>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> THE CONTEST TO ELECT A NEW
REPRESENTATIVE IN WISCONSIN'S
THIRD CONGRESSIONAL PITS
NATIONAL POLITICS AGAINST THE
LOCALS.
SCHOOL BUDGETS ARE ON THE
BALLOT THIS FALL ASKING VOTERS
FOR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN
REFERENDUM FUNDS.
AND THE NATIONAL SHORTAGE OF
OB-GYNS HITS CLOSE TO HOME
ENDANGERING HEALTHCARE'S
CAPACITY TO DELIVER.
>> I'M ZAC SCHULTZ FILLING IN
FOR FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW" A
LOOK AT THE RACE IN WISCONSIN'S
HIGHLY COMPETITIVE THIRD
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
SUPERINTENDENT DISCUSSES THE
NEED TO RELY ON REFERENDUMS AND
OB-GYN ON THE IMPACTS THE
SHORTAGE HAS HAD ON PREGNANT
PATIENT.
"HERE AND NOW" FOR SEPTEMBER
9th.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW"
IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND
FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF
PBS WISCONSIN.
>> WE TURN FIRST TO WESTERN
WISCONSIN AND THE THIRD
CONGRESSIONAL.
THE INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT RON KIND
IS RETIRING LEAVING AN OPEN
SEAT.
RECENT POLL FOUND THE
REPUBLICAN IN THE RACE HOLDS A
FIVE-POINT LEAD BUT THAT THE
MAJORITY OF VOTERS HAVEN'T
HEARD ENOUGH ABOUT EITHER
CANDIDATE.
"HERE AND NOW" REPORTER NATHAN
DENZIN TRAVELED TO LA CROSSE
AND HAS OUR STORY.
>> THE RACE TO REPRESENT
WISCONSIN'S THIRD CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES IS HEATING UP
AS ELECTION DAY APPROACHES.
DEMOCRAT BRAD PFAFF IS GOING UP
AGAINST PUBLIC DERRICK VAN
ORDEN IN TWO VERY DIFFERENT
CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES.
>> IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE TWO
CANDIDATES WITH TWO DIFFERENT
STYLES.
PFAFF LOW-KEY GUY FOCUSES ON
HIS FAMILY BACKGROUND FROM
WESTERN WISCONSIN.
VAN ORDEN WANTS TO BRAND
HIMSELF AS AN OUTSIDER IN
POLITICS.
>> I WILL PRY THAT DEVIL --
GAVEL OUT OF NANCY PELOSI'S
HAND.
>> HE WILL GET IN THE ARENA AND
FIGHT THE CULTURAL BATTLE
ESSENTIAL AND REALLY SHOW HIS
SUPPORT FOR DONALD TRUMP.
HE SAYS THIS RACE IS GARNERING
NATIONAL ATTENTION DUE TO THE
RETIREMENT OF LONG-TIME
REPRESENTATIVE RON KIND IN THE
DISTRICT'S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE
NATURE.
KIND WAS ONE OF THE FEW
DEMOCRATS ELECTED TO CONGRESS
IN A DISTRICT THAT VOTED FOR
DONALD TRUMP IN 2020.
THE CHALLENGE FOR BOTH
CANDIDATES, HOW TO RELATE TO A
LARGE GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE
DISTRICT THAT INCLUDES SIX
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
CAMPUSES AND A LARGE FARMING
POPULATION?
>> THERE ARE REALLY KEY AND
SIGNIFICANT RURAL ELEMENTS OF
THIS DISTRICT.
AND WE KNOW HOW WELL
REPUBLICANS ARE DOING IN RURAL
PARTS OF WISCONSIN.
WE KNOW HOW WELL THEY'RE DOING
IN RURAL PARTS OF AMERICA.
THIS IS NO DIFFERENT.
>> SO FAR IN THE RACE VAN ORDEN
HAS NATIONALIZED HIS POLITICS
AND BASHING JOE BIDEN FOR
FEDERAL POLICIES AND COVID-19
RESTRICTIONS AND SCHOOLS.
STOPPING TAX HIKES AND LEADING
WITH INTEGRITY AS HIS TOP THREE
ISSUES GOING INTO THE ELECTION.
>> DERRICK VAN ORDEN, U.S. NAVY
SEAL.
>> HE DID NOT RESPOND TO
REQUESTS TO INTERVIEW FOR THIS
REPORT.
HE HAS FOUND HIMSELF IN
NUMEROUS CONTROVERSIES
INCLUDING REPORTS HE WAS AT THE
U.S. CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6
DURING THE INSURRECTION AND AN
INCIDENT WHERE HE REPORTEDLY
MADE LIBRARY STAFF IN PRAIRIE
DU CHIEN FEEL THREATENED OVER A
PRIDE DISPLAY
>> I'M DERRICK VAN ORDEN.
RETIRED NAVY SEAL AND NOMINEE
FOR WISCONSIN'S THIRD
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
>> THE REPUBLICAN SPOKE AT
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RALLY IN
WAUKESHA ON AUGUST 5th, A CITY
ABOUT 100 MILES FROM THE
CLOSEST POINT IN THE THIRD
DISTRICT.
>> I WANT TO THANK PRESIDENT
TRUMP FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY
AND FOR CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR
AMERICA.
IT IS IRREFUSEABLE THIS NATION
WAS BETTER UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP.
NOT A PARTISAN STATEMENT, IT'S
REALITY.
>> AT THE RALLY VAN ORDEN
BASHED JOE BIDEN ON RISING
INFLATION AND FENTANYL
OVERDOSES.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE
REMOVAL OF TROOPS FROM
AFGHANISTAN.
>> THE ONE THING THAT ALL THESE
THINGS HAD IN COMMON, NONE OF
THEM, NONE OF THEM HAPPENED
UNDER DONALD TRUMP.
>> A FACT CHECK HERE.
DESPITE VAN ORDEN'S CLAIM NONE
OF THESE ISSUES WERE PREVALENT
DURING TRUMP'S TIME IN OFFICE
FENTANYL OVERDOSES HAVE BEEN
STEADY ARISING IN AMERICA SINCE
2014.
THE NUMBER OF APPREHENSIONS AT
THE BORDER THE LAST 12 MONTHS
ARE 336% HIGHER THAN TRUMP'S
LAST YEAR IN OFFICE AND TRUMP
SUPPORTED THE REMOVAL OF ALL
TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN.
>> LIFE WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT
WHEN I GREW UP ON THE FARM.
>> HIS COMPETITION, BRAD PFAFF,
HAS TAKEN A DIFFERENT APPROACH
TO HIS CAMPAIGN FOCUSING HIS
ATTENTION ON LOCAL ISSUES.
>> NEED TO MAKE SURE ANY TYPE
OF PUBLIC POLICY WE PUT IN
PLACE UNDERSTANDS THE PEOPLE'S
NEEDS AND WHAT IS HAPPENING OUT
HERE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
>> HE SAYS HE CAN RELATE TO
VOTERS IN WESTERN WISCONSIN
BECAUSE HE HAS LIVED AND SERVED
HIS WHOLE LIFE HERE.
THE DEMOCRAT WAS A STAFFER FOR
RON KIND FOR MORE THAN 12
YEESHS REPRESENTING THE
DISTRICT BEFORE TAKING
POSITIONS IN PRESIDENTIAL OBAMA
AND GOVERNOR EVEER'S ADD
MINISTRATIONS.
>> RURAL POLICY FOR CONGRESSMAN
RON KIND AND SPEND EIGHT YEARS
AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE IN THE OBAMA
ADMINISTRATION AND THE DREAM OF
A LIFETIME TO SERVE AS OUR
STATE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.
>> PROVIDING TAX INCENTIVES FOR
MANUFACTURERS MOVING BACK TO
AMERICA FROM OVERSEAS.
INVESTING IN TRADE SCHOOLS AND
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS AND
PROTECTING WISCONSIN WORKERS
THROUGH LEGISLATION THAT AIMS
TO RESTORE FAIR EXCHANGE RATES
FOR EXPORTED PRODUCTS.
>> HERE IN WISCONSIN
PARTICULARLY HERE IN WESTERN
WISCONSIN, WE KNOW HOW TO BUILD
THINGS.
WE KNOW HOW TO INNOVATE.
WE KNOW HOW TO ENGINEER.
AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST
WORKERS AROUND THE WORLD.
THE THING IS, THEY JUST NEED AN
OPPORTUNITY IN ORDER TO APPLY
THEIR TRADE.
>> PFAFF ALSO CRITICIZED VAN
ORDEN SAYING HIS TEMERMENT
ANIMAL DENTISTRY AND ORAL
SURGERY SPECIALISTS AND
ATTITUDES DON'T MATCH THE
DISTRICT.
>> MY OPPONENT IN THIS FALL
ELECTION IS NOT FROM HERE.
HE DOES NOT KNOW THE PEOPLE OR
THE COMMUNITIES OF THIS
DISTRICT.
HE DOESN'T SHARE OUR VALUES.
THE THING IS THAT WE'RE HARD
WORKING, GOD-FEARING PATRIOTIC
PEOPLE OUT HERE.
WHAT DERRICK VAN ORDEN'S
TEMPERAMENT, JUDGMENT AND
CHARACTER DOES NOT REFLECT THE
PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT.
>> THE BIG QUESTION, WHICH
STYLE OF CAMPAIGN WILL TURN OUT
ENOUGH VOTES TO WIN THE
ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.
WHETHER IT IS THROUGH
NATIONALIZED POLITICS.
>> VAN ORDEN LEARNED HE CAN
LOCK DOWN REPUBLICAN SUPPORTERS
BY EMPHASIZING HOW MUCH HE
BACKS DONALD TRUMP.
>> OR IF THE PATH TO VICTORY IS
THROUGH LOCAL EFFORTS.
>> AND SO BRAD PFAFF IS REALLY,
I THINK, GOING TO TRY TO MODEL
HIS CAMPAIGN AFTER RON KIND AND
TRY TO SHOW WAYS WHERE HE IS
DISTINCT FROM JOE BIDEN AND
NANCY PELOSI AND WASHINGTON
REPUBLICANS.
>> FOR "HERE AND NOW" I'M IN
LA CROSSE.
>> PUBLIC EDUCATION IS A BIG
ISSUE NOT JUST IN TERMS OF
CANDIDATES.
ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION 58 DIFFERENT
SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE
REFERENDUMS ON THE NOVEMBER
BALLOTS ASKING VOTERS TO
APPROVE NEW BUILDINGS AND
EXCEEDING THE LEVY LIMIT TO
FUND OPERATIONS.
APPLETON IS ONE OF THOSE
DISTRICTS AND WE'RE JOINED BY
THE SUPERINTENDENT THERE.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU FOR
HAVING ME HERE.
YOU ASK VOTERS TWO QUESTIONS.
FIRST $129 MILLION FOR A NEW
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND OTHER
UPGRADES BUT ALSO ASKING FOR 5
MILLION A YEAR ABOVE THE LEVY
LIMIT.
WHAT WILL IT GET YOU IN TERMS
OF STAFFING?
>> SO THERE ARE THREE PARTS TO
THE 5 MILLION.
2.2 MILLION FOR ADDITIONAL
STAFFING AT THE KINDERGARTEN,
FIRST AND SECOND GRADE LEVEL.
THAT CAME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FALL OF
2020 IS WE WERE LOOKING TO KEEP
STUDENTS IN PERSON BUT SAFELY
DISTANCED WITHIN CLASSROOMS.
WE COULDN'T DO THAT WITH OUR
NORMAL STAFFING WHERE WE HAD 25
TO 1.
AND SO WE REDUCED CLASS SIZES
TO 21.
WHAT OUR TEACHERS AND
PRINCIPALS FOUND OUT THEY WERE
ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF
STUDENTS MUCH BETTER, AS YOU
CAN IMAGINE, WITH 20 STUDENTS
IN A CLASSROOM, ESPECIALLY
AROUND THOSE GRADES WHERE WE'RE
TEACHING EARLY READING AND
WRITING SKILLS.
AND SO CAME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC
WITH SMALL CLASS SIZES WE'RE
ASKING OUR COMMUNITIES TO
SUPPORT PAIRED DOWN 1 AND 2
GRADE CLASSES STEMMED DOWN.
STEM STAFFING.
WE NEED TO MODERNIZE OUR
CURRICULUM AROUND THAT.
WE'VE FALLEN BEHIND AND WE WANT
TO ADD ACTUAL STEM CLASSES AT
THE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE LEVEL.
THE FINAL PIECE TO THAT 1.6
MILLION IS TO OPERATE OUR NEW
SPACES.
IF WE PASS THE CAPITAL PROJECT
PART WE'RE LOOKING AT COSTS
AROUND HEATING, COOLING,
UTILITIES, MAINTENANCE AND
CLEANING AND THEN A LITTLE BIT
OF STAFFING THAT WILL GO WITH
MOVING SIXTH GRADERS TO THE
MIDDLE SCHOOL.
PUT IT TOGETHER IN A $5 MILLION
QUESTION.
>> FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS
REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT INCREASED
THE AMOUNT OF MONEY GOING TO
SCHOOLS THROUGH THE BUDGET
SAYING THAT THE FEDERAL ESSER
FUNDS SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO HE
LEAVE YAT THAT.
IF THERE WAS AN INCREASE WOULD
YOU STILL NEED THE $5 MILLION
OR A DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE
SHORTFALL FROM THE STATE?
>> THEY PLAY TOGETHER.
HAD WE GOTTEN THAT INCREASE,
THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TOWARDS
MORE OF OUR OPERATIONS.
AND SO THIS IS OPERATIONAL.
SO SOME OF THAT MAY HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO OFFSET THE $5 MILLION.
OUR REALITY IS WE HAVE INNRAISH
NEAR INCREASES.
BUSING COSTS AND HEALTH
INSURANCE INCREASES WANTING TO
BE ABLE TO GIVE A 2%
COMPENSATION INCREASE TO OUR
EMPLOYEES, WE PUT ALL OF THAT
TOGETHER AND WE NEED 4 TO 5
MILLION IN NEW REVENUE EVERY
YEAR JUST TO COVER OUR
OPERATIONAL INCREASES AND
INFLATION COSTS.
WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT LAST YEAR
AND NOT HAVING IT THIS YEAR.
CHALLENGING FOR US TO MEET THE
OPERATIONAL INCREASES THAT ALL
BUSINESSES OR EMPLOYERS IN
GENERAL SEE.
SO YEAH, A CHALLENGE FOR US.
>> ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT ALONG
WITH THE REFERENDA WILL BE THE
RACE FOR GOVERNOR WITH TWO
DIFFERENT VISIONS FOR A FUTURE
OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
GOVERNOR EVERS WANTS TO PUT
MORE MONEY INTO EDUCATION AND
TIM MICHELS WANTS SCHOOL CHOICE.
>> WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS PUT
OUR REFERENDA ON A BALLOT SO
THE NOVEMBER ELECTION, WHEN A
LARGE NUMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY
WOULD TURN OUT FOR THE ELECTION.
WE FELT IT WAS THE MOST
TRANSPARENT WAY TO GO ABOUT A
REFERENDUM.
WE COULD HAVE GONE HERE IN
AUGUST OR FEBRUARY.
THOSE ARE NOT LARGE ELECTIONS.
WE WANT TO PUT IT ON THE
BIGGEST ELECTION THIS YEAR JUST
TO GET THE MOST COMMUNITY
MEMBERS OUT AND BE ABLE TO VOTE
WHETHER THEY VOTE YES OR NO, WE
WANT THEM TO BE INFORMED AND
MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR
THEMSELVES AND THINK HAVING
THAT BIG ELECTION FOR THE
GOVERNOR RACE IS GOING TO
HAPPEN.
>> HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THE
TWO DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHY OF THE
CANDIDATES WILL IMPACT VOTERS?
WILL THEY SEE THE DISCREPANCIES
AND MAKE A DECISION ON ALL
THESE QUESTIONS TOGETHER?
>> YOU KNOW, THAT WILL BE
INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
CERTAINLY THE APPLETON
COMMUNITY HAS SUPPORTED PUBLIC
EDUCATION FOR GENERATIONS AND
WE'RE HOPING THAT THAT
CONTINUES.
AND WE FEEL LIKE THE COST OF
OUR REFERENDUM IS VERY
REASONABLE.
IT WILL BE AROUND $20 ON
$120,000 OF PROPERTY ANNUALLY.
THAT'S BEING REASONABLE AND SO
WE HOPE THAT EVEN IF THEY ARE
LOOKING AT PROPERTY TAXES AND
CONCERNS ABOUT THOSE TAXES, YOU
FEEL LIKE IT'S WORTH THAT
INVESTMENT INTO OUR EDUCATION.
SO WE THINK THAT WE MAY GET
VOTERS FROM BOTH DEMOCRAT AND
REPUBLICAN SIDES THAT SUPPORT
OUR REFERENDUM.
>> ALL RIGHT.
SUPERINTENDENT GREG HARTJES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> ABSOLUTELY, ENJOYED IT.
>> IN OTHER ELECTION NEWS A
WAUKESHA COUNTY JUDGE RULED
THAT ELECTION CLERKS CAN'T FILL
IN MISSING WITNESS ADDRESSES.
ONLY THE VOTER OR WITNESS MAY
CORRECT MISSING INFORMATION.
THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS
COMMISSION ADOPTED NEW GUIDANCE
FOR CLERKS.
THIS COMES AFTER A FEDERAL
JUDGE RULED LAST WEEK THAT
VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES MUST
BE INSURED THE RIGHT TO GET
ASSISTANCE RETURNING AN
ABSENTEE BALLOT.
THE COMMISSION ARGUED WHETHER
THE VOTER OR ASSISTANT MUST
PROVIDE THEIR ADDRESS OR
CERTIFICATION.
THE COMMISSION VOTED 4-2 THAT
NEITHER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO
FILL OUT ADDITIONAL PAPERWORK.
>> THE FEDERAL COURTS ORDER WAS
THAT WE ISSUE GUIDANCE
CONSISTENT WITH THE VOTING
RIGHTS ACT.
HOW CAN WE CREATE A HURDLE?
AREN'T WE POKING THE FEDERAL
JUDGE?
I MEAN, HOW DO WE CHANGE THE
RULE FOR DISABLED VOTERS IN
2022 WHEN THEY'VE NEVER HAD TO
DO THIS IN 2016, 2018 OR 2020?
>> THE RACE FOR WISCONSIN
ATTORNEY GENERAL DOESN'T
RECEIVE AS MUCH ATTENTION AS
RACES FOR GOVERNOR AND U.S.
SENATE BUT IT SHOULD.
THIS FALL REPUBLICAN ERIC TONEY
IS TAKING ON THE INCUMBENT
DEMOCRAT JOSH KAUL.
TONY IS TRYING TO MAKE PUBLIC
SAFETY AND CRIME IN MILWAUKEE A
KEY ISSUE.
>> POLICIES THAT WILL MAKE A
DIFFERENCE MUST START AT THE
TOP.
>> HE HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE
IN MILWAUKEE EARLIER THIS WEEK
TAUTING HIS ENDORSEMENT FROM
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WANTS TO
PROSECUTE MORE CRIMES IN
MILWAUKEE.
>> IF WE PROTECT MILWAUKEE,
WE'LL PROTECT ALL OF WISCONSIN.
THAT'S WHY I HAVE ADVOCATED FOR
GRANTING OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL
ORIGINAL PROSECUTION AUTHORITY
HERE IN MILWAUKEE SO WE CAN
TAKE ON THE CRIME THAT THEY ARE
UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO
PROSECUTE.
>> THE A.G. AND DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE CAN ONLY PROSECUTE
CERTAIN CRIMES.
THE CHANGE WOULD REQUIRE THE
LEGISLATURE TO PASS A LAW
GIVING THE A.G. THAT AUTHORITY.
DEMOCRAT JOSH KAUL DOESN'T
DISAGREE WITH EXPANDED POWERS
BUT SAYS IT SHOULDN'T BE
LIMITED TO ONE COUNTY.
>> MR. TONEY IS TARGETING
MILWAUKEE COUNTY.
THE AUTHORITY SHOULD BE
CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE STATE
OF WISCONSIN.
SO IT'S MY VIEW THE DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE SHOULD BE
PROSECUTING CASES AND HAVING
STATEWIDE ORIGINAL PROSECUTION
AUTHORITY I'M SUPPORTIVE OF FOR
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
BUT WHAT WE REALLY NEED IN OUR
COMMUNITIES IS RESOURCES IN OUR
COMMUNITIES TO FIGHT THESE
CRIMES.
>> KAUL SAYS LOCAL POLICE
DEPARTMENTS AND PROSECUTORS ARE
UNDERFUNDED BECAUSE THE
REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED
LEGISLATURE HASN'T INCREASED
SHARE REVENUE IN YEARS.
>> HE IS SAYING THAT, HE WAS
SILENT WHEN THE LEGISLATURE
ATTACKED THE D.O.J. BUDGET IN
SESSION.
HE HAS BEEN SILENT AS THE
LEGISLATURE HAS CONSISTENTLY
DECLINED TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO
SUPPORT MILWAUKEE IN PARTICULAR.
>> HE SAYS HE WILL WORK WITH
REPUBLICANS IN NEXT YEAR'S
BUDGET.
IN THE MEANTIME DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNOR TONY EVERS SHOULD TAKE
ARPA FUNDS AND DISTRIBUTE THEM
TO LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO
FIGHT CRIME.
>> WE HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS.
AN ISSUE THE LEGISLATURE WILL
HAVE TO ADDRESS AND WORK WITH
THEM IN MAKE SURE MILWAUKEE HAS
THE RESOURCES.
THAT CAN'T HAPPEN UNTIL NEXT
YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR HAS THE ABILITY
RIGHT NOW WITH THOSE ARPA FUNDS
TO HELP DEPLOY AND PUT MONEY
INTO MILWAUKEE TO KEEP
MILWAUKEE AND ALL OF WISCONSIN
SAFE.
>> THIS WEEK THE LEGISLATURE'S
JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE
APPROVED THE ALLOCATION OF 31
MILLION DOLLARS IN OPIOID
SETTLEMENT FUNDS AWARDED TO THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN.
THE ACTION COMES AFTER
REPUBLICANS REJECTED THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
PROPOSAL LAST MONTH.
OVERALL THE FUNDING WILL GO
TOWARD THE DISTRIBUTION OF
NARCAN AND FENTANYL TESTING
STRIPS.
MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT,
TRIBAL NATIONS AND LAW
ENFORCEMENT TRAINING.
GOP COMMITTEE MEMBERS SAID THEY
AGREED WITH 85% OF THE ORIGINAL
PLAN BUT AMENDED IT TO
PRIORITIZE FUNDS FOR LAW
ENFORCEMENT OVER FAMILY SUPPORT
PROGRAMS.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, JOSH KAUL AND
TONY EVERS CONTINUE TO TURN
THEIR BACK ON LAW ENFORCEMENT
AND DON'T WANT TO WORK WITH
PEOPLE IN PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR
COMMUNITIES.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF
TODAY'S PLAN.
>> I THINK IT'S NEGLIGENT IN
THIS SITUATION IF WE DON'T
SPEAK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.
I CALLED THE SHERIFF OF ST.
CROIX AND PIERCE COUNTY AND
EVERY LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADER I
KNEW IN MY DISTRICT ASKING THEM
WHAT IS HAPPENING.
>> FAMILY CENTERS THE MONEY WAS
CUT AND THAT MOVED OVER TO THE
LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE OF THINGS.
I CAN TELL YOU, THE AMOUNT OF
QUESTIONS OUR FAMILY HAS WHEN
SOMEBODY IS GOING THROUGH THE
STRUGGLES OF ADDICTION.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S
ALCOHOLISM OR OPIOIDS OR
WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.
THERE ARE A MILLION PLACES TO
TURN TO BUT THERE AREN'T ANY TO
TURN TO.
FAMILIES DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO.
THE MORE RURAL YOU ARE IN THIS
STATE, THE TOUGHER IT IS TO GET
ANSWERS.
SO THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.
THESE WILL HELP THE STABILITY
OF THE FAMILY UNIT.
THESE WILL HELP THE FAMILY
MEMBERS DEAL AND BETTER
UNDERSTAND THE ADDICTION.
>> TURNING TO HEALTHCARE, A
NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF OB-GYN
WILL FORCE SOME PREGNANT WOMEN
IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN TO TRAVEL
EVEN FARTHER TO GIVE BIRTH.
EARLIER THIS WEEK MAYO CLINIC
ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD NO LONGER
PROVIDE DELIVERY SERVICES IN
THEIR FACILITY IN BARRON DOUNT
COUNTY AND SHUT DOWN MENOMONIE
AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
PATIENTS HAVE TO TRAVEL TO EAU
CLAIRE TO GIVE BIRTH.
AMY DOMEYER IS A PRACTICING
OB-GYN.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU.
>> IN THEIR ANNOUNCEMENT MAYO
CLINIC SAID THEY SPENT TWO
YEARS AGGRESSIVELY RECRUITING
FOR SEVERAL OPEN POSITIONS.
HOW BAD IS THE SHORTAGE?
>> SO, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT
ACCESS TO OB-GYN CARE IN RURAL
COUNTIES IS DECLINING.
AND PART OF THAT IS WITH SOME
OF THESE HOSPITAL SHORTAGES AND
SHUTTERING OF OB UNITS.
LESS THAN HALF OF RURAL WOMEN
LIVE WITHIN A 30-MINUTE DRIVE
TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL.
SO THAT CAN LEAD TO REALLY
SIGNIFICANT DISPARITIES IN CARE
AND THEN REALLY SIGNIFICANT
CHANGES IN TERMS OF OUTCOMES AS
PEOPLE AREN'T ALWAYS ABLE TO
ACCESS A DOCTOR EARLY ENOUGH IN
THEIR PRENATAL CARE OR A BIRTH
CENTER IN A TIMELY FASHION WHEN
IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO DELIVER
THEIR BABY.
>> WHAT'S LEADING TO THE
SHORTAGE?
ARE THERE JUST NOT ENOUGH
OB-GYNS PERIOD, NOT BEING
OFFERED ENOUGH IN PAY TO LIVE
IN A RURAL AREA?
>> THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT
ARE INVOLVED IN THE SHORTAGE OF
OB-GYNS.
IT IS CHALLENGING IN THAT
MATERNITY CARE IS UNDERVALUED
COMPARED TO OTHER HEALTH
SERVICES AND IT CAN IMPACT
DECISIONS FOR PEOPLE GOING INTO
OB-GYN AND HOSPITALS CONTINUING
OB-GYN SERVICES BECAUSE IT DOES
REQUIRE A COMPLEX TEAM OF
SYSTEM OF FOLKS TO INSURE WE'RE
PROVIDING SAFE ACCESS TO CARE.
I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW,
CERTAINLY THERE ARE INCENTIVES
FOR FOLKS TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE
TO THESE RURAL AREAS AND I
THINK THE INSTITUTIONS IN
WISCONSIN ARE -- HAVE AN EYE TO
THAT.
SPECIFICALLY THE UNIVERSITY OF
WISCONSIN HAS A RURAL TRACK FOR
THEIR OB-GYN RESIDENTS, ONE OF
THOSE UNIQUE THINGS IN THE
COUNTRY.
SO -- BUT I THINK WE'RE FEELING
IN GENERAL HEALTHCARE SHORTAGE
WITH RESPECT TO A LOT OF THE
THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING MORE
RECENTLY WITH THE COVID
PANDEMIC, WITH RECENT
LEGISLATIVE INTERFERENCE INTO
OB-GYN PRACTICE THAT ARE
FURTHER EXACERBATING SOME OF
THE CHALLENGES THAT LIKELY MAYO
HAS BEEN SEEING FOR A WHILE.
>> YOU TALKED ABOUT LEGISLATIVE
INTERFERENCE.
WHAT ABOUT THE SUPREME COURT
DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V.
WADE.
HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED YOUR
INDUSTRY?
>> YEAH.
I WOULD SAY IN GENERAL I THINK
THIS IS UNIQUE IN TERMS OF
RIGHT NOW IN WISCONSIN THERE IS
SOME DEBATE OVER WHICH LAW CAN
BE ENFORCED OR WHICH LAW IS THE
LAW OF THE LAND WITH RESPECT TO
ABORTION CARE.
BUT BECAUSE OF AN 1849 LAW THAT
WOULD BAN ABORTION CARE, THAT
WOULD MAKE PEOPLE WHO ARE
PRACTICING OB-GYN CARE, IF THEY
NEEDED TO PROVIDE ABORTION
SERVICES, A FELON AND SO YOU
CAN KIND OF SEE THAT IF A
SPECIALTY HAS -- IS FACED WITH
A LAW THAT COULD POTENTIALLY
MAKE THEM A FELON, HOW THAT
WOULD BE SCARY FOR SOMEONE WHO
MAYBE WANTS TO COME TO
WISCONSIN TO PRACTICE OB-GYN OR
PROVIDES ABORTION AS PART OF
THEIR PRACTICE MIGHT NOT BE
INTERESTED IN COMING HERE, AS
WELL AS RECRUITING STUDENTS AND
RESIDENTS TO JOIN OUR FIELD.
I DON'T KNOW OF OTHER
SPECIALTIES THAT ARE FACED WITH
SUCH CRIMINAL PENALTIES, SO
OBVIOUSLY AS THIS SITUATION IN
OUR STATE AND IN OTHERS ACROSS
THE COUNTRY SINCE THAT DECISION
WAS MADE.
>> THERE HAVE BEEN SOME STORIES
NATIONALLY EVEN FROM WISCONSIN,
HORROR STORIES OF WOMEN WHO
NEEDED TO DECLINE IN HEALTH
MORE TO MEET THE EXCEPTION FOR
THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.
WHAT KIND OF SITUATIONS ARE YOU
SEEING IN TERMS OF WHAT
QUALIFIES FOR A WOMAN'S HEALTH
AND HOW MUCH LEGISLATIVE
CLARITY DO WE NEED ON THIS
ISSUE?
>> YEAH.
THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER
EXCEPTION IS VERY, VERY BROAD.
I GUESS I SHOULD SAY IT'S NOT
THE HEALTH OF THE MOTHER BUT
THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER
EXCEPTION IS VERY BROAD.
WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT
MEANS FROM A CRIMINAL
STANDPOINT BECAUSE THESE CASES
HAVE NOT BEEN, YOU KNOW, THIS
LAW HAS NOT BEEN ENFORCED IN A
VERY LONG TIME.
SO, YOU KNOW, IN GENERAL
PHYSICIAN GROUPS ARE COMING
TOGETHER TO TRY TO COME
TOGETHER AND BUILD A CONSENSUS
WHAT THEY THINK THAT MEANS.
THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE
DIFFERENT PHYSICIANS MAY BE
COMFORTABLE WITH A DIFFERENT
LEVEL OF RISK AND THAT THEN
LEADS TO DIFFERENCES IN TERMS
OF PATIENT CARE.
SO CERTAINLY THINGS LIKE
HEMORRHAGE, BLEEDING
EXCESSIVELY WOULD BE ONE OF
THOSE THINGS.
PROBLEMS WITH SIGNIFICANTLY
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT COULD
WARRANT THOSE SERVICES.
DOCTORS AND THE PUBLIC AND
LAWYERS, LAWYERS FOR HOSPITAL
SYSTEMS ARE ASKING HOW SICK IS
SICK ENOUGH?
AND FACING THOSE SORTS OF LEGAL
CHALLENGES, THE IDEA THAT ONE
COULD BE A FELON WHO IS JUST
TRYING TO DO THEIR JOB, AND
TAKE CARE -- THE BEST CARE THEY
CAN OF THE PATIENT IN FRONT OF
THEM.
THAT CAN BE SCARY FOR FOLKS
EITHER ENTERING THE FIELD OR
ENTERING WISCONSIN.
>> DR. AMY DOMEYER.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> AS WE SHIFT FROM SUMMER TO
FALL AND PEOPLE SPEND MORE TIME
INDOORS, HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE
URGING WISCONSINITES TO GET AN
OMICRON SPECIFIC BOOSTER.
THE VACCINE IS COMING TO THE
STATE THROUGH FEDERAL
ALLOCATIONS AND PRIVATE
PHARMACIES AND SAID TO BETTER
PROTECT AGAINST THE NEWEST
STRAINS OF THE VIRUS.
MODERNA BOOSTER IS APPROVED FOR
1 AND OLDER.
PFIZER FOR 12 AND OLDER.
>> IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS SINCE
SCHOOL HAS STARTED WE'VE SEEN A
JUMP OF ABOUT 14% IN THE CASES
OF CHILDREN WITH COVID-19.
SO ABOUT 90,000 CASES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY.
RECOGNIZE THIS MIGHT BE
ACTUALLY UNDERREPORTED SINCE A
LOT OF CHILDREN ARE RECEIVING
HOME TESTS AND THEY AREN'T
ALWAYS REPORTED.
I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT DATA
POINT BECAUSE IT REMINDS US
THAT COVID-19 IS STILL VERY
MUCH PRESENT IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND AS WE GO INTO THE WINTER
SEASON, WE LEARN ABOUT OTHER
VIRAL ENTITIES THAT THE END TO
HAVE A HIGHER INSTANCE DURING
THE WINTER, PARTICULARLY
INFLUENZA.
SO THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE THE
BOOSTER SPECIFICALLY TARGETED
TOWARDS THE OMICRON VARIANT BA5
REALLY HELPS US TO KEEP OUR
CHILDREN SAFE.
>> FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER
ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN VISIT
OUR WEBSITE wpt.org AND CLICK
ON THE NEWS TAB.
NEXT WEEK WE'LL HAVE A REPORT
ON TURNOUT IN SOUTHEAST
WISCONSIN AND HOW IT COULD
DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF THE
ELECTION.
WE HAVE MORE ON THE RACES FOR
U.S. SENATE, GOVERNOR AND
ATTORNEY GENERAL.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT.
I'M ZAC SCHULTZ.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW"
IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND
FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF
PBS WISCONSIN.