As Housing Crisis Looms, Wisconsinites Call on Elected Officials to “Do Your Job”

Monday, December 7, 2020

Badger State residents gathered to discuss December 31 expiration of the federal eviction moratorium 

“I can’t wait for the new administration to act. I’ll be out of my house by then.”

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MILWAUKEE, Wis.— With just 24 days until the expiration of the federal evictions moratorium, last week Opportunity Wisconsin and BLOC hosted a live virtual roundtable on Facebook to discuss what's at stake as this housing crisis looