FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER
ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT
OUR PBSWISCONSIN.ORG WEBSITE AND
CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST
TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST T
TEST T TEST TEST TEST TEST TEST
TEST TEST.
GOVERNOR TONY EVERS THIS WEEK
ANNOUNCED HE IS GIVING
$90 MILLION MORE DOLLARS OF
COVID-19 RELIEF AID TO WISCONSIN
K-12 SCHOOLS.
THIS ADDITIONAL BOOST COMES AS
STUDENTS ARE BACK IN SCHOOLS.
MANY OF WHICH ARE STRUGGLING TO
PUT A LICENSED TEACHER AT FRONT
OF CLASSROOM.
HERE NOW SENIOR POLITICAL
REPORTER ZAC SCHULTZ CAUGHT UP
WITH THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR
GOVERNORS AND ASKED THEM WHAT
CAUSE THE THE STAFFING SHORTAGE
AND WHAT THE STATE CAN DO TO
HELP.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND IT ALL STARTS WITH
EDUCATION.
>> Zac Schultz: REPUBLICAN TIM
MICHAELS HAS A FEW LINES IN HIS
STUMP SPEECH THAT REFERS TO
EDUCATION IN WISCONSIN.
BUT THE ONLY REFERENCE TO
EDUCATORS TALKS ABOUT EMPOWERING
PARENTS TO SHUT DOWN.
>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE OPEN
THEIR DOORS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL
YEAR.
AND NEW SCHOOL OF CHALLENGES.
ELECTION OFFICIALS WANT TO
BOLSTER RESOURCES AND ONE OF THE
TOP HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE STATE
PREPARE ITSELF FOR AN IMPENDING
NURSES STRIKE.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG TONIGHT
ON HERE AND NOW AN ENGLISH
TEACHER'S TAKE ON A BOOK NOT
BEING ALLOWED IN CLASSROOMS.
ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR MEGAN
WOLFE.
A UW HOUSE NURSE ON WHY THERE
ARE IMMINENT PLANS TO STRIKE.
AND JUST IN TIME FOR LABOR DAY,
THE LATEST STATE JOBS REPORT.
IT'S HERE AND NOW FOR
SEPTEMBER 2ND.
>> FUNDING FOR HERE AND NOW IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
>> Frederica Freyberg: GOVERNOR
TONY EVERS' THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED
HE IS GIVING $90 MILLION MORE
DOLLARS OF COVID RELIEF AID TO
WISCONSIN K-12 SCHOOLS.
THIS ADDITIONAL BOOST COMES AS
STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE ARE
BACK IN SCHOOLS.
MANY OF WHICH ARE STRUGGLING TO
PUT A LICENSED TEACHER AT THE
FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM.
HERE AND NOW SENIOR POLITICAL
REPORTER ZAC SCHULTZ CAUGHT UP
WITH THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR
GOVERNOR AND ASKED THEM WHAT
THEY THINK CAUSED THE STAFFING
SHORTAGE AND WHAT THE STATE CAN
DO TO HELP.
[ APPLAUSE ]
>> AND IT ALL STARTS WITH
EDUCATION.
>> Zac Schultz: REPUBLICAN TIMMY TIM
MICHELS HAS A FEW LINES IN HIS
SPEECH THAT REFERS TO WISCONSIN.
BUT THE NEW LINE TALKS ABOUT
PARENTS TO SHUT DOWN QUOTE, WOKE
TEACHERS THAT TALK ABOUT
CRITICAL RACE THEORY.
>> WE ARE GOING TO PUT PARENTS
BACK IN CHARGE OF EDUCATION AND
STOP THE CRT AND GET BACK TO THE
ABC'S.
>> Zac Schultz: WHEN ASKED
DIRECTLY ABOUT THE STAFFING
SHORTAGE, MICHAEL MICHELS SAYS IT'S
TEACHERS.
>> THE TEACHERS ARE FRUSTRATED.
I HEAR THAT FROM TEACHERS.
THAT NOT MY OPINION.
EVERYWHERE WE GO TEACHERS ARE
SAYING, "I LOVE MY STUDENTS, I
LOVE WORKING HARD, I LOVE
TEACHING, BUT I FEEL LIKE IT HAS
BECOME SO POLITICAL AND SOL
BUREAUCRATIC."
>> Zac Schultz: TONY EVERS
AGREES POLITICS ARE DRIVING
TEACHERS OUT BUT IN A DIFFERENT
WAY.
>> I THINK PEOPLE HAVE
DISRESPECTED TEACHERS OVER THE
LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
AND THEY DON'T GET PAID ENOUGH.
SO THOSE ARE KIND OF TWO BASIC
THINGS.
THOSE THINGS THINGS ARE NOT GOING TO BE
CHANGED OVER NIGHT.
