SWWAP

Position on Mining Legislation The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Network opposes any new mining legislation that weakens environmental protections or reduces opportunities for citizen comment or legal redress. Current mining law balances the needs of mining companies against the public interest in clean air and water. It recognizes that mining inevitably leads to pollution and destruction of natural areas, yet offers reasonable environmental protection if the DNR is vigilant, and has sufficient staff, time, and information. Any compromise of these elements would constitute a give-away of our natural heritage and our civic legacy. Adopted by LWV Ashland-Bayfield Counties board of directors August 15, 2011; recommended by LWVWI Education Network Legislative Committee August 16, 2011; adopted by LWVWI Education Network board of directors August 19, 2011.

Position on Mining Legislation The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Network opposes any new mining legislation that weakens environmental protections or reduces opportunities for citizen comment or legal redress. Current mining law balances the needs of mining companies against the public interest in clean air and water. It recognizes that mining inevitably leads to pollution and destruction of natural areas, yet offers reasonable environmental protection if the DNR is vigilant, and has sufficient staff, time, and information. Any compromise of these elements would constitute a give-away of our natural heritage and our civic legacy. Adopted by LWV Ashland-Bayfield Counties board of directors August 15, 2011; recommended by LWVWI Education Network Legislative Committee August 16, 2011; adopted by LWVWI Education Network board of directors August 19, 2011.

http://gallery.mailchimp.com/28ea86dd7c46f5cfdcf3e4a00/files/LWVEN_logo_from_website.GIF What a year for voters in Wisconsin! Six statewide elections in ten months, a bitter mining debate and several new laws which threaten democracy in our state. Yet the people were up to the challenge. Wisconsinites voted in record numbers, spoke out at public hearings, wrote to their representatives, and challenged laws that violated our constitution. Thank you for being part of the action!Despite restrictive new laws, local Leagues across the state registered thousands of voters. Leagues conducted public forums to educate voters and wrote letters to lawmakers and newspapers, calling out attempts to weaken our democracy. The League won a key court victory in March, resulting in a permanent injunction on the unconstitutional Wisconsin voter ID law. The case is currently in Appeals Court and is likely headed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2013. Next year is shaping up to bring more challenges! Lawmakers are already talking about taking away same-day registration, politicizing the Government Accountability Board, and instituting a new photo ID law. They are already drafting legislation to make it harder for people to vote – before addressing the need for jobs! With your help, the League of Women Voters will continue to fight voter suppression in Wisconsin. The League will advocate in 2013 for positive reforms to modernize voter registration and reduce the influence of special interest money in our elections. We will fight to protect our natural resources, as well as citizen input, in our state's mining laws. We will work for a state budget that stewards tax dollars wisely and protects our most vulnerable citizens. The League needs your support to continue to be a vibrant and visible advocate for good government in Wisconsin. Please make a tax-deductible contribution today. Here are three ways to do it: 1. Designate your gift for the Voter ID Lawsuit. There is still a matching gift challenge until the end of the year! 2. Support the League’s ongoing advocacy and education with a gift to where it’s needed most. 3. Become a sustaining advocate. Setting up a monthly contribution is easy, convenient and secure. Thank you so much for your all you have done this year to make democracy work in Wisconsin. Our work is cut out for us in 2013, and we can’t do it without you. Sincerely, Melanie Melanie G. Ramey President P.S. You can support both the state League and your local League by checking the“Birthday Club” box when you contribute! Find the League on Facebook! Copyright © 2012 League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email either as a League member or because you requested to be added to the list. Our mailing address is: 612 W. Main St, Suite 200 Madison, WI 53703

