>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
"HERE & NOW" 2022 ELECTION
SPECIAL.
>> THE CAMPAIGN COMMERCIALS ADD
FUEL TO THE FIRE.
THE STATE'S SMOLDERING BRAIN
DRAIN INTENSIFIES AND KEEPING
WARM THIS WINTER WILL COME AT A
STEEP COST.
GOOD EVENING, I'M ZAC SCHULTS.
A REPORT ON THE RACE FOR
U.S. SENATE AND THE IMPACT OF
PAROLE BECOMING POLITICAL AND
THE EXODUS OF YOUNG PEOPLE MEANS
FOR THE STATE'S ECONOMY AND HOW
TO SAVE ON ENERGY COSTS WITH
EFFICIENCY PLANNING.
IT'S "HERE & NOW" FOR SEPTEMBER
30.
>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY THE
FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND
FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.
>> THE RACE FOR A SEAT IN THE
U.S. SENATE BETWEEN INCUMBENT
RON JOHNSON AND CHALLENGER
MENDELA BARNES MAY DECIDE WHO
CONTROLS THE CHAMBER.
WE HAVE THIS REPORT ON THE
CONTEST BETWEEN THE SENIOR
CENTER AND THE STATE'S
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> THE COST OF EVERYTHING IS UP.
NUMEROUS POLLS SHOW INFLATION IS
THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN AMONG
VOTERS.
>> DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIES.
>> POLITICAL CANDIDATES
INCLUDING RON JOHNSON AND
MENDELA BARNES WANT WIS VIS --
ISCONSIN VOTERS TO KNOW THEY'RE
LISTENING.
>> ACROSS THE STATE PEOPLE ARE
CONCERNED WITH RISING COSTS.
>> BARNES IS CURRENTLY SERVING
AS THE STATE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
AND THEY HAVE DIFFERENT PLANS
FOR ADDRESSING INFLATION.
SENATOR JOHNSON SAID THE
GOVERNMENT IS HIGH GOVERNMENT
SPENDING.
>> STOP SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY.
INFLATION IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND
OF UNDERSTAND WHAT CAUSES IT.
IT'S MASSIVE DEBT AND SPENDING
AND WE HAVE TOO MANY DOLLARS
CHASING TOO FEW GOODS.
>> TARGETED TAX CHANGES ARE
NEEDED.
>> WE NEED A MIDDLE-CLASS TAX
CUT AND WE CAN MAKE SURE THE
WEALTH AMONG US PAY THEIR FAIR
SHARE.
THAT'S HOW WE GET TO A PLACE
WHERE FAMILIES CAN HAVE ECONOMIC
SECURITY.
>> ELEANOR POWELL SAID THE PAIN
MIGHT MOTIVATE THOSE WHO DON'T
NORMALLY VOTE.
>> BETWEEN THE PANDEMIC, ECONOMY
AND INFLATION, A LOT PEOPLE ARE
HURTING AND IT CAN BRING OUT
MORE DISCONTENTED VOTERS.
>> Reporter: THERE'S ANOTHER
ISSUE THAT IS HIGHLY MOTIVATING
IN THE CONTEST BETWEEN BARNES
AND JOHNSON AND THAT'S ABORTION.
>> WOMEN AND YOUNGER VOTERS ARE
UPSET BY THE OVERTURNING OF ROE
VS. WADE AND POLITICIAN POLITICS
IN WISCONSIN WE HAD A PRE
EXISTING BAN ON THE BOOKS.
THIS MOBILIZED A LOT OF MERENER
AND IT'S ANGER AND MOBILIZATION.
>> Reporter: BARNES IS CALLING
FOR A NEW FEDERAL LAW ALLOWING
ACCESS TO ABORTION.
TO ACHIEVE THIS HE WANTS TO END
THE FILIBUSTER IN THE CENTER.
FILIBUSTER IS A TACTIC USED TO
PREVENT A BILL FOR PASSING BY
STALLING IT WITH PROLONGED
DEBATE.
>> WE NEED TO END THE FILIBUSTER
TO CODIFY IT INTO LAW ONCE AND
FOR ALL AND WE CAN DO THIS IF WE
FLIP WISCONSIN AND ADD ONE MORE
SEAT TO THE 50/50 QUOTE, UNQUOTE
MAJORITY.
>> Reporter: JOHNSON WHO OPPOSES
ABORTION EXCEPT FOR CASES OF
RAPE AND IF THE MOTHER'S LAW IS
AT STAKE, SAID STATES SHOULD USE
REFERENDUMS.
>> HERE'S THE QUESTION, OF THE
PROFOUND MORAL ISSUE, AT WHAT
POINT DOES SOCIETY HAVE THE
RESPONSIBILITY TO SAVE A LIVE
AND BALANCE THE RIGHTS OF A
WOMAN VERSUS THE UNBORN CHILD.
>> Reporter: WISCONSIN LAW DOES
NOT CURRENTLY ALLOW DIRECT
REFERENDUMS.
>> THE SPEAKS WELL TRUMP WING OF
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
LIEUTENANT GOVERN BARNES AND
REPRESENTS A NEW GENERATION IN
AMERICAN POLITICS.
HE'S TRYING TO SPEAK TO YOUNGER
VOTERS, VOTERS OF COLOR, VOTERS
WHO OFTEN FEEL THEIR INTERESTS
AREN'T BEING WELL REPRESENTED IN
WASHINGTON.
>> Reporter: BARNES AND JOHNSON
TOOK VERY DIFFERENT PATHS INTO
POLITICS.
MENDELA BARNES WAS BORN AND
RAISED IN MILWAUKEE AND PROUD OF
HIS WORKING-CLASS ROOTS.
>> MOM WAS A TEACHER AND MY DAD
WORKED A SHIRT.
>> Reporter: AFTER WORKING IN
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING HE RAN FOR
OFFICE SEAT AND AFTER TWO HE RAN
UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR THE STATE
SENATE IN 2016 BEFORE WINNING
ELECTION AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
WITH TONY EVERS.
IN HIS RUN FOR U.S. SENATE
BARNES SAID HIS GOAL IS TO HELP
MIDDLE-CLASS AMERICANS.
>> TIMES ARE GETTING TOUGHER FOR
PEOPLE.
THINGS ARE MORE DIFFICULT.
IT'S HARDER AND HARDER TO GET
AHEAD, ACCESS TO MIDDLE CLASS IS
DENYING MANY PEOPLE.
>> Reporter: AND RON JOHNSON WHO
LIVES IN OSHKOSH IS EQUALLY AS
PROUD OF HIS WORKING-CLASS
BACKGROUND.
>> WE SHOVELLED PATHWAYS.
>> Reporter: AND HE MEET RUSS
FINEGOLD AND IN THE SENATE,
JOHNSON SERVED ON HOMELAND
SECURITY AND BUDGET COMMITTEES.
YOU SAID YOU WOULD ONLY RUN FOR
TWO TERMS, JANUARY YOU DECIDED
YOU'D RUN AGAIN.
WHAT MADE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND?
>> OUR NATION'S COMING A PART.
TRUST ME, IT WAS MY PREFERENCE
AND MY WIFE'S VERY STRONG
PREFERENCE TO SERVE OUT THE
SECOND TERM AND RETURN TO A
PRIVATE LIFE.
I THINK I'M IN A POSITION WHERE
I'VE HAD SUCCESS AS A
U.S. SENATOR AND HELPED IMPROVE
THINGS.
>> Reporter: WHILE BOTH ARE
TRYING TO STAY ON MESSAGE,
JOHNSON AND BARNES HAVE PLENTY
OF CRITICISM FOR EACH OTHER.
>> HE'S A RADICAL LEFTIST.
HE'S TRYING TO HIDE THAT FROM
WISCONSIN ITS.
>> Reporter: THIS IS ABOUT AN
OUT OF TOUCH POLITICIAN WHO
FAILED TO DELIVER FOR WISCONSIN
AND PUT HIMSELF AHEAD OF ALL OF
US EVERY CHANCE.
>> Reporter: THE CANDIDATES
AREN'T THE ONLY ONES GETTING IN
THE MUD SLINGING.
OUTSIDE GROUPS ARE RUNNING THEIR
OWN ADS.
>> RON JOHNSON USED HIS OFFICE
TO SCOOP UP MILLIONS AND MENDELA
BARNES SUPPORTS --
>> Reporter: PEOPLE SHOULD BE
WARY.
>> POLITICAL ADS ARE AN EXEMPT
CATEGORY WHERE PEOPLE CAN SAY
WHAT THEY WANT AND THERE'S NO
OBLIGATION FOR ANYTHING TO BE
FACTUAL.
BUYERS AND VIEWERS SHOULD BE
AWARE JUST BECAUSE IT'S ON TV
DOESN'T MEAN IT'S TRUE.
>> WE KNEW THE OTHER SIDE WOULD
MAKE UP LIVES ABOUT THE TO SCARE
YOU.
YOU'VE SEEN THE ADS ATTACKING
ME, THEY'RE ALL LIES.
>> Reporter: STILL BOTH
CANDIDATES HAVE THEIR
CONTROVERSIES.
JOHNSON HAS COME UNDER FIRE FOR
SPREADING MISINFORMATION ABOUT
COVID-19 AND THE PLAN TO GIVE
THEN-VICE PRESIDENT A MAKE PENCE
OF FAKE SLATE OF PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTE
EELEC
EELECTED PEOPLE AND THERE'S TWO
INDEPENDENT SENATORS.
GIVEN THE SPLIT, WISCONSIN
ELECTION IS KEY.
>> CONTROL OF THE SENATE HINGES
ON OUR RAZOR THIN MAJORITY.
WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO
DETERMINE WHO CONTROLS THE
SENATE.
WISCONSIN MAY BE THE BALL GAME
HERE.
IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF
THE RACE YOU SHOULD SHOW UP ON
ELECTION DAY.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN.
>> Reporter: FOR "HERE & NOW"
I'M STEVEN POTTER.
>> Zac: REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING
TO MAKE CRIME A BIG ISSUE THIS
FALL.
TIM MICHELS RECEIVED A PANTS ON
FIRE FOR MISREPRESENTING A
RECORD ON PAROLES AND PARDONS
BUT HASN'T STOPPED IT FROM
APPEARING IN CAMPAIGN ADS.
>> WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW IS
THAT A WHOLE BUNCH OF FOLKS ARE
MANDTORIAL RELEASED FROM PRISON.
THE PAROLE COMMISSION HAS NO
RIGHT TO CHANGE THAT.
THEY REACH A DATE AND THEY'RE
LET GO.
DO I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME
CHANGES OVER TIME?
ABSOLUTELY, THINK WE SHOULD LOOK
AT THAT.
>> FOR MORE WE TURN TO JEROME
DILLARD OF EX-INCARCERATED
PEOPLE ORGANIZING.
AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO
REFORM THE PENAL SYSTEM.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, TODAY.
>> MY PLEASURE, ZAC.
>> Zac: WHAT'S THE ISSUE WHEN
THIS GETS POLITICIZED?
>> IT'S THE TOUGH ON CRIME
RHETORIC THAT WORKED WELL IN THE
'90s AND SURPRISED TO SEE IT
RAISED AT THIS POINT IN TIME BUT
THE FACTS AREN'T THERE.
AND OFTEN TIMES OUTRIGHT LIES
ARE BEING SAID HOW OUR PAROLE
SYSTEM WORKS AND ALL THESE
VIOLENT CRIMINALS.
THE SCARE TACTICS I KNOW FOR A
FACT THAT THE PAROLE
COMMISSIONER AND GOVERNOR EVERS
AND ANY OTHER GOVERNOR ARE
FOLLOWING THE LAW.
IT IS LAW THAT WHEN A PERSON IS
SENTENCED 22 YEARS AGO, OVER 22
YEARS, A JUDGE HAD IN MIND WHAT
THE SENTENCE SHOULD LOOK LIKE
AND KNEW THEY SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE
FOR PAROLE AFTER 25% AND GOOD
INSTITUTIONAL ADJUSTMENT AND
DOING THEIR PROGRAMMING THAT
MADE THEM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BE
IN PAROLE.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS NOT
ONLY IS THAT PAROLE BUT THERE'S
MANDATORY RELEASE DATES ATTACHED
TO THOSE SENTENCES SO A JUDGE
COULD BE 80 YEARS.
I KNOW THAT 20 YEARS, I WOULD BE
ELIGIBLE IF I BEHAVED MYSELF AND
AT 75% THAT'S MANDATORY RELEASE
DATE FOR ME.
>> WHAT'S THE IMPACT ON PEOPLE
WHO ARE TRYING TO RE-ENTER INTO
SOCIETY AND TRYING TO START OVER
WHEN THEY HEAR MESSAGES LIKE
THIS?
>> YOU KNOW, I HEAR THEIR
STORIES.
LAST YEAR WE HAD A BANQUET WITH
MANY MANY OR OLD LAW, THAT'S
WHAT WE REFERRED TO, OLD-LAW
PAROLEES AND IF YOU DO THE AND
IF LOOK INTO THE RECIDIVISM
RATES OF THOSE WHO WERE RELEASED
ON PAROLE UNDER THE
ADMINISTRATION ARE JUST GOING TO
STICK TO THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
NONE HAVE BEEN RE-INCARCEATED
FOR A VIOLENT CRIME AND TAKING
CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES AND A
KNOW FROM TALKING TO MANY
INDIVIDUALS.
MANY I MET AS YOUNG MEN IN
MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISONS WHO
STRIVE HARD TO CHANGE THEIR
LIVES AND THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THE
ENVIRONMENT THEY COME FROM AND
SOME OF THE THINGS THEY'VE DONE.
THEY'VE REPENTED AND REALLY
ADJUSTED REAL WELL IN
CORRECTIONS AND ONCE THEY'RE
BACK IN THE STREETS, THEY'RE
THRIVING ONCE THEY'RE BACK,
THEY'RE THRIVING IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
>> Zac: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO
SEE DONE TO CHANGE EVEN THE WAY
PAROLES ARE HANDLED OR THE WAY
THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THEM OR
THE WAY THE WHOLE SYSTEM WORKS?
>> I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO
BE EDUCATED ON HOW PAROLE WORKS.
DEF
>> I THINK GIVING THE STORY OF
THE VOICE OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN
PAROLED 40 YEARS AGO, 10 YEARS
AGO AND WHERE THEY ARE NOW WOULD
SHED MORE LIGHT ON TO PEOPLE
CHANGE AND DESERVE A SECOND
CHANCE.
I KNOW I DID.
>> Zac: THE ISSUE OF HOW TO MAKE
REFORMS WITHIN THE SYSTEM
BECOMES POLITICIZED AND WHAT IS
SAID WILL GO TO THE NEXT
SESSION.
>> THERE'S MANY COLLATERAL
CONSEQUENCES TO HAVING A
CONVICTION RECORD.
A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE SPEAKING ON
ARE SOME OF THE COLLATERAL S
LIKE THE RIGHT TO VOTE, AS LONG
AS YOU'RE ON SUPERVISION YOU
CAN'T CAST A BALLOT IN THIS
STATE.
IN THE MIDWEST WE'RE ONE OF
THOSE THAT STILL KEEP THE
POLICIES IN PLACE YOU HAVE TO
COMPLETELY FULFILL YOUR SENTENCE
BEFORE YOU CAN CAST THE BALLOT.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, OUR
TERMS OF SUPERVISION, WE'RE THE
THIRD HIGHEST AS LONG AS HOW
LONG SOMEONE IS ON SUPERVISION
AND SOME ARE IN SUPERVISION 20
YEARS AND TWO OF MY STAFF
MEMBERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO
VOTE UNTIL 2042, 2044.
YET, STILL THEY'VE BEEN IN THE
COMMUNITY WORKING FOR A COUPLE
YEARS NOW PAYING TAXES BUT STILL
NOT FEELING THEY'RE PART OF
AMERICA, PERIOD.
>> Zac: FOR SOMEONE BEING
RELEASED TODAY, THEY'RE COMING
INTO AN ENVIRONMENT WITH
EXTREMELY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT BUT
HOUSING SHORTAGES AND HIGH
INFLATION.
SO WHAT IS IT LIKE?
WHAT'S THE ENVIRONMENT THEY'RE
COMING INTO?
>> YOU'RE RIGHT.
GETTING A JOB NOW IS -- A FEW
YEARS AGO THAT WAS ONE OF THE
MAIN BARRIERS WAS FINDING
EMPLOYMENT.
AND TODAY HOUSING IS A HUGE
ISSUE.
THAT'S WHY SO MANY NONPROFITS
NOW ARE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN
HELP THEM BY HOUSING THEM.
YOU CAN HAVE A JOB BUT IF YOU
DON'T HAVE STABLE LIVING HOW ARE
YOU TO MAINTAIN A JOB?
HOW ARE YOU TO MAINTAIN YOUR
HYGIENE AND BE SHARP WHEN YOU GO
TO WORK IF YOU CAN'T GET A GOOD
NIGHT'S SLEEP?
IF YOU'RE SLEEPING ON A PARK
BENCH OR IN A SHELTER IT MAKES
IT COMPLICATED.
>> Zac: YOU'RE GROUP HAS BEEN
AROUND SINCE 2014.
WE HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT.
DESCRIBE THE BIGGEST PROGRESS
YOU'VE SEEN IN THE ISSUES ON
THIS TIME?
>> I HAVE SEEN SOME PROGRESS AN
I HAVE TO SAY THIS
ADMINISTRATION AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAVE
MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS THAT THEY
COULD, THAT'S WITHIN THEIR
BOUNDARIES OR FULFILLING WHAT
THEY COULD LIKE EXTENDING THE
RELEASE.
THEY SAID THEY'RE RELEASING
DANGEROUS CRIMINALS, THE
PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION RELEASED
MORE THAN THIS ADMINISTRATION
HAS BUT YET THERE WAS NOTHING
SAID BECAUSE MANY OF THOSE HAD
MET THEIR MANDATORY RELEASE
DATE.
I FEEL OUR PAROLE COMMISSIONER
DID A GREAT JOB.
WE CAN LOOK AT HIS RECIDIVISM
RATES AND THOSE WHO WERE PAROLED
IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND
THERE'S -- IT'S AMAZING.
IT'S REMARKABLE HOW LOW IT IS.
>> Zac: WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT
THERE.
THAT'S ALL THE TIME.
JEROME DILLARD THANK YOU FOR THE
TIME.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME.
>> Zac: A NEW REPORT SAYS
WISCONSIN'S WORKFORCE IS
EXPECTED TO DWINDLE IN THE NEXT
DECADE WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN
OUTSIDE MIGRATION BY 2030 THE
WORKING AGE POPULATION WILL
SHRINK BY AN ESTIMATED 130,000
UNLESS WE FIND A WAY TO KEEP
YOUNG PEOPLE FROM LEAVING OR
CONVINCING TO HAVE FAMILIES HERE
AND THERE'S AN ORGANIZATION PART
OF THE WISCONSIN COUNTY
ASSOCIATION.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.
>> GOOD TO BE HERE.
>> YOU USE CENSUS DATA TO TRACK
THE INFLOW AND OUTFLOW FROM
WISCONSIN AND THE BABY BOOMERS
AGE INTO RETIREMENT WE HAVE A
MAJOR SHORTAGE.
>> THE FIRST BABY BOOM RETIRED
AND THAT HAD AN EFFECT.
THE SECOND HALF IS NOW AGING
INTO THAT AND THEY'RE ABOUT 20%
BIGGER SO THAT IS GOING TO --
AND WE DON'T HAVE REALLY ENOUGH
YOUNG PEOPLE COMING UP BEHIND
THEM TO REPLACE THEM.
SO THE SOLUTION -- THE ONLY
SOLUTION IF WE DON'T WANT TO SEE
THAT BIG DECLINE IS MIGRATION
FROM OTHER STATES OR OTHER
COUNTRIES.
>> Zac: SO THE LACK OR ABSENCE
OF WORKERS WILL BE FELT MORE
SEVERELY IN CERTAIN AREAS OR
SPREAD ACROSS THE WHOLE ECONOMY?
>> IT WILL BE SPREAD ACROSS THE
WHOLE ECONOMY.
WE'LL SEE IT EVERYWHERE.
PROBABLY YOU'LL SEE A BIGGER
IMPACT IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN.
THE POPULATION TENDS TO BE OLDER
AS IT IS AND FEWER YOUNG PEOPLE
SO IT WILL BE A LITTLE MORE
ACUTE THERE BUT WE'LL SEE IT
EVERYWHERE.
>> YOUR REPORT TALKS A LOT ABOUT
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ANYONE WHO GREW
UP IN WISCONSIN AND WENT TO
COLLEGE SAW THIS HAPPEN AND YOU
GO TO WISCONSIN AND EXPLORE THE
WORLD AND SOME COME BACK HOME TO
RAISE A FAMILY.
HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE THAT?
IS THAT A STATE SOLUTION OR
BUSINESS OR EMPLOYER SOLUTION?
>> IT'S A PUBLIC-PRIVATE WORKING
TOGETHER SOLUTION.
ONE, WE NEED TO TRY TO LIMIT THE
NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAT
WE'RE LOSING.
WE'RE GOING TO LOSE A
SIGNIFICANT NUMBER, AS YOU SAID,
THEY WANT TO GET OUT THERE.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE FIND IS
WHEN YOU LOOK AT AVERAGE WAGES
FOR WHITE COLLAR EDUCATION AND
COLLEGE GRADUATE OCCUPATIONS
THEY'RE GOING INTO WE TEND TO BE
10% TO 15% BELOW THE NATIONAL
AVERAGE IN TERMS OF THE BUSINESS
SECTOR THEY HAVE TO UNDERSTAND
THAT AND IF THEY WANT TO KEEP
THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE HERE, THEY
HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE
COMPETITIVE.
AND I THINK THERE'S A ROLL FOR
THE STATE AS WELL.
WE SEE STATES, COUNTIES ACROSS
THE COUNTRY PROVIDING INCENTIVES
FOR PEOPLE TO MOVE TO THEIR
STATES.
MAINE HAS BEEN A LEADER IN THIS.
WE'RE NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW IT
LOOKS BUT THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE
CAN INNOCENT -- GIVE INCENTIVE
TO MOVE BACK HERE.
>>
>> THE PLACES YOU TALK ABOUT
PEOPLE MOVING TO ARE HAVING
NATURAL DISASTERS.
HOW CAN CLIMATE CHANGE BE MORE
DESIRABLE TO EVERYONE NOT JUST
NATIVES?
>> THERE'S INCREASE DISCUSSION
AROUND THE NOTION THAT OVER TIME
WISCONSIN, WITH ALL ITS WATER
RESOURCES, IS GOING TO LOOK MORE
AND MORE DESIRABLE FOR
INDIVIDUALS AND FOR BUSINESSES.
SO THAT MAY PLAY A ROLE IN THE
NEAR TERM NOT SO MUCH.
IT'S MORE OF A LONGER-TERM
PATTERN WE END UP SEEING.
>> Zac: WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO BE
PREPARED.
SHOULD THE STATE DO MORE AT THIS
TIME OR MAKING EVERYONE AWARE OF
THE SOLUTION?
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.
>> I THINK THE SOLUTION TO OUR
CHALLENGE IS REALLY TARGETING
WHAT I CALL THE FAMILY
FORMATION.
THAT'S WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN
STRONG IN IN TERMS OF MIGRATION.
IT'S DESIGNING INCENTIVES FOR
THAT AGE GROUP TO MOVE HERE.
AND I THINK IT'S ALSO -- THERE'S
AN EDUCATION COMPONENT TO THIS
THAT IF YOU GO OUTSIDE THE
MIDWEST, PEOPLE KNOW VERY LITTLE
ABOUT WISCONSIN EXCEPT THAT IT'S
COLD AND WE HAVE CHEESE AND THE
PACKERS AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.
SO PART OF IT IS EDUCATING THEM
ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE
GREAT SCHOOLS WE HAVE AND
RELATIVELY LOW CRIME.
ALL THOSE THINGS THAT FAMILIES
ARE LOOKING FOR BECAUSE ONCE
THEY KNOW ABOUT IT AND ONCE YOU
GET THEM HERE, MOST OF THEM
STAY.
SO I THINK THAT'S THE ROLE THAT
I THINK THE STATE CAN PLAY.
>> Zac: AND THOSE OF US STILL
SAY WE DON'T NEED MORE PEOPLE.
WE LIKE THE SPACE WE HAVE.
THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>>
>> A LOT OF THE FURNACES TURNED
ON THIS WEEK AND THE COST OF
KEEPING IT RUNNING THIS WINTER
S EXPECTED TO MAKE A BIG JUMP.
THE NATIONAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE
DIRECTOR'S ASSOCIATION SAID THE
AVERAGE OF HEAT HOME WILL RISE
17% COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AND
WITH US IS CHAD LAIBLY.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
WHEN A REPORT LIKE THIS COMES
OUTS DO YOU SEE AN INCREASE.
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REALIZING
WINTER'S ABOUT DO -- TO COME?
>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE COLD SNAP
WE
WE SEE INQUIRIES.
>> Zac: WHAT DO YOU TELL THEM?
>> PREPARE THE HOUSE FOR WINTER.
GET A SMART THERMOSTAT.
WE HAVE REBATES AND LOOK TO
INSULATE BECAUSE IF YOU WAIT THE
NEXT TWO OR THREE MONTHS THE
SCHEDULE PACKED FOR COMPANIES.
>> Zac: HOW MUCH MONEY CAN
SOMEONE SAVE ON ENERGY COST
COMPARED TO THE COST OF
WEATHERIZING?
ARE THERE TWO SCALES?
>> QUITE A BIT.
A DEEP RETROFIT CAN SAVE UP TO
30% WHICH IS QUITE A LOT.
DOING A MINOR JOB WITH JUST THE
ATTIC MAY SAVE 10% AND 15% AND
INSULATION TENDS TO PAY FOR
ITSELF WITHIN SEVEN YEARS, GIVE
OR TAKE TWO OR THREE YEARS.
>> Zac: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT
THE INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY, WE
HAVE RUSSIA AND UKRAINE AND
FIRES AND HURRICANES.
>> IT'S KEEPING THE ENERGY PRY
OF PRICES THAN WE'D EXPECT.
PROPANE HAS RISEN AND PEOPLE'S
PROPANE MAY GO UP $30 OR SO.
I'M SEEING MORE THAN THAT.
>> Zac: OKAY.
NOW, AS MUCH AS NO ONE WANTS TO
PAY MORE FOR ENERGY, CAN RISING
COSTS INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO
ACTUALLY DO SOME OF THE UPGRADES
BECAUSE THE PAY BACK IS FASTER?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
WE GET A LOT OF INQUIRIES
ESPECIALLY NEXT YEAR WITH THE
INFLATION REDUCTION ACT THERE'LL
BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO
SPEND A LITTLE MORE THAN THEY
NORMALLY WOULD EVEN WHEN THEY
HAVE LESS BECAUSE THE SAVINGS
ARE GOING TO BE THERE.
>> Zac: SO WITH THE INFLATION
REDUCTION ACT AS PART OF CLIMATE
CHANGE AND GREEN ISSUES IN
THERE, DO WE KNOW YET WHAT'S
GOING TO BE COMING.
IS THAT STILL BEING FINALIZED?
>> WE'RE SHIFTING THROUGH THE
INFORMATION AND SEEING HOW THAT
MONEY WILL FLOW PRACTICALLY BUT
EXPECTING THERE TO BE GOOD
OPPORTUNITIES PARTICULARLY WITH
DUAL-FUEL HEAT PUMPS.
THOSE ARE BASICALLY AN AIR
CONDITIONER THAT ACTS IN REVERSE
AND THE TECHNOLOGY WASN'T THERE
AT A GOOD PRICE POINT FOR THE
COLD CLIMATE IN WISCONSIN,
NEGATIVE 20 IS THE SWEET SPOT
YOU WANT THEM TO WORK TO AND NOW
THEY DO AND THAT'S A GOOD OPTION
BECAUSE THERE'S MONEY FOR
RESIDENTIAL HOME OWNERS FOR THAT
KIND OF TECHNOLOGY.
>> Zac: WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HOME
OWNERS BUT PEOPLE LIVE IN
APARTMENTS.
ARE THERE THINGS THEY CAN DO?
>> SAME THING.
OUR PROGRAM FOCUS ON ENERGY
WORKS FOR RENTERS AS WELL.
>> Zac: WHERE SHOULD THEY GO AND
LOOK AT?
>> THEY SHOULD LOOK AT
WWW.FOCUSONENERGY.
OUR PROGRAM HAS BEEN AROUND 20
YEARS AND IT'S WELL MANAGED.
THE MONEY DOESN'T RUN OUT
BECAUSE IT'S SO WELL MANAGED.
IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
>> Zac: I'VE SEEN SOME FORECASTS
WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN THE
FARMER'S ALMANAC OR WANT TO GO
WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER --
>> I LOOKED AT MINE THE OTHER
DAY.
>> Zac: IT SAYS THERE'S A HIGHER
PERCENTAGE CHANCE WE COULD HAVE
A COLDER AND WETTER WINTER THAN
AVERAGE.
IT ADDS ON TO ENERGY COSTS,
RIGHT?
>> IT DOES.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY'LL BE
FOR HEATING YOUR HOME WHETHER
IT'S A COOLED WINTER OR NOT AND
HEATING COSTS ARE ON THE RISE SO
IT'S SOMETHING TO BE AWARE OF
NOW BECAUSE THE INSULATION
COMPANIES ARE GOING TO BE REALLY
BUSY MOVING FORWARD.
ALSO, IF YOU'VE CALLED AN HCAC
COMPANY BECAUSE OF THE DUAL-FUEL
HEAT PUMPS AND THE RISE OF COSTS
OF GETTING MACHINES TUNED UP
THEY'RE BUSY.
YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT.
>> Zac: CHAD LAIBLY WITH FOCUS
ON ENERGY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Zac: FOR MORE ON THIS AND
OTHER ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT
PBSWISCONSIN.org AND JOIN US
NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:00 P.M. FOR THE
U.S. SENATE DEBATE FOLLOWED BY
LIVE "HERE & NOW" ANALYSIS.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I'M ZAC SCHULTS.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.