>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG,
TONIGHT, ON HERE AND NOW,
PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS ON TO
EXPAND JOB TRAINING
APPRENTICESHIPS AFTER VISITING
WISCONSIN.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ASSEMBLY
PASSAGE OF A CONSTITUTIONAL
RESOLUTION, AND THE MILWAUKEE
HEALTH COMMISSIONER AND HIS WORK
TO STEM DRUG OVERDOSES
INCREASINGLY FROM HEROIN.
IT'S "HERE & NOW" FOR JUNE 16TH.
>> FUNDING IS SPONSORED IN PART
BY FRIENDS OF WISCONSIN PUBLIC
TELEVISION.
>> EXACTLY WHAT MOTIVATED A
BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS MAN TO
SHOOT FIVE PEOPLE PRACTICING ON
AN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA BALL
FIELD THIS WEEK IS STILL UNDER
INVESTIGATION BUT HE WAS
REPORTEDLY ANGRY AT DONALD
TRUMP'S POLICIES.
THE PLAYERS WERE MEMBERS OF THE
CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICAN
BASEBALL TEAM, INCLUDING HOUSE
WHIP REPRESENTATIVE STEVE
SCALISE.
THE SHOOTING SET OFF CALLS FOR
UNITY AT THE CAPITOL, INCLUDING
FROM WISCONSIN CONGRESSMAN,
HOUSE SPEAKER, PAUL RYAN.
>> WE ARE ALL GIVING OUR
THOUGHTS TO THOSE CURRENTLY
BEING TREATED FOR THEIR INJURIES
AT THIS MOMENT.
AND WE ARE UNITED.
WE ARE UNITED IN OUR SHOCK, IN
OUR ANGUISH, AN ATTACK ON ONE OF
US IS AN ATTACK ON ALL OF US.
[APPLAUSE]
>> HOUSE SPEAKER PAUL RYAN ON
WEDNESDAY.
IN WISCONSIN, THE UNEMPLOYMENT
RATE FELL TO 3.1%, ACCORDING TO
NUMBERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT RELEASED
THURSDAY, LOWEST SINCE 1999.
COMPANIES SAYING THEY STRUGGLE
TO FILL SKILLED POSITIONS,
PRESIDENT TRUMP THURSDAY SIGNED
AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO EXPAND
APPRENTICESHIPS WITH GOVERNOR
SCOTT WALKER LOOKING ON.
EARLIER IN THE WEEK THE
PRESIDENT CAME TO WISCONSIN AND
TOURED WAUKESHA COUNTY TECHNICAL
COLLEGE TO HIGHLIGHT LIST
$200 MILLION EXPANSION OF
APPRENTICESHIPS AND JOB
TRAINING.
ORGANIZATION CALLED THE
WISCONSIN REGIONAL TRAINING
PARTNERSHIP RUNS A PROGRAM
CALLED "BIG STEP," WHICH TRAINS
ABOUT 800 PEOPLE A YEAR TO GET
APPRENTICESHIPS IN THE BUILDING
TRADES.
ITS PRESIDENT, MARK KESSENICH,
JOINS US FROM MILWAUKEE WITH HIS
REACTION TO THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> GOOD EVENING, GREAT TO BE
WITH YOU.
>> WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE
PRESIDENT'S PUSH TO EXPAND
APPRENTICESHIPS?
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE
APPLAUD THE PRESIDENT FOR
HIGHLIGHTING APPRENTICESHIP AS
ONE OF THE NATION'S KEY TRAINING
AND EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURES.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN
SOMEWHAT OF LOST OR FORGOTTEN
PART OF OUR ECONOMY BUT FOR
THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW, IN THE
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION
TRADES, APPRENTICESHIP HAS BEEN
THE STALWART OF HOW WE BUILT
MOST OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE BEDROCK.
WE ARE SEEING AN EXTENSION OF
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CHALLENGE TO
DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF
APPRENTICESHIPS BY 2020, MANY
DON'T REMEMBER THE PUSH AT THE
END OF HIS ADMINISTRATION, BUT
THIS IS A BIT OF A CONTINUATION,
AS WELL AS A RECOGNITION THAT
APPRENTICESHIP CAN BE APPLIED
ACROSS MANY SECTORS, INCLUDING
THE INDUSTRIAL SERVICE SECTORS,
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FUTURE WE
ARE GOING TO HAVE, SO WE HAVE TO
FIND A WAY TO BETTER EDUCATE AND
TRAIN OUR WORKFORCE, AND
FRANKLY, AS THE ECONOMY BEGINS
TO REALLY CATCH FIRE, THE BEST
WAY TO DO THAT IS GIVE PEOPLE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO EARN WHILE THEY
LEARN, YOU WORK, MAKE A LIVING
AND GOING TO SCHOOL AT THE SAME
TIME.
THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS WHERE
EMPLOYERS NEED A WORKFORCE AND
THEY NEED IT NOW.
>> DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR
ORGANIZATION DOES FOR PREPARING
PEOPLE FOR THE APPRENTICESHIPS.
>> SURE.
THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF OUR
ORGANIZATION IS TO RECRUIT AND
ATTRACT INDIVIDUALS TO CAREERS,
NOT JUST JOBS.
SO, IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE
PROVIDE APPRENTICESHIP READINESS
PROGRAMMING, AND PROVIDES
TUTORING, HANDS ON TRAINING, AS
WELL AS THAT KIND OF CAREER
ADVISING AND MENTORING NECESSARY
FOR SOMEONE TO GET INTO A
PARTICULAR CAREER, THEN
ULTIMATELY SUCCEED.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE
WORK IS CONNECTING THOSE
INDIVIDUALS TO WHERE THE
OPPORTUNITIES ARE.
SINCE WE ARE A VERY
DEMAND-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION,
MEANING WE PREPARE PEOPLE FOR
JOBS THAT EXIST, NOT JOBS THAT
WE WISH EXISTED, SO, PART OF
THIS WORK IS REALLY CONNECTING
CONTRACTORS AND BUSINESSES
DIRECTLY TO THE WORK FORCE IN A
MORE MEANINGFUL WAY.
>> AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE
ADMINISTRATION IS PUSHING FOR
THIS EXPANSION, THE PROPOSED
EXECUTIVE BUDGET WOULD CUT THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S
BUDGET I UNDERSTAND BY ABOUT
20%, INCLUDING SOME EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES, SAYING THAT THEY ARE
DUPLICATE PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE
TRIMMED.
WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THAT?
>> IN GENERAL, YOU KNOW, THE
DIMINISHING INVESTMENT IN
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
ARE ALWAYS TROUBLING.
ANY TIME THERE IS A CUT TO ONE
PROGRAM, IMPACTS OTHER PROGRAMS.
WE DON'T KNOW THE FULL EXTENT TO
WHICH THIS BUDGET WILL BE
ADOPTED BY CONGRESS, WE DO KNOW
THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PUSH
THE PRESIDENT AND OUR ELECTED
OFFICIALS TO UNDERSTAND THAT
THESE ARE NOT PROGRAMS, THESE
ARE ACTUALLY INVESTMENTS IN THE
FUTURE OF THE AMERICAN
WORKFORCE.
WHILE WE SUPPORT AND APPLAUD
MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE
MOST EFFICIENT, BEST PRACTICES
IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WE
KNOW THAT CUTTING PROGRAMS IS
NOT NECESSARILY THE WAY JUST TO
GET THERE.
>> WHY IS THERE WHAT MANY REGARD
AS A SKILLS GAP BETWEEN PEOPLE
WHO NEED JOBS AND EMPLOYERS WHO
NEED WORKERS?
>> WELL, THAT'S A COMPLICATED
QUESTION ON SOME LEVELS, BUT I
THINK THE SHORT ANSWER IS
THERE'S BOTH A SKILLS GAP AND A
WAGE GAP.
IN OTHER WORDS, RIGHT NOW WE
HAVE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR WORK WHO
REALLY ARE LOOKING TO MAKE MORE
MONEY, AND SO HOW DO WE BRIDGE
BETWEEN A LOWER END OF THE LABOR
MARKET AND UPPER END OF THE
LABOR MARKET REQUIRING MORE
SKILLS, HOW DO PEOPLE WHO ARE
WORKING ACTUALLY GAIN THE SKILLS
THEY NEED TO ADVANCE IN THE
LABOR MARKET.
THE OTHER PART IS, WE ARE GOING
THROUGH A DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFT.
IT'S BEEN DISCUSSED AT SOME
POINT THE BABY BOOM WILL COME TO
AN END, AND THE REAL QUESTION
IS, WHO IS GOING TO REPLACE THE
HIGHLY SKILLED WORKFORCE AND WE
ARE BEGINNING TO SEE THAT
PROBLEM.
YOU KNOW, LAYERED IN WITH THAT,
WE HAVE CERTAIN AREAS AROUND THE
COUNTRY AND POCKETS AROUND THE
COUNTRY WHERE, YOU KNOW, THE
SOCIAL CHALLENGES OF EDUCATION
AND POVERTY HAVE REALLY LEFT A
LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE NOT ONLY
NOT PREPARED FOR THE WORLD OF
WORK, BUT THEY ARE NOT PREPARED
FOR THE WORLD OF HIGH-SKILLED
WORK.
SO, WE ARE WORKING ON STRATEGIES
TO TRY TO BRIDGE THOSE GAPS AS
WELL.
>> ALL RIGHT.
I GUESS WE NEED TO LEAVE IT
THERE.
GREAT STUFF.
MARK KESSENICH, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH.
>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU.
>> WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT
JUSTICE MICHAEL GABLEMAN WILL
NOT RUN FOR RE-ELECTION, SAYING
HE FEELS HE HAS DONE EVERYTHING
ON THE COURT HE SET OUT TO DO.
HE WAS THE AUTHOR OF THE ACT 10
LAW THAT ENDED COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING FOR MOST PUBLIC
WORKERS.
IT'S HIS INTENTION TO FINISH HIS
TERM AND NOT LEAVE EARLY.
THREE CANDIDATES HAVE ANNOUNCED
THEIR PLANS TO RUN FOR THE SEAT
THAT IS UP IN APRIL.
THEY ARE MILWAUKEE COUNTY
CIRCUIT JUDGE REBECCA DALLET,
TIM BURNS, AND MICHAEL SCRENOCK.
BUDGET WRITING COMMITTEE VOTED
VOTED -- THEY VOTED TO INCREASE
HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY AS
MUCH AS 10% FOR STATE WORKERS.
EMPLOYEES AT WISCONSIN PUBLIC TV
ARE COVERED UNDER THOSE PLANS.
THE STATE ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK
PASSED A RESOLUTION DEMANDING A
CONVENTION OF STATES TO ADD A
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE
U.S. CONSTITUTION.
THE VOTE NOW GOES TO THE STATE
SENATE.
UNDER THE RESOLUTION, WISCONSIN
WOULD BECOME THE 28th STATE OF
34 STATES NEEDED TO FORCE A
CONVENTION, TO ADD THE BUDGET
AMENDMENT.
ARTICLE V OF THE U.S.
CONSTITUTION ALLOWS A CONVENTION
FOR PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO BE
HELD IF TWO-THIRDS OF THE
STATES, OR 34 STATES, CALL FOR
ONE.
NOW TO TAKE EFFECT, ANY
AMENDMENTS PASSED AT CONVENTION
HAVE TO BE APPROVED
THREE-QUARTERS OF THE STATES, OR
38 STATES.
OPPONENTS WORRY IT COULD LEAD TO
ALL KIND OF REVISIONS TO THE
CONSTITUTION.
IN TONIGHT'S CLOSER LOOK, BOTH
SIDES OF THE ISSUE, STARTING
WITH LEAD SPONSOR, REPUBLICAN
REPRESENTATIVE KATHY BERNIER OF
CHIPPEWA FALLS.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> YOU ARE VERY WELCOME.
MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE.
>> FIRST QUESTION TO ASK, WHY DO
YOU WANT TO DO THIS?
>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALONG
WITH THE $20 TRILLION IN DEBT
AND THE MONEY TAKEN FROM THE
SOCIAL SECURITY IS THE PRIMARY
REASON.
TO GET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO
STOP UTILIZING DOLLARS FOR THE
FUTURES OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR
GRANDCHILDREN, AND TO GET A
GRASP OF OUR FINANCES SO THAT WE
HAVE A MORE SECURE FUTURE.
>> THIS PLAN, THOUGH, IS
CERTAINLY WITHOUT HISTORIC
PRECEDENT.
NO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION HAS
BEEN HELD SINCE THE CONSTITUTION
WAS FRAMED IN 1787, AMENDMENTS
SINCE THEN HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BY
CONGRESS AND APPROVED BY THE
STATES.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO BUCK HISTORY
ON THIS AND GO THIS ROUTE?
>> WELL, I DON'T SEE IT AS
BUCKING HISTORY.
I -- I JUST SEE IT AS A
PROVISION IN THE CONSTITUTION
THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN UTILIZED.
JAMES MADISON AND GEORGE MASON
HAD SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSION ABOUT
WHY THIS PROVISION SHOULD BE A
PART OF ARTICLE V.
AND THAT IS WHEN THE STATES, THE
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATES SEE
THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS
OUT OF CONTROL AND THAT THERE IS
ONE MECHANISM TO CHANGE THE
CONSTITUTION, TO ASSIST IN THAT
PROCESS.
AND SO IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DONE,
AND IT TOOK THREE YEARS FOR
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JAMES
MADISON TO GATHER THE STATES
BACK IN 1787, TO GET TO THAT
POINT OF AMENDING THE ARTICLES
OF CONFEDERATION.
SO, WITH 50 STATES CLEARLY IT'S
GOING TO BE A LOT MORE EFFORT
AND A LOT MORE ENERGY.
AND YET, ONCE WE REACH A CERTAIN
POINT, SAY, 30 STATES OR 32
STATES, THEN POTENTIALLY
CONGRESS WILL ACT, AND THAT IS
WHAT HAPPENED WITH MANY OF THE
OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE
CONSTITUTION.
>> OK.
SO, YOU VIEW THIS AS KIND OF
PUSHING THEM TOWARD THAT.
>> A BIG PUSH.
>> WELL, WHAT ABOUT THE CONCERNS
ON THE PART OF CRITICS THAT THIS
OPENS THE DOOR TO ALL KINDS OF
REVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION?
>> WELL, MY COLLEAGUES AND I,
AND THE ASSEMBLY OF STATE
LEGISLATORS, IS A GROUP OF
LEGISLATORS FROM AS MANY AS 34
STATES OVER THE LAST FOUR AND A
HALF YEARS HAVE WORKED ON THIS
PARTICULAR ISSUE, SETTING UP THE
RULES, MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS
A PROCESS IN PLACE, AND TRYING
TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE CONCERNS
ARE OF A RUN-AWAY CONVENTION, TO
DETERMINE THAT IF THAT IS THE
REAL LEGITIMATE CONCERN AND WE
HAVE DETERMINED IT IS NOT.
CHECKS AND BALANCES WERE BUILT
IN BY THE FOUNDING FATHERS JUST
IN THE PROVISION OF HAVING THE
AMENDMENT, WHATEVER COMES OUT OF
THE CONVENTION, HAVING TO BE
RATIFIED BY 38 STATES.
AND IN ALL BUT ONE STATE, THERE
ARE TWO HOUSES IN EACH STATE.
IF SOMETHING COMES OUT OF THERE
NOT SPECIFIC TO THE PETITION, A
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT,
LIKELY IT WILL NOT BE RATIFIED
BY THE STATES AND IT WILL BE --
IT WILL GO NOWHERE.
>> DEMOCRATS ON THE FLOOR OF THE
ASSEMBLY SAID THERE ARE NOT
LEGAL PROVISIONS PREVENTING OAT
ADDITION, AND IF THAT'S TRUE,
WHAT ABOUT THINGS LIBERALS MIGHT
PUSH LIKE REVERSING CITIZENS
UNITED.
>> WE HAVE HAD THAT DISCUSSION,
TO, WORKED HARD TO GET
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS
INVOLVED IN A.S.L., AND THAT IS
A POTENTIAL.
BUT, WE ARE A NATION OF LAWS AND
RULES AND FOR THE MOST PART,
MOST OF THE CITIZENS IN THE
UNITED STATES FOLLOW THE RULES
AND FOLLOW THE LAWS, AND WHEN
THEY ARE SENT BY THEIR STATE TO
DO JUST A BALANCED BUDGET
AMENDMENT AND THERE ARE A GROUP
THAT GO OFF AND DO SOMETHING
ELSE, THERE IS NOTHING THAT I
WOULD -- I CAN ONLY SPECULATE,
BUT I THINK THAT IF YOU ARE A
MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZATION AND
YOU HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT
GO OFF AND DO SOMETHING THAT
THEY ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY THERE
TO DO, THEN YOU ADJOURN THE
CONVENTION AND JUST STOP IT
RIGHT THEN AND THERE.
>> VERY QUICKLY WITH LESS THAN
HALF A MINUTE LEFT, AS FOR THE
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THIS
BALANCED BUDGET, DOES THAT TIE
THE HANDS OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IN SPENDING DECISION,
SOME OF WHICH MIGHT BE NEEDED
FOR, SAY, NATIONAL SECURITY OR
OTHER NEEDS?