AND SO I DO BELIEVE THAT AT THE
END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO
CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS
AND OUR SCHOOLS AND PROVIDE THE
RESOURCES THEY NEED.
>> Zac Schultz: AS FOR WHAT TO
DO ABOUT IT, MICHELS SAYS THE
SOLUTION ISN'T IN THE STATE
BUDGET.
MEANING MORE FUNDING FOR
SCHOOLS.
>> IT STARTS WITH LEADERSHIP AT
THE VERY TOP.
AND IT STARTS WITH THE GUIDANCE
WE ARE GIVING THOSE SCHOOL
ADMINISTRATORS AND DPI AND ALL
THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE
OUT THERE.
>> Zac Schultz: BUT EVERS SAY
THE SOLUTIONS IS QUITE SIMPLE.
>> I THINK INCREASING THE
TEACHER'S WAGES.
AND START TO RESPECT WHAT THEY
DO.
>> Zac Schultz: REPORTING FROM
WAUWATOSA I'M ZAC SCHULTZ FOR
HERE AND NOW.
>> Frederica Freyberg: TIM
MICHELS SAYS HE WANTS K-12
SCHOOLS TO STOP TEACHING
CRITICAL RACE THEORY, WHICH THEY
ACTUALLY DON'T.
JUST BY WAY OF DEFINITION
ACCORDING TO EXPERTS, CRITICAL
RACE THEORY IS A HIGH-LEVEL
ACADEMIC COUNCIL HOLDING RACISM
AS NOT MERELY THE PRODUCT OF
INDIVIDUAL BIAS OR PREJUDICE.
IN WISCONSIN, RECENT LOCAL
EXAMPLES OF THE CULTURE WAR
WITHIN SCHOOLS INCLUDE THE MIST
EGO SCHOOL BOARD EXCLOUTING AN
AWARD WINNING BOOK FOR TENTH
GRADE READING.
IT'S A NOVEL THAT FOLLOWS A
JAPANESE AMERICAN FAMILY
INCARCERATED DURING THE AMERICAN
GOVERNMENT DURING WORLD WAR II.
FOR MORE ON THIS WE TURN TO
KABBY HONG RECENTLY NAMED
TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
AND MEMBER OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN
COALITION OF WISCONSIN.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> Kabby Hong: IT'S A PLEASURE
BEING WITH YOU.
>> Frederica Freyberg: AS A NEW
SCHOOL YEAR STARTS, TENTH
GRADERS THERE WILL NOT BE
ASSIGNED WHEN THE EMPEROR WAS
DIVINE.
YOU SAY YOUR ORGANIZATION MUST
NOT STAY SILENT ON THIS.
WHY NOT?
>> Kabby Hong: I THINK IT'S
IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF OUR KIDS,
NOT JUST OUR ASIAN AMERICAN KIDS
OR KIDS OF COLOR, THAT THEY SEE
THEMSELVES IN THE CURRICULUM AND
THEY SEE A TRUTHFUL
REPRESENTATION OF OUR NATION'S
HISTORY.
ASIAN AMERICAN HISTORY IS
AMERICAN HISTORY.
AND SO TO EXCLUDE THAT IS REALLY
DENYING OUR OWN PAST.
>> Frederica Freyberg: SO THE
SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS SAID THE
DECISION WAS ABOUT THE PROCESS
OF HOW THE BOOK WAS CHOSEN, NOT
ITS CONTENT.
THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO OUR
REQUEST FOR COMMENT.
WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF
WHY THAT BOOK WAS PULLED?
>> Kabby Hong: WELL, THEIR
EXPLANATIONS REALLY DEFIE LOGIC.
WHAT YOU ARE FINDING ACROSS THE
COUNTRY AND IT'S NOT JUST
HAPPENING IN MISKEGO, THERE IS A
DOUBLE STANDARD WHEN IT COMES TO
AUTHORS OF COLOR.
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO
LGBTQ CHARACTERS AND BOOKS AS
WELL.
THAT THERE IS A SEPARATE
STANDARD OF SCRUTINY THAT IS
USED FOR THOSE TYPES OF BOOKS
THAN IT IS FOR THE, QUOTE,
CLASSIC BOOKS THAT ARE NOT OFTEN
WRITTEN BY PEOPLE OF COLOR OR
MARGINALIZED GROUPS.
WHAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO
EXPLAIN IS WHY THEY ARE USING A
DOUBLE-STANDARD FOR WHEN THE
EMPEROR WAS DIVINE THEY HAVEN'T
USED FOR OTHER NOVELS.
>> Frederica Freyberg: DO OTHER
TEACHERS ASSIGN THIS BOOK?
>> Kabby Hong: WE ARE
CONSIDERING THINKING OF TEACHING
IT THIS YEAR FOR OUR FRESHMEN
ENGLISH.
BECAUSE IT IS A FANTASTIC BOOK.
IT'S AN AWARD-WINNING BOOK.
