[?]
>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A
PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION.
>> IN THIS WE'RE IN THE BEST
FISCAL POSITION WE'VE BEEN IN
OUR 175 YEARS OF STATEHOOD.
>> Frederica: GOVERNOR TONY
EVERS DISCOVERED HIS 2023 STATE
BUDGET ADDRESS.
THE PRIMARY ELECTION FOR STATE
SUPREME COURT IS ON TUESDAY AND
DESPITE STRUGGLES UKRAINE
REFUGEES WORK ON.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE & NOW" WE HEAR
FROM TOP LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES
OF THE AISLE AS THE BUDGET
PROCESS GETS UNDERWAY.
ZAC SCHULTZ REPORTS ON A JUSTICE
WHO HASN'T ENDORSED A CANDIDATE
IS HAVING A BIG IMPACT ON
TUESDAY'S PRIMARY AND WE SPEAK
WITH UKRAINE REFUGEES RESETTLED
IN WISCONSIN.
IT'S "HERE & NOW" FOR FEBRUARY
17th.
>> Frederica: GOVERNOR TONY
EVERS PROPOSED THE LARGEST
BUDGET IN STATE HISTORY WITH
INVESTMENTS IN SCHOOLS AND
PUBLIC GOVERNMENT.
>> WE CARRY THE WEIGHT OF
PROSPERITY WE HAVE A DUTY TO
INVEST IN NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN
LONG NEGLECTED.
>> Frederica: WISCONSIN'S $7
BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS IS FUELED
IN PART BY THE FACT REPUBLICANS
IN THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR
EVERS COULD NOT AGREE ON HOW TO
SPEND THE SPUR PLUS TWO YEARS
AGO.
NOW EVERS SAID THE STATE NEEDS
TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME AND
HE'S PROPOSING AN ADDITIONAL
$2.6 BILLION INVESTMENT IN K-12
EDUCATION OVER THE NEXT TWO
YEARS.
>> TONIGHT I'M CALLING ON THE
LEGISLATURE TO JOIN ME IN DOING
WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS BY
IMPROVING THE LARGEST INVESTMENT
IN K-12 SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION IN
OUR STATE'S HISTORY.
>> Frederica: THAT INCLUDES $1
BILLION IN ADDITIONAL AID TO
SCHOOLS INCLUDING REVENUE BOOSTS
OF $350 PER PUPIL IN THE FIRST
YEAR OF THE BUDGET AROUND $650
IN YEAR TWO.
HISTORICALLY THE STATE STRUGGLED
TO PAY FOR TWO-THIRDS OF PUBLIC
SCHOOL COSTS BUT THIS BUDGET
WOULD PUT STATE FUNDING EIGHT
POINTS ABOVE THAT AND INVEST AN
EXTRA $1 BILLION INTO SPECIAL
EDUCATION FUNDING AND $270
MILLION FOR STUDENT MENTAL
HEALTH.
>> LET'S MAKE SURE EVERY KID IN
WISCONSIN HAS ACCESS TO
SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH
SERVICES.
>> Frederica: THE BUDGET WOULD
INCLUDE A PERMANENT BOOST TO
FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
USING AN IDEA REPUBLICANS CLAIM
EVERS TOOK FROM THEM.
>> I PLEDGE MY SUPPORT TO SEND
20% OF THE STATE SALES TAX
REVENUE BA TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
FOR SHARED REVENUE AND OUR
BUDGET INCLUDES THAT PROPOSAL I
DON'T CARE WHERE IT CAME FROM
PROVIDING MORE THAN HALF A
BILLION IN RESOURCES TO INVEST
IN KEY PRIORITIES LIKE PUBLIC
SAFETY.
WE HAVE TO GET THIS DONE FAST.
>> Frederica: A LARGE PART OF
THE BUDGET CONVERSATION DATING
BACK TO THE ELECTION LAST YEAR
WAS ABOUT TAX CUTS.
>> I'M DELIVERING ON MY PROMISE
FOR A 10% MIDDLE-CLASS TAX CUT
AND PROVIDING $1.2 BILLION IN
TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES.
>> Frederica: REPUBLICANS HAVE
FLOAT THE IDEA OF MOVING TO A
FLAT TAX WHICH WOULD PRIMARILY
BENEFIT WEALTHY TAXPAYERS.
>> UNDER MY PLAN IF YOU'RE A
SINGLE FILER MAKING LESS THAN
$100,000 OR MARRIED JOINT FILER
MAKING LESS THAN $150,000 THE
CORNERSTONE OF MY TAX PLAN WILL
CUT YOUR TAXES BY 10%.
THAT'S REAL SUSTAINABLE RELIEF
THAT WILL KEEP INCOME TAXES LOW
NOW AND IN THE FUTURE WITHOUT
CAUSING DEVASTATING CUTS TO
PRIORITIES LIKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
>> Frederica: THE BIGGEST NEW
PROPOSAL UNVEILED WEDNESDAY WAS
THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE PROGRAM.
>> I AM ANNOUNCING WE'RE GOING
TO CREATE A STATEWIDE PROGRAM TO
PROVIDE MOST PRIVATE SECTOR
WORKERS WITH WISCONSIN PAID
FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE FOR 12
WEEKS AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT
BY INVESTING MORE THAN MORE $240
MILLION IN FUNDS TO GET THAT
FUND GOING.
>> Frederica: SIMILAR TO THE
STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT PLAN, PAID
FAMILY LEAVE WOULD EVENTUALLY BE
PAID BY FEES BY WORKERS AND
BUSINESSES.
THE BUDGET ADDRESS THE
GOVERNOR'S LAST CHANCE TO DIRECT
THE DEBATE.
IT NOW GOES TO THE LEGISLATURE
WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE ALREADY
PROMISED TO IGNORE THE ENTIRE
PROPOSAL.
BUT EVERS ENDED HIS SPEECH WITH
ONE LAST PLEA FOR REPUBLICANS TO
CONSIDER HIS IDEA.
>> LET'S DISPOSE OF THE NOTION
THAT PRIORITIES IN THE BUDGET
ARE SOMEHOW EXTREME OR FAR
FETCHED.
I PROMISE YOU THIS, IN THIS
BUDGET THERE'S MORE THAN UNITES
US THESE ARE WISCONSIN AREAS
WHERE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND
COMMON GROUND.
>> Frederica: THE STATE BUDGET
IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE
REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED
LEGISLATURE.
NEXT WE TURN TO THE CO-CHAIR OF
THE POWERFUL BUDGET WRITING
COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE MARK
BORN.
WE SAT DOWN WITH HIM AT THE
STATE ALCOCAPITOL AND ASKED ON
REACTION TO THE BUDGET.
>> IT'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
IT'S REALLY NOT A REALISTIC
BUDGET, UNSUSTAINABLE, MASSING
SPENDING, TAX INCREASES IN A
VARIETY OF AREAS AND VARIETY OF
WAYS.
GROWING GOVERNMENT, NEW PROGRAMS
EVEN FINDING A WAY TO WORK A NEW
AGENCY IN.
THAT WAS A SURPRISE FOR SOME OF
US.
SO DISAPPOINTING.
CERTAINLY NOT HEADING IN THE
RIGHT DIRECTION.
NOT ONE WE CAN REALLY WORK WITH
OR WORK FROM.
WE HAVE TO START FROM CURRENT
LAW AND BUILD FROM THERE ON A
BUDGET THAT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE
OF WISCONSIN.
>> Frederica: WHAT WILL YOUR
SPENDING PRIORITIES BE?
>> I THINK NO SURPRISE TO FOLKS
BOTH BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN ARE WHO TELL US WHAT
THE PRIORITIES SHOULD BE BUT
ALSO IT'S BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT
SEVERAL YEARS NOW THERE'S REAL
TOP PRIORITIES WE KEEP BUILDING
ON FROM EDUCATION TO
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS TO
HEALTH CARE.
I THINK THERE'S MAYBE ONE
SLIGHTLY NEW ONE THIS TIME
THAT'S BEEN GETTING A LOT OF
DISCUSSION AND WORK DONE ON IT
ALREADY TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO FUND
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN A BETTER
WAY OR TO MAKE MORE SUSTAINABLE
LONG-TERM FUNDING AND IT'S
CERTAINLY ONE WE'RE WORKING ON.
I THINK MAYBE HOPEFULLY IT'S AN
OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPROMISE.
WE'LL SEE.
THE GOVERNOR CERTAINLY
APPROACHED IT IN SOME WAYS WE
WILL NOT.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO INCREASE
TAXES IN CITIES ACROSS WISCONSIN
IS PART OF HIS PLAN.
THAT'S NOT THE MODEL.
BUT INVESTMENTS OF NEW
SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCES WITH
CHANGES.
WITH REFORMS AND ACCOUNTABILITY
AND INNOVATION.
>> Frederica: AS TO THAT COMMON
GROUND AROUND SHARED REVENUE AND
MONEY GOING BACK TO LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED HE
WOULD LIKE TO TAKE 20% OF THE
STATE'S SALES TAX AND RETURN IT
TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
AND HE CREDITS THE REPUBLICAN
LEGISLATURE WITH COMING UP WITH
THAT IDEA.
IS THAT THE PLAN?
>> THE DETAILS ARE NOT SETTLED.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS REFERRED TO.
HE TOOK DIFFERENT APPROACHES
WITH TAX INCREASES COUPLED WITH
THE 20% AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT'S
FOCUSSED ON INNOVATION AND THE
FUTURE AND SOME REFORMS NOT JUST
THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD AT A
LOCAL LEVEL BUT STILL, NEW
SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR THE
FUTURE TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
PROVIDE SERVICES THEY NEED TO
PROVIDE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
THERE'LL BE SOME PARALLELS BUT
THERE'S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE
DIFFERENCES TOO.
>> Frederica: IN THE PAST
REPUBLICANS HAVE TALKED ABOUT
BEING IN FAVOR OF SOME KIND OF
FAMILY LEAVE AND THAT WAS
SOMETHING THAT WAS ANNOUNCED IN
THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS.
ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THAT OR HOW
MIGHT YOUR MODEL BE DIFFERENT?
>> I THINK IT'S UNLIKELY THERE
WOULD BE A BRAND NEW PROGRAM OF
THAT LEVEL IN A STATE BUDGET.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD RUN
THROUGH LEGISLATION THROUGH THE
COMMITTEE PROCESS, DEBATE,
DISCUSSION WITH COMMUNITIES OF
INTEREST AND CERTAINLY THE PLAN
HE PUT FORWARD IS IS POLICY.
>> Frederica: YOU TALKED ABOUT
PRIORITY BEING K-12 EDUCATION.
HE WANTS TO BOOST SPENDING $2.6
BILLION.
WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?
>> OVER NUMBER WILL BE DECIDED
IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IN THE
BUDGET DELIBERATIONS.
THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.
I WON'T HAVE A NUMBER TODAY BUT
I KNOW WE'LL INVEST IN
EDUCATION.
>> Frederica: WHAT'S YOUR
REACTION TO THE NEARLY $300
MILLION TO THE BREWER STADIUM?
>> LIKE THIS THE DEVIL'S IN THE
DETAILS AND HAVE TO DO WORK TO
LOOK AT THIS AND NEED TO MAKE
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GOVERNOR'S
PLAN FOR SURE AND HAVE
DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT BUT
CERTAINLY I THINK FOLKS
GENERALLY WANT TO WORK TOWARDS
KEEPING THE BREWERS IN WISCONSIN
AND MILWAUKEE HOPEFULLY FOR A
LONG TIME.
>> Frederica: AS TO TAX CUTS,
GOVERNOR EVERS CUTS ABOUT $1.5
BILLION WITH A 10% CUT FOR
EARNERS MARRIED EARNERS UP TO
$150,000 -- UNDER $150,000.
WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THAT,
FIRST OF ALL?
>> THE SIMPLE REACTION IS OVER
ALL TAX CUTS ARE GOOD BUT IT
CUTS TAXES IN ONE SPOT AND RAISE
AS A BUNCH IN OTHER AREAS.
IT'S REALLY NOT TAX REFORM.
IT'S NOT REALLY TAX CUTS.
IT'S MORE OF WITH A LITTLE DO A
FEW NICE THINGS HERE AND A BUNCH
OF THINGS THAT ARE THE WRONG
DIRECTION ON TAX POLICY IN OTHER
AREAS AND YOU WON'T SEE A
REPUBLICAN BUDGET THAT WILL LOOK
LIKE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO TAX
POLICY.
>> Frederica: WILL WE SEE A FLAT
TAX IN THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET?
>> I THINK FOR A WHILE NOW WE'VE
BEEN MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION
AND THAT'S A GREAT GOAL.
WHETHER OR NOT WE'LL GET TO A
FLAT TAX IN THIS BUDGET REMAINS
TO BE SEEN BUT I THINK WE'LL
CONTINUE TO DO TAX REFORM THAT
MOVES US IN THAT DIRECTION AND
MAKES US MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE
MIDWEST WITH STATES HAVING A
FLAT TAX.
>> Frederica: IF YOU CAN'T COME
TO AN AGREEMENT WHERE TO SPEND
THE EXTRAORDINARY SURPLUS, WILL
YOU ALLOW A LOT OF THAT TO ROLL
OVER TO THE NEXT TIME?
>> WE HAVE AN ACCOUNT AND
REVENUES.
I DON'T THINK YOU'LL SEE OUR
BUDGET WITH HOLDING A LOT OF
MONEY BUT SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY.
WE MAE KEEP MORE IN THE BALANCE
OR THERE BUT WE WON'T KEEP
SURPLUSES IF THE GOVERNOR'S VETO
CAUSES THAT THAT'S HIS DECISION
THEN.
WE'LL SEND HIM A BUDGET THAT'S
REASONABLE AND INVESTS IN
PRIORITIES AND RETURNS MONEY TO
THE TAXPAYERS WITH INFLATIONARY
TIMES AND SOME OF HIS VETOES
LEFT MONEY IN THE STATE SAVINGS
ACCOUNT, SO TO SPEAK, THEN THAT
WILL BE WHAT HAPPENS BUT THAT'S
NOW HOW WE'LL CRAFT THE BUDGET.
>> Frederica: REPRESENTATIVE
MARK BORN THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Frederica: WE SPOKE WITH
JASON STEIN RESEARCH DIRECTOR OF
THE WISCONSIN POLICY FORUM FOR
HIS TAKE ON THE BUDGET NUMBERS.
WHAT STANDS OUT IN THIS ADDRESS?
>> THE INCREASE FOR A WHOLE
VARIETY OF PRIORITIES.
STARTING WITH SCHOOL AND HEALTH
CARE AND THINGS WE TRADITIONALLY
EXPECT AND THEN THROW IN MORE
THAN $290 MILLION FOR MILLER
PARK AND FOR MEDICAL LEAVE AND
BROADBAND.
THE NON-TRADITIONAL PRIORITIES
EASILY ABOVE $1 BILLION JUST
THOSE THREE.
>> HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO OTHER
BUDGETS?
>> NOTHING LIKE WE'VE SEEN
BEFORE.
IT'S UNPRECEDENTED.
IT ALLOWS FOR BOTH PARTY TO
THINK BIG ON THE TAX CUT OR
SPENDING SIDE.
AT THE SAME TIME A LOT OF
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES THAT WILL
LOWER THE STATE'S RESERVES
SUBSTANTIALLY WHICH IS
APPROPRIATE BUT I THINK THE
SPENDING HAPPENING MAY BE
DIFICULT TO SUSTAIN IN THE NEXT
BUDGET.
>> Frederica: AS TO THE TAX CUTS
THE GOVERNOR REGARDS THEM AS TAX
CUTS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS
OPPOSED TO WHAT WE UNDERSTAND
REPUBLICAN BUDGET WRITERS ARE
TRIND WHICH MAY BE A FLAT TAX.
HOW DO THE PLANS COMPARE?
>> THE FIRST THING IS THE
GOVERNOR HAS A MIX OF TAX
INCREASES THAT WILL PRIMARILY
FALL ON UPPER INCOME EARNERS AND
TAX CUTS FOR MIDDLE AN LOW
INCOME EARNERS.
WHILE THE REPUBLICAN PLAN PUTS
FORWARD A LARGE TAX CUT THAT
ALSO WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO
SUSTAIN IN FUTURE YEAR AND RAMP
UP TO $5 BILLION A YEAR.
>> Frederica: DO YOU THINK
THERE'S MORE COMPROMISE TO BE
HAD IN THE BUDGET?
>> THE GOVERNOR'S BIG SIGNATURE
PROPOSALS YOU WOULD NOT EXPECT
THEM TO GO THROUGH AS PASSED BUT
IN AREAS FOR AID FOR LOCAL
GOVERNMENT WE CALL SHARED
REVENUE AND IN PERHAPS MILLER
PARK OR THE BREWERS STADIUM AND
SOME OF THOSE AREAS REPEALING
THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX YOU
COULD EXPECT TO SEE SOME GIVE
AND TAKE AND MAYBE AN ALTERNATE
COMPROMISE PROPOSAL.
>> IN ELECTION NEWS, FOR THE
PAST TWO YEARS, EVERY MAJOR
DECISION BY THE WISCONSIN
SUPREME COURT HAS BEEN MADE BY
ONE MAN, JUSTICE BRAN HAGEDORN
HE OFTEN GIVES A 4-3 ADVANTAGE
BUT HE SIDES WITH THE THREE
LIBERALS INFURIATING HIS
CONSERVATIVE COLLEAGUES.
"HERE & NOW" REPORTER ZAC
SCHULTZ REPORTS HOW HAGEDORN'S
STREAK ON THE COURT HAS BECOME A
FACTOR IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION
COMING UP NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY
21.
>> I THINK IT'S NO SECRET HE AND
I DISAGREED ON SIGNIFICANT
CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS.
>> OF THE FOUR CANDIDATES
RUNNING FOR THE WISCONSIN
SUPREME COURT, DANIEL KELLY IS
THE MOST OUTSPOKEN ABOUT JUSTICE
BRIAN HAGEDORN.
>> IT'S NOT PERSONAL OPINION,
IT'S NOT PREFERENCES.
THIS IS WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES.
SO WE DISAGREE ON A PROFOUND
LEVEL ON SIGNIFICANT ISSUES.
>> KELLY AND HAGEDORN WERE ON
THE COURT TOGETHER ONE YEAR
BEFORE KELLY LOST HIS
RE-ELECTION BID IN 2020.
THEY WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF
THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE VERSUS
POLE IN BATTLING THE PANDEMIC.
AFTER KELLY LOST HAGEDORN'S
PROMINENCE INCREASED AND HE
SIDED WITH LIBERALS TO KEEP THE
GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES OFF THE
BALLOT AND IN THE GO FORWARD
WHERE DONALD TRUMP TRIED TO
THROW OUT SOME ELECTIONS.
>> HE WAS ELECTED AND WHEN HIS
TERM WAS UP IF HE CHOOSES TO RUN
AGAIN HE WILL NEED TO MAKE A
REPORT OF HIS WORK TO THE PEOPLE
OF WISCONSIN.
>> BRIAN HAGEDORN DECLINED TO
COMMENT FOR THE STORY.
HIS TERM IS NOT OVER UNTIL 2029
BUT IT HASN'T STOPPED KELLY FROM
USING HAGEDORN AS A FOIL TELLING
VOTERS THEY SHOULDN'T SERVE FOR
CANDIDATE DOROW BECAUSE SHE
COULD BE ANOTHER HAGEDORN.
>> YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ELECT
A CANDIDATE TO FIND OUT IF THEY
ARE A CONSTITUTIONAL
CONSERVATIVE.
THAT WAS THE POSITION WE WERE IN
WITH BRIAN HAGEDORN.
IT DOESN'T WORK OUT SO WELL.
>> JENNIFER DOROW HAD LITTLE TO
SAY ABOUT JUSTICE HAGEDORN
EXCEPT TO NOTE WHOEVER WINS THE
ELECTION WILL BE SERVING WITH
HIM ON THE COURT.
>> I CAN'T SPEAK FOR HIM OR HIS
METHODOLOGY.
WHAT I CAN DO IS FOCUS ON WHAT I
WILL BRING TO THE COURT AND THAT
IS AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO
BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL TO APPLY
THE LAW TO THE FACTS OF EACH
CASE.
TO BRING COLLEGIALITY TO THE
COURT AS WELL.
TO WORK WITH ALL OF THE JUSTICES
ON THE BENCH AS WE WRESTLE WITH
REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES.
>> THE TWO LIBERAL CANDIDATES
ALSO DON'T WANT TO BE DIRECTLY
COMPARED TO HAGEDORN BECAUSE
HE'S A CONSERVATIVE BUT DO LIKE
HIS IMAGE AS INDEPENDENT.
>> WHEN BRIAN KELLY CALLED OUT
HAGEDORN AS SUPREMELY UNRELIABLE
BECAUSE HE VOTED AGAINST THE
BLOCK AND EXERTED HIS
INDEPENDENT THOUGHT AND HE'S
LABELLED AS SUPREMELY
UNRELIABLE?
LIKE IT'S A BAD THING?
>> I SEE HIM DOING WHAT JUDGES
AND JUSTICES HOPEFULLY DO, DOES
NOT BECOME SO RIGID IN IDEOLOGY
YOU CAN'T LISTEN OR BE MOVED BY
THE FACTS IN FRONT OF YOU.
THAT'S WHAT WE ALL SHOULD AS
SPIRE TO BE ABLE TO DO IS MOVE
INSIDE THAT SPACE BECAUSE THE
FACTS CAN SOMETIMES PULL YOU IN
THE DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.
>> IF MITCHELL WINS THEY WOULD
CREATE A MAJORITY.
WOULD VOTERS EXPECT THEM TO
OCCASIONALLY FRUSTRATE
SUPPORTERS BY SHOWING
INDEPENDENCE?
>> I THINK THE IDEA YOU CAN
ANTICIPATE WHAT PEOPLE RULE IS
WHY OUR COURTS LOSE LEGITIMACY.
IT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE THE
CURIOSITY OF THE FACTS BROUGHT
BEFORE YOU NOT PEOPLE SAYING
WELL, I KNOW WHAT THEY WOULD DO
AND EXACTLY HOW TO FRAME THE
CASE BASED ON WHO IS IN THE
SEAT.
>> BE INDEPENDENT IS WHAT
EVERYBODY SHOULD DO.
YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PRE
DETERMINE WHAT A SUPREME COURT'S
GOING TO DO.
THEY SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THE
LAW, UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION
AND YOU HEAR LOOK AT THIS.
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS JUSTICE
HAGEDORN DIDN'T DO WHAT WE
THOUGHT HE'D DO AND NOW HE'S
SUPREMELY UNRELIABLE?
MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED
INDEPENDENT AND THOUGHTFUL.
>> Frederica: REPORTING FROM
MADISON, FOR "HERE & NOW".
>> Frederica: UKRAINE HAS BEEN
INVADED FORCING MANY TO ABANDON
THEIR HOMES AND WE HAVE A STORY
HOW UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN
WISCONSIN AND GROUPS HELPING
THEM ARE HELPING THEM OVERCOME
CHALLENGE.
>> WE WENT TO BED AT 4:30, 5:00.
WE HEARD AN INCREDIBLE
EXPLOSION.
>> ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE
INVASION LAST FEBRUARY, PETER
POROSHKOV AND HIS WIFE WERE
SHAKEN.
>> IT STARTED BUMPING.
>> WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS CLOSING
IN ON THEIR HOME NE -- KIEV THE
DECIDED TO TAKE THEIR DAUGHTERS
AND LEAVE UKRAINE AND LEAVE.
>> WE HAD TO LEAVE.
IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE WE HAD
TO LEAVE OUR DOG.
WE HAVE A GERMAN SHEPHERD.
>> EVEN AS WAR ERUPTED AROUND
THEM KSENIA REMEMBERS BEING IN
DISBELIEF.
>> FROM ONE POINT YOU CAN'T
BELIEVE IT THEN YOU'RE RACING TO
DO SOMETHING.
>> TRAVELLING THROUGH ROMANIA
AND POLAND THEN FURTHER INTO
EUROPE TOOK THE SOKOR FAMILY OF
FIVE ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THEY
EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO MEXICO.
AFTER CROSSING THE BORDER THEY
WERE INVITED TO STAY WITH A
FAMILY HERE IN WISCONSIN.
EVENTUALLY SECURING THEIR OWN
APARTMENT IN STOUGHTON THE STORY
OF TRAVEL AND UNCERTAIN DEGREE
DESTINATIONS.
>> THEY HAD TOO LEARN A NEW LACK
WATH.
FOR RECENT REFUGEES LIKE THE
POROSHKOV FAMILY OF FOUR MANY
GROUPS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO
HELP.
>> WE HAVE ENGLISH CLASSES ON
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS IN THE
EVENING AND HAVE A LOT OF
VOLUNTEERS AND DIFFERENT
TEACHERS WHO WE DON'T UNDERSTAND
ANYTHING BUT THEY ARE FRIENDLY
AND EXPLAIN A LOT.
>> ONE OF THE GROUPS HELPING THE
REFUGEES IS THE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.
THEY HELPED ALMOST A DOZEN
UKRAINIAN FAMILIES WHO MOVED TO
THE AREA IN THE LAST YEAR.
THE VOLUNTEERS HELP HE REFUGEES
APPLY FOR JOBS SOCIAL SECURITY
JOBS AND DRIVER'S LICENSES AND
HEALTH CARE.
>> IT'S BECOME VERY OVERWHELMING
AT TIMES BUT THE PAYOFF IS THE
FACT THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE
NOW WHO WE CONSIDER FAMILY.
>> BECAUSE MANY OF THE REFUGEE
FAMILIES CAME HERE WITH NOTHING,
THEY ALSO RELY ON OTHER
COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS FOOD
PANTRIES AND CLOTHING BANKS BUT
THE FAMILIES STILL STRUGGLE WITH
THE EMOTIONAL STRESS OF LEAVING
LOVED ONES IN THEIR WAR-TORN
HOMELAND.
>> I CAN'T SLEEP.
I HAVE BAD DREAMS ABOUT MY
FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WAR.
>> WE DID NOT EXPECT IT WOULD BE
HARD FOR THE YOUNGEST BECAUSE
FOR YOUNG KIDS IT'S MORE SIMPLE
TO GET ACCUSTOM.
BUT SHE WAS CRYING A LOT AND IT
WAS DIFFICULT FOR US TOO.
>> HE STAYS UP LATE AT NIGHT TO
TALK WITH HIS BROTHER AND FATHER
STILL IN UKRAINE.
ASIDE FROM THE THREAT OF WAR AND
VIOLENCE THEY TELL HIM THEIR GAS
AND ELECTRICITY IS OFTEN NOT
WORKING.
>> IT'S NOT EASY TO LIVE THERE
RIGHT NOW.
IT'S SAD.
>> ANOTHER HURDLE FOR REFUGEES
TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IS A WORK
PERMIT.
NATALIA FOUND A WORK AT A LOCAL
FLORAL SHOP AND IT HAPPENED
QUICKLY BUT FOR OTHERS LIKE
PETER SOKOR THERE COULD BE
COMPLICATION.
>> WHILE WAITING FOR THE WORK
AUTHORIZATION I DECIDED TO TAKE
COURSES FOR PROGRAMMING ON THE
SECOND SEMESTER NOW STUDYING.
AND IT'S HARD.
BUT NOW I ALSO STARTED GETTING
PRIVATE LESSONS AS A PIANIST.
>> WE'RE HELPING WITH EXPENSES
FOR THEIR FAMILIES UNTIL THEY
GET ON THEIR FEET BECAUSE THEY
COME WITH NOTHING.
>> DONATIONS HAVE ALL BUT DRIED
UP.
>> WE HAD TO STOP SPONSORING NEW
FAMILIES FROM UKRAINE WHICH WAS
A VERY DIFFICULT CHOICE BECAUSE
WE HAVE FAMILIES HERE WHO ARE
ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FAMILY
MEMBERS TO BE SPONSORED AND
BROUGHT OVER BUT WE REALLY CAN'T
SPONSOR MORE PEOPLE UNTIL WE
RECEIVE MORE DONATIONS.
THERE IS SOMETHING THEY CALL
GIVING FATIGUE WHERE IT JUST
BECOMES A LOT.
MANY PEOPLE HAVE DONATED SO MUCH
ANYTHING THEY ALREADY COULD AND
I THINK THE WAR HAS GONE ON FOR
A YEAR NOW AND SO AS IT
CONTINUES I THINK PEOPLE ARE
LESS AND LESS ABLE TO HELP.
>> DESPITE THEIR CURRENT
FINANCIAL STRUGGLES, THE
RESETTLEMENT GROUP KNOWS THEIR
EFFORTS ARE WORTH IT TO THE
FAMILIES.
>> THEY'RE AMAZING FAMILIES WE
HAVE HERE.
THE KIDS, THE PARENTS THEY COME
FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND
ALL WALKS OF LIFE BUT IN THE
ENDS THEY'RE JUST PEOPLE WHO
WANT A SAFE PLACE TO RAISE THEIR
FAMILY AND TO EXIST AND TO
THRIVE.
>> AND THE FAMILIES RECEIVING
THE HELP SAY THEY'RE ETERNALLY
GRATEFUL.
>> THIS GROUP IS INCREDIBLE FOR
US.
I WOULD SAY THIS IS JUST HOW WE
MET THEM.
THEY HELPED US TO RENT THIS
APARTMENT AND WHEN WE CAME THEY
JUST PREPARED EVERYTHING FOR THE
GIRLS ESPECIALLY.
THEY'RE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.
IT'S WHY WE'RE SO IMPRESSED BY
AMERICANS.
>> FOR "HERE & NOW" I'M STEVEN
POTTER IN STOUGHTON.
>> Frederica: FOR THIS AND OTHER
ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN GO TO
PBS WISCONSIN.org AND CLICK ON
THE NEWS TAB.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
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WISCONSIN.