>>> A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS PART OF
OUR HERE AND NOW 2020 ELECTION
COVERAGE.
>>> WE CAN CHOOSE TO RELITIGATE
PAST POLITICAL TRUST HUSTLES OR
WE CAN CHOOSE TO TRANSSEND
ANIMOSITY TO RISE AND GREET THE
PROBLEMS BEFORE US.
>> LISTENING TO MADISON WHILE
IGNORING THE REST OF WISCONSIN
ISN'T A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS.
>> TAKING A STAB AT
BIPARTISANSHIP PROVES HARD IN A
DIVIDED GOVERNMENT.
MORE TONIGHT ON REACTION TO
GOVERNOR TONY REVERSE STATE OF
THE STATE ADDRESS.
TONIGHT 0 "HERE AND NOW,"
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO SHAWN
JOHNSON AND I BREAK DOWN THE
POLITICS OF THE STATE OF THE
STATE.
THEN A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF
THE POLICY PROPOSED IN THE
SPEECH.
WE'LL START WITH HIS CALL TO
CREATE A FEW PEOPLES MAP
REDISTRICTING COMMISSION.
AFTER THAT, WE'LL CONSIDER A
PROPOSAL THAT FUNDS MENTAL
HEALTH SERVICES FOR FARMERS.
AND A LOOK AHEAD TO STATE
CAPITOLWORK ON THE ISSUE OF
HOMELESSNESS.
>>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW"
IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND
FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF
PBS WISCONSIN.
>>> A FIRST LOOK TONIGHT AT
ACTION BY WAY OF EXECUTIVE
ORDERS.
THE GOVERNOR TONY EVERS, A
SPECIAL SESSION OF THE
LEGISLATURE NEXT WEEK TO TAKE UP
A PACKAGE OF BILLS ON RURAL
ECONOMIES AND FARMING.
AMONG THE EIGHT BILLS, A CALL TO
CREATE THE WISCONSIN INITIATIVE
FOR DAIRY EXPORTS, CREATING A
REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES, AN ISSUE
WE WILL ADDRESS LATER, AND A
BILL TO CONNECT FARMERS' FOOD
PRODUCTION TO UNIVERSITIES,
HOSPITALS, AND BUSINESSES.
EVERS ALSO ANNOUNCED HE'LL SIGN
AN EXECUTIVE ORDER CREATING A
NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING
COMMISSION.
BUT FIRST, WE CHECK IN WITH WPR
CAPITAL BUREAU CHIEF SHAWN
JOHNSON.
THANKS A LOT FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO MEANWHILE, SPEAKER ROBIN
VOS SAYS THEY WON'T BE ON THE
FLOOR, BUT THE BILLS CAN GO
THROUGH COMMITTEE.
SOME KIND OF TANTAMOUNT TO
PUTTING THE SKIDS ON THE
GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR A SPECIAL
SESSION N. I THINK THE WAY
REPUBLICANS DEAL WITH THE
GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR SPECIAL
SESSION IS STILL AN OPEN
QUESTION.
JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ON THE
FLOOR NEXT WEEK DOESN'T MEAN
THAT THEY ARE KILLING THESE
BILLS.
YOU KNOW.
THEY COULD STILL COME AND DO
SPECIAL SESSION.
THEY COULD STILL DEAL WITH THESE
AT A LATER TIME.
THE THING WITH SPECIAL SESSIONS
IS THE GOVERNOR CAN CALL THEM.
THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T HAVE TO
FOLLOW THEM.
THEY CAN GAVEL IN AND GAVEL OUT.
I MEAN, THAT'S -- THEY'VE DONE
THAT IN A PREVIOUS SESSION.
IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THEM DOING
THAT QUITE SO QUICKLY WHEN IT
COMES TO DAIRY, YOU KNOW.
SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THIS
YEAR IN PARTICULAR, AND ELECTION
YEAR, AND WHEN IT'S BECOMING AN
ISSUE.
I IMAGINE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO
GIVE IT MORE ATTENTION THAN
THAT.
BUT FOR THE FATE OF THESE BILLS
THAT THE GOVERNOR IS
INTRODUCING, WE DON'T KNOW YET
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THERE.
>> AS WE LISTEN TO THE
GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS, YOU POINTED
OUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS ONE
WAY THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN EXERT
HIS WILL OR CAN HE, REALLY?
>> HE CAN.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF LIKE
WHAT -- WHAT COMES OF IT.
AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IS NOT LAW.
SO ANYTHING DONE BY AN EXECUTIVE
ORDER DOES NOT HAVE KIND OF THAT
STAYING POWER THAT PASSING A
BILL AND SIGNING IT INTO LAW
WILL HAVE.
BUT IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE
ISSUES THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS
TRIED TO GET ACCOMPLISHED, HE
TRIED TO INCLUDE THEM IN HIS
BUDGET.
THEY WERE TAKEN OUT BY
REPUBLICANS.
HE HAS SUPPORTED DEMOCRATIC
EFFORTS TO INTRODUCE THEM AS
STAND-ALONE BILLS.
IT HASN'T GONE SO WELL FOR HIM.
SO HE HAS FOUND SOME ISSUES HERE
WHERE HE IS GOING TO INTRODUCE
AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AND YOU KNOW,
MAYBE CREATE A STUDY COMMISSION
OR SPECIAL COMMITTEE, SOMETHING
LIKE THAT.
IT'S AN ACTION THAT HE CAN TAKE
WITHOUT HAVING TO HAVE THE
LEGISLATORS' OKAY.
JUST NOT A LAW.
>> LET'S TAKE A LISTEN TO WHAT
SPEAKER RONIN VOS SAID -- ROBIN
VOS SAID ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER
WITH THE GOVERNOR.
>> WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY DEFINES
BIPARTISAN AS MARKED BY OR COFL
INVOLVING COOPERATION,
AGREEMENT, AND COMPROMISE
BETWEEN TWO MAJOR POLITICAL
PARTIES.
IT ACTUALLY REQUIRES PEOPLE
SITTING DOWN, COMPROMISING, IN A
GIVE AND TAKE, THAT WE HAVE NOT
SEEN THERE THE EVERS
ADMINISTRATION EVEN WITH THE
PROPOSAL THEY PUT OUT THIS WEEK
ON VAPING WHICH SOMETHING THAT
HAVE I A LAY-UPS.
THEY PUT IT NOW A PARTISAN WAY.
HAVING NO DISCUSSIONS WITH
ANYONE IN THE LEGISLATURE, ONLY
TALKING TO THEMSELVES, PUTTING
IT OUT AND CALLING IT
BIPARTISAN.
THAT'S NOT THE REALITY.
>> THE BLAME GAME OVER
BIPARTISANSHIP, AS WE SAW
EVIDENCE DURING THE STATE OF THE
STATE ADDRESS, WHERE MAJORITY
REPUBLICANS DIDN'T STAND AND
APPLAUD.
THERE WAS THIS KIND OF STANDING
UP AND APPLAUDING AND SITTING
DOWN ON THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE.
EVEN FOR THAT CALL FOR A SPECIAL
SESSION AROUND AGRICULTURE
ISSUES.
>> YEAH.
THE WHOLE STANDING, SITTING
THING WHEN -- DEPENDING ON WHICH
PARTY IS GIVING THE ADDRESS
IS -- VERY PRONOUNCED AT
SPEECHES THIS FOR A WHILE.
THAT'S NOT NEW.
AND MAY BE -- IT MAYBE LOOKS
DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON THE
ISSUE.
I FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW,
REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS KIND
OF FOLLOW THOSE CUES PRETTY
CLOSELY.
>> YES.
>> BUT ON AGRICULTURE, YOU MAY
SEE SOME OF THOSE REPUBLICANS
WHO SAT AND DIDN'T APPLAUD
SUPPORTING THESE BILLS.
YOU HEARD AFTER THE SPEECH, THE
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER SAYING
PRETTY CLEARLY THEY WERE OPEN TO
WHAT THE GOVERNOR WAS PROPOSING
WHEN IT COMES TO AGRICULTURE,
WHEN IT COMES TO DAIRY.
IT IS SORT OF -- SORT OF WEIRD,
I THINK, IF YOU WATCH THESE
SPEECHES ON TAX CUTS, THERE
WAS -- WITH POLITICS REPORTER
THAT POINTED OUT THE GOVERNOR IS
TOUTING THESE TAX CUTS THAT HE
SIGNED IN HIS PASSENGER.
DEMOCRATS ARE APPLAUDING.
THEY DIDN'T VOTE FOR THE BUDGET.
REPUBLICANS A NOT APPLAUDING.
YOU KNOW, THEY PASSED THE
BUDGET.
THEY PASSED THE TAX CUTS.
SO THAT'S SORT OF THE ABSURDITY
OF THE WHOLE APPLAUSE GAME.
>> SPEAKING OF TAXES AND
SENDING, THE SPECIAL SESSION
BILL ON AGRICULTURE AFTER SEEING
PRESIDENTIATIONS OF ABOUT --
PROPPATIONS OF -- APPROPRIATIONS
OF $880 MILLION-DOLLAR.
THEY SAW -- THEY DIDN'T
NECESSARY EXPECT THE TAX
COLLECTIONS.
DO WE EXPECT THIS TO GO THE SAME
ROAD WHEREBY THE REPUBLICANS
WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THAT
$818 MILLION BACK TO TAXPAYERS
AND DEMOCRATS SAY, WELL, LET'S
USE SOME OF IT TO SPEND ON SOME
OF THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE NEED
TO SPEND MONEY ON?
>> IKE LOUVRE WATCHED THIS --
LIKE YOU'VE WATCHED THIS DEBATE
PLAY OUT BEFORE.
WITHIN THE HOUR YOU HAD
COMPETING PROPOSALS ON HOW TO
USE THIS MONEY.
AND THAT WAS THE PATTERN THAT IT
FOLLOWED.
YOU HAD REPUBLICANS CALLING FOR
A TAX CUT, SENATOR FITZGERALD
PROBABLY MOST CLEARLY, LOUDLY,
HE'S ALSO RUNNING FOR CONGRESS.
AND THAT IS ALSO A FACTOR IN
THIS.
YOU HAVE A SURPLUS IN AN
ELECTION YEAR.
WHEN THAT HAPPENS, AND YOU'VE
GOT A FEW MONTHS LEFT TO GO IN
THE SESSION, YOU ARE GOING TO
HEAR THESE FAMILIAR ARTS.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT --
ARGUMENTS.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ANOTHER
EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CREATE A
NONBART PAN ECONOMIES ON
REDISTRICTING.
HOW WOULD THAT BARK IN A
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATE -- WORK IN
A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE THAT
DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE INTEREST
IN THAT?
>> THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WHERE
THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO CREATE
THIS NONPARTISAN SYSTEM OF
REDISTRICTING LIKE THEY HAVE IN
IOWA.
HE TRIED TO DO THAT.
IT WAS TAKEN OUT.
HADE SUPPORTED A BILL TO DO
THAT.
IT'S NOT GOING NEVADA WHERE.
THIS IS NOT LAW, RIGHT?
WHATEVER THIS COMMISSION COMES
UP WITH IS NOT GOING TO BE THE
REDISTRICTING PROCESS.
BUT IT COULD BE KIND OF A
SYMBOLIC GESTURE, AND IT COULD
BE POTENTIALLY USED IN COURT.
YOU KNOW, IF WE HAVE -- WHEN THE
MAP IS REDRAWN FOR -- YOU KNOW,
AFTER THE NEXT CENSUS, IN THE
NEXT SESSION, IF YOU HAVE A
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AND THE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, THEY'RE
PROBABLY MOT GOING TO AGREE ON
NEW POLITICAL BOUNDARIES FOR THE
NEXT DECADE.
SO IT HAS TO GO TO COURT IN THAT
SITUATION.
WHAT'S ONE THING A COURT CAN
CONSIDER?
A COURT COULD CONSIDER A MAP
THAT WAS DRAWN BY THIS
COMMISSION DEPENDING ON WHAT IT
LOOKS LIKE AND WHO'S ON THE
COMMISSION.
IT COULD BE A FACTOR, YOU KNOW.
>> INTERESTING POINT.
SHAWN JOHNSON, THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> IN TONIGHT'S CLOSER LOOK,
ANOTHER PIECE OF ACTION THERE
THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.
GOVERNOR EVERS SAYS HE WILL SIGN
AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO CREATE A
NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING
COMMISSION, WHICH WILL DRAW WHAT
HE CALLS THE PEOPLE'S MAPS.
>> A NONPARTISAN REDISTRICTING
COMMISSION WILL CONSISTS OF THE
PEOPLE OF OUR STATE, NOT THE
ELECTED OFFICIALS, NOT
LOBBYISTS, NOT HIGH-PAID
CONSULTANTS.
THEY WILL VISIT EVERY
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, HEAR
DIRECTLY FROM FOLKS ACROSS OUR
STATE, AND DRAW FAIR, IMPARTIAL
MAPS FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE
UP NEXT YEAR.
[APPLAUSE]
>> FOR SOME INSIGHT ON THE
CHALLENGES AHEAD, WE TURN TO A
NATIONAL AUTHORITY AND EXPERT
WITNESS, INCLUDING IN
WISCONSIN'S CASE.
KEN MAYER, PROFESSOR OF
POLITICAL SCIENCE AT MADISON.
AND THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING
HERE.
>> GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.
>> WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?
>> THIS IS A SYMBOLIC ATTEMPT BY
THE GOVERNOR TO CREATE AN PROPOSAL.
IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN
WHAT HE PROPOSED LAST YEAR,
WHICH IS TO CREATE A FORMAL
STATUTORY PROCESS THAT WOULD
GENERATE A MAP THAT THE
LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO
CONSIDER.
THIS IS MORE OF A BLUE RIBBON
COMMISSION.
THE DETAILS OF WHICH WE DON'T
ACTUALLY KNOW JUST YET.
BUT THE IDEA WOULD BE TO CREATE
AN ALTERNATIVE MAP PROPOSAL THAT
COULD BE LINED UP AGAINST
WHATEVER THE LEGISLATURE PUT
TOGETHER.
SO YOU'RE LOOKING AT A PROPOSAL
AND THEN AN ALTERNATIVE TO THAT
PROPOSAL.
>> HERE'S WHAT SENATE MAJORITY
REPUBLICAN LEADER SCOTT'S
FITZGERALD SAID.
HE SAYS THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED
SOMETHING HE BELIEVES TO BE
UNCONSTITUTIONAL, SAYING HE
KNOWS THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE
RESPONSIBILITY PER THE
CONSTITUTION TO NOT ONLY DRAW
THE MAPS BUT THE CONGRESSIONAL
MAPS AS WELL.
WHAT ABOUT THAT?
>> WELL, THERE'S NO QUESTION
THAT THE WISCONSIN CONSTITUTION
PLACES AUTHORITY TO DRAW THE
MAPS WITH THE LEGISLATURE.
AND EVEN THE NONPARTISAN
STATUTORY COMMISSION THAT THE
GOVERNOR PROPOSED LAST YEAR
WOULD CREATE A PROPOSAL THAT THE
LEGISLATURE WOULD HAVE TO ENACT.
AND THE BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION
IS ONE STEP BACK THERE THAT.
IT'S SIMPLY CREATING AN
ALTERNATIVE WITH PRESUMABLY THE
HOPE AND EXPECTATION THAT IT
MIGHT GENERATE SOME PUBLIC
PRESSURE, SO THAT LEGISLATORS
WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OR
MAYBE AN AN INSENTIVE TO KE WHAT
ARE -- TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S -- JUST
CREATING A DIFFERENT MAP THAT
THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT LOOK AT.
>> SO OTHER LAWS WOULDN'T HAVE
TO BE ENACTED TO HAVE A
COMMISSION DRAW AN IMPARTIAL
MAP?
>> THE GOVERNOR AS DENVERS DO
AND -- GOVERNOR DOS AND
POLITICAL EXECUTIVES DO IN A LOT
OF PLACES, THE 1990s GOVERNOR
THOMPSON CREATED A BLUE RIBBON
ON CAMPAIGN REFINANCING FORM.
IT'S A COMMON TECHNIQUE TO
HIGHLIGHT AN ISSUE TO GENERATE
PUBLIC SUPPORT OR IN THIS CASE
PROBABLY TO FOCUS PUBLIC
SUPPORT.
BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY
MEANINGFUL EXPECTATION THAT THIS
WOULD CREATE A PLOALZ THAT
ANYBODY WOULD -- PROEHL THAT
ANYBODY WOULD INTERESTIST WITH
SOME TEETH THAT THE LEGISLATURE
WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER.
>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE
WISCONSIN MANUFACTURERS AND
COMMERCE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE
GOVERNOR'S PLAN.
THEY TWEETED OUT SAYING,
COMPLAIN ALL YOU WANT ABOUT
SO-CALLED GERRYMANDERING.
THE REALITY IS THAT VOTERS
OUTSIDE DANE AND WALK VOTES FOR
REPUBLICANS, SAYING THEY'D LOVE
TO SEE HOW YOU DIVIDE THIS MAP
INTO 99 EQUAL POPULATION
DISTRICTS WITHOUT A GOP
MAJORITY.
WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?
>> THAT'S AN ARGUMENT THAT WAS
MADE IN THE WISCONSIN LITIGATION
THAT THE PARTISAN IMBALANCE, THE
FACT THAT IN YEARS THAT
REPUBLICANS ACTUALLY GOT A
MINORITY OF THE STATEWIDE VOTE,
WOULD ACTUALLY GET MUCH MORE
THAN A MAJORITY OF SEATS, 61,
62, 63 SEATS.
AND THE ARGUMENT IS IT'S JUST A
CONSEQUENCE OF HOW PEOPLE ARE
SORTED.
THE DEMOCRATS ARE CONCENTRATED
IN CITIES, MILWAUKEE, MADISON,
YOU
EAU CLAIRE, SUPERIOR.
AND REPUBLICANS ARE MORE
EFFICIENTLY DISTRIBUTED.
THERE'S A GRAIN OF TRUTH IN
THAT, THAT WISCONSIN -- THAT
DEMOCRATS TEND TO -- OR PROBABLY
THE WAY TO PHRASE IT IS THAT
CITIES WHICH HAVE LARGER
POPULATIONS TEND TO BE MORE
DEMOCRATIC.
BUT THE NOTION THAT THAT
EXPLAINS THE ENTIRE SCOPE OF
THE -- OF THE PARTISAN EFFECT OF
THE GERRYMANDERING -- IT'S
LUDICROUS.
THAT LEGISLATURE ADMITTED IN
COURT THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO
CREATE THE MAXIMUM PARTY
ADVANTAGE, THAT IF YOU LOOK AT
THE MAP AND DISTRICT AFTER
DISTRICT, THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT
ONLY PACKED PUT ALSO CRACKED.
SO THAT THEY ARE SITUATED IN
DISTRICTS THAT HAVE 53, 55, 57%
REPUBLICANS.
SO IT'S REALLY A RHETORICAL
ARGUMENT THAT SIMPLY DOESN'T
REFLECT THE REALITY OF WHAT THE
EFFECT OF GEOGRAPHIC SORTING
MIGHT BE.
>> WHAT ARE THE BEST MODELS FOR
NONPARTISAN COMMISSIONS DRAWING
MAPS?
>> THAT'S THE QUESTION, ISN'T
IT?
THAT THIS IS A PARTISAN PROCESS.
I THINK ONE OF THE MODELS THAT
PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT IS IOWA,
WHERE IN IOWA IT'S A STATE
AGENCY THAT LOOKS AT -- LOOKS AT
SOLELY POPULATION.
THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LOOK
AT ANY ELECTION RETURNS.
THEY'RE NOT PERMITTED TO LOOK AT
WHERE INCUMBENTS LIVE.
THERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC
REQUIREMENTS IN IOWA,
PARTICULARLY HOW COMPANY,AN
DISTRICTS HAVE TO BE -- HOW
PARTICULAR DISTRICTS HAVE TO BE
DONE.
THIS AGENCY IS SORT OF THEIR
EQUIVALENT OF THE LEGISLATEIRE
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES HERE.
THE LEGISLATURE CAN IT'S PASS IT
OR NOT PASS IT.
IF THEY DON'T PASS IT, IT GOES
BACK TO -- FOR REVISIONS.
BUT EVERY DECADE SINCE THIS
SYSTEM HAS BEEN CREATED, THE MAP
HAS GONE THROUGH WITH NO
LITIGATION, WITH VERY LITTLE
CONTROVERSY.
AND SO I THINK THAT WAS WHAT THE
GOVERNOR WAS TRYING TO GET AT
LAST YEAR.
BUT ONE OF THE WAYS THAT IS
COMMON IS TO NOT ALLOW ELECTION
RETURNS TO BE TAKEN INTO
EFFECT -- TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
AND THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT
BECAUSE YOU CAN CREATE A PROCESS
THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T LOOK AT
THIS.
BUT IT'S HARD NOT TO BECAUSE THE
DATA ARE THERE.
BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF
ALTERNATIVES TO HAVING A
LEGISLATURE DRAWING THE MAP IN A
WAY THAT IS DESIGNED TO SECURE
MAXIMUM PARTY ADVANTAGE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.
KEP MAYER, THANKS VERY MUCH.
>> HAPPY TO BE WITH YOU.
>>> AN INSIDE LOOK AT GOVERNOR
EVERS' PLANS TO PUT A NEW
LEGISLATIVE FOCUS ON FARMERS AND
MENTAL HEALTH.
>> OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
WILL ASSIST FARMERS IN ACCESSING
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.
THEY WILL ALSO HELP COORDINATE
AND REGIONAL PEER SUPPORT
PROGRAMMING, AND PROVIDE
CONFIDENTIAL ONE-ON-ONE
COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE TO OUR
FARMERS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> ON THURSDAY THE GOVERNOR
RELEASED A PACKAGE OF FARMER
BILLS THAT INCLUDED RESOURCES
FOR FARMERS IN NEED OF MENTAL
HEALTH SUPPORT.
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE BILLS'
WOULD AUTHORIZE FIVE NEW
POSITIONS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE TO SERVE AS REGIONAL
AGENCY AGENTS TO ASSIST
FEAMPLES.
THE AGENTS WOULD OVERSEE
REGIONAL PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS
AS WELL AS CORD
UNDERCOUNSELLING.
THE BILL ALSO -- AS WELL AS
COORDINATE COUNSELING.
TO UNDERSTAND FARMERS' STRESS
AND IDENTIFY THE WARNING SIGNS
OF SUICIDE.
THE PROGRAM IS A
DODGEVILLE-BASED NONPROFIT THAT
DOES DIRECT OUTREACH TO FARMERS
IN NEED OF SERVICES.
THE WORK IS LARGELY PAID FOR BY
A GRANT FROM THE SCHOOL OF
MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH.
WALLY ORZECHOWSKI IS THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME.
>> WHAT'S YOUR REACTION ABOUT
THE BILLS THAT THE GOVERNOR
ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK?
>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC.
WE NEED AS MANY RESOURCES AS WE
CAN.
WE HAVE A VERY SMALL GRANT,
WONDERFUL GRANT, SMALL GRANT AND
WE'RE USING IT TO INTERACT AS
WEST WE CAN WITH THE FARMING
COMMUNITY AND HELP FARMERS WHO
ARE STRESSED AND IN THE END --
YOU KNOW, SOME ARE THINKING
ABOUT AND A FEW HAVE COMMITTED
SUICIDE, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY
HORRIBLE FOR THEM AND THOSE
AROUND THEM, THEIR FAMILIES.
AND SO THE MORE RESOURCES WE
HAVE, THE BETTER.
AND I THINK WE HAVE SOME GOOD
IDEAS.
WE'RE DOING OUTREACH.
WE'RE WORKING WITH FARMERS.
BUT IT'S JUST THE TIP OF THE
ICEBERG.
WE NEED TO DO MUCH MORE.
SO THOSE RESOURCES ARE GOING TO
BE VERY WELL RECEIVED.
>> AND YOU GET THE SENSE THAT
THOSE RESOURCES WILL KIND OF
TRICKLE DOWN TO THE KINDS OF
PROGRAMMING THAT YOU DO?
>> YEAH.
WE COORDINATE WITH EVERYBODY.
AND WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH
DAD CAP AND THE FARM BUREAU IN
THE PAST ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER.
AND SO, YEAH, SOME OF THEM MAY
TRICKLE DOWN TO ORGANIZATIONS
LIKE OURS, BUT IT'S JUST A
MATTER OF COORDINATION.
>> YOU'VE BEEN ON THE FRONT
LINES OF THIS PROBLEM.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEED FOR
MENTAL HEALTH CARE AMONG FARMERS
INCREASE?
>> IT'S BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC
ISSUES THAT THEY'RE FACING.
FARMING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A
WONDERFUL BUT AT THE SAME TIME
STRESSFUL OCCUPATION.
BUT WITH THE OVERPRODUCTION OF
MILK AND THE TRADE WARS AND THE
BAD WEATHER AND A WHOLE NUMBER
OF OTHER FACTORS, IT'S REALLY
INCREASED THE STRESS LEVEL.
AND SO MANY FARMS I THINK WE
LOST LIKE 700 FARMS A YEAR IN
2018.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE '19
NUMBERS ARE.
AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, SOME OF
THEM ARE GOING INTO FORECLOSURE
OR BANKRUPTCY.
FARMERS ARE LOSING MONEY.
IT'S CREATED THIS HORRIBLE,
HORRIBLE PERFECT STORM THAT
THESE FARMERS ARE GOING THROUGH.
>> WHAT KINDS OF WORDS DESCRIBE
THESE FARMERS' DESPAIR THAT YOU
HEAR FROM THEM?
>> DESPAIR, STRESS.
NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO.
I MEAN, FARMERS ARE VERY
INDEPENDENT, TOUGH, STOIC GROUP.
AND IN THAT RESPECT, IT'S -- IT
HELPS THEM IN THEIR OCCUPATIONS
BUT ALSO MAKES IT VERY HARD FOR
THEM TO REACH OUT FOR SERVICES
WHEN THEY'RE EXPERIENCING THIS.
AND WHATEVER WE'RE DOING, YOU
KNOW, WE HAVE TO WORK -- KEEPING
IN MIND THOSE CULTURAL AND
SOCIAL ISSUES.
I THINK THAT'S WHAT STARTED
DOING AND WE NEED TO EXPAND AS
MUCH AS WE CAN.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU KIND OF
BRING FARMERS TOGETHER BECAUSE
OFTEN THEY FEEL VERY SILHOUETTE.
>> YEAH.
-- ISOLATED.
>> YEAH.
THERE'S OUT THERE WORKING ON
THEIR FARMERS.
THEY'RE NOT INTERACTING EVERY
DAY AND THEY'RE DEALING WITH
THEIR ISSUES ALONE BECAUSE THEY
FIX A TRACTOR OR THEY HAVE A
SICK CALF OR WHATEVER IT HAPPENS
TO BE.
THEY'RE VERY INDEPENDENT.
AND AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND WHY
THAT'S IMPORTANT IN THAT TYPE OF
OCCUPATION, BUT IT ALSO LEADS TO
A LOT OF DIFFICULTY IN TERMS OF
SEARCHING.
THEY WANT TO FIX IT THEMSELVES.
AND FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS,
IT'S NOT -- YOU CAN'T FIX IT
YOURSELF.
YOU NEED HELP.
>> I WAS READING IN REPORTING
AROUND THE KINDS OF WORK THAT
YOU'RE DOING YOU BRING FARMERS
TOGETHER AND OFTEN THESE ARE
TIMES -- THEY HAVEN'T BEEN
TALKING TO EACH OTHER.
AND HOW IS THAT HELPFUL?
>> WELL, FARMERS WILL TALK TO
FARMERS.
OR THEY WILL TALKING TOO MAYBE
THE MILK TRUCK DRIVER.
MAYBE THE LARGE ANIMALS THAT
ARE -- OR SOMEBODY LIKE THAT.
THEY'RE NOT GOING TO WALK INTO A
MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC.
THAT'S JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.
THEY'RE LUCKY IF THEY WALK INTO
MITYPE OF HEALTH CLINIC FOR --
ANY TYPE OF HEALTH CLINIC FOR
ANYTHING.
SO IT HAS TO BE PEOPLE THAT
THEY'RE COMFORTABLE WITH, THAT
THEY TRUST.
WE ARE -- WE REALLY WANT THE FARMERS
TO HELP THE FARMERS.
WE'RE STARTING TO IDENTIFY SOME
FARMERSES BECAUSE OF THEIR
PERSONALITIES AND THEY'RE LIKED
AND TRUSTED IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT ARE
GOING TO BE THE THE ONES THAT
ARE GOING TO PROVIDE THAT
SUPPORT.
THERE ARE NOT MUCH MENTAL HEALTH
PROVIDERS ANYWHERE, INCLUDING IN
RURAL PARTS OF WISCONSIN.
AND SO IT HAS TO BE BUBBLING UP
FROM THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THE
FARMERS.
THERE MAY BE MORE COMPLICATED
ISSUES THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH BY
A PROFESSIONAL, PUT IN TERMS OF
IDENTIFYING THE UNDERLYING
STRESS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF
PEOPLE CONSIDERING SUICIDE, THAT
HAS TO COME FROM THE COMMUNITIES
THEMSELVES.
>> WHAT WOULD YOU TELL TBHEERMS
MIGHT BE IN A POSITION --
FARMERS WHO MIGHT 9 A POSITION
WHERE THEY'RE FEEL BE STRESSED
AND CLOSE TO SUICIDE?
>> YOU'RE NOT ALONE.
THERE'S OTHERS LEAK YOU WHO HAVE
EXPERIENCE -- LIKE YOU WHO ARE
GOING THROUGH WHAT YOU'RE GOING
THROUGH AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE
OUT THERE ALONE.
REACH OUT TO WHETHER IT'S A
MEMBER OF THE CLERGY OR YOUR
PHYSICIAN OR YOUR SPOUSE OR
WHOMEVER IT HAPPENS TO BE.
THERE ARE SOME RESOURCES OUT
THERE.
AND SOMETIMES IT'S A MATTER OF
TALKING TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
BUT YOU DO HAVE TO REACH OUT.
AND THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT.
BUT YOU'RE GOING TO KNOW
SOMEBODY, WHETHER IT'S SOMEBODY
TO COME GET YOUR MILK OR
SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING TO WORK
REQUEST YOUR CATTLE -- WITH YOUR
CATTLE.
YOU'RE GOING TO KNOW SOMEBODY
AND WE'RE FRIGHTENING TO GET TO
THE SOMEBODIES -- TRYING TO GET
TO THE SOMEBODIES TO GET TO THE
FARMERS WHO ARE HIGHLY STRESSED
BECAUSE THEY CAN TELL BY THE
QUALITY OF THE FARM AND HAVE
THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND BRING
THEM INTO THE WORLD THAT CAN
HELP THEM.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
WALLY ORZECHOWSKI, THANKS VERY
MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>>> ON TUESDAY THE STATE SENATE
UNANIMOUSLY PASSED ONE OF EIGHT
REPUBLICAN BILLS ADDRESSING
HOMELESSNESS.
IN TONIGHT'S LOOK AHEAD, WE
CHECK IN ON THE REMAINING
LEGISLATION THAT DESPITE
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IS NOT MOVING
FORWARD.
>> ALL MEMBERS VOTE IN THE
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.
>> THERE ARE 31 AYES.
>> THE STATE'S FIRST FLOOR
SESSION HAD HOURS OF DEBATE EVEN
FOR A BILL THAT PASSED WITH
UNANIMOUS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
AS MOVEMENT ON THE ISSUE OF
HOMELESS FUNDING HAS PROVEN TO
BE A ROCKY ROAD.
THE BILL THAT PASSED PROVIDES A
TOTAL OF ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO
HOMELESS SHEALTSERS ACROSS SHELTERS ACROSS
WISCONSIN AND WAS ORIGINALLY A
PART OF A PACKAGE OF EIGHT
REPUBLICAN BILLS AIMED AT
CURBING HOMELESSNESS WITH A
VARIETY OF MEASURES FROM
EMERGENCY TO PREVENTIVE
PROGRAMS.
>> REALLY THE FOCUS IS TRYING TO
MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE
HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM FROM
BEGINNING TO END.
>> STATE DATA SAYS IN 2018 THERE
WERE 22,000 HOMELESS IN
WISCONSIN.
AND 40% OF THOSE WERE FAMILIES.
THE SAME YEAR THE DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION RECORDED
ALMOST 19,000 HOMELESS STUDENTS
IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE
STATE.
ALL EIGHT PIECES OF LEGISLATION
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY LAST JUNE
WITH UNANIMOUS PUERTO SUPPORT, A
99-0 VOTE.
THEY SIT IN SENATE COMMITTEES,
STALLED SINCE LAST FALL.
>> THE REPUBLICAN LEADER OF THE
SENATE IS NOT GOING TO BRING ANY
BILL TO THE FLOOR THAT HE NEEDS
A DEMOCRATIC VOTES TO PASS.
>> JOE VOLK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE WISCONSIN COALITION
AGAINST HOMELESSNESS, SAYS A FEW
KEY REPUBLICAN SENATORS OPPOSED
THE LEGISLATION ARE PREVENTING
THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER FROM
BRINGING THEM TO THE FLOOR.
HE SAYS THE SHELTER FUNDING
PRACTICESSED THE SENATE TUESDAY
BECAUSE MANY HOMELESS ARE BEING
LEFT ON THE WINT STREETS.
>> WE'RE ABLE TO MAKE THE CASE
IN THE VERY COLD SEASON, WHEN
IT'S MINUS ZERO IN MANY PARTS OF
THE STATE.
>> REPORTS SAY SOME REPUBLICAN
SENATORS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT
SPENDING MORE MONEY.
THE COST OF THIS HOMELESS
PACKAGE WOULD BE LESS THAN
$4 MILLION ANNUALLY.
FAR LESS THAN WHAT NEIGHBORING
STATES SPEND.
>> YOU KNOW, ILLINOIS IS UP TO
22 MILLION.
MICHIGAN IS UP TO 26 MILLION.
AGAIN, MINNESOTA OVER
40 MILLION.
THEY ARE HAVING AN IMPACT IN
THOSE STATES.
>> THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE
HAS ALREADY SET ASIDE THE
FUNDING FOR ALL EIGHT BILLS.
>> THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IS
REQUIRED IN THE LEGISLATION
WE'RE ABOUT TO VOTE ON HAS
ALREADY BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THAT
PARTICULAR PIECE OF LEGISLATION,
NOTHING ELSE.
>> BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF
REPUBLICANS SUPPORT THE ENTIRE
HOMELESS BILL PACKAGE, THERE'S A
DISCONNECT AS TO WHY THEY CAN'T
MOVE IT FORWARD.
>> JUST ONE BILL WON'T DO IT.
AND ONE DISCUSSION ON THE FLOOR
WON'T DO IT.
AND I HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE,
WE CAN HAVE A FULL COURT PRESS
ON THIS ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS.
>>> SCOTT FITZGERALD SAYS
THERE'S A POSSIBILITY SOME OF
THE HOMELESS BILLS COULD REACH
THE SENATE FLOR NEXT MONTH.
>>> DEMOCRATS LAID OUT THEIR
IMPEACHMENT.
REPUBLICANS DEFENSE BEGINS OVER
THE COMING WEEKEND.
WISCONSIN U.S. SENATORS ARE
PREDICTLY DIVIDED -- PREDICTEDLY
DIVIDED ON THE PROCEEDINGS.
TAM EWE -- TAMMY BALDWIN, SAID
THEY MADE COMPELLING EVIDENCE
THAT THE PRESIDENT ABUSED HIS
POWER FOR PERSONAL POLITICAL
GAIN AND THEN OBSTRUCTED
CONGRESS.
THE PRESENTACE RAISES SERIOUS
QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THE
WHITE HOUSE HAS WITHHELD
CRITICAL DOCUMENTS AND PREVENTED
RELEVANT WITNESSES ABOUT
TESTIFYING ABOUT THEIR FIRSTHAND
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PRESIDENT'S
ACTIONS.
REPUBLICAN SENATOR RON JOHNSON
SAID, QUOTE, THE HOUSE WAS IN A
RUSH TO DO THIS IMPEACHMENT.
THEY DID FROM MY STANDPOINT A
PRETTY SLOPPY JOB.
THEY'RE ASKING US TO DO WHAT
THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE IN A MORE
THOROUGH IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.
YOU CAN FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF
THE TRUMP IMPEACHMENT TRIAL THIS
WEEKEND ONLINE WITH THE NEWS
HOUR AT PBS.ORG.
>>> WE END TONIGHT'S PROGRAM ON
A SAD NOTE ABOUT A HUGE LOSS FOR
THE PBS FAMILY.
LONG-TIME JOURNALIST JIM LAYER
PASSED AWAY THURSDAY AT THE AGE
OF 85.
HE SERVED AS ANCHOR FOR 36 YEARS
BEFORE RETIRING IN 2011.
THEY FOUNDED THE PROGRAM IN 1975
FOLLOWING THEIR 1973 COVERAGE OF
THE SENATE WATERGATE HEARINGS ON
PBS.
LEHRER WENT ON TO MODERATE 12
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES, MORE THAN
ANY OTHER JOURNALIST IN HISTORY.
HE RECEIVED THE NATIONAL
HUMANITIES MEDAL FROM PRESIDENT
CLINTON.
THAT'S ALL FOR THIS PROGRAM.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.