ARE DOING WELL ACCORDING TO A
NEW REPORT FROM THE UW SYSTEMS
INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
ESTABLISHMENTS WERE OPENED IN
THE LAST YEAR.
ONE OF THE AREAS SEEING RAPID
GROWTH IS A LaCROSSE REGION.
WE ARE JOINED BY ANN LAVOCA AT
UW LaCROSSE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
SO, WHAT KIND OF GROWTH ARE YOU
SEEING IN WESTERN WISCONSIN?
>> SO, I THINK WHAT WE ARE
SEEING AROUND, GENERALLY, THERE
ARE CERTAINLY INDIVIDUALS THAT,
I THINK WITH THE PANDEMIC IT
CAUSED THEM TO KIND OF THINK
ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO BE
DOING.
WE CERTAINLY HAVE HEARD THE
TERMINOLOGY OF THE SO-CALLED
GREAT RESIGNATION.
WHERE I THINK SOME INDIVIDUALS
IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE ARE TRYING
Or do you think there need to be
>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> SMALL STARTUPS SEE THEIR
PRIME TIME.
A NATIONAL DAY WITHOUT CHILD
CARE HIGHLIGHTS A CRITICAL
DEMAND.
SPECULATION SWIRLS AND
WISCONSINITES PREPARE AS
OVERTURNING ROE BECOMES A
REALITY.
I'M ZAC SCHULTZ.
TODAY ON HERE AND NOW.
GOP REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA
DITTRICH AND DEMOCRATIC STATE
SENATOR KELDA ROYS IS JOINING
US.
PARENT'S CAN'T MANAGE WITHOUT
THEM AND HOW THE GREAT
RESIGNATION LEAD TO NEW BUSINESS
STARTUPS.
IT'S HERE AND NOW FOR MAY 13th
MAY 13th.
>> FUNDING FOR HERE AND NOW AND
IS PROVIDED BY FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
ROE V WADE STOOD FOR 50 YEARS
AND TECHNICALLY STILL STANDS.
BUT WITH THE LEAK FROM THE
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT
INDICATING THEY PLAN TO STRIKE
IT DOWN, LAWMAKERS IN BOTH
PARTIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE
MAKING PLANS FOR WHAT ABORTION
RIGHTS WILL EXIST AFTER ROE.
WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH
REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DITTRICH.
A REPUBLICAN FROM OCONOMOWOC WHO
JOINS US NOW.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
IN THE LAST WEEK WE'VE SEEN
REPUBLICANS IN CONSERVATIVE
STATES MOVE RAPIDLY TO INTRODUCE
NEW ABORTION BILLS.
SOME GOING AS FAR TO ZERO
EXCEPTIONS.
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT
WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS ARE LIKELY
TO INTRODUCE?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
AND WE HAVEN'T REALLY COME TO A
CONSENSUS AS A CAY SIS AT THIS
POINT.
I WOULD TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE A
WIDE RANGE OF OPINIONS ON WHAT
SHOULD BE ALLOWED.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, IN THE PAST,
I'VE INTRODUCEED LEGISLATION
RAPE, INSISTS, AND THE LIKE OF
THE OTHER, AND THERE ARE SOME
THAT ARE NOT EVEN IN BIRTH
CONTROL.
SO, WE HAVE TO COME TO AN
AGREEMENT AS A CAUCUS SO THAT WE
CAN MOVE FORWARD IN THE STATE.
OTHERWISE, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND
IT, WE WOULD REVERT BACK TO THE
1849 LAW THAT ALREADY EXISTS.
>> Zac: IN CASES IN WISCONSIN
COUNTIES, WOULD YOU ANTICIPATE
POLICE OR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
INVESTIGATING MISCARRIAGES IN
ORDER TO DETERMINE IT WASN'T AN
ABORTION?
IF THAT WAS THE LAW?
>> Rep. Dittrich: I CAN'T GUESS
IF THEY TALKED TO A DA WHAT THEY
WOULD DO AT THIS POINT.
CERTAINLY WE DON'T WANT THAT
HAPPENING.
I THINK WE'RE TALKING MORE ABOUT
MEDICAL REPORTING AND ASSURANCE
THAT'S GOING AS IT SHOULD.
>> Zac: IF ROE V WADE IS
OVERTURNED, THE 1849 STATUE GOES
INTO EFFECT BARRING ANY LEGAL
CHALLENGES.
ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THAT
STATUE GOVERNING ABORTION LAWS
IN WISCONSIN?
OR DO YOU THINK THERE NEEDS TO
BE CHANGES NO MATTER WHAT?
>> Rep. Dittrich: I DON'T THINK
IT'S A MATTER OF MY OPINION, I
THINK IT'S A MATTER OF WHERE WE
CAN FIND COMMON GROUND IN THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN.
AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE 1849 LAW
DOES MAKE EXCEPTIONS FOR THE
LIFE OF THE MOTHER.
AND I THINK THERE IS A CERTAIN
SEGMENT THAT REALLY INSISTS UPON
HAVING THAT EXCEPTION FOR RAPE
AND INCEST.
I HAPPEN TO THINK ALL LIFE HAS
VALUE.
KNOW MATTER WHAT.
SO, THAT BEING SAID, SOMETHING
IN PLACE THAT WISCONSINITES CAN
LIVE WITH.
ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THAT,
MOST PEOPLE DO NOT SUPPORT
ABORTION FOR ANY REASON AT ANY
TIME.
MOST PEOPLE ARE WHO ARE IN FAVOR
OF IT REALLY ARE IN FAVOR OF
ONLY THE FIRST TRIMESTER.
SO, WE'VE GOT TO FIND A PLACE
WHERE WE FIND SOME COMMON
GROUND.
AND IN ANY OPINION, RESPECT LIFE
IN THE PROCESS.
>> Zac: POLLING SHOWS MOST
WISCONSINITES BELIEVE SOME FORM
OF ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL AND
ACCESSIBLE.
AND WE KNOW SOME OF THOSE SAME
PEOPLE TRADITIONALLY SUPPORT
REPUBLICANS AT THE BALLOT BOX.
ARE YOU WORRIED SOME OF THOSE
VOTERS MAY CHANGE THEIR MIND AND
VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS THIS FALL
BECAUSE ABORTION COULD BE ON THE
BALLOT FOR THEM?
>> Rep. Dittrich: NO.
I WILL TELL YOU WHY.
I HAVE BEEN VERY OVERT ABOUT MY
PRO-LIFE SINCE THE FIRST DAY I
RAN.
ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS MY
POSITION ON ABORTION.
ALSO, BECAUSE I'VE INTRODUCED
LEGISLATION IN THE PAST,
PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION IN THE
PAST.
FOR EXAMPLE, DISCRIMINATION WE
DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE IN
THEWOMANIN THEWOMB AS WE DO OUTSIDE OF THE
WOMB.
BASED ON THE BABY'S SEX.
SO, PEOPLE KNOW MY POSITION.
SO, I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT HOW
THIS WILL EFFECT THE ELECTION.
FOR ME.
>> Zac: NOW, IF WOMEN IN
WISCONSIN NO LONGER HAVE A
CHOICE WHETHER TO CARRY A
PREGNANCY TO TERM, WOULD YOU
EXPECT REPUBLICANS TO SUPPORT
MORE WOMEN-FRIENDLY LEGISLATION?
PAID FAMILY LEAVE, MORE SUPPORT
FOR CHILD CARE, OR MANDATORY
SICK LEAVE.
>> Rep. Dittrich: WE KNOW PAID
FAMILY LEAVE IS ALREADY AN
OPTION.
I'M SHARING, I THINK WE NEED TO
LEGISLATE THAT.
I THINK, ESPECIALLY IN THIS TYPE
JOB MARKET, THAT ACTUALLY FAVORS
WOMEN.
BECAUSE EMPLOYERS ARE WILLING TO
DO THESE THINGS ON THEIR OWN.
SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY NEED WOMEN
IN THE WORK FORCE SO MUCH.
THINGS HAVE CHANGED SO
DRASTICALLY IN THIS COUNTRY IN
THE WORK FORCE.
VERSES BACK WHEN THE ROE VERSE
WADE DECISION WAS ORIGINALLY
MADE.
THAT THE WORK FORCE LOOKED SO
MUCH MORE DIFFERENT.
WHAT I DO SUPPORT IS, YOU KNOW,
SUPPORTING WOMEN SO THEY DON'T
FEEL LIKE ABORTION IS THEIR ONLY
OPTION.
YOU MAY RECALL THAT I HAVE BEEN
THE CHAIR TASK FORCE ON
ADOPTION.
AND I'VE REALLY TRIED TO MAKE
ADOPTION AN EASIER PATH FOR
FAMILIES IN THE STATE.
AND I THINK WE CAN DO MORE
AROUND THAT, AS WELL, FOR OUR
WOMEN THAT DON'T WANT TO PARENT
A CHILD RIGHT NOW.
I'VE ALSO SUPPORTED PHARMACISTS
PRESCRIBING BIRTH CONTROL.
SO, THAT WOMEN CAN HAVE EASIER
ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL IN THE
STATE IF THEY SO WISH.
I'D RATHER SEE THAT THAN SEE A
PREGNANCY TERMINATED.
>> Zac: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
YOUR TIME REPRESENTATIVE
DITTRICH.
WE ARE NOW JOINED WITH SENATOR
KELDA ROYS.
WHAT KIND OF LEGISLATION WOULD
YOU LIKE TO SEE REPUBLICANS
INTRODUCE IN THE NEXT SESSION IF
ROE V WADE IS OVERTURNED?
>> Senator Roys: WISCONSIN
ALREADY HAS ON THE STATUES AN
1849 BAN ON ABORTION MAKING IT A
CRIME.
SO, I WOULD EXPECT TO SEE ALL
KINDS OF LEGISLATION AND THINGS
LIKE PUNISHING WOMEN AND BOUNTY
LAWS LIKE THEY HAVE IN TEXAS.
AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH CALL
IS SO IMPORTANT.
>> Zac: THEY ARE REPORTING THAT
ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBIN VOSS IS
NOT SURE THE REST OF HIS PARTY
WILL GO ALONG WITH THAT.
DO YOU LEAVE HIM?
DOES HE HAVE THE POLL TO PUT
THOSE THINGS IN PLACE?
>> Senator Roys: I DON'T THINK
SO.
THE JOURNAL ALSO REPORTED THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN
ATTACKING ROBIN VOSS AS NOT
CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH.
THE CURRENT LAW IN THE BOOKS,
THE 1849 LAW THEY MENTIONED HAS
NO EXCEPTIONS.
IT DOESN'T MATTER THE
CIRCUMSTANCES.
ABORTION WOULD BE A CRIME.
AND TOO MANY REPUBLICAN
POLITICIANS, I THINK, ARE VERY
COMFORTABLE WITH THAT KIND OF A
LAW.
>> Zac: POLLING SHOWS THAT MOST
WISCONSINITES SUPPORT SOME LEVEL
OF ABORTION RIGHTS.
BUT OBVIOUSLY SOME OF THOSE
SUPPORTERS HAVE VOTED FOR
REPUBLICANS IN THE PAST.
DO YOU THINK OVERTURNING ROE V
WADE WILL CHANGE HOW THEY VOTE?
ARE THEY REACHABLE FOR
DEMOCRATS?
>> Senator Roys: THEY
ABSOLUTELY ARE.
THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT
POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT.
IT'S BEEN EASY FOR REPUBLICANS
TO TAKE THESE ANTI-CHOICE VOTES.
YOU KNOW? REALLY EXTREME
POSITIONS LIKE NO EXCEPTIONS FOR
RAPE OR INCEST OR FOR A WOMAN'S
HEALTH.
NOW THAT ROE V WADE WILL BE
OVERTURNED, ALMOST CERTAINLY,
THOSE VOTES ARE NO LONGER JUST
SYMBOLIC; RIGHT?
THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON
PEOPLE'S LIVES.
AND I THINK THEY WILL BE
PUNISHED AT THE BALLOT BOX.
>> Zac: NOW, IF GOVERNOR EVERS
WINS REELECTION THIS FALL.
THE OLD 1849 STATUE IS IN PLACE.
CAN YOU IMAGINE A SCENARIO WHERE
THEY PASS COMPROMISED
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PUT MORE
RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION THAN
CURRENTLY EXIST UNDER ROE V WADE
BUT NOT AS RESTRICTIVE AS THE
1849 LAW?
IS THERE MIDDLE GROUND IF
REPUBLICANS CAN'T FIT EVERYTHING
THEY WANT BUT THE 1849 LAW IS ON
THE BOOKS?
>> Senator Roys: I DON'T THINK
THAT IS POSSIBLE IN WISCONSIN.
OUR REPUBLICAN PARTY IS SO
EXTREME THEY WILL NOT HAVE
ENOUGH VOTES TO MOVE LEGISLATION
THAT CHANGES THAT ABORTION
STATUE IN ANY WAY.
THEY'VE JUST GONE SO FAR TO THE
RIGHT THAT I DON'T THINK THEY
CAN GET THEIR PARTY BACK.
PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE
GERRYMANDERING.
BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE
FOR VOTERS.