AND IT HAS TREMENDOUS LITERARY
MERIT.
AND IT IS TAUGHT THROUGHOUT OUR
COUNTRY.
MISKEGO'S LOGIC OF WHY THEY
WANTED IT REJECTED, BECAUSE THEY
WERE UNCOMFORTABLE TALKING ABOUT
THE JAPANESE-AMERICAN
INTERNMENT.
AND UNCOMFORTABLE TALKING ABOUT
OUR NATION'S HISTORY.
>> Frederica Freyberg: HOW DOES
THIS LOCAL EXAMPLE DOVE TAIL
WITH CALLS TO CRITICAL RACE
THEORY?
>> Kabby Hong: WELL, IF YOU LOOK
AT WHAT PEOPLE DEFINE AS
CRITICAL RACE THEORY, SOMETIMES
IT'S A LIST OF 70 DIFFERENT
TERMS.
INCLUDING TERMS LIKE DIVERSITY.
SO REALLY THESE CRITICAL RACE
THEORY BANS HAVE NOTHING TO DO
WITH CRITICAL RACE THEORY.
AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE IN K-12
EDUCATION, CRITICAL RACE THEORY
IS NOT REALLY THOUGHT.
WHAT THE CRITICAL RACE THEORY
BANS SHOW IS IN DISCOMFORT
PEOPLE HAVE WITH PEOPLE OF
COLOR.
WITH THE TRUTHFUL REFLECTION
ABOUT OUR NATION'S HISTORY WITH
BANNING BOOKS.
ESPECIALLY BOOKS WRITTEN BY
AUTHORS OF COLOR.
AND I THINK THAT IS THE OPPOSITE
DIRECTION WE NEED TO GO AS A
COUNTRY.
>> Frederica Freyberg: SO ARE
TEACHERS ON THE EDGE ABOUT
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION ABOUT
HISTORICAL FACTS?
>> Kabby Hong: WELL, THE NICE
THING ABOUT BEING THE WISCONSIN
TEACHER OF THE YEAR, I'M ABLE TO
CONVERSE WITH TEACHERS OF THE
YEAR FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
AND THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AN ISSUE
THAT IS IMPACTING TEACHERS, NOT
JUST IN WISCONSIN, BUT ACROSS
THE COUNTRY ITSELF.
THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN 300
ANTI-LGBTQ LAWS PASSED IN THIS
COUNTRY IN THE LAST YEAR ALONE.
AND SO IT'S INCREDIBLY
PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE THE BEST
PART OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION
SYSTEM IS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO
HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT
OUR NATION'S HISTORY, ABOUT
IDENTITIES OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
AND THESE LAWS TAKE AWAY FROM
THAT.
>> Frederica Freyberg: HAS ALL
OF THIS CONTRIBUTED TO TEACHERS
NOT WANTING TO ENTER THE FIELD?
OR NOT STAYING?
>> Kabby Hong: IT IS A MAJOR
REASON WHY A LOT OF TEACHERS ARE
LEAVING.
BECAUSE WHAT YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY
ASKING TEACHERS TO DO IS TO GO
AGAINST BEST PRACTICES.
TO GO AGAINST THEIR OWN
TRAINING.
AND THE SAD REALITY OF IT IS
THAT, UNFORTUNATELY IN TEACHING,
WE ARE OFTENTIMES HAVING OUR
PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT OVERRULED
BY PEOPLE THAT HAVE ZERO
EXPERIENCE ACTUALLY TEACHING IN
A CLASSROOM.
AND THAT IS THE SAD PART ABOUT
ALL OF THIS.
IS THAT YOU TRAIN AND YOU ASK
THESE TEACHERS TO BE COLLEGE
EDUCATED AND HIGHLY TRAINED.
AND YET WHEN THEY GIVE YOU YOUR
PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT, THIS
JUDGMENT IS OFTENTIMES OVERRULED
FOR NO REASON, OTHER THAN A
NARROW POLITICAL VIEWPOINT.
>> Frederica Freyberg: WHAT
SHOULD PARENTS KNOW ABOUT WHY
SUCH THINGS AS AMERICAN HISTORY
IN THESE WAYS IS BEING TAUGHT TO
THEIR CHILDREN?
>> Kabby Hong: I THINK PARENTS
SHOULD KNOW TEACHERS DEEPLY CARE
ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN.
AND THAT WE ARE ROOTING OUR
PRACTICES ON BEST PRACTICES.
BUT ALSO, IN TERMS OF MEETING
THE NEEDS OF A DIVERSE ARRAY OF
KIDS.
AND ULTIMATELY THESE
CONVERSATIONS STRENGTHEN US.
BECAUSE THE HISTORY IS OUR
CURRENT.
IF YOU LOOK A LOT OF THE ISSUES
WE ARE DEALING WITH IN THE PAST,
WE ARE STILL DEALING WITH THEM
TODAY.
IT ALLOWS US TO GIVE A CONTEXT
FOR OUR KIDS IN TERMS OF WHY
ISSUES OF RACIAL INJUSTICE, FOR
EXAMPLE, CONTINUE TO PLAGUE US
IN OUR CURRENT DAY.
>> Frederica Freyberg: WE NEED
TO LIVE IT THERE.
KABBY HONG THANK YOU SO MUCH.
HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR.
>> Kabby Hong: THANK YOU.
APPRECIATE IT.
>> Frederica Freyberg: IN
ELECTION NEWS A FEDERAL JUDGE IN
MADISON THIS WEEK RULED
WISCONSIN VOTERS WITH
DISABILITIES CAN GET HELP
RETURNING THEIR BALLOTS CITING
THE FEDERAL VOTING RIGHTS ACT.
THIS DECISION AFTER THE STATE
SUPREME COURT RULED ONLY THE
VOTER COULD RETURN AN ABSENTEE
BALLOT TO THE CLERKS OFFICE.
APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO SEEK
$1.3 MILLION TO HIRE TEN PEOPLE
AND CREATE AN ELECTIONS
INSPECTOR GENERAL PROGRAM.
HOW WILL ANY OF THIS SQUARE WITH
REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE STATE
LEGISLATURE WHO HAD THE
COMMISSION IN THEIR SIGHTS FOR
ITS GUIDANCE DURING THE 2020
ELECTION?
FOR MORE ON THIS ADMINISTRATOR
OF THE WISCONSIN ELECTION
COMMISSION MEAGAN WOLFE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> Meagan Wolfe: THANK YOU FOR
HAVING ME.
>> Frederica Freyberg: WHAT IS
YOUR RESPONSE?
>> Meagan Wolfe: THE COMMISSION
WILL FORMALLY RESPOND AT A
SPECIAL MEETING TO BE CONDUCTED
ON SEPTEMBER 6th AT 6:00 P.M.
PART OF THE JUDGES RULING WAS TO
DIRECT THE COMMISSION TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND
GUIDANCE TO VOTERS WITH
DISABILITIES ABOUT THE EXACT
MECHANICS OF HOW THEY CAN CHOOSE
TO HELP THEM MAIL OR DELIVER
THEIR ABSENTEE BALLOT.
SO THE COMMISSION WILL BE
MEETING IN PUBLIC IN OPEN
SESSION ON SEPTEMBER 6th TO
HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
>> Frederica Freyberg: THE COURT
ALSO DIRECTED CLERKS TO BE
NOTIFIED BY NEXT FRIDAY OF THE
GUIDANCE.
DOES A VOTER HAVE TO SOMEHOW
PROVE THEIR DISABILITY TO GET
THIS HELP?
>> Meagan Wolfe: THAT WILL BE
PART OF THE CONVERSATION THAT IS
AT THE COMMISSION'S MEETING.
BUT IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT MOST
LIKELY BE APPROPRIATE OR
SOMETHING THAT IS PART OF THAT
PROCESS.
VOTERS DO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO CHOOSE SOMEONE TO BE ABLE TO
SAY CYST THEM UNDER BOTH STATE
AND FEDERAL LAW.
>> Frederica Freyberg: AS TO THE
UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FOR MORE THAN
$1 MILLION AND INSPECTOR GENERAL
FOR THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION,
WHY IS THAT NEEDED?
>> Meagan Wolfe: SO I THINK IT'S
A RESULT OF NEEDS.
IT'S A REALLY NEEDS-DRIVEN
PROPOSAL.
AND IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE'VE
REALLY SEEN THAT THE ELECTION
LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED
DRAMATICALLY.
THE REQUEST AND THE DEMANDS UPON
OUR AGENCY HAS SHIFTED.
WE HAVE SEEN SUCH A TREMENDOUS
INCREASE IN PEOPLE ASKING FOR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
AND THE COMMISSION EVEN, THEIR
DESIRE TO INCREASE THINGS LIKE
THE AUDITS THAT OUR AGENCY
CONDUCTS.
AND SO THIS PROPOSAL, AND NOW
THE COMMISSION'S UNANIMOUS
APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL,
REALLY PLACES BEFORE LAWMAKERS
AND THE GOVERNOR IN THE 2023
BUDGET-MAKING PROCESS A COUPLE
QUESTIONS.
THE FIRST IS, DO THEY WANT TO
SEE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF
VOTING EQUIPMENT AUDITS THAT ARE
CONDUCTED?
DO THEY WANT TO SEE AN EXPANSION
IN PROGRAMS LIKE OUR
ACCESSIBILITY AUDITS?
AND DO THEY WANT THE COMMISSION
TO ENGAGE IN ADDITIONAL CHECKS,
REVIEWS, INDEPENDENT AUDITS OF
VOTER DATA AND VOTER ROLES?
