The US has charged Julian Assange with espionage, and he now faces life in prison for telling the truth about U.S. war crimes.  Assange is not a US citizen; so, if these charges hold, journalists anywhere in the world who tell the truth about the United States can be subject to prosecution if the U.S. decides the information is “classified.”  In recent years, the U.S. has routinely classified information about illegal and unpopular acts committed by its military as a way of hiding them from the public.  This prosecution will have a chilling effect on all investigative reporting; it is the most severe violation of freedom of speech we have seen in decades.  [read more]

Sign the petition to drop the charges against Julian Assange and Free Chelsea Manning.

After withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the so-called Iran Nuclear deal, and the imposition of harsh sanctions, the Trump administration now threatens a new war in the Persian Gulf.  A U.S. Naval aircraft carrier battle group has been sent to the region along with B-52 bombers and plans to increase the already heavy U.S. military presence in the region by 10,000 troops.  For years, the U.S. has had Iran militarily surrounded as it has tried to isolate them politically and economically. [read more]

https://wisaflcio.typepad.com/wisconsin-state-afl-cio-blog/2019/05/jfc-guts-the-peoples-budget-.html

The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is in the process of gutting The People’s Budget.

Meeting regularly, the JFC has been stripping vital worker-friendly, kid-friendly, and community-friendly proposals from Gov. Evers budget — shortchanging Wisconsinites of the budget we deserve.

On May 9, the JFC passed a single motion to eliminate 131 items from Gov. Evers’ budget, including budget initiatives to repeal Right to Work, restore Prevailing Wage, expand Medicaid, implement non-partisan districting reform, license teachers at voucher schools, raise the minimum wage, restore Project Labor Agreements, fund the removal and replacement of lead pipe laterals and more.

Medicaid expansion is the foundation that supports many budget initiatives in The People’s Budget. Accepting our own federal tax dollars to expand BadgerCare frees up state money that can be used to fund special education, transportation, and many of Gov. Evers’ budget proposals that our communities deserve.

Gutting the People’s Budget is wrong and not what voters signaled for in voting to elect Gov. Tony Evers in November of 2018. Gov. Evers ran on many of the proposals outlined in the budget. Republicans should not continue to ignore the will of the voters.

Other lowlights from the Republican-controlled JFC votes:

•          Slashed $900 million from proposed education funding.
•          Refused to fund a lead lateral replacement program for Wisconsin residents.
•          Failed to expand affordable health care coverage by removing plans to accept federal funding to expand BadgerCare.
•          Continued large tax breaks for wealthy corporations.
•          Dropped plans for increased aid to local governments in “shared revenue.”
•          Cut proposed increases in funding for the University of Wisconsin System by half.
•          Rejected plan to increase the number of Department of Natural Resources scientists from 5 to 2.
•          Slashed millions of dollars earmarked for clean water initiatives.

Contact members of the Joint Finance Committee as well as your state representative and senator today at (800) 362-9472 and outline your support for the worker-friendly People’s Budget.

Urge politicians in Madison to do what’s right for the entire state by passing a budget that repeals anti-worker legislation, expands Medicaid, fully funds our schools, and ensures clean and safe drinking water for all.

The deadline to pass a Wisconsin biennial budget is July 1, 2019. If a budget has not been approved by that date, the state will continue to run Gov. Walker’s austere budget.

Wisconsinites deserve a budget that reflects our values.

Oak Creek Joint Finance Committee Hearing

RCPJ’s regular monthly meetings are held at the Dr John Bryant Community Center, 601 21st Street, Racine.  Our  regular meeting time is 10 a.m.

All are welcome,

Info: Dick Kinch, racinepeace@yahoo.com

Juneteenth Day Celebration

601 21st Street, Racine, Dr. John Bryant Community Center

Juneteenth represents the joy of freedom – the chance for a new beginning!

Nancy Lieberman Charities, has teamed up with former NBA & All Star athlete Caron Butler, Sport Court, and the City of Racine to provide a new Dream Court at Roosevelt Park, 601 21st St in Racine.

Dream Courts are top-qaulity, multipurpose play spaces built in underserved communitiies so children have a safe area to shoot hoops, socialize, and learn about teamwork & good sportsmanship.

There will be a mini basketball clinic with Caron Butler, and an opening ceremony for the Dream Court.

Other activities include basketball games, children’s corner, car show, women’s wellness workshop with Dr. Keita Joy, and a “Making Good Choices” workshop for teens.

Essay contest winners are invited to read their essays at the opening ceremony. (Please check our website for information on the essay contest rules).

All Activities are free. Food, drink, and vendor merchandise is available for purchase.

Meet Patrick Jones, author of the Selma of the North

Meet Patrick Jones, author of The Selma of the North: Civil Rights insurgency in Milwaukee.
A reception for the MATC Fast Fund:
Thursday, June 20 at 6pm at Coffee Makes you Black.

Sponsored by AFT Local 212 and the Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers Hiring Hall

Donations to Local 212/Matc fast Fund
Payable to Believe in Students at the door

Community meeting to save our VA

PROTECT OUR VA HOSPITAL,, Milw. Area Labor Council, Yatchak Hall, 633 S. Hawley Road. Concerned veterans, community members, and labor leaders will discuss concerns about the Mission Act, the new Master Agreement for the federal contract, and privatization.. All welcome. 6:30 P.M.

Union Jobs Not Cutbacks! Fully Staff the VA! No privatization and union busting!

More information: https://www.afge.org/

Stand Up for Public Schools Wisconsin

RSVP here to join our budget action and follow for details on logistics — coming soon!

Join us to STAND UP FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS and demand a budget that works for Wisconsin’s children.

We are saying: ENOUGH. STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH OUR KIDS AND DO YOUR JOB.

Members of Joint Finance cut $900 million out of the education budget and the proposal on the table is not even close to adequate or fair for Wisconsin’s public schools.

We are calling on all lawmakers to restore this essential and feasible funding to the budget before they send it to the Governor’s desk. Specifically, we are calling for a restoration of the special education funds (to a 60% reimbursement level), mental health aids, poverty aid, and aid for English Language Learners that was cut from the budget.

​​Milwaukee school board member Megan O’Halloran has announced that she intends to march to Madison to draw attention to the inadequacy of state funding for so many districts around the state. We applaud her willingness to take a public stand and the immediate offer of many others to join her. It seems clear that there are many people around the state who have testified, sent letters, and feel ignored – they are looking for ways to be heard and do all they can in the final days before the budget is passed to call for fair funding and make sure the budget that gets to the Governor is one that meets our kids’ needs.

We are working to set up easy ways to join in for short or long stretches of the walk, and cheer along the way with local “whistle stops.” We are also coordinating a final meet-up spot for the home stretch so that we come together from all over the state to walk the last stretch in Madison, ending at the State Capitol.

More WI BOPM Photos: Wisconsin Bail Out The People Movement

More WI BOPM Photos: Wisconsin Bail Out The People Movement

More WI BOPM Photos: Wisconsin Bail Out The People Movement