% [♪]
% >> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
% PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
% PRODUCTION.
% >> IN THIS WE'RE IN THE BEST
% FISCAL POSITION WE'VE BEEN IN
% OUR 175 YEARS OF STATEHOOD.
% >> Frederica: GOVERNOR TONY
% EVERS DISCOVERED HIS 2023 STATE
% BUDGET ADDRESS.
% THE PRIMARY ELECTION FOR STATE
% SUPREME COURT IS ON TUESDAY AND
% DESPITE STRUGGLES UKRAINE
% REFUGEES WORK ON.
% I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
% TONIGHT ON "HERE & NOW" WE HEAR
% FROM TOP LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES
% OF THE AISLE AS THE BUDGET
% PROCESS GETS UNDERWAY.
% ZAC SCHULTZ REPORTS ON A JUSTICE
% WHO HASN'T ENDORSED A CANDIDATE
% IS HAVING A BIG IMPACT ON
% TUESDAY'S PRIMARY AND WE SPEAK
% WITH UKRAINE REFUGEES RESETTLED
% IN WISCONSIN.
% IT'S "HERE & NOW" FOR FEBRUARY
% 17th.%
% >> Frederica: GOVERNOR TONY
% EVERS PROPOSED THE LARGEST
% BUDGET IN STATE HISTORY WITH
% INVESTMENTS IN SCHOOLS AND %
PUBLIC GOVERNMENT.
% >> WE CARRY THE WEIGHT OF
% PROSPERITY WE HAVE A DUTY TO
% INVEST IN NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN
% LONG NEGLECTED.
% >> Frederica: WISCONSIN'S $7
% BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS IS FUELED
% IN PART BY THE FACT REPUBLICANS
% IN THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR
% EVERS COULD NOT AGREE ON HOW TO
% SPEND THE SPUR PLUS TWO YEARS
% AGO.%NOW EVERS SAID THE STATE
NEEDS
% TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME AND
% HE'S PROPOSING AN ADDITIONAL
% $2.6 BILLION INVESTMENT IN K-12
% EDUCATION OVER THE NEXT TWO
% YEARS.
% >> TONIGHT I'M CALLING ON THE
% LEGISLATURE TO JOIN ME IN DOING
% WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS BY
% IMPROVING THE LARGEST INVESTMENT
% IN K-12 SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION IN
% OUR STATE'S HISTORY.
% >> Frederica: THAT INCLUDES $1
% BILLION IN ADDITIONAL AID TO
% SCHOOLS INCLUDING REVENUE BOOSTS
% OF $350 PER PUPIL IN THE FIRST
% YEAR OF THE BUDGET AROUND $650
% IN YEAR TWO.
% HISTORICALLY THE STATE STRUGGLED
% TO PAY FOR TWO-THIRDS OF PUBLIC
% SCHOOL COSTS BUT THIS BUDGET
% WOULD PUT STATE FUNDING EIGHT
% POINTS ABOVE THAT AND INVEST AN
% EXTRA $1 BILLION INTO SPECIAL
% EDUCATION FUNDING AND $270
% MILLION FOR STUDENT MENTAL
% HEALTH.
% >> LET'S MAKE SURE EVERY KID IN
% WISCONSIN HAS ACCESS TO
% SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH
% SERVICES.
% >> Frederica: THE BUDGET WOULD
% INCLUDE A PERMANENT BOOST TO
% FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
% USING AN IDEA REPUBLICANS CLAIM
% EVERS TOOK FROM THEM.
% >> I PLEDGE MY SUPPORT TO SEND
% 20% OF THE STATE SALES TAX
% REVENUE BA TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
% FOR SHARED REVENUE AND OUR
% BUDGET INCLUDES THAT PROPOSAL I
% DON'T CARE WHERE IT CAME FROM
% PROVIDING MORE THAN HALF A
% BILLION IN RESOURCES TO INVEST
% IN KEY PRIORITIES LIKE PUBLIC
% SAFETY.
% WE HAVE TO GET THIS DONE FAST.
% >> Frederica: A LARGE PART OF
% THE BUDGET CONVERSATION DATING
% BACK TO THE ELECTION LAST YEAR
% WAS ABOUT TAX CUTS.
