PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> THIS MORNING A RACINE COUNTY
JUDGE REJECTED THE TRUMP
CAMPAIGN'S ATTEMPT TO OVERTURN
RESULTS, CONFIRMING THE
BIDEN-HARRIS VICTORY.
A STATE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE
PANEL HEARD TESTIMONY
QUESTIONING THE INTEGRITY OF THE
ELECTION, TESTIMONY THAT CALLED
ATTENTION TO IRREGULARITIES THAT
NO COURT HAS YET UPHELD.
>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," ZAC
SCHULTZ HAS THE LATEST ON THIS
WEEK'S COURT CHALLENGES TO
WISCONSIN ELECTION RESULTS.
A LOOK AHEAD TO THE ARRIVAL OF
VACCINATIONS IN WISCONSIN.
AN EXPERT EXPLAINS THE IMPACT OF
NEWLY-RESTORED PROTECTIONS FOR
YOUNG IMMIGRANTS.
AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANDELA
BARNES SHARES RESULTS OF THE
CLIMATE CHANGE TASK FORCE
REPORT.
IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR
DECEMBER 11.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
>> BECAUSE THE COURT IS
SATISFIED, THE RULES AND
GUIDELINES APPLIED IN EACH OF
THE DISPUTED AREAS ARE
REASONABLE AND THE CORRECT
INTERPRETATION OF THE UNDERLYING
EARLY ABSENTEE VOTING LAWS.
THE CERTIFICATION OF THE RESULTS
OF THE 2020 WISCONSIN
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, AFTER THE
DANE COUNTY AND MILWAUKEE COUNTY
RECOUNTS, IS AFFIRMED.
THERE IS NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE OF
ANY MISCONDUCT OR CAMPAIGN LAWSUIT
FILED IN WISCONSIN, SHOOFTING
DOWN EVERY CHALLENGE BROUGHT BY
THE CAMPAIGN.
TRUMP LAWYERS IMMEDIATELY
APPEALED THE DECISION, AS TIME
IS RUNNING OUT BEFORE THE
ELECTORAL COLLEGE MEETS MONDAY
TO OFFICIALLY DELIVER JOE BIDEN
THE PRESIDENCY.
THIS EVENING, THE WISCONSIN
SUPREME COURT ALLOWED BYPASSING
THE APPEALS COURT IN THIS CASE
AND WILL HEAR ORAL ARGUMENTS
TOMORROW.
A FEDERAL JUDGE IN MILWAUKEE IS
RULING ON ANOTHER TRUMP LAWSUIT.
AND EARLIER TONIGHT THE U.S.
SUPREME COURT REJECTED THE TEXAS
LAWSUIT THAT SOUGHT TO OVERTURN
THE VICTORY NOTICE WISCONSIN,
PENNSYLVANIA, MICHIGAN AND
GEORGIA.
IT'S BEEN A LAST-MINUTE PUSH
WITH WISCONSIN AT THE EPICENTER
IN THE FINAL MOMENTS.
SEEN DISOR POLITICALSENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER ZAC
SCHULTZ IS HERE.
THE BIG NEWS TONIGHT, THE U.S.
SUPREME COURT REJECTED TRUMP'S
SUIT TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION,
AGAIN THE TEXAS CASE OR TURNING
FOUR OTHER STATES' RESULTSMENT
JOSH KAUL SAID TONIGHT IT'S OR
FOR THE TRURP CAMPAIGN
NOTWITHSTANDING CASES REMAINING
IN WISCONSIN.
BUT IN YOUR MIND, WHERE DOES IT
LEAVE TRUMP SUPPORTERS WHO HUNG
ON THIS CHALLENGE?
>> WELL, IT REALLY WAS THE LAST
GASP NATIONALLY FOR THE TRUMP
CAMPAIGN.
EVEN IF THEY WIN WISCONSIN,
THOSE TEN ELECTORAL VOTES WON'T
SWING THE DIFFERENCE.
EXPERTS SAID IT WAS A STRETCH TO
BEGIN WITH, BUT IT BECAME A
LITMUS TEST FOR TRUMP SUPPORTERS
AND PRETTY SOON THERE WERE
ATTORNEYS GENERALS FROM OTHER
STATES SIGNING ON, 106 MEMBERS
OF CONGRESS, INCLUDING TOM
TIFFANY, SIGNED ON AND SOME
NEVER-TRUMPER CONSERVATIVE
NOTICE WISCONSIN CRITICIZED HIM
FOR PUTTING HIS REPUTATION IN
LINE WITH THIS LAWSUIT THAT THE
SUPREME COURT DENIED.
>> TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, HE WAS THE
ONLY ONE WHO DID SO.
>> IN WISCONSIN, CORRECT.
>> NOW, THE STATE SUPREME COURT
GOES INTO SATURDAY SESSION AND
THEY ARE RELYING ON THE RACINE
COUNTY RECORD IN THAT CASE.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE
WISCONSIN HIGH COURT'S RESPONSE
AND REACTION TO THIS AND OTHER
CASES FROM THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AS
THEY'VE COME THROUGH?
>> WELL, THE REAL QUESTION IS
WHAT WILL THEY ACTUALLY RULE ON.
IN THE INITIAL DECISION CHIEF
JUSTICE PAT ROGGENSACK SAID SHE
WANTED THIS ULTIMATE RESULT, A
LOWER COURT TO DO THE
FACT-FINDING, THEN LET THE
SUPREME COURT DECIDE.
IN THAT DISSENT ORIGINALLY SHE
SAID SHE DIDN'T THINK THAT THE
TRUMP CAMPAIGN WOULD GET THE
REMEDY THEY WERE SEEKING, WHICH
IS ULTIMATELY TO TAKE AWAY A
COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND VOAFTS VOTES.
BRIAN HAGEDORN MAY HAVE BE THE
SWING VOTE.
WHERE HE FALLS ON THESE ISSUES
COULD BE A DECIDING FACTOR.
>> I FEEL LIKE ROGGENSACK SAID
THEY MAY NOT GET THE REMEDY, IT
MAY BE OUT OF REACH FOR THEM,
BUT WE WILL HAVE TO SEE, OF
COURSE.
BUT TO DATE, FIVE TRUMP CASES
HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT IN
WISCONSIN, ONE THAT REMAINS, THE
FEDERAL CASE OUT OF MILWAUKEE,
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT REMARKS
FROM THAT FEDERAL JUDGE?
>> WELL, HE'S CALLED IT BIZARRE.
HE'S CALLED IT ODD.
EVEN WHEN HE WAS COMMENTING
DURING THE HEARING, HE SAID IF
HE RULED IN FAVOR OF THE TRUMP
CAMPAIGN, IT WOULD BE ONE OF THE
MOST REMARKABLE DECISIONS IN THE
HISTORY OF THE COURT AND
JUDICIARY.
WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S
HAPPENED, IT'S HARD TO FIND A
WAY IN WHICH THIS JUDGE RULES IN
FAVOR OF TRUMP.
OBVIOUSLY THAT WOULD BE APPEALED
UP TO THE 7TH CIRCUIT AND
SUPREME COURT.
THE ELECTORAL COURT WILL HAVE
VOTED.
>> MEANWHILE, DOES IT DAMPEN AT
ALL THE WORK THAT THE COURTS IN
THE STATE OF WISCONSIN HAVE TO
DO BECAUSE THE U.S. SUPREME
COURT REJECTED THAT VERY LARGE
CASE TONIGHT?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT AFFECTS
THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT IN
ANY WAY BECAUSE THEY'RE REALLY
RULING ON STATE LAW AND HOW IT
WAS FOLLOWED.
AND WHETHER THEY CHANGE THE
RESULTS OR NOT, THEY MAY FEEL
THEY WANT TO WEIGH IN ON WHETHER
IT WAS FOLLOWED PROPERLY AND
WHETHER THEY WANT TO ADVISE THE
LEGISLATURE TO LOOK AT SOME OF
THOSE ISSUES.
SO BEYOND WHO WON OR NOT OR
CHANGING THE RESULTS, THERE MAY
BE SOME TECHNICAL QUESTIONS THAT
THE COURT FEELS THEY WANT TO
ADVISE THE LEGISLATURE UPON.
>> SO AT THIS SAME TIME THAT
TRUMP WAS LOSING IN COURT IN
RACINE COUNTY, WISCONSIN
LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICANS WERE
STAGING AN ALL-DAY COMMITTEE
HEARING WHERE ALL MANNER OF
FRAUD CLAIMS WERE BEING MADE BY
INVITED WITNESSES.
TO WHAT END WAS THIS HEARING?
>> WELL, THIS ALSO HAD THE FEEL
OF KIND OF A LITMUS TEST FOR
SOME OF THOSE TRUMP SUPPORTERS
WHO FELT THEY WANTED TO HEAR
ABOUT POTENTIAL FRAUD.
AT THE EXACT SAME TIME A RACINE
JUDGE WAS SAYING THERE WAS NO
EVIDENCE OF FRAUD, WE HAD SOME
OF THE WILDEST CLAIMS THAT HAVE
BEEN THROWN OUT OF COURTS ACROSS
THE COUNTRY BEING AIRED IN
WISCONSIN.
THE DEMOCRATS WALKED OUT SAYING
IT WAS A SHAM TARGETING BLACK
AND BROWN VOTERS IN MILWAUKEE
AND MADISON.
WE DON'T KNOW MORE THAN THE SHOW
WHAT WILL COME OUT OF THIS.
>> ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS
OF THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS
COMMISSION APPEARING AT THAT
COMMITTEE HEARING TESTIFIED THAT
THERE WAS NOT WIDESPREAD FRAUD
IN NOVEMBER'S ELECTION, BUT THAT
SOME CHANGES COULD OR SHOULD
COME OUT OF ALL OF THAT.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE
THE NEXT PROGRESSION?
>> YEAH.
THERE ACTUALLY ARE VERY
IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE
RESOLVED COMING UP, AND
PRIMARILY IT HAS TO DO WITH THE
PROCESSING OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS.
WISCONSIN'S RESULTS CAME IN LATE
BECAUSE CITIES WEREN'T ALLOWED
TO PROCESS THEM UNTIL ELECTION
DAY WHERE FLORIDA AND OHIO WHO
ARE USED TO HAVING MORE MAIL-IN
BALLOTS PROCESS THEM THROUGHOUT
THE WEESK SO THEY'RE READY TO
COUNT THEM ON THE DAY OF
ELECTIONS.
DEMOCRATS WANT TO SEE THAT
CHANGED.
REPUBLICANS HAVE TALKED ABOUT
IT.
IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER THE
POLITICS SURROUNDING ALL OF THIS
CONTINUES TO GO FORWARD OR IF
BOTH PARTIES CAN LOOK
FOR RESOLUTIONS.
>> WE LEAVE IT THERE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS,
SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER ZAC
SCHULTZ.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS SOON
TO BE ENROUTE TO WISCONSIN AND
WILL BE IN JECTDED INTO THE ARMS
OF FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE
WORKERS.
UW HEALTH IS ONE OF THE HUBS
THAT WILL RECEIVE THE PFIZER
VACCINE WITH ITS REQUIREMENT
THAT IT BE KEPT AT TEMPERATURES
BELOW MINUS 90 DEGREES FARREN
HEIST.
DR. MATT ANDERSON IS IN CHARGE
OF THE DISTRIBUTION AND JOINS US
NOW FROM MADISON.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO WHEN EXACTLY ARE SHIPMENTS
OF THE PFIZER VACCINE EXPECTED
TO ARRIVE?
>> WE'RE EXPECTING THEM TO COME
EARLY NEXT WEEK, DEPENDING UPON
SHIPMENT DATES AND EVERYTHING.
WE'RE EXPECTING EARLY IN THE
WEEK.
>> SO WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR THIS
DAY TO BE UPON US THAT PEOPLE IN
HOSPITALS LIKE YOURS WILL SOON
BE ABLE TO GIVE THIS VACCINE FOR
COVID-19?
>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF
EXCITEMENT AND HOPE THAT IT
BRINGS.
I THINK THERE'S ALSO THE
REALIZATION THAT THIS ISN'T
GOING TO BE AN ON/OFF SWITCH FOR
THE PANDEMIC.
BUT IT'S ANOTHER TOOL FOR HOW WE
CAN APPROACH AND MAKE PROGRESS
IN REDUCING COMMUNITY SPREAD AND
INFECTIVETY RATES AND SUFFERING
AS A RESULT OF COVID.
THERE'S A LOFT EXCITEMENT AND
HOPE TEMPERED WITH THE
REALIZATION THAT WE STILL HAVE
MONTHS AND IMPORTANT DAYS AHEAD
OF US.
>> HOW MANY VACCINES WILL YOUR
HUB GET AND HOW WILL THEY BE
STORED THERE?
>> WE'RE EXPECTING AROUND 4,000
HERE WITH THIS FIRST SHIPMENT,
BUT THAT NUMBER IS STILL A
LITTLE BIT UP IN THE AIR.
THEY'LL BE STORED IN OUR ULTRA
COLD FREEZERS WHO ARE GOING TO
BE HERE AND SOME OF THOSE DOSES
DISTRIBUTED OUT TO OTHER PARTS
OF THE SOUTH CENTRAL REGION.
>> SO YOU WILL GET 4,000, WHICH
JUST DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THAT
MANY, BUT THEY WILL THEN GO TO
YOUR FRONTLINE WORKERS AND
LIKEWISE AT OTHER KIND OF
DISTRIBUTION SITES?
>> CORRECT.
THE 4,000, WE'RE NOT CLEAR AT
THIS POINT HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE
FOR UW HEALTH EMPLOYEES VERSUS
OTHER SITES.
THE DISTRIBUTION IS DETERMINED
BY THE DHS AND THE STATE
DISASTER MEDICAL ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
SO AS THE SUPPLY FOR THE
DIFFERENT VACCINES BECOMES
AVAILABLE, THAT'S HOW IT WILL BE
DETERMINED WHO'S GETTING WHAT IN
WHAT PORTIONS.
>> WHICH WORKERS THEN, SAY AT
YOUR HOSPITAL, GET PRIORITY?
>> THE PRIORITY IS REALLY
DETERMINED BY WORKPLACE RISK
EXPOSURE.
SO FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THE
GREATEST DURATION, FREQUENCY OR
INTENSITY OF EXPOSURE.
SOME EXAMPLES OF THOSE WOULD
INCLUDE OR ANESTHESIA TEAMS,
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS, ICUs,
UNITS TAKING CARE OF COVID
PATIENTS.
THOSE FOLKS UNDER THAT
HIGHEST-RISK GROUP.
>> SO COMPLICATED.
HOW ARE THEY TRANSPORTED FROM
YOUR HUB?
AND WHAT'S THEIR SHELF LIFE?
>> SO THE SHELF LIFE IF YOU HAVE
THE VACCINE IN THE ULTRA COLD
STORAGE AND YOU TAKE IT OUT, YOU
CAN TAKE SEVERAL HOURS TO THAW.
IF YOU MAINTAIN REFRIGERATION,
YOU HAVE FIVE DAYS WITH WHICH TO
ADMINISTER THE VACCINES.
ONCE YOU GO AHEAD AND OPEN THAT
VIAL AND DILUTE IT AS YOU HAVE
TO TO PREPARE, YOU HAVE SIX
HOURS TO GIVE IT AT THAT POINT.
>> HOW LONG UNTIL IMMUNITY TAKES
EFFECT AFTER A VACCINE?
I KNOW IT'S GOT TWO DOSES, SO
HOW LONG UNTIL YOU ARE KIND OF
VACCINATED FROM COVID-19?
>> SO ONE THING JUST TO
REITERATE IS THAT WE KNOW THAT
IT'S NOT NECESSARILY 100%, YOU
KNOW, IMMUNITY AT THIS POINT ON.
WE KNOW THAT THE NUMBER IS
ACTUALLY ENCOURAGING, BUT NOT
THERE.
FROM A STANDPOINT OF WHICH DOSES
AND HOW MUCH IMMUNITY IT'S A
WEEK AFTER THAT SECOND DOSE WHEN
YOU'RE GETTING THE MAXIMUM
IMMUNITY BENEFIT.
THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET
THE SECOND DOSE, BECAUSE IT'S
ONLY PARTIAL AFTER THE FIRST AND
THERE'S STILL STUFF THAT --
INFORMATION THAT WE DON'T KNOW
ABOUT THE DURATION.
BUT THAT SECOND DOSE IS REALLY
IMPORTANT.
>> AND THEN ALL OF THIS WE NEED
TO SUGGEST THAT IT WILL BE SOME
TIME UNTIL THE GENERAL PUBLIC
CAN GET THIS VACCINE, CORRECT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
WE'RE GOING TO BE EXPECTING THAT
TO BE MORE IN THE SUMMERTIME
FRAME AND HOPEFULLY IT WOULD BE
SOONER IF WE HAD A GREATER
NUMBER OF VACCINES, GREATER
SUPPLY CHAIN CAPABILITIES.
WE'LL HAVE TO WATCH AND SEE.
BUT WE ARE EXPECTING IT TO BE A
NUMBER OF MONTHS BEFORE IT'S
AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
>> SO BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, WHAT
IS YOUR GUIDANCE?