Wisconsin Grassroots Network is almost 5 years old, originating as the Dane Grassroots Network. We network more than 70 Grassroots groups across Wisconsin, expecting to increase that number. We provide support, training and strategy sessions statewide to promote progressive values and candidates. We host annual progressive events such as the Annual Wisconsin Grassroots Festival at Wisconsin Heights H.S. in Mazomanie, WI. We are an important part of the 'feet on the ground' in every contest for justice and good policies in Wisconsin; supporting great candidates, helping groups get started and continue to grow across Wisconsin. We welcome questions and contact from you if you wish more information. Please use the comment box below to reach us. Please JOIN our efforts to connect the many grassroots folks in Wisconsin by registering with us. We charge no membership, we offer the advantages of collaboration and cooperation between groups and individuals interested in preserving the progressive idea in Wisconsin! By joining, a group or an individual can post events, blog on our site, and keep informed about the grassroots movement all across Wisconsin. Come along with us and together we will be the Heartbeat of the Progressive movement in Wisconsin! You will find a news feed, Twitter, and Facebook contact! We welcome you!

Wisconsin Environmental laws to be XXX (Examined, Explored and Explained) “Wisconsin's water and wild places” sounds like the makings of a new theme park, but the topics are anything but child's play to Sierra Club's local chapter director Shahla M.Werner, Ph.D. She will present an update on new laws affecting water, air and wild places in Wisconsin and will also address likely environment-related bills to be tossed about inWisconsin lawmakers' next session. The talk will be held on Mon. Jan. 14, 7 PM at the Mount Horeb Community Center on 107 N. Grove St. Mount Horeb. Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives (SWWAP), a local democracy-in-action group serving the Mount Horeb area since 2004, is sponsoring the event. For further info contact Sierra Club, John Muir Chapter at 608-256-0565, or check SWWAP.org. The public is invited to attend.

Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives (SWWAP) WISCONSIN SIERRA CLUB DIRECTOR TO SPEAK IN MOUNT HOREB JAN. 14 Wisconsin Environmental laws to be XXX (Examined, Explored and Explained) “Wisconsin's water and wild places” sounds like the makings of a new theme park, but the topics are anything but child's play to Sierra Club's local chapter director Shahla M.Werner, Ph.D. She will present an update on new laws affecting water, air and wild places in Wisconsin and will also address likely environment-related bills to be tossed about inWisconsin lawmakers' next session. The talk will be held on Mon. Jan. 14, 7 PM at the Mount Horeb Community Center on 107 N. Grove St. Mount Horeb. Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives (SWWAP), a local democracy-in-action group serving the Mount Horeb area since 2004, is sponsoring the event. For further info contact Sierra Club, John Muir Chapter at 608-256-0565, or check SWWAP.org. The public is invited to attend.

President Obama on Right-To-Work for less Legislation You only have to look to Michigan -- where workers were instrumental in reviving the auto industry -- to see how unions have helped build not just a stronger middle class but a stronger America. (Applause.) So folks from our state’s capital, all the way to the nation’s capital, they should be focused on the same thing. They should be working to make sure companies like this manufacturer is able to make more great products. That's what they should be focused on. (Applause.) We don't want a race to the bottom. We want a race to the top. (Applause.) America is not going to compete based on low-skill, low-wage, no workers’ rights. That's not our competitive advantage. There’s always going to be some other country that can treat its workers even worse. Right? AUDIENCE: Right! THE PRESIDENT: What’s going to make us succeed is we got the best workers -- well trained, reliable, productive, low turnover, healthy. That's what makes us strong. And it also is what allows our workers then to buy the products that we make because they got enough money in their pockets. (Applause.) So we’ve got to get past this whole situation where we manufacture crises because of politics. That actually leads to less certainty, more conflict, and we can't all focus on coming together to grow. AUDIENCE MEMBER: That's right!