% >> I'M DELIVERING ON MY PROMISE
% FOR A 10% MIDDLE-CLASS TAX CUT
% AND PROVIDING $1.2 BILLION IN
% TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES.
% >> Frederica: REPUBLICANS HAVE
% FLOAT THE IDEA OF MOVING TO A
% FLAT TAX WHICH WOULD PRIMARILY
% BENEFIT WEALTHY TAXPAYERS.
% >> UNDER MY PLAN IF YOU'RE A
% SINGLE FILER MAKING LESS THAN
% $100,000 OR MARRIED JOINT FILER
% MAKING LESS THAN $150,000 THE
% CORNERSTONE OF MY TAX PLAN WILL
% CUT YOUR TAXES BY 10%.
% THAT'S REAL SUSTAINABLE RELIEF
% THAT WILL KEEP INCOME TAXES LOW
% NOW AND IN THE FUTURE WITHOUT
% CAUSING DEVASTATING CUTS TO
% PRIORITIES LIKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
% AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
% >> Frederica: THE BIGGEST NEW
% PROPOSAL UNVEILED WEDNESDAY WAS
% THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE PROGRAM.
% >> I AM ANNOUNCING WE'RE GOING
% TO CREATE A STATEWIDE PROGRAM TO
% PROVIDE MOST PRIVATE SECTOR
% WORKERS WITH WISCONSIN PAID
% FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE FOR 12
% WEEKS AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT
% BY INVESTING MORE THAN MORE $240
% MILLION IN FUNDS TO GET THAT
% FUND GOING.
% >> Frederica: SIMILAR TO THE
% STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT PLAN, PAID
% FAMILY LEAVE WOULD EVENTUALLY BE
% PAID BY FEES BY WORKERS AND
% BUSINESSES.
% THE BUDGET ADDRESS THE
% GOVERNOR'S LAST CHANCE TO DIRECT
% THE DEBATE.
% IT NOW GOES TO THE LEGISLATURE
% WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE ALREADY
% PROMISED TO IGNORE THE ENTIRE
% PROPOSAL.
% BUT EVERS ENDED HIS SPEECH WITH
% ONE LAST PLEA FOR REPUBLICANS TO
% CONSIDER HIS IDEA.
% >> LET'S DISPOSE OF THE NOTION
% THAT PRIORITIES IN THE BUDGET
% ARE SOMEHOW EXTREME OR FAR
% FETCHED.
% I PROMISE YOU THIS, IN THIS
% BUDGET THERE'S MORE THAN UNITES
% US THESE ARE WISCONSIN AREAS
% WHERE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND
% COMMON GROUND.
% >> Frederica: THE STATE BUDGET
% IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE
% REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED
% LEGISLATURE.%NEXT WE TURN TO
THE CO-CHAIR OF
% THE POWERFUL BUDGET WRITING
% COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE MARK
% BORN.
% WE SAT DOWN WITH HIM AT THE
% STATE ALCOCAPITOL AND ASKED ON
% REACTION TO THE BUDGET.
% >> IT'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
% IT'S REALLY NOT A REALISTIC
% BUDGET, UNSUSTAINABLE, MASSING
% SPENDING, TAX INCREASES IN A
% VARIETY OF AREAS AND VARIETY OF
% WAYS.
% GROWING GOVERNMENT, NEW PROGRAMS
% EVEN FINDING A WAY TO WORK A NEW
% AGENCY IN.
% THAT WAS A SURPRISE FOR SOME OF
% US.
% SO DISAPPOINTING.
% CERTAINLY NOT HEADING IN THE
% RIGHT DIRECTION.
% NOT ONE WE CAN REALLY WORK WITH
% OR WORK FROM.
% WE HAVE TO START FROM CURRENT
% LAW AND BUILD FROM THERE ON A
% BUDGET THAT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE
% OF WISCONSIN.
% >> Frederica: WHAT WILL YOUR
% SPENDING PRIORITIES BE?
% >> I THINK NO SURPRISE TO FOLKS
% BOTH BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF
% WISCONSIN ARE WHO TELL US WHAT
% THE PRIORITIES SHOULD BE BUT
% ALSO IT'S BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT
% SEVERAL YEARS NOW THERE'S REAL
% TOP PRIORITIES WE KEEP BUILDING
% ON FROM EDUCATION TO
% INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS TO
% HEALTH CARE.
% I THINK THERE'S MAYBE ONE
% SLIGHTLY NEW ONE THIS TIME
% THAT'S BEEN GETTING A LOT OF
% DISCUSSION AND WORK DONE ON IT
% ALREADY TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO FUND
% LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN A BETTER
% WAY OR TO MAKE MORE SUSTAINABLE
% LONG-TERM FUNDING AND IT'S
% CERTAINLY ONE WE'RE WORKING ON.
% I THINK MAYBE HOPEFULLY IT'S AN
% OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPROMISE.
% WE'LL SEE.
% THE GOVERNOR CERTAINLY
% APPROACHED IT IN SOME WAYS WE
% WILL NOT.
% WE'RE NOT GOING TO INCREASE
% TAXES IN CITIES ACROSS WISCONSIN
% IS PART OF HIS PLAN.
% THAT'S NOT THE MODEL.
% BUT INVESTMENTS OF NEW
% SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCES WITH
% CHANGES.
% WITH REFORMS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
% AND INNOVATION.
% >> Frederica: AS TO THAT COMMON
% GROUND AROUND SHARED REVENUE AND
% MONEY GOING BACK TO LOCAL
% GOVERNMENTS.%THE GOVERNOR HAS
ANNOUNCED HE
% WOULD LIKE TO TAKE 20% OF THE
% STATE'S SALES TAX AND RETURN IT
% TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
% AND HE CREDITS THE REPUBLICAN
% LEGISLATURE WITH COMING UP WITH
% THAT IDEA.
% IS THAT THE PLAN?
% >> THE DETAILS ARE NOT SETTLED.
% THAT'S WHAT I WAS REFERRED TO.
% HE TOOK DIFFERENT APPROACHES
% WITH TAX INCREASES COUPLED WITH
% THE 20% AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
% WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
% WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT'S
% FOCUSSED ON INNOVATION AND THE
% FUTURE AND SOME REFORMS NOT JUST
% THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD AT A
% LOCAL LEVEL BUT STILL, NEW
% SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR THE
% FUTURE TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
% PROVIDE SERVICES THEY NEED TO
% PROVIDE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
% THERE'LL BE SOME PARALLELS BUT
% THERE'S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE
% DIFFERENCES TOO.
% >> Frederica: IN THE PAST
% REPUBLICANS HAVE TALKED ABOUT
% BEING IN FAVOR OF SOME KIND OF
% FAMILY LEAVE AND THAT WAS
% SOMETHING THAT WAS ANNOUNCED IN
% THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS.
% ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THAT OR HOW
% MIGHT YOUR MODEL BE DIFFERENT?
% >> I THINK IT'S UNLIKELY THERE
% WOULD BE A BRAND NEW PROGRAM OF
% THAT LEVEL IN A STATE BUDGET.
% THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD RUN
% THROUGH LEGISLATION THROUGH THE
% COMMITTEE PROCESS, DEBATE,
% DISCUSSION WITH COMMUNITIES OF
% INTEREST AND CERTAINLY THE PLAN
% HE PUT FORWARD IS IS POLICY.
% >> Frederica: YOU TALKED ABOUT
% PRIORITY BEING K-12 EDUCATION.
% HE WANTS TO BOOST SPENDING $2.6
% BILLION.%WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?
% >> OVER NUMBER WILL BE DECIDED
% IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IN THE
% BUDGET DELIBERATIONS.
% THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.
% I WON'T HAVE A NUMBER TODAY BUT
% I KNOW WE'LL INVEST IN
% EDUCATION.
% >> Frederica: WHAT'S YOUR
% REACTION TO THE NEARLY $300
% MILLION TO THE BREWER STADIUM?
% >> LIKE THIS THE DEVIL'S IN THE
% DETAILS AND HAVE TO DO WORK TO
% LOOK AT THIS AND NEED TO MAKE
% IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GOVERNOR'S
% PLAN FOR SURE AND HAVE
% DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT BUT
% CERTAINLY I THINK FOLKS
% GENERALLY WANT TO WORK TOWARDS
% KEEPING THE BREWERS IN WISCONSIN
% AND MILWAUKEE HOPEFULLY FOR A
% LONG TIME.
% >> Frederica: AS TO TAX CUTS,
% GOVERNOR EVERS CUTS ABOUT $1.5
% BILLION WITH A 10% CUT FOR
% EARNERS MARRIED EARNERS UP TO
% $150,000 -- UNDER $150,000.
% WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THAT,
% FIRST OF ALL?
% >> THE SIMPLE REACTION IS OVER
% ALL TAX CUTS ARE GOOD BUT IT
% CUTS TAXES IN ONE SPOT AND RAISE
% AS A BUNCH IN OTHER AREAS.
% IT'S REALLY NOT TAX REFORM.
% IT'S NOT REALLY TAX CUTS.
% IT'S MORE OF WITH A LITTLE DO A
% FEW NICE THINGS HERE AND A BUNCH
% OF THINGS THAT ARE THE WRONG
% DIRECTION ON TAX POLICY IN OTHER
% AREAS AND YOU WON'T SEE A
% REPUBLICAN BUDGET THAT WILL LOOK
% LIKE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO TAX
% POLICY.
% >> Frederica: WILL WE SEE A FLAT
% TAX IN THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET?
% >> I THINK FOR A WHILE NOW WE'VE
% BEEN MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION
% AND THAT'S A GREAT GOAL.
% WHETHER OR NOT WE'LL GET TO A
% FLAT TAX IN THIS BUDGET REMAINS
% TO BE SEEN BUT I THINK WE'LL
% CONTINUE TO DO TAX REFORM THAT
% MOVES US IN THAT DIRECTION AND
% MAKES US MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE
% MIDWEST WITH STATES HAVING A
% FLAT TAX.
% >> Frederica: IF YOU CAN'T COME
% TO AN AGREEMENT WHERE TO SPEND
% THE EXTRAORDINARY SURPLUS, WILL
% YOU ALLOW A LOT OF THAT TO ROLL
% OVER TO THE NEXT TIME?
% >> WE HAVE AN ACCOUNT AND
% REVENUES.%I DON'T THINK YOU'
LL SEE OUR
% BUDGET WITH HOLDING A LOT OF
% MONEY BUT SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY.
% WE MAE KEEP MORE IN THE BALANCE
% OR THERE BUT WE WON'T KEEP
% SURPLUSES IF THE GOVERNOR'S VETO
% CAUSES THAT THAT'S HIS DECISION
% THEN.
% WE'LL SEND HIM A BUDGET THAT'S
% REASONABLE AND INVESTS IN
% PRIORITIES AND RETURNS MONEY TO
% THE TAXPAYERS WITH INFLATIONARY
% TIMES AND SOME OF HIS VETOES
% LEFT MONEY IN THE STATE SAVINGS
% ACCOUNT, SO TO SPEAK, THEN THAT
% WILL BE WHAT HAPPENS BUT THAT'S
% NOW HOW WE'LL CRAFT THE BUDGET.
% >> Frederica: REPRESENTATIVE %
MARK BORN THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
% >> THANK YOU.
% >> Frederica: WE SPOKE WITH
% JASON STEIN RESEARCH DIRECTOR OF
% THE WISCONSIN POLICY FORUM FOR
% HIS TAKE ON THE BUDGET NUMBERS.
% WHAT STANDS OUT IN THIS ADDRESS?
% >> THE INCREASE FOR A WHOLE
% VARIETY OF PRIORITIES.
% STARTING WITH SCHOOL AND HEALTH
% CARE AND THINGS WE TRADITIONALLY
% EXPECT AND THEN THROW IN MORE
% THAN $290 MILLION FOR MILLER
% PARK AND FOR MEDICAL LEAVE AND
% BROADBAND.%THE NON-TRADITIONA
L PRIORITIES
% EASILY ABOVE $1 BILLION JUST
% THOSE THREE.
% >> HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO OTHER
% BUDGETS?%>> NOTHING LIKE WE'V
E SEEN
% BEFORE.%IT'S UNPRECEDENTED.
% IT ALLOWS FOR BOTH PARTY TO
% THINK BIG ON THE TAX CUT OR
% SPENDING SIDE.
% AT THE SAME TIME A LOT OF
% SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES THAT WILL
% LOWER THE STATE'S RESERVES
% SUBSTANTIALLY WHICH IS
% APPROPRIATE BUT I THINK THE
% SPENDING HAPPENING MAY BE
% DIFICULT TO SUSTAIN IN THE NEXT
% BUDGET.
% >> Frederica: AS TO THE TAX CUTS
% THE GOVERNOR REGARDS THEM AS TAX
% CUTS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS
% OPPOSED TO WHAT WE UNDERSTAND
% REPUBLICAN BUDGET WRITERS ARE
% TRIND WHICH MAY BE A FLAT TAX.
% HOW DO THE PLANS COMPARE?
% >> THE FIRST THING IS THE
% GOVERNOR HAS A MIX OF TAX
% INCREASES THAT WILL PRIMARILY
% FALL ON UPPER INCOME EARNERS AND
% TAX CUTS FOR MIDDLE AN LOW
% INCOME EARNERS.
% WHILE THE REPUBLICAN PLAN PUTS
% FORWARD A LARGE TAX CUT THAT
% ALSO WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO
% SUSTAIN IN FUTURE YEAR AND RAMP
% UP TO $5 BILLION A YEAR.
% >> Frederica: DO YOU THINK
% THERE'S MORE COMPROMISE TO BE
% HAD IN THE BUDGET?
% >> THE GOVERNOR'S BIG SIGNATURE
% PROPOSALS YOU WOULD NOT EXPECT
% THEM TO GO THROUGH AS PASSED BUT
% IN AREAS FOR AID FOR LOCAL
% GOVERNMENT WE CALL SHARED
% REVENUE AND IN PERHAPS MILLER
% PARK OR THE BREWERS STADIUM AND
% SOME OF THOSE AREAS REPEALING
% THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX YOU
% COULD EXPECT TO SEE SOME GIVE
% AND TAKE AND MAYBE AN ALTERNATE
% COMPROMISE PROPOSAL.
% >> IN ELECTION NEWS, FOR THE
% PAST TWO YEARS, EVERY MAJOR
% DECISION BY THE WISCONSIN
% SUPREME COURT HAS BEEN MADE BY
% ONE MAN, JUSTICE BRAN HAGEDORN
% HE OFTEN GIVES A 4-3 ADVANTAGE
% BUT HE SIDES WITH THE THREE
% LIBERALS INFURIATING HIS
% CONSERVATIVE COLLEAGUES.
% "HERE & NOW" REPORTER ZAC
% SCHULTZ REPORTS HOW HAGEDORN'S
% STREAK ON THE COURT HAS BECOME A
% FACTOR IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION
% COMING UP NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
% 21.
% >> I THINK IT'S NO SECRET HE AND
% I DISAGREED ON SIGNIFICANT
% CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS.
% >> OF THE FOUR CANDIDATES
% RUNNING FOR THE WISCONSIN
% SUPREME COURT, DANIEL KELLY IS
% THE MOST OUTSPOKEN ABOUT JUSTICE
% BRIAN HAGEDORN.
% >> IT'S NOT PERSONAL OPINION,
% IT'S NOT PREFERENCES.
% THIS IS WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES.
% SO WE DISAGREE ON A PROFOUND
% LEVEL ON SIGNIFICANT ISSUES.
% >> KELLY AND HAGEDORN WERE ON
% THE COURT TOGETHER ONE YEAR
% BEFORE KELLY LOST HIS
% RE-ELECTION BID IN 2020.
% THEY WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF
% THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE VERSUS
% POLE IN BATTLING THE PANDEMIC.
% AFTER KELLY LOST HAGEDORN'S
% PROMINENCE INCREASED AND HE
% SIDED WITH LIBERALS TO KEEP THE
% GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES OFF THE
% BALLOT AND IN THE GO FORWARD
% WHERE DONALD TRUMP TRIED TO
% THROW OUT SOME ELECTIONS.
% >> HE WAS ELECTED AND WHEN HIS
% TERM WAS UP IF HE CHOOSES TO RUN
% AGAIN HE WILL NEED TO MAKE A
% REPORT OF HIS WORK TO THE PEOPLE
% OF WISCONSIN.
% >> BRIAN HAGEDORN DECLINED TO
% COMMENT FOR THE STORY.
% HIS TERM IS NOT OVER UNTIL 2029
% BUT IT HASN'T STOPPED KELLY FROM
% USING HAGEDORN AS A FOIL TELLING
% VOTERS THEY SHOULDN'T SERVE FOR
% CANDIDATE DOROW BECAUSE SHE
% COULD BE ANOTHER HAGEDORN.
% >> YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ELECT
% A CANDIDATE TO FIND OUT IF THEY
% ARE A CONSTITUTIONAL
% CONSERVATIVE.%THAT WAS THE P
OSITION WE WERE IN
% WITH BRIAN HAGEDORN.
% IT DOESN'T WORK OUT SO WELL.
% >> JENNIFER DOROW HAD LITTLE TO
% SAY ABOUT JUSTICE HAGEDORN
% EXCEPT TO NOTE WHOEVER WINS THE
% ELECTION WILL BE SERVING WITH
% HIM ON THE COURT.
% >> I CAN'T SPEAK FOR HIM OR HIS
% METHODOLOGY.
% WHAT I CAN DO IS FOCUS ON WHAT I
% WILL BRING TO THE COURT AND THAT
% IS AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO
% BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL TO APPLY
% THE LAW TO THE FACTS OF EACH
% CASE.
% TO BRING COLLEGIALITY TO THE
% COURT AS WELL.
% TO WORK WITH ALL OF THE JUSTICES
% ON THE BENCH AS WE WRESTLE WITH
% REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES.
% >> THE TWO LIBERAL CANDIDATES
% ALSO DON'T WANT TO BE DIRECTLY
% COMPARED TO HAGEDORN BECAUSE
% HE'S A CONSERVATIVE BUT DO LIKE
% HIS IMAGE AS INDEPENDENT.
% >> WHEN BRIAN KELLY CALLED OUT
% HAGEDORN AS SUPREMELY UNRELIABLE
% BECAUSE HE VOTED AGAINST THE
% BLOCK AND EXERTED HIS
% INDEPENDENT THOUGHT AND HE'S
% LABELLED AS SUPREMELY
% UNRELIABLE?
% LIKE IT'S A BAD THING?
% >> I SEE HIM DOING WHAT JUDGES
% AND JUSTICES HOPEFULLY DO, DOES
% NOT BECOME SO RIGID IN IDEOLOGY
% YOU CAN'T LISTEN OR BE MOVED BY
% THE FACTS IN FRONT OF YOU.
% THAT'S WHAT WE ALL SHOULD AS
% SPIRE TO BE ABLE TO DO IS MOVE
% INSIDE THAT SPACE BECAUSE THE
% FACTS CAN SOMETIMES PULL YOU IN
% THE DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.
% >> IF MITCHELL WINS THEY WOULD
% CREATE A MAJORITY.
% WOULD VOTERS EXPECT THEM TO
% OCCASIONALLY FRUSTRATE %SUPP
ORTERS BY SHOWING
% INDEPENDENCE?%>> I THINK THE
IDEA YOU CAN
% ANTICIPATE WHAT PEOPLE RULE IS
% WHY OUR COURTS LOSE LEGITIMACY.
% IT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE THE
% CURIOSITY OF THE FACTS BROUGHT
% BEFORE YOU NOT PEOPLE SAYING
% WELL, I KNOW WHAT THEY WOULD DO
% AND EXACTLY HOW TO FRAME THE
% CASE BASED ON WHO IS IN THE
% SEAT.%>> BE INDEPENDENT IS W
HAT
% EVERYBODY SHOULD DO.
% YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PRE
% DETERMINE WHAT A SUPREME COURT'S
% GOING TO DO.
