>> LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE PBS
STUDIOS IN DOWNTOWN MILWAUKEE.
THE BROADCAST FOUNDATION
PRESENTS THE 2022 DEBATE WITH
REPUBLICAN SENATOR RON JOHNSON
AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANDELA
BARNES, NOW MICHELE VETTERKIND.
>> GOOD EVENING THE BROADCASTER
ASSOCIATION AND RADIO AND
TELEVISION STATIONS ARE PLEASED
TO WELCOME YOU TO THIS SENATE
DEBATE.
TONIGHT ORIGINATING FROM THE
MILWAUKEE PBS TO BRING THIS
DEBATE TO YOU.
TONIGHT'S DEBATE CONTINUES THE
EXCELLENCE TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND
UNDERWRITTEN BY THE GRANT OF
INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND WHY
NOTES.
AND NOW MODERATOR, FROM LOYOLA
UNIVERSITY, CHICAGO JILL GISNER.
>> GOOD EVENING,
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, WISCONSIN
VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHO WILL BE
THEIR U.S. SENATOR FOR THE NEXT
6 YEARS.
OUR GOAL TONIGHT IS TO HELP YOU
MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE AS YOU
HEAR FROM THE TWO MAJOR PARTY
CANDIDATES, INCUMBENT SENATOR
RON JOHNSON AND WISCONSIN LT.
GOVERNOR MANDELA BARNES.
THE CANDIDATES HAVE AGREED TO
THE RULES.
FOR EACH QUESTION, THEY WILL BE
TOLD THE LENGTH OF TIME THEY
HAVE FOR RESPONSES --EITHER ONE
MINUTE OR 30 SECONDS.
THEY AND I CAN SEE COUNTDOWN
CLOCKS.
WHEN THEY HIT THEIR TIME LIMIT,
I WILL ADVISE THEM.
IF THEY CONTINUE, I WILL NOTE IT
AND THEIR MICROPHONE WILL CEASE
TO WORK.
IF CANDIDATES FAIL TO ANSWER A
SPECIFIC QUESTION OR CHANGE THE
SUBJECT, I WILL EXERCISE THE
MODERATOR'S OPTION TO CALL THAT
OUT - AND GIVE THEM JUST 30
SECONDS TO GIVE A SPECIFIC
ANSWER.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DEBATE
WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL
SERVICE FOR VOTERS.
MANY COMPLEX ISSUES REQUIRE
DEEPER CONTEXT AND VERIFICATION,
ESPECIALLY WHEN CHARGES AND
COUNTERCHARGES ARE EXCHANGED OR
WHEN STATISTICS AND SHORTHAND
TERMS ARE USED.
THANKS TO OUR DEBATE'S DATA
TEAM, WE WILL BE PROVIDING YOU
LINKS TO ADDITIONAL RESEARCH
MATERIALS ABOUT OUR KEY TOPICS.
TO READ MORE ABOUT A SUBJECT,
FOLLOW THE LINK YOU SEE ON
SCREEN, OR FOLLOW THE WBA ON
FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM OR TWITTER.
OUR HASHTAG IS #WBADEBATE.
THE ORDER OF RESPONSE FOR THE
FIRST QUESTION AND LAST WAS
DETERMINED BY COIN TOSS.
WITH THAT, LET'S BEGIN WITH THE
FIRST QUESTION FROM A MEMBER OF
OUR QUESTION TEAM, KIM MURPHY
FROM WITI TV IN MILWAUKEE.
YOU'RE SEEING HER PICTURE.
DESPITE HER HARD WORK, SHE CAN'T
BE HERE BECAUSE OF COVID
PROTOCOLS, SO SHE'S ASKED HER
TEAMMATES TO PRESENT HER
QUESTIONS FOR HER.
LET'S GO TO DALE RYMAN OF WSAW
TV IN WAUSAU.
>> THANK YOU JILL.
GOOD EVENING GENTLEMEN, WE WANT
TO START WITH THE TOPIC OF
MARIJUANA LEGISLATION, THIS NEW
YESTERDAY THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN
IS PARDONING THOUSANDS OF
AMERICANS CONVICTED OF
POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA UNDER
FOLLOW L -- FEDERAL LAW AND IT'
A STEP OF CHARGES THAT
DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT PEOPLE
OF COLOR.
WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE
FEDERAL LEGALIZATION OF
MARIJUANA, SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK THE
WISCONSIN BROADCAST ASSOCIATION
AND THE WISCONSIN PUBLIC TV
STATION FOR HOSTING THIS AND FOR
THE PANELS PARTICIPATING.
I HOPE THAT THE QUESTIONS FAIR
AND BALANCED AND FOCUSED ON THE
ISSUES THAT IMPACT WISCO
WISCONSINITES.
AND WE HAVE DISCUSS ON INFLATION
AND SKY ROCKETING PRICES AND
MARIJUANA, TALKING ABOUT DRUGS,
MARIJUANA.
I THINK IT OUGHT TO BE A STATE
BY STATE DECISION AND ON FEDERAL
BASIS WHERE IT DOESN'T MAKE
WHERE MARIJUANA IS LEGAL NOT
ABLE TO USE A BANKING SYSTEM AND
MARIJUANA COMPANIES HAVE
MOUNTAINS OF CASH THAT LEADS TO
POTENTIAL FOR CRIME.
I SEE THE FEDERAL ASSOCIATION
OPEN THE BANKING SYSTEM TO
LEGALIZE MARIJUANA.
I SUGGEST THAT ANY STATE TAKE A
LOOK SERIOUSLY AT THE HARM DONE
BY LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.
AND SENATOR -- CONSIDER THAT
CAREFULLY.
>> THANK YOU SENATOR.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND FOR THE
QUESTION, I LONG SUPPORTED FULL
LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA AS
LEGISLATION AND AS LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR WHAT I HOPE THAT WE
ACCOMPLISH AS A NATION IF
ELECTED TO THE SYSTEM.
AND FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE FALL
THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND THIS IS
LEGAL IN NEIGHBORING STATES AND
MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN MINNESOTA,
THOSE STATES ARE RECEIVING HUGE
BENEFITS BECAUSE OF THE REVENUE
FOR LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA
THAT GOES TO THE SCHOOLS AND
ROADS.
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IT'S MONEY
THAT WISCONSIN MISSES OUT.
AND IF WE HAD FEDERAL
LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA SO
MUCH MORE TO DO THIS IN STATE.
AND UNFORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE
PEOPLE BEHIND FOR DECADES IN
THIS INDUSTRY.
AND NOW MARIJUANA IS HARMLESS
AND SOMETHING THAT STATES ALL
OVER THE COUNTRY HAVE EMBRACED.
>> YOUR TIME IS UP.
THANK YOU, NOW TO MARK.
>> THIS IS QUESTION ON CONDITION
OF BAIL.
THE TRIAL OF DARRELL BROOKS GOT
YOU SHOULD WAY IN WAUSAU COUNTY.
AND RAISING THE ISSUE WHICH
PRETRIAL DEFENDANT KEPT BEHIND
BARS AND A PAYMENT OF MONEY
CONDITION OF PRETRIAL CONTINUE
RELEASED FROM JAILS.
AND DETAILS OF DEFENDANTS WITH
ACCESS TO MONEY BUY THEIR WAY
OUT OF JAIL WHILE POORER REMAIN
LOCKED UP.
DO YOU THINK THAT KEEPING THEM
LIKED UP IS A THREAT TO PUBLIC
SAFETY AND FAIL TO APPEAR BACK
IN COURT AND NOT THE ABILITY TO
PAY BAIL.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ONE MINUTE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH I
APPRECIATE THIS QUESTION AND
IT'S BEEN SENSATIONALIZED AND
MISCHARACTERIZED.
I SUPPORTED BAIL REFORM AND
UNDER MY PLAN DANGEROUS PEOPLE
DON'T GET TO BUY THEIR WAY OUT
OF PRISON.
AND SENATOR JOHNSON MAY HAVE
ENCOUNTED A WAY TO BUY OUT AND
NOT THE MAJORITY FOR PEOPLE IN
THE STATE AND PEOPLE HAVE USED
THE WAUSAU TRAGEDY, AND UNDER MY
PLAN THE PERPETRATOR WOULD NOT
HAVE GOTTEN OUT IF PAYING
$1,000.
AND THIS IS KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE
AND THOSE THAT CAUSE HARM NOT
BUY THEIR WAY OUT OF JAIL.
THAT'S THE SYSTEM WE HAVE AND
THE REFORM THAT I SUPPORT IS
SUPPORTED BY REPUBLICANS ACROSS
THE COUNTRY.
>> SENATOR.
ONE MINUTE.
>> WE HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM OF SKY
ROCKETING CRIME AND ONE ISSUE
NOT KEEPING CRIMINALS IN JAIL.
AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN
LEGISLATURE WROTE THE BILL TO
ELIMINATE CASH BAIL.
THAT'S ONE OF THE METHODS TO USE
TO KEEP THEM IN JAIL.
AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THE
GOAL IS REDUCE THE PRISON
POPULATION BY 50% AND THEY
PATROLLED CRIMINALS AND THINK
THAT THEY START WITH NONVIOLENT.
AND THE OTHER WERE VIOLENT
CRIMINALS INCLUDING 44 CHILD
RAPISTS.
270 CRIMINALS THAT COMMITTED OR
ATTEMPTED MURDER.
AND THE MURDERS HORRIFIC.
IF YOU WANT TO REDUCE CRIME YOU
HAVE TO FULLY FUND THE POLICE
AND OF COURSE MY OPPONENT IS
OPPOSED TO FULLY FUNDING POLICE
BUDGETS BUT WE NEED TO KEEP
CRIMINALS IN JAIL.
>> SENATOR, THANK YOU.
>> I WOULD LIKE --
>> SORRY TIME IS UP.
WE ARE GOING TO GIVE YOU TIME AT
THE END, IF THERE IS SOMETHING
THAT YOU FEEL HAS BEEN
MISREPRESENTED.
YOU WILL HAVE TIME AT THE END IN
A FINAL QUESTION.
>> THANK YOU.
>> MARCY.
>> THERE IS AN AGREEMENT ON BOTH
SIDES OF THE AISLE THAT
SOMETHING ABOUT OUR COUNTRY'S
IMMIGRATION SYSTEM NEEDS TO
CHANGE AND HOW IS THE STICKING
POINT AND TO AFFECT EMPLOYMENT
RATE IN WISCONSIN AND ESTIMATED
TO SHRINK 130,000 PEOPLE IF WE
DON'T HAVE INCREASE IN
MIGRATION.
WOULD YOU LOOK TO MAKE A PATH TO
CITIZENSHIP AS A SOLUTION TO
THIS?
SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> TO HAVE IMMIGRATION REFORM WE
HAD TO SECURE THE BORDER AND HAD
IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION
AND HAD EXPORTED UNCOMPANIED
CHILDREN AND CUT IN HALF ADULT
IMMIGRATION UNTIL PRESIDENT
BIDEN TOOK OFFICE AND THE BORDER
OPENED UP.
WE ARE DEALING WITH 7,000 PEOPLE
PER DAY ENCOUNTERED AND PROZED
AND DISPERSED.
AND OPENED UP OUR BORDER TO THE
FLOW OF DEADLY DRUGS.
IMMIGRANTS ARE ABUSED BY HUMAN
TRAFFICKERS, 180 MILLION
BUSINESS.
THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SEX
TRAFFICKING THAT'S UNTOLD STORY
AND UNFORTUNATELY NEWS MEDIA BY
PRESIDENT BIDEN.
>> AND SENATOR ABOUT IMMIGRATION
REFORM.
>> FIRST SECURE THE BORDER AND
ONCE YOU HAVE DONE THAT ASYLUM
STANDARD, NOW WE HAVE A STANDARD
OF LOW FEAR.
AND STEP INTO THE COUNTRY AND
AFRAID TO GO HOME AND NOT CLOSE
TO QUALIFY FOR ASYLUM.
AND LET THEM IN AND BACKLOGED
AND SWE HAVE THREE MILLION IN TE
COUNTRY SINCE BIDEN.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> I SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE
REFORM A PATH FOR DREAMERS AND
FAMILIES.
AND WHAT WE ARE DOING DOES NOT
WORK AND IT'S AGREED THAT WE
IT'S UNFORTUNATE AND I HAVE
SPENT TIME TALKING TO FAMILY
FARMERS AND KNOW THAT IT'S GOOD
FOR THE ECONOMY AS YOU
MENTIONED.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE
DO, CREATE A SYSTEM THAT KEEPS
OUR BORDER SAFE AND TREATS
PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT
AND NOT SUBJECT OUR CHILDREN TO
HORRORS OF THE FAMILY
SEPARATION.
THE SENATOR HAD 12 YEARS DO
SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AND A
CHANCE WITH BIPARTISAN
INFRASTRUCTURE LAW.
THERE WAS FUNDING FOR BORDER
MODERNIZATION.
AND THE SENATOR DECIDED TO PLAY
POLITICS THAN THE RIGHT THING.
>> GO TO WKOW, MADISON.
>> GENTLEMEN, THIS IS A TWO-PART
QUESTION ON ISSUE OF SOCIAL
SECURITY, IT'S ON PACE TO BE
UNDERFUNDED BY 2024.
SENATOR JOHNSON, TO ADDRESS THIS
CONCERN YOU SUPPORT MAKING THE
PROGRAM A DISCRETIONARY ONE,
MEANING THAT CONGRESS CAN MAKE
CHANGES IN EACH BUDGET CYCLE AND
MANDELA BARNES YOU OPPOSE THAT.
WHAT SHOULD CONGRESS DO TO MAKE
SURE THAT THE PROGRAM IS FULLY
FUNDED.
>> THANK YOU, WHEN I THINK ABOUT
SOCIAL SECURITY, I THINK MY
GRANDPARENTS AND PARENTS AND SO
MANY OTHER RETIRED AMERICANS
THAT PAID IN THE SYSTEM AND
DESERVE TO RETIRE WITH DIGNITY
AND RESPECT.
AND UNFORTUNATE THAT SENATOR
JOHNSON SAID THAT SOCIAL
SECURITY IS A PONZI SCHEME AND
CALLED SOCIAL SECURITY CANDY.
THIS IS KEEPING PEOPLE THAT
WORKED THEIR ENTIRE LIVES
AFLOAT.
AND THE THREAT TO TAKE THAT AWAY
FROM THEM DOES NOT SIT WELL WITH
ME ALONG WITH MOST PEOPLE.
WE SHOULD STRENGTHEN SOCIAL
SECURITY, WE CAN DO THAT MAKING
SURE THAT THE WEALTHY PAY THEIR
FAIR SHARE.
WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT
BILLIONAIRES PAYING MORE IN THE
SYSTEM.
AND THE SENATOR WENT INTO THE
DEFICIT BUT NO PROBLEM THROWING
A 2 TRILLION HOLE IN THE DEFICIT
THAT GAVE TAX DEDUCTIONS TO THE
SINGLE DONORS.
>> TIME IS UP AND TO BE
SPECIFIC, SHOULD IT BE REVIEWED
EACH YEAR?
>> IT SHOULD NOT BE
DISCRETIONARY SPENDING.
>> SENATOR.
>> LET ME MAKE MYSELF VERY
CLEAR, I WANT TO SAVE SOCIAL
SECURITY, I WANT TO SAVE
MEDICARE.
THE GREATEST THREAT TO SOCIAL
SECURITY MEDICARE IS THE OUT OF
CONTROL DEFICIT SPENDING IN
GROWING DEBT.
WE HAVE ADDED $7 TRILLION IN THE
LAST YEARS AND SPARKED
INFLATION.
40-YEAR HIGH INFLATION.
AND YOU REALIZE THAT THE DOLLAR
YOU HELD AT START OF BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION IS WORTH 88.3
CENTS AND IF YOU WERE A SENIOR
AND THAT 100,000 IS WORTH 88,
300 BECAUSE OF OUT OF CONTROL
DEFICIT SPENDING AND I SAY TO
LOOK AT ALL SPENDING AND
PRIORITIZE AND SOCIAL SECURITY
AND MEDICARE IS AT THE TOP.
I NEVER SAID THAT I CUT IT AND
FALSE ATTACK.
>> CALLED IT A PONZI SCHEME --
AND CANDY.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, YOU
PROPOSED SOCIAL SECURITY THAN
ENTITLEMENT.
>> YOU ARE PUTTING WORDS IN MY
MOUTH.
>> SIR.
YOUR WORDS.
>> I WAS TALKING ABOUT -- PART
OF THE REASON 31 TRILLION IN
DEBT BECAUSE WE SEPARATED
MANDATORY AND DISCRETIONARY
SPENDING.
WE DON'T LOOK AT 70% OF THE
BUDGET AND SPEND LIKE DRINKEN
ST
SAILORS.
AND WE CAN'T AFFORD 3 BILLION ON
THE GREEN NEW DEAL.
>> BACK TO WHETHER OR NOT --
>> PARDON.
WE HAVE TO HONOR THE PROMISES
AND THE GREATEST THREAT IS OUT
OF CONTROL DEFICIT SPENDING.
>> NEXT QUESTION.
I'M SORRY -- NEXT QUESTION WITH
BRAD WILLIAMS LA CROSSE.
>> OUR QUESTION IS ABOUT MINIMUM
WAGE.
MANY AMERICANS CONTINUE TO
STRUGGLE TO MAKE A MINIMUM WAGE
AND IN THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE
YOU FAVORED AND WHAT DOLLAR WAGE
AND AT AND WHY.
SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> I SAID THAT I WOULD CONSIDER
POSSIBLY TO INCREASE TO A POINT
OF INDEXING TO INFLATION.
YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL, WHEN YOU
INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE YOU CAN
ELIMINATE JOBS.
THE STRONG ECONOMY IS THE BEST
APPROACH AND I DON'T LIKE THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN PRICE
FIXING AND IN THE PREVIOUS
ADMINISTRATION YOU HAD PLENTY OF
JOBS AND RISING WAGES AND
INCREASE FOR THE FAMILY AND TO
HAVE THE MARKETPLACE TAKE CARE
THAN GOVERNMENT SET A MINIMUM
WAGE.
THAT THEN STARTS ELIMINATING
JOBS AND DOESN'T DO MUCH GOOD IF
YOU HAVE A HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE
AND DON'T HAVE A JOB AND THEN A
ZERO WAGE.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, THE
SENATOR THREW OUT A FIG WITH
NEST EGG AND INFLATION AND SAY
HE IS RIGHT, THE REALITY IS THAT
PEOPLE HAVE MADE 7.25 MINIMUM
WAGE AND I LONG PROPONENT OF $15
MINIMUM WAGE.
SINCE 2014 WHEN THE ADVOCATES
CALLING FOR IT AND SHOULD BE AT
$15 MINIMUM WAGE, PEOPLE ARE
WORKING HARDER AND NOT MAKING
THE MONEY.
IF SENATOR JOHNSON IS SERIOUS
ABOUT INNFLATION AND PEOPLE
STRUGGLE TO PAY THE BILLS.
THAT'S THE REALITY AND IT WILL
CONTINUE TO BE THE REALITY IF WE
HAVE PEOPLE IN OFFICE THAT ARE
ONLY GOING TO PRIORITIZE THE
RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY
AND LEAVE THE HARD-WORKING
PEOPLE BEHIND.
>> NEXT QUESTION.
>> I'M GOING TO ASK A SERIES OF
QUESTIONS ON ABORTION.
AND START WITH THE GENERAL IN
WISCONSIN SINCE THE OVER TURNING
OF ROE V. WADE, WE ARE BANNED BY
ABORTIONS EXCEPT FOR THE LIFE OF
THE MOTHER, POLL SAYS THAT 60%
OPPOSE THE OVERTURNING ROE V.
WADE AND SENATOR JOHNSON ONE
IDEA IS TO ALLOW TO VOTE AT A
STATE LEVEL AND THIS WEEK THEY
GAVELLED IN AND OUT THE REALITY
TO SUCH VOTES AND TALK ABOUT
SPECIFICALLY WHAT YOU DO AT THE
NATIONAL LEVEL.
BARNES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, I AM AN
ONLY CHILD BUT NOT MY MOTHER'S
ONLY PREGNANCY, BEFORE I WAS
BORN AND HAD A COMPLICATED
PREGNANCY AND SHARED HER STORY
AND IT WAS HER DECISION TO MAKE
AND NOT POLITICIANS.
AND EVERY MOTHER SHOULD BE ABLE
TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
THE SENATOR CALLED THE OWNER
TURNING OF ROE V. WADE A
VICTORY.
AND CELEBRATED THE DECISION.
AND SAID IF WOMEN DON'T LIKE THE
LAWS OF THE STATE LIKE THE 1829
CRIMINAL ABORTION LAW THEY CAN
MOVE.
AND I CAN'T THINK OF A WORSE AND
I WOULD OVERTURN ROE V. WADE FOR
THE RIGHT FOR ABORTION TO
PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS.
>> SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> AS JUSTICE SKALIA SAID AND
THE EXTREME POSITION NO LIMITS
ON ABORTION.
ALLOWING TO THE MOMENT OF BIRTH
WHAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
SUPPORTS.
WHAT I RECOMMENDED THAT WETHE
PEOPLE DECIDE WITH A ONE-TIME
SINGLE ISSUE REFERENDUM.
THAT ASKS THE DECISION THAT WE
NEED TO COME TO DECISION ON.
WHICH IS AT WHAT POINT DOES
SOCIETY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY
TO PROTECT LIFE IN THE WOMB.
WE ALL AGREE THAT SOCIETY HAS
RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT LIFE,
I WANT WE THE PEOPLE TO DECIDE
THAT AND ONE VOTE.
>> FOLLOW UP.
>> LET'S GET INTO SPECIFICS
REGARDING HOW THE OVERTURNING OF
ROE, SOME HAVE CONCERNS OF A
SENATE OF THREE MEN TAKING THESE
DECISIONS FOR THEM AND WHAT IS
YOUR RIGHTS ON BIRTH CONTROL AND
MORN AFTER PILL AND ADDITIONAL
EMBRYOS CREATED THROUGH IBF.
>> SENATOR.
>> I HAVE LAID OUT THESE
QUESTIONS ON WIS.COM.
YOU CAN REFER TO THAT.
I SUPPORT BIRTH CONTROL.
I SUPPORT IN VITRO
FERTILIZATION.
MY DAUGHTER HAD.
AND I SUPPORT ALL OF THESE, I
NEVER CONSIDER CHARGING A WOMAN
WITH UNPLANNED PREGNANCY.
I AM TRANSPARENT ABOUT THIS.
THIS HAS BEEN A DECISIVE ISSUE
FOR 15 YEARS.
BECAUSE NINE JUSTICES MADE
DECISIONS FOR ALL OF US AND
DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
AND WHY I SUPPORT TO OVERTURN
ROE V. WADE TO TURN BACK TO THE
STATES SO WE CAN MAKE THE
DECISION.
THE QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED, AT
WHAT POINT DOES SOCIETY HAVE THE
RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT LIFE?
IT'S THAT SIMPLE AND I LAID OUT
A SAMPLE REFERENDUM BALLOT AND
YOU CAN FIND THAT AT
WISFACTS.COM.
>> BARNES.
>> THE SENATOR KNOWS THAT THE
POSITION IT RUNNING OUT OF HIS
OUT OF TOUCH POSITION.
WHEN YOU TAKE A POSITION LIKE
THAT AND SO MUCH YOU DON'T SEE.
TALK ABOUT TEXAS, A WOMAN THAT
HAD TO BE HOOKED UP TO A
BREATHING MACHINE BECAUSE
COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY AND
COULDN'T GET ABORTION.
AND A 15 YEAR-OLD GIRL IS ACROSS
THE STATE LINE TO GET ABORTION.
AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CHILDREN
AND UNPLANNED PREGNANCIES AND
SENATOR JOHNSON WENT SO FAR NOT
HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE
OF THE CHILDREN.
AND WON'T SUPPORT A CHILD TAX
CREDIT.
AND THE SENATOR WOULD RATHER
MAKE A POLITICAL POINT THAN DO
THE RIGHT THING TO PROTECT
FAMILIES AND THE HEALTH OF
WOMEN.
>> THANK YOU, AND NOW MOVE ON.
>> WE ARE HERE OF COURSE IN THE
CITY OF MILWAUKEE THAT IS ON
PACE FOR A THIRD YEAR TO SET A
RECORD NUMBER OF HOMICIDES IN A
SINGLE YEAR.
THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE CURRENTLY
GIVES MORE MONEY TO THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT THAN ANY OTHER CITY
AGENCY.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF CONGRESS IN
ADDRESSING SUCH VIOLENT SURGES
IN AMERICAN CITIES SHOULD A ROLE
EXIST?
FOR EACH OF YOU WHAT IS THREE
SPECIFIC ACTIONS THAT CONGRESS
TAKE IF ANY TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE.
LIEUTENANT BARNES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, I CAN'T
SPEAK FOR ANYONE ELSE BUT I KNOW
THE PAIN OF LOSING SOMEONE TO
GUN VIOLENCE.
I LOST MY FIRST FRIEND IN HIGH
SCHOOL AND SEVERAL OTHERS AFTER.
I KNOW IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE
THIS WAY BECAUSE WASN'T ALWAYS
THIS WAY.
MY GRANDDAD MOVED TO MILWAUKEE
AFTER WORLD WAR II AND PART OF A
LABOR AND STEEL FACTORIES CLOSED
DOORS AND A RISE IN CRIME AND
VIOLENCE.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT
COMMUNITIES HAVE THE RESOURCES
TO PREVENT CRIME IN THE FIRST
PLACE.
THAT MEANS FULLY FUNDING THE
SCHOOLS AND GOOD-PAYING JOBS IN
THE COMMUNITY.
AND WE ALSO INVESTED 100 MILLION
IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC
SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION
THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE
PLAN.
THAT SENATOR JOHNSON VOTED
AGAINST PLAYING POLITICS THAN
THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE OF
WISCONSIN FIRST.
>> SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> FIRST THING YOU DO IS SUPPORT
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
AND UNFORTUNATELY LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR HAS NOT DONE THAT AND A
RECORD OF DEFUND THE POLICE.
AND DOESN'T NECESSARILY SAY THAT
WORD BUT A LONG HISTORY OF
SUPPORTING PEOPLE THAT ARE
LEADING THE EFFORT TO DEFUND.
USES THE CODE WORDS LIKE CODY
BUSH, TALK OVER FUNDED POLICE
BUDGETS AND PAINS HIM TO SEE
FULLY FUNDING POLICE BUDGETS.
WHEN I SEE A POLICE OFFICER I
SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
AND DON'T BE DISSPIRITED BY THE
LOUD FEW THAT ARE TRYING TO DUEY
-- DEFUND YOU.
AND WE ARE 1,000 OFFICERS BELOW
IN WISCONSIN THAN 2008.
AND PEOPLE ARE HAVING A VERY
DIFFICULT TIME.
SHERIFFS ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT
TIME RECRUITING NEW OFFICERS.
MAY HAVE 100 RECRUITS MAY HAVE A
DOZEN.
ALL OF THIS DEFUND POLICE EFFORT
IS HAVING A HARMFUL IMPACT.
>> NOW ON TO MARK LELAND.
>> THANK YOU, TALK MORE ON GUN
LEGISLATION, FOLLOWING THE MASS
SHOOTINGS THIS YEAR WITH
ASSAULT-STYLE WEAPONS IN UVALDE
AND BUFFALO, AND THE BIPARTISAN
SAFETY LAW PASSED THIS SUMMER
AND POLLS SHOW THAT THEY WANT
CONGRESS TO DO MORE.
WITH THAT END, WHAT WOULD YOU
PUT ON MILITARY-STYLE ASSAULT
WEAPONS AND WHEN IT COMES TO
BACKGROUND CHECKS TO BUY A
FIREARM DO YOU AGREE WITH THE
PUBLIC SUPPORT OF THAT PLAN.
SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> FIRST YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND
THAT WE HAVE 10,000 GUN CONTROL
LAWS ON THE BOOKS OF AMERICA.
IF GUN CONTROL WAS THE SOLUTION,
IT HAVE BEEN SOLVED AND IT'S NOT
THE SOLVE.
WE NEED CUT DOWN CRIME AND RENEW
THE FAITH AND FAMILY.
AND WHEN WE HAVE THE LAWS AND
MAYBE ENFORCE THEM.
THERE WAS 112,000 FAILED
BACKGROUND CHECKS IN 2017, 12
PROSECUTIONS BEFORE YOU PASS GUN
CONTROL LAWS AND ENFORCE WHAT IS
ON THE BOOKS.
AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT IS
HAPPENING IN SOCIETY CAUSING ALL
OF THIS VIOLENCE.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> THANK YOU, AS I MENTIONED
BEFORE I DEALT WITH THIS TOO
MUCH TO SPEND MY CAREER TO MAKE
IT SAFER.
AND OVERWHELMING TO SUPPORT
BACKGROUND CHECKS AND PEOPLE
DON'T THINK THAT DOMESTIC ABUSER
SHOULD GET A HANDGUN.
AND NEITHER DO, AND
UNFORTUNATELY SENATOR JOHNSON
DOESN'T AGREE.
AND THE SENATOR DID MENTION
POLICE OFFICERS AND WITH THAT
SAID, I'M SURE THAT HE DIDN'T
HAVE THE SAME INTERACTION WITH
THE OFFICERS IN THE INSURRECTION
AND ONE OFFICER STABBED WITH A
STAKE AND ONE HIT IN THE HEAD.
AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THE 140
OFFICERS THAT HE LEFT BEHIND
BECAUSE OF INSURRECTION THAT HE
SUPPORTED.
AND WITH THAT SAID, SO MUCH MORE
TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF
VIOLENT CRIMINALS.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FOR
SPECIFICS, THE QUESTION ABOUT
BACKGROUND CHECKS.
>> ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT BACKGROUND
CHECKS AND DID AS LEGISLATOR AND
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WE NEED
SENATORS THAT SUPPORT BACKGROUND
CHECKS AND SENATOR JOHNSON
RECEIVED 1.2 MILLION FROM THE
GUN LOBBY AND WHY HE WILL EXCUSE
THIS AND REFUSES TO KEEP US SAFE
--
>> AT TIME, THANK YOU.
>> MOVE ON NOW, TAKE ANOTHER
QUESTION, THIS ONE IS FROM KIM
MURPHY.
WHO CAN'T BE US TONIGHT BECAUSE
OF COVID PROTOCOLS AND ASKED BY
DALE RYMAN.
>> THANK YOU JILL, I WANT TO
TALK ABOUT THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE
REFORM.
AFTER THE JANUARY 6 ASSAULTS ON
THE CAPITOL, THE EFFORT TO
PRESENTED A FALSE SLATE OF
CANDIDATES AND OPPOSED THE E
ELECTORAL ACT AND FOR ELECTORS
AND AFFIRMING THE ROLE OF THE
VICE PRESIDENT.
RAISING THE OBJECTION THRESHOLD
AND PROTECTING EACH STATES'
POPULAR VOTE.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DO YOU
SUPPORT THIS BILL?
>> WE ALL SAW WHAT HAPPENED ON
JANUARY 6 AND WE SAW EVERY
CONSPIRACY PEDAL AND THE SENATOR
TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE VICE
PRESIDENT.
AND INVOLVED IN MATTER OF
SECONDS AND ENDED UP WITH A
WHOLE DAY ASSAULT ON THE
CAPITOL.
THREATENED TO HANG THE VICE
PRESIDENT.
WE HAVE TO DO AS MUCH TO PROTECT
THE DEMOCRACY, AND THE FIRST
PLAN THAT MY PLAN SENT OUT
DEMOCRACY AND ACCOUNT AGENDA.
AND THE SENATOR DOESN'T LIKE THE
DEMOCRACY BECAUSE DOESN'T WORK
OUT FOR HIM.
AND WE CAN PREVENT SOMETHING
FROM THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND
RESTORE TRUST INTO OUR ELECTORAL
PROCESS.
PEOPLE DON'T TRUST THE PROCESS
BECAUSE FOLKS ELECTED HIGH
OFFICE TO CAST DOUBT IN FREE
ELECTION.
AND OBSERVERS SAY IT WAS THE
MOST SECURE IN OUR LIFETIME.
>> SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> I WOULD SUPPORT THAT PIECE OF
LEGISLATION.
I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY WHEN
I GOT BACK TO MY OFFICE ON
JANUARY 6.
I WAS NOT IMPACTED BY WHAT WAS
HAPPENING ON THE CAPITOL.
UNTIL I TURNED ON THE TV AND I
IMMEDIATELY AND FORCEFULLY AND
REPEATEDLY CONDEMNED IT, AND
CONDEMNED IT STRONGLY.
AND I CONDEMNED THE 570 RIOTS
DURING THE SUMMER.
SO MANY PEOPLE IGNORE THOSE.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS HAVE MADE
EXCUSES FOR THOSE RIOTERS, WHAT
DO YOU EXPECT, FRUSTRATED.
TALK ABOUT RIOTING IN KENOSHA
AND THE FIRST NIGHT INSTEAD OF
CALMING THINGS DOWN AND
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR GAVE A PRESS
CONFERENCE AND FELT LIKE A
VENDETTA ON A COMMUNITY MEMBER.
INCITEDED THE RIOT, AND DIDN'T
PROVIDE THE MANPOWER TO STOP.
AND IF YOU FOCUS ON A RIOT AND
570 RIOTS --
>> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> DALE, YOU HAVE A FOLLOW UP.
>> YES, LAST MONTH I HAD A
CHANCE TO INTERVIEW FORMER VICE
PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE WHEN
VISITING WAUSAU.
REFERRING TO HIS ACTIONS ON
JANUARY 6, WHEN RESISTED
PRESSURE FROM FORMER PRESIDENT
TRUMP TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION
AND REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE STEPS
OF SLATE ELECTORS INCLUDING SOME
OFFERED BY SENATOR JOHNSON
OFFICE.
AND SAID THAT HE ACTED OUT OF
RESPECT FOR THE U.S.
CONSTITUTION.
WE WOULD LIKE YOU BOTH TO GO ON
THE RECORD, DID THE FORMER VICE
PRESIDENT DO THE RIGHT THING?
SENATOR JOHNSON, YOU CAN GO
FIRST.
>> FIRST OF ALL, LET ME CLEAR
THINGS UP HERE.
I HAD NO IDEA WHEN CALLED FROM A
LAWYER FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED STATES TO DELIVER
SOMETHING TO THE VICE PRESIDENT
TO HELP OUT.
I HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS.
AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER WAS
NOTHING DELIVERED.
THE WHOLE EPISODE TOOK LESS THAN
AN HOUR AND I WASN'T INVOLVED.
I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF ALTERNATE
SLATE OF ELECTORS.
I VOTED TO CONFIRM, NOT TO
DISALLOW ANY OF PRESIDENT BIDEN
E
EOR -- ELECTORS.
FROM MY STANDPOINT IT'S A
NONISSUE AND FOR THE 570 RIOTS
AND 2,000 OFFICERS INJURED IN
THE RIOTS AND A COUPLE LOST
THEIR LIVES INCLUDING TWO IN
KENOSHA.
AND 1.2 BILLION OF PROPERTY
DAMAGE AND FOCUS ON THE 570
RIOTS AS WELL.
>> SENATOR JOHNSON, TIME IS UP,
THE QUESTION DID MIKE PENCE DO
THE RIGHT THING ON JANUARY 6?
>> YES, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> I WILL SAY TO PUSH BACK THAT
THE REPUBLICAN SHERIFF OF
KENOSHA.
SAID THAT THE GOVERNOR ANSWERED
EVERY CALL AND GAVE ALL THE
RESOURCES THAT THEY REQUESTED.
CLEAR THAT UP.
AND MAY NOT HAVE NOTICED THAT AN
INSURRECTION HAPPENED BECAUSE HE
CALLED THOSE PEOPLE PATRIOTS AND
TOU
TOURISTS.
THIS IS AN ACT THAT HE SUPPORTED
AND CAN MAKE WHATEVER COM
COMPARISONS HE WANTS TO AND
REALITY THIS IS AN OVERTURN OF
THE GOVERNMENT.
AND THE ANSWER IS THAT THE VICE
PRESIDENT DID DO THE RIGHT
THING.
>> NEXT QUESTION TO BRAD
WILLIAMS.
>> TURN TO THE ISSUE OF SAFE
WATER FROM RACINE TO WAUSAU AND
RHINELANDER.
AND PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT
THE SAFETY OF DRINKING WATER
WITH ISSUES LINKED TO CANCER AND
INFERTILITY.
FOR EXAMPLE, HUNDREDS OF
FAMILIES ON FRENCH ISLAND IN LA
CROSSE AREA ARE PROVIDED WITH
CLEAN WATER.
AND THE COST IS SHIFTING TO
FAMILIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
WHAT SHOULD CONGRESS DO TO
PROVIDE RELIEF TO FAMILIES
AFFECTED BY THIS POLLUTION.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, CLEAN
WATER, SAFE DRINKING WATER IS AN
ISSUE IN SO MANY PARTS OF THE
STATE.
IT'S ONE OF THE UNFORTUNATE
REALITIES THAT BRINGS PEOPLE
TOGETHER.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL
SHOULD COME TO RESPECT IN THE
MOST CIVILIZEED AND THE MOST
WEALTHY NATION ON THE ENTIRE
PLANET.
AND IT'S NOT THE REALITY AND
THIS IS A FRESH WATER STATE,
LAKE MICHIGAN TO THE EAST AND
MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO THE WEST.
AND I HAVE SPENT MY TIME WORKING
ON WATER ISSUES AND 2019 THE
GOVERNOR DECLARED THIS THE YEAR
OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER.
WE ISSUED GRANTS AND WE NEED
HELP FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AND TALK ABOUT LEAD LATERAL
LINES ACROSS WISCONSIN AS WELL.
AND THE BIPARTISAN
INFRASTRUCTURE LAW WENT TO GO
FUND.
AND THIS IS ANOTHER INSTANCE
THAT THE SENATOR VOTED AGAINST
THE -- HE VOTED AGAINST OUR
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF
CONTAMINATION.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MORE
SPECIFICALLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE
DONE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL?
>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A
RESPONSIBILITY TO FUND THE
INITIATIVES TO MAKE SURE THAT
EVERY COMMUNITY HAS ACCESS TO
CLEAN AND SAFE DRINKING WATER.
AND ALSO WE HAVE A
RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT
POLLUTERS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
>> I SUPPORT THAT THE EPA,
RATHER THAN FOCUS ON C02.
AND FOCUS ON THE POLLUTANTS THAT
ARE HARMFUL.
AND FOR EXAMPLE, RATHER THAN
$369 BILLION THAT IS SPENT OR
ALLOCATED BASED ON THE INFLATION
REDUCTION ACT THAT IS A
WELL-NAMED BILL THAT WON'T
REDUCE INFLATION BUT FURTHER
ENHANCE IT.
WE SHOULD TAKE A PORTION OF THAT
AND ALLOCATE TOWARDS ADDRESSING
REAL POLLUTION WHICH PFAS IS.
>> NEXT QUESTION.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT
THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT.
WHEN ROE V. WADE WAS OVERTURNED
JUSTICE THOMAS REFERRED TO GAY
MARRIAGE AND INTERRACIAL
MARRIAGE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE
EVERY TURNED.
AND SENATOR BALDWIN AND COLLINS
HAVE PROPOSED BIPARTISAN
LEGISLATION CALLED THE RESPECT
OF MARRIAGE ACT THAT MAKES IT
THE LAW OF THE LAND AND PROTECTS
IT FROM BEING OVER TURNED.
HOW WOULD YOU VOTE?
>> FIRST OF ALL I HAVE SUPPORTED
CIVIL UNIONS AND WHEN THE
SUPREME COURT RULED FOR GAY
MARRIAGE.
I THOUGHT THERE IS AN ISSUE,
IT'S SETTLED AND MOVE ON.
WE HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS TO DEAL
WITH.
THAT SUPREME COURT DECISION WILL
NEVER BE OVERTURNED.
ANOTHER SCARE TACTIC BY THE
LEVEL AND JUSTICE THOMAS OPENED
THE DOOR AND THERE IS ANOTHER
ELEMENT TO THIS THING.
THE WAY THAT THE LAW IS WRITTEN
RIGHT NOW IT THREATENS RELIGIOUS
LIBERTY.
BEFORE I WOULD CONSIDER VOTING
FOR THAT BILL, I WANT TO SEE
VERY STRONG PROTECTIONS FOR
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
WE SEE WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE
FAILED DECISION, YOU HAD PEOPLE
STARTING TO SUE, FOR EXAMPLE,
BAKERS.
WENT BACK TO THE SUPREME COURT
BUT BACK TO HARASSING THAT GUY
AND STRONG PROTECTIONS.
>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CIVIL
RIGHT, THE RIGHT FOR A PERSON TO
MARRY WHO THEY LOVE.
NORMALLY THIS IS A NO-BRAINER.
AND SOMETHING THAT I SUPPORTED
AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE
AND SOMETHING THAT I WOULD BE
PROUD TO SUPPORT AS MEMBER OF
THE U.S. SENATE.
AND HE SAID THAT WOULDN'T BE
OVERTURNED AND THOUGHT THAT ROE
V. WADE, WE NEED PEOPLE WHO WILL
FIGHT FOR OUR FUNDAMENTAL
FREEDOMS.
TO MARRY WHO YOU LOVE, AGAIN
THAT SHOULD BE A NO-BRAINER.
AND A SHAME THAT WE ARE IN THIS
PLACE HAVING THIS SAME TIRED
ARGUMENT.
BUT HERE WE ARE AND LOVE WHO YOU
LOVE AND MAKE YOUR OWN HEALTH
CARE DECISIONS WITHOUT
INTERFERENCE OF POLITICIANS.
>> NEXT QUESTION IS COMING FROM
KIM MURPHY.
BUT GOING TO BE ADDRESSED BY
MARK LELAND.
>> THANK YOU, KIM'S QUESTION ON
CLIMATE CHANGE.
THE DEATH TOLL FROM HURRICANE
IAN IS AT LEAST 120 PEOPLE NOW.
THE STORM MADE LANDFALL AS A
DEVASTATING CATEGORY 4.
SCIENTISTS SAY THAT THE HISTORIC
STORM WAS FUELED BY WARM WATERS
AND THOSE WARM WATERS ARE A
DIRECT EFFECT ON CLIMATE CHANGE.
WHAT IS THREE SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS
THAT YOU BELIEVE IN ADDRESSING
CLIMATE CHANGE, LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR BARNES.
>> THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS ALREADY
HERE AND IMPACTING PLACES ALL
OVER THE COUNTRY AND GLOBE.
AND WISCONSIN SPECIFICALLY.
I HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT OUR
FAMILY FARMERS TO DEAL WITH THE
IMPACTS OF DEVASTATIONS FROM THE
500-YEAR STORMS HAPPENING.
AND HISTORIC FLOODING EVENTS
THAT ARE WIPING OUT RURAL
INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPACT ON
CITIES WITH URBAN HEAT ISLANDS.
THE SENATOR SAID THAT CO2 IS NOT
HARMFUL AND GONE SO FAR TO CALL
CLIMATE CHANGE BS.
THIS IS OUR FUTURE THAT WE ARE
TALKING ABOUT.
WE NEED TO REDUCE IS CARBON
EMISSIONS AND MOVE TO A CLEAN
ENERGY ECONOMY AND MAKE SURE
THAT WISCONSIN IS IN THE DRIVER
SEAT.
AND SOLAR PANELS BUILT IN JAPAN
SHOULD BE BUILT HERE.
AND WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT OUR
FAMILY FARMERS SO THAT THE
INDUSTRY CONTINUE TO THRIVE.
>> THE CLIMATE HAS ALWAYS
CHANGED AND DON'T DENY.
AND CAN YOU DO ANYTHING ABOUT
IT?
AND CHINA AND INDIA BURN FOSSIL
FUELS AND AMERICA WITH AND 80%
COMES FROM FOSSIL FUELS BECAUSE
WIND AND SOLAR ARE UNRELIABLE.
AND YOU ARE PAYING AT THE PUMP
BECAUSE OF DEMOCRATS AND FOSSIL
FUELS.
THIS GREEN ENERGY TO GO TO
ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND WE DON'T
HAVE THE RARE EARTH RESOURCES.
A LOT OF PROBLEMS HERE.
WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON HOW WE USE
FOSSIL FUELS RESPO S RESPONSIBL.
>> YOU BOTH HAVE BEEN EFFICIENT
IN YOUR RESPONSES THAT WE ARE
ABLE TO CONTINUE WITH ONE-MINUTE
ANSWERS AND CONTINUE ON THAT
PATH FOR A WHILE WITHOUT CUTTING
TO 30.
TO AJ.
>> THE WHITE HOUSE'S STUDENT
LOAN DEBT FORGIVENESS PLAN IS
WIDELY SUPPORTED BY YOUNG
AMERICANS.
HOWEVER MANY OTHER VOTERS
BELIEVE IT'S UNFAIR.
DO YOU THINK IT'S FAIR OR NOT TO
FORGIVE UP TO $20,000 IN STUDENT
LOAN DEBT?
ONE MINUTE.
SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> I THINK IT'S GROSSLY UNFAIR.
I THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO NEVER
WENT TO COLLEGE AND THOSE THAT
SCRIMPED AND SAVED TO PAY OFF
THEIR STUDENT LOAN.
ARE NOT HAPPY THAT PEOPLE THAT
VOLUNTARILY ENTER INTO A LOAN
AGREEMENT.
IT'S NOT FORGIVEN, TRANSFERRED
ON THE BACK OF OTHER AMERICANS.
BY THE WAY, SINCE THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER THE STUDENT
LOAN PROGRAM THOSE STUDENT LOANS
HAVE EXPLODED AS THE COST OF
COLLEGE.
SINCE THE 1960s WHEN WE STARTED
KEEPING TRACK OF THIS, COST OF
COLLEGE 2.7% OF INFLATION,
LARGELY BECAUSE WE ARE THROWING
SO MUCH MONEY INTO IT.
AND WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT WHAT
COLLEGE SPENDS MONEY?
AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS
FUELED THAT AND THIS IS
GROTESQUELY UNFAIR FOR PEOPLE
THAT NEVER WENT TO COLLEGE OR
PAID OFF STUDENT LOANS.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER,
DENNIS, HOPE HE DOESN'T MIND
SEEING HIS NAME AND DIDN'T SEE
FOUR YEAR COLLEGE AS PATH AND
WENT TO THE TRADES AND
ELECTRICIAN AND MAKING A GREAT
LIVING.
AND IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT THE
OTHER PATHS THAT PEOPLE CHOOSE
AND THE DEEPER PROBLEM COLLEGE
IS UNAFFORDABLE AND COSTS
CONTINUE TO RISE.
AND GO BACK TO THE OLDER
QUESTION MINIMUM WAGE AND PEOPLE
THAT MAKE MINIMUM WAGE TO
SUPPORT THEIR TIME IN COLLEGE.
OF COURSE WE SHOULD FORGIVE SOME
STUDENT LOAN DEBT BUT MAKE IT
EASIER FOR PEOPLE IN VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL
EDUCATION.
SO THEY CAN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO GET AHEAD AND WE CAN REBUILD
THE MIDDLE CLASS.
NOW SENATOR JOHNSON HAS BEEN
AGAINST EVERY FORM OF GOVERNMENT
SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE.
AND IF YOU HAVE A FEDERAL
STUDENT LOAN, SENATOR JOHNSON
DOESN'T WANT YOU TO HAVE IT.
>> SPECIFICALLY THE QUESTION IS
IT FAIR?
>> PEOPLE ARE SADDLED WITH
STUDENT LOAN DEBT AND CANNOT
PARTICIPATE IN THE ECONOMY.
MY GENERATION IS SLATED TO BE
WORSE OFF THAN THE ONE BEFORE IT
AND THAT'S A TRAGEDY.
ABSOLUTELY IT'S FAIR THAT PEOPLE
GET STUDENT LOAN RELIEF.
>> MARK LELAND.
>> ONE OF THE WHITE HOUSE'S
STATED REASONS FOR ADOPTING
STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS THAT IT
WOULD NARROW THE RACIAL WEALTH
GAP.
JUST YESTERDAY A FEDERAL JUDGE
IN GREEN BAY ADDRESSED A LAWSUIT
THAT THERE IS A RACIAL MOTIVE.
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHETHER
WITH STUDENT LOANS OR ANYTHING
ELSE, WHAT IF ANY SHOULD
CONGRESS DO TO ADDRESS THE
RACIAL WEALTH GAP.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES.
>> ABSOLUTELY AND AS I MENTIONED
MY GRANDDAD MOVED HERE AFTER
WORLD WAR II AND GOT A JOB AS A
UNION STEEL WORKER.
AND WHEN THAT DRIED UP AND
NOTHING BUT RISES IN CRIME AND
RISES IN CARCERATION.
AND SO MANY OTHER DEVASTATING
RESULTS BECAUSE OF OFF SHORE A
PRACTICE SUPPORTED BY SENATOR
JOHNSON.
SAYING THAT OFF SHORING MAKES
SENSE AND IGNORING THE TOLL ON
THE COMMUNITIES LIKE HERE IN
CITY OF MILWAUKEE.
AND WE NEED TO DO MORE THAT GOOD
PAYING JOBS AND LOW-FUNDED
SCHOOLS ARE FULLY FUNDED AND
MORE TO BE SURE THAT EVERY
PERSON HAS HEALTH CARE TO CLOSE
THE GAPS ALONG RACIAL LINES.
>> I AM TOLD BY THE OFFICIAL
TIME KEEPERS MOVE TO 30 --
>> SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> I THINK YOU ARE AWARE OF THE
PROJECT WHERE I TEAMED UP WITH A
CHURCH IN THE INNER CITY OF
MILWAUKEE IN FOUR DAYS OF
TRAINING AND INSTILL THE QUALITY
OF GOOD ATTITUDE AND SUCCESS.
AND THIS IS WITH FORMALLY
INCARCERATED AND TRANSFORM THEIR
LIVES.
HUNDREDS AND THOUSAND OF PEOPLE
IMPACTED BY THAT.
THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT.
YOU DON'T SPEND TRILLIONS OF
DOLLARS WE DON'T HAVE AND
SPARKING 40-YEAR HIGH INFLATION.
THAT IS TAKING THE DOLLAR THAT
YOU HAD AT THE START OF BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION TURNED INTO 88.3
CENTS AND THAT HELPS NO ONE AND
NOT THE BLACK COMMUNITY.
>> YOU HAVE ONE MORE MINUTE.
>> AND WE SHOULD NOT LET LOOSE
88,000 IRS AGENTS ON FAMILIES.
>> NOW MOVE TO -- MARK LELAND
--- SORRY, BRAD WILLIAMS.
>> TURNING TO THE SUPREME COURT,
FOLLOWING RECENT RULINGS SURVEYS
SHOWING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE
SUPREME COURT IS AT LOWEST
LEVELS IN YEARS.
CRITICS HAVE SUGGESTED CHANGES
REPLACING LIFE-TERM LIMITS WITH
TERM LIMITS OR EXPANDING BEYOND
NINE JUSTICES.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT ANY OR ALL OF
THESE IDEAS FOR COURT REFORM AND
WHY?
SENATOR JOHNSON.
>> THE REASON THAT PEOPLE BE
COMPLAINING BECAUSE THEY ARE
LEFTISTS THEMSELVES.
THEY ARE BIASED MEDIA.
THEY DON'T LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE A
SUPREME COURT THAT HAS
CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES THAT JUST
APPLY THE LAW RATHER THAN TRY TO
ALTER IT.
I AM OPPOSED TO JUDICIAL
ACTIVISTS AND THAT'S WHAT THE
PRESS LIKES IS AN ACTIVIST
COURT.
AND BY THE WAY, I VOTED FOR
CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES AND APPLY
THE LAW AND NOT ALTER IT.
>> ONE OF THE MOST PROVISIONS IN
THE AGENDA PLAN WAS TO IMPOSE
ETHIC STANDARDS ON THE SUPREME
COURT.
OUR JUSTICES SHOULD ABIDE BY THE
SAME STANDARDS AS EVERY COURT IN
THE COUNTRY.
AND I SUPPORT TERM LIMITS FOR
THE JUSTICES, NOT LIFE-TIME
APPOINTMENTS.
>> TO AJ.
>> THERE WAS A NEW DEVELOPMENT
THIS WEEK POTENTIALLY INVOLVING
GAS PRICES.
DESPITE PRESIDENT BIDEN ATTEMPT
TO PERSUADE OPEC TO DO OTHERWISE
AND DECIDED TO CUT OIL
PRODUCTION.
A MOVE THAT WILL CAUSE GAS
PRICES TO RESPOND, AND HOW
SHOULD CONGRESS RESPOND.
>> THE PROBLEM IS OUR RELIANCE
ON FOSSIL FUELS IN THE FIRST
PLACE AND MORE ENERGY RENEWAL IN
THIS COUNTRY AND IN WISCONSIN.
AND THE SENATOR WILL SAY THAT
THE PATH IS FOR FOSSIL FUELS AND
EVERY EXCUSE FOR INDUSTRY.
AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR
USING AS A SMOKE SCREEN AND
JACKING UP THE PRICES FOR THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE.
AND THE SENATOR HAS RECEIVED
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FOR THE
CAMPAIGN AND PUT THEM IN THE
POCKET BOOK.
>> IF YOU WANT TO HAVE LOWER GAS
PRICES YOU NEED TO BE ENERGY
DE
DEPENDENT.
AND CLIMATE CHANGE SUPPORT
NUCLEAR POWER.
AND THERE IS A SOLUTION AND
ENVIRONMENTALISTS LIKE
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BARNES WON'T
EMBRACE THE REAL SOLUTION.
>> DALE RYMAN.
>> IT'S SAID THAT BROADBAND IS
NOT A LUXURY BUT IT'S A
NECESSITY FOR EVERYDAY LIVING.
THE PANDEMIC SHOWED US HOW
IMPORTANT BROAD BAND IS.
AND WISCONSIN RANKS 33 IN THE
COUNTRY OF BROADBAND RANKINGS OF
COVERAGE AND SPEED AND
AVAILABILITY.
HOW WILL YOU ADVOCATE FOR
WISCONSINITES ON CAPITOL HILL TO
CLOSE THAT DIGITAL DIVIDE.
>> I SUPPORTED THE CONNECT
AMERICAN FUND THAT ALLOCATED
HUNDREDS OF MILLION OF DOLLARS
AND BROADBAND MAPPING TO EXPAND
BROADBAND IN WISCONSIN.
I AM AWARE OF THE CRUCIAL NEED
FOR BROADBAND AND I SUPPORTED IT
AND GOT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR
WISCONSIN AS A RESULT.
>> AND SPECIFICALLY TOWARDS THE
FUTURE, CONTINUE?
>> PRECISELY.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> OUR ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD
HISTORIC FUNDING FOR BROAD BROAD
AND WE HAVE HEARD STORIES OF
STUDENTS GOING TO A FAST-FOOD
RESTAURANT FOR Wi-Fi.
AND I HEARD OF PEOPLE GOING TO A
FUNERAL HOME BECAUSE THE BEST
Wi-Fi.
ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES TO
EXPRESS BROADBAND IS BIPARTISAN
BILL AND ONE THAT SENATOR
JOHNSON VOTED AGAINST.
>> WE ARE AT OUR LAST QUESTION
AND PROMISED TO GIVE A CHANCE
FOR MISCONCEPTIONS.
>> GENTLEMEN, DURING THIS DEBATE
OR CAMPAIGN ADS, YOU HEARD
THINGS SAID ABOUT YOU THAT YOU
BELIEVE ARE WRONG, AND GIVE YOU
THE FLOOR TO SET IT STRAIGHT.
WHAT IS SAID ABOUT YOU TO KNOCK
DOWN.
>> I AM PROUD OF MY RECORD AS
U.S. SENATOR.
ONE OF THE MORE GROTESQUE
DISTORTIONS AND IN ADDITION TO
THE FACT THAT I WANT TO SAVE
SOCIAL SECURITY.
THAT I GOT A TAX CUT FOR MYSELF
AND SUPPORTERS.
NO, IT WAS BECAUSE THE AMERICAN
CITIZENS GOT A TAX CUT TO
COMPETE WITH THE BIG GUYS.
THAT WAS 20 MILLION TAX FILERS
AND PROUD OF THE RECORD IN TAX
REFORM.
AND ALLOWING THE PEOPLE TO
COMPETE WITH THE BIG C-CORPS AND
SURVIVE PANDEMIC.
AND RIGHT OF TRIAL AND SAVING
PEOPLE'S LIVES AND TRANSFORMING
LIVES.
AND MY BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
40 YEARS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS DONE IN
THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
I KNOW THAT HIS MOM IS A TEACHER
AND WORKED THIRD SHIFT.
I WORKED THIRD SHIFT AND I KNOW
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO CREATE JOBS, I
CREATED THEM AND DON'T BELIEVE
HE HAS.
>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> I EMBRACE ONE OF THE
CHARACTERIZATIONS AND ONE OF THE
ADS THAT THEY PUT OUT SENATOR
JOHNSON OR ALLY.
AND SAYS THAT MANDELA BARNES IS
DIFFERENT AND I EMBRACE THAT.
AND SENATOR JOHNSON IS OF A
BROKEN SYSTEM A PERSON THAT FOR
HIMSELF AND IF YOU ARE A
MULTIMILLIONAIRE HE WILL WORK
OUT YOU BUT NOT THE CITIZENS.
AND PEOPLE ARE LEFT BEHIND WHY I
AM RUNNING.
OUR LIVELIHOODS ARE ON THE LINE
AT THIS MOMENT.
OUR SENIORS HAVE TO LIVE WITH
THE THREAT OF SOCIAL SECURITY
AND MEDICARE CUT.
AND WORKING PEOPLE HAVE TO LIVE
UNDER THE THREAT OF JOBS SHIPPED
OVERSEAS.
AND WOMEN HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE
THREAT OF THEIR MOST PERSONAL
DECISIONS INTERRUPTED BY
POLITICIANS.
THAT'S WHAT IS ON THE LINE NOW.
AND I BELIEVE THAT BETTER IS
POSSIBLE AND HARD WORK PAY OFF
AND GIVE EVERYONE A SHOT AT THE
AMERICAN DREAM.
WITH THAT, WE THANK OUR
CANDIDATES, OUR QUESTION TEAM
AND OUR DATA TEAM.
THANKING ALL THE TEAMS AND OUR
DATA TEAM, THAT IS WORKING
BEHIND THE SCENES TO GIVE YOU
INFORMATION TO READ MORE ABOUT
IT ON THE WBA'S
DEBATE WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
ACCOUNTS WITH THE HASHTAG
#WBADEBATE.
AND THAT DATA TEAM BY THE WAY IS
EMILY DAVIES AND SCOTTIE LEE
MYERS AND MICHELE BUCK.
AND ALL OF THOSE AND THANK
MILWAUKEE FOR HOSTING US
AND NOW, WBA PRESIDENT AND CEO
MICHELLE VETTERKIND.
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR
TONIGHT'S DEBATE, AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR WISCONSIN CITIZENS TO HEAR
FROM THE LEADING U.S. SENATE
CANDIDATES.
THIS DEBATE IS SPONSORED BY THE
FOUNDATION AND COLLEGE AND
UNIVERSITIES AND THE WISCONSIN
COLLEGE ASSOCIATION.
OUR SINCERE THANKS TO THE
WISCONSIN TV AND RADIO STATIONS
TO AIR THIS BROADCAST.
TO THE CANDIDATES.
OUR MODERATOR AND OUR PANELISTS
AND OUR DATA TEAM.
AS ALWAYS WBA MEMBER STATIONS
WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BRING
ELECTION RESULTS.
ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 8, EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT
AS A CITIZEN AND VOTE.