By Karen Stokes Hours before the state senate was to be convened on Tuesday for the first time in 2023, Democrats posed a standoff. Legislative Democrats put forth a substitute amendment on Senate Joint Resolution 4 to gather people’s viewpoint on eliminating Wisconsin’s 1849 criminal abortion ban. The Republican controlled legislature wanted to ask voters […]
Senator Baldwin Secures Over $255 Million for Wisconsin in Senate Appropriations Legislation
Projects championed by Senator Baldwin were included in Fiscal Year 2023 bipartisan bill WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that more than $255.7 million in congressionally directed spending for Wisconsin projects she supported has been included in the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2023. […]
Emmett Till Antilynching Bill Heads to Biden’s Desk
By Ana Martinez-Ortiz In 1955, Emmett Till, was tortured and murdered. He was a 14-year-old Black boy whose supposed crime was talking to a white woman. Emmett’s death was part of the catalyst that launched the Civil Rights Movement. Earlier this week, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act was passed by the Senate. Under the act, […]
‘We know that Wisconsin is Ready for Legalization’: Sen. Agard Reintroduces Bill to Legalize Cannabis
By Ana Martinez-Ortiz Eight years ago, Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison) introduced a bill on the senate floor to legalize cannabis in Wisconsin. The bill received little support, but during a press conference at Sunnyside Dispensary in South Beloit, IL, Agard reintroduced it. “We know that Wisconsin is ready for legalization,” she said. “It is time […]
County Executive Signs “Right to Counsel Milwaukee” Into Law
By Ana Martinez-Ortiz For over a year, tenants have been spared of eviction due to the national eviction moratorium in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The moratorium is set to end on Saturday, July 31 and when it does, eviction filings are expected to increase. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signed […]
Rep. LaKeshia Myers Reintroduces the CROWN Act
By Ana Martinez-Ortiz Hair is a lot of things to a lot of different people. It’s an identifier, a statement maker and in some cases, it’s a political statement. No matter how someone chooses to style their hair, the choice should be theirs, but that’s not always the case. Communities of color, specifically the Black […]
Wisconsin’s Assembly Cancels Vote Regarding Mask Mandate Repeal
By Ana Martinez-Ortiz Wisconsin is no stranger to making the news, especially when it regards the state’s politics. The state recently made headlines again after the Republican-controlled Assembly made plans to repeal the mask mandate. The mask mandate, which was issued by Gov. Tony Evers, requires Wisconsinites 5 and older to wear a mask when […]
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Dear Republicans, Please Stop Voting Against Your Own Interests
By LaKeshia N. Myers This week has been a doozy, even for the Wisconsin State Capitol. I would never have imagined that within the span of one week, my Republican colleagues would attempt such a carnivorous political rampage. On Tuesday, Assembly Republicans (at the behest of their leader) amended a bipartisan bill that would have […]
Senate Passes Bill to Create African American Burial Grounds Network
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation that would better protect historic African American cemeteries. The measure also paves the way for the creation of an African American Burial Grounds Network. “We know that for too long in too many parts of our country, Black families […]