AND IF THE ANSWER IS YES TO
THOSE QUESTIONS, THEN WE NEED TO
ASK FOR FUNDING FOR THOSE
PROGRAMS THROUGH THE STATE
BUDGET PROCESS.
>> Frederica Freyberg: AND IS
THERE SOMETHING SPECIFIC THE
INSPECTOR GENERAL WOULD DO?
>> Meagan Wolfe: SO THE
INSPECTOR GENERAL WOULD BE THE
HEAD OF THAT DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THAT DEPARTMENT THEY WOULD
HAVE VARIOUS STAFF THAT WOULD BE
LOOKING INTO -- THEY MIGHT BE
DATA EXPERTS.
THEY MIGHT BE EXPERTS ON
ACCESSIBILITY AUDITS.
THEY MIGHT BE EXPERTS ON VOTING
EQUIPMENT AND CERTIFICATION IN
OTHER ASPECTS OF THAT PROGRAM
ANTEINSPECTOR GENERAL WOULD BE
THE ONE THAT IS SUPERVISING THAT
WORK AS IS DIRECTED BY THE
COMMISSION AND THROUGH THE
STRUCTURE OF THE AGENCY.
>> Frederica Freyberg: HERE'S
WHAT REPRESENTATIVE JANELLE
BRANSON SAID ABOUT THIS.
QUOTE, THIS IS PLAY OUTSIDE
OF -- OFFERING A FIX WHILE
PRETENDING IT WILL SOLVE THE
PROBLEMS OF THIS ROGUE AGENCY.
SO GIVEN THAT KIND OF
PERSUASION, WHAT HAPPENS, IN
YOUR MIND, IF THIS MONEY ISN'T
APPROVED?
>> Meagan Wolfe: IF THIS MONEY
ISN'T APPROVED, WE WON'T BE ABLE
TO EXPAND INTO THOSE ADDITIONAL
AREAS.
AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A REAL
SHAME FOR WISCONSIN VOTERS AND
EVEN FOR LAWMAKERS.
BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO
PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION,
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO
ENGAGE WITH ELECTION
INFORMATION.
ADDITIONAL TRANSPARENCY.
BUT IN ORDER FOR US TO TAKE ON
THESE NEW ADDITIONAL TASKS, WE
NEED TO SEE ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
SUSTAINABLE FUNDING THROUGH THE
STATE BUDGET PROCESS.
>> Frederica Freyberg: SPEAKING
OF CRITIC BRANSON, SHE IS
HOLDING A HEARING ON WHY THE
COMMISSION IS REINSTATING 31,000
PREVIOUSLY INACTIVE VOTERS TO
THE VOTERS REGISTRATION LIST.
WHY ARE THEY PUTTING BACK ON THE
ROLES?
>> Meagan Wolfe: THAT IS GREAT
QUESTION.
AND IT IS A RESULT OF THE STATE
SUPREME COURT DECISION THE
ZANEGO DECISION.
AFTER THAT DECISION WAS HANDED
DOWN, THE COMMISSION HAD BEFORE
IT TWO QUESTIONS.
ONE, WHAT WAS TO DO WITH FOLKS
THAT WERE IDENTIFIED BY ERIKA'S
POTENTIALLY MOVING AND SENT
MAILER.
WHAT TO DO WITH THEM MOVING
FORWARD.
AND THE COURT SAID THAT IS A
MUNICIPAL CLERK RESPONSIBILITY.
SO THE COMMISSION GAVE GUIDANCE
TO THE MUNICIPAL CLERKS TO TAKE
ACTION ON THOSE RECORDS.
THE SECOND QUESTION THAT WAS
BEFORE THE COMMISSION IS WHAT TO
DO WITH THE VOTERS THAT HAD
ALREADY BEEN DEACTIVATED AND
WHERE THE COURT SAID IT WAS A
MUNICIPAL CLERK RESPONSIBILITY,
NOT A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
ELECTIONS COMMISSION.
AND IN THAT CASE, THERE WAS A
FOLLOW UP LAWSUIT AND AS OF THAT
LAWSUIT, THERE WAS A STIPULATION
THAT THOSE VOTERS WOULD BE
REACTIVATED.
>> Frederica Freyberg: COMPLICATCOMPLICAT
COMPLICATED -- COMPLICATED STUFF.
MEAGAN WOLFE THANK YOU.
>> Meagan Wolfe: THANK YOU.
>> Frederica Freyberg: THE STATE
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CRIMINALLY
CHARGED -- WITH HIS REQUESTING
ABSENTEE BALLOTS IF FOR TWO
OTHER PEOPLE.
CHARGING PAPERS SAY HE COULD
FACE MORE THAN 12 YEARS IN
PRISON.
ON THE HEALTH CARE FRONT, NURSES
AT UW HEALTH IN MADISON TODAY
DELIVERED THEIR OFFICIAL TEN-DAY
NOTICE OF INTENT TO STRIKE.
