY PERSONAL
% PREFERENCES.%YOU KNOW, ONE OF
THE REASONS IS
% TO SHOW THE PUBLIC, SHOW THE
% LITIGANTS AND REMIND ME THAT I
% NEED TO BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.
% I COVER UP THOSE PERSONAL
% PREFERENCES SO THAT I MAKE A
% DECISION BASED ON THE LAW.
% WHEN YOU MAKE A DECISION BASED
% ON THE LAW, YOU HAVE
% PREDICTABILITY, NO LIABILITY AND
% STABILITY.%>> I WANT TO LOOK
BACK AT A FEW
% CASES THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED
% THAT ARE STILL PRETTY IMPORTANT.
% LEGISLATURE VERSUS PAUL WAS
% ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO
% PUT RESTRICTIONS DURING COVID.
% HOW DO YOU THINK THAT CASE WAS
% HANDLED?
% HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED IF YOU
% WERE ON THE BENCH AT THE TIME?
% >> THE MAJORITY OPINION IN THAT
% CASE WAS WRITTEN BY JUSTICE
% ROGUAAAN AND THAT PROCEDURE WAS
% NOT FOLLOWED AND I FOUND MYSELF
% LOOKING AT THEIR ANALYSIS AND
% SAYING THEY GOT IT RIGHT.
% OF COURSE, EVERY CASE IS
% DIFFERENT AND I DON'T WANT TO
% PRE JUDGE CASES THAT MAY COME
% BEFORE THE COURT AGAIN OR IN THE
% FUTURE THAT LOOK AT ISSUES OF
% AUTHORITY FOR A BRANCH OF
% GOVERNMENT WHETHER DIRECTLY OR
% DELEGATION.
% >> AND ABORTION'S ANOTHER ISSUE
% THAT IS LIKELY TO COME BACK IN
% THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT.
% I WANT TO ASK HOW YOU MIGHT RULE
% ON THAT AND ON THE DOBBS
% DECISION DO YOU THINK THAT WAS
% DECIDED FAIRLY AND THE
% APPROPRIATE METHOD TO REVIEW OR
% NOW WISCONSIN LAW THAT NEEDS TO
% BE LOOKED AT ON ITS OWN OUTSIDE
% OF DOBBS?
% >> AS THE SUPREME COURT CASE
% FROM THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, IT
% OBVIOUSLY IS THE LAW OF THE LAND
% AND I'M DUTY BOUND TO FOLLOW
% THAT.
% WHAT THAT CASE DID WAS PUT THE
% DECISION OF REGULATING ABORTION
% IN THE HAND OF THE STATE
% LEGISLATURE.%THAT'S WHERE THA
T DECISION
% SHOULD BE MADE AND OF COURSE
% THERE IS A CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW,
% IT'S NOT A CONSTITUTIONAL
% CHALLENGE, THAT'S THE QUESTION
% BEFORE THE COURT WILL BE WHAT IS
% THE STATUS OF THE LAW IN
% WISCONSIN.%I WON'T COMMENT AN
Y FURTHER
% BECAUSE IT'S LIKELY TO MAKE ITS
% WAY UP TO THE WISCONSIN SUPREME
% COURT.
% BUT AGAIN, AS A SITTING JUDGE
% AND AS A HOPEFUL TO BE ON THE
% WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT I HAVE
% TO GIVE HONOR TO THE DECISIONS
% OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.
% >> IS THERE A DANGER IN VOTERS
% APPROACHING THIS ELECTION
% LOOKING THROUGH ONLY THE PRISM
% OF ONE OR TWO HOT-BUTTON
% POLITICAL ISSUES AND SAYING I'M
% GOING TO VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE
% THAT MOST CLOSELY FOLLOWS MY
% VIEWS THERE OPPOSED TO BROADLY
% LOOKING AT WHAT I WANT IN A
% SUPREME COURT JUSTICE?
% >> I THINK THE DANGER IS THERE'S
% CANDIDATES OPENLY CAMPAIGNING ON
% POLITICAL AND CONTROVERSIAL
% TOPICS AND VOTERS SHOULD LOOK AT
% HOW ARE THE JUSTICES GOING TO
% DECIDE THE CASES THAT COME
% BEFORE THE COURT?
% NOT JUST ON A COUPLE OF TOPICS
% BUT ON ALL TOPICS.
% THAT'S NOT BEING FAIR AND
% IMPARTIAL.%WE TAKE AN OATH TO
UPHOLD THE
% CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
% STATES AND WISCONSIN AND FAITHLY
% DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF OUR
% OFFICE TO BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL.
% THAT'S WHAT JUSTICES AND JUDGES
% SHOULD DO THAT HONORS THE ROLE
% OF THE COURTS.
% IT HONORS THE ROLE OF THE
% LEGISLATURE.%AND HONORS THE V
OICE OF THE
% PEOPLE AS WELL BECAUSE THE
% PEOPLE SPEAK THROUGH OUR
% LEGISLATORS AND THAT'S WHERE
% POLICY IS MADE.
% I WILL NEVER INSERT MY POLICY
% PREFERENCES INTO THE DECISIONS
% THAT I MAKE.
% I THINK THAT'S WHAT VOTERS WILL
% BE LOOKING AT SO THAT THEY KNOW
% WHATEVER THE ISSUE IS THAT COMES
% BEFORE THE COURT THEY CAN TRUST
% THE DECISIONS MADE.
% >> FINALLY, THIS IS GETTING A
% LOT OF ATTENTION BOTH WISCONSIN
% AND NATIONALLY, HOW MUCH WILL
% THAT AFFECT THE RACE PEOPLE ARE
% STARTING TO UNDERSTAND THE
% IMPORTANCE OF THIS PARTICULAR
% RACE TO THE WISCONSIN SUPREME
% COURT?
% >> IT'S A POSITION ON THE
% WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT.
% IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO THE
% PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
% WISCONSIN.%I CAN SEE THAT AS
I GO AROUND
% THE STATE CAMPAIGNING AND THERE
% ARE A LOT OF EYES LOOKING AT
% THIS RACE AS WELL, I THINK FOR
% THE WRONG REASONS.
% I THINK THERE'S A PUSH FROM THE
% LEFT TO PUSH THIS POLITICAL
% AGENDA SO THAT NOT ONLY
% WISCONSIN CAN BE TRANSFORMED AND
% NOT IN A GOOD WAY, NOT THROUGH
% THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS BUT A
% VOTER 4-3 ON THE WISCONSIN
% SUPREME COURT SO THAT OTHER
% POLITICAL AGENDAS CAN BE MET AS
% WELL.%THAT'S WRONG.
% IT HAS NO PLACE IN THE COURTS
% AND I DO BELIEVE THE PEOPLE OF
% THE STATE OF WISCONSIN SEE THAT
% AND WANT A COURT THAT'S FAIR AND
% IMPARTIAL INSTEAD OF ONE DRIVEN
% BY A POLITICAL AGENDA.
% >> Frederica: YOU CAN SEE ALL
% THE INTERVIEWS WITH THE
% CANDIDATES ON OUR NEWS PAGE.
% FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER
% ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT
% OUR WEBSITE AT PBSWISCONSIN.org
% AND CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
% ALSO YOU CAN TUNE INTO PBS
% WISCONSIN AND WISCONSIN PUBLIC
% RADIO NEXT WEDNESDAY AT 7:00
% P.M. FOR THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET
% ADDRESS.
% THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
% I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
% HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
%
[♪]
% >> FUNDING FOR "HERE & NOW" IS
% PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR