PRODUCTION.
>> FIGURE OUT A WAY WE
DE-ESCALATE THIS LEGISLATIVE
NUCLEAR WAR THAT WE ARE IN.
>> JENNIFER SHILLING ON THE
STATE OF POLITICS UNDER THE
DOME.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
FULL COVERAGE OF A STORMY WEEK
AT THE STATE CAPITOL INCLUDING
A SPECIAL SESSION THAT WASN'T.
AND THE FIRING OF THE AG
SECRETARY BY THE STATE SENATE.
THEN WE'LL SHIFT GEARS AND LOOK
AT UW'S ROLE IN A PROMISING NEW
THERAPY FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS.
IT IS HERE AND NOW FOR NOVEMBER
8.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW"
IS PROVIDED IN PART BY FRIENDS
OF WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION.
>> A FIRST LOOK TONIGHT AT THE
GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR A SPECIAL
SESSION THIS WEEK TO TAKE UP
GUN CONTROL LAWS.
THE SESSION DIDN'T HAPPEN.
NO DEBATE, NO VOTES.
THE CALL WAS FOR 2:00 P.M. ON
THURSDAY.
AS THE HOUR CAME AND WENT ONLY
DEMOCRATS FILLED THE SENATE
CHAMBERS AND STOOD IN PRAYER.
HOURS LATER INTO THE EVENING
MAJORITY LEADER SCOTT
FITZGERALD GAVELED IN AND OUT
OF THE SPECIAL SESSION.
THE ASSEMBLY ALSO DECIDED NOT
TO DEBATE OR VOTE OR TWO GUN
MEASURES INCLUDING UNIVERSAL
BACKGROUND CHECKS AND A RED
FLAG LAW.
HERE IS THE RESPONSE FROM
GOVERNOR EVERS.
THEY JUST SAID GO JUMP IN THE
LAKE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE
THE COURAGE TO TAKE A VOTE,
MUCH LESS HAVE A DIALOGUE ON
TWO BILLS ABOUT UNIVERSAL
BACKGROUND CHECKS AND EXTREME
RISK PROTECTION ORDERS THAT WE
KNOW CAN SAVE LIVES.
FOR HIS PART SENATE MAJORITY
LEADER FITZGERALD SAID THIS.
WE'VE SEEN LIBERALS ACROSS THE
COUNTRY RUN ON A PLATFORM FOR
GUN CONFISCATION AND GOVERNOR
EVERS HAS LEFT THAT DOOR OPEN.
THE SPECIAL SESSION WAS THE
SECOND REJECTION OF THE WEEK.
THE POLITICAL BRAWLS STARTED
TUESDAY.
THAT'S WHEN STATE AGRICULTURE
DESIGNEE BRAD PFAFF WAS
SCHEDULED TO BE CONFIRMED BY
THE STATE SENATE.
BRAD PFAFF'S NOMINATION CAME
WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF A LONG
LIST OF FARM ORGANIZATIONS
INCLUDING THE DAIRY BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION, WISCONSIN
CHEESEMAKERS ASSOCIATION, AND
THE WISCONSIN CORN GROWERS.
PRIOR TO THE VOTE, MAJORITY
LEADER SCOTT FITZGERALD
SIGNALED THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD
NOT SUPPORT THE NOMINEE EVEN
THOUGH FIVE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS
ON THE COMMITTEE THAT FORWARDED
PFAFF'S NOMINATION TO THE FLOOR
HAD VOTED IN HIS FAVOR.
IN ATTENDANCE THE GOVERNOR,
WHICH IN ITSELF SIGNALED THE
CONTROVERSIAL NATURE OF THE
VOTE THAT REJECTED A CABINET
NOMINATION BY A GOVERNOR FOR
THE FIRST TIME IN MODERN STATE
HISTORY.
PRIOR TO THE ROLL CALL
DEMOCRATS SPOKE ON BEHALF OF
PFAFF.
>> YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE NO?
THAT'S SO BLATANTLY POLITICAL.
WE'LL SEND A MESSAGE TO THE
GOVERNOR.
AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE
NUMBER ONE ADVOCATE FOR FAMILY
FARMS IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN
AND CAST HIM TO THE WIND.
YOU THINK THAT'S SENDING A
MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR?
NO.
YOU ARE SENDING A MESSAGE TO
THE AG COMMUNITY.
THAT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE A
GREAT SECRETARY DESIGNEE, THAT
DOESN'T MATTER TO YOU BECAUSE
YOU WOULD RATHER PLAY POLITICS
THAN LOOK AT THE ISSUES,
QUALIFICATIONS AND ABILITY.
>> MAJORITY LEADER FITZGERALD
SAY IT WAS PFAFF PLAYING
POLITICS IN HIS TIME AS THE
SECRETARY DESIGNEE.
>> I TOLD THE GOVERNOR.
I DON'T THINK THERE IS ENOUGH
SUPPORT FOR HIM BECAUSE OF A
NUMBER OF MISSTEPS THAT HAVE
HAPPENED ACTUALLY GOING BACK TO
FEBRUARY.
AND I DON'T KNOW IF HE WAS
CAUGHT OFFGUARD OR NOT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE CHIEF OF
STAFF WAS CAUGHT OFFGUARD.
WE STARTED A DISCUSSION AND WE
STARTED TO ROLL THROUGH THE
INDIVIDUAL ISSUES THAT EX
ITIONED AROUND PFAFF AND THE
ISSUES THAT IN AND AROUND
AGRICULTURE.
>> THE FINAL VOTE TO REJECT THE
PFAFF NOMINATION RAN ALONG
PARTY LINES.
THE WILD WEEK AT THE CAPITOL
SHOWCASING DIVIDED GOVERNMENT
COULD HAVE ITS LASTING EFFECTS.
IN TONIGHT'S CAPITOL INSIGHT
WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION
STATE GOVERNMENT REPORTER LAURA
WHITE JOINS US FROM THE CAPITAL.
LAUREL, THANKS FOR DOING SO.
THIS WAS THE WEEK THE GOVERNOR
CALLED THE SPECIAL SESSION ON
GUN LAWS.
THE MAJORITY MADE QUICK WORK OF
THAT.
DESCRIBE THE MECHANICS.
HOW QUICKLY DID THE MAJORITY
DISMISS THIS SESSION?
>> SO THE SENATE CONVENED AND
ADJOURNED THE SPECIAL SESSION
THERE IN ABOUT 30 SECONDS.
THE ASSEMBLY CONVENED AND
ADJOURNED IN ABOUT 15 SECONDS.
SO VERY QUICK SPECIAL SESSIONS
TO SAY THE LEAST.
>> REPUBLICANS CERTAINLY
SENDING A MESSAGE TO THE
GOVERNOR.
>> THEY WERE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE
BEEN EXPECTING FOR A LITTLE BIT.
REPUBLICANS KNEW WHAT THE TWO
BILLS WERE THE GOVERNOR WAS
CALLING FOR ACTION ON AND
DIDN'T HAVE THE SUPPORT IN
EITHER CHAMBER TO PASS THE
BILLS.
THEY DECIDED THEY DIDN'T WANT
DEBATE ON THE MEASURES BECAUSE
THEY KNEW THEY WERE OPPOSED.
IT LED TO PUSHBACK FROM
DEMOCRATS SAYING THEY WERE KIND
OF AVOIDING HAVING A
CONVERSATION ABOUT GUN LAWS IN
WISCONSIN.
>> SO WHAT'S THE GOVERNOR'S
MESSAGE BACK TO REPUBLICANS
AFTER THAT DISMISSIVE MOVE?
>> THE DEMOCRATS AND THE
GOVERNOR ARE BOTH SAYING, YOU
KNOW, THESE MEASURES THAT WE
PUT FORWARD ARE VERY POPULAR
WITH THE PUBLIC.
THEY POINT TO MARQUETTE POLL
SAYING THAT EACH OF THOSE TWO
BILLS HAVE EACH 80% SUPPORT OR
HIGHER.
SO THEY ARE SAYING THAT
REPUBLICANS ARE ESSENTIALLY
DOING THIS KIND OF AT THEIR OWN
EXPENSE AT THE POLLS
POTENTIALLY FOR THE NEXT
ELECTION GOING AGAINST IN THEIR
VIEW THE WILL OF THE WISCONSIN
VOTERS.
>> WHAT IS HAPPENING ON ANOTHER
MEASURE WITH THE DATCP POSITION?
>> THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED HE
HAS APOINT AN INTERIM SECRETARY
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE.
RANDY ROMAN SKI WILL SERVE IN
THE ROLE.
WE HAVE SOMEONE AT THE HELM OF
THE AGENCY UNTIL THE GOVERNOR
MAKES HIS NEXT NOMINATION FOR
THE PERSON THAT WILL HAVE TO GO
THROUGH THIS CONFIRMATION
PROCESS FROM SQUARE ONE.
>> SO AGAIN YOU JUST CALLED HIM
INTERIM AND EXACTLY WHAT DOES
THAT MEAN?
DO WE HAVE THAT TIME FRAME?
>> NO.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HAS A
STRONG IDEA OF HOW LONG HE IS
GOING TO BE SERVING IN THAT
ROLE OR WHO THE GOVERNOR MIGHT
PUT FORWARD IN A MORE PERMANENT
CAPACITY FOR DATCP.
HE SAID IMMEDIATELY AFTER PFAFF
WAS VOTED DOWN HE DIDN'T HAVE
PLANS FOR THE AGENCY BECAUSE HE
WAS SO UPSET BY WHAT HAPPENED
WITH THE SENATE.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS
DEFINITELY STILL EVOLVING IN
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.
>> HAS A STATE SENATE REJECTION
OF A NOMINEE EVER HAPPENED IN
STATE HISTORY?
WE'VE BEEN READING ABOUT THAT.
>> WE DON'T HAVE A CONCRETE
ANSWER TO THAT.
WE KNOW IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN
AT LEAST THE LAST 30 YEARS.
THAT'S AS FAR BACK AS THE
LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU
HAS GONE WITH THEIR RECORDS TO
1987.
THEY SAID IT WOULD HAVE BEEN
EVEN LONGER THAN THAT.
>> HAVE YOU EVER SEEN OR HAVE
OTHERS IN THE CAPITOL CORE EVER
SEEN A GOVERNOR IN THE CHAMBERS
AS THIS KIND OF ACTION WAS
TAKING PLACE?
>> NO.
THAT WAS INCREDIBLY UNUSUAL.
I THINK VETERAN REPORTERS WERE
TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY HAD
NEVER SEEN IT.
ACTUALLY A REPORTER REACHED OUT
TO A SENATOR IN OFFICE FOR MORE
THAN 50 YEARS SAYING HE HAD
NEVER SEEN A GOVERNOR ON THE
SENATE FLOOR WATCHING A DEBATE.
IT WAS A REALLY UNUSUAL VOTE TO
OUST A CABINET SECRETARY AND
UNUSUAL MOVE FOR A GOVERNOR TO
BE THERE WITNESSING THE DEBATE
ABOUT IT.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> A CLOSER LOOK NOW AS TO ONE
REASON THE REPUBLICAN HELD
STATE SENATE REJECTED THE
GOVERNOR'S NOMINEE FOR AG
SECRETARY.
MANY IN OPPOSITION TO BRAD
PFAFF'S SELECTION SAID IT WAS
HIS AGENCY'S PROPOSED CHANGES
TO LIVESTOCK SITING RULES FOR
NEW AND EXPANDING OPERATIONS IN
THE STATE.
THE RULES WOULD INCLUDE WHERE
LIVESTOCK FACILITIES COULD BE
PLACED, ODOR AND RUNOFF
MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION OF
MANURE STORAGE FACILITIES.
FARM GROUPS AND WISCONSIN
MANUFACTURERS IN COMMERCE WERE
OPPOSED SAYING THE REGULATIONS
WOULD BE BURDENSOME.
THE WISCONSIN FARM BUREAU SAID
THEY WITH STIFLE THE GROWTH OF
THE STATE'S AG ECONOMY.
THE FARMERS UNION AND ITS
PRESIDENT TAKE A DIFFERENT VIEW.
VON RUDE EN JOINS US FROM LA
CROSSE.
WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION TO THE
REJECTION AND OUSTER OF THE AG
SECRETARY DESIGNEE?
>> REALLY DISAPPOINTING AND
DISHEARTENING.
BRAD GREW UP IN WESTERN
WISCONSIN ON A DAIRY FARM AND
BEEN INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURAL
HIS LIFE EVEN THOUGH HE WAS
INVOLVED IN POLITICS.
BUT HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE AG
SIDE OF WORKING WITH SENATOR
RON KIND AND ALSO --
CONGRESSMAN RON KIND AND ALSO
SENATOR HERB KOHL.
HE KNOWS THE AGRICULTURE
INDUSTRY INSIDE AND OUT AND
WOULD BE A GREAT SPOKESMAN FOR
THE AG INDUSTRY HERE.
>> EARLIER YOU HAD SAID YOU
THOUGHT PERHAPS THE DECISION
WAS POLITICAL.
HOW SO?
>> I THINK JUST LOOKING AT SOME
OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED
THIS SUMMER WITH JOINT FINANCE
COMMITTEE TYING UP THE $100,000
ON THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE
UNTIL THE SENATOR FITZGERALD'S
TASK FORCE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS
AND THEN ONE OF THEIR
RECOMMENDATIONS WAS ACTUALLY
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AG TO GET
THAT $100,000.
SENATOR FITZGERALD REALLY
DIDN'T LIKE THAT BACKLASH.
BUT I GUESS WHAT BRAD WAS DOING
WAS CALLING A SPADE A SPADE.
>> AS FOR DEBT CAPS PROPOSED
RULE REVISION ON NEW OR
EXPANDING LIVESTOCK OPERATION
WHAT'S YOUR REACTION THAT THEY
WOULD BE BURDENSOME, HURT
AGRICULTURE AND PUT PEOPLE OUT
OF BUSINESS?
>> RIGHT NOW IN THE DAIRY STATE
WE'RE LOSING TWO DAIRY FARMS A
DAY.
SO WHAT IS THE REAL ISSUE?
IT'S MORE ECONOMICS THAN
REGULATIONS.
FARMERS ARE NOT RECOVERING WHAT
THEIR COSTS ARE RIGHT NOW AND
HAVEN'T BEEN FOR FIVE YEARS NOW.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT
ECONOMICS AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT
HOW TO GET THOSE INTO MORE OF A
BALANCE SO MORE FARMERS STAY IN
BUSINESS.
>> DO YOU FEEL THE REVISED
RULES ARE A GOOD THING?
>> YES, I DO.
EPISCOPAL
-- ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT
SOME OF THE COSTS THEY HAVE IN
THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR
THESE LARGE FARMS CAN RUN INTO
THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS SOMETIMES.
AND A LOT OF TIMES THE COUNTIES
ONLY GET 300 TO 500 TO LOOK AT
THAT.
THEY USE TAXPAYER MONEY TO
OFFSET THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
WHAT THEY ARE RECEIVING FROM
THEIR PERMITEE AND WHAT THE
ACTUAL COSTS ARE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THE PROPOSED
NEW RULE WAS GOING TO DO WAS TO
ALLOW THESE MUNICIPALITIES AND
TOWNSHIPS TO SET A FEE THAT
THEY COULD RECOVER THEIR COSTS.
>> I KNOW SOME PEOPLE ARE
SAYING THESE NEW REVISED RULES
ARE NOT JUST FOR THE LARGEST
FARMS OUT THERE BUT FOR
OPERATIONS EXPANDING TO LIKE
500 ANIMALS.
THE LARGER OPERATIONS ARE
REALLY NOW PART OF OUR FARMING
MIX.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THEM EVEN
MORE STRICTLY REGULATED OR
PROHIBITED EVEN?
>> WE REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT
THAT.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE LARGEST OF
BUSINESSES AROUND THE COUNTRY
THEY'RE REGULATED MORE THAN THE
MOM AND POP SHOPS ARE.
AS A ORGANIC DAIRY FARMER THE
ONLY REGULATIONS I HAVE IS
FOLLOWING THE ORGANIC STANDARDS
THE CONSUMERS WANT TO SEE
ENFORCED.
THEY COST MONEY BUT THOSE
CONSUMERS ARE WILLING TO PAY
THAT LITTLE BIT EXTRA TO MAKE
SURE THE FARMER STAYS IN
COMPLIANCE WITH WHAT THE
ORGANIC STANDARDS ARE.
SO LOOKING AT WHAT LARGER
FARMING OPERATIONS ARE DOING,
TOO, IF WE LOOK AT HOW OUR
DOLLARS COME BACK TO US FROM
THE CONSUMER, THEY CAN RECOVER
THOSE COSTS FROM REGULATIONS IF
WE LOOK AT HOW WE PRICE OUR
PRODUCT.
>> WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> IN TONIGHT'S INSIDE LOOK
DIVIDED STATE GOVERNMENT ON
STEROIDS.
THIS WEEK WAS A STARK DISPLAY
OF PARTISAN POWER PLAYS, OR IS
IT THE NEW NORMAL?
WE TURN TO OUR POLITICAL
PANELISTS, THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE.
FIRST YOU, SCOTT, YOUR REACTION
TO THE OUSTER OF BOTH BRAD
PFAFF AND THE SPECIAL SESSION
THAT WAS NOT?
>> I THINK IT'S OUTRAGEOUS.
IT IS WHERE THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY OF WISCONSIN IS RIGHT NOW.
WHAT YOU HAD IF BRAD PFAFF WAS
AN ABLE SERVANT, HE KNOWS WHAT
IT IS LIKE TO BE A FARMER.
GROUP ON A FAMILY FARM AND
WORKED HELPING FARMERS IN
WISCONSIN FOR 25 YEARS.
HE HAS DEVOTED HIS LIFE TO IT.
THE FACT THEY GOT RID OF HIM
WAS A COMPLETE AND TOTAL POWER
PLAY.
IT WAS BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS
DON'T LIKE THE INDUSTRIES THAT
SUPPORT THE REPUBLICANS DON'T
LIKE WHAT BRAD AND THE DATCP
WERE DOING RELATED TO SITING.
THEY WANT TO SEND A MESSAGE TO
FARMERS THAT THEY DON'T CARE
ABOUT FARMERS.
>> I THINK SCOTT AND I WILL
AGREE ON ONE OF HIS POINTS.
DATCP DID NOT LISTEN TO FAERMS
ON THIS RULE.
BRAD PFAFF IS A GOOD MAN.
I'VE KNOWN HIM A LONG TIME.
WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK WAS
UNFORTUNATE BUT IT WAS
PREVENTABLE.
IT REALLY WAS.
ON THE LIVESTOCK SITING RULE HE
HAD FOUR CHANCES TO CHANGE THIS
RULE AND THE DATCP DECIDED NOT
TO.
THE AG INDUSTRY SENT HIM A
LETTER IN AUGUST WITH SPECIFIC
CONCERNS.
THEY DID NOTHING.
SPEAKER VOS, MAJORITY LEADER
FITZGERALD SENTD HIM A LETTER
SAYING IF YOU DON'T LISTEN TO
FARMERS ON THIS WE WILL SUSPEND
THE RULE.
HE DID NOTHING.
CHAIRMAN NASS PUT OUT A
STATEMENT SAYING IF YOU DON'T
LISTEN TO FARMERS WE'LL SEND
THIS RULE BACK.
THEY DID NOTHING.
IT WASN'T UNTIL LAST FRIDAY
WHEN MAJORITY LEADER FITZGERALD
SAID TO THE GOVERNOR WE DON'T
HAVE THE VOTES FOR PFAFF HE
MIGHT BE GOING DOWN THEY
WITHDREW THE RULES.
IF YOU ARE AG SECRETARY, ONE
JOB, TO DEFEND AND PROMOTE THE
AG INDUSTRY.
THEY CHOSEN ACTIVISTS OVER FARM
OWNERS.
>> THE REPUBLICANS ARE
BEHOLDING TO THE NRA.
THEY WON'T PASS COMMON GUN
REFORM THAT 80% OF THE PUBLIC
SPORTS WITH UNIVERSAL
BACKGROUND CHECKS AND COMES TO
THE EXTREME RISK PROTECTION
ORDERS.
THESE ARE THINGS THAT 80% OF
THE PEOPLE SUPPORT.
THE REPUBLICANS WILL DO NOTHING.
>> AND YET THE GOVERNOR KNEW
THEY WEREN'T GOING TO GO FOR
THIS.
HE GETS TO NOW GO AHEAD AND PUT
UP STATEMENTS ABOUT THE 80%.
HE KNEW THEY WEREN'T GOING TO
GO FOR IT.
>> WELL, AGAIN, THE MODERN
REPUBLICAN PARTY IS BOUGHT AND
PAID FOR BY THE NATIONAL RIFLE
ASSOCIATION.
THEY WILL STAND IN THE WAY NO
MATTER HOW MUCH DATA-DRIVE --
THAT'S THE THING ABOUT THESE
TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION.
IT IS DATA DRIVEN THAT THEY
WORK.
THE REDUCTION IN GUN-RELATED
SUICIDES IN INDIANA 10 YEARS
AFTER THEY PUT THESE MEASURES
IN PLACE, THE ERPO, 7.5%
REDUCTION.
VERY SIMPLE.
IT WORKS.
>> DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN
MINNESOTA TIM WALZ HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY AND CHOSE NOT TO
CALL A SPECIAL SESSION.
THIS ADMINISTRATION COULD SEE
THIS LEGISLATURE WAS GOING TO
PASS IT.
YOU DON'T STR A GOVERNOR SIT ON
THE STATE SENATE FLOOR FOR 2
1/2 HOURS WATCHING ONE OF HIS
OWN CABINET SECRETARIES GO DOWN.
IT WAS MALPRACTICE BY THE STA.
YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT.
I WORKED FOR A GOVERNOR FOR 10
YEARS.
>> UNUSUAL TO SEE HIM IN THE
CHAMBERS.
>> I DON'T THINK I COULD WATCH
THE SENATE FOR 2 1/2 HOURS AT
THIS POINT, I CAN TELL YOU THAT.
>> IS THERE ANY AMOUNT OF
REVENGE POLITICS IN ALL OF THIS?
>> I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THEY
HAVE TO FIRG OUT A WAY TO WORK
TOGETHER.
REMEMBER, LET'S GO BACK TO
TOMMY THOMPSON.
HE GOT HIS BIGGEST
ACHIEVEMENTS, WELFARE REFORM
AND SCHOOL CHOICE WHEN
DEMOCRATS CONTROLLED BOTH
HOUSES OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WHY?
HE FIGURED OUT HOW TO WORK WITH
THE DEMOCRATS.
JIM DOYLE GOT THINGS DONE.
THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS TO
FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORK WITH THE
REPUBLICANS IN THE MAJORITY.
>> THINGS ARE SO MUCH MORE
ENTRENCHED.
>> WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR.
THE LAME DUCK ATTACKS.
REJECTING A SECRETARY FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN MODERN HISTORY
AND NOW THE STUFF RELATED TO
RESTRICTING THE VETO AUTHORITY
OF THE GOVERNOR.
ALL ATTACKS BY THE REPUBLICANS
WHO SAT AND DID EVERYTHING THAT
SCOTT WALKER WANTED AS GOVERNOR
AND THEY CHANGE THE RULES
BECAUSE A DEMOCRAT WON AND THEY
LOST.
>> HOW DO YOU WORK TOGETHER?
>> A MATTER OF FINDING THE
RIGHT PERSON WHO CAN BUILD THE
RELATIONSHIP AND START TO CUT
SMALL DEALS THAT LEAD TO BIGGER
DEALS.
YOU HAVE TO BUILD TRUST.
THERE IS NO TRUST BETWEEN THE
LEGISLATURE AND THE
ADMINISTRATION.
>> WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE
KENTUCKY GOVERNOR'S RACE THAT
SAW A DEMOCRAT WIN?
>> A TINY WIN FOR DEMOCRATS.
BEVIN WAS VERY UNPOPULAR.
HIS JOB APPROVAL WAS IN THE 30s.
HE SHOULDN'T HAVE RUN FOR
REELECTION.
HE HELPED HIM GET TO 49%.
MORE IMPORTANTLY DOWN TICKET
THERE WERE FIVE OTHER STATEWIDE
RACES TUESDAY NIGHT AND
REPUBLICANS CLEANED UP ON ALL
OF THEM.
THEY WON ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO
18% IN ALL FIVE OF THOSE OTHER
RACES.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, THOSE
CANDIDATES GOT BETWEEN 75,000
AND 155,000 MORE VOTES THAN
BEVIN.
THE REPUBLICANS CAME OUT ON
TUESDAY NIGHT.
THEY JUST DIDN'T LIKE BEVIN.
>> DEMOCRATS CAME OUT.
YOU SAW TRUMP WON THAT STATE BY
30 POINTS.
LOOK AT VIRGINIA WHERE FOR THE
FIRST TIME IN A GENERATION THE
DEMOCRATS CONTROL ALL BRANCHES
OF GOVERNMENT AND HAVE NOT LOST
A STATE -- NOT LOST A STATEWIDE
RACE SINCE 2009.
IN MISSISSIPPI THE DEMOCRAT
CAME CLOSE TO WINNING.
DEMOCRATS WIN ELECTIONS WHEN
DEMOCRATS GO TO THE POLLS.
THEY'RE MOTIVATED TO GO OUT
THERE BECAUSE OF THE CORRUPTION
AND WHATEVER DONALD TRUMP WANTS
BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTIES.
>> YOU THINK THAT KIND OF A
RESULTS IS A BELLWETHER FOR
2020?
>> I DO WITH THE CARVE YET
DEMOCRATS HAVE TO KEEP WORKING
AND TALKING TO THEIR BASE SO
THEIR BASE GOES OUT TO THE POLL.
>> IT IS NOT A BELLWETHER NOT
IN KENTUCKY.
VIRGINIA HAS BEEN TRENDING BLUE
FOR A WHILE.
TRUMP DIDN'T LAST TIME, BUSH
DIDN'T WIN IT EITHER TIME.
NOT A HUGE SURPRISE.
BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, THE ONE
THING REPUBLICANS HAVE TO BE
CAREFUL OF IS THEY HAVE LOST
350 SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURES
DURING DONALD TRUMP'S
ADMINISTRATION.
THAT'S HALF AS MANY AS OBAMA
LOST AT THE SAME POINT IN HIS
PRESIDENCY BUT SOMETHING TO BE
MINDFUL OF.
>> THANKS VERY MUCH.
BILL AND SCOTT, THANKS.
IN TONIGHT'S LOOK AHEAD IT IS
NOT A CURE PER SE BUT PROVING
TO BE LIFE CHANGING.
A NEW BREAKTHROUGH DRUG
COMBINATION IS OFFERING HOPE TO
PATIENTS LIVING WITH CYSTIC
FIBROSIS, A PULMONARY DISEASE
IMPACTING 30,000 PEOPLE IN THE
UNITED STATES.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS CAN CAUSE
SEVERE LUNG DAMAGE, DIFFICULTY
BREATHING, AND EARLY DEATH DUE
TO THICK, STICKY MUCOUS IN THE
AIRWAYS.
THERE IS NO CURE FOR THE
INHERITED DISEASE BUT THANKS TO
TEAMS OF RESEARCHERS AT THE UW
AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE NEW
TRIAL DRUG THERAPY IS TARGETING
THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE DISEASE
AND SHOWING AMAZING RESULTS.
IN A MOMENT WE'LL HEAR FROM ONE
PATIENT SHOWING SUCH
IMPROVEMENT IN HER CONDITION.
BUT FIRST WE TURN TO DR. ANDREW
BRAUN WHO LED UW'S
PARTICIPATION IN THE PHASE
THREE TRIALS OF THIS MEDICATION
PRIOR TO FDA APPROVAL.
THE DIRECTOR OF THE UW ADULT
CYSTIC FIBROSIS PROGRAM AND
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS
BREAKTHROUGH?
>> THIS IS A MOMENTOUS THERAPY
FOR PEOPLE WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS.
RIGHT NOW AND FOR THE LAST 30
TO 40 YEARS WE'VE REALLY BEEN
TREATING THE SYMPTOMS OF THE
DISEASE.
THIS NEW MEDICATION TARGETS THE
UNDERLYING GENETIC DEFECT AND
WE ARE ALREADY SEEING QUITE
AMAZING RESULTS FOR PEOPLE WHO
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS THE
MEDICATION.
>> WHAT WAS YOUR INITIAL
REACTION WHEN YOU SAW THOSE
KINDS OF RESULTS?
>> IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE
NEVER SEEN IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS.
THIS MEDICATION WILL BE ADDING
LIKELY YEARS OF LIFE TO PEOPLE
WITH CF AND REALLY IMPACTING
THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
CURRENTLY MOST PEOPLE SPEND TWO
TO THREE HOURS A DAY DOING
MULTIPLE INHALED RESPIRATORY
THERAPIES.
THIS MEDICATION IS A BILL
THEY'LL TAKE ONCE IN THE
MORNING AND ONCE IN THE EVENING
WILL LIKELY IMPACT THAT QUALITY
OF LIFE DRAMATICALLY.
>> BECAUSE IT'S AN INHERISTED
DISEASE IT'S TESTED FOR IN
BABIES.
WHEN DO MOST PEOPLE SHOW
SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS?
>> ALL CHILDREN IN THE UNITED
STATES, ALL STATES NOW SCREEN
FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS AS OF 2009.
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN LED
THE EFFORTS FOR NEWBORN
SCREENING AND SINCE THE MID
1980s THAT PATIENTS IN
WISCONSIN HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE
DIAGNOSED AT BIRTH.
A FEW CASES IN ADULT HOOD.
THEY WILL KNOW WITHIN A WEEK OR
TWO OF LIFE.
>> LET'S HEAR FROM ONE OF YOUR
PATIENTS WHO HAS RECEIVED THIS
TREATMENT.
>> I THINK COMPARED TO BEFORE
IT'S REALLY HELPED MY QUALITY
OF LIFE BEING ABLE TO DO MORE
THINGS ON MY OWN.
BEING ABLE TO DO MORE THINGS
THAT I ENJOY WITH EASE.
TO ME IT ALMOST FEELS AS CLOSE
TO A CURE AS I EVER THOUGHT WAS
POSSIBLE IN MY LIFETIME.
BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF GIVEN ME
MY LIFE BACK.
