WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION,
THIS IS A TEST.
WISCONIN PUBLIC TELEVISION,
THIS IS A TEST.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION,
THIS IS A TEST.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION,
THIS IS A TEST.
TEST FOR "HERE & NOW" FOR
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
TEST FOR "HERE & NOW" FOR
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> UP TO 20 MILLION AMERICANS
CAN HAVE THEIR STUDENT LOAN DEBT
COMPLETELY ERASED.
AND MILLIONS MORE HAVE THEIR
BURDEN EASED UNDER THE
PRESIDENT'S STUDENT LOAN PLAN.
UKRAINE CELEBRATES ITS
INDEPENDENCE DAY ON THE SAME DAY
IT MARKS SIX MONTHS OF WAR WITH
RUSSIA.
AND A MORE ACCESSIBLE LIFELINE
SHOWS THE NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH
SUPPORT IN WISCONSIN.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE & NOW," THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDENT LOAN
DEBT RELIEF, HOW THE WAR IN
UKRAINE WEARS ON, 988 GIVES NEW
HOPE TO A NOT SO NEW SERVICE AND
HEAR FROM THE REPUBLICAN
CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF
STATE.
IT'S "HERE & NOW" FOR
AUGUST 26TH.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE & NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
>> IT'S NOT WITHOUT CONTROVERSY,
BUT THIS WEEK BY EXECUTIVE ORDER
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
WILL WIPE AWAY HUNDREDS OF
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF STUDENT
LOAN DEBT FOR SOME 47 MILLION
BORROWERS.
UP TO $20,000 OF DEBT
CANCELLATION WILL BE GIVEN TO
PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS, THOSE ARE
GRANTS GIVEN TO THOSE WITH
EXCEPTIONAL FINANCIAL NEED.
UP TO $10,000 OF FEDERAL STUDENT
LOANS WILL BE FORGIVEN FOR OTHER
BORROWERS.
ONLY THOSE EARNING $125,000 OR
LESS ARE ELIGIBLE.
ADDITIONALLY, THE PAUSE ON
FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT
REMAINS IN PLACE UNTIL THE END
OF THIS YEAR.
ANOTHER PRONG OF THE ORDER CAPS
MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR
UNDERGRADUATE LOANS AT 5% OF A
BORROWERS INCOME.
IN WISCONSIN, ACCORDING TO THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,
MORE THAN 687,000 STUDENT LOAN
BORROWERS OWE MORE THAN
$21.4 BILLION.
WITH AN AVERAGE STUDENT LOAN
BALANCE OF JUST MORE THAN
$31,000.
TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT, WE GO
TO NICK HILLMAN, PROFESSOR AT
THE UW-MADISON SCHOOL OF
EDUCATION AND DIRECTOR OF THE
APPLIED RESEARCH LAB.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU FOR
THE INVITATION.
>> CONTROVERSY COMES FOR THOSE
WHO THINK IT'S TOO BIG A GIVE
AWAY AND THOSE WHO THINK IT'S
TOO LITTLE.
AS AN EXPERT IN THE AREA, WHAT'S
YOUR REACTION TO THE STUDENT
LOAN ORDER?
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
POLITICS OF THIS, SO THE
AGREEMENT OF WHETHER IT'S TOO
BIG OR TOO SMALL CUTS ACROSS
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, WHERE
TYPICALLY REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING
IT'S TOO BIG, SHOULDN'T BE DOING
THIS AT ALL, EVEN IN THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY, BIDEN'S OWN
PARTY THERE IS DISAGREEMENT ON
WHETHER IT WAS BIG ENOUGH OR
SMALL ENOUGH.
AND SO CERTAINLY THAT IS DEBATED
RIGHT NOW AND I THINK THE
RESEARCH EVIDENCE SAYS $10,000
IN CANCELLATION CAN DO A LOT OF
GOOD FOR A LOT OF BORROWERS.
>> SO YOU THINK THAT THIS COULD
HELP WISCONSIN BORROWERS?
>> YES, AND TWO REASONS.
ONE IS THAT A LOT OF TIMES THE
BORROWERS WHO HAVE SMALL LOANS,
THEY HAVE SMALL LOANS BECAUSE
THEY ONLY ENROLLED IN SCHOOL A
LITTLE WHILE AND LEFT WITHOUT A
DEGREE, AND STRUGGLE BECAUSE
THEY NOW DON'T HAVE A DEGREE TO
PAY OFF IN THE LABOR MARKET AND
DEBTS ARE OFTEN LESS THAN
$10,000, AND SO THAT COULD HAVE
A DIRECT IMPACT FOR A LOT OF
STRUGGLING BORROWERS WITH
RELATIVELY SMALL LOANS AND A LOT
OF BORROWERS WITH THAT SIZE
DEBT, $10,000 THRESHOLD HAS A
COUPLE DIFFERENT REASONS TO HAVE
BEEN CHOSEN.
>> THE WORST CASE OF THAT,
THOUGH, IS A BORROWER WHO HAS
JUST A WHOLE LOT OF DEBT AND
DIDN'T GET THAT DEGREE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
THAT'S RIGHT.
AND THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM THAT
THIS CANCELLATION CAN HELP A
LITTLE BIT BUT DOES NOT
NECESSARILY PREVENT FROM
HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE.
>> HOW IS THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT
LOAN BALLOONED OVER THE DECADES?
>> PROBABLY TWO BIG FACTORS
CONTRIBUTE AND THEY WORK
TOGETHER.
ONE IS THAT TUITION HAS RISEN,
BUT IT'S NOT JUST TUITION, IT'S
THE TUITION, THE FEES, THE ROOM
AND BOARD, ALL THE OTHER
EXPENSES THAT IT TAKES TO STAY
IN COLLEGE HAVE BEEN RISING
RAPIDLY.
DOUBLING SINCE THE 1990S, EVEN
ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION.
THAT'S ONE SIDE.
THE OTHER SIDE IS FAMILY INCOMES
HAVE EITHER PLATEAUED OR
DECLINED OR BARELY EVEN MOVED,
AND THE INCOMES THAT WE HAVE
JUST AREN'T KEEPING PACE WITH
THE EXPENSES OF GOING TO COLLEGE
AND AS A RESULT, MORE
INDIVIDUALS ARE HAVING TO SHARE
THAT RESPONSIBILITY OR CARRY
THAT RESPONSIBILITY THEMSELVES
THROUGH THE LOAN SYSTEM TO PAY
FOR COLLEGE.
>> IN YOUR MIND, IS THAT DEBT
WORTH IT IN TERMS OF EDUCATIONAL
OPPORTUNITY?
>> IT IS WORTH IT ON AVERAGE.
THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE
SITUATIONS THAT JUST DON'T FIT
THAT AVERAGE STORY, BUT ON
AVERAGE, STRONG EVIDENCE THAT
NOT ONLY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL DOES
THE EDUCATION PAY OFF IN THE
LABOR MARKET BUT FOR YOUR
COMMUNITY, BETTER OFF WITH
WELL-EDUCATED PLUMBERS OR
HEALTHCARE WORKERS OR YOU NAME
IT.
A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY THE
PAY-OFF IS STILL THERE BUT THE
VALUE PROPOSITION IS BEING
QUESTIONED AND KIND OF TAPPING
INTO THAT QUESTION RIGHT NOW.
>> PEOPLE WE KNOW CAN TAKE
DECADES TO PAY OFF SCHOOL LOANS.
WHAT ROLE DO INTEREST PAYMENTS
PLAY IN THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE.
>> THEY MAKE IT MORE EXPENSIVE.
TOOK OUT $10,000, IN SEVERAL
YEARS MIGHT BE HIGHER THAN THAT,
MIGHT OWE 12, 13,000, IF THE
PAYMENTS ARE ONLY GOING TO
INTEREST.
THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO
PROPOSING TO CAP SOME OF THOSE
INTEREST RATES ON, AND REPAYMENT
PLANS AND THERE ARE SOME
CONVERSATIONS AROUND HOW TO
REMOVE SOME OF THOSE INTEREST
RATES OR MAKE THEM LOWER, BUT
THEY ARE STILL THERE, STILL PART
OF THE NETWORK AND THE
INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR STUDENT
LENDING SYSTEM.
>> PART OF THE PLAN ALSO CUTS
UNDERGRAD PAYMENTS TO 5% OF
INCOME.
HOW MEANINGFUL IS THAT FOR
FOLKS?
>> I THINK THAT SHOULD BE PRETTY
MEANINGFUL.
THESE INCOME-DRIVEN REPAYMENT
PLANS, THEY ARE CALLED, AND MAY
BE 7 OR 8 DIFFERENT ONES NOW AND
BORROWERS ARE TAPPED INTO THEM,
AND 5% OF DISCRETIONARY
EARNINGS, BASICALLY THE INCOME
YOU HAVE ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE,
SO IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A WAY TO
JUST MAKE PAYMENTS, YOU KNOW,
LESS BURDENSOME FOR INDIVIDUALS.
>> WHAT KIND OF STUDENT GETS
MOST HURT BY TAKING OUT BIG
STUDENT LOANS?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SO MANY
DIFFERENT STORIES AND SO MANY
DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT HAPPEN
IN OUR LOAN SYSTEM.
AND IN MANY CASES, THE DEBT
CANNOT BE DISCHARGED IN
BANKRUPTCY OR DIFFICULT TO
NAVIGATE THE REPAYMENT SYSTEM
ITSELF AND THE PROCESSES YOU CAN
BE HARMED, ADMINISTRATIVE
PROCESSES, COMPLEXITY OF THE
LOAN SYSTEM.
AND OTHER WAYS IT HELPS STUDENTS
STAY ENROLLED IN SCHOOL.
IT'S A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD,
WITHOUT LOANS PEOPLE MIGHT NOT
HAVE GONE TO COLLEGE IN THE
FIRST PLACE AND NOW YOU HAVE
THEM AND IT'S A HARD, HARD
PUBLIC POLICY PROBLEM TO SOLVE.
>> IN YOUR MIND, SHOULD PAYING
FOR COLLEGE BE REENVISIONED?
>> I THINK IT WILL BE
REENVISIONED.
I THINK THIS IS A BIG MOMENT IN
THAT REIMAGINATION, AND I THINK
THAT OUR LOAN-BASED SYSTEM, IT
ORIGINATED IN THE 1950S AND
1960S AND IT WAS REALLY DESIGNED
TO MEET A VERY SMALL NEED AT THE
TIME, AND OVER THE YEARS WE KIND
OF ACCEPTED THAT MODEL AND HAVE
USED THAT MODEL AS OUR CURRENT
MODEL, AND I THINK IT'S BEING
QUESTIONED ON WHETHER THAT WORKS
TODAY.
>> YEAH, INDEED.
NICK HILLMAN, THANKS VERY MUCH.
THANKS FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THIS WEEK MARKS THE
CELEBRATION OF UKRAINE'S
INDEPENDENCE IN 1991.
AND CAME ON THE SAME DAY THAT
MARKED SIX MONTHS SINCE RUSSIA
INVADED UKRAINE.
IN GREEN BAY, DOZENS GATHERED TO
SHOW SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY.
THE U.S. HAS SENT MORE THAN
$10 BILLION OF MILITARY AID TO
UKRAINE WITH BILLIONS MORE TO
COME.
BUT THE HUMAN TOLL IN DEATH AND
DISPLACEMENT AND THE RAVAGING OF
THE LANDSCAPE, WHEN AND HOW WILL
IT END?
WE CHECK IN WITH PROFESSOR
ANDREY IVANOV, SPECIALTY IS
RUSSIA AND THE SOVIET UNION IN
UW-PLATTEVILLE, AND IS ALSO
UKRAINIAN, AND HE AND HIS FAMILY
MADE A HARROWING ESCAPE.
HOW IS YOUR FAMILY DOING?
>> THEY ARE FINE.
SOME OF THEM ARE HERE, AND
OTHERS ARE STILL WAITING TO COME
FROM GERMANY, SO I'M -- I'M
AWAITING THEIR ARRIVAL.
>> WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR CIVILIANS
STILL INSIDE UKRAINE AT THIS
TIME?
>> IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.
THE ECONOMIC PART IS VERY
DIFFICULT.
LOGISTIC PART, THE
TRANSPORTATION PART.
THE PANIC OF FEBRUARY AND MARCH
HAS LARGELY SUBSIDED IN PARTS OF
WESTERN UKRAINE AND PARTS OF
NORTHERN UKRAINE, BUT IN THE
SOUTH AND IN THE EAST THE
SITUATION HAS WORSENED
CONSIDERABLY WITH A LOT OF
DESTRUCTION AND SHELLING AND
ACTIVE MILITARY CAMPAIGN THAT'S
STILL GOING ON.
SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
ESSENTIALLY NOW THE SITUATION
INSIDE UKRAINE, YOU HAVE KIND OF
TWO UKRAINES.