President Obama on Right-To-Work for less. And by the way, what we shouldn’t do -- I just got to say this -- what we shouldn’t be doing is trying to take away your rights to bargain for better wages and working conditions. (Applause.) We shouldn’t be doing that. (Applause.) These so-called “right to work” laws, they don't have to do with economics; they have everything to do with politics. (Applause.) What they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money. (Applause.) You only have to look to Michigan -- where workers were instrumental in reviving the auto industry -- to see how unions have helped build not just a stronger middle class but a stronger America. (Applause.) So folks from our state’s capital, all the way to the nation’s capital, they should be focused on the same thing. They should be working to make sure companies like this manufacturer is able to make more great products. That's what they should be focused on. (Applause.) We don't want a race to the bottom. We want a race to the top. (Applause.) America is not going to compete based on low-skill, low-wage, no workers’ rights. That's not our competitive advantage. There’s always going to be some other country that can treat its workers even worse. Right? AUDIENCE: Right!

Myth busters at Media Matters has done a good job of separating the myths propogated by fox news, and the facts about Right-To-Work. For the facts go to: Myth Busters - Right-To-Work Facts

http://gallery.mailchimp.com/28ea86dd7c46f5cfdcf3e4a00/files/LWVEN_logo_from_website.GIF http://gallery.mailchimp.com/653153ae841fd11de66ad181a/images/transparent.gifThe Wisconsin Government Accountability Board has estimated that implementing a proposal to end Election Day Registration would cost our state more than $5 million up-front and an additional $1.9 million per biennium after that. This is because ending same-day registration would require that our state comply with certain federal laws from which Wisconsin is currently exempt.Governor Walker has said he would not sign a bill that “costs that kind of money.” What he did not say, however, was that he would veto such a bill because it would unnecessarily prevent qualified citizens from voting for the sake of solving a problem that does not exist. The GAB noted that its cost estimate is “preliminary,” and proponents of ending same-day registration have indicated they think it might be high. We certainly hope they would not consider making such a drastic change to Wisconsin’s model election system “on the cheap.” The League placed 300 citizen election observers in the polls in cities, towns and villages across Wisconsin in the November 6 election. They found the vast majority of poll workers to be highly committed to helping people register and vote. According to law, individuals seeking to register were required to provide certain numbers and documentation to prove who they are and where they live. Like other states with Election Day Registration, Wisconsin ranks high in voter turnout in our elections. That's something to be proud of. Lawmakers should focus, as they have promised, on jobs and the economy, not on making it more difficult for people to participate in their government. We need more people working, not fewer people voting. The GAB's report: Preliminary Report on the Impacts and Costs of Eliminating Election Day Registration in Wisconsin Support the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Network with a year-end gift. Make a secure online contribution or download a printable form here. Find the League on Facebook!

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is a homegrown network of citizens fighting government corruption and working for fair elections, judicial integrity, media democracy, and open and transparent government. The Democracy Campaign pursues these objectives through research, citizen education, community outreach, coalition building and direct advocacy. WDC was founded in 1995 as a nonprofit, independent coalition of individuals and groups responding to the growing dominance of special interest money in the campaigns of state lawmakers.

The Money Or the Many . . . That’s the ChoiceEmail date: 12/13/12 http://www.wisdc.org/proxy.php?filename=images/email-2012-12-13.jpg You’re a foul one, Super PAC. . . . With the dawning of the age of unlimited election spending and Super PACs and dark money, not to mention the ever-expanding war on voting, the risk of democracy being stolen has never been greater in living memory. Never in our lifetimes has it been more important to shine light on the crooked political money game. Never before has it been more necessary to hold power accountable. Never has there been a greater need to speak truth to power. Following the money. That’s the Democracy Campaign’s bread and butter. Exposing corruption and blowing the whistle on wrongdoing. That’s our reason for being. Speaking out without fear or favor about what’s gone haywire in our political system and what needs to be done to set things straight. Another of our specialties. I hope you will take a look at our annual report. And I hope you agree that the work described in this report is valuable. So valuable that you will help us keep doing it. It hasn’t been easy for the Democracy Campaign to raise funds lately. As the threats to democracy get bigger, finding the funding to sustain the fight is getting substantially more challenging. As it is with all nonprofits, the holiday season is crucial to us. Nearly half of charitable donations to nonprofits nationally come in the last six to eight weeks of the year. Please consider making a generous year-end gift to help us finish 2012 in good financial shape and start the new year on the right foot. Donations to the Democracy Campaign are fully tax deductible. Thanks for your support . . . and happy holidays from all of us at the Democracy Campaign. Mike McCabe Executive Director