>> SO SHE SAYS IT FEELS LIKE AS
CLOSE TO A CURE AS SHE THOUGHT
SHE WOULD EVER HAVE IN HER
LIFETIME AND IT HAS GIVEN HER
HER LIFE BACK.
HOW MEANINGFUL TO HEAR THAT?
>> IT IS REALLY AMAZING.
WE'VE NEVER SEEN A THERAPY LIKE
THIS BEFORE.
THE FACT THAT OUR PATIENTS ARE
THE NOW GOING TO BE ABLE TO
LOOK TOWARDS A FUTURE THEY
DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD HAVE A
QUITE REMARKABLE.
THIS THERAPY IS GOING TO BE
AVAILABLE FOR 85 TO 90% OF
PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH CF
AND ON APPROVAL FOR ONLY
PATIENTS WHO ARE 12 YEARS AND
OLDER.
WE EXPECT CHILDREN TO BE ABLE
TO BE ACCESSING THIS MEDICATION
HOPEFULLY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW
YEARS.
BUT THERE ARE STILL 10% OF
PATIENTS WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO
FIGHT FOR AND WILL NEED OTHER
TYPES OF GENETIC THERAPIES TO
HELP TO DEVELOP THAT TYPE OF
IMPROVEMENT IN THEIR SYMPTOMS.
>> DESCRIBE THE IMPROVEMENT
THAT YOU SAW IN THAT PATIENT OR
OTHERS GOING FROM PLACE A TO
PLACE B WITH THE TREATMENT.
>> I WOULD CHARACTERIZE THAT
PATIENT'S SYMPTOMS AND LUNG
FUNCTION TO BE STARTED TO
DEVELOP INTO AN ADVANCED OR
SEVERE STATE.
THIS THERAPY FOR HER HAS
IMPROVED HER BACK INTO A MUCH
DIFFERENT STATE OF LUNG
FUNCTION.
SHE IS NOW ABLE TO RECONSIDER
INTERACTING WITH THE THINGS SHE
LOVES TO DO ON A DAILY BASIS.
AND IT WILL DRAMATICALLY BE
IMPROVING HER QUALITY OF LIFE
GOING FORWARD.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
PEOPLE WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS
HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT IS
GETTING, SAY, A COLD, RIGHT?
AND SO THEY HAVE TO KIND OF
LIMIT WHERE THEY GO AND WHO
THEY SEE.
>> WE'LL STILL TELL OUR
PATIENTS WHAT THEY NEED TO DO
TO STAY HEALTHY.
STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE
SICK AND TAKING GOOD HYGIENE
PRECAUTIONS.
THIS THERAPY IS HIGHLY
EFFECTIVE.
THEY'LL BE AT RISK FOR FUTURE
CONCERNS RELATED TO THE DISEASE
TODAY.
SO IT IS NOT A CURE YET.
BUT YES, IT IS IMPROVING
QUALITY OF LIFE.
>> YOU SAID THIS WILL BE
AVAILABLE TO A LARGE NUMBER OF
CYSTIC FIBROSIS PATIENTS.
WHAT ABOUT RIGHT NOW?
>> SO THE FDA APPROVED IT 2 1/2
WEEKS AGO.
WE'VE BEEN PUTTING IN
PRESCRIPTIONS AND WE ARE
WAITING FOR INSURERS TO LOOK
INTO AUTHORIZING THE MEDICATION
FOR PATIENTS.
IT IS INITIALLY APPROVED FOR
PEOPLE WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF
CYSTIC FIBROSIS WHO ARE 12
YEARS AND OLDER AND HAVE A VERY
SPECIFIC GENE MUTATION.
THAT GENE MUTATION, WHICH MANY
PEOPLE WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS
KNOW THE NAME, INCLUDES 85 TO
90% OF PEOPLE WITH CF.
>> HOW LONG HAVE RESEARCHERS
BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THIS DAY?
>> 20 TO 25 YEARS OF
BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE THAT HAS
BEEN FOSTERED BY THE
INVOLVEMENT OF MANY PEOPLE
RAISING MONEY FOR CYSTIC
FIBROSIS, THE NATIONAL CYSTIC
FIBROSIS FOUNDATION THAT WAS
CRITICAL IF FUNDING SOME OF
THIS RESEARCH IN THE BEGINNING
AND IT IS BOTH FROM PATIENTS
WHO PARTICIPATED IN RESEARCH
TRIALS AND THE COMMUNITY THAT
HAS SUPPORTED THEM WHO GOT US
TO THIS POINT TODAY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW"
IS PROVIDED