>> FOR THE PUBLIC, THE SAME
THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING
ABOUT CONTINUE TO BE REALLY
IMPORTANT.
AVOID LARGE GATHERINGS.
KEEP OUR SOCIAL PHYSICAL
DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER.
THAT PEOPLE WEAR MASKS, THAT
THEY HAVE HAND HYGIENE
PRACTICES.
WHILE IT'S EXCITING THAT WE
DON'T WANT TO DECLARE VICTORY
TOO EARLY AND THERE ARE A LOT OF
THINGS TO DO TO MAKE SURE WE
REDUCE SUFFERING OR UNNECESSARY
COMPLICATIONS FOR COVID-19.
>> ALL RIGHT.
DR. MATT ANDERSON, THANKS VERY
MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR ON YOUR
WORK.
>> THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE T.
>> EVEN AS WISCONSIN PREPARED TO
DISTRIBUTE VACCINE, THE SENATE
HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE IN
WASHINGTON TOOK TESTIMONY FROM
CLINICIANS WHO CONTINUE TO PUSH
FOR DISPROVEN THERAPIES FOR THE
VIRUS.
AT THE OUTSET, THE CHAIR,
REPUBLICAN U.S. SENATOR RON
JOHNSON, ALSO ENDORSED THE USE
OF SUCH DRUGS.
>> AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS
EPIDEMIC, WHEN I FIRST HEARD
ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF HIVE
DROKSSY CHLOROQUINE, IT
INTRIGUED ME BECAUSE TO ME A
DRUG LIKE THAT THAT'S BEEN
AROUND FOR 65 YEARS, SHOWN TO BE
SAFE, IT'S CHEAP, BILLIONS OF
TABLETS ARE PRODUCED EVERY YEAR,
WE COULD HAVE RAMPED UP
PRODUCTION.
IF THAT COULD BE PROVEN TO BE
EFFECTIVE, WOULDN'T THAT BE THE
DREAM SOLUTION?
WHY DIDN'T WE PURSUE THAT?
>> BY THURSDAY, JOHNSON,
TOGETHER WITH REPUBLICAN
COMMITTEE MEMBER SENATOR RAND
PAUL, SENT A LETTER TO THE
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.
THE LETTER ASKED THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO EXPEDITE ITS
REVIEW OF EARLY COVID-19
TREATMENT OPTIONS.
NOW BACK TO WISCONSIN POLITICAL
NEWS AND A RARE BIPARTISAN
AGREEMENT.
THIS WEEK, DISPARATE GROUPS
MAKING UP 32 MEMBERS OF THE
GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON CLIMATE
CHANGE SIGNED OFF ON ITS 55
CLIMATE SOLUTIONS AND RELEASED
ITS REPORT.
SOLUTIONS INCLUDE TO ENCOURAGE
UTILITIES TO ELIMINATE CARBON
EMISSIONS, SUPPORT PUBLIC
TRANSIT AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES,
CREATE CLEAN ENERGY AND
CONSERVATION JOBS AND CREATE AN
OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANDELA
BARNES IS CHAIR OF THE TASK
MORSE.
HE SAYS THE WORK AHEAD IS NOT
JUST ABOUT CLIMATE, BUT ECONOMIC
GROWTH AND RECOVERY WITH A KEEN
EYE ON CLIMATE JUSTICE AND
EQUITY.
HE JOINS US NOW AND THANKS VERY
MUCH FOR BEING MERE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
ME.
REALLY EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT
THIS.
>> GOOD.
SO WHAT IS CLIMATE JUSTICE AND
EQUITY?
>> CLIMATE JUSTICE AND EQUITY
MEANS THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE
A FAIR SHOT WHEN IT COMES TO
THEIR LIVING CIRCUMSTANCES AS IT
RELATES TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
WE SEE TOO MANY COMMUNITIES THAT
FACE ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS,
WHETHER IT'S WATER POLLUTION AND
CONTAMINATION OR AIR QUALITY
HAZARDS.
AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE PEOPLE THAT CONTRIBUTE TO
THOSE ADVERSE SET OF
CIRCUMSTANCES OR SETS OF
CIRCUMSTANCES ARE, ONE, HELD
ACCOUNTABLE, BUT ALSO MAKING
SURE THAT QUALITY OF LIFE IS
SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD
COME TO EXPECT NO MATTER WHERE
YOU LIVE IN WISCONSIN.
SO THIS IS A MONUMENTAL STEP
FORWARD FOR OUR STATE.
>> HOW DO TASK FORCE SOLUTIONS
BRING JUSTICE AND EQUITY TO THE
WORK OF CLIMATE CHANGE?
OH, EASILY.
IN MANY WAYS.
YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE RIEFT RIGHT
NOW WITH COVID-19 AND THE
ADVERSE IMPACT IT'S HAVING ON
PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND ALSO
WISCONSIN'S ECONOMIC CONDITION.
NOT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN MANY
OTHER STATES IN THE COUNTRY.
AND WE NEED A REAL PLAN FOR
RECOVERY TO PUSH US FORWARD.
AND THAT MEANS ADVANCING OUR
OPPORTUNITIES WHEN IT COMES TO
GREEN ENERGY JOBS.
JOBS IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY
SECTOR HAVE BEEN OUT PACING THE
REST OF THE ECONOMY FOR YEARS
NOW.
IT'S TIME FOR WISCONSIN TO BE A
PART OF THAT GROWTH.
BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO MAKE
SURE THAT COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE
BEEN THE MOST IMPACTED, WHETHER
IT'S BY CLIMATE CHANGE OR
WHETHER IT IS DEVASTATING
ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES, HAVE A
SHOT AT THOSE TYPES OF JOBS AND
THAT TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT.
AND ALSO OUR AGRICULTURE
COMMUNITY, OUR RURAL
COMMUNITIES, WHO OFTEN GET
BLAMED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO
CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT THE REALITY
IS THEY EXPERIENCE THE IMPACTS
OF CLIMATE CHANGE MORE THAN MANY
OTHER COMMUNITIES GIVEN HISTORIC
LEVELS OF RAINFALL AND FLOODING.
THAT IMPACTS CROP PRODUCTION AND
ALSO IMPACTS ECONOMIES ACROSS
OUR STATE.
WHAT WE HAVE IS A PLAN TO
INVOLVE THEM IN THE PROCESS OF
COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE BUT
ALSO PROVIDING ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY.
I THINK THAT'S THE DEFINITION OF
CLIMATE JUSTICE.
>> SO DESCRIBE THE BREADTH OF
THE MEMBERS ON THIS TASK FORCE.
>> THAT'S GOT TO BE THE MOTOR
VEHICLES -- MOST
ON EXCITING PART ABOUT IT,
PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF
LIFE, DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS,
LIVE DISCIPLINES, LARGE
BUSINESSES, SMALL BUSINESSES,
YOUTH PARTICIPATION, BIPARTISAN
DISPATCH, UTILITIES AND FARMERS
TO COME TOGETHER TO COME UP
SOLUTIONS AND ALSO CLIMATE
ADVOCATES.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO
FIND THEMSELVES OFTEN TALKING
ABOUT EACH OTHER, TALKING AROUND
EACH OTHER OR OVER EACH OTHER.
BUT THIS TASK FORCE GAVE SPACE,
PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
THEM TO TALK TO EACH OTHER AND
DISCUSS WAYS THAT WE COULD ALL
MOVE FORWARD.
>> THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TASK
FORCE REPORTS OVER THE YEARS.
WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTATION THAT
THIS ONE WILL BE ACTED ON?
>> I THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE
URGENCY HERE AND I THINK THAT WE
LIVE WITH, AGAIN, ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE AT THE FOREFRONT.
WHEN PEOPLE THINK ABOUT SOCIAL
JUSTICE, THEY HAVE A CERTAIN
IDEA.
BUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS A
SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUE, BUT IT
MEANS THAT IF YOU ARE IN A
COMMUNITY AND YOU ARE -- YOU
HAVE YOUR WELLS THAT HAVE PFAS
OR NITRATE CONTAMINATION OR
YOU'VE IN AN AREA THAT HAS BEEN
DEALT WITH HAVING TO EXPERIENCE
THE TOXINS OF COAL BURNING POWER
PLANTS, THESE ARE ALL ISSUES OF
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE THAT WE
LIVE WITH.
WE LIVE WITH QUALITY OF LIFE,
MAKING SURE WE TALK ABOUT THE
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY THAT COMES
WITH US ACTING ON THIS ISSUE.
I'M NOT SURE IF THAT HAS ALWAYS
BEEN THE CASE BEFORE, BUT THE
CASE COULD NOT BE MADE MORE
CLEAR THIS TIME.
WHEN PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE
STATE, ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY
ARE IN NEED OF SOMETHING NEW,
SOMETHING BETTER AND AN
OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEM LIVE
HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, SAFER AND
MORE PRODUCTIVE LIVES.
>> VERY BRIEFLY, WHAT IS THE
NEXT STEP?
>> THE NEXT STEP, A NUMBER OF
RECOMMENDATIONS.
WE LOOK TO PUT FORTH IN THE
BUDGET A NUMBER OF
RECOMMENDATIONS.
WE'LL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO BE
EXPLORED WHETHER THROUGH SOME
SORT OF EXECUTIVE ACTION AND THE
LEGISLATURE WILL BE PRESENTED
WITH SOLUTIONS AS WELL.
SO WE HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL ACT
ON IT AND WE JUST WANT THE
PUBLIC TO HAVE A CHANCE TO SIT
AND DIGEST THIS DOCUMENT AS WELL
SO THEY CAN SEE WHAT A CLEANER
FUTURE LOOKS LIKE FOR THE STATE
OF WISCONSIN.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
JOINING US, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
MANDELA BARNES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
ME.
>> THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION
POLICY ROLLERCOASTER IS ON A
POSITIVE GLIDE PATH AT THIS
MOMENT FOR THE DEFERRED ACTION
FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVING, OR DACA
PROGRAM, FOLLOWING A FEDERAL
COURT RULING THIS WEEK.
THERE ARE SOME 6600 DACA
RECIPIENTS IN WISCONSIN.
THESE ARE UNDOCUMENTED
IMMIGRANTS BROUGHT TO THE U.S.
AS CHILDREN AND ALLOWED TO
RECEIVE A RENEWABLE TWO-YEAR
PERIOD OF DEFERRED ACTION FROM
DEPORTATION AND BECOME ELIGIBLE
FOR A WORK PERMIT IN THE U.S.
MORE CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS ARE
WAITING TO APPLY.
ERIN BARBATO IS ADMINISTRATOR OF
THE JUSTICE CLINIC AT THE UW LAW
SCHOOL AND JOINS US NOW.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO THE COURT RULED THAT NEW
APPLICATIONS TO THE DACA PROGRAM
CAN RESUME AFTER THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION HAD BLOCKED THEM.
HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES THAT AFFECT
IN WISCONSIN?
>> SO THE ESTIMATES ARE QUITE
HIGH.
THERE ARE AROUND 6600 PEOPLE
CRURNLTLY WITH DACA IN WISCONSIN
AND ESTIMATES NOW SHOW THAT
THERE MAY BE ANOTHER 11,000
PEOPLE IN WISCONSIN WHO ARE
ELIGIBLE TO NOW APPLY AS INITIAL
APPLICANT.
>> SO WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION
TO THIS RULING FROM PEOPLE HERE
WANTING TO APPLY?
>> SO FROM MY EXPERIENCE WORKING
WITH MY CLIENTS AND OTHER
NONPROFITS WHO DIRECTLY WORK
WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
DACA OR DREAMERS IS FINALLY
THERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS.
I THINK WE WERE ALL ANTICIPATING
THAT WHEN PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN
BECOMES PRESIDENT THAT WE WOULD
HAVE INITIAL APPLICATIONS FOR
DACA ELIGIBLE AVAILABLE AGAIN.
BUT THIS CAME A LITTLE BIT
EARLIER.
AND WAY TOO LATE.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUFFERING IN
LIMBO AND THROUGH ATTACKS FROM
THIS ADMINISTRATION FOR YEARS
NOW AND FINALLY THE RIGHT
DECISION CAME OUT.
SO THERE'S EXCITEMENT, BUT IT'S
ALSO JUST THE BEGINNING OF A
FIGHT FOR A PERMANENT SOLUTION
FOR PEOPLE WITH DACA TO HAVE A
ROAD TO CITIZENSHIP IN THE
UNITED STATES.
>> MORE ON THAT IN A MOMENT, BUT
HOW MEANINGFUL IS IT FOR THESE
YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GET
WORK PERMITS AND DRIVER'S
LICENSES AND PROTECTION FROM
DEPORTATION?
>> I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM
MYSELF, BUT WHAT I KNOW FROM MY
CLIENTS AND OTHER DREAMERS I
KNOW IN WISCONSIN, IT'S
INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE
WHO HAVE BEEN HERE ALMOST THEIR
OWN LIVES.
THEY'VE BEEN LIVING IN FEAR
UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION FOR
NOT ONLY LOSING THEIR DRIVER'S
LICENSES OR ABILITY TO WORK BUT
ALSO FOR FEAR OF DEPORTATION,
PERMANENT SEPARATION FROM THE
ONLY COUNTRY THEY'VE EVER KNOWN,
SEPARATION FROM THEIR FAMILY.
SO IT'S BEEN HORRIFIC.
SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF
BREATHING ROOM AND REPRIEVE, BUT
THE WORK IS JUST STARTING.
>> SO THERE IS MORE BECAUSE IN
ADDITION TO TWO YEARS OF
PROTECTION FROM DEPORTATION
PEOPLE WOULD LIKE THE PATH TO
CITIZENSHIP FOR THEMSELVES AND
THEIR PARENTS.
SO WHAT ABOUT THAT?
>> SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT
EVERYONE HAS BEEN WORKING
TOWARDS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS IN
TERMS OF THE DREAM ACT, WHICH
WAS REALLY STARTED BEING
DISCUSSED IN 2000.
SO IT'S BEEN ALMOST 20 YEARS
WITH NOTHING HAS COME TO
FRUITION.
SO THIS IS REALLY THE TIME WHERE
CONGRESS IS GOING TO NEED TO ACT
TO CREATE A PATHWAY TO
CITIZENSHIP FOR OUR DREAMERS AND
OUR DACA RECIPIENTS.
PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN CAN'T DO
IT ON HIS OWN.
HE CAN CONTINUE TO ALLOW DACA TO
EXIST, BUT HE'S NOT GOING TO BE
ABLE TO GENERALLY WITH HIS
POWERS CREATE THIS PERMANENT
PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.
SO IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE AN
ACT THROUGH OUR LEGISLATURE.
>> SO WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS
THAT COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION
POLICY WILL BE TAKEN UP IN
CONGRESS?
>> I AM OPTIMISTIC.
I THINK OUR COUNTRY, THE PEOPLE
HAVE SEEN HOW THESE INDIVIDUALS
HAVE SUFFERED UNDER THIS CURRENT
ADMINISTRATION IN A WAY THAT'S
REALLY UNIMAGINABLE AND
INHUMANE.
SO PUBLIC SUPPORT OF DACA IS
CLEAR.
SO I'M REALLY HOPING THAT OUR
GOVERNMENT CAN COME TOGETHER TO
DO THE RIGHT THING AFTER SO MANY
YEARS OF SUFFERING.
>> AND JUST BRIEFLY, THE NUTS
AND BOLTS OF IT, IF YOU ARE A
PERSON THAT HAS BEEN AWAITING
BEING ABLE TO APPLY, HOW DO THEY
DO THAT?
>> SO WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS
THAT PEOPLE WHO MAY BE INITIALLY
ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR DACA TO
HAVE A REPUTABLE ATTORNEY OR
REPRESENTATIVE TO ENSURE THAT
THEY ARE TRULY ELIGIBLE AND
DON'T PUT THEMSELVES IN FURTHER
RISK OF DEPORTATION OR GIVING
THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION THAT
WOULD PUT THEM IN DANGER.
SO ON IT'S IMPORTANT TO REACH
OUT TO TRUSTED NONPROFITS OR
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS THAT CAN
REALLY GIVE SOMEONE THE
INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED IN
ORDER TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY AND
THEIR FUTURE.
>> OKAY.
GOOD ADVICE.
ERIN BARBATO, THANK YOU VERY
MUCH FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING
ME.
>> BEFORE WE CLOSE, A QUICK
REMINDER, YOU CAN STAY
UP-TO-DATE ON THE LEGAL
CHALLENGES TO THE WISCONSIN
ELECTION RESULT BY GOING TO
pbswisconsin.org AND THEN
CLICKING ON THE NEWS TAB.
AND FOR ONGOING, IN-DEPTH
COVERAGE ON CORONAVIRUS, VISIT
OUR PARTNER NEWS SITE AT
wiscontext.org.
AARP OF WISCONSIN ANNOUNCED
RECORD-HIGH RESIDENCE AND STAFF
COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS IN
NURSING HOMES.
ALSO SHORT SUPPLIES OF PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
I'LL TALK WITH THE STATE AARP
DIRECTOR NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.