% THEY SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THE
% LAW, UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION
% AND YOU HEAR LOOK AT THIS.
% ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS JUSTICE
% HAGEDORN DIDN'T DO WHAT WE
% THOUGHT HE'D DO AND NOW HE'S
% SUPREMELY UNRELIABLE?
% MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED
% INDEPENDENT AND THOUGHTFUL.
% >> Frederica: REPORTING FROM
% MADISON, FOR "HERE & NOW".
% >> Frederica: UKRAINE HAS BEEN
% INVADED FORCING MANY TO ABANDON
% THEIR HOMES AND WE HAVE A STORY
% HOW UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN
% WISCONSIN AND GROUPS HELPING
% THEM ARE HELPING THEM OVERCOME
% CHALLENGE.
% >> WE WENT TO BED AT 4:30, 5:00.
% WE HEARD AN INCREDIBLE
% EXPLOSION.
% >> ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE
% INVASION LAST FEBRUARY, PETER
% POROSHKOV AND HIS WIFE WERE
% SHAKEN.
% >> IT STARTED BUMPING.
% >> WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS CLOSING
% IN ON THEIR HOME NE -- KIEV THE
% DECIDED TO TAKE THEIR DAUGHTERS
% AND LEAVE UKRAINE AND LEAVE.
% >> WE HAD TO LEAVE.
% IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE WE HAD
% TO LEAVE OUR DOG.
% WE HAVE A GERMAN SHEPHERD.
% >> EVEN AS WAR ERUPTED AROUND
% THEM KSENIA REMEMBERS BEING IN
% DISBELIEF.
% >> FROM ONE POINT YOU CAN'T
% BELIEVE IT THEN YOU'RE RACING TO
% DO SOMETHING.
% >> TRAVELLING THROUGH ROMANIA
% AND POLAND THEN FURTHER INTO
% EUROPE TOOK THE SOKOR FAMILY OF
% FIVE ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THEY
% EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO MEXICO.
% AFTER CROSSING THE BORDER THEY
% WERE INVITED TO STAY WITH A
% FAMILY HERE IN WISCONSIN.
% EVENTUALLY SECURING THEIR OWN
% APARTMENT IN STOUGHTON THE STORY
% OF TRAVEL AND UNCERTAIN DEGREE
% DESTINATIONS.%>> THEY HAD TO
O LEARN A NEW LACK
% WATH.
% FOR RECENT REFUGEES LIKE THE
% POROSHKOV FAMILY OF FOUR MANY
% GROUPS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO
% HELP.
% >> WE HAVE ENGLISH CLASSES ON
% TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS IN THE
% EVENING AND HAVE A LOT OF
% VOLUNTEERS AND DIFFERENT
% TEACHERS WHO WE DON'T UNDERSTAND
% ANYTHING BUT THEY ARE FRIENDLY
% AND EXPLAIN A LOT.
% >> ONE OF THE GROUPS HELPING THE
% REFUGEES IS THE ASSISTANCE
% PROGRAM.%THEY HELPED ALMOST A
DOZEN
% UKRAINIAN FAMILIES WHO MOVED TO
% THE AREA IN THE LAST YEAR.
% THE VOLUNTEERS HELP HE REFUGEES
% APPLY FOR JOBS SOCIAL SECURITY
% JOBS AND DRIVER'S LICENSES AND
% HEALTH CARE.
% >> IT'S BECOME VERY OVERWHELMING
% AT TIMES BUT THE PAYOFF IS THE
% FACT THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE
% NOW WHO WE CONSIDER FAMILY.
% >> BECAUSE MANY OF THE REFUGEE
% FAMILIES CAME HERE WITH NOTHING,
% THEY ALSO RELY ON OTHER
% COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS FOOD
% PANTRIES AND CLOTHING BANKS BUT
% THE FAMILIES STILL STRUGGLE WITH
% THE EMOTIONAL STRESS OF LEAVING
% LOVED ONES IN THEIR WAR-TORN
% HOMELAND.%>> I CAN'T SLEEP.
% I HAVE BAD DREAMS ABOUT MY
% FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WAR.
% >> WE DID NOT EXPECT IT WOULD BE
% HARD FOR THE YOUNGEST BECAUSE
% FOR YOUNG KIDS IT'S MORE SIMPLE
% TO GET ACCUSTOM.
% BUT SHE WAS CRYING A LOT AND IT
% WAS DIFFICULT FOR US TOO.
% >> HE STAYS UP LATE AT NIGHT TO
% TALK WITH HIS BROTHER AND FATHER
% STILL IN UKRAINE.
% ASIDE FROM THE THREAT OF WAR AND
% VIOLENCE THEY TELL HIM THEIR GAS
% AND ELECTRICITY IS OFTEN NOT
% WORKING.
% >> IT'S NOT EASY TO LIVE THERE
% RIGHT NOW.
% IT'S SAD.
% >> ANOTHER HURDLE FOR REFUGEES
% TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IS A WORK
% PERMIT.
% NATALIA FOUND A WORK AT A LOCAL
% FLORAL SHOP AND IT HAPPENED
% QUICKLY BUT FOR OTHERS LIKE
% PETER SOKOR THERE COULD BE
% COMPLICATION.%>> WHILE WAITI
NG FOR THE WORK
% AUTHORIZATION I DECIDED TO TAKE
% COURSES FOR PROGRAMMING ON THE
% SECOND SEMESTER NOW STUDYING.
% AND IT'S HARD.
% BUT NOW I ALSO STARTED GETTING
% PRIVATE LESSONS AS A PIANIST.
% >> WE'RE HELPING WITH EXPENSES
% FOR THEIR FAMILIES UNTIL THEY
% GET ON THEIR FEET BECAUSE THEY
% COME WITH NOTHING.
% >> DONATIONS HAVE ALL BUT DRIED
% UP.
% >> WE HAD TO STOP SPONSORING NEW
% FAMILIES FROM UKRAINE WHICH WAS
% A VERY DIFFICULT CHOICE BECAUSE
% WE HAVE FAMILIES HERE WHO ARE
% ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FAMILY
% MEMBERS TO BE SPONSORED AND
% BROUGHT OVER BUT WE REALLY CAN'T
% SPONSOR MORE PEOPLE UNTIL WE
% RECEIVE MORE DONATIONS.
% THERE IS SOMETHING THEY CALL
% GIVING FATIGUE WHERE IT JUST
% BECOMES A LOT.
% MANY PEOPLE HAVE DONATED SO MUCH
% ANYTHING THEY ALREADY COULD AND
% I THINK THE WAR HAS GONE ON FOR
% A YEAR NOW AND SO AS IT
% CONTINUES I THINK PEOPLE ARE
% LESS AND LESS ABLE TO HELP.
% >> DESPITE THEIR CURRENT
% FINANCIAL STRUGGLES, THE
% RESETTLEMENT GROUP KNOWS THEIR
% EFFORTS ARE WORTH IT TO THE
% FAMILIES.
% >> THEY'RE AMAZING FAMILIES WE
% HAVE HERE.
% THE KIDS, THE PARENTS THEY COME
% FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND
% ALL WALKS OF LIFE BUT IN THE
% ENDS THEY'RE JUST PEOPLE WHO
% WANT A SAFE PLACE TO RAISE THEIR
% FAMILY AND TO EXIST AND TO
% THRIVE.
% >> AND THE FAMILIES RECEIVING
% THE HELP SAY THEY'RE ETERNALLY
% GRATEFUL.
% >> THIS GROUP IS INCREDIBLE FOR
% US.
% I WOULD SAY THIS IS JUST HOW WE
% MET THEM.
% THEY HELPED US TO RENT THIS
% APARTMENT AND WHEN WE CAME THEY
% JUST PREPARED EVERYTHING FOR THE
% GIRLS ESPECIALLY.
% THEY'RE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.
% IT'S WHY WE'RE SO IMPRESSED BY
% AMERICANS.%>> FOR "HERE & NOW
" I'M STEVEN
% POTTER IN STOUGHTON.
% >> Frederica: FOR THIS AND OTHER
% ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN GO TO
% PBS WISCONSIN.org AND CLICK ON
% THE NEWS TAB.
% 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
% JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS %
WISCONSIN.
%