THE NOTICE COMES IN RESPONSE TO
THE HOSPITAL'S REFUSAL TO
RECOGNIZE THE NURSE'S UNION.
HUNDREDS OF NURSES VOLTED IN
FAVOR OF A THREE- VOTED IN FAVOR
OF A THREE-DAY WALK OUT.
UW HEALTH SAID THE DECISION BY
SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL
UNION TO CONDUCT A STRIKE IS
DISAPPOINTING.
THEY WILL HARM PATIENTS KNOWING
THAT THEIR ACTIONS WILL NOT GAIN
THEM AN ANSWER TO THESE LEGAL
QUESTIONS.
WE ARE GO NOW TO ONE OF THE
LEADERS IN THE EFFORT TO
UNIONIZE.
COLIN GILLIS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> Colin Gillis: THANK YOU FOR
HAVING ME.
>> Frederica Freyberg: THE
STRIKE WOULD BE STAGED TO GET
THE HOSPITAL TO RECOGNIZE THIS
UNION.
WHY DO NURSES WANT THE UNION?
>> Colin Gillis: WE HAVE BEEN
FACING CUTS THAT HAVE REDUCED
OUR ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF
PATIENTS FOR ALMOST THREE YEARS.
SINCE WE LOST OUR UNION FOUR
YEARS AGO.
SO WE'RE REALLY -- WE'RE
COMMANDING THIS UNION BECAUSE WE
NEED A REAL VOICE AT THE TABLE
WHERE THE DECISION ABOUT POLICY
GETS MADE.
>> Frederica Freyberg: DESCRIBE
YOUR WORKING CONDITIONS THAT LED
TO THIS DECISION FOR NURSES.
>> Colin Gillis: I WORK ON AN
IN-PATIENT UNIT WHERE WE TAKE
CARE OF COVID PATIENTS, AMONG
OTHERS.
AND WE'RE CONSTANTLY WORKING
SHORT STAFFED.
AND WORKING SHORT STAFFED AS A
NURSE MEANS YOU ARE MAKING AN
ENDLESS SERIES OF IMPOSSIBLE
DECISIONS.
DO I GIVE THIS PATIENT PAIN
MEDICATIONS OR DO I STAY AT THE
BEDSIDE AND MONITOR THIS PATIENT
WHO MAY BE DECOMPENSATING AND IN
DANGER OF GETTING EVEN SICKER
THAN THEY ALREADY ARE?
AND IT'S THAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE
THAT CAUSES BURNOUT AND
EXHAUSTION AND MORAL INJURY THAT
IS CAUSING NURSES TO LEAVE NOT
JUST BEDSIDE NURSING, IN-PATIENT
NURSING, BUT TO LEAVE THE
PROFESSION.
>> Frederica Freyberg: SO YOU
DESCRIBED A SERIES OF CUTS OVER
THE YEARS.
ARE THESE, KIND OF, DELIBERATE
CUTS?
OR DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH THE
SHORTAGE OF NURSES OVERALL?
>> Colin Gillis: SO WE'VE BEEN
FACING A CHRONIC STAFFING CRISIS
SINCE THE HOSPITAL IMPLEMENTED
SYSTEM NOTICE MEAN STAFFING BACK
IN 2018.
SO THERE IS A NATIONAL STAFFING
SHORTAGE.
BUT THE STAFFING CRISIS THAT
WE'RE EXPERIENCING AT UW IS, IN
PART, AN OWN GOAL.
IT'S SELF-INFLICTED.
>> Frederica Freyberg: YOUR
FELLOW NURSES SAID HAVING A
UNION WOULD HELP PATIENT CARE.
HOW SPECIFICALLY?
>> Colin Gillis: NURSES ARE ON
THE FRONTLINE.
THE VERY FRONTLINE OF HEALTH
CARE.
SO WE SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING TO
OUR PATIENTS AS IT'S HAPPENING.
AND WE'RE ALSO, BECAUSE WE'RE AT
THE FRONTLINE AND THE BEDSIDE,
WE'RE THE EXPERTS.
WE REALLY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON
WHEN WE'RE FACING A PANDEMIC OR
WHEN WE ARE FACING INCREASING
LEVEL OF PATIENTS IN NEED OF
HEALTH CARE IN THE COUNTY.
AND IT'S US WHO ARE MOST
QUALIFIED TO MAKE DECISIONS
ABOUT WHAT POLICIES WILL REALLY
WORK AND PROTECT PATIENTS.
AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE ARE
OPERATING IN A CRISIS SITUATION
RIGHT NOW.
WHERE WE'RE JUST SO UNDER
STAFFED, WE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF
OUR PATIENTS THE WAY WE NEED TO.
AND WE KNOW THAT THE HOSPITAL
MAY BE ABLE TO HIRE NEW NURSES
ALL THE TIME, BUT WE CAN'T DO
OUR JOBS IF OUR HOSPITALS ARE HOSPITAL
REVOLVING DOOR WHERE NURSES GET
HIRED AND LEAVE A YEAR LATER.
GO AHEAD.
>> Frederica Freyberg: I'M
WONDERING ON THE FLIP SIDE IF
WALKING OFF THE JOB FOR THREE
DAYS WILL HURT PATIENT CARE.
>> Colin Gillis: WE'RE GOING ON
STRIKE TO PROTECT OUR PATIENTS.
AND WE'RE GIVING OUR -- WE
ALREADY GAY THE HOSPITAL -- WE
ARE GIVING THEM A TEN-DAY NOTICE
SO THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY NEED IN
ORDER TO KEEP PATIENTS SAFE
DURING A WORK STOPPAGE.
BUT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
STRIKE IS ON THE HOSPITAL.
THEY CAN LEGALLY RECOGNIZE OUR
UNION AND THEY REFUSE TO DO SO.
>> Frederica Freyberg: DO YOU
FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE NEW LEVERAGE
NOW WITH THIS NURSE SHORTAGE?
AND HOW ARE YOU PROCLAIMED
HEALTH CARE HEROS THROUGH THE
PANDEMIC?
>> Colin Gillis: NURSES ARE --
WE LIKE TO SAY IN NURSING THAT
WE ARE THE MOST TRUSTED
PROFESSION AND GALLOP HAS BEEN
DOING A POLL THAT SHOWS THAT FOR
A VERY LONG TIME.
I THINK, MAYBE, YES, WE ARE EVEN
MORE TRUSTED AS A RESULT OF THE
PANDEMIC.
BECAUSE WE WERE THERE WHEN OUR
COUNTRY NEEDED US.
AND BY THE WAY, THE PANDEMIC IS
NOT OVER.
WE DO THINK THAT WE ARE AS
POPULAR AS EVER.
AND ALSO, WITH THE NATIONAL
CENSUS, IT DOES MAKE IT -- IT
DOES MEAN THAT IT'S ON THE
HOSPITAL TO PAY EVEN MORE
ATTENTION TO US RIGHT NOW.
>> Frederica Freyberg: COLIN
GILLIS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US
AND THANKS FOR YOUR WORK.
>> Colin Gillis: THANK YOU.
>> Frederica Freyberg: EVERY
YEAR FOR LABOR DAY, THE CENTER
ON WISCONSIN STRATEGY OR COWS AT
UW MADISON RELEASES ITS STATE OF
WORKING WISCONSIN.
PINPOINTING WHAT IS GOING ON IN
THE STATE LABOR MARKET.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COWS, AN
ECONOMIST, LAURA DRESSER IS HERE
WITH MORE ON THE REPORT.
HI, LAURA.
>> Laura Dresser: HI.
>> Frederica Freyberg: NEW U.S.
JOB NUMBERS CAME OUT TODAY
SHOWING JOB, SLOWING OF JOB
GROWTH, WOULD YOU EXPECT THAT IN
WISCONSIN AS WELL?
EVEN IF ONE OF YOUR KEY FINDINGS
IS THE GREAT RESIGNATION, AT
LEAST IN THIS STATE IS A MYTH?
>> Laura Dresser: YEAH, I THINK
WE HAVE SEEN 2022 HAS BEEN
DEFINED, I THINK, BY STEADY JOB
GROWTH AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL.
A LITTLE LESS ROBUST JOB GROWTH
IN WISCONSIN.
I THINK PEOPLE ARE RELIEVED TO
SEE THAT 300,000 NATIONAL
NUMBER.
WHICH IS SLOWER THAN THE
PROCEEDING MONTHS BUT IS STILL
SOLID LABOR-MARKET GROWTH.
>> Frederica Freyberg: LET'S GO
BACK TO THAT MYTH YOU CALL THE
GREAT RESIGNATION IN WISCONSIN.
WHY IS IT A MYTH?
>> Laura Dresser: I THINK PEOPLE
HAVE A SENSE, THE STORIES FROM
ABOUT A YEAR AGO GAVE PEOPLE A
SENSE THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF
PEOPLE THAT WERE LIKE, TAKE THIS
JOB AND I'M GOING TO GO LIVE ON
THE VAN LIFE AND DEVELOP AN
INSTAGRAM FOLLOWING GROUP OR
WHATEVER.
THERE WAS A LOT OF RETREAT FROM
WORK.
BUT WHAT THERE WAS, ACTUALLY,
AND IS CLEAR IN THE DATA, THAT
PEOPLE REALLY SAW OPPORTUNITY
AND THEY TOOK IT.
THEY LEFT JOBS.
AND THEY'VE MOVED UP AND THEY'VE
MOVED ON.