The Money Or the Many . . . That’s the ChoiceEmail date: 12/13/12 http://www.wisdc.org/proxy.php?filename=images/email-2012-12-13.jpg You’re a foul one, Super PAC. . . . With the dawning of the age of unlimited election spending and Super PACs and dark money, not to mention the ever-expanding war on voting, the risk of democracy being stolen has never been greater in living memory. Never in our lifetimes has it been more important to shine light on the crooked political money game. Never before has it been more necessary to hold power accountable. Never has there been a greater need to speak truth to power. Following the money. That’s the Democracy Campaign’s bread and butter. Exposing corruption and blowing the whistle on wrongdoing. That’s our reason for being. Speaking out without fear or favor about what’s gone haywire in our political system and what needs to be done to set things straight. Another of our specialties. I hope you will take a look at our annual report. And I hope you agree that the work described in this report is valuable. So valuable that you will help us keep doing it. It hasn’t been easy for the Democracy Campaign to raise funds lately. As the threats to democracy get bigger, finding the funding to sustain the fight is getting substantially more challenging. As it is with all nonprofits, the holiday season is crucial to us. Nearly half of charitable donations to nonprofits nationally come in the last six to eight weeks of the year. Please consider making a generous year-end gift to help us finish 2012 in good financial shape and start the new year on the right foot. Donations to the Democracy Campaign are fully tax deductible. Thanks for your support . . . and happy holidays from all of us at the Democracy Campaign. Mike McCabe Executive Director

Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives (SWWAP) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE LOCAL SIERRA CLUB DIRECTOR TO SPEAK IN MOUNT HOREB JAN. 14 Wisconsin Environmental laws to be XXX (Examined, Explored and Explained) “Wisconsin's water and wild places” sounds like the makings of a new theme park, but the topics are anything but child's play to Sierra Club's local chapter director Shahla M.Werner, Ph.D. She will present an update on new laws affecting water, air and wild places in Wisconsin and will also address likely environment-related bills to be tossed about inWisconsin lawmakers' next session. The talk will be held on Mon. Jan. 14, 7 PM at the Mount Horeb Community Center on 107 N. Grove St. Mount Horeb. Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives (SWWAP), a local democracy-in-action group serving the Mount Horeb area since 2004, is sponsoring the event. For further info contact Sierra Club, John Muir Chapter at 608-256-0565, email SWWAP member Tim White, tkwhites@tds.net or check SWWAP.org. The public is invited to attend.

jONline An e-newsletter from Senator Jon Erpenbach 9/23/2012 Presentation from HHS Regional Director Kenneth Munson – Senator Erpenbach invited federal Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director, Kenneth Munson, to a special public meeting on Friday. Munson gave a presentation and answered questions about implementation of the Affordable Care Act. WisEye coveragehttp://www.wiseye.org/Programming/VideoArchive/SegmentDetail.aspx?segid=8910 Senate Health Committee Discusses Health Care Exchanges – The Senate Health, Revenue, Tax Fairness and Insurance Committee, which Senator Erpenbach chairs, held a public hearing on Wisconsin’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the importance of a state health care exchange. Provisions of the Affordable Care Act currently in place and benefitting Wisconsin citizens: The next phase of the Affordable Care Act is the creation of health care exchanges. States, like Wisconsin, can choose to create their own plan or be a part of a federal plan. Exchanges allow people and businesses to shop from a pool of plans that give a tax credit to businesses and people that buy the plans. Senator Erpenbach and Representative Richards are working on a Wisconsin exchange plan – that however cannot be done without Governor Walker. The two wrote another letter to the Governor asking for a bi-partisan and citizen member committee to help Wisconsin meet the deadline for state created health care exchanges. To see the letter click here. WUWM story: http://www.wuwm.com/news/wuwm_news.php?articleid=11197 To view the hearing, use this link to Wisconsin Eye: http://www.wiseye.org/Programming/VideoArchive/EventDetail.aspx?evhdid=6668 Senate Select Committee on Mining Holds Hearings – The Senate Select Committee on Mining, which Senator Erpenbach is a member of, has held two hearings with invited speakers and will hold another this week discussing the possibility of changes to Wisconsin’s current mining laws. Members and the public heard testimony from Tom Evans, Wisconsin Geological Survey, who helped draft Wisconsin’s current mining laws on background for the laws and the who’s and why’s of current law. http://www.wisgeologicalsociety.com/ Also Rebecca Graser, Army Corps of Engineers, spoke about the federal/state partnership that is required for any mining project in Wisconsin – any project that could affect navigable waters in Wisconsin must involve the Army Corps of Engineershttp://www.usace.army.mil/ . Ann Coakley, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, also spoke with the committee regarding the DNR’s role in the current permitting process and the agencies ideas for a friendlier permitting process that still protects Wisconsin resources http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Mines/Nonmetallic.htmlAlso testifying last week: George Meyer, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Anne McCammon-Soltis, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Dave Boetcher, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, James Buchen, Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce. You can listen and watch the hearings at Wisconsin Eye:http://www.wiseye.org/Programming/VideoArchive/EventDetail.aspx?evhdid=6621

Wisconsin State SenatorJon Erpenbach, 27th District images/images-5.jpeg State CapitolP.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707-7882 Office Phone: (608) 266-6670DC Fax: (202) 225-6942Email: Sen.Erpenbach@legis.wisconsin.govHomepage: Click Here

Wisconsin State SenatorJon Erpenbach, 27th District images/images-5.jpeg State CapitolP.O. Box 7882 Madison, WI 53707-7882 Office Phone: (608) 266-6670DC Fax: (202) 225-6942Email: Sen.Erpenbach@legis.wisconsin.govHomepage: Click Here

Get John's current newsletter by going to: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/erpenbach/PressReleases/Pages/jONline-Archive.aspx

The Value of Same Day Voter Registration by Senator Jon Erpenbach, 27th Senate District When looking for wisdom in the value of same day registration we can look to the 1976 Legislature, who created the option of registering to vote on Election Day. They said, “The vote is the single most critical act in our democratic system of government….(and) voter registration was not intended to and should not prevent voting.” Thank you to Diane Hermann-Brown from the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association for sharing that quote in a recent Wisconsin State Journal story. Legislators before the days of billion dollar campaigns had the right idea: Voting is a constitutional right and our laws should not stand in the way of that right. Legislators, unhappy with the outcome of some elections, have set their sights on limiting the rights of certain individuals to have access to vote. Elimination of same day registration would create an election system where thousands of individuals, otherwise qualified to vote, would be unable to exercise their most basic democratic constitutional right. In developing countries where democracy is young, an invisible permanent ink marks the hands of those that have voted so they cannot vote again. We have, however, set up a system of recording the verifiable personally identifiable information of those wanting to register to vote. Those that have moved since the last election and those new to voting must first register to vote. This is how we ensure the integrity of our elections. Through honesty and disclosure of accurate information given by voters and collected by our clerks and poll workers, we have a system that works for registration of our voters. If Wisconsin does not allow for same day voter registration, we will have to create a new government system to address registration of voters in order to be in compliance with Federal law. Other states deputize workers at the Department of Transportation and at the local County Health services. Wisconsin would have to create a whole new government system for allowing people to register at many government locations at taxpayer expense. Workers with different jobs would be expected to register voters, while other citizens wait in line for that to happen. Let’s take a page out of the common sense book and not fix something that isn’t broken. Same day registration is working for Wisconsin; let’s stick with it. For more information on voter registration laws please contact my office at: 608-266-6670 or 1-888-549-0027 or sen.erpenbach@legis.wi.gov