>> NO, IT IS A GENERAL PROVISION
CALLING FOR A CONVENTION TO
BALANCE THE BUDGET.
A BUDGET CAN BE BALANCED WITH
STILL ALLOWING TO BORROW, TO PAY
OFF LONG-TERM DEBT.
IT ALSO CAN ALLOW FOR
EMERGENCIES, SUCH AS FOR
DEFENSE, AND VARIOUS OTHER
EMERGENCIES.
SO, THAT IS WHAT THE DELEGATES
WOULD HAMMER OUT.
THE ACTUAL WORDING OF HOW AND
WHY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
BETWEEN THE TIME THAT THEY
BALANCED THE BUDGET AND THEY GO
TO THE NEXT BUDGET THAT THEY CAN
HAVE PROVISIONS, I FORESEE THERE
WOULD BE PROVISIONS IN CASE OF
EMERGENCY.
>> WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.
REPRESENTATIVE KATHY BERNIER,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING
US.
>> YOU ARE WELCOME.
>> OPPONENTS OF THE MOVE TO
REVISE THE U.S. CONSTITUTION TO
ADD A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT
SAY IT COULD LEAD TO A RUN AWAY
TRAIN OF PROVISIONS TO THE MOST
HALLOWED DOCUMENT OF THE
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.
JAY HECK, DIRECTOR OF COMMON
CAUSE IN WISCONSIN JOINS US AND
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN, FRED,
THANKS.
>> AS TO YOUR CONCERN ABOUT THIS
RESULTING IN A RUN AWAY TRAIN OF
THESE KINDS OF REVISIONS TO THE
CONSTITUTION, THE PLAN APPROVED
IN THE ASSEMBLY, AND IN OTHER
STATES WOULD LIMIT THE PURPOSE,
THOUGH, TO THIS BALANCED BUDGET
AMENDMENT, SO, WHY ISN'T THAT
IRON CLAD?
>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD ONE
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN THE
HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY, 1787.
THEY GATHERED IN PHILADELPHIA,
GEORGE WASHINGTON, THOMAS
JEFFERSON, ALEXANDER HAMILTON,
JAMES MADISON, BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN.
THESE WERE THE PEOPLE THAT LAID
THE FOUNDATION FOR THE COUNTRY
AND FOR THE CONSTITUTION.
THEY VIOLATED THE RULES OF THE
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION WHEN
THEY GATHERED IN PHILADELPHIA.
THE ARTICLE SAID ALL THE STATES,
ALL 13 COLONIES HAD TO AGREE TO
THE CONSTITUTION.
AND WHEN RHODE ISLAND REFUSED TO
DO SO, THEY CHANGED THE RULES,
THEY SAID WELL, OK, MAYBE
THREE-QUARTERS OF THE COLONIES
HAVE TO AGREE.
9 OF 13.
THERE IS NOTHING TO PREVENT ONCE
YOU ASSEMBLE A CONSTITUTION
CONVENTION, CHANGING EVEN THE
RULES THAT STATES LIKE WISCONSIN
HAVE MADE GOING INTO IT.
THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE HAVE
NOT USED THIS METHOD TO AMEND
THE CONSTITUTION SINCE 1787.
EVERY OTHER TIME WE HAVE GONE
THROUGH THE PROCESS, THE HOUSE
OF CONGRESS AND THREE-QUARTERS
OF THE LEGISLATURE APPROVE IT.
REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE
CONGRESS, LEGISLATURES IN THE
STATES AND MAJORITY OF
WISCONSIN.
IF THEY WANT A BALANCED BUDGET
AMENDMENT PUT ONE FORWARD AND
LET'S HAVE A VOTE ON IT.
>> AS TO THE CONSTITUTION BEING
OPENED UP THIS WAY TO REVISIONS
AND NEW AMENDMENTS, WHAT KINDS
OF REVISIONS DO YOU ENVISION AND
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT?
>> WELL, THERE'S NO TELLING, I
MEAN, THAT'S THE PROBLEM.
BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RULES
STIPULATED ANYWHERE, WHICH
GOVERN SUCH A CONVENTION.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED THIS
WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO
DO, TO GO BEYOND A BALANCED
BUDGET AMENDMENT AND TAKE A
LOOK, AND MAYBE REVISIT THE
18-YEAR-OLD VOTE.
YOU KNOW, THAT WAS ACTUALLY THE
LAST CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT OF
ANY SUBSTANCE THAT WAS ENACTED,
THAT WAS IN 1971.
MAYBE THERE'S A FEELING NOW
AMONG CONSERVATIVES THAT
18-YEAR-OLDS ARE TOO YOUNG TO
VOTE.
WHAT'S -- WHILE WE DO THE
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT, LET'S
CHANGE THAT.
HEY, LET'S REVISIT A WOMAN'S
RIGHT TO VOTE.
PROHIBITION WAS A GOOD IDEA IN
1918, WASN'T IT?
LET'S HAVE PROHIBITION.
>> DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT,
THOUGH?
>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WOULD
DO.
THE PROBLEM IS, IT HAS NOT BEEN
DONE SINCE 1787 AND I CERTAINLY
RESPECT KATHY BERNIER AND ROBIN
VOSS AND THE OTHERS PUTTING
FORTH THE IDEAS BUT THEY ARE NOT
GEORGE WASHINGTON, THOMAS
JEFFERSON AND ALEXANDER
HAMILTON.
THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HAD A
CONVENTION AND I DON'T THINK WE
OUGHT TO MESS WITH THE PRODUCT
THEY CONCOCTED.
>> AS FOR THE BALANCED BUDGET
AMENDMENT HOW CONCERNING ON ITS
FACE?
>> IT'S CONCERNING IN THE SENSE
THAT AGAIN, IF YOU -- IT'S A
DODGE, FOR ONE THING.
IF YOU WANT TO BALANCE THE
BUDGET, PUT FORTH A BALANCED
BUDGET AND STIPULATE HOW YOU ARE
GOING TO, WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO
CUT IN GOVERNMENT.
THEY CAN'T EVEN DO THAT IN
WISCONSIN.
THEY ARE TRYING RIGHT NOW TO
COME UP WITH RESOLUTIONS TO
FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS, K-12, AND
FOR ROADS, AND GOVERNOR WALKER
WANTS TO PUT IT ON THE CREDIT
CARD.
ASSEMBLY WANTS TO RAISE
REVENUES.
SO, IF YOU WANT A BALANCED
BUDGET, FIRST OF ALL, YOU HAVE
TO, I THINK, LAY OUT WHAT THAT
BALANCED BUDGET WOULD LOOK LIKE.
SECONDLY, THERE'S NO QUESTION
THAT IN TIMES OF ECONOMIC
RECESSION, 2009, FOR INSTANCE,
INFUSION OF MONEY ON THE PART OF
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INTO THE
ECONOMY, PROTECTED THE COUNTRY
FROM PLUNGING INTO A DEPRESSION.
THAT COULDN'T HAPPEN UNDER A
BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.
THE OTHER THING THAT'S MOST
CONCERNING IS THERE'S NO POPULAR
SUPPORT FOR THIS.
IF YOU LOOK AT WHO REGISTERED
FOR THESE MEASURES IN THE
WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE BEFORE THE
PUBLIC HEARINGS, ONLY TWO
ENTITIES REGISTERED IN FAVOR OF
IT.
WISCONSIN MANUFACTURERS AND
COMMERCE, AND THE REPUBLICAN
STATE SENATOR.
DOZENS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE
CALLED AND REGISTERED AGAINST
THIS MEASURE, AND REPRESENTATIVE
TODD MILLVAC, A REPUBLICAN FROM
DODGEVILLE, REPUBLICANS AND
DEMOCRATS BOTH SAID DON'T MESS
WITH THE CONSTITUTION.
>> WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES.
THE STATE SENATE STILL HAS TO
VOTE ON THAT RESOLUTION.
IN MILWAUKEE, IN 13-DAY PERIOD
THIS MONTH, THE MEDICAL EXAMINER
SAW 12 DRUG OVERDOSES.
THE COUNTY PROJECTS THEY COULD
SEE MORE THAN 400 OVERDOSE
DEATHS IN 2017.
BETWEEN 2005 AND 2014, DEATHS
DUE TO HEROIN INCREASED BY 495%.
LOTS OF NUMBERS THAT REPRESENT
THE HUMAN TOLL THAT OPIOIDS,
INCLUDING A NEW AND POWERFUL
SEDATIVE USED FOR LARGE ANIMALS
CALL CARFENTANIL, IS TAKING FOR
MILWAUKEE.
THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER IS
LEADING A NEW TASK FORCE ON
HEROIN, OPIOIDS AND COCAINE.
BEVAN BAKER JOINS US NOW.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR DOING SO.