YOU HAVE UKRAINE THAT HAS
LARGELY BEEN SORT OF NOT
AFFECTED BY THE DESTRUCTION,
IT'S STILL AFFECTED BY THE
MISSILES, BUT THEN THE EAST AND
IN THE SOUTH YOU HAVE PEOPLE
LOSING THEIR HOMES, PEOPLE
LOSING THEIR LOVED ONES, PEOPLE
LOSING THEIR LIVES AND MASSIVE
EVACUATIONS ARE STILL CONTINUING
FROM THE EAST AND THE SOUTH AS
WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW.
>> I'VE READ THAT RUSSIA NOW
OCCUPIES 20% OF UKRAINE.
I THINK WHEN RUSSIA FIRST
INVADED OBSERVERS THOUGHT THEY
WOULD ROLL IN AND CAPTURE
UKRAINE IN FULL.
WHAT DID YOU THINK AT THE TIME?
>> WELL, WHEN THE -- WHEN THE
INVASION HAPPENED, I WAS -- I
COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT WAS GOING
ON, FRANKLY.
MY FAMILY WAS AFFECTED AND IN
THE MIDST, THE AREA THAT
SUFFERED BOMBARDMENT AND HAD TO
ESCAPE.
SO FOR ME THIS WAS SOMETHING
THAT AFFECTED ME PERSONALLY, AND
I EXPECTED UKRAINE TO PUT UP
VERY FIERCE RESISTANCE, EITHER
THROUGH KIND OF INSURGENCY
GUERILLA CAMPAIGN IF RUSSIANS
WERE TO TAKE PARTS OF THE
TERRITORY OR ACTIVE WAR EFFORTS,
AND IT'S BEEN A COMBINATION OF
BOTH, AND I'M VERY GLAD THAT THE
RESISTANCE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN
SUCCESSFUL IN MANY PARTS OF
UKRAINE BUT I'M ALSO VERY
DISHEARTENED THAT THE RUSSIANS
WERE ABLE TO MAKE SO MUCH
PROGRESS IN OTHER PARTS OF
UKRAINE AND THE SOUTH AND THE
EAST IN PARTICULAR.
>> HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL
PROGRESS?
>> I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL.
I'M NOT A NOSTRADAMUS.
IT'S HARD TO TELL.
THE LONG-TERM SCENARIO WITH
WESTERN SUPPORT, WITH WESTERN
AND ESPECIALLY AMERICAN HELP
LOOKS VERY GOOD FOR UKRAINE.
AND IT LOOKS VERY BAD FOR
RUSSIA.
THE SHORT-TERM SCENARIO, TALKING
ABOUT THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS
WITH WINTER COMING AND THE GAS
AND OIL CRISIS AND ENERGY
CRISIS, THE SHORT-TERM SCENARIO
LOOKS VERY DIFFICULT FOR
UKRAINE, AND SORT OF FAVORS
RUSSIA, AND SO WE HAVE A
LONG-TERM AND A SHORT-TERM
SCENARIO.
THE QUESTION IS CAN THE WEST
REMAIN STEADY IN ITS HELP TO
UKRAINIAN FIGHT FOR
INDEPENDENCE, AND FOR HOW LONG.
AND THAT WILL REALLY DECIDE THE
OUTCOME OF THE WAR.
>> MORE BROADLY, WHY DOES
VLADIMIR PUTIN WANT UKRAINE WHEN
IT SO CLEARLY DOES NOT WANT HIM?
>> WELL, IT'S KIND OF A POST
IMPERIAL SYNDROME, YOU KNOW.
EMPIRES COLLAPSE AND THEN YOU
HAVE NEW ENTITIES EMERGE.
I'M A HISTORIAN, SO I TALK LIKE
THIS.
SO YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF
PEOPLE IN RUSSIA WHO SUPPORT
PUTIN'S NEOIMPERIAL AMBITIONS.
THEY WANT THE EMPIRE BACK.
WHETHER THIS IS THE OLD SOVIET
UNION OR THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE, BUT
THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE IN
WORLD HISTORY, WITH GERMANY
AFTER WORLD WAR I, OR HUNGARY
AFTER WORLD WAR I AND SO ON, AND
SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ONE
OF THE REASONING THAT I THINK
THAT, YOU KNOW, PUTIN WANTS TO
RECREATE AN EMPIRE OR IMPERIAL
SPACE THAT WAS LOST AFTER 1991,
AND SOME MAY ARGUE LOST AFTER
1917.
>> SO, REPORTEDLY AT THIS POINT
IN THE DESTRUCTION IT WILL COST
$200 BILLION TO REBUILD
UKRAINE'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND
HOUSING.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO SEE THE
DEVASTATION OF YOUR HOMELAND AND
ITS PEOPLE?
>> IT'S VERY -- VERY
DISHEARTENING, VERY DIFFICULT TO
SEE THE PICTURES.
I'VE SEEN PICTURES OF HOUSE OF
MY SISTER THAT RECEIVED A SHELL
IN ONE OF THE AREAS OF THAT
APARTMENT HOUSE, AND SO WHEN I
SEE THAT, OF COURSE THIS IS
SOMETHING THAT I, YOU KNOW, THAT
RELATES PERSONALLY AND IT'S, YOU
KNOW, A MIXTURE OF GRIEF AND
ANGER AND QUESTIONS AND SO ON.
BUT I -- I THINK THAT UKRAINE,
WHICH HAS ENDURED DESTRUCTION
DURING WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR
II WILL RISE AGAIN LIKE A
PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES AND FROM
THE RUBBLE OF THIS HORRIBLE
ASSAULT, THIS HORRIBLE INVASION.
AND SO YES, IT WILL BE, YOU
KNOW, THE DESTRUCTION IS THERE
AND IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO
REBUILD UKRAINE, BUT YOU KNOW,
SOMEBODY WHO HAS COME FROM THERE
AND YOU KNOW, HEARING STORIES OF
MY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS AND
GREAT GRANDPARENTS WHO ENDURED
WORLD WAR II, YES, DESTRUCTION
IS HORRIBLE BUT IT IS POSSIBLE
TO REBUILD AFTER DESTRUCTION.
>> PROFESSOR IVANOV, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING
US.
>> YEAH, THANK YOU.
>> SINCE IT LAUNCHED IN MID
JULY, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE
DIALED IN TO THE NEW SUICIDE AND
CRISIS LIFELINE IN WISCONSIN
REACHED BY CALLING 988.
FAMILY SERVICES OF NORTHEAST
WISCONSIN MANAGES THE CALL
CENTER WITH COUNSELORS ON THE
OTHER END OF THE LINE FOR PEOPLE
DIALING 988 SEEKING HELP.
SHELLY MISSALL IS THE PROGRAM
MANAGER AND JOINS US FROM GREEN
BAY.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU.
>> SO, WHAT IS THE VOLUME OF
CALLS RIGHT NOW AT THE 988 CALL
CENTER?
>> WE ARE SEEING ABOUT 4,000
CALLS A MONTH COMING IN.
>> AND HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO
PREVIOUS HOTLINES?
>> SO PRIOR TO 988 LAUNCHING, IT
WAS PRETTY SIMILAR.
WE HAVE SEEN CONTINUED GROWTH
OVER THE YEARS, SO WE LOOK BACK
JUST ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF TO
JANUARY OF 2021, WE WERE TAKING
ABOUT 1100 CALLS A MONTH, AND SO
THE LAST PROBABLY 3 OR 4 MONTHS
WE HAVE BEEN AT THAT 4,000 MARK,
SO WE HAVE JUST SEEN NATURAL
GROWTH IN THE UTILIZATION OF THE
LINE.
WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF GROWTH IN
NEW CALLERS WITH THE LAUNCH OF
988.
>> WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE NEW CALL
LINE THAT PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING
TO?
>> I THINK IT'S AN AWARENESS AND
A CURIOSITY.
SOME OF THE CALLS ARE ABOUT
PEOPLE JUST EXPLORING THAT
SERVICE, MAYBE NOT BEING
CONNECTED IN, NOT HAVING KNOWN
WHAT THE SERVICE WAS OR THAT IT
EXISTED PREVIOUSLY.
AND A HUGE PART OF THAT IS THE
EASY ACCESS TO OBVIOUSLY THAT
THREE DIGIT DIALING WITH 988 IS
A LOT EASIER TO ACCESS AND
REMEMBER THAN THE TEN DIGIT 800
NUMBER.
ALTHOUGH THAT TEN DIGIT 800
NUMBER STILL DOES EXIST AS A
LEGACY AND WILL CONTINUE TO
EXIST AND BE USABLE AS WELL.
>> SO IN FACT, IT'S CALLED THE
SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE BUT
YOU HAVE TOLD US THAT FEWER THAN
MAYBE A THIRD OF THE CALLS ARE
THE EMERGENCY CALLS.
WHAT ARE THEY MORE SO?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
MOST OF THE CALLS THAT WE ARE
SEEING ARE FOLKS WHO ARE CALLING
JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOMETHING
TO TALK ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL
CRISIS.
IT COULD BE THEY ARE HAVING
RELATIONSHIPS ISSUES, JOB
ISSUES, FINANCIAL ISSUES, THEY
ARE HAVING SOME ISSUES MANAGING
THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, WHATEVER
THAT INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL CRISIS
IS THEY JUST NEED SOMEBODY TO
TALK TO RIGHT NOW.
>> YEAH, SO YOU'VE ALSO SAID
THAT SOMETIMES IT'S HELPERS
THEMSELVES THAT CALL WHO SEEK
THE ANONYMITY OF THIS LINE.
DESCRIBE THAT KIND OF CALLER.
>> YEAH, SO ONE OF THE REALLY
NICE THINGS ABOUT THE LIFELINE
IS IT IS FREE AND ANONYMOUS, SO
FOLKS DON'T EVEN NEED TO TELL US
THEIR NAME WHEN THEY CALL IN.
AND THAT CREATES A GREAT SPACE
AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE
HELPERS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR
COMMUNITY, THOSE FIRST
RESPONDERS, THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE
WORKING IN THE LOCAL CRISIS
SYSTEMS, WHO ARE WORKING IN
E.R., THINGS LIKE THAT, AND THEY
ARE IMMERSED IN THIS, AND DON'T
WANT TO REACH OUT TO A CO-WORKER
FOR HELP OR SOMEBODY THAT WILL
RECOGNIZE ME THAT I HAVE TO WORK
WITH TOMORROW, AND SO WE ARE A
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS LIKE
THAT TO HAVE SOMEBODY TO TALK TO
WITH A LITTLE MORE ANONYMITY AND
LESS CONCERN ABOUT THAT
RECOGNITION AND HOW THAT IMPACTS
THEIR DAY-TO-DAY WORK
RELATIONSHIPS.
>> BUT IN A LIFE-THREATENING
SITUATION YOU DO HAVE A
MECHANISM FOR REFERRING ON TO
EMERGENCY SERVICES?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
SO, WE COLLABORATE WITH LAW
ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE STATE OF
WISCONSIN AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC
SAFETY OR 911 DISPATCH CENTERS,
SO WE ARE CONNECTING IN WITH
THOSE IN THE IMMINENT RISK
SITUATIONS WHEN THERE IS SERIOUS
RISK OF HARM TO SELF OR OTHERS.
HOWEVER, THAT IS A VERY SMALL
AMOUNT OF THE CALLS THAT WE
ACTUALLY TAKE, AND THAT WE NEED
TO DO THAT SORT OF INTERVENTION
WITH SO IT'S REALLY ABOUT 1% OF
THE CALLS WE TAKE WHERE WE ARE
GETTING INTERVENTION LIKE THAT
HAPPENING.
>> SOME HAVE WONDERED WHETHER
CALL VOLUME IS SO HIGH PEOPLE
HAVE TO WAIT OR GET TRANSFERRED
TO A NATIONAL HOTLINE.
HOW WELL STAFFED UP IS THE 988
CALL CENTER TO HANDLE THE LOAD?
>> SO IN WISCONSIN WE ARE DOING
REALLY WELL WITH OUR STAFFING
AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE
AND MAINTAIN THAT CAPACITY OF
THE CALLS AND WE DO CONTINUE TO
BUILD CAPACITY BY ADDING STAFF,
I BELIEVE WE ARE ADDING ABOUT
TWO POSITIONS A MONTH RIGHT NOW
FOR THE ONGOING AND FORESEEABLE
FUTURE, SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO
HIRE ADDITIONAL COUNSELORS TO
BUILD THAT STAFF AND PART OF
THAT HAS BEEN STRATEGIC AT A
NATIONAL LEVEL AND WITHIN
WISCONSIN WITH THAT ROLL-OUT.
WE DID SEE SOME MEDIA EARLY ON
AND SO THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF
SHARING, BUT IT'S BEEN A MORE OF
A SOFT LAUNCH AND BUILDING
CAPACITY ACROSS THE STATE TO
SUPPORT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
REACHING OUT AND WE'LL SEE MORE
COMING FACING THE PUBLIC AS FAR
AS SHARING MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT 988 NEXT YEAR.
>> DOES THE POPULARITY OF 988
HIGHLIGHT HOW MUCH PEOPLE NEED A
LISTENING EAR AND JUST HELP
FIGURING OUT WHERE TO GO OR WHAT
RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?
>> I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GREAT
OBSERVATION.
YEAH, THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS WHO
COULD USE SOME ADDITIONAL
SUPPORT BUT IF THEY'VE NEVER
BEEN CONNECTED IN WITH THE
RESOURCES THAT EXIST THEY MIGHT
JUST NOT KNOW IT'S THERE.
SO 988 IS GREAT, IT GIVES THEM
AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE WHAT'S
OUT THERE, IT GIVES THEM AN
OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
THE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES THAT
EXIST, ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES AND
PLACES THEY CAN GO TO IN A
CRISIS, AND IT REALLY BUILDS
UPON THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM
TO GET CONNECTED WITH THE
RESOURCES THEY NEED IN A SAFE
AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT.
>> AND EASY NUMBER TO CALL AS
WELL.
SHELLY MISSALL, THANKS FOR THE
CALL AND FOR YOUR WORK.
>> THANK YOU, THANKS FOR HAVING
ME.
>> TONIGHT WE BRING YOU THE
SECOND OF TWO INTERVIEWS OF THE
CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF
STATE.
LAST WEEK WE TALKED WITH
DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT, SECRETARY
DOUG LA FOLLETTE.
NEXT WE HEAR FROM REPUBLICAN
REPRESENTATIVE AMY LOUDENBECK OF
CLINTON.
FIRST ELECTED TO THE STATE
ASSEMBLY IN 2010 AND SERVES AS
VICE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE
COMMITTEE.
AMY LOUDENBECK, THANKS FOR BEING
HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> FIRST, WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE
SECRETARY OF STATE?
>> WELL, THE OFFICE CAN BE
IMPORTANT AND I BELIEVE IT'S
BEEN NEGLECTED FOR TOO LONG.
I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY RESTORE
PURPOSE AND RESPECT TO AN OFFICE
THAT IS CONSTITUTIONAL, DIRECTLY
ACCOUNTABLE TO THE VOTERS AND I
SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT
OFFICE WORK AGAIN FOR THE
PEOPLE.
>> NOW, YOU WOULD LIKE TO MOVE
ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS TO
THAT OFFICE.
WHY?
>> I HAVE SUGGESTED THAT AN
ALTERNATIVE TO THE WISCONSIN
ELECTION COMMISSION COULD
INCLUDE A SECRETARY OF STATE.
I'M SUPPORTIVE OF A NEW MODEL
AND I THINK THAT WHEN YOU LOOK
AT WHAT OTHER STATES DO,
SECRETARIES OF STATE ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR CERTAIN DUTIES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITH
REGARDS TO ADMINISTERING
ELECTIONS.
IT'S A MINISTERIAL POSITION.
I'M NOT ADVOCATING FOR COMPLETE
POWER OR CONTROL OVER ELECTIONS.
I AM ADVOCATING FOR A NEW MODEL
THAT UTILIZES THIS
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE IN ANY WAY
THAT IT CAN ADD VALUE TO THAT
ROLE.
>> DOESN'T MOVING ELECTION
ADMINISTRATION INTO THAT ELECTED
OFFICE POLITICIZE THE FUNCTION,
THOUGH?
>> I'VE BEEN REALLY CLEAR AS
I'VE BEEN CAMPAIGNING THAT I AM
NOT TALKING ABOUT UNILATERAL
POWER.
I AM PROPOSING DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ARE
MINISTERIAL IN NATURE, THAT
COULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THAT
OFFICE.
LOCAL CLERKS IN WISCONSIN RUN
ELECTIONS.
WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IS
TRAINING OR GUIDANCE OR
MAINTAINING THE VOTER ROLLS.
DUTIES THAT, LIKE I SAID, ARE
MINISTERIAL IN NATURE AND NOT
DISCRETIONARY.
>> HERE'S WHAT THE INCUMBENT
CHALLENGER SAID LAST WEEK
"TRUMPITE REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY ARE TRYING TO TAKE
CONTROL OF SECRETARY OF STATE
OFFICES SO THEY CAN MAYBE FIDDLE
WITH THE ELECTION," HE SAID, "IN
2024."
