>> The following program is a PBS Wisconsin original
production. >> Clerks prepare for a busy
spring election as absentee ballot returns are already
smashing records. [MUSIC]
>> And the 21st state of the tribes address affirms the
strength of tribal sovereignty. [MUSIC]
>> And our great state. >> I'm Frederica Freyberg.
Tonight on "Here& Now", Zac Schultz reports on the history
of the rape kit backlog. A central issue in the Supreme
Court race, immigration and deportation concerns hit close
to home. One sheriff in parts. His approach.
[MUSIC] Erica Ayisi outlines priorities
from the state of the tribes address and Wisconsin
manufacturer describes the uncertainty brought by tariffs.
It's "Here& Now" for March 21st. [MUSIC]
>> Funding for "Here& Now" is provided by the Focus Fund for
Journalism and friends of PBS Wisconsin.
>> Early voting is already underway in the spring election
for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. While many voters
are focused on what decisions the winner will make as a member
of the court for the next ten years, Liberal candidate Susan
Crawford wants voters to focus on decisions made by
conservative candidate Brad Schimel. Ten years ago. Here and
now, senior political reporter Zach Schultz tells us why the
rape kit backlog is an issue in this race.
>> Reporter. >> Ten years ago, Brad Schimel
was the newly elected Republican attorney general of Wisconsin as
he came into office. Wisconsin was still counting how many
untested sexual assault kits were sitting on evidence shelves
in police stations and hospitals around the state. Some of them
decades old. Eventually, the tally reached more than 6800.
>> We've been very instrumental in sounding the alarm on this
issue. >> Ilse Knecht is the policy
director for The End. The backlog Initiative, a national
group that was instrumental in pushing states across the
country to inventory and test their backlog of sexual assault
kits. >> The issue is, once you
determine that you have 6000 plus untested rape kits, what do
you do about it? And that is definitely very complex.
>> We found those survivors. We talked to them. We got their
consent to test those kits. And before my term of office as
attorney general, we tested over 4000 kits. Every single kit that
needed to be tested was done in that four years.
>> Brad Schimel led thousands of rape kits, go untested for
years. >> While rapists walked free.
>> And victims waited for justice.
>> As a candidate for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court,
Brad Schimel stands by his work as attorney general.
>> I'm proud of the work. What we accomplished for survivors of
sexual violence. >> His opponent, Susan Crawford,
says he shouldn't be so proud. >> He only put his foot on the
gas when it became an issue in his reelection campaign. So
again, this is Brad Schimmel's Partizanship, his political
future was at stake, and he was worried about it. So he started
working on that backlog and made some progress in it. But voters
saw through it, and they sent him home.
>> The key question is whether Schimel showed enough urgency on
this issue. Crawford says staffers in the Department of
Justice told Schimel about the backlog and asked him to get the
Republican controlled legislature to secure the
resources needed to test the kits.
>> And he pushed him back and said, go look for a cheaper way
to do this. Look, maybe for some grant funding.
>> We also recognize we couldn't just take 6000 kits and dump
them on the crime lab. They have day to day responsibilities, so
we had to go forward and secure funding to be able to pay for
getting those kits tested. >> Eventually, the state secured
more than $6 million in federal grants to process the backlog
and send the tests to private labs. Schimel announced the
backlog was cleared just a couple of months before he was
up for reelection in 2018. He lost, and the backlog delays
were a big part of the campaign against him, just as they are in
2025. Over two years, Brad Schimel tested only nine rape
kits out of 6000 that needed testing.
>> Knecht says the concerns were not just partisan attacks. Her
group had the same questions. >> We kept sort of asking, what
is going on? Why is it taking so long? There were, you know,
years when very, very few. I think it was even less than ten
kits were tested. And so we were engaging with folks in the state
trying to find out, you know, exactly what was happening. But
it was a big concern in our office what is going on in
Wisconsin. budget that year provided new
positions that Schimel requested. They just weren't for
the crime lab. >> He was going to the
legislature asking for a new unit of attorneys called the
Solicitor General's Office that he then utilized for the entire
time he was in office to pursue right wing lawsuits. So those
were Brad Schimmel's priorities. Instead of addressing this
backlog of sexual assault kits. >> It really does come down to
where your priorities are. If this is a priority for a
governor, an attorney general, I have seen them move mountains to
get this done and to get it done, you know, relatively
quickly. attacks over the backlog go
unanswered. >> Frankly, we're ready for it.
And we've got we've got sheriffs that have come forward to talk
about this very issue. >> I was there when Brad Schimel
initiated the sexual Assault Kit initiative, pushing hard to make
sure that victims of sexual assault were able to see their
offenders convicted, to make sure that there is justice.
>> Schimel says. The people that worked on this issue with him
agree. He took the backlog seriously.
>> Check with groups like the Wisconsin Coalition Against
Sexual Assault. >> We did ask the Wisconsin
Coalition Against Sexual Assault for comment, and they declined
to weigh in, citing the, quote, highly partizan nature of this
nonpartisan election. After the backlogged rape kits were
tested, sexual assault charges and convictions soon followed.
>> This is a justice issue. I mean, I will just say overall,
the rape kit backlog exists because of a failure of the
criminal justice system as a whole to take sexual assault
seriously and to prioritize the testing of rape kits.
>> He got nine kits tested in a period of two years. And, you
know, justice delayed is justice denied.
>> We worked a miracle. And it's a it's a scam to suggest to
voters that this was anything other than that.
>> Reporting from Madison. I'm Zach Schultz for "Here& Now".
>> In addition to that race for Wisconsin Supreme Court, there's
also the statewide race for superintendent of Public
Instruction on the April 1st ballot. In this contest,
incumbent Jill Underly faces challenger Brittany Kinser as
part of his continuing coverage of this race, reporter Steven
Potter spoke to the candidates about why they want to lead the
Department of Public Instruction.
>> My name is Brittany Kinser. I am a lifelong educator and I am
running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. I want to
restore high standards because our children deserve so much
better. I want to make sure that we are focusing on teaching,
reading, writing, and math so our kids can get a meaningful
job, go to college, or master a trade. I want to make sure that
we are partnering with our parents, making sure that we the
billions of dollars that we're spending is going into the
classroom and supporting our great teachers, modernizing our
funding formula, and also making sure that the Department of
Public Instruction is transparent, is predictable and
innovative, so we can have the best school system in the
country, and we can have 95% of our children reading well enough
to go to college or have a career.
the incumbent for the office of Wisconsin State Superintendent
of Public Instruction. I've been doing the job and I've been
standing up for Wisconsin's public schools and rural schools
and urban schools. You know, my entire professional career, I'm
a public servant through and through. But I also have the
experience as a local school district superintendent. I have
the licensure not just as a teacher, but also as an
administrator. And then I also have the experience working at
the university and the connections between K-12 and
higher education. I want a high quality public education that's
accessible for all students. All students feel that they can
belong and that they are they are welcome in their schools. I
would like to see expansions for mental health, early childhood,
and then also ways that we can retain and respect teachers.
>> We'll continue our coverage of that race next week,
including more on the candidates and issues facing Wisconsin's
education system as deportations escalate across the country. The
state assembly this week passed a bill that would require county
sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
The bill would require that sheriffs request proof of legal
presence in the U.S. From people held in a county jail on a
felony charge, and report them to the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security. It would also require sheriffs to comply with
federal detainer warrants that is, holding an unauthorized
person jailed on a criminal offense for ice failure to
comply would result in the loss of 15% of a county's shared
revenue payments. If the bill makes it to the governor's desk,
he says, he will veto it. The Kewaunee County sheriff has
weighed in on the immigration issue, calling for keeping his
community safe, while at the same time calling for
compassion. Sheriff Matt Joski joins us now. And Sheriff,
thanks very much for being here. >> Thank you for having me.
>> So you have said that you, of course, are committed to
protecting your community by enforcing the laws. But you see
the potential for, quote, untold levels of human suffering due to
the rigid application of our laws. Does this bill strike you
as that rigid application of laws?
>> You know, this really doesn', because you have to remember
what we're talking about here activity. So that's the
separation there. When we talk about people that are in our
communities that are committing crimes, I think it's I think
it's incumbent on us. Right? It's absolutely our
responsibility as law enforcement officials to
collaborate and cooperate at all levels. We've been doing this
for decades. It's unfortunate that it's reached this level. I
think of emotion and feeling. But we have to get back to
basics that we always have and always will collaborate and
cooperate with those state and federal entities that partner
with us to keep our community safe.
cause human suffering as a result of immigration rules and
laws? >> I think when we talk about
the next phase, you know, what we're seeing happen now with
this focus on those criminal elements in our country. Again,
I commend it. I'm grateful for it because that is, in essence,
keeping our community safe. But it's when we get to this next
phase, when we start talking about those individuals, these
families that are here, how do we treat them? And I think
you're referring to an article I wrote where we have to make sure
that we don't put everything into one group, that we treat
those here for whatever reason, that they're here, but they're
raising their children, working jobs, really trying to be
contributing members of our society. I cannot imagine a
reality where we treat them the same as the criminal elements.
So that's where I make a separation in how we process it.
And I hope that we as a country, I think we are I think we're
smart enough. I think we have the capability to separate this
out and do the right thing. When it comes to the families, to the
men and women that are here, honestly trying to make this
country a better place. >> So have you seen ice in your
community removing law abiding, if unauthorized immigrants.
>> Over the decades? Again, this is nothing new. Over the
decades, especially with the onset of our large agricultural
farms, we have had ice in our community. We have not taken an
active role in their operations. There's always a courtesy where
they make us aware of their presence when they are engaged
in their operations. But all these years, it's just been a
matter of awareness. Situational awareness and support in the
event that they would need us. >> Now, I read that your
officers do not ask for the status of people pulled over in
a traffic stop or report people in the community without legal
authorization to be in the US to Ice. Why not?
>> Because at this point, there's really no purpose to it.
I don't know where that information would be relevant.
Again, it's not our role to enforce immigration laws. Now,
mind you, when we do have somebody, whether it's on a
traffic stop or if they're involved in a complaint, no
different than anyone else in the community, we of course, you
know, we do collect names and information as any good law
enforcement agency would. But as far as specifically asking for a
targeting that population, again, there's really no merit
to it. to your persuasion position on
this from other law enforcement across the state?
>> I think that overall, I would think that law enforcement were
very like minded. Again, our priority is keeping our
community safe, but we also understand the need for
compassion for humanity to look at this at a deeper sense and
not just take everything as sort of a one size fits all approach.
So I do think there's a commonality across the state.
>> You've advocated also, however, without success for the
creation of a driver's card program in the state of
Wisconsin. Why is that? >> So that was over a decade
ago. And it's it was a it was a moment in time where the
climate, I think, had lent itself to maybe that
conversation. But unfortunately, just as in today's
conversations, it automatically goes to a sense of entitlement.
Or what is that granting them? And I think from our
perspective, over a decade ago, it was about public safety, a
mechanism by which folks could be trained to drive and making
sure that they have the correct requirements, as you and I do,
to operate on our roads. The ability to have auto insurance.
So if and when they're involved in auto accidents, and then
actually additional criteria could have been placed on it in
regards to their obligation in pursuing citizenship. Now, had
that been done over a decade ago, we might be looking at an
entirely different landscape here in the state of Wisconsin.
But again, unfortunately, a lot of times the emotion and fear
takes the day and it never went anywhere. So I don't envision in
today's climate that that would ever be something that we could
resurrect. Joski from Kewaunee County, we
really appreciate your time today. Thank you.
>> And thank you. Back in Madison, tribal sovereignty,
education, environmental threats and public health were just some
of the issues in the 21st annual state of the tribes address at
the state Capitol this week. It was an address representing
Wisconsin's 11 federally recognized Native American
tribes "Here& Now". And ICT reporter Erica Ayisi was there.
Taiwan Gaza, meanwhile, Huawei and. Hello and welcome.
>> Saint Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin Chairman Thomas
Fowler addressed the full legislature.
>> My grandparents, great grandparents and ancestors knew
that a positive relationship between tribes and the state and
federal governments could only strengthen our communities.
>> Fowler said the trust responsibilities to the tribes
require the government to uphold its commitment to protect native
land and native rights, and asked for more support for the
state's two reservation based colleges.
>> St. Croix is in an educational desert, and our kids
won't all find success moving so far from home, away from their
support systems and culture. >> Among other provisions
affecting K through 12 schools currently before the
legislature, Fowler urged passage of a bill permitting
native students to wear traditional clothes during
public school ceremonies. >> We ask that this body
supports legislation that serves our students like a nine nine,
eight SB eight five, so that school boards and charter
schools don't prohibit American Indian students from wearing
traditional regalia at a graduation ceremony.
>> Apache Danforth, member of Oneida Nation, was in
attendance. She also applauded the legislation, saying it's
time for Wisconsin to follow the lead of other states.
>> You know, many are the first ones graduating from high school
and their family, so wearing the traditional regalia really
honors that tradition of accomplishment.
>> On the environment. Fowler called for a unified voice
between the state and the tribes over the transport through their
lands of oil and gas. >> Tribes have never been silent
on their concern of the environmental hazards that come
with pipelines. Our lands and waterways are at risk, putting
our food, water, medicine, cultural practices at risk. 2.
>> As Fowler spoke to environmental protection,
including the need to address climate change, Jonas Hill,
member of the Oneida Nation, called the message impactful.
>> Climate change is real. We are seeing the effects. Maple
season is in full effect right now and the SAP is running slow.
Duey because we haven't we haven't had a real hard winter
hit us for some time. The wildlife and trees all depend on
the environment. >> Fowler address touched on
many difficult issues, including opioid addiction in Wisconsin's
native community and as one prescription called for the
legalization of medical marijuana.
>> We need medical marijuana for chronic pain management,
epilepsy, post-traumatic stress and addiction. And addiction has
left no family untouched in Indian country.
>> For her part, Danforth said such legislation should proceed
with caution. >> I really encourage them to
think about our kids when they're when they're looking at
legislation and legalizing cannabis in our state and how
they're protecting our children from abusing and using and
having access to cannabis. >> On a most essential issue of
life and death. Among the tribal community. Fowler called missing
and murdered indigenous women a public health crisis.
>> This is too common for our people, and it must stop.
>> Danielle Delong of Ho-Chunk nation echoed the call and
Beseeches the state Task Force on the Missing and Murdered to
focus its attention. >> There are so many
disproportionate numbers to our missing and murdered indigenous
relatives and that task force needs to be prioritized with
funding. >> Fowler has address itself
brought into sharp focus the concerns of life and land,
health and the future for tribes across Wisconsin, reminding the
audience that fully realizing tribal sovereignty and
self-governance is possible by working with governments and
administrations. >> Tribal nations seek common
sense policy reforms that that strengthen our ability to govern
and protect our own people and preserve our own cultures and
control our own lands and resources within our own
boundaries. Because tribes are not children of the government.
>> From Madison, I'm Eric Ayisi with "Here& Now" and ICT.
>> Manufacturing is big business in Wisconsin. We're in the top
ten states nationally with the second highest concentration of
employees in the sector. The industrial machinery sector is
Wisconsin's largest. So what do the 25% tariffs on Canada and
Mexico? Steel and aluminum mean for companies like Argonne
Industries, which fabricates sheet metal components for major
companies and imports 70% of its aluminum from Canada? We ask
owner Greg Clement, thanks very much for being here.
>> Yeah. Good morning. >> So what what has been the
immediate impact of the tariffs, especially for a company like
yours that imports 70% of the aluminum from Canada?
>> Right. >> So all our suppliers are
getting the material from Canada. And what's happening is
the aluminum has gone up 30%. Stainless steel has gone up
100%. And Roe Kohl are averaging 30% increases. And that that is
a huge burden that that's just from January to March.
>> So do you continue to buy from Canada or are you trying to
buy domestically or would that make a difference?
>> The 70, like you said, 70% of the aluminum comes from Canada.
You really don't have a lot of other resources. And you know,
we don't buy from Europe or China. And so if the if the
prices for that metal, those metals has gone up to that
extent, what does it mean for you and your business?
>> So luckily, most of our customers understand that
materials have passed through. So we're able to get it and
raise the pricing. But it typically will delay and cause
them not to order as much as they had planned because of the
expense of the material and the cost of the material, and what
it does for their end costs. >> And so if their end costs go
up to that extent, what does that mean downstream for
consumers? >> So it's a tax on the
consumers. They're going to pass it along and they're not going
to hold the pricing. And you know the consumer is going to
pay the tax. It's on average consumers will pay $3,000 in
result of the tariffs per year. >> So we see you there sitting
inside your operation. What are the applications for your sheet
metal fabrications and what kinds of industries and
products. >> Yeah, power generation
Dehumidification. Scaffolding a lot of different electrical
enclosures controls things of that nature.
>> And so again, your customers are willing to pay more.
>> They don't want to, but they understand that that we can't
afford to. You know, swallow that kind of increase and that
we would just lose margin. >> And so what does that do in
your mind to kind of the broader economy? Right. If consumers are
going to pay an extra $3,000 and your customers might be pulling
back on how much they buy, you know, what kind of effect does
that have? >> Yeah, I mean, it's raising
inflation on the consumer. And it will slow the economy down
temporarily if he can. We're hoping that he could, you know,
solve these issues and not have the tariffs. But the problem is
we don't manufacture aluminum here. So we have to buy outside.
So for me the tariffs something that we can't even manufacture.
And then put that burden on the consumer is wrong.
>> So as to the domestic production of aluminum. That
would seem to be what President Trump and his administration
wants as a result of these tariffs. But how likely is it
that the U.S. Could ramp that u. >> To build a mill, especially
aluminum mill? Is very costly and would take a long time. I
mean, you're talking he'd be out of the office by the time
anything came online. >> So the fed is signaling about
an economic slowdown, a possibly a recession on top of everything
that's happening now. How concerning is that?
>> It's very concerning. We're going to have a record year this
year based on our customers excitement forecasts, and
they're all growing. And this could this could stop that
growth. >> What is your message then to
the administration. >> To let's not tear up
something that we can't produce in the United States. Let's not
add burden. But he's talking about cars and even aluminum
goes everywhere. And it's just going to increase costs for
everyone. And then we are going to have to pay that 25%.
>> Do you feel as though do you feel as though that message is
being heard? >> I don't think it is. I think
he has a different end game, and it would be nice to know what
his end game is, because the other thing we have uncertainty
on tariffs, praises on, it creates uncertainty on customers
buying. If you don't have certainty of the industry of
what you're doing, they're going to they're going to wait and
delay. >> Well, we will see how this
goes and we wish you luck. And thanks very much for joining us.
>> Yeah. Thank you for having me.
>> For more on this and other issues facing Wisconsin, visit
our website at PBS Wisconsin. Org and then click on the news
tab. That's our program for tonight. I'm Frederica Freyberg.
Have a good weekend. [MUSIC]
>> Funding for "Here& Now" is provided by the Focus Fund for
Journalism and Friends of PBS
Wisconsin.