>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> RESIGNATIONS MAKE WAY FOR NEW
LEADERSHIP.
AS THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS NEAR.
MILWAUKEE SECURES THE BID FOR
THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL
CONVENTION.
AND INFLATION HITS A NEW HIGH.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW,"
OUTGOING ASSEMBLY MAJORITY
LEADER JIM STEINEKE ON THE
PARTY'S FUTURE.
MILWAUKEE MAYOR CAVALIER JOHNSON
ON THE 2024 REPUBLICAN
CONVENTION.
CONSUMER INFLATION HITS HARD FOR
FAMILIES ON A BUDGET.
AND U.S. SENATE AND THIRD
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
CANDIDATES CONTINUE APPEALS TO
VOTERS.
IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR
JULY 22ND.
FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.
>> AS THE SPEAKER OF THE
WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY PERRIES BACK
AND FORTH WITH DONALD TRUMP OVER
THE 2020 ELECTION, THE SECOND IN
COMMAND IS TAKING HIS LEAD.
"HERE AND NOW" SENIOR POLITICAL
REPORTER ZAC SCHULTZ SAT DOWN
WITH ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER
JIM STEINEKE.
>> MAJORITY LEADER STEINEKE,
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> SO YOU WERE ONE OF THE
HIGHEST RANKING REPUBLICANS IN
WISCONSIN TO BE A NEVER TRUMPER
OR ANTI-TRUMP IN THIS TIME.
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING
THAT'S WHAT'S PUSHING YOU OUT OF
OFFICE.
WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH
YOUR TIME AND DECISION TO LEAVE?
>> IT REALLY DOESN'T HAVE MUCH
IF ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY
DECISION TO LEAVE THE
LEGISLATURE.
REALLY, IT IS JUST KIND OF A
NATURAL PROGRESSION.
YOU COME IN AND I'VE SPENT NOW
10 YEARS IN LEADERSHIP, EIGHT
YEARS AS MAJORITY LEADER.
AND I JUST FEEL LIKE IT'S TIME
TO MOVE ON AND LET OTHER PEOPLE
RISE TO THE TOP AND TAKE THEIR
TURN AT THE HELM OF THINGS.
>> DO OTHER ELECTED REPUBLICANS
HAVE SIMILAR VIEWS TO YOU OF THE
FORMER PRESIDENT OR ARE THEY
JUST SCARED TO SPEAK THEIR MIND
AS FREELY AS YOU DID?
>> I'M SURE IT KIND OF RUNS THE
GAMUT, RIGHT, JUST LIKE THE
PUBLIC, THERE'S PROBABLY SOME
REALLY HARD CORE TRUMP
SUPPORTERS IN OUR CAUCUS AND
THEN THERE'S THE OPPOSITE END
WHERE I TEND TO BE, AND I THINK
EVERYBODY IS SOMEWHERE IN THAT
RANGE.
EVERYBODY'S GOT TO MAKE THEIR
OWN DECISIONS ON THAT, AND YOU
KNOW, I WAS VOCAL IN THE
BEGINNING AND TRIED TO SUPPORT
THE PRESIDENT WHEN I THOUGHT HE
WAS DOING GOOD THINGS, BUT ALSO
BEING VOCAL WHEN I THOUGHT HE
WASN'T.
AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR
EVERYBODY TO DO.
YOU KNOW, JUST HAVE YOUR OWN
PERSPECTIVE AND NOT ALWAYS JUST
FOLLOW THE PARTY LINE, NO MATTER
WHETHER WE THINK THINGS ARE
GOING WELL OR NOT.
>> WE'VE SEEN ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
ROBIN VOS TRY TO PLACATE SOME OF
THE TRUMP CROWD AND TRUMP
HIMSELF, ESPECIALLY WITH MICHAEL
GABLEMAN'S INVESTIGATION, IT'S
RACKED UP A MILLION DOLLARS IN
TAXPAYER FEES AND LOOKS TO BE
MORE OF SOME SETTLEMENT ISSUES
WITH THE COURTS RIGHT NOW WITH
OPEN RECORDS LAWS.
WHAT'S YOUR OPINION OF THAT
INVESTIGATION?
>> THE GABLEMAN INVESTIGATION, I
THINK THE GRADE IS INCOMPLETE AT
THIS POINT BECAUSE THERE ARE THE
LAWSUITS OUT THERE THAT WE'VE
GOT TO SETTLE ON SUBPOENAS AND
OTHER THINGS, SO WE'LL HAVE TO
WAIT UNTIL THAT'S COMPLETELY
WRAPPED UP BEFORE WE STAMP A
FINAL GRADE ON IT.
>> WHAT INSIGHT CAN YOU GIVE US
AS TO HOW MUCH THE SPEAKER HAS
HAD TO MOVE BETWEEN TO TRY AND
PLACATE THOSE WHO WANT MORE AND
THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND THAT THE
ELECTIONS WERE REAL AND VALID,
BUT NOT TO THE LEVEL OF THE
FRAUD THAT'S BEING ALLEGED?
>> I THINK THAT'S A REALLY TOUGH
POSITION TO BE IN, BECAUSE THERE
ARE PEOPLE THAT TRULY BELIEVE
THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN.
I THINK MOST PEOPLE UNDERSTAND
THAT THAT'S NOT LIKELY TO BE THE
CASE, BUT THERE WERE THINGS THAT
HAPPENED IN THAT LAST ELECTION
THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE.
AND I THINK THIS EFFORT HAS
ALWAYS BEEN ONE TO GET TO THE
BOTTOM OF WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED,
WHAT LAWS WEREN'T FOLLOWED TO
THE TEE, AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO
CORRECT IT.
AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE
LEGISLATURE REALLY NEEDS TO DO,
AND WHAT WE'VE TRIED TO DO IN
THIS LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS
PUT FORWARD BILLS TO CORRECT
ISSUES THAT EVEN NON-PARTISAN
LEGISLATIVE AUDIT BUREAU HAS
FOUND IN THE LAST ELECTION.
>> WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A
HEATED REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR
GOVERNOR.
AND THE CANDIDATES ARE -- SOME
OF THEM ARE SEEMING TO TRY TO
TREAD THE LINE OF PLACATING SOME
OF THOSE TRUMP BELIEVERS THAT
SAY THE LAST ELECTION WAS STOLEN
AND THOSE THAT UNDERSTAND THAT'S
PROBABLY NOT THE CASE.
WHAT ARE YOU SEEING FROM YOUR
PERSPECTIVE IN TERMS OF THEIR
RHETORIC AND WHAT THAT MIGHT
MEAN IF THEY COME INTO OFFICE
AND HAVE TO STAND BEHIND THAT
FOR THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION?
>> YEAH, I THINK ANYBODY THAT'S
FOCUSED ON 2020, THE 2020
ELECTION, WHETHER IT'S IN THE
PRIMARY OR IN THE GENERAL, IS
PROBABLY DOING THEMSELVES A
DISSERVICE BECAUSE I THINK A
VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE HAVE
MOVED ON FROM THAT ISSUE,
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE, AS I SAID
EARLIER, THERE ARE CONCERNS OVER
HOW THE ELECTION WAS
ADMINISTERED IN SOME WAYS.
SO I THINK THOSE THINGS ARE
APPROPRIATE TO LOOK AT.
BUT IF WE'RE TALKING RIGGED OR
STOLEN ELECTIONS, I DON'T THINK
THAT'S GOING TO HELP ANYBODY
RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
>> BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF
LANGUAGE USED THAT HEDGED THE
BETTS.
EVEN YOU EARLIER JUST SAID
"LIKELY WAS VALID."
>> RIGHT.
>> AS OPPOSED TO VALID, WHICH
EVERY OTHER LEGITIMATE
ORGANIZATION HAS SAID SO FAR.
>> YEAH, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS
VALID.
I DO.
I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY EVIDENCE AT
THIS POINT TO PROVE OTHERWISE.
>> ONCE THEY'RE IN OFFICE,
THOUGH, WOULD YOU HAVE CONCERNS
ABOUT WHETHER A REPUBLICAN
GOVERNOR WOULD SIGN THE
ELECTORAL VOTES IN 2024 IF THERE
ARE UPROARS FROM REPUBLICAN BASE
VOTERS SAYING IT'S RIGGED?
>> NO, I DON'T BELIEVE ANY
SITTING REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR
WOULD SUBVERT THE WILL OF THE
PEOPLE.
I JUST -- I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S
THE CASE.
WISCONSIN HAS ONE OF THE MOST
SECURE SYSTEMS OF VOTING IN THE
COUNTRY.
THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER.
EVEN WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES,
WITH DROPBOXES AND CLERKS
FILLING OUT ABSENTEE BALLOT --
PARTS OF ABSENTEE BALLOTS, THOSE
ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE
PROBLEMATIC, BUT I DON'T THINK
THAT IT LEADS TO THE LEVEL OF,
YOU KNOW, FRAUD THAT WOULD
OVERTURN THE RESULTS OF AN
ELECTION.
>> YOU WON'T BE IN OFFICE NEXT
YEAR, BUT WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO
SEE THE LEGISLATURE DO WHEN IT
COMES TO ABORTION?
DOES THERE NEED TO BE A LAW
UPDATING THE 1849 LAW?
>> PERSONALLY I'VE ALWAYS BEEN
IN THE PLACE WHERE -- I'M
PRO-LIFE, I DO BELIEVE IN
EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE AND INCEST.
I'VE GOT A 12-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
AT HOME AND IF, GOD FORBID,
SOMETHING LIKE THAT WERE TO
HAPPEN TO HER, I CAN'T IMAGINE
FORCING HER TO CONTINUE THAT
PREGNANCY FOR NINE MONTHS.
IT WOULD BE A DECISION THAT I
THINK SHE WOULD HAVE TO MAKE,
BECAUSE THAT'S NOT SOMETHING
SOMEBODY ENTERS INTO WILLINGLY.
AND I THINK THAT'S THE
DISTINCTION I MAKE.
IF YOU MAKE THE CONSCIOUS CHOICE
TO HAVE SEX WITH SOMEBODY AND
YOU BECOME PREGNANT, WELL,
THAT'S YOUR CHOICE.
YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE WANTED THE
PREGNANCY, BUT YOU UNDERSTAND
THE RISKS.
SOMEBODY THAT DOESN'T HAVE THAT
CHOICE AND IS FORCED THROUGH
RAPE OR INCEST, THEY'RE NOT
MAKING THAT CHOICE.
>> WHAT ABOUT MORE CLARITY FOR
THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER?
WE'VE ALREADY SEEN SOME EXAMPLES
IN WISCONSIN ABOUT DOCTORS NOT
KNOWING AT WHAT POINT THEY CAN
INTERVENE IN THE CASE OF A
MISCARRIAGE OR OTHER ILLNESSES.
>> YEAH, I THINK THAT'S
SOMETHING THAT THE LEGISLATURE
IS GOING TO HAVE TO WRESTLE
WITH.
I'M NOT SAWYER EXACTLY SURE EXACTLY HOW THAT
LANGUAGE WOULD BE DRAFTED TO
MAKE SURE IT WASN'T SOMETHING
THAT COULD BE USED IN JUST ABOUT
ANY CASE.
SO I'LL BE INTERESTED TO SEE
WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES IN THE
COMING SESSION.
>> ALL RIGHT.
REPRESENTATIVE STEINEKE, THANKS
FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> IN AN INTERVIEW WITH WISN IN
MILWAUKEE, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
ROBIN VOS SAID FORMER PRESIDENT
DONALD TRUMP CALLED HIM LAST
WEEK, PRESSURING HIM AGAIN TO
DECERTIFY WISCONSIN'S 2020 2020
ELECTION AFTER THE STATE HIGH
COURT RULED ABSENTEE BALLOT
BOXES ARE ILLEGAL.
VOS SAYS HE, ONCE AGAIN, TOLD
TRUMP, DECERTIFYING IS NOT
LEGALLY POSSIBLE, AND THAT THE
COURT RULING DOESN'T REACH BACK,
BUT FORWARD.
TRUMP SUBSEQUENTLY POSTED ON
SOCIAL MEDIA: THE DEMOCRATS
WOULD LIKE TO SINCERELY THANK
ROBIN AND ALL OF HIS FELLOW
REPUBLICANS AND NAME ONLY'S FOR
LETTING THEM GET AWAY WITH
MURDER.
THAT'S WHO COULD BE COMING TO
MILWAUKEE FOR THE 2024
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION,
AFTER THE CITY GOT THE NOD OVER
NASHVILLE FOR THE EVENT.
THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
REPRESENTS AN ECONOMIC WINDFALL
FOR MILWAUKEE AND WISCONSIN.
WE CHECK IN WITH MILWAUKEE MAYOR
CAVALIER JOHNSON FOR HIS
REACTION.
AND THANKS FOR BEING HERE,
MAYOR.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> SO WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO
THE NEWS THAT MILWAUKEE IS
ALMOST CERTAINLY A LOCK FOR THE
RNC CONVENTION IN 2024?
>> WELL, AS I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR
WEEKS AND MONTHS PERHAPS, EVEN,
I THINK THIS IS A WIN FOR
MILWAUKEE FOR A HOST OF REASONS.
ONE, WINNING THE SECOND
PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING CONTEST
IN AS MANY PRESIDENTIAL CYCLES
JUST SHOWS THE FACT THAT PEOPLE
ARE STARTING TO PAY ATTENTION TO
MILWAUKEE, BUT OF COURSE WE
DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
FULLY EXECUTE THE DEMOCRATIC
NATIONAL CONVENTION.
NOW WE'RE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY
TO EXECUTE THE REPUBLICAN
NATIONAL CONVENTION.
AND WHEN CONVENTION GOERS COME
HERE WHEN AN EVENT ACTUALLY
HAPPENS, I THINK IT WILL OPEN UP
THE EYES OF THE COUNTRY AND THE
WORLD TO THIS BEST KEPT SECRET
IN THE MIDWEST THAT IS
MILWAUKEE.
IT WILL GENERATE
OPPORTUNITIES -- I'M SORRY.
>> WHAT KIND OF FINANCIAL
WINDFALL DOES IT REPRESENT?
>> CERTAINLY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
OF ECONOMIC IMPACT.
YOU'LL HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
INDIVIDUALS WHO DESCEND UPON
MILWAUKEE, STAYING AT OUR
HOTELS, EATING AT OUR
RESTAURANTS, SO IT WILL BE A
BOONE TO OUR CONVENTION AS WELL
AS OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY HERE IN
MILWAUKEE, PUTTING MONEY INTO
THE POCKETS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE
BEEN MOSTLY BATTERED OVER THE
COURSE OF THE LAST TWO YEARS DUE
TO THE PANDEMIC.
>> IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE STILL
IN PLACE FROM THE PLANNED DNC
CONVENTION OF WHICH YOU JUST
SPOKE THOUGH THAT WAS MOSTLY
REMOTE?
>> YEAH, THERE WERE PLANS
OBVIOUSLY FOR TO BE IN PERSON
BEFORE IT TURNED TO BE A
REMOTE-MOSTLY EVENT, BUT THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT DID ALL OF ITS
PLANNING FOR THE EVENT, I FEEL
THEY'RE STILL IN A STRONG
POSITION TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH
THE PLANS THAT THEY PUT IN
PLACE, BUILD OFF OF THOSE FOR
2024 TO HAVE A SAFE EVENT.
OBVIOUSLY WE'VE EXPANDED OUR
CAPACITY FOR HOTEL SPACE SINCE
2020, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO
SO LEADING UP UNTIL 2024 AS
WELL.
WE'RE IN A REALLY GOOD SPOT TO
HOST THE CONVENTION.
>> SO YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT AND
MAYOR IN A DEMOCRATIC CITY THAT
WON THE STATE FOR JOE BIDEN IN
2020.
DO YOU HAVE MISGIVINGS ABOUT
HIGHLIGHTING THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE AISLE, ESPECIALLY IN THESE
EXTRAORDINARY CONTENTIOUS TIMES?
>> NO, LOOK, I AM A DEMOCRAT,
AND PROUDLY SO, AND I CAMPAIGNED
VERY HARD FOR JOE BIDEN TO WIN
THE PRESIDENCY IN 2020 AND WILL
DO SO AGAIN IN 2024, WHEN HE
RUNS FOR REELECTION THIS IS THE
THING.
WE CAN BE OPPOSING PARTIES BUT
THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T HAVE
TO BE WELCOMING.
WE CAN PUT ON A GREAT
CONVENTION, BRING ON, AGAIN, THE
EYES OF THE COUNTRY, THE EYES OF
THE WORLD TO MILWAUKEE, TO MOVE
MILWAUKEE FROM BEST KEPT SECRET
STATUS TO KNOWN COMMODITY AND A
PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO GO
AND DO BUSINESS CATEGORY, HAVING
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INVESTED
INTO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY,
PROVIDING RESOURCES TO THOUSANDS
OF WORKERS IN OUR TOURISM AND
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, AND STILL
KEEP OUR PRINCIPLES.
THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL
CONVENTION COMING HERE PRESENTS
DEMOCRATS HERE IN MILWAUKEE AND
IN WISCONSIN WITH THE LARGEST
STAGE IN THE WORLD TO COMBAT THE
PLATFORM OF THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY.
SO I AM A DEMOCRAT, I WILL
CONTINUE TO HOLD DEMOCRATIC
PRINCIPLES, DEMOCRATIC VALUES,
AND I'M GOING TO CAMPAIGN FOR
JOE BIDEN TO WIN RE-ELECTION IN
2024.
THAT DOESN'T CHANGE A THING.
>> WHAT IF DONALD TRUMP IS THE
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE, WHAT WILL
THAT BE LIKE FOR YOU?
>> IF DONALD TRUMP IS THE
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE, AND I DON'T
KNOW IF DONALD TRUMP WILL BE THE
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE OR NOT, THAT
DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING.
I THINK THAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN
HAS PROVEN TO NOT JUST RESIDENTS
OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, WHICH
HE WON, BUT TO CITIZENS ACROSS
THE UNITED STATES THAT HE IS THE
PERSON TO LEAD THE COUNTRY.
HE CHARACTERIZED HIS CAMPAIGN
ABOUT THE SOUL OF AMERICA.
AND IT WAS AGAINST DONALD TRUMP.
AND OBVIOUSLY HE WAS VICTORIOUS
IN THAT ELECTION AS WELL.
THIS SAME THING WILL STAND TO
HOLD TRUE IN THE 2024 ELECTION.
AND SO I'LL BE CAMPAIGNING WITH
THE PRESIDENT, WITH PRESIDENT
JOE BIDEN, ON THAT SAME BASIS,
AND I BELIEVE THAT WE'LL HAVE
THE SAME RESULT WE HAD IN 2020,
WHICH IS JOE BIDEN VICTORIOUS IN
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND
WERE DONALD TRUMP TO BE THE
NOMINEE, ANOTHER LOSS.
>> I KNOW THAT THERE IS ONE MORE
VOTE TO SECURE FOR SURE THE
CONVENTION, AND I BELIEVE THAT'S
IN EARLY AUGUST.
DO YOU EXPECT THAT VOTE TO ALSO
GIVE TO MILWAUKEE?
GOOD NEWS.
MAYOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
JOINING US AND CONGRATULATIONS
ON GETTING THE CONVENTION.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, FREDERICA,
FOR HAVING ME.
>> LATEST NUMBERS SHOW INFLATION
HAS HIT A 40-YEAR HIGH IN THE
U.S., WITH INFLATION JUMPING TO
9.1%.
"HERE AND NOW" REPORTER NATHAN
DENZIN HAS MORE ON HOW HIGH
COSTS ARE HITTING WISCONSIN.
>> PEOPLE IN THE MIDWEST HAVE
GRAPPLED WITH HIGHER COSTS FOR
EVERYTHING OVER THE LAST YEAR,
AS PRICES INCREASED MORE THAN
9%.
LOW INCOME FAMILIES HAVE BEEN
HIT HARDEST, AS THE PRICE OF
ESSENTIAL PRODUCTS CONTINUES TO
INCREASE.
TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PRICE OF
GROUND BEEF.
THAT'S GONE UP FROM ABOUT $4 PER
POUND A YEAR AGO TO 4.79 A POUND
TODAY.
THE PRICE OF A GALLON OF MILK
HAS INCREASED FROM $4 TO OVER
$5.
GROCERIES IN GENERAL HAVE
INCREASED 15 TO 18%, PRICE HIKES
THAT TOGETHER TAKE A TOLL.
BUT HIGH INFLATION HAS IMPACTED
TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY COSTS
EVEN MORE.
GAS PRICES HAVE INCREASED
DRAMATICALLY IN THE LAST YEAR.
UTILITY COSTS ARE ALSO UP
BETWEEN 17 AND 36%.
>> AS WE TALK ABOUT INFLATION, I
THINK SOMETIMES WE HEAR ABOUT,
YOU KNOW, THE PRICE OF HOUSES OR
THE PRICE OF BIG THINGS, BUT
IT'S LITTLE STUFF THAT REALLY
HURTS LOW INCOME FAMILIES, AND
YOU KNOW, IF YOU THINK ABOUT A
EXTRA $2.50 FOR A GALLON OF GAS
OR AN EXTRA DOLLAR FOR A GALLON
OF MILK, THOSE THINGS START TO
ADD UP BECAUSE YOU BUY THEM SO
FREQUENTLY.
>> J. MICHAEL COLLINS IS A
PROFESSOR AT THE UW LA TO ALL
RIGHT SCHOOL SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
STUDYING CONSUMER
DECISION-MAKING.
HE SAYS EXPERTS AND THE PUBLIC
HAVE BEEN SURPRISED THAT THE
RAPID RATE OF INFLATION,
ESPECIALLY COSTS CONSUMERS CAN'T
AVOID LIKE GAS AND GROCERIES.
>> THE PROBLEM FOR LOW INCOME
PEOPLE'S BUDGETS IS THEY WERE
REALLY GOOD AT MANAGING THEIR
BUDGETS SO THEY WERE ALREADY
SORT OF RIGHT ON THAT LINE SO IT
USUALLY MEANS SOME NECESSITIES
HAVE TO GO, NOT BUYING AS MUCH
FOOD, NOT BUYING THE ORGANIC,
THE FRESH FOOD.
IT GOING TO BE ECONOMIZING IN
DIFFERENT WAYS.
>> VEHICLE PRICES HAVE RISEN
OVER 15% IN THE LAST YEAR AS
WELL.
THAT CAN ADD EXTRA FINANCIAL
STRAIN TO HOUSEHOLDS WHO NEED A
VEHICLE FOR WORK, OR FOR DAY TO
DAY ACTIVITIES.
>> MADISON MAY SEEM LIKE A SMALL
PLACE BUT IT KIND OF BIG.
>> EDMOND SHOAT, JR. MOVED TO
MADISON AND QUICKLY REALIZED HE
WOULD NEED A VEHICLE TO HOLD A
JOB.
>> I'M SO USED TO THE CITY LIFE,
SO I NEEDED A CAR TO MOVE
AROUND.
Y'ALL DON'T HAVE NO TRAINS OUT
HERE OR NOTHING SO I'M LIKE,
YEAH, I NEED TO GET A CAR.
>> HOWEVER, SHOAT, JR. ALSO
QUICKLY REALIZED ALMOST ALL THE
VEHICLES AT LOCAL LOTS WERE
UNAFFORDABLE.
>> I WENT TO A FEW CAR LOTS,
THEY TURNED ME DOWN, RAN MY
CREDIT SCORE, MOST OF THEM
WANTED RIDICULOUS PRICES FOR
CARS SO I'M LIKE, WHAT AM I
GONNA DO, I JUST MOVED OUT HERE.
SO I NEED A CAR TO MOVE AROUND.
>> AFTER SOME SEARCHING, SHOAT,
JR. FOUND A PROGRAM CALLED
WORK-N-WHEELS, WHICH OFFERS ZERO PERCENT LOANS FOR ELIGIBLE
DRIVERS IN WISCONSIN.
WITH THE LOAN MONEY AND HIS
PERSONAL FUNDS COMBINED, SHOAT
WAS ABLE TO FIND A CAR.
>> SO I'M LIKE, THAT'S AWESOME,
I NEVER IN MY LIFE EXPERIENCED
BUT IT WAS LIKE A GOD SEND,
BLESSING, BECAUSE I NEEDED MY
CAR.
>> WITH THE NEW VEHICLE, SHOAT
HAS BEEN ABLE TO PICK UP
MULTIPLE JOBS TO HELP TAKE CARE
OF HIS YOUNG CHILD.
>> IT WORKS WITH ME GETTING TO
WORK, GETTING MULTIPLE JOBS TOO.
JUST THE CITY TRANSIT, ABOUT A
30 MINUTE WAIT OR 45 MINUTE
WAIT, BUT IF YOU DRIVE, IT'S A
10 MINUTE WAIT.
>> WHILE SHOAT, JR. WAS ABLE TO
FIND A CAR, OTHERS IN WISCONSIN
DON'T HAVE THAT DISPOSABLE
INCOME.
>> THIS WINTER IS GOING TO BE A
TOUGH ONE FOR LOW INCOME
FAMILIES BECAUSE FOOD PRICES
PROBABLY AREN'T GOING TO START
COMING DOWN, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE
PROBABLY NOT GOING TO EVER COME
DOWN BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE
GROWING AS FAST OVER THE WINTER
PROBABLY, BUT HEATING PRICES IN
A PLACE LIKE WISCONSIN IS GOING
TO BE HARD.
>> SO AS GOVERNMENTS STARE DOWN
A WINTER THAT WILL BE DIFFICULT
ON LOW INCOME FAMILIES, SOME
TOOLS ARE BEING USED TO DRIVE
DOWN INFLATION.
THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM HAS
IMPLEMENTED A HIKE IN INTEREST
RATES ON LOANS WITH THE HOPES OF
DRIVING DOWN CONSUMER SPENDING.
HOWEVER, EXPERTS LIKE COLLINS
WORRY ABOUT POTENTIAL
STAGFLATION IN THE U.S. ECONOMY.
>> STAGFLATION IS REALLY WHEN
YOU HAVE TWO THINGS HAPPENING
SIMULTANEOUSLY, HIGH PRICES AND
HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE REALLY LOW
UNEMPLOYMENT, ALMOST RECORD LOW
UNEMPLOYMENT, PEOPLE CAN GET
JOBS IF THEY WANT THEM, BUT
THAT'S RESULTING IN PRICES
GETTING STIRRED UP.
THE IDEA OF STAGFLATION IS THE
FED OR THE GOVERNMENT TRIES TO
BOTH REDUCE INEMPLOYMENT AND
PRICES AT THE SAME TIME AND IT'S
REALLY, REALLY HARD TO DO.
>> TO FIGHT RISING GAS PRICES,
WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS
ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT
BANNED PRICE GOUGING ON
GASOLINE.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS ASKED
CONGRESS TWICE TO SUSPEND 18
CENTS PER GALLON FEDERAL GAS
TAX, THOUGH THAT TAX IS STILL IN
PLACE.
DESPITE RELATIVELY LITTLE ACTION
TAKEN, GAS PRICES HAVE DROPPED
IN THE LAST MONTH AFTER THEIR
PEAK AT $4.92 IN MID JUNE.
AS FOR PRICES IN THE REST OF THE
ECONOMY, TIME WILL TELL IF THE
GOVERNMENT IS ABLE TO CURB
INFLATION.
>> WE DO EXPECT PRICES TO START
COMING DOWN CLOSER TO WHAT WAGES
ARE DOING, BUT THAT COULD TAKE A
YEAR AND THAT COULD MEAN A TOUGH
FALL AND A TOUGH WINTER WITH
FUEL PRICES AND FOOD PRICES HIGH
AND WAGES NOT KEEPING UP.
>> FOR "HERE AND NOW," I'M
NATHAN DENZIN IN MADISON.
>> WITH PRICES CONTINUING TO
RISE, THE FED IS EXPECTED TO
RAISE INTEREST RATES AGAIN NEXT
WEEK IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER
CONTAIN CONSUMER SPENDING.
IN CONGRESSIONAL NEWS, THE U.S.
HOUSE THIS WEEK PASSED THE
RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT,
LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO
RECOGNIZE THE VALIDITY OF
SAME-SEX AND INTERRACIAL
MARRIAGES.
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MARK POCAN
OF WISCONSIN'S SECOND DISTRICT
WAS A SPONSOR.
>> THIS IS A SIMPLE BILL.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU SUPPORT
CURRENT LAW ON MARRIAGE IN THIS
COUNTRY, WHICH INCLUDES FOR THE
LGBT AND INTERRACIAL COUPLES
ACROSS THE NATION.
MY FRIEND FROM OHIO SAID THIS
BILL IS UNNECESSARY.
THIS BILL IS VERY NECESSARY,
BECASE THE EXTREMIST PACKED
SUPREME COURT RECENTLY TOOK AWAY
A HALF A CENTURY OF LAW ON ROE
AND IN THAT DECISION, JUSTICE
CLARENCE THOMAS SAID THEY SHOULD
REVISIT IT ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY.
WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE AND
SENATE LIKE SENATOR TED CRUZ WHO
SAID THE EXACT SAME THING.
HERE'S WHAT I WANT, MY
HUSBAND -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE
MY HUSBAND PHIL CAN VISIT ME IN
THE HOSPITAL, I WANT TO MAKE
SURE MY HUSBAND IS TAKEN CARE OF
JUST LIKE YOUR SPOUSES ARE TAKEN
CARE.
IF I WAS THE ENTITY ON THE OTHER
SIDE OF THE AISLE, I'D BE MORE
CONCERNED WITH MY OWN MEMBERS
ACCUSED OF HAVING COCAINE FUELED
ORGIES THAN WORRYING ABOUT THE
MORALITY OF MY MARRIAGE.
I YIELD BACK.
>> FIFTH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE
BRYAN STEIL WAS THE LONE
WISCONSIN REPUBLICAN WHO VOTE
THE IN FAVOR OF THE BILL, IT NOW
GOES TO THE SENATE WHERE TAMMY
BALDWIN IS A SPONSOR.
IN "HERE AND NOW" 2022 ELECTION
COVERAGE, INTERVIEWS WITH EIGHT
DEMOCRATS AND ONE REPUBLICAN
RUNNING AGAINST INCUMBENT U.S.
SENATOR RON JOHNSON CAN BE SEEN
ON THE NEWS PAGE OF
PBSWISCONSIN.ORG.
TONIGHT WE SHARE EXCERPTS OF TWO
OF THOSE CANDIDATES STARTING
WITH SARAH GODLEWSKI.
SHE CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE
WISCONSIN STATE TREASURER.
SHE ALSO WORKED AS CONSULTANT
FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE.
"HERE AND NOW" REPORTER STEVEN
POTTER SAT DOWN WITH GODLEWSKI.
>> SO YOU'RE CURRENTLY THE
WISCONSIN STATE TREASURER.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A U.S.
ENATOR?
>> WHEN I WAS LOOKING AROUND
WISCONSIN THIS PAST YEAR, I WAS
SEEING WE WERE NUMBER ONE IN
FARM BANKRUPTCIES FOR THREE
YEARS IN A ROW, I WAS WATCHING
OUR DEMOCRACY BE ATTACKED AND AT
THE SAME TIME, FAMILIES WERE
STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR BILLS
WHILE CORPORATIONS WERE MAKING
RECORD PROFITS.
IT'S CLEAR WORKING FAMILIES IN
WISCONSIN NEEDS A VOICE AT THAT
U.S. SENATE TABLE, SOMEONE WHO'S
GOING TO FIGHT FOR WHETHER IT
THE COST OF CHILD CARE OR
LOWERING THE PRICE OF GAS OR
MAKING SURE WE HAVE AFFORDABLE
SENIOR CARE OR TAKING CARE OF
THE ENVIRONMENT.
AND THOSE THINGS ARE NOT
HAPPENING WITH RON JOHNSON AND I
WANT TO CHANGE THAT.
>> IFFY ELECTED, WHAT WOULD YOUR
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES BE?
>> WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE
ECONOMY.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE ONE OF THE WORST
STATES WHEN IT COMES TO PERSONAL
INCOME GROWTH.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT
FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO PAY THEIR
BILLS, OWN HOMES, MAKE SURE THAT
THEY CAN AFFORD CHILD CARE AND
SENIOR CARE.
WE CARE ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT.
I MEAN, WE ARE THE STATE EARTH
DAY.
SENATOR GAYLORD NELSON STARTED
THAT HOLIDAY HERE, AND YET WE
ARE SEEING PFAS, THESE FOREVER
CHEMICALS POISONING OUR LAKES
AND OUR RIVERS.
ONLY 20, 20% OF OUR STATE RUNS
ON GREEN FLRG, THE REST RUNS ON
BROWN ENERGY AND AS A LEADING
STATE FOR MANUFACTURING, WE HAVE
REAL OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE
JOBS AND ACTUALLY LEAD WHEN IT
COMES TO THE CLEAN ECONOMY.
>> RON JOHNSON HAS BEEN ELECTED
TO THE SEAT TWICE.
WHY ARE YOU THE CANDIDATE WHO
CAN BEAT HIM IN NOVEMBER?
>> I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN
THIS RACE THAT HAS RUN AND WON
TWO SUCCESSFUL STATEWIDE
CAMPAIGNS.
THE FIRST CAMPAIGN I RAN WAS TO
SAVE THE STATE TREASURER'S
OFFICE, AND LED THAT
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHERE
WE TOOK 62% OF THE VOTE.
AND THEN WHEN I RAN IN 2018 FOR
STATE TREASURER, I WAS A
POLITICAL NOBODY FROM EAU
CLAIRE.
I HAD NEVER RUN BEFORE, AND
EVERYBODY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO
WAY I COULD WIN.
BUT IN 2018, I ACTUALLY FLIPPED
MORE TRUMP COUNTIES AND TOOK
MORE OF THE VOTE CHAIR THAN THE
GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.
SO JUST LIKE I'VE DONE MY ENTIRE
LIFE SUPPORTING OUR STATE AND
SERVING FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD,
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO
DO.
AND WHY I WANT TO SERVE IN THE
U.S. SENATE FOR WISCONSIN.
>> NEXT UP IS A CANDIDATE FROM
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN, TOM NELSON
IS THE OUTAGAMIE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE.
BEFORE THAT, HE SERVED THREE
TERMS IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY,
SERVING DISTRICT 5 IN KAUKAUNA.
>> YOU'RE CURRENTLY THE
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
PRIOR TO THAT YOU WERE A STATE
LEGISLATOR.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A U.S.
SENATOR?
>> MY STORY IS A LOT LIKE MOST
WISCONSINITES.
I GREW UP IN A BLUE COLLAR
NEIGHBORHOOD IN MY CASE ON
CAROLYN DRIVE AND LITTLE CHUTE
AND OND THAT BLOCK ALL THE DADS
WORKED AT PAPER MILLS EXCEPT FOR
MY DAD I LIKE TO SAY HE WORE THE
WHITE COLLAR.
HE WAS A LUTHERAN PASTOR.
I LEARNED TWO LESSONS, THAT IT'S
IMPORTANT TO SERVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
AND ALSO THERE ARE A LOT OF
PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD, PLAY BY
THE RULES, PAY THEIR TAXES BUT
THEY CAN'T GET AHEAD BECAUSE
THERE'S TOO MUCH MONEY AND TOO
MUCH POWER CONCENTRATED IN JUST
A FEW HANDS.
SO THAT'S BEEN MY GROUND IN THE
STATE LEDGE STAY LURE AND AS
COUNTY EXECUTIVE --
>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS, IFFY
ELECTED WHAT WOULD YOUR
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES BE?
>> NUMBER ONE, I WOULD FOCUS ON
ECONOMIC SECURITY.
SPECIFICALLY RAISING THE MINIMUM
WAGE OF $15 AN HOUR, PASSING THE
PRO ACT, GETTING RID OF THE BAD
TRADE DEALS THAT SHIP WISCONSIN
JOBS OVERSEAS AND GET CORPORATE
POWER UNDER CONTROL.
AND THE SECOND AREA IS
HEALTHCARE.
I ALWAYS SAY THAT WHAT GOOD IS A
GOOD JOB OR ECONOMY IF YOU DON'T
HAVE YOUR HEALTH?
AND SO I BELIEVE IN MEDICARE FOR
ALL.
I BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO
BE COVERED.
I HAVE -- MY WIFE AND BEFORE MY
MOM BOTH HAD CANCER, AND THE ONE
THING THEY HAD IN COMMON IS THEY
HAD ACCESS TO GOOD HEALTH
INSURANCE.
AND 30 MILLION AMERICANS CANNOT
SAY THAT, AND THAT'S WRONG.
AND THEN THIRD, CLIMATE CHANGE.
I BELIEVE WE NEED AGGRESSIVE
ACTION.
I SUPPORT A GREEN NEW DEAL, AND
THOUGH THOSE GOALS ARE QUITE
BOLD AND AGGRESSIVE, WE HAVE NO
CHOICE.
>> YOU KNOW RON JOHNSON HAS BEAT
RUSS FEINGOLD TWICE.
WHY YOU ARE THE CANDIDATE WHO
CAN BEAT HIM IN THE GENERAL
ELECTION IN NOVEMBER?
>> I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE FROM A
RED PART OF THE STATE WHO AS WON
ELECTION AND RE-ELECTION SIX
TIMES, THREE AS A LEGISLATOR,
THREE AS A COUNTY EXECUTIVE.
I THINK WHAT MAKES THE
DIFFERENCE IN THIS CASE IS I
COME FROM THE FOX VALLEY.
ALL PARTS OF THE STATE ARE
IMPORTANT, THOUGH, BUT IN
PARTICULAR IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT
OF STATEWIDE RACES COME DOWN TO
WHO DOES WELL IN THE FOX VALLEY,
AND NO ONE CAN MATCH MY RECORD
OF WINNING THERE SIX TIMES.
>> WE DO HAVE AN INVITE OUT TO
INCUMBENT U.S. SENATOR RON
JOHNSON FOR AN INTERVIEW.
DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR THE
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
MADE THEIR CASE TO WEST CENTRAL
WISCONSIN VOTERS THIS WEEK.
DEBATE PARTNERS INCLUDED
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO.
THE SEAT IS UP FOR GRABS
FOLLOWING RON KIND'S
ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE'S STEPPING
DOWN.
TAKE A LISTEN TO MODERATOR
ANTHONY CHERGOSKY EXPLAIN THE
RACE.
>> OUT OF ALL THE 435 SEATS IN
THE U.S. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, THIS UPCOMING
ELECTION IN THIS SEAT HERE IN
WISCONSIN IS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF
THE MOST CLOSELY WATCHED IN THE
NATION.
CONGRESSMAN RON KIND HAS
ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO
RETIRE AT THE END OF HIS CURRENT
TERM IN OFFICE, AND DEREK VAN
ORDEN IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN
THE RACE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE
TO BE HIS PARTY'S NOMINEE IN
THIS NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.
ALL OF THAT BRINGS US HERE TODAY
TO THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY
OF WISCONSIN-LACROSSE.
WE HAVE THE FOUR DEMOCRATIC
PARTY CANDIDATES WITH US WHO ARE
COMPETING IN THE UPCOMING
PRIMARY ELECTION ON AUGUST 9TH.
AND EACH CANDIDATE IS SEEKING TO
BE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S
NOMINEE IN THE NOVEMBER
ELECTION.
THE CANDIDATES JOINING US ARE
REBECCA COOKE, MARK NEWMAN, DEB
MCGRATH, AND BRAD PFAFF.
>> YOU CAN HEAR THE ENTIRE
DEBATE AT WPR.ORG/ELECTON 22.
FOR MORE OF OUR COVERAGE ON
CANDIDATES AND OTHER ISSUES
FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT PBSWISCONSIN.ORG AND
THEN CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
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.