>> PERHAPS IT'S HAPPENING IN
OTHER STATES WHERE SECRETARY OF
STATE HAVE MORE POWER THAN HERE,
BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE HERE.
I AM RUNNING BECAUSE DOUG LA
FOLLETTE DOES NOT THINK THE
OFFICE IS IMPORTANT AND I DO.
WE DON'T HAVE A SECRETARY OF
STATE THAT TAKES HIS JOB
SERIOUSLY, I WILL.
THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING.
>> SO THE ONLY WAY TO MOVE
ELECTIONS FUNCTIONS, I WOULD
THINK, TO THE SECRETARY OF
STATE'S OFFICE IS IF A
REPUBLICAN IS ELECTED GOVERNOR.
I ALSO SEE SPEAKER ROBIN VOSS
HAS ENDORSED YOU.
WOULD HE CEDE ANY KIND OF
LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT OF
ELECTIONS TO YOUR OFFICE SHOULD
YOU BE ELECTED, HAVE YOU SPOKEN
WITH HIM ABOUT THAT?
>> HE HAS STATED HE IS NOT
INTERESTING IN TRANSFERRING
POWER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE
TO OVERSEE ELECTIONS, LIKE I
SAID I'M TALKING ABOUT DUTIES
AND I THINK MY RELATIONSHIP WITH
THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE IS,
AND THE DEMOCRATS IN THE
LEGISLATURE, IS THE STRONG ONE
AND IT'S ONE THAT IS BORNE ON
MUTUAL RESPECT AND RESULTS.
WHEN WE HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS,
LET'S NOT FORGET WE HAVE THE
OFFICE TO ADD VALUE TO THE
PROCESS OF ELECTION OVERSIGHT
AND ADMINISTRATION.
THAT'S THE FIRST STEP, I THINK
FOR A LONG CONVERSATION THAT IS
GOING TO BE PART OF THE NEXT
LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
BUT AT A MINIMUM, IF ELECTED, MY
GOAL WOULD BE TO MODERNIZE THE
OFFICE, TO BE RESPONSIVE TO
REQUEST FOR AUTHENTICATION OF
DOCUMENTS, TO BE A BILLION
DOLLAR BOARD MEMBER FOR THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ABOUT
PUBLIC LANDS AND ACTIVELY ENGAGE
IN THE ROLE THAT CURRENTLY
EXISTS FOR THE SECRETARY OF
STATE THAT I SEE AS BEING
NEGLECTED RIGHT NOW.
>> WHAT WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AS
YOUR BEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN
YOUR CAREER IN THE LEGISLATURE?
>> WELL, OF THE OVER 50 BILLS
THAT I HAVE HAD PASSED AND
SIGNED INTO LAW SINCE I'VE BEEN
IN OFFICE, IT'S DIFFICULT, YOU
CAN'T REALLY CHOOSE AMONG YOUR
CHILDREN.
BUT I'VE DONE A LOT FOR PUBLIC
SAFETY, I'VE DONE A LOT IN
REGARDS TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
BEEN A REALLY DILIGENT MEMBER OF
THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE TO
PRIORITIZE OUR EXPENSES BUT ALSO
BE FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE AND
TURN A SURPLUS THAT OUR STATE
HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE WE HAD A
SIGNIFICANT DEFICIT, A LOT OF
THINGS I CAN BE PROUD OF.
>> WHY SHOULD VOTERS ELECT YOU
OVER THE LONG TIME INCUMBENT?
>> BECAUSE I THINK THIS JOB IS
IMPORTANT, I WANT IT TO BE
IMPORTANT, I DON'T THINK HE
TAKES THIS ROLE SERIOUSLY, I
THINK HE'S BECOME COMPLACENT AND
I THINK HE'S BECOME ARROGANT AND
I THINK WE DESERVE A SECRETARY
OF STATE THAT HAS RESPECT FROM
BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND I
INTEND TO DO THAT AND DO THAT
WELL AND WITH A CONSISTENT WORK
ETHIC AND DIPLOMACY THAT THE JOB
REQUIRES.
>> AMY LOUDENBECK, THANKS VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER
ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT
OUR WEBSITE AT WBSWISCONSIN.ORG
AND CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
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ISCONSIN.