IT'S OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THE
GOVERNOR AND THE STATEWIDE RACES
GO DEMOCRATIC AND WE ARE
ELECTING PRO-CHOICE PEOPLE.
>> Zac: FORMERLY YOU SERVED AS
THE PRO CHOICE WISCONSIN.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN HEARING FROM
WOMEN AND DOCTORS IN THE PAST
WEEK?
WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN TELLING YOU?
>> Senator Roys: THERE IS A
TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CONCERN HOW
THIS WILL DEVASTATE PEOPLE'S
LIVES.
THERE IS ALSO QUITE A LOT OF
ENERGY AND HOPE AROUND TRYING TO
PRESERVE ACCESS FOR PEOPLE.
I JUST PUBLISHED AN OP-ED URGING
PEOPLE TO GO GET MEDICATION
PORTION AND JUST HAVE IT ON
HAND.
EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT PREGNANT.
JUST SO IN YOU NEED IT, YOU'LL
VISIT IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET.
THERE IS A LOT OF ACTIVISM
AROUND THE ELECTION.
AS THEY SAID, WE ARE NOT
POWERLESS TO SAY WE WILL HAVE TO
GO BACK TO 1849.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO QUIETLY.
WE NEED TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD
AT THE BALLOT BOX.
IF WE DO THAT, IF WE ELECT
DEMOCRATS UP AND DOWN THE
TICKET, WE CAN CAUGHT FUSEAU V
WADE AT THE LEVEL AND MAKE SURE
NO ONE IS PROSECUTED IN
WISCONSIN FOR PROVIDING ABORTION
CARE.
>> Zac: IF THE 1849 LAW SON THE
BOOKS, WOULD YOU ANTICIPATE
LOCAL POLICE OR DISTRICT
ATTORNEYS INVESTIGATING
MISCARRIAGES AND THINGS LIKE
THAT?
>> Senator Roys: THAT IS NOT
CONJECTURE, WE HAVE SEEN THAT
AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IN OTHER
STATES.
I THINK IT'S VERY SCARY.
I'M SOMEONE THAT BELIEVES IN
PUBLIC SAFETY AND WANTS TO HAVE
SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.
I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE
DIVERTING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY
RESOURCES FROM REALLY IMPORTANT
INVESTIGATIONS SO THAT WE CAN GO
AFTER WOMEN WHO MIGHT BE
EXPERIENCING A TRAUMA.
YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY WHO HAS HAD A
MISCARRIAGE, I CAN IMAGINE THE
ONLY THING THAT WOULD HAVE MADE
IT WORSE IS BEING INVESTIGATED
BY THE POLICE INSTEAD OF
RECEIVING APPROPRIATE HEALTH
CARE.
>> Zac: THERE IS A LOT OF
PEOPLE COMMENTING THIS IS
PRIMARILY A WOMAN'S ISSUE.
HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT?
WHAT SHOULD MEN BE DOING AT THIS
TIME?
HOW SHOULD THEY BE INVOLVED IN
THIS CONVERSATION?
>> Senator Roys: THIS IS A
GREAT QUESTION.
THIS ABSOLUTELY AFFECTS WOMEN
AND MEN.
THEY SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT
WHAT IT WOULD MEAN TO NOT HAVE
THE OPTION OF ABORTION AVAILABLE
FOR FAMILIES TO CHOOSE.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HAVE A KIDS
BUT WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT
THEIR PARTNER, THEIR FEMALE
PARTNER IS NOT PUT IN JEOPARDY
OF LOSING HER LIFE OR LOSING HER
HEALTH, SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT
THIS.
YOU KNOW, ABORTION IS ONE OF
THOSE THINGS YOU DON'T REALLY
THINK ABOUT UNTIL YOU NEED IT.
BUT WHEN YOU NEED IT, YOU REALLY
WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE AND
AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE.
AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR MEN
TO VOTE, AS WELL, SO PRESERVE
ABORTION CARE AND ABORTION
RIGHTS BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THERE
IS A BIG GENDER GAP WITH PARTY,
IT IS MEN OVERWHELMINGLY WHO
HAVE, SORT OF, BEEN ABLE TO GET
OFF SCOTT FREE BY HAVING
ABORTIONS SO WIDELY AVAILABLE
AND ACCESSIBLE.
>> Zac: ALL RIGHT KELDA ROYS,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> Senator Roys: THANK YOU.
>> Zac: IN WASHINGTON THIS
WEEK, THE U.S. SENATE FAILED TO
GARNER THE 60 VOTES NEEDED TO
PASS THE WOMEN'S HEALTH
PROTECTION ACT.
IT WOULD CODIFY A PERSON'S RIGHT
TO ABORTION IN FEDERAL LAW.
TAMMY BALDWIN INTRODUCED THE
BILL LAST YEAR AND TOOK TO THE
SENATE FLOOR THIS WEEK PRIOR TO
THE VOTE.
>> Senator Baldwin: THIS
DECISION IF FINALIZED WILL NOT
STOP ABORTIONS FROM HAPPENING.
IT WILL ONLY PREVENT SAFE WORSE
APPWORSE -- SAFE ABORTIONS FROM
HAPPENING.
AND IT WILL IMPACT POOR WOMEN
AND WOMEN OF COLOR WHO WILL NOT
HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF MAKE THEIR
OWN HEALTH CARE DECISION.
>> Zac: AND FROM D.C. TO
WISCONSIN, NURSES RALLIED AT THE
STATE CAPITOL THIS WEEK CALLING
FOR SAFER STAFFING LEVELS,
BETTER WAGES, AND MORE
AFFORDABLE EDUCATION.
>> THERE HAS BEEN DAYS WHEN I'VE
HAD PATIENTS THAT HAVE HAD 13
DRUGS RUNNING SIMULTANEOUSLY.
I'M MANAGING MORE THAN ONE
PATIENT WITH ALL OF THAT GOING
ON.
I'M MONITORING ALL OF THEIR
VITAL SIGNS.
AND IT IS MY LICENSE, MY
RESPONSIBILITY TO NOT ONLY THE
STATE, BUT THAT HOSPITAL, TO
KEEP THAT PATIENT ALIVE.
WE HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT OUR
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS NOT
WORKING THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
WE LACK SO MUCH INFRASTRUCTURE
AND WE ARE NOT HEARD.
THAT IS EXACTLY WHY THIS MARCH
IS HAPPENING TODAY.
IT'S TIME FOR NURSES TO SAY
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
>> WE TURN NOW FROM HEALTH CARE
TO CHILD CARE.
MONDAY WAS A DAY WITHOUT CHILD
CARE.
IN WHICH ACTIVISTS ASKED CHILD
CARE CENTERS TO CLOSE FOR A DAY
TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE NEED
FOR INCREASED WAGES AND MORE
AFFORDABLE OPTIONS FOR PARENTS.
WE ARE JOINED BY TRACY JENSEN,
PROGRAM DIRECTOR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON
TODAY.
>> Zac: THE APPARENT IRONY OF
YOUR PARTICIPATION IN A DAY
WITHOUT CHILD CARE, YOU FELT YOU
COULDN'T AFFORD TO CLOSE FOR THE
DAY.
BOTH FOR YOU AND YOUR PARENTS.
IS THAT ACCURATE?
>> THAT IS CORRECT.
WITH HAVING COVID THESE LAST
COUPLE OF YEARS, ASKING OUR
PARENTS TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE
OPEN FOR CHILD CARE WE THOUGHT
WAS A LITTLE BIT MUCH.
HAVING TO QUARANTINE OUR
CLASSROOMS, WE HAVE BEEN ASKING
PARENTS TO COME PICK UP THEIR
CHILDREN.
WE FELT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE
DAYS TO TAKE OFF FROM WORK.
AS A COMMUNITY, WE DECIDED THAT
WE WERE GOING TO KEEP OUR DOORS
OPEN.
>> Zac: SO, WHAT DID YOU ASK
YOUR FAMILIES TO DO IN LIEU OF
ACTUALLY TAKING THE DAY OFF?
HOW DID THEY TRY TO PARTICIPATE
IN THIS DAY?
>> SO, WE DID A HASH TAG DAY
WITHOUT CHILD CARE.
PARENTS WERE ABLE TO COMMENT IN
WHAT THEY WOULD DO IF THERE WAS
NO CHILD CARE AT ALL.
WE ALSO HAD PARTICIPANTS COME IN PARTICIPANT PARENTS
COME -- PARENTS COME IN AND HAVE
DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF ABOUT
MILD CARE AND QUALITY CARE.
WE HAD THEM -- THEY BROUGHT AN
AWARENESS TO CHILD CARE AND WHAT
IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.
>> Zac: IT SEEMS LIKE THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC BROUGHT A NEW
APPRECIATION FOR CHILD CARE
PROVIDERS, BUT DID IT BRING IN
ENOUGH NEW DOLLARS TO ACTUALLY
SUPPORT EVERYONE?
>> THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.
WE ARE VERY THANKFUL, WE DID GET
FEDERAL FUNDING.
AND WE ARE INVESTIGATING INVESTING IT THE BEST
WE CAN TO KEEP OURSELVES AFLOAT.
BUT WE ARE DEFINITELY CONCERNED
ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AND
RETENTION AND BEING ABLE TO KEEP
OUR EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS,
GAINING NEW EMPLOYEES.
>> Zac: NOW, IN THEORY, THE
LAWS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND SHOULD
DICTATE THE COST AND
AVAILABILITY OF CHILD CARE.
AND PERHAPS, IT DOES FOR FOR
WEALTHY FAMILIES.
HOW DOES THAT GET DISRUPTED WHEN
A CHILD CARE FAM CENTER IS SERVING A
WORKING-CLASS POPULATION?
>> AS FAR AS EQUALITY?
>> Zac: YEAH YOUR ABILITY TO
PROVIDE FOR FAIR WAGES.
DOES THAT WORK IN A PLACE LIKE
ACA?
>> IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY FOR
US.
>> SO, WHAT ARE YOU ABLE TO DO?
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHAT RATES
YOU CAN SET?
HOW MUCH YOUR FAMILIES CAN
AFFORD TO PAY?
>> SO, WE HAVE A LOT OF BLUE
COLLAR WORKERS THAT HAVE THEIR
CHILDREN HERE AT SUNNY DAY.
SO, THAT KIND OF DETERMINES HOW
THE COST IS.
>> Zac: AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU
SERVE IN THAT REGARD?
I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A
SERVICE FOR THEM TO BRING THE
CHILDREN THERE.
IF YOU WEREN'T THERE, WOULD
THERE BE OTHER PROVIDERS THAT
WOULD POP UP?
YOU ARE A PRETTY LARGE FACILITY;
RIGHT?
>> WE ARE A LARGE FACILITY.
BUT WE ARE ALSO IN THE
DESPERATE.
WE HAVE QUITE A FEW FAMILIES ON
A WAITING LIST HERE.
I THINK RIGHT NOW WE ARE
LICENSED FOR 220 CHILDREN.
AND I THINK WE HAVE OVER 100
CHILDREN, 100 FAMILIES ON A
WAITING LIST RIGHT NOW.
>> Zac: OKAY.
>> SO, THERE DEFINITELY IS THE
NEED FOR IT.
>> Zac: WHAT ROLE DOES THE
GOVERNMENT HAVE TO PLAY IN THIS?
DO THEY HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE
WAY OR SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BE
GETTING MORE INVOLVED?
>> SORRY, ARE YOU ASKING SHOULD
THE GOVERNMENT BE MORE INVOLVED?
>> Zac: YES, WOULD YOU LIKE THE
GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE INVOLVED
TO HELP WITH THIS OR SHOULD THEY
GET OUT OF THE WAY?
THERE THERE TOO MANY REGULATION
REGULATIONS?
>> SO, WE DO HAVE -- WE HAVE
WISCONSIN SHARES.
WHICH HELPS SUPPLEMENT FOR SOME
OF THE PARENTS HAVING THEIR
CHILDREN HERE.
BUT WE REALLY NEED HELP FOR
EVERYONE OVERALL, FOR COST OF
CHILD CARE.
>> Zac: TRACY JENSEN AT SUNNY
DAY CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL,
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> YEAH, THANKS FOR HAVING US.
>> Zac: WISCONSIN SMALL
BUSINESSES ARE DOING WELL,
ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM
THE U-W SYSTEMS INSTITUTE OF
BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
THE STUDY SHOWS NEARLY 11,000
NEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE OPENED
IN THE LAST YEAR.
ONE OF THE AREAS SEEING RAPID
GROWTH IS THE LaCROSSE REGION.
WE ARE JOINED BY ANN HLAVACKA.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> Anne: YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> Zac: SO WHAT KIND OF GROWTH
ARE YOU SEEING IN WESTERN
WISCONSIN?
>> Anne: SO, I THINK WE ARE
SEEING KIND OF WHAT WE ARE
SEEING AROUND, GENERALLY.
THERE ARE, CERTAINLY,
INDIVIDUALS THAT I THINK WITH
THE PANDEMIC IT CAUSED THEM TO
KIND OF THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY
WANT TO BE DOING.
WE HAVE CERTAINLY HEARD THE
TERMINOLOGY OF THE SO-CALLED
GREAT RESIGNATION.