Greetings from the Wisconsin State Assembly! I would like to thank you for giving me the privilege of serving as your State Representative. During the coming legislative session, I will be using this site to inform you of what is happening in state politics. Before we dive into specific issues, I wanted to provide you with some useful links that will help you stay involved with the legislature as we near the start of the 2013-14 Session. The Wisconsin Legislature’s home page (www.legis.wi.gov) can be a wealth of information. By using the navigation pane in the upper left hand corner of the site, you can track and follow any proposal (using the Legislation header) before either house. You can also learn more about current elected officials (using the Assembly and Senate headers). There are also digital versions of the Wisconsin Statutes and Constitution (under the Wisconsin Law header and organized by subject and chapter). Since my first term in the Assembly, I have focused on timely and thorough constituent response to questions and comments. To that end, I also want to make sure you have accurate contact information for my office. I can be reached by email at Rep.Pope-Roberts@legis.wi.gov, on the web at http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/pope-roberts/, and by phone at (608) 266-3520. I appreciate and encourage contact from anyone interested in state politics and am happy to use this forum as a way to discuss topics of specific importance to anyone. Thanks again for allowing me the opportunity to serve you and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Sondy Pope-Roberts State Representative 79th Assembly District

Watch this Trash to Treasure video to learn more about how Dane County Landfill produces renewable electricity. Here's the link to view it online: StoryBridge.tv/greenview/communityaction/story/TrashToTreasure

Senator Scott Fitzgerald said today he thinks the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, which oversees elections in our state, has become a "rubber stamp" for staff proposals, which he perceives as favoring one political party. Back in 2007 Fitzgerald joined all other members of the Senate in supporting the creation of the GAB, but now he suggests that changing the appointment process to have political appointees on the board would "strike more of a balance." Currently, the GAB is made up of six former judges, who are nominated by a panel of Wisconsin Appeals Court judges, appointed by the Governor and then confirmed by the Senate. The appointment process has been praised by a national election law expert as a method "designed to promote impartiality." Meanwhile, local elections officials have joined other voting rights advocates in opposing Governor Walker's proposal to end Election Day Registration. The Appleton City Clerk noted that same-day registration not only encourages people to vote but also is "the most cost-effective model" for our elections. The League of Women Voters defended same-day registration in a recent newspaper column and on the Joy Cardin Show on Wisconsin Public Radio.

Wisconsin Grassroots Network is almost 5 years old, originating as the Dane Grassroots Network. We network more than 70 grassroots across Wisconsin, expecting to increase that number. We provide support, training and strategy sessions statewide to promote progressive values and candidates. SWWAP proudly counts itself as bein an affiliate of this organization. To Contact Wisconsin Grassroots Network go to:WisconsinGrassRoots.net

Submitted by Steve Hanson on Wed, 04/25/2012 - 9:57am, From Uppity Wisconsinhttp://uppitywis.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/Article/steve_hanson/sandminedeposits.jpgThis is a map of the silica sand deposits in Wisconsin. My farm and house are in the central part of the red blob covering the western part of the state. The photo below is of the closest sand mine to me, outside of Menomonie. Imagine this part of the state covered with these. Sand mining is suddenly a big concerin in Western Wisconsin, since proposed mines are cropping up at an alarming rate. Projections are that western Wisconsin will have over 100 frac sand mines in the next two years. Clearly some frac sand mining is going to take place in Wisconsin - but there's a strong grassroots interest in having reasonable regulations on these mines, and in the current political state of Wisconsin, environment has not been a high priority of our government. http://uppitywis.org/sites/default/files/images/menomoniesandmine.normal.jpg Menomonie Sand Mine We are going to try to be a clearing house for information on sand mining in the state, since this is a high-priority issue, and as with many of the current environmental concerns in the state, it's getting short shrift and once the damage is done it will be very hard or impossible to recover. ACTION ALERT - Contact Your Representatives

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