BUT WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE WORKING
IN THE STATE TODAY THAN WE DID
THE PERCENTAGE, THE MOST THAT
WE'VE EVER HAD PEOPLE WORKING IN
THE STATE IN MAY THIS YEAR.
WELL OVER 3 MILLION.
AND WE HAVE A HIGHER LABOR FORCE
PARTICIPATION RATE TODAY THAN WE
DID FEBRUARY 2020 COMING INTO
THE PANDEMIC.
AND SO ON THESE MEASURES, PEOPLE
ARE WORKING.
>> Frederica Freyberg: BUT WHAT
EXPLAINS THEM?
SHORTAGES OF WORKERSERS IN
RESTAURANTS AND OTHER SERVICE
INDUSTRY THAT WE HEAR ABOUT ALL
THE TIME?
>> Laura Dresser: WE CAN SEE HOW
TIGHT THE LABOR MARKET IS.
HOW MUCH DEMAND THERE IS FOR
WORKERS.
AND I THINK WHAT WE SEE IS
WORKERS ARE ABLE TO SEE THAT
OPPORTUNITY AND MAKE SOMETHING
OF THAT OPPORTUNITY.
EITHER BY LEAVING AND GOING TO
GET A NEW JOB OR STAYING ON THE
JOB THEY HAVE AND IMPROVING IT
BY ASKING FOR HIGHER WAGES.
BUT IT MEANS THAT THE LOWER WAGE
INDUSTRIES, ESPECIALLY, HAVE
EVIDENT JOB OPENINGS.
AND I THINK PEOPLE FOUND WORK
OTHER PLACES AND THAT MEANS THAT
RESTAURANTS ARE THINKING ABOUT
HOW THEY RESTRUCTURE THAT WORK
TO MAKE IT APPEALING.
>> Frederica Freyberg: SO YOU
ALSO SHOW THAT WAGES ARE UP IN
WISCONSIN.
UP AT HISTORIC LEVELS.
WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?
>> Laura Dresser: YEAH, I THINK
WE HAVE SEEN PRETTY SOLID WAGE
GROWTH FROM 2018 TO 2021.
OUR WAGE DATA IS ALWAYS
INFLATION ADJUSTED.
SO EXPRESSED IN CURRENT DOLLARS.
NEXT YEAR I THINK INFLATION WILL
CHANGE THE PICTURE
SUBSTANTIALLY.
BUT COMING INTO 2021, WHICH IS
THE MOST RECENT AVAILABLE, WE
ARE UP ABOUT $21.50 AN HOUR
WHICH IS THE MEDIAN WAGE.
WHICH IS $2 UP FROM 2018 AND
$1.50 AN HOUR.
THAT KIND OF GROWTH WE HAVEN'T
SEEN SINCE THE LATE '90s.
>> Frederica Freyberg: I'M NOT
SURE WE HAVE THE TIME TO TALK
ABOUT IT HERE, BUT THERE ARE
DISPARITIES IN THAT.
>> Laura Dresser: ABSOLUTELY.
AND ALWAYS IN THIS ECONOMY.
EVEN WHEN THERE IS GOOD NEWS.
GOOD NEWS ISN'T ALWAYS BROADLY
SHARED.
AND THAT IS DEFINITELY, YOU CAN
FIND THAT ON THE REPORT.
>> Frederica Freyberg: THE
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
REPORTS A 56% INCREASE IN
PETITIONS FOR UNION ELECTIONS.
HOW IS THE TIGHT LABOR MARKET
CHANGED LABOR ORGANIZING IN
WISCONSIN?
WE JUST SPOKE WITH A MEMBER OF
THE NURSES UNION AT UW HOSPITAL.
HOW IS THAT CHANGING?
>> Laura Dresser: I THINK THAT
WHAT I THINK OF THE NATIONAL
LABOR RELATIONS DATA IS THE KIND
OF MOST FORMAL, MOST ORGANIZED
VERSION OF SEEING WHAT WORKERS
ARE DOING WITH WORK.
AND I THINK THE WAGE DATA AND
THE TURNOVER DATA AND THE JOB
OPENINGS REALLY SHOWS THAT
WORKERS SEE OPPORTUNITY RIGHT
NOW AND IN INDIVIDUAL AND
COLLECTIVE WAYS, YOU KNOW, AND
FORMAL AND INFORMAL WAYS THEY
ARE ASKING FOR MORE.
AND THE MOST COLLECTIVE AND
FORMAL WAY IS TO MOVE TO A
PROCESS AND THAT IS WHAT WE SEE
MORE OF IN THE STATE AS WELL.
>> Frederica Freyberg: ++THANKS
VERY MUCH.
>> Laura Dresser: THANK YOU.
>> Frederica Freyberg: FOR MORE
ON THIS AND OTHER ISSUES FACING
WISCONSIN, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
PBSWISCONSIN.ORG AND THEN CLICK
ON THE NEWS TAB.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR HERE AND NOW IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.