WHERE I THINK SOME INDIVIDUALS
IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE ARE TRYING
TO DETERMINE IS NOW THE RIGHT
TIME TO BE MY OWN BOSS?
AND START A BUSINESS?
THERE ARE ALSO OPPORTUNITIES
THAT WE ARE SEEING COME UP
BECAUSE OF THE NATURAL
TRANSITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE
OCCURRED BUT MAYBE PEOPLE
REFLECTING AND MAKING THE
DECISION THAT NOW IS THE TIME TO
MAYBE SELL THEIR BUSINESS OR
OTHERWISE TRANSITION THEIR
BUSINESS.
SO, IT'S REALLY A COMBINATION OF
DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT I THINK
ARE COMING INTO PLAY.
>> Zac: AND MOST OF THESE ARE
SMALL BUSINESSES.
BAKERIES, AUTO SHOPS?
WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE WE
SEEING HERE?
EVERYTHING?
>> Anne: I DO THINK IT'S A
LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.
I THINK LIKE SMALL BUSINESS
DRIVES ALSO INNOVATION.
SO, I THINK YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO
HAVE FOUND DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO
SOMETHING AND MAYBE IT'S A NEW
PRODUCT, A NEW SERVICE.
THOSE TYPE OF THINGS ARE ALSO
COMING INTO PLAY.
AND I THINK THAT ENDS UP BEING
HELPFUL.
>> Zac: WE SAW A LOT OF MONEY
INJECTED INTO THE ECONOMY
THROUGH THE DEMOCRATS COVID
RESPONSE PACKAGES.
BOTH IN INDIVIDUAL PAYMENTS TO
PEOPLE AND THROUGH GOVERNOR
EVERS' ABILITY TO HAND OUT
MONEY.
HOW MUCH IS GIVING PEOPLE THE
INITIATIVE TO START-UP SOMETHING
NEW?
>> Anne: WELL, I WILL SAY ONE
OF THE RECENT STEPS THAT WE'RE
TAKING IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN
WAS A GRANT PROGRAM THAT
PROVIDED $10,000 FOR THOSE THAT
MOVED INTO VACANT COMMERCIAL
SPACES.
I THINK THAT HAS CANE OF -- HAS
KIND OF REGENERATED SPACES.
SO, THOSE TYPE OF PERHAPS, I
THINK, HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO BE A
CATALYST TO TAKING THE STEP TO
GOING INTO BUSINESS.
AND STARTUPS, I THINK, HAVE
BENEFITED FROM THAT.
A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN SOME OF
THE OTHER FINANCIAL RELIEF THAT
HAS BEEN OUT THERE.
>> Zac: WE'RE ALSO, ON THE
OTHER HAND, SEEING AN INCREASE
IN INFLATION AND INTEREST RATES
ARE GOING UP.
CAN THAT PUT THE BRAKES ON SOME
OF THIS GROWTH?
>> Anne: I THINK THE ISSUE OF
INFLATION AND SOME OF THE
CHALLENGES, INTEREST RATES,
THOSE DO IMPACT HOW FAST
COMPANIES CAN GROW, WHAT LEVEL
OF DEPTH THEY CAN TAKE ON.
I THINK THOSE WILL BE FACTORS
THAT ARE GOING TO COME INTO
PLAY.
BUT I ALSO THINK THE PANDEMIC
HAS CAUGHT A NUMBER OF
BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE TO THINK A
LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.
SO, I THINK THEY ARE EVALUATING
THEIR OPERATIONAL STEPS A LITTLE
BIT CLOSER TO DETERMINE WHERE
THEY SHOULD PUT THEIR EMPHASIS.
IT'S IMPACTING THINGS LIKE WHAT
OUR BUSINESS MAY BE OPEN.
HOW DO THEY CREATE THAT SYNERGY
WITH OTHER BUSINESSES SO TO
MAXIMIZE THE BENEFIT FOR ALL.
AND YET, AT THE SAME TIME, BE
ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR COST.
>> Zac: DO WE KNOW IF THESE ARE
MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING THAT
FIRST CHANCE IN LIFE OR LATER
PEOPLE A LITTLE OLDER?
TRYING A NEW CAREER.
TRYING TO STRIKE OUT ON THEIR
OWN.
>> Anne: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY
IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.
WE SEE INDIVIDUALS.
I WOULD SAY SOME THAT ARE, THEY
MAY BE RETIRING A LITTLE BIT
EARLIER FROM THEIR TRADITIONAL
JOBS.
BUT THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY
LOOKING INTO GOING INTO
RETIREMENT.
I WOULD SAY IN THE MIDDLE AREA,
THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL
LIKE THEY HAVE THE TECHNICAL
KNOW HOW AND HAVE BEEN THINKING
IN THE BACK OF THEIR MINDS I
WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS.
I WOULD LIKE TO BE THE OWNER.
AND SO I DO THINK THERE IS THAT
ELEMENT THAT IS OUT THERE PIP
THINK THOSE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE
POSITIONED POTENTIALLY FOR SOME
OF THE TRANSITIONAL AREAS.
FOR BUSINESSES THAT THE CURRENT
OWNERS WANT TO SELL.
AND THEY ARE IN A POSITION TO
POTENTIALLY BUY THOSE
BUSINESSES.
BUT I ALWAYS THINK YOUTH.
THAT IS WHERE A LOT OF OUR NEW
IDEAS COME FROM.
SO, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY WE SEE
IT ALL.
WE SERVICE SEVEN COUNTY REGIONS
IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
AND WE ARE SEEING IT THROUGHOUT
THE REGION AND IN A VARIETY OF
AGE GROUPS.
>> Zac: IN THE LAST FEW SECONDS
WE HAVE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
LOCATIONS IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.
ARE PEOPLE CHOOSING TO FIND A
PLACE AND START A BUSINESS AS
OPPOSED TO THE OLD MODEL OF
MOVING TO WHERE THE JOBS ARE?
>> Anne: I THINK IT'S, AGAIN, A
MIX.
THOSE BUSINESSES THAT GET
STARTED IN THE REGION ALSO
CREATE THAT NEXT JOB.
I THINK THAT THEN, SORT OF IN
ITSELF, KIND OF FUELS THAT NEXT
ROUND.
WHERE SOME DAY THOSE INDIVIDUALS
MIGHT CHOOSE TO CONTINUE WORKING
BUT SOME MIGHT CHOOSE TO START A
BUSINESS.
OR BUY A BUSINESS.
OR BUY THE BUSINESS THEY JOINED
AS AN EMPLOYEE.
SO, I WOULD SAY THE ONE AREA
HERE IN WESTERN WISCONSIN WE SEE
A LOT OF ACTIVITY IS, THERE IS A
LOT OF INTEREST IN TRYING TO
ENGAGE THE EMPLOYEE AS PART OF
KIND OF AN OWNERSHIP MODEL.
WE HAVE MORE INTEREST IN
EMPLOYEE-OWNED, COOPERATIVE-TYPE
BUSINESSES.
BECAUSE THEY REALLY DO WANT THE
PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATE IN
GAINING THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
TO ACTUALLY BENEFIT FROM IT AS
WELL.
WE OFTENTIMES SEE PEOPLE WANTING
TO SEE HOW TO DO THAT.
>> Zac: ALL RIGHT.
WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.
ANNE FROM LaCROSSE, THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> Anne: YOU BET.
HAVE GREAT DAY.
>> Zac: REBECCA BLANK GAVE
PARTING REMARKS THIS WEEK.
SPEAKING TO THE DIFFICULTY OF
WORKING WITH THE STATE'S
REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED
LEGISLATURE.
>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE
CONSTRAINED AND REGULATED
UNIVERSITIES IN THE COUNTRY.
WE ARE MUCH MORE A STATE AGENCY
THAN AN INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY.
AND THAT DOES CREATE ISSUES AT
TIMES FOR ALL OF US.
I UNDERSTAND WHY THE STATE HAS A
STRONG INTEREST IN SOME OF THAT.
BUT, PARTICULARLY, AS THE
COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR TOP
RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES IT HAS
BECOME EVEN MORE INTENSE.
IT BECOMES MORE AND MORE
IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE SOME OF
THE FREEDOMS TO ACT IN THE WAYS
THAT OUR PEERS ACT.
THE NEED TO GO THROUGH THREE
SENATE COMMITTEES AND FIVE VOTES
IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN
ORDER TO GET APPROVAL TO GET
SOMETHING DONE.
IT IS WHAT IT IS.
>> Zac: IN FULL DISCLOSURE, PBS
WISCONSIN IS A PART OF U-W
MADISON.
FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER
ISSUES VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
PBSWISCONSIN.ORG CLICK ON THE
NEWS TAB.
FREDERICA FREYBERG WILL BE BACK
NEXT WEEK.
I'M Zac Schultz.
HAVE GREAT WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR HERE AND NOW IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.