- THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS PART OF OUR "HERE AND NOW" 2018
WISCONSIN VOTE ELECTION COVERAGE.
- MOMENTS AGO, WE BROKE GROUND ON A PLANT THAT WILL PROVIDE
JOBS FOR MUCH MORE THAN 13,000 WISCONSIN WORKERS.
- PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THUNDERS INTO MOUNT PLEASANT ON
THURSDAY FOR FOXCONN.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON SH "HERE AND NOW," A TAIWANESE COMPANY BREAKS GROUND.
WE DIG INTO THE COMMERCE OF FOXCONN AND HARLEY-DAVIDSON.
ONE WISCONSIN FAMILY'S STRUGGLE WITH IMMIGRATION POLICY.
WISCONSIN'S GERRYMANDERING CASE AND THE RETIREMENT OF ANTHONY
KENNEDY.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR MAHLON MITCHELL IS
HERE.
- FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED IN PART BY FRIENDS OF
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
- THE FOXCONN FOOTPRINT IS GETTING EVEN BIGGER IN
WISCONSIN.
- TODAY, THE TAIWANESE TECH COMPANY ANNOUNCED IT'S BUYING AN
OFFICE BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN GREEN BAY.
THE SPACE WILL BE USED FOR AN INNOVATION CENTER TO DEVELOP
APPLICATIONS FOR FOXCONN'S 8K AND 5G DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY.
THE COMPANY SAYS IT'S THE FIRST TIME THESE DISPLAYS WILL BE
MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE CENTER IS EXPECTED TO EMPLOY ABOUT 200 PEOPLE.
THE FOXCONN GROUND-BREAKING THURSDAY BROUGHT NEWS THAT THE
MOUNT PLEASANT PRODUCTION PLANT MAY BE SCALED DOWN FROM THE
VERSION ORIGINALLY PLANNED.
THE COMPANY, HOWEVER, STANDS BY ITS COMMITMENT TO SPEND $10
BILLION BUILDING THE PLANT AND ITS PROMISE TO BRING UP TO
13,000 JOBS.
THE LARGER FACTORY FOXCONN SAYS IS PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE.
- BUT FOR NOW, PRODUCTS THAT USE SMALLER GLASS SCREENS WILL
BE MANUFACTURED INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL PLAN FOR LARGER DISPLAY
PANELS.
NONE OF THAT LESSENED PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENTHUSIASM AND HIS
WISCONSIN WELCOME TO THE FIRM.
- SO EVEN AT THIS EARLY STAGE, THE ECONOMICS BENEFITS OF THIS
NEW PLANT ARE BEING FELT IN 60 OF WISCONSIN'S 72 COUNTIES
ALREADY.
DON'T WORRY.
IN ANOTHER THREE WEEKS IT WILL BE 72.
[APPLAUSE] - MEANWHILE, THE DEMOCRATIC
NATIONAL COMMITTEE WEIGHED IN ON THE FOXCONN LAUNCH SAYING,
QUOTE, DONALD TRUMP AND SCOTT WALKER ARE BOTH ANTI-WORKER AND
CONSISTENTLY PUT BIG CORPORATIONS AND THE 1% AHEAD OF
HARD-WORKING FAMILIES.
PRESIDENT TRUMP SPOKE JUST 4.5 MILES FROM THE NEAREST
HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALER, A SYMBOL OF CORPORATIONS IN WISCONSIN.
FOXCONN IS COMING AS HARLEY-DAVIDSON IS GOING, TAKING
SOME OF ITS PRODUCTION OVERSEAS FOR ITS EUROPEAN BUYERS.
ACCORDING TO A FILING HARLEY-DAVIDSON MADE WITH THE
SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION THIS WEEK, THE EU'S RETALIATORY
TARIFFS IMPOSED IN RESPONSE TO THE U.S. TARIFFS ON STEEL AND
ALUMINUM HAVE INCREASED FROM 6% TO 31%.
THESE TARIFFS WILL COST THE MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURER
APPROXIMATELY $2200 PER MOTORCYCLE EXPORTED FROM THE
U.S. TO THE EU.
THE COMPANY ESTIMATES THE ANNUAL IMPACT DUE TO THE EU TARIFFS TO
BE APPROXIMATELY $90 TO $100 MILLION.
HOUSE SPEAKER PAUL RYAN SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE TARIFFS THIS
WEEK, EVEN AS PRESIDENT TRUMP DEFENDED THEM AND ADMONISHED
HARLEY FOR ITS OVERSEAS PLANS.
- HARLEY-DAVIDSON, PLEASE BUILD THOSE BEAUTIFUL MOTORCYCLES IN
THE USA, PLEASE, OKAY?
DON'T GET CUTE WITH US.
- I DON'T THINK TARIFFS ARE THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.
I THINK TARIFFS ARE BASICALLY TAXES.
WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS YOU GET ESCALATING TARIFFS OR TAXES.
ONE OF THE REASONS WE DID TAX REFORM IS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR
BUSINESSES TO KEEP MANUFACTURING IN AMERICA AND EXPORTING
OVERSEAS.
- FOR MORE ON TARIFFS AND TRADE WARS AND MILWAUKEE'S OWN
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, WE TURN NOW TO EDWARD ALDEN, SENIOR FELLOW WITH
THE COUNCIL ON ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, WHO JOINS US BY PHONE
FROM WASHINGTON.
- PRUR PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS IN MILWAUKEE THIS YEAR HOAFTDING A
FUND-RAISER IN THE CITY THAT BUILD HARLEY-DAVIDSON AND YET
AMERICA'S FIRST TRADE POLICY IS SENDING HARLEY-DAVIDSON
OVERSEAS.
COULD HARLEY'S DECISION ON THIS HAVE BEEN PREDICTED?
- OH, I THINK IT WAS EASILY PREDICTABLE.
THE COMBINATION OF THE STEEL TARIFFS, WHICH HAVE RAISED INPUT
COSTS FOR HARLEY, AND THEN OF COURSE THE EUROPEAN RETALL RETAN
MADE IS NOT ECONOMICAL TO EXPORT FROM THE UNITED STATES TO
EUROPE.
THE PRESIDENT SEEMED SOMEWHAT SURPRISED, BUT HE SHOULDN'T HAVE
BEEN.
- SO IF THIS IS THE REALITY AND RESPONSE FROM THIS ICONIC
COMPANY, WILL OTHERS SOON FOLLOW?
- I THINK SOME OTHERS WILL HAVE TO DO THE SAME, THOUGH NOT EVERY
COMPANY HAS THE SORT OF FLEXIBILITY THAT HARLEY HAS.
HARLEY HAS SEVERAL PRODUCTION LOCATIONS OVERSEAS, SO IT'S NOT
THAT COMPLICATED FOR THE COMPANY TO SHIFT PRODUCTION.
I'M MORE WORRIED ABOUT THE SMALLER PRODUCERS.
THERE ARE A LOT OF LITTLE COMPANIES AROUND THE COUNTRY
THAT ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT RISING COST OF STEEL AND
ALUMINUM.
THE PRICE HAS DOUBLED SINCE THE TARIFFS WERE IMPOSED.
THOSE COMPANIES ARE FACING HIGHER COSTS.
THEY DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF OPTION.
THERE'S A SMALL NAIL PRODUCER IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAS CUT
JOBS QUITE SIGNIFICANTLY.
AND ACTUALLY YOU'RE HEARING IN THE OIL PATCH IN TEXAS AND
ELSEWHERE, THEIR COSTS FOR DRILLING EQUIPMENT, OTHER THINGS
ARE GOING UP.
THAT'S NOT PARTICULARLY MOBILE.
SO NOT EVERY COMPANY IS GOING TO HAVE THE SORT OF OPTION THAT
HARLEY-DAVIDSON HAD HERE.
- AND WHAT ABOUT THE U.S. STEEL INDUSTRY?
IS THIS HELPING THAT INDUSTRY?
- I MEAN, I THINK IT WILL, YEAH.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SEEING U.S.
STEEL HAS OPENED A MILL THAT HAD BEEN IDLE BECAUSE OF LACK OF
DEMAND.
YOU'VE SEEN THE OPENING OF A NEW ALUMINUM ROLLING MILL IN
KENTUCKY.
THE PROBLEM IS THE NUMBER OF JOBS IN THOSE INDUSTRIES PALES
IN COMPARISON.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS MORE IN STEEL-USING COMPANIES OF VARIOUS
SORTS LIKE HARLEY-DAVIDSON.
SO THERE WILL BE WINNERS AND LOSERS, BUT IT'S CLEAR THAT THE
LOSERS ARE GOING TO OUT NUMBER THE WINNERS HERE.
- DOES WHAT'S SHAPING UP IF IT'S NOT ALREADY A GLOBAL TRADE
WAR AFFECT THE LARGER GLOBAL ECONOMY?
- WE WILL HAVE TO SEE.
SO FAR THE NUMBERS ARE PRETTY SMALL, YOU KNOW.
YOU KNOW, $10, $20 BILLION HERE, MAYBE $50 BILLION AGAINST CHINA.
THOSE NUMBERS AREN'T BIG.
BUT IF WE GET ESCALATING RETALIATION, ABSOLUTELY IT COULD
AFFECT THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.
YOU'VE SEEN MARKETS SOFTEN A LOT.
HERE IN THE UNITED STATES THE DOW IS DOWN SORT OF 10% ON THE
YEAR AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS HAVE TAKEN A BIGGER HIT.
THIS IS ALMOST ALL THE PRODUCT OF THIS TRADE UNCERTAINTY
BECAUSE GENERALLY U.S. ECONOMY IS PRETTY STRONG.
I THINK THAT COULD EASILY GET WORSE.
- MY OTHER QUESTION OTHER THAN THE MOORK MARKETS, WHAT'S KIND E
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RESPONSE AND REACTION TO THIS?
- WELL, THIS HAS BEEN VERY INTERESTING.
THEY'RE UPSET ABOUT THE TRADE POLICY.
THEY DON'T LIKE THE TARIFFS.
THEY HAVE BEEN VOCAL.
BUT THE COMPANIES WERE SO HAPPY AS A RESULT OF THE BIG CORPORATE
TAX CUT THEY CUT SIGNED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP IN DECEMBER,
THEY'RE VE VERY HAPPY WITH WHATE PRESIDENT IS DOING ON
DEREGULATION.
NORMALLY YOU WOULD HAVE EXPECTED ENORMOUS CRY OVER THIS.
CERTAINLY IF IT HAD BEEN A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT DOING THIS,
THEY WOULD HAVE GONE CRAZY.
BUT THEY HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY MUTED SO FAR.
IF THIS ESCALATES, PARTICULARLY IF THERE ARE TARIFFS ON IMPORTED
CARS, I THINK THAT COULD CHANGE AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY COULD
BECOME FAR MORE VOCAL THAN IT HAS BEEN SO FAR.
- COULD PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PROTECTIONIST TRADE POLICY WORK
IN THE END TO THE UNITED STATES' ADVANTAGE?
- WELL, I MEAN, THAT'S NOT WHAT HISTORY TENDS TO SHOW, RIGHT?
IT WILL -- I MEAN, THERE'S SOME COMPANIES THAT WILL LOCATE IN
THE UNITED STATES TO TRY TO GET AROUND THE TARIFFS.
BUT WE WILL LOSE MARKETS IN ALL THE FASTEST-GROWING ECONOMIES IN
THE WORLD.
AND THE LAST TIME WE EXPERIMENTED WITH THIS SORT OF
PROTECTIONISM ON A LARGE SCALE WAS IN THE 1930s AND IT DIDN'T
WORK OUT WELL THEN.
SO NOBODY CAN REALLY READ THE FUTURE PERFECTLY, BUT BASED ON
WHAT WE KNOW FROM THE PAST, THIS IS LIKELY TO BE VERY COSTLY FOR
THE AMERICAN ECONOMY AND OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD.
- VERY BRIEFLY, WOULD FOXCONN BE AN EXAMPLE OF A COMPANY THAT
WOULD LOCATE IN THE UNITED STATES TO GET AROUND THE
TARIFFS?
- WELL, THEY'VE PLANNED THIS FOR A LONG TIME, SO THEY HAD
INTENDED TO DO IT ANYWAY, THOUGH I THINK SOME OF IT WAS BECAUSE
OF THE RISING CONCERN IN THE UNITED STATES OVER PRODUCTION
BEING LOCATED IN CHINA.
SO I THINK SOME OF THAT WAS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED TO TAKE
PRESSURE OFF OF THE COMPANY.
I CAN IMAGINE OTHER COMPANIES MAKING THE SAME DECISION.
THEY'RE ALWAYS IN THESE TRADE DISPUTES WINNERS AND LOSERS AND
THERE WILL BE PLACES IN THE COUNTRY THAT WILL SEE MORE NEW
INVESTMENT.
THAT WOULD BE OUTWEIGHED BY COMPANIES THAT MOVE PRODUCTION
ELSEWHERE.
WE'RE ABOUT TO GET A REAL TEST OF THOSE THEORIES.
- ALL RIGHT.
EDWARD ALDEN, THANKS VERY MUCH.
- GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.
THANK YOU.
- IN TONIGHT'S CLOSER LOOK, CONGRESSIONAL ATTEMPTS AT
PASSING AN IMMIGRATION BILL FAILED THIS WEEK.
AMONG THE MEASURES IN THE LEGISLATION WAS A RENEWED HOPE
FOR IMMIGRANTS ELIGIBLE FOR THE DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD
ARRIVALS PROGRAM.
ONE WAUKESHA MAN COULD HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE FOR DACA BUT NOW FEARS
DEPORTATION.
MARISA WOJCIK HAS THE STORY.
- WHEN ALYSHA FERREYRA WOKE UP ON JUNE 11, SHE DIDN'T KNOW THAT
THE FATHER OF HER CHILDREN WOULD BE GONE BY THE END OF THE DAY.
- THERE YOU GO, HONEY.
NICE JOB.
- HER EX-HUSBAND, FREDERICA FR, WALKED INTO THE IMMIGRATION
OFFICE FOR A ROUTINE CHECK-IN, BUT DIDN'T WALK OUT.
HE WAS ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO THE DODGE COUNTY DETENTION FACILITY,
WHERE HE IS STILL BEING HELD.
HIS ATTORNEY, MATT LUENING, SAYS TECHNICALLY ICE WAS SEPARATING
WITHIN THE LAW, BUT IT WAS STILL A SURPRISE.
- HE WOULDN'T HAVE WALKED HIS CLIENT WILLINGLY INTO THE ICE
IMMIGRATION OFFICE IF HE KNEW THAT HIS CLIENT WAS GOING TO GET
DETAINED.
- FERREYRA CAME TO THE U.S. IN 2001, WHEN HE WAS JUST 13.
HE CAME ON THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM, WHICH EXPIRED AFTER 90
DAYS.
HE'S LIVED IN WAUKESHA EVER SINCE AND ATTEMPTS AT FINDING A
LEGAL STATUS HAVE FAILED.
- WE GOT MARRIED IN 2011, WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS.
WE JUST GOT A DENIAL LETTER JUST SAYING THAT WE WEREN'T ABLE TO
GET HIS LEGAL RESIDENCY.
- FERREYRA'S ATTORNEY DOESN'T KNOW WHY IMMIGRATION BEGAN TO
PURSUE HIM NOW.
BUT HE HAS A THEORY.
IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR, FERREYRA WAS CITED FOR DRIVING
WITHOUT A LICENSE.
- FROM THERE, IT KIND OF SEEMED LIKE EVERYTHING KIND OF
SNOWBALLED INTO THE IMMIGRATION KIND OF, SHOWED UP AT HIS
SISTER'S HOUSE, AT HIS PLACE, AND AT HIS WORK.
- IMMIGRANTS' RIGHTS ADVOCATES WORRY THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND
IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS CAN USE MINOR TRAFFIC STOPS AS A CONDUIT
TO DEPORTATION.
BUT DAN BAUMANN OF THE WAUKESHA POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT'S
FAR FROM THE CASE.
A PERSON'S LEGAL STATUS IS IRRELEVANT WHEN IT COMES TO
ROUTINE CONTACTS, AND THEY DO NOT CHECK IN WITH ICE.
IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ASSERTED THAT PEOPLE
WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS ARE MORE OF A CONCERN TO THEM.
THEY COULD NOT CONFIRM WHY FERREYRA CAME TO BE ON THEIR
RADAR.
BUT OTHER UNKNOWNS LOOM LARGER FOR FRANCO.
- HE'S BEEN HERE FOR 18 YEARS.
HE'S BEEN IN THE UNITED STATES LONGER THAN HE'S BEEN IN
ARGENTINA.
HE DOESN'T HAVE A HOME IN ARGENTINA.
HIS HOME IS HERE.
HIS KIDS ARE HERE.
HIS WHOLE LIFE IS HERE IN WISCONSIN.
- FERREYRA'S ATTORNEY IS HOPING A PENDING RULING BY A FEDERAL
JUDGE TO RENEW DACA APPLICATION WILL BE HIS BEST CHANCE AT
REMAINING IN HIS WISCONSIN HOME.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DETENTION CENTERS IN WISCONSIN,
VISIT wiscontext.org.
- ALL EYES ARE ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE RETIREMENT
OF U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ANTHONY KENNEDY.
IN WISCONSIN PLAINTIFFS IN THE LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING
LAWSUIT HAD HOPED TO SWAY KENNEDY IN A RENEWED CASE BEFORE
THE HIGH COURT.
BUT WITH THE JUSTICE REGARDED AS A SOMETIMES SWING VOTE STEPPING
DOWN THIS SUMMER, THOSE PARTICULAR HOPES WOULD APPEAR TO
BE DASHED.
WHAT ARE OU OTHER IMPLICATIONS F HIS DEPARTURE.
FOR THAT WE TURN TO UW-MADISON POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR RYAN
OWENS.
JUSTICE KENNEDY WILL BE GONE BY THE TIME WISCONSIN'S CASE WOULD
HAVE A CHANCE TO KIND OF GO BACK UP.
WHAT DOES ALL THIS SAY ABOUT THE GILL V. WHITFORD CLAIM?
- I WOULD THINK AT THIS POINT PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING AS A KEY
TOPIC THAT THE COURT IS GOING TO LOOK AT, I THINK THE DECKS HAVE
CLEARED FOR THAT.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY APPETITE ON THE SUPREME
COURT OTHER THAN AMONG THE FOUR LIBERAL JUSTICES TO REALLY GET
INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE.
AMONG THE CONSERVATIVES KENNEDY WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO SIGNALED
ANY INTEREST IN THE MATTER WHATSOEVER AND I CAN'T IMAGINE
THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD NAME A SUCCESSOR WHO WOULD SHARE HIS
INTEREST IN THAT TOPIC.
I WOULD THINK IN TERMS OF TRYING TO MOVE THE BALL FORWARD ON THAT
ISSUE, IT'S JUST DEAD IN THE WATER.
- MORE GENERALLY, THERE'S ALTERNATELY GLEE AND
DESPONDENCE.
WHAT WILL HIS DEPARTURE MEAN GOING FORWARD FOR THE COURSE OF
THE COURT?
- I THINK THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HAPPEN
NOW THAT HE HAS RETIRED.
I MEAN, THE MOST IMMEDIATE THING IS IF YOU ASSUME THAT PRESIDENT
TRUMP NOMINATES A CONSERVATIVE, WHICH WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO
BELIEVE HE WILL, IT'S GOING TO MAKE JUSTICE ROBERTS THE SWING
VOTE ON THE COURT AND THAT WILL MAKE HIM PROBABLY THE MOST
POWERFUL CHIEF JUSTICE IN MODERN HISTORY, SINCE JUSTICE MARSHALL.
HE'LL BE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COURT AND WILL ALLOW THE
COURT TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT ONLY SO FAR AS HE WANTS IT TO.
THAT'S ONE OF THE IMMEDIATE IMPLICATIONS.
NOW, IF YOU WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DOCTRINE OR
TOPICS THAT MIGHT BE UP FOR GRABS, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE
HAVE TALKED ABOUT ABORTION.
OTHERS HAVE TALKED ABOUT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.
I DON'T SEE EITHER ONE OF THOSE TWO ITEMS BEING AT THE TOP OF
THE LIST FOR A MORE CONSERVATIVE COURT.
I WOULD THINK THAT TOPICS LIKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION MIGHT BE.
THERE'S A LOT OF PHILOSOPHICAL DISAGREEMENT ON THE RIGHT WITH
USING RACIAL STANDARDS IN THE SELECTION OF SAY COLLEGE
APPLICATIONS OR WORK OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS SAID IN A CASE NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT THE
WAY TO STOP DISCRIMINATING BASED ON RACE IS TO STOP
DISCRIMINATING BASED ON RAILS.
SO I THINK THAT'S CLEARLY GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE COURT
WILL CONSIDER.
- WHY DON'T YOU THINK THOSE OTHER SOCIAL ISSUES WILL BE
UNDER CONSIDERATION?
- I THINK THE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE CASE, I THINK YOU SAW THE COURT
-- MANY OF THE JUSTICES SORT OF MOVE PROBABLY PERSONAL LYL ON
THAT MATTER SOMEWHAT TO THE LEFT.
CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS DID NOT LIKE THE METHODOLOGY THE COURT
USED TO SUSTAIN THE RIGHT TO SYM SEKS MARRIAGE.
BUT NOW THAT THAT RIGHT IS THERE, I'M NOT SURE THAT HE
WANTS TO PUT THE COURT'S CAPITAL ON THE LINE AND TAKE IT AWAY,
ESPECIALLY SO QUICKLY AFTER IT WAS GRANTED.
- ANY HAZARD ON YOUR PART ON THE LONG LINE OF POSSIBILITIES
WHO THE PRESIDENT WILL PUT FORWARD?
- HE PUT OUT A SHORT LIST A WHILE AGO.
THERE ARE A FEW CANDIDATES WHO HAVE TO BE RISING TO THE TOP.
FOUR OF THEM THAT I HAVE IN MIND, AMY CONEY BARRETT OUT OF
THE 7TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS, RAYMOND KEFLICH OUT OF
THE 6TH CIRCUIT.
WE'VE GOT BRETT CAVANAUGH FROM THE D.C. CIRCUIT COURT OF
APPEALS.
AND JUDGE DUPAR.
THEY ALL COME WITH ADVANTAGES.
BARRETT IS A CONSERVATIVE FEMALE CATHOLIC JUDGE.
SHE COULD HELP OUT WITH SOME OF THOSE FOLKS.
APAR WOULD BE THE FIRST INDIAN SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, VERY
CONSERVATIVE AS WELL.
CAVANAUGH IS A CONSERVATIVE.
KEVLITCH IS WELL-KNOWN.
ANY OF THOSE WOULD BE GOOD SELECTIONS.
- WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.
THANKS VERY MUCH.
- YOU BET.
- NOW FOR STATE POLITICS AND THE STILL-CROWDED PRIMARY FIELD
OF DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.
WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES OF CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS TONIGHT
WITH MASTER PLAN R MAHLON MITCHELL.
-- MAHLON MITCHELL.
HE HAS SERVED AS A FIREFIGHTER FOR 20 YEARS AND IS THE
PRESIDENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF WISCONSIN.
THIS IS HIS SECOND RUN FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE.
HE RUN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN 2012.
MAHLON MITCHELL JOINS US NOW.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
- THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
- I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT ACT 10.
WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE WHEN PEOPLE SAY THAT YOU HAD INITIAL
PRAISE FOR SCOTT WALKER'S BUDGET REPAIR BILL?
- WELL, FIRST MY RESPONSE IS THEY'RE WRONG.
WHAT WE DID WAS THAT BILL CAME OUT ON FRIDAY AND BEFORE WE
ACTUALLY WERE ABLE TO READ THE BILL, THE 150-PAGE BUDGET REPAIR
BILL, MYSELF AS WELL AS THE POLICE, MY COLLEAGUE IN THE
POLICE, WE WROTE JUST SAYING THAT WE APPRECIATE THAT SCOTT
WALKER FELT THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS IMPORTANT.
NOW, AFTER I ACTUALLY READ THE BILL, AND ACTUALLY AFTER SEEING
HOW DETRIMENTAL IT WAS TO PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE,
WE CAME OUT ABOUT IT RIGHT AWAY.
WE WERE AT THE FIRST PROTEST.
LOOK AT THE BODY OF WORK WE DID IN 2011, WHERE WE STOOD WITH OUR
BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
NOW THEY CALL IS SOLIDARITY.
WE CALL IT THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
- WHY DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE THE PROGRESSIVE CHOICE FOR
WISCONSIN?
- BECAUSE I'M PROGRESSIVE, BUT I WANT TO BE PRODUCTIVE AND
PRAGMATIC.
AND BEING PRAGMATIC, YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH BOTH SIDES OF THE
AISLE TO GET THINGS DONE AND THEN YOU'RE PRODUCTIVE.
IF YOU'RE NOT PRODUCTIVE, WHO CARES HOW PROGRESSIVE YOU ARE.
I THINK THE STATE IS ONE OF PROGRESS AND THAT IS MOVING
FORWARD, THAT'S LOOKING FORWARD AND MAKING SURE WE GET BACK TO A
GOVERNMENT THAT ACTUALLY TAKES CARE OF PEOPLE.
- WHY DO YOU THINK THAT YOU IN PARTICULAR CAN BEAT SCOTT
WALKER?
- WELL, IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE SOMETHING UNIQUELY DIFFERENT TO BEAT
GOVERNOR WALKER THIS TIME.
WE'VE TRIED THE ELDER STATESMAN IN THE PAST WITH TOM BARRETT.
WE TRIED MARY BURKE.
WE ALSO SUPPORTED HER.
BUT IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE US TO GET PEOPLE EXCITED.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO WELL WITH OUR BASE BUT ALSO FIRE
PEOPLE UP IN RURAL AREAS.
I BELIEVE I'M THE BEST CANDIDATE SUITED TO DO THAT.
- THE LATEST POLL HAD YOU AT 4%.
ANOTHER CANDIDATE POLLING AT THAT SAME PLACE HAS DROPPED OUT.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
- I'M IN IT TO WIN IT.
I'M NOT DROPPING OUT.
I'VE NEVER QUIT ANYTHING.
WE'RE IN IT.
WE BUILT A CAMPAIGN AND A STRUCTURE THAT IN MY OPINION IS
SECOND TO NONE.
POLLS ARE ONE THING.
THEY TAKE A SNAPSHOT AT THAT TIME ON THAT DAY.
THE POLLS I'M LOOKING AT COME AUGUST 14.
THAT'S PEOPLE GOING TO THE POLLS.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF WINNING.
- FOXCONN JUST BROKE GROUND IN WISCONSIN.
YOU OPPOSED THE STATE INCENTIVE PLAN FOR FOXCONN.
BUT NOW THAT IT'S A REALITY, ARE YOU BEHIND IT?
- I'VE ALWAYS SAID FOXCONN'S A BAD DEAL.
THERE'S NO BANK THAT WOULD GIVE YOU A LOAN, $4.5 BILLION, TO GET
A RETURN ON INVESTMENT 25 YEARS LATER.
BUT NOW, LIKE YOU SAID, FOXCONN IS HERE.
THE BILL'S BEEN SIGNED.
THE BILL'S BEEN PASSED.
THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN SIGNED.
WHAT I THINK I KNOW WE HAVE TO DO WITH FOXCONN, WHAT OUR NEXT
GOVERNOR HAS TO DO, IS MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE SURE THOSE
13,000 JOBS, THAT PEOPLE THAT ARE UNDER-EMPLOYED AND THAT ARE
UNEMPLOYED ARE ABLE TO ACTUALLY GET TO THOSE JOBS AND GET TO
THOSE POSITIONS.
SO THAT'S SETTING UP A REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY SO PEOPLE IN
MILWAUKEE AND RACINE AND KENOSHA AND IN BETWEEN THAT NEED THOSE
JOBS CAN GET TO THOSE JOBS.
IF WE CAN GIVE $4.5 BILLION TO FOXCONN, WE HAVE TO WORK TO MAKE
SURE WE CAN ACTUALLY GET PEOPLE TO THOSE JOBS.
- ON THE ECONOMY, OF THE PRIORITIES THAT YOU STATE TO
GROW IT AND MAINTAIN IT, WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT?
- I THINK WE GOT TO GIVE THE STATE OF WISCONSIN IS RAISE.
WHEN MIDDLE CLASS AND THOSE THAT LIVE BELOW MIDDLE CLASS WAGES,
WHEN WORKING CLASS FAMILIES HAVE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET, THEY
SPEND IT.
WHEN THEY SPEND MONEY, THEY BOOST OUR ECONOMY.
IEI'VE COME OUT FOR $15 AN HOUR.
I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR $15 FOR A LONG TIME AND THAT'S GOING TO
BOOST OUR ECONOMY.
WE WILL BE ABLE TO PUMP BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BACK INTO OUR
ECONOMY.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, TOGETHER WE RISE.
WHEN EVERYONE HAS MORE MONEY AND WHEN THE ECONOMY IS DOING WELL,
WE ALL WILL BE DOING BETTER IN OUR STATE.
- ON EDUCATION ONE OF THE THINGS YOU SAY YOU WANT TO DO IS
HAVE A COLLEGE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.
- I GOT THE IDEA FROM WATCHING MY SON PLAY VIDEO GAMES FOR 12
HOURS ONE DAY ON A SUNDAY.
I WANTED TO SEE HOW LONG HE WOULD DO IT.
SO I SAID I DON'T BELIEVE HE SHOULD BE ABLE -- HE'S IN 8TH
GRADE.
GOING FROM 8TH GRADE TO HIGH SCHOOL AND WE GIVE HIM FREE
TUITION.
I WOULD HAVE THOSE 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS GET OFF THEIR PHONES AND
DO PUBLIC SERVICE, DO COMMUNITY SERVICE, MEANING THAT THEY GO
BACK IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, THEY'RE GOING TO SHOVEL SNOW AND
RAKE LEAVES FOR A SEEN YORKS SEP THE VETERAN, HELP AT THE LOCAL
SOUP KITCHEN, HOMELESS SHELTER.
ONCE THEY MEET A THRESHOLD OF HOURS THEY'LL HAVE EARNED
TUITION FOR A FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM.
- WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO CHANGE HEALTH CAROL IN WISCONSIN?
- WE HAVE OVER 300,000 IN THE STATE THAT NEED HEALTH CARE.
WE NEED TO SHORE UP THE ACA.
I WILL FIGHT FOR THE FEDERAL DOLLARS FOR THE MEDICAID
EXPANSION TO MAKE SURE WE PUT -- THAT WOULD INSURE ANOTHER 85,000
FOLKS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GOT BADGERCARE FOR ALL.
IF WE CAN GIVE $400 BILLION TO FOXCONN, WE CAN MAKE SURE EVERY
PERSON HAS ADEQUATE HEALTH INSURANCE.
- MAHLON MITCHELL, THANKS VERY MUCH.
- THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
- WE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW UP ON STASTATEMENTS CANDIDATES HAVE ME
ON OUR PROGRAM.
THIS WEEK PAUL SOGLIN AND HOUSING.
- WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMY, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR
GOVERNOR PAUL SOGLIN RECENTLY TOLD "HERE AND NOW" THAT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING MUST COME FIRST.
- WHETHER YOU HAVE A JOB, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, ALL THE
OTHER THINGS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR A ROBUST FAMILY, IF THERE IS
NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THE EFFORTS IN THESE OTHER AREAS
GENERALLY FAIL.
- SO LET'S LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
IN WISCONSIN.
A RECENT REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL LOW-INCOME HOUSING
COALITION LOOKS AT WHAT RENTERS PAY COMPARED WITH WHAT THEY
EARN.
ONE-THIRD OF WISCONSIN'S HOUSEHOLDS ARE RENTERS.
THE AVERAGE FAIR MARKET RENT FOR A TWO-BEDROOM HOME IN WISCONSIN
IS $859.
SO LET'S SAY YOU'RE THE AVERAGE RENTER.
NOW, THESE ESTIMATES ARE ASSUMING THAT YOU'RE NOT
SPENDING YOUR ENTIRE PAYCHECK ON RENT.
YOU MAKE $13.35 AN HOUR AND IN ORDER TO AFFORD A TWO-BEDROOM
HOME, YOU WOULD HAVE TO WORK 50 HOURS A WEEK.
NOW LET'S SAY YOU EARN MINIMUM WAGE, WHICH IN WISCONSIN IS
$7.25 AN HOUR.
IN ORDER TO AFFORD THAT SAME TWO-BEDROOM HOME, YOU WOULD HAVE
TO WORK 91 HOURS A WEEK.
THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING LANDSCAPE ALSO CHANGES WITH THE ACTUAL
LANDSCAPE.
NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WERE ONCE AFFORDABLE TO LOW-INCOME
RESIDENTS ARE BEING UPROOTED BY HIGHER INCOME EARNERS.
AS AMENITIES IN URBAN AREAS IMPROVE, HOUSING COSTS RISE.
WE LOOKED AT THE DANE COUNTY METROPOLITAN AREA AS AN EXAMPLE.
IN 2018, THE AVERAGE FAIR MARKET RENT FOR A TWO-BEDROOM IN THIS
AREA WAS $1,072.
BUT ONLY FOUR YEARS AGO, THAT AVERAGE WAS $164 CHEAPER.
SOME SAY THESE MEASUREMENTS ARE TOO SIMPLISTIC AND THAT
DISPARITIES IN HEALTH, EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION AND
OTHER FACTORS HAVE TO WEIGH IN.
FOR THESE AND OTHER FAST FACTS, VISIT WPT.ORG.
- THAT'S ALL FOR TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.
BUT BEFORE WE GO, WE SAY GOODBYE AND THANK YOU TO MALCOM BRETT,
OUR DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, WHO RETIRED TODAY.
WE WISH WE HAD TIME TO TELL YOU ABOUT HIS DECADES OF
CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC RADIO AND TELEVISION, BUT THE SHOW WAS
JUST TOO PACKED TONIGHT.
ACTUALLY, MALCOM WOULD HAVE HAD IT NO OTHER WAY.
HE TRUSTED US, SUPPORTED OUR JOURNALISM AND ALWAYS HAD OUR
BACKS.
THANK YOU, MALCOM, AND ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
- FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED, IN PART, BY FRIENDS OF
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
- FOR MORE INFORMATION ON "HERE AND NOW'S" 2018 ELECTION
COVERAGE, GO TO wisconsinvote.org.