>> THANK FOR HAVING ME.
>> THE NUMBERS SUGGEST AN
EXPLOSION OF THE PROBLEM IN
MILWAUKEE.
HOW DO YOU RANK IT IN TERMS OF
PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES IN YOUR
CITY?
>> CERTAINLY THE CRISIS IS HOT
ON OUR LIST AT THIS TIME.
WE ARE SEEING THIS EXPLOSION NOT
ONLY HERE IN WISCONSIN, BUT
ACROSS THE NATION.
SO, THIS IS INDEED SOMETHING
THAT WE HAVE TO GET OUR ARMS
AROUND AND WE NEED A PUBLIC
APPROACH TO DO IT.
>> WELL, AS YOU SAY, THIS IS
HAPPENING NATIONWIDE.
WHAT IS FUELING THIS?
>> GO BACK A BIT.
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRACTICES MANY
YEARS AGO PAYING A DIVIDEND IN
HOW PEOPLE BECOME ADDICTED TO
OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION.
HEROIN IS CHEAPER, AND SOME OF
THE CONTROL MEASURES HAVE PUSHED
US TO THIS POINT.
WE NEED EVERYONE, INCLUDING
PHYSICIANS, TO WRAP THEIR ARMS
AROUND THE ISSUE.
>> THE PRESIDENT THIS WEEK
DECLARED THE FEDS WILL COME DOWN
HARD ON THE MASSIVE DRUG
PROBLEM, POINTING TO THE
BORDERS, IS THAT REASSURING TO
SOMEONE IN YOUR POSITION?
>> I WANT TO SEE FEDERAL SUPPORT
AT ANY LEVEL, AND LAW
ENFORCEMENT IS GOOD TO BE
WORKING ON THIS.
BUT THIS IS NOT JUST A LAW
ENFORCEMENT ISSUE ALONE.
THIS IS TRULY A PUBLIC HEALTH
EPIDEMIC WE NEED TO CURL BACK.
SO, HAVING WASHINGTON PUSH
FORWARD AND LOOK AT OUR BORDERS
IS IMPORTANT, WE NEED OTHER
TYPES OF INTERVENTION FROM
WASHINGTON.
>> SO, SPEAKING OF OTHER TYPES
OF INTERVENTION, THOUGH, HOW
WILL A TASK FORCE THAT YOU ARE
LEADING TRY TO TACKLE THE
PROBLEM?
>> I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE
CERTAIN EVERYONE IN OUR COUNTY
AND CITY, AND ACROSS OUR STATE,
UNDERSTANDS THE TRUE HUMAN TOLL
HERE.
THIS IS INDEED JUST LIKE ANY
OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, ONE
THAT WE NEED TO GO TO THE ROOT
CAUSES AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO
PUT RESOURCES WHERE THEY NEED TO
BE AND LOOK AT PREVENTION AS OUR
GOAL.
I'M WORKING WITH SO MANY
DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS ON THE
TASK FORCE, I BELIEVE WE ARE
GOING TO MAKE SOME EFFORT HERE
AND WE HAVE GREAT SUPPORT FROM
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT.
>> YOU, A MOMENT AGO, SAID THAT
YOU NEEDED MORE FROM WASHINGTON,
LIKE WHAT?
>> WELL, WHAT WE NEED IS
WISCONSIN ORIGINALLY WAS
RECIPIENT OF ABOUT $7.6 MILLION.
WE NEED MORE PREVENTION DOLLARS
TO COME, LOOSEN UP SOME OF THE
CRITERIA IN TERMS OF BILLING
WHERE MORE PROFESSIONALS CAN GET
PAID FOR THE INTERVENTION AND
COUNSELING.
>> WHERE DO YOU START WITH
PREVENTION?
>> START WAY UPSTREAM.
MAKE CERTAIN PEOPLE RESPECT THE
DRUGS IN THEIR MEDICINE CABINET,
MAKE CERTAIN THAT PARENTS,
GUARDIANS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE
CUSTODY OF CHIN ARE TALKING TO
CHILDREN ABOUT THE CONCERNS
AROUND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT,
AND WE NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT
MEDICAL SCHOOLS AND NURSING
SCHOOLS AND ANY ONE INVOLVED IN
MAKING CERTAIN THAT INDIVIDUALS
CAN PRESCRIBE MEDICATIONS
UNDERSTAND THE POWER THEY HAVE.
WE HAVE TO GO WAY UPSTREAM.
>> AREN'T MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
ALREADY DOING THAT?
>> WELL, I THINK THAT THEY ARE
STARTING TO DO IT.
THEY ARE -- HERE IN MILWAUKEE,
IN MILWAUKEE COUNTY HAS MADE IT
ONE OF THEIR TOP PRIORITY
ISSUES.
BUT STILL, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO
GO FROM PROVIDER TO PROVIDER TO
GET MEDICATIONS ONCE THEY HAVE
ADDICTION.
WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO
EITHER DO IT THROUGH INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY, AND THE PRACTICES TO
MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE CAN HELP
THOSE INDIVIDUALS BUT NOT LET
THEM SHOP FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER
PRESCRIPTIONS AND THEN LEAD THEM
TO THE ROAD OF HEROIN ADDICTION.
>> VERY BRIEFLY, I UNDERSTAND
YOU HAD A TASK FORCE MEETING
THIS MORNING AND HEARD FROM
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
WHAT DID YOU HEAR?
>> WELL, THOSE STORIES FROM THE
PUBLIC AT LARGE ARE HEART
WRENCHING, AND WE ARE ALWAYS
INVITING THAT AT THE TASK FORCE
LEVEL.
THEY HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME AND
VESTED INTEREST.
WE WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN AS A
TASK FORCE WE ARE INSPIRED AND
DIRECTED BY THE PUBLIC TO MAKE
SURE MILWAUKEE CITY, COUNTY AND
STATE OF WISCONSIN ARE SAFE FOR
US ALL.
>> ALL RIGHT, BEVAN BAKER,
THANKS VERY MUCH.
IN TONIGHT'S WISCONSIN LOOK, AT
WEEK'S END, ANOTHER DEAD END FOR
LAWMAKERS SEEKING TO SOLVE THE
STATE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET
PROBLEM.
>> GOVERNOR WALKER AND THE STATE
LEGISLATURE STILL CAN'T COME TO
AN AGREEMENT ON TRANSPORTATION
FUNDING.
MANY LEGISLATORS ARE OPEN TO
RAISING THE GAS TAX, BUT
GOVERNOR WALKER IS STRONGLY
OPPOSED TO THAT IDEA.
AMONG OTHER APPROACHES, TO NEW
REVENUE, SOME LAWMAKERS ARE NOW
CONSIDERING TOLL ROADS.
WE WENT TO A REST STOP ON I-90
NEAR JANESVILLE TO SEE WHAT
TRAVELERS THINK ABOUT PUTTING
TOLLS ON WISCONSIN ROADS.
>> WELL, I SEE TOLL ROADS, BEING
FROM ILLINOIS, THEY ARE
MAINTAINED A LITTLE BETTER THAN
THE ROADS THAT ARE NOT TOLL.
AND MAINLY I GO PROBABLY IN
MILWAUKEE, 5, 6 TIMES A YEAR,
AND I-43 BETWEEN MADISON AND
MILWAUKEE IS PROBABLY NOT THE
GREATEST.
IT'S LIKE A RUMBLE STRIP FOR
ABOUT 60 MILES.
>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY
NOT A VERY GOOD IDEA.
SEEMS TO ME THAT THE HIGHWAYS
SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD AND NOT
JUST THE PEOPLE TRAVELLING ON
IT.
I HAVE TRAVELED ON ROADS IN
ILLINOIS AND OTHER PLACES THAT
HAVE TOLLS AND FINE IT QUITE
ANNOYING.
>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A BAD IDEA
GENERALLY.
I'M FROM MINNESOTA, AND
MINNESOTA COULD DO THAT, TOO.
AS LONG AS IT'S MAJOR HIGHWAYS,
AND THE FUNDS ARE DEDICATED FOR
THE HIGHWAY.
>> I DON'T THINK PUTTING TOLLS
IS A GOOD IDEA, BECAUSE ALREADY
PAY TAXES, SO THAT MONEY CAN BE
USED TO FUND MAINTENANCE OF THE
HIGHWAYS.
SO, IT'S EXTRA BURDEN ON THE
PUBLIC.
>> AND FINALLY TONIGHT, A LOOK
AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK.
THAT'S WHEN ZAC SCHULTZ WILL
HAVE A REPORT ON THE MEDIAN
INCOME TAX IN WISCONSIN AND HOW
YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT.
UNTIL THEN, I'M FREDERICA
FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE & NOW" IS
PROVIDED IN PART BY FRIENDS OF
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.