>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," A
FIRST LOOK AT HEALTH CARE
CHANGES THAT MAY BE TUCKED INTO
CONGRESSIONAL TAX PLANS.
AFTER THAT, A CLOSER LOOK AT
THIS FALL'S STATE LEGISLATIVE
SESSION.
ASSEMBLY PARTY LEADERS ARE HERE.
THEN IN OUR LOOK AHEAD, ANOTHER
DEMOCRATIC STEPS INTO THE RACE
FOR GOVERNOR.
WE'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO MAHLON
MITCHELL.
IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR
NOVEMBER 17.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED, IN PART, BY FRIENDS OF
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF THE
REPUBLICAN TAX CUT BILL LATE
THIS WEEK IN THE U.S. HOUSE, THE
U.S. SENATE NOW TAKES UP ITS
VERSION.
FOR HIS PART, WISCONSIN
REPUBLICAN SENATOR RON JOHNSON
SAID HE CANNOT SUPPORT THE
MEASURE SAYING, QUOTE, WE HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENACT
PARADIGM-SHIFTING TAX REFORM
THAT MAKES AMERICAN BUSINESSES
GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE.
IN DOING SO, IT IS IMPORTANT TO
MAINTAIN THE DOMESTIC
COMPETITIVE POSITION AND BALANCE
BETWEEN LARGE PUBLICLY-TRADED C
CORPORATIONS AND PASS-THROUGH
ENTITIES.
THESE BUSINESSES TRULY ARE THE
ENGINES OF INNOVATION AND JOB
CREATION THROUGHOUT OUR ECONOMY
AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE LEFT
BEHIND.
UNFORTUNATELY, NEITHER THE HOUSE
NOR SENATE BILL, HE SAYS,
PROVIDE FAIR TREATMENT.
SO I DO NOT SUPPORT EITHER IN
THEIR CURRENT VERSIONS.
NOW, SENATE LEADERS CAN AFFORD
ONLY TWO REPUBLICAN DEFECTIONS
TO WIN PASSAGE.
THE SENATE BILL, WHICH IS
EXPECTED TO GO TO A VOTE AFTER
THANKSGIVING ALSO INCLUDES A
REPEAL OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE
ACT'S INDIVIDUAL MANDATE,
SOMETHING THE HOUSE BILL DOES
NOT INCLUDE.
THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE REQUIRES
PEOPLE CARRY HEALTH INSURANCE
AND EXACT A PENALTY FOR PEOPLE
WHO DO NOT.
THAT PENALTY IS $695 FOR AN
ADULT.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THIS MANDATE
GOES AWAY?
WE ASKED THE HEALTH POLICY
DIRECTOR AT THE UW POPULATION
HEALTH INSTITUTION DONNA
FRIEDSAM.
AND THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.
SO TO THAT QUESTION, WHAT DOES
HAPPEN IF THIS INDIVIDUAL
MANDATE IS ELIMINATED?
>> THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING TO
EE NIM LATEELIMINATE THE MANDATE CONSIDER
IT A TAX ON PEOPLE WHO ARE
REQUIRED TO PURCHASE A PRODUCT
THEY MAY NOT WANT TO PURCHASE
AND THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO
PAY FOR SOMETHING THEY DON'T
WANT AND SOMETHING THAT IS NOT
UP TO WHAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN
BUYING.
IF THE MANDATE GOES AWAY,
THERE'S A NUMBER OF UNINTENDED
CONSEQUENCES WE MAY SEE HAPPEN.
NUMBER ONE, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE
HEALTHY AND YOUNGER WHO WON'T --
WILL NO LONGER BE COMPELLED TO
PURCHASE INSURANCE, WILL LIKELY
NOT PURCHASE INSURANCE.
AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE
PEOPLE THAT REMAIN IN THE MARKET
WILL BE THE OLDER PEOPLE OR
PEOPLE WHO HAVE MORE HEALTH
NEEDS AND THAT MEANS THE
INSURANCE PREMIUMS WILL INCREASE
FOR THOSE PEOPLE.
AND OVERALL INSURANCE PREMIUMS
ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE 10%.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE GOA OR
MORE LIKELY MORE OTHER PEOPLE
SUGGEST.
>> NOW, I'VE READ THAT THIS
INDIVIDUAL MANDATE WAS NOT AS
EFFECTIVE AS PLANNED.
HOW TRUE IS THAT?
>> THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE IS
CONSIDERED TO BE A VERY
IMPORTANT PART OF THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT IN TERMS OF BRINGING
PEOPLE TO PURCHASE THEIR
INSURANCE COVERAGE AND HAS BEEN
IMPORTANT IN GETTING PEOPLE TO
CONSIDER THEIR INSURANCE OPTION.
NOW, MANY PEOPLE HAVE INDEED
LOOKED AT THE PENALTY AND
CONSIDERED WHETHER THE PENALTY
IS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO TAKE
INSTEAD OF PURCHASING INSURANCE,
PARTICULARLY YOUNGER, HEALTHIER
PEOPLE.
AND THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF
EXCEPTIONS IN THE -- TO THE
MANDATE THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO OPT
OUT OF PURCHASING INSURANCE.
BUT OVERALL THE CARRIERS IN THE
MARKET CONSIDER THE INDIVIDUAL
MANDATE TO BE ONE OF THE KEY
COMPONENTS TO ALLOWING THEM TO
OFFER COVERAGE IN THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT.
>> WHAT'S THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN
THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE AND
PREEXISTING CONDITIONS?
>> SO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OR
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS OBAMACARE
REQUIRES INSURANCE COMPANIES TO
PROVIDE INSURANCE TO ALL PEOPLE
REGARDLESS OF THEIR PREEXISTING
CONDITIONS OR THEIR HEALTH
STATUS.
SO THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN DO THAT
AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE IS TO
MIKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH
HEALTHY PEOPLE ALSO ENROLLING IN
COVERAGE SO THAT EVERYONE SHARES
THE RISK AND THUS THE COSTS ARE
SHARED ACROSS A BROAD RISK POOL
OR BROAD POPULATION OF ENROLLED
PEOPLE.
IF PEOPLE WHO ARE YOUNG AND
HEALTHY THINK THEY DON'T NEED TO
PARTICIPATE IN INSURANCE, THE
ONLY PEOPLE THAT WILL ENROLL IN
INSURANCE ARE PEOPLE WHO
CURRENTLY HAVE HEALTH NEEDS OR
HAVE HIGH HEALTH RISKS.
AND THEN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES
WILL PRICE THEIR PRODUCTS TO
REFLECT THAT HIGH NEED, AND THE
PREMIUMS WILL BECOME VERY
EXPENSIVE AND IN ALL LIKELIHOOD
UNAFFORDABLE FOR MANY PEOPLE.
>> NOW, YOU ADDRESSED THIS A
LITTLE BIT EARLIER, BUT I'VE
READ THAT THE PROJECTION IS THAT
13 MILLION PEOPLE WOULD END UP
NOT BEING COVERED IF THIS
MANDATE GOES AWAY.
AND I JUST WONDER WHETHER THIS
NUMBER REPRESENTS PEOPLE WHO
NEVER WANTED COVERAGE IN THE
FIRST PLACE OR IS IT BECAUSE
WITHOUT THE MANDATE COVERAGE
JUST BECOMES TOO EXPENSIVE?
>> THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE
ADVOCATEING FOR THIS CHANGE IN
THE TAX BILL ARE SUGGESTING THAT
THE 13 MILLION PEOPLE MIGHT BE
PEOPLE WHO ARE SIMPLY OPTING OUT
OF INSURANCE AND NOT BUYING A
PRODUCT THAT THEY DON'T WANT.
IT SEEMS THAT SOME PEOPLE WILL
INDEED BE OPTING OUT FO FO THOSE FOR THOSE
REASONS, BUT MANY PEOPLE WILL
NOT PURCHASE IT BECAUSE THEY
FIND IT UNAFFORDABLE.
NOW TO SAY PEOPLE AREN'T FINDING
IT UNAFFORDABLE TODAY.
THAT'S ANOTHER CHALLENGE.
BUT PEOPLE WILL FIND IT MORE
UNAFFORDABLE AS THE PREMIUMS
INCREASE WITH THIS CHANGE.
AND AS WELL WITHOUT THE MANDATE
PEOPLE WILL NO LONGER BE
COMPELLED TO EVEN LOOK FOR
COVERAGE.
AND CURRENTLY MANY OF THE PEOPLE
THAT GO LOOK FOR COVERAGE GO NOT
KNOWING WHAT KINDS OF FEDERAL
SUBSIDIES ARE AVAILABLE.
AND THE SAVINGS THAT ARE
CONTEMPLATED IN THE TAX BILL ARE
THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE EXPECTING
THAT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE
CURRENTLY GETTING FEDERAL
SUBSIDIES WILL NO LONGER BE
TAKING THOSE SUBSIDIES BECAUSE
THEY WON'T BE GOING TO LOOK FOR
THEIR COVERAGE AND CLAIMING THE
FEDERAL SUBSIDIES THAT ARE
AVAILABLE.
>> NOW, MY UNDERSTANDING IS
ABOUT 243,000 PEOPLE IN
WISCONSIN ARE ON OBAMACARE PLANS
RIGHT NOW.
HOW MIGHT THIS REPEAL OR
ELIMINATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL
MANDATE AFFECT WISCONSIN?
>> SO WE'RE CURRENTLY IN AN OPEN
ENROLLMENT PERIOD RIGHT NOW IN
OBAMACARE.
SO IT STARTED ON NOVEMBER 1.
AND IT GOES THROUGH DECEMBER 15.
AND THOSE ARE THE PLANS THAT
START ON JANUARY 1.
AND PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW NO MATTER
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CONGRESS
RIGHT NOW OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR
2018 IS IN EXISTENCE AND THEY
NEED TO GO AND LOOK FOR
COVERAGE.
BUT INDEED IF THE INDIVIDUAL
MANDATE GOES AWAY, THEN THE
PREMIUMS GOING FORWARD WILL
INCREASE AND IN ALL LIKELIHOOD
PEOPLE WILL FIND IT MORE
DIFFICULT TO AFFORD COVERAGE,
PARTICULARLY PEOPLE WHO DON'T
HAVE ACCESS TO THE FEDERAL
PREMIUMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
THAT BEING SAID, THE MAJORITY OF
PEOPLE WHO LOOK FOR COVERAGE
THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
DO HAVE ACCESS TO FEDERAL
PREMIUM SUB DIS.
THE -- SUBSIDIES.
THE CONCERN IS WITHOUT THE
MANDATE PEOPLE WILL NOT GO LOOK
FOR COVERAGE AND WILL NEVER FIND
OUT ABOUT THE SUBSIDIES THAT ARE
AVAILABLE FOR THEM.
>> AT WHAT POINT DOES ALL THIS
CHIPPING AWAY AT THE AFFORDABLE
CARE ACT LAW MEAN THE WHOLE
THING COLLAPSES?
>> ULTIMATELY THE MORE DETERRENT
THERE IS FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK FOR
COVERAGE AND PARTICULARLY THE
MORE DETERRENTING THERE DETERRENTS THERE ARE FOR
HEALTHY PEOPLE, THE LESS OF A
BUSINESS INCENTIVE THERE IS FOR
INSURANCE COMPANIES TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM AND
TO OFFER PRODUCTS.
AND THAT'S WHEN THE INSURANCE
CARRIERS SAY WE CAN'T OFFER A
PRODUCT THAT IS GOING TO WORK
FOR OUR COMPANY AND MAKE IT
FINANCIALLY VIABLE.
AND THAT'S WHEN IT DOES BECOME A
QUESTION OF WHETHER THE PROGRAM
CAN CONTINUE.
WHAT WE NEED IS A STABLE
INSURANCE MARKET WHERE PEOPLE DO
HAVE INCENTIVES TO ENROLL AND
MAKE IT A FINANCIALLY VIABLE
SYSTEM SO THAT INSURANCE
CARRIERS SEE A BUSINESS MODEL
THERE THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO
OFFER PRODUCTS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
DONNA FRIEDSAM, THANKS VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> EYES ARE ON WASHINGTON, WITH
WHAT WORK AND DISSENSION OVER
MAJOR TAX OVERHAUL AND OTHER
MORE SALACIOUS MATTERS.
BUT THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN
POWERING THROUGH ITS SESSION.
IN TONIGHT'S CLOSER LOOK A
CHECK-IN WITH ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
ROBIN VOS.
SO YOU JOIN US TODAY TO TALK
ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY SESSION.
FOXCONN STANDS OUT.
>> YEAH.
IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST
ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE PROBABLY HAD
IN OUR STATE'S HIS TOARKS HISTORY,
THOUSANDS OF GOOD-PAYING JOBS
COMING TO SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN
AND THOUSANDS OF GOOD-PAYING
JOBS WILL PROBABLY FILTER
THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STATE.
GOVERNOR WALKER TALKS ABOUT THE
IMPACT OF LARGE CORPORATIONS AND
THE SUPPLIERS THAT THEY GIVE
BUSINESS TO THROUGH THE STATE.
SO OSHKOSH CORPORATION AS AN
EXAMPLE, 300 DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS
THAT CONTINUE TO HELP A COMPANY
THAT DOES A LOT LESS IN BUSINESS
THAN FOXCONN.
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO THE FOX
VALLEY.
IT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW ONE
LARGE CORPORATION LIKE THAT WILL
ALSO HELP THE ENTIRE STATE.
>> WHAT SHOULD TAXPAYERS MAKE,
THOUGH, OF THE GOVERNOR NOT
MENTIONING FOXCONN IN HIS
REELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT?
I MEAN, IS HE DISTANCING HIMSELF
FROM IT?
>> NO.
I WAS JUST WITH HIM AT THE
SIGNING.
I THINK HE'S INCREDIBLY PROUD OF
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CREATE
13,000 GOOD-PAYING JOBS IN
WISCONSIN.
I THINK THAT FOR THE CRITICS, I
WISH THEY WOULD TAKE SOME TIME
TO FOCUS ON POSITIVES ABOUT
WISCONSIN.
THEY ARE SO BUSY CONSTANTLY
BERATING EVERY POSSIBLE GOOD
THING THAT HAPPENS, TRYING TO
TALK DOWN WISCONSIN.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> YOUR MEMBERS IN DISTRICTS
OUTSIDE SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN
CAMPAIGN ON THIS?
>> I THINK THEY'LL MENTION IT.
WE'VE DONE LOTS OF GOOD THINGS.
BUDGET, TAX CUTS, GETTING RID OF
THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX, MORE
MONEY THAN WE'VE INVESTED IN IN
SCHOOLS IN CLOSE TO A
GENERATION.
WE'VE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE WE
HAVE MORE FUNDING FOR WORKER
TRAINING, MENTAL HEALTH CARE.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE LOTS TO
BE PROUD OF.
FOXCONN IS ONE IMPORTANT BILL
BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE ONLY ONE.
>> THIS SESSION IS NOT OVER.
SEVERAL BILLS ARE HANGING OUT
THERE.
WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO
REPUBLICAN SENATOR STEVE NASS
SAYING HE EXPECTS YOU TO KILL
CONSERVATIVE BILLS AFTER YOU
BLASTED HIM FOR NEGOTIATING
TACTICS DURING THE BUDGET.
>> IT'S DIFFERENT OF WHAT STEVE
NASS DOES.
HE'S A FRAME-THROWER.
CONSERVATIVE LEGISLATION
CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.
WE WANT TO MAKE WISCONSIN A
PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO WORK
AND RETIRE AND PEOPLE GET TO
KEEP MORE OF THEIR OWN MONEY.
HE HAS A PROBLEM COMMUNICATING
WITH HIS OWN CAUCUS MEMBERS.
IF THEY'RE GOOD LEGISLATION,
THEY'LL PASS IN OUR HOUSE.
>> WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON
CONCEALED CARRY WITHOUT A
PERMIT?
>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN IN FAVOR OF
THAT AS A GENERAL IDEA.
NOW GOVERNOR WALKER HAS SAID THE
SYSTEM WE HAVE WORKS FINE.
HE'S RIGHT ABOUT THAT.
THERE'S NOT A HUGE NEED TO MAKE
A CHANGE.
WE PASSED CONCEALED CARRY AND
DEMOCRATS SAID IT WAS GOING TO
BE LIKE THE WILD WEST.
IT HASN'T BEEN LIKE THAT.
THOUSANDS OF WISCONSINITES HAVE
A CONCEALED CARRY WITHOUT ISSUE.
>> WHAT ABOUT WHAT ABOUT BANNING FETAL
TISSUE RESEARCH?
>> NEITHER HAS ENOUGH TO PASS.
WE'LL CONTINUE DISCUSS TO TRY TO
FIND COMMON GROUND.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF REPUBLICANS
HAVE CONSIDERED OURSELVES PRO
PRO-LIFE, BUT WE'RE ALSO PRO
RESEARCH.
EITHER BILL ADDRESSES THAT
CONCERN.
>> WHAT ABOUT CIVIL FORFEITURE
REFORM?
>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE
TALKED ABOUT.
I HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF THAT
FOR A LONG TIME.
REPRESENTATIVE BORNE HAS TAKEN
THE LEAD IN OUR CAUCUS, THE
ABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO
USE THOSE FUNDS TO HELP COMBAT
DRUGS AND ALL THE OPIOID CRISIS
WE HAVE.
I HOPE WE'RE ABLE TO PASS THAT
TOO.
>> SO YOU'RE NOT STOMPING DOWN
BILLS.
>> NOT AT ALL, AS LONG AS
THEY'RE GOOD IDEAS.
>> WHY DIDN'T YOU APPOINT ANY
DEMOCRATS TO A TASK FORCE TO
STUDY BUILDING A NEW PRISON?
>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BUILDING
A NEW PRISON.
IT'S ALL POLITICS ALL THE TIME.
I WAS INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED
THAT ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS
THAT GORDON HINTZ DID WAS TO
TAKE SOMEBODY OFF OF WEDC WHO
HAD BEEN THERE THE ENTIRE TIME
AND PUT SOMEONE ON WHO WAS
RUNNING AS A DEMOCRAT FOR
GOVERNOR.
IT'S NOT SURPRISING THAT AS WE
ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT REFORMING
SENTENCING, THAT IS NOT PART OF
THIS COMMISSION'S PURVIEW.
IT'S LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT
WE'RE AT 142% OF OUR PRISON
CAPACITY AND WE DO NOT HAVE
ABILITY TO PUT MORE PEOPLE IN
JAIL WITHOUT NEW FACILITIES.
THREE PEOPLE CAME TO ME DURING
THE BUDGET PROCESS, THE CHAIRMAN
OF THE CORRECTIONS COMMITTEE.
THEY ASKED AND GOT ON.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR
DEMOCRATIC GAINS IN NEXT YEAR'S
ELECTIONS?
>> IT'S INTERESTING.
AFTER THE RECALL WE'RE GOING TO
MAKE GAINS.
WE GAINED A SEAT.
IN 2014 GOVERNOR WALKER WAS ON
THE BALLOT.
WE GAINED A SEAT.
HERE WE ARE IN 2016 WITH DONALD
TRUMP ON THE BALLOT.
THEY GUARANTEED THEY WERE GOING
TO MAKE GAINS AND WE GAINED
ANOTHER ONE.
I SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN VIRGINIA.
THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE GAINS
WERE IN SEATS THAT HILLARY
CLINTON CARRIED IN 2016.
WE DON'T HAVE MANY OF THOSE IN
WISCONSIN.
SHE WAS NOT CARRYING WISCONSIN
AS A STATE.
I'M CONFIDENT WE'LL MAINTAIN A
STRONG MAJORITY.
>> ROBIN VOS, THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> IRCHTION THAT, THANKS, FRED.
>> MINORITY LEADER GORDON HINTZ
HOPES TO PICK UP A FEW SEATS.
HE JOINS US NOW.
THANKS FOR DOING SO.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> ROBIN VOS SAYS HE'S NOT
WORRIED ABOUT DEMOCRATS PICKING
UP ANY SEATS IN THE NEXT
ELECTION.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?
>> THAT'S THE SPEAKER'S
PREROGATIVE.
THE BIG THING WE HAVE GOING FOR
US IS WE'VE HAD EIGHT YEARS OF
FAILED REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP,
BOACT BY THEBOTH BY THE LEGISLATURE AND
GOVERNOR.
WE HAVE CRACKS IN OUR
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.
WE'VE SEEN THAT WE'VE CUT
FUNDING FOR THE UW SYSTEM
SIGNIFICANTLY, HAD CUTS TO K-12
EDUCATION AND MOSTLY WE'VE HAD
INEFFECTIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
WE'RE A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF
THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
WE LAG BEHIND OUR NEIGHBORING
STATEMENTS.
EVERYTHING THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS
PROMISED HAND WORKED.
LOWER -- BAD ECONOMIC GROWTH AND
WE'VE DONE IT AT SACRIFICING OUR
ENVIRONMENT AND FUTURE FINANCIAL
SECURITY IN TERMS OF BUDGETS.
>> SO YOU THINK THAT RESONATES
WITH THE VOTERS?
ONE OF THE MESSAGES IS THE
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS
HISTORICALLY LOW.
>> WISCONSIN HAS ALWAYS BEEN
LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
IF YOU HAVE SLOW JOB GROWTH,
THAT'S NOT AN ECONOMIC
INDICATOR.
THAT SHOWS YOU HAVE A PEOPLE
SHORTAGE.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE SEEN
OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS IS
WE'VE HAD AN OUT-MIGRATION OF
WORKING AGE PEOPLE TO OTHER
STATES WHERE THERE'S GREATER
OPPORTUNITY AND NO ONE'S MOVING
HERE.
I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE
OF THE TELLING NARRATIVES OF THE
2018 ELECTION.
JOBS WILL FOLLOW PEOPLE.
AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE CLEAN
DRINKING WATER, IF YOU DON'T
HAVE WELL-FUNDED PUBLIC
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, IF YOU
DON'T HAVE INNOVATIVE
COMMUNITIES THAT ARE FUNDED
PARTIALLY BY THE STATE, THIS
ISN'T GOING TO BE AN ATTRACTIVE
PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE.
>> FOXCONN IS NOW SIGNED AND
DELIVERED AND ON ITS WAY.
OF COURSE, SPEAKER VOS THINKS
THAT MEANS IT'S A GREAT DAY IN
WISCONSIN.
ARE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERS STILL
SOUR ON IT?
>> IT'S NOT JUST OUR MEMBERS WHO
ARE SOUR.
IT'S THE PUBLIC STATEWIDE.
AGAIN, YOU'D BE HARD-PRESSED TO
FIND TOO MANY PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF
SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN THAT THINKS
IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO GIVE $3
BILLION TO A FOREIGN CORPORATION
WHEN THE BEST POTENTIAL PAYBACK
IF EVERYTHING HAPPENS IS 25
YEARS.
WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF START-UPS,
SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE SAY IF WE
HAD SPENT A FOURTH OF THAT
SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS
INVESTMENTS, GROWING SMALL
BUSINESS, PROVIDING CAPITAL,
YOU'D BE A LOT BETTER
ECONOMICALLY.
>> IT'S A DONE DEAL NOW.
ANYTHING TO DO?
>> HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
LOOK, IF IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, I
HOPE IT'S THE BEST DEAL
POSSIBLE, BUT I WANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING GOOD
INFORMATION, THAT WE'RE HOLDING
WEDC ACCOUNTABLE.
THEIR TRACK RECORD HASN'T BEEN
GREAT.
WHEN YOU'RE CHARGING THAT AGENCY
WITH BOTH THE OVERSIGHT AND THE
ENFORCEMENT, I THINK THERE ARE A
LOT OF QUESTIONS TO ASK.
BUT YEAH.
I MEAN, LOOK, I HOPE FOR THE
BEST, BUT THE REALITY IS THE
OPPORTUNITY COST IS THE BIGGEST
LOSS FOR WISCONSIN TAXPAYERS.
>> SPEAKING OF WEDC, WE ASKED
ROBIN VOS WHY THERE WERE NO
DEMOCRATS ON THE PRISON TASK
FORCE AND HE SAID BECAUSE HIS
MEMBERS APPROACHED HIM AND
WANTED TO BE ON IT.
HE SAID THAT BY WAY OF
EXPLAINING THIS, HE SAID THAT HE
TOOK ISSUE WITH YOU ASSIGNING
DANA WACHS TO THE WEDC BOARD
WHEN HE'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.
WAS THAT APPOINTMENT POLITICALLY
DELIBERATE ONE ON YOUR PART?
>> ONLY IN THE SENSE THAT -- NO.
MY COLLEAGUE DANA HAS BEEN AN
OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF FOXCONN.
HE'S AN ATTORNEY WHO'S USED TO
READING DETAILED CONTRACT
LANGUAGE, CERTAINLY WANTED
SOMEONE WHO I THOUGHT WAS GOING
TO HOLD THINGS ACCOUNTABLE.
HE'S A LEGISLATIVE COLLEAGUE.
I'M THE MINORITY LEADER.
I WANTED SOMEONE WHO WAS GOING
TO HOLD THIS GOVERNOR AND
ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE PRISON TASK
FORCE?
ARE YOU UPSET THAT NO DEMS WERE
ON THAT?
>> I'M MORE DISAPPOINTED.
EVERY OTHER COMMITTEE THAT WE
HAVE, THEY COME ACROSS, TELL US
THEY JUST CREATED A NEW EXT A NEW
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE, ASKED
FOR A DEMOCRAT ON THERE.
I THINK IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH
HIEGD THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO
PRISON POLICY, THAT OUR NUMBERS
ARE ONLY ESCALATING, THAT THE
COSTS ARE COSTING TAXPAYERS
HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
MORE.
THEY DON'T WANT TO BE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE.
THE SPEAKER AND THIS GOVERNOR'S
TRACK RECORD ON CORRECTIONS IS A
DISASTER.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHETHER
OR NOT THE GOVERNOR WILL APPOINT
A DEMOCRAT?
>> I DON'T.
BUT WE HAD A NUMBER OF MEMBERS,
ESPECIALLY OUR MINORITY MEMBERS,
WHO HAVE A LOT OF COMMUNITIES OF
COLOR WHO ARE DISPROPORTIONATE
IMPACTED AND I THINK IT WOULD BE
A GOOD MOVE ON HIS PART IF THIS
COMMITTEE IS GOING TO BE
EFFECTIVE AT ADDRESSING PROBLEMS
WITH OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE
SYSTEM.
>> THANKS A LOT.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> A LOOK AHEAD TO THE 2018
GOVERNOR'S RACE AND A LOOK AT
THE GROWING LIST OF CANDIDATES.
THIS WEEK MAHLON MITCHELL
ENTERED THE RACE.
HE RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DURING THE
WALKER RECALL ELECTION OF 2012.
HE IS THE PRESIDENT OF
PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF
WISCONSIN.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME AGAIN.
BEEN A WHILE.
>> YEAH.
WE TALK ABOUT THIS BIG CAST OF
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.
WHICH SETS YOU APART?
>> WELL, I THINK IT'S
LEADERSHIP.
I'VE BEEN A FIREFIGHTER FOR 20
YEARS GIVING BACK TO MY
COMMUNITY.
AS FIREFIGHTERS WE LEAD.
WE DON'T DIVIDE.
WE UNITE EACH OTHER.
WE HAVE ONE COMMON GOAL AND THAT
IS TO HELP OTHERS.
AS FIREFIGHTERS WE RESPOND TO
THOSE ON THE WORST DAYS OF THEIR
LIVES.
WHEN THEY ARE AT THEIR WORST, WE
HAVE TO BE AT OUR BEST.
SO DOING THAT FOR 20 YEARS,
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY,
LEADING, I WANT TO TAKE THAT
SOME STYLE OF LEADERSHIP TO OUR
EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND BRING
PEOPLE TOGETHER AND DO WHAT'S
RIGHT FOR ALL PEOPLE IN THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN.
>> ON THE ISSUES, WHAT DO YOU
THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT
THING WISCONSIN NEEDS TO DO FOR
OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM?
>> WE NEED TO FULLY FUND IT,
GIVE THE RESOURCES AND THE REAL
TOOLS FOR OUR TEACHERS TO TEACH
OUR GREATEST COMMODITY.
I HAVE A SON IN 8TH GRADE, A
DAUGHTER WHO'S A FRESHMAN AT UW
ORBUW-OSHKOSH.
EDUCATION IS A PILLAR OF THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN.
YOU CAN'T TAKE $1.6 BILLION FROM
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THEN PUT IT
WILL 600 MILLION BACK BEFORE YOU
RUN FOR OFFICE AND CALL THAT
PROGRESS.
WE NEED TO ACTUALLY FUND OUR
SCHOOLS, MAKE SURE WE TAKE CARE
OF OUR GREATEST COMMODITY, WHICH
IS OUR CHILDREN.
>> IF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
REMAINS IN PLACE, WOULD YOU LIKE
TO ACCEPT EXPANDED MEDICAID IN
WISCONSIN?
>> YES.
I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE DONE
THAT.
WE HAVE TO -- ONE OF THE CORE
ISSUES WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT
AROUND THE STATE IS HEALTH CARE.
WE SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE
MEDICAID EXPANSION.
THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A TIME
WHERE A CHILD CAN'T GO TO THE
DOCTOR BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS
CAN'T AFFORD IT.
THERE SHOULD NEVER BE A TIME
WHERE A SENIOR HAS TO DECIDE
BETWEEN PAYING THEIR RENT OR
GETTING THEIR PRESCRIPTIONS
FILLED.
IT'S JUST ONE OF THE CORE THINGS
THAT -- AND WE TALK ABOUT
ECONOMICS.
ONE OF THE CORE THINGS IN
SOMEONE'S CHECKBOOK OR THEIR OWN
POCKET, THEIR OWN FINANCIAL
STATUS, IS HEALTH CARE AND
PAYING PREMIUMS, CO-PAYS AND
DEDUCTIBLES.
WE NEED TO MAKE HEALTH CAROL HEALTH CARE MORE
AFFORDABLE.
WE NEED TO INVEST IN
WISCONSINITES THAT ARE HERE NOW.
WE NEED JOB TRAINING AND
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS AND NEED
TO BUILD AROUND OUR ECOSYSTEM WE
HAVE IN PLACE NOW.
ONCE WE RAISE WAGES, WE SPEND
THE MONEY.
WHEN WE SPEND MORE MONEY,
THERE'S MORE GOODS AND SERVICES
THAT NEED TO BE PRODUCED.
MORE JOBS NEED TO BE CREATED.
THAT'S MORE PEOPLE WORKING 6789
IT DRIVES OUR ECONOMY.
>> WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON THE
$3 BILLION FOXCONN DEAL WHICH IS
NOW MOVING AHEAD?
>> LOOK, IT'S SIGNED INTO LAW.
BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT
FOXCONN REALLY IS.
IT'S A MASSIVE GIVEAWAY OF $3
BILLION OF HARD-EARNED TAXPAYER
DOLLARS TO A FOREIGN COMPANY.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS INVEST IN
OUR INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE NOW.
YOU CAN'T SAY THAT WE DON'T HAVE
MONEY FOR EDUCATION, WE DON'T
HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO FUND OUR
ROADS, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH
MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PEOPLE
WITH HEALTH HEALTH CARE, BUT WE HAVE
ENOUGH MONEY TO GIVE $3 BILLION
TO A FOREIGN COMPANY.
WE NEED TO BUILD OUR ROADS.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR
EDUCATION SYSTEM IS FULLY
FUNDED.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE
DECENT HEALTH CARE.
WE NEED TO RAISE WAGES.
ONCE WE DO THOSE THINGS, PEOPLE
WILL COME TO WISCONSIN.
WE WON'T HAVE TO GIVE A GOLDEN
PARACHUTE TO A FOREIGN COMPANY.
FOXCONN WOULD COME HERE WITHOUT
GIVING US $3 BILLION BEFORE WE
HAVE THE GREAT WORKFORCE IN
WISCONSIN.
>> YOU TALKED TWICE ABOUT
RAISING WAGES.
HOW DO YOU DO THAT?
>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE
FAMILY-SUSTAINING JOBS.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS LOW.
BUT THERE'S MORE TO AN ECONOMY,
THRSTHERE'S MORE TO OUR STATE THAN
JUST THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.
YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO BUILD JOBS
FROM THE INSIDE OUT, MEANING
THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE JOB
TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIP FOR
SUSTAINING JOBS.
THE GFER GOVERNOR TALKS ABOUT OUR
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, BUT PEOPLE
ARE WORKING TWO OR THREE JOBS TO
MAKE ENDS MEET.
>> WHAT IN YOUR MIND WOULD BE
THE BEST WAY TO CREATE
SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR
WISCONSIN'S HIGHWAYS?
>> I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT
THE GAS TAX.
THERE'S A LOT OF OPTIONS ON THE
TABLE.
THERE'S BEEN TALK ABOUT TOLL
ROADS.
WE NEED TO HAVE BIPARTISAN
LEGISLATION.
WE NEED TO SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE
AND MAKE SURE THAT WE FULLY FUND
OUR ROADS.
WE'RE 49TH RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS
ROADS GO IN THE COUNTRY.
THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE GAS TAX.
WE NEED TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT
WAYS TO FULLY FUND OUR ROADS.
THE GAS TAX I THINK, A MINIMAL
TAX, IS ONE WAY THAT WE CAN HELP
BUILD OUR ROADS BACK AGAIN.
>> WHY DO YOU THINK YOU COULD
UNSEAT SCOTT WALKER?
>> WELL, I THINK IT'S GOING TO
TAKE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF
CANDIDATE.
WE'VE BEEN WITH GOVERNOR WALKER
EIGHT YEARS.
EIGHT YEARS TO DO THE THINGS WE
JUST TALKED ABOUT.
AND HE HASN'T LED.
HE RAN FOR PRESIDENT, WHICH GOD
BLESS HIM, THAT'S HIS RIGHT TO
DO.
BUT FOR HIM RIGHT NOW,
WISCONSIN'S PLAN B.
WE NEED LEADERSHIP IN THE
CAPITOL.
WE NEED LEADERSHIP FROM OUR
GOVERNOR.
WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT IN THE LAST
EIGHT YEARS.
NOW HE'S ASKING FOR YEARS NINE,
TEN, 11, 12.
IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE.
IT'S TIME FOR US TO TURN THE
PAGE.
WE NEED LEADERSHIP AND I BELIEVE
I CAN PROVIDE THAT LEADERSHIP
THAT'S NEEDED DESPERATELY IN THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN.
>> MAHLON MITCHELL, THANKS VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> WE HAVE SOME SAD NEWS THIS
WEEK AS WISCONSIN PUBLIC
TELEVISION MOURNS THE LOSS OF
ONE OF OUR OWN.
NANCY ZIEMAN, LONG-TIME HOST OF
"SEWING WITH NANCY" PASSED AWAY
TUESDAY.
SHE TOOK TO THE AIR IN 1982 TO
SHARE HER LOVE OF SEWING.
AFTER 35 YEARS, SHE HOSTED THE
LONGEST-RUNNING SEWING SHOW ON
TELEVISION.
THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO AIR ON
PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS
ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
A LONG-TIME PRODUCER WITH THE
SHOW, LAURIE GORMAN, SAYS OF
ZIEMAN, NANCY WAS A SAVVY
ENTREPRENEUR, TALENTED COLLEAGUE
AND DEAR FRIEND.
SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY
THE STAFF AT WPT AND HER MANY
VIEWERS AND FANS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
ZIEMAN IS SURVIVED BY HER
HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN.
AND FINALLY TONIGHT, A LOOK
AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK, WHEN IN THE
MIDST OF THE GUN DEER SEASON WE
WILL HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE
STATUS OF CHRONIC WASTING
DISEASE IN WISCONSIN.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED, IN PART, BY FRIENDS OF
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISIO