>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION. >> A HASTY REVERSAL FROM THE
U.W. BOARD OF REGENTS SECURES FUNDING WITHHELD BY REPUBLICANS
OVER D.E.I. AND WISCONSIN LEADS THE NATION
IN LEAD PIPES. ONE CITY PLANS TO REMOVE ALL OF
THEM IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," WE HEAR FROM THE U.W. REGENTS ON
THE VOTE THAT SPLIT THE BOARD. AND FROM THE STUDENTS THAT WILL
BE IMPACTED. THE NEXT IN OUR SERIES HEARING
FROM LEGISLATIVE LEADERS. THIS WEEK, ASSEMBLY MINORITY
LEADER GRETA NEUBAUER. NATHAN DENZIN REPORTS ON
WAUSAU'S LEAD PIPE REPLACEMENT PLAN.
AND COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVID CROWLEY ON A NEW CHAPTER FOR
MILWAUKEE. IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR DECEMBE.
FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JO
URNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WISCON SIN.
>> THE UNIVERSITIES OF WISCONSIN BOARD OF REGENTS TOOK A U-TURN
THIS WEEK, VOTING 11 TO 6 TO
APPROVE A DEAL NEGOTIATED WITH REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLY SPEAKER
ROBIN VOS, AFTER A VOTE ON THE VERY SAME DEAL FAILED JUST DAYS
EARLIER. AT STAKE WAS HUNDREDS OF
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR EMPLOYEE PAY RAISES, BUILDING
CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRAINING PROGRAMMING RELATED TO
DIVERITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION. WE SHOULD NOTE, PBS WISCONSIN IS
PART OF U.W. MADISON. >> LAST SATURDAY, THIS BOARD
FACED ONE OF ITS TOUGHEST VOTES IN MEMORY.
>> SATURDAY'S VOTE OF THE U.W. BOARD OF REGENTS FAILED 9-8,
WITH ALL TWO VOTED AGAINST THE DEAL BEING APPOINTED OR
REAPPOINTED BY DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TONY EVERS.
THE BOARD HAD CALLED THREE SPECIAL MEETINGS OVER SEVERAL
DAYS THIS WEEK, ONE OF WHICH WAS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC AND
POSSIBLY VIOLATED NOTICE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE STATE'S
OPEN MEETINGS LAW. SOME REGENTS WHO CHANGED THEIR
VOTES FROM NO TO YES DID SO WITH DISTRESS. >> SPEAKER VOS' DE
FINITION OF D.E.I. IS DIVISION, EXCLUSION
AND INDOCTRINATION. HE HAS CREATED AND PERPETUATED
THIS BATTLE HERE IN WISCONSIN. WE AREN'T WALKING AROUND ARGUING
ABOUT D.E.I. >> THOSE WHO VOTED NO BOTH TIMES
WERE RESOLUTE. >> I FEAR THAT ACCEPTANCE OF
THIS TACTIC WILL ONLY EMBOLDEN ITS ADHERENCE, LEADING TO A
NEVER ENDING CYCLE OF BRINKMANSHIP, SIMPLY TO EXTRACT
A POLITICALLY MOTIVATED POLICY CONCESSION THAT THEY DON'T HAVE
THE POWER TO LEGISLATE. >> SOME WHO VOTED YES BOTH TIMES
STILL DIDN'T LIKE THE DEAL. >> THIS DEAL, DISTASTEFUL THOUGH
IT IS, IN MY JUDGMENT, AND ON BALANCE GIVES US A BETTER
ABILITY TO SERVE NOT ONLY THOSE STUDENTS, BUT ALL STUDENTS.
>> BUT OTHERS SAW IT NECESSARY TO COMPROMISE.
>> IT'S MY FIDUCIARY DUTY TO PUT THE NEEDS OF THIS SYSTEM IN
FRONT OF ANY PERSONAL OPINION I MAY HOLD.
>> THE VOTE ENDED WITH THE RESOLUTION PASSING 11-6.
>> THE MOTION CARRIES. >> THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS
HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE CONDEMNING THE MOVE.
>> IT IS DISCRIMINATORY TOWARDS STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF OF
COLOR BECAUSE THEIR EXPERIENCES SHOULD NEVER HAVE A PRICETAG.
>> SPEAKER VOS RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING, QUOTE, OUR
CAUCUS OBJECTIVE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AIMED AT DISMANTLING THE
BUREAUCRACY AND DIVISION RELATED TO D.E.I., AND REPRIORITIZING
OUR UNIVERSITIES TOWARDS AN EMPHASIS ON WHAT MATTERS:
STUDENT SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT. GOVERNOR TONY EVERS IN HIS OWN
STATEMENT SAID, QUOTE, THIS VOTE TODAY REPRESENTS A VAST
OVERREACH BY A GROUP OF REPUBLICANS WHO'VE GROWN
EXCEEDINGLY COMFORTABLE OVEREXTENDING, MANIPULATING, AND
ABUSING THEIR POWER TO CONTROL, SUBVERT, AND OBSTRUCT BASIC
FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT. >> THAT WAS MARISA WOJCIK
REPORTING. THE DEAL TO REPURPOSE D.E.I.
POSITIONS, QUOTE, DISPARAGES THE PROSPECT OF BELONGING AT OUR
UNIVERSITY. THAT'S THE MESSAGE FROM U.W.
STUDENT GROUP ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF MADISON.
DOMINIC ZAPPIA FROM A.S.M. JOINS US NOW, AND THANKS VERY MUCH FOR
BEING HERE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
INVITING ME. IT'S A PLEASURE.
>> WHAT IS YOUR FURTHER REACTION TO THE U.W. BOARD OF REGENTS
APPROVING THE CHANGES TO D.E.I. IN EXCHANGE FOR FUNDING FROM THE
LEGISLATURE? >> YEAH, IT'S -- I THINK AMONG
STUDENTS, WE'RE DISAPPOINTED AND DISHEARTENED. I DON'T THINK
THIS WAS A SURPRISE FOR US AS MUCH.
I THINK WE'VE KIND OF SEEN IT COMING, BUT THE SIGNAL IT SENDS
TO MARGINALIZED STUDENTS ON CAMPUS THAT THERE'S NOT A PLACE
FOR THEM, THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THAT SENSE OF BELONGING, THAT
THIS UNIVERSITY ISN'T WILLING TO PUT MONEY TO SUPPORT THOSE
STUDENTS IS -- IT'S FRUSTRATING. >> SO WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO
ROBIN VOS, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER VOS SAYING, QUOTE, THIS IS JUST THE
FIRST STEP IN WHAT WILL BE OUR CONTINUING EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE
THOSE CANCEROUS D.E.I. PRACTICES ON U.W. CAMPUSES?
>> CONCERNING. CONCERNING. I THINK THE LANG
UAGE THERE OF THE FIRST STEP IS REALLY WHAT
GETS ME. I THINK AS STUDENTS, WE WERE
CONCERNED THAT THIS OPENS THE DOOR FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO
FURTHER PRESSURE THE UNIVERSITY TO PUT IN WHATEVER CONTENT
HEY'D LIKE, WHATEVER ONE OF THE PARTS
OF THE DEAL IS THAT THE UNIVERSITY WILL HAVE A
CHAIRSHIP OF CONSERVATIVE THOUGHT, AND ALLOWING FOR THE
LEGISLATURE TO ENCROACH ON THE UNIVERSITY'S FREEDOM AND HAD
THIS BEING THE FIRST STEP OF THAT IS FRUSTRATING.
HAVING DECISIONS OF POLICY OVER IS STRUCTURED IS DANGEROUS, AND-
IT DOES NOT MAKE ME FEEL WELCOME, KNOWING THAT THEY CAN
SO QUICKLY INTERVENE AND WILL LIKELY DO SO AGAIN.
>> HOW ARE STUDENTS HELPED BY D.E.I. EFFORTS ON THIS CAMPUS?
>> YEAH, IT'S A SENSE OF BELONGING AND A SENSE OF
WELCOMING. BEYOND BEING IN A.S.M., I PERMLY
SERVE AS A HOUSE FELLOW IN THE INTERNATIONAL LEARNING COMMUN
ITY. I KNOW HOW VALUABLE IT IS TO HAVE SPECIFIC D.E.I. PROGRAMS TO
SUPPORT STUDENTS, TO HAVE NAMED STAFF MEMBERS WITH SPECIFIC
FOCUSES ON THESE ISSUES SUPPORTING STUDENTS.
FIRST ACADEMICS, HAVING SPECIALIZED TUTORING, FOR
HAVING -- BELONGING, CREATING EVENTS IN COMMUNITY.
THOSE PROGRAMS ARE SO ESSENTIAL IN MAKING STUDENTS FEEL LIKE
THEY CAN CONNECT HERE IN WISCONSIN, RIGHT?
A LOT OF STUDENTS COME TO MADISON AND THEY FEEL THEY CAN
CONNECT WITH THOSE COMMUNITIES EASILY, BUT D.E.I. IS ESSENTIAL
IN MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THE WISCONSIN IDEA AND
EXPERIENCE. >> SO THOSE POSI TIONS ARE TO BE
REPURPOSED, ACCORDING TO REPUBLICAN LED LEGISLATORS, TOWD
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT. GIVEN THAT THERE ARE SOME STARK
DISPARITIES IN THINGS LIKE GRADUATION RATES AMONG STUDENTS
OF COLOR, WOULDN'T THAT BE A POSITIVE THING, KIND OF PUTTING
THESE ALL TOWARDS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT? >> SURE, SURE.
I CAN SEE WHERE VOS IS COMING FROM, BUT THERE'S SPECIFIC VALUE
IN THOSE D.E.I. POSITIONS FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES OF STUDENTS.
I THINK THAT'S -- EQUITY IS ABOUT SUPPORTING STUDENTS WHO
HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED AND DIRECTING THAT
TOWARDS EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE SOME STUDENTS FALL THROUGH
THE CRACKS. >> DO YOU TRUST U.W. LEADERS
THAT THEY HOLD AS A CORE VALUE THEIR COMMITMENT TO ALL
STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES?
>> I THINK IF THEY REALLY COMMITTED TO THEM, THEY SHOULD
SEE THE VALUE OF THOSE D.E.I. PROGRAMS.
I MEAN, ALL STUDENTS IS -- PART OF RECOGNIZING THAT I SERVE --
FOR ME PERSONALLY, PART OF RECOGNIZING THAT I SERVE ALL
STUDENTS IS THAT I SERVE A VAST VARIETY OF COMMUNITIES, AND
DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES REQUIRE DIFFERENT SUPPORTS, DIFFERENT
RESOURCES AND SIBLINGS. SIBLINGS.
I THINK TO REALLY BE COMMITTED TO THOSE CORE VALUES, STUDENTS
REQUIRE DIFFERENT SUPPORT THAT CAN ONLY BE DONE THROUGH D.E.I.
>> HOW DO YOU THINK THIS POLITICAL SHIFT WILL AFFECT
STUDENTS FROM UP REPRESENTED COMMUNITIES AS THEY CONSIDER
WHETHER TO EVEN ATTEND U.W. MADISON OR THE U.W. AT LARGE?
>> I THINK FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING TO COME TO U.W.,
KNOWING THAT THIS UNIVERSITY ESSENTIALLY TRADED PROGRAMS
SUPPORTING THEM FOR A BUILDING AND FOR STAFF RAISES, IT'S NOT A
GOOD SIGN. I CAN'T IMAGINE FEELING WELCOMED
HERE AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TODAY, AND IT WOULD DEFINITELY IMPACT
MY DECISION AND I WOULD NOT FEEL WELCOMED IF I KNEW WHAT THEY
DID. >> GIVEN THAT YOU ARE A STUDENT
LEADER AND YOU REPRESENT ALL STUDENTS AND YOU SERVE IN THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, DOES THIS FEEL PERSONAL, DO YOU
THINK, FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR? >> I THINK SO.
I THINK SO. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT LAST
SPRING THAT HAPPENED WITH THE UNIVERSITY AS WELL WHERE A
RACIST VIDEO CAME OUT AND THE UNIVERSITY WAS UNABLE TO TAKE
ACTION. I THINK IT'S FURTHER SHOWING TO
STUDENTS THAT THIS IS NOT A PLACE THEY FEEL WELCOMED.
AS A HOUSE FELLOW FOR MY RESIDENTS, I CARE ABOUT THEM
DEEPLY. THIS IS PART OF MY R OLE.
AND I'M GRATEFUL TO DO. KNOWING THAT STUDENTS CAN'T --
STUDENTS AREN'T INVITED TO THE TABLE FOR THESE DECISIONS, THAT
STUDENTS DON'T HAVE A SAY IN THESE THINGS, I FEEL LIKE I
CAN'T PROTECT MY COMMUNITY AS A STUDENT ON THIS CAMPUS, AND IT
HURTS. >> DOMINIC ZAPPIA, THANKS VERY
MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> CONTINUING OUR SERIES WITH
STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER ZAC
SCHULTZ SPOKE WITH ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER GRETA NEUBAUER
LOOKING BACK AT 2023, AND WHAT SHE EXPECTS IN THE YEAR TO COME.
>> WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT 2023 AND THE YEAR THAT WAS IN THE
LEGISLATURE, WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU AS THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS
THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THIS BUILDING? >> IT BEEN A VERY
FULL YEAR. OF COURSE, A TOP PRIORITY FOR
OUR CAUCUS IS UPHOLDING GOVERNOR EVERS' VETO.
THE STATE ASSEMBLY HOLDS THAT ABILITY BY JUST TWO SEATS.
AND SO IT'S BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE
TO PREVENT REPUBLICANS FROM MOVING FORWARD RIGHT WING AGENDA
THAT'S REALLY OUT OF TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.
WE ALSO HAVE WORKED HARD TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES TO PASS BILLS
WHERE POSSIBLE AND, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE HAD EXTENSIVE
CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SHARED REVENUE AND THE MILWAUKEE
BREWERS AND SO MANY OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES.
AND THEN THERE HAS BEEN SOME GOOD BILLS THAT HAVE GOTTEN DONE
ON HOUSING AND A NUMBER OF OTHER BIPARTISAN PRIORITIES.
WE REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE LONG TERM AND KNOW THAT THIS BODY IS
NOT DOING WHAT THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN NEED FOR US TO PROVIDE
FOR WORKING FAMILIES, FOR US TO MAKE WISCONSIN A PLACE WHERE
EVERYONE CAN THRIVE. SO WE CONTINUE THAT WORK INTO
THE COMING YEAR. >> ONE OF THE OTHER BIG THINGS
FROM 2023 WAS THE SUPREME COURT ELECTION AND THE CHANGING OF THE
WABALANCE OF POWER THERE. DOES THAT GIVE YOU HOPE FOR THE
FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE ASSEMBLY, ESPECIALLY
CONSIDERING THE REDISTRICTING CASE? >> YES, ABSOLUTELY.
SO WE ARE SEEING A CASE MOVE FORWARD IN THE ARE SUBCONTRACT
SUPREME COURTRIGHT NOW CHALLENGG WISCONSIN'S GERRYMANDERED
LEGISLATIVE MAPS. PEOPLE AROUND WISCONSIN
UNDERSTAND WHEN ABOUT 50% OF THE VOTES GO TO DEMOCRATS AND THAT
RESULTS IN A THIRD ROUGHLY OF THE SEATS IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY
AND STATE SENATE, SOMETHING IS WRONG.
WISCONSIN IS CLASSIFIED AS A DEMOCRACY DESERT, AND THAT MEANS
THAT THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN'S PRIORITIES ARE JUST NOT
REFLECTED IN THE BILLS THAT MOVE THROUGH THIS BODY.
SO WE ARE, OF COURSE, HOPEFUL THAT THERE WILL BE FAIR MAPS
THAT ALLOW FOR REALLY COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS IN A BUNCH
OF SEATS IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY AND THE STATE SENATE NEXT YEAR,
AND THINK THAT THAT WILL MEAN THAT THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN ARE
BETTER REPRESENTED IN THIS BUILDING. >> ARE YOU ALREA
DY STARTING TO RECRUIT CANDIDATES?
ARE YOU HEARING FROM PEOPLE WHO MAY BE MORE INTERESTED WITH THE
IDEA OF A DIFFERENT LOOKING DISTRICT THAN IN YEARS PAST?
>> YES, ABSOLUTELY. IT'S A BIG PART OF MY JOB,
TALKING TO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES, CALLING FOLKS AND GETTING CALLS
FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE NEXT
ELECTION CYCLE. THEY KNOW THAT IT COULD BE A
YEAR IN WHICH DEMOCRATS ARE FIGHTING FOR THE MAJORITY, AND
THEY WANT TO BE PART OF THAT. SO I'VE HAD FANTASTIC
CONVERSATIONS WITH FOLKS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WHO ARE READY
TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. >> WHAT KIND OF A SHIFT IS THAT
WHEN YOU'VE GONE FROM PROTECT THE VETO TO WE MAY HAVE A SHOT
AT THE MAJORITY? >> YEAH, IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
I FEEL LIKE I'M SHIFTING EVERY DAY.
SO LAST CYCLE, WE WERE VERY FOCUSED ON PROTECTING OUR
INCUMBENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT THE ASSEMBLY HELD THE GOVERNOR'S
VETO POWER. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SENATE, YOU
KNOW, IS A REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE ARE FOCUSED ON BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE
THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE IN A LOT OF SEATS.
THE REALITY OF THE GERRYMANDERED MAPS IS THAT THERE HAVE ONLY
BEEN A FEW SEATS THAT ARE TRULY COMPETITIVE IN THE LAST DECADE.
AND SO NOW WE COULD BE LOOKING AT A SITUATION IN WHICH WE HAVE
A DOZEN, TWO DOZEN SEATS THAT ARE REALLY ON THE MARGINS, AND
THAT BOTH, OF COURSE, CHANGES WHAT ELECTION SEASON LOOKS LIKE
FOR US, BUT IT ALSO CHANGES WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS BUILDING,
BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE VERY FEW LEGISLATORS SITTING IN
THIS BUILDING WHO ACTUALLY FEEL THAT THEY COULD LOSE THEIR SEATS
AND WHO FEEL THAT THEY MIGHT NEED TO ADJUST AND LISTEN TO
THEIR CONSTITUENTS AND DO WHAT THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN HAVE
ASKED THEM TO DO, SUPPORTING POLICIES LIKE MEDICAID
EXPANSION, LIKE GUN SAFETY, LIKE MAKING APPROPRIATE INVESTMENTS
IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. AND SO I HOPE THAT FAIR MAPS
WILL CHANGE WHAT GOVERNANCE LOOKS LIKE IN THIS BODY, AND
THEN OF COURSE WE HOPE TO PICK UP A WHOLE LOT OF SEATS NEXT
YEAR AND BE IN A POSITION TO FIGHT FOR THE MAJORITY IF
THEY'RE FAIR MAPS. >> ONE OF THE BIG THINGS COMING
TO WISCONSIN NEXT YEAR IS THE RNC CONVENTION IN MILWAUKEE.
DO YOU THINK THAT WILL HAVE AN ELECTORAL IMPACT IN THE FALL, OR
IS IT STRICTLY A TOURISM THING IN THE SUMMER?
>> IT'S A GOOD QUESTION. OF COURSE, PARTIES CHOOSE WHERE
THEY HAVE THEIR CONVENTIONS INTENTIONALLY.
THANKFULLY WE'LL HAVE A CONVENTION NOT TOO FAR AWAY, IN
ILLINOIS, AND I KNOW MANY OF US WILL BE GOING OVER TO VISIT AND
FEEL THE ENERGY GOING INTO THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE.
WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO COMMUNICATE THE WINS THAT
WISCONSINITES HAVE BECAUSE OF JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS
BEING IN OFFICE, AND I'LL JUST SPEAK FOR MY OWN DISTRICT.
WE HAVE EXPANDED BROADBAND ACCESS TO THE AFFORDABLE
CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM. THERE'S A COMMUNITY HEALTH
CLINIC MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE OF POLICIES PASSED BY THIS
ADMINISTRATION. OF COURSE TH E INFLATION
REDUCTION ACT, HAVING SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON OUR
INFRASTRUCTURE HERE IN WISCONSIN.
SO A CONVENTION IS ALL GOOD AND WELL, IT'S FUN FOR THE BASE, FOR
THE ACTIVIST, BUT WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS THAT WE EXEUN KATE
WHAT THE CANDIDATE STAND FOR, RIGHT, AND THE IMPACT OF HAVING
THEM IN OFFICE, WHAT IT MEANS FOR PEOPLE'S REAL LIVES, THEIR
DAY TO DAY, AND WE HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT FROM THE BIDEN-HARRIS
ADMINISTRATION. >> DO YOU WA NT TO SEE DONALD
TRUMP AS THE G.O.P. NOMINEE? >> OH, THAT'S PLAYING WITH FIRE.
YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT I FEEL REALLY CONFIDENT IN PRESIDENT
BIDEN AGAIN. I THINK THERE'S JUST BEEN SO
MUCH GOOD WORK THAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT GOING INTO NEXT YEAR,
AND WE KNOW, OF COURSE, THAT DONALD TRUMP IS WILDLY OUT OF
TOUCH WITH THE REALITIES FACING WISCONSINITES.
I THINK THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE OTHER PRIMARY CANDIDATES.
SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHOEVER COMES THROUGH WILL BE
READY, AND I THINK WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT 2024. >> ALL RIGHT.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.
>> THE FORTUNES OF WISCONSIN'S MOST POPULOUS CITY AND COUNTY
DRAMATICALLY CHANGED THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT
FUNDING DEAL PASSED IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
ALLOWING AN INCREASE IN THE LOCAL SALES TAX IN THE CITY AND
COUNTY OF MILWAUKEE. WE TALKED WITH MILWAUKEE COUNTY
EXECUTIVE DAVID CROWLEY EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR HIS TAKE ON THE
NEW REALITY. >> COUNTY EXECUTIVE CROWLEY,
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE. >> SO IN SIGNING YOUR 2024
BUDGET, YOU CALLED IT A NEW DAY FOR MILWAUKEE COUNTY.
HOW SO? >> WELL, IT IS A NEW DAY FOR
MILWAUKEE COUNTY, AND THAT IS BECAUSE OF OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH
THE CITY OF MILWAUKEE AND THE MOVE FORWARD MKE COALITION THAT
WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE OUR LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX.
AND THE REASON WHY THIS WAS A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR MILWAUKEE
COUNTY IS FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, WE'VE BEEN OPERATING
WITHIN A DEFICIT. AND BECAUSE OF THE WISCONSIN ACT
12, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER TWO DECADES, MILWAUKEE COUNTY
NOW HAS A SURPLUS, GIVING US THE ABILITY TO REALLY MAKE
INVESTMENTS IN OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY VERSUS LOOKING AT WHAT
CUTS WILL BE LEAST HARMFUL TO OUR COMMUNITY.
SO IT IS A NEW DAY FOR MILWAUKEE.
>> SO WITH THIS FIRST BUDGET SURPLUS IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS,
WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES? >> WELL, WE HAVE A LOT OF
DIFFERENT PRIORITIES FOR MILWAUKEE COUNTY.
AND SO REALLY WHAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT IS HOW DO WE,
ONE, CONTINUE TO OPERATE WHERE WE'RE GOING TO REACH OUR MISSION
BY ACHIEVING RACIAL EQUITY, AND BECOMING THE HEALTHIEST COUNTY
IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WERE
ABLE TO DO WAS CONTINUE TO INVEST INTO OUR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING PROGRAM ON TOP OF THE $12 MILLION THAT WE INVESTED
FROM OUR ARPA FUNDS. AND THIS IS GOING TO ALLOW US TO
BUILD MORE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES IN THE KING PARK NEIGHBORHOOD AS
WELL, WHILE ALSO BREAKING GROUND ON OUR FIRST HEALTHY HUMAN
SERVICE BUILDING THAT'S GOING TO BE DEDICATED TO MILWAUKEE'
COUNTY RESIDENTS. THIS HAS ALLOWED US TO MAKE SURE
WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR MILWAUKEE COUNTY TRANSIT SYSTEM
UP AND RUNNING, MAKING SURE THAT THIS CRUCIAL AND VIABLE AMENITY
IS THERE FOR EVERYONE, WHILE ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN
INVEST IN OUR MILWAUKEE PUBLIC PARKS SYSTEM.
BUT THAT'S ALSO TO SAY THAT THIS ALLOWS US TO SUPPORT OUR
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS WELL, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OUR COURTS,
OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS AND OUR JAILS, THIS ALLOWS US REALLY
TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE. >> WHAT REMAIN THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGES FOR MILWAUKEE COUNTY, AND HOW TO ADDRESS THOSE GOING
FORWARD? >> IT A GREAT QUESTI ON,
FREDERICA. WHEN I THINK ABOUT MILWAUKEE
COUNTY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION, WHERE IT IS A LITTLE BIT BETTER,
WE'RE STILL NOT OUT OF THE WOODS RIGHT NOW.
SO YES, WE WILL HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS,
BUT OUR OPERATIONS DOES -- WILL SEE A DEFICIT MOVING FORWARD
STARTING IN ABOUT 2027 OR 2026, SO IT IS MY GOAL TO CONTINUE TO
BUILD UPON THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE'VE CREATED WITH THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN, AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, TO BRING
BACK RESOURCES. BUT ONE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
THE NEXT UPCOMING YEARS IS THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO TACKLE IN
REALLY OUR PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING. IT OVER 100 YEARS
OLD, AND IT IS THE NERVE SYSTEM OF OUR CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM. SO IF WE DON'T WANT JUSTICE
DEFERRED, WE WANT TO GET OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE UP AND RUNNING
REMOVING THE BACKLOG, IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE CRITICAL
ISSUES THAT WE TACKLE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. >> WHAT DOES THE
$500 MILLION BREWERS STADIUM FUNDING PACKAGE
MEAN FOR MILWAUKEE? >> WELL, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE
MILWAUKEE' BREWERS, ONE, THEY ARE A HUGE CULTURAL ASSET RIGHT
HERE FOR SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN AND, QUITE FRANKLY, THE STATE,
BUT THEY ARE ALSO AN ECONOMIC ASSET.
I'M PROUD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BROKER A DEAL WITH THE STATE
LEGISLATURE, WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WELL THAT NOT ONLY
PROTECTS OUR TAXPAYERS RIGHT HERE WITHIN MILWAUKEE COUNTY,
BUT MAKES SURE THAT WE KEEP THE BREWERS RIGHT HERE FOR MANY
YEARS TO COME. BUT WHAT'S VERY UNIQUE ABOUT
THIS DEAL IS THAT WHILE WE'RE ABLE TO PROTECT OUR TAXPAYERS,
WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY FOR
MILWAUKEE COUNTY WITH THAT DIRECTLY AFFECTS OUR ACT 12 THAT
WAS PASSED THIS SUMMER. SO OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT
27 YEARS, THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECEIVE SOME
FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $229 MILLION,
WHICH IS DOLLARS THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST BACK
INTO THE COMMUNITY. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE
AMENITIES THAT I MENTIONED NOT TOO LONG AGO, BUT AGAIN, TO
REALLY IMPROVE THE CA QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MILWAUKEE COUNTY
RESIDENTS AND OUR VISITORS. >> AS YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICAN
CONVENTION PROMISES TO BRING VISIBILITY AND AN ECONOMIC BOOST
TO MILWAUKEE. BUT AS A DEMOCRAT, WILL IT BE
DIFFICULT TO HOST THAT REPUBLICAN MESSAGE?
>> YOU KNOW, AS A DEMOCRAT, I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT THAT I
WOULD BE A PART OF THE PITCH TO BRING THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL
CONVENTION RIGHT HERE TO MILWAUKEE.
BUT THIS ISN'T ABOUT RED OR BLUE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PARTISAN
POLITICS. THIS IS REALLY ABO UT THE DOLLARS
THAT WE NEED TO BE INFUSED RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY.
AND SO I WOULD SAY THAT MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS PARTY
GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH AND EVERYBODY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
ENJOY EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.
THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROMOTION THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUTSIDE
OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION OR OUTSIDE OF THE
BUCKS -- A BUCKS CHAMPIONSHIP WIN.
SO IT IS MY HOPE THAT IN THE FUTURE, THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO
BRING MORE CONFERENCES, BRING MORE THINGS RIGHT BACK TO OUR
OWN COMMUNITY THAT ALLOWS US TO REALLY BENEFIT FROM THE ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
>> ALL RIGHT. COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAVID CROWLEY,
THANKS VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE AGAIN. DRINKING WATER FLOWS THROUGH
150,000 LEAD PIPES IN WISCONSIN. AFFECTING AT LEASE
92 COMMUNITIES. BUT THE CITY OF WAUSAU HAS A
PLAN TO REMOVE ALL OF ITS LEAD SERVICE LINES FROM THE STREET TO
THE TAP, WITHIN FIVE YEARS. "HERE AND NOW" REPORTER NATHAN
DENZIN HAS MORE. >> EVERY DAY, COMMUNITIES ACROSS
WISCONSIN GET THEIR DRINKING WATER FROM LEAD PIPES.
>> THE LEAD EXPOSURE IS DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES,
BUT PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN ARE PARTICULARLY AT
RISK. >> ANN HIREKATUR IS TH E LEAD AND
COPPER SECTION MANAGER AT THE WISCONSIN DNR, WHERE SHE WORKS
WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY AND MAP LEAD PIPES IN
WISCONSIN. AND THERE ARE PLENTY.
MILWAUKEE IS PARTICULARLY WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS LEAD PIPES,
BUT OTHER TOWNS AND CITIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE DEALING
WITH THE ISSUE TOO. >> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC
HEALTH, BUT WE OBVIOUSLY CARE A LOT ABOUT, AND WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT JUST KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND HEALTHY AND CULTIVATING
BETTER TRUST IN GOVERNMENT. >> WAUSAU MAYOR KATIE ROSENBERG
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED AN ACCELERATED LEAD PIPE
REPLACEMENT EFFORT THAT AIMS TO TAKE ALL OF THE CITY'S PIPES OUT
IN FIVE YEARS. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN A LONG-TIME
CONCERN. >> WE COULD HAVE EST IMATED THAT
WE HAD ABOUT 8,000 LEAD PIPES. >> THAT'S ABOUT ONE LEAD PIPE
FOR EVERY FIVE RESIDENTS. AND THAT ISN'T UNUSUAL IN
WISCONSIN, WHERE DATA FROM THE NATIONAL DEFENSE COUNCIL
ESTIMATES THAT WISCONSIN HAS THE MOST LEAD PIPES PER CAPITA IN
THE NATION. LEAD PIPES ARE A PRIMARY SOURCE
OF LEAD IN DRINKING WATER, ACCORDING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT 20% OF ALL LEAD
POISONING. >> WHEN WATER FLOW S THROUGH THE
LEAD PIPES, THE PIPES CAN COROAD AND THE LEAD IN THE PIPES CAN
LEACH OUT INTO YOUR DRINKING WATER. >> WHILE MOST LEAD PIP
ES HAVE AN INNER COATING OF MINERALS THAT
HAS BUILT UP OVER YEARS OF USE, INSULATING WATER FROM THE LEAD,
THAT INSULATION IS FRAGILE. IF THE WATER'S CHEMISTRY CHANGES
EVEN SLIGHTLY, THAT COATING CAN BE STRIPPED AWAY.
LOOK NO FURTHER THAN FLINT, MICHIGAN.
WHEN THE CITY CHANGED THE SOURCE OF ITS WATER IN 2014, IT
STRIPPED AWAY THE INSULATION ON THEIR PIPES AND RELEASED LEAD
INTO THE WATER SUPPLY. LEAD IS A TOXIN THAT CAN HAVE
SERIOUS HEL EFFECTS, INCLUDING A DECREASED ABILITY TO PAY
ATTENTION, A DECREASED IQ, AND UNDERPERFORMANCE IN SCHOOL.
>> SMALL CHILDREN ARE ALSO PARTICULARLY AT RISK OF SPEECH
AND HEARING ISSUES, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DELAYS, AS WELL AS
BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE ISSUES. >> MOST AT RISK, INFANTS.
>> IT'S A PARTICULAR RISK TO THE INFANT BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF
LIQUID THAT THEY CONSUME RELATIVE TO THEIR BODY SIZE.
>> BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN ADULTS ARE TOTALLY SAFE EITHER.
>> IT CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE HEART AND KIDNEYS AND BRAIN, IT
CAN CAUSE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, AND IT CAN ALSO CAUSE INCREASED
RISK OF CANCER. >> IT'S CRITICAL.
IT'S JUST TIME. WE'VE BEEN KIND OF TAKING A GO
AT THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS, MAYBE EVEN A DECADE OR TWO, BUT NOW IS
THE TIME. WE WANT SAFE WATER FOR
EVERYBODY. >> WELL, FRANKLY I T WAS TIME
DECADES AGO. >> TOM PEREZ IS A SENIOR ADVISER
TO PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE HEAD OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AT
THE WHITE HOUSE. >> THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR.
LEAD, WHETHER IT IN DRINKING WATER, WHETHER IT'S IN PAINT,
ANY INGESTION OF LEAD IS POTENTIALLY A KILLER.
>> ROSENBERG HAS BEEN WORKING WITH PEREZ AND OTHER FEDERAL
OFFICIALS TO SECURE FUNDING FROM BIDEN'S AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
ACT, WHICH RELEASED BILLIONS IN FUNDING FOR LEAD PIPE
REPLACEMENT. >> BECAUSE WE HA VE MONEY, A
CRAZY AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN, I MEAN, MY
GENERATION. >> WAUSAU IS SET TO RECEIVE
$80 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THEIR EFFORT.
THAT MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND TRAINING
EFFORTS FOR LOCAL PLUMBERS. >> WE HAVE PEOPLE REACHING OUT
TO US LIKE I'M A PLUMBER, I WANT TO DO THIS.
SO WE THINK WE'LL BE ABLE TO TRAIN AND HIRE MANY PEOPLE,
WHICH IS ALSO GOING TO BE A GREAT BENEFIT FOR THE REST OF
THE STATE. >> AS MORE PLUMBERS ARE TRAINED,
THE NUMBER OF PIPES REPLACED WILL INCREASE.
>> WE'RE STARTING WITH 500 PIPES NEXT YEAR, WHICH IS A HUGE
INCREASE OVER WHAT WE USUALLY DO BETWEEN 20 AND 40 A YEAR.
>> THE TARGET FOR YEAR ONE IS 500 PIPES, THAT NUMBER WILL
DOUBLE TO 1,000 IN 2025, AND INCREASE EACH SUCK SE FIF YEAR.
THE NUMBERS ARE REALISTIC, BECAUSE A MAJOR BARRIER TO LEAD
PIPE REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN LIFTED. >> IT'S A LOT MORE D
IFFICULT FOR THE PRIVATE SIDE BECAUSE
TYPICALLY THE PROPERTY OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THAT
REMOVAL. >> BUT IN W IN WAUSA U --
>> THERE IS NO COST TO THE HOME OTHER THANS.
>> PROIFT HOMEOWNERS DON'T HAVE TO PAY A DIME.
>> I WENT BACK AND FORTH WITH A PERSON WHO SAID THERE'S NO WAY
THIS IS FREE, THERE'S NO WAY, YOU'RE GOING TO PUT A LIEN ON MY
PROPERTY, YOU'RE GOING TO FORCE ME TO PAY FOR IT, YOU'RE GOING
TO TEAR UP MY YARD. I SAID, NO, WE'RE NOT ALLOWED
TO, BASED ON THIS MONEY THAT WE'RE ACCEPTING.
>> THE COST TO THE HOMEOWNER ARE NOTHING.
THE BENEFITS OF GOOD HEALTH ARE PRICELESS. >> SO WHILE WINTER
TAKES HOLD OF THE STATE, WAUSAU IS ALREADY
PREPARING FOR SPRING CONSTRUCTION.
FOR "HERE AND NOW," I'M NATHAN DENZIN IN WAW SHAW.
>> FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT
OUR WEBSITE AT PBSWISCONSIN.ORG AND THEN CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT. I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
? >> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS
PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM, AND FRIENDS OF PBS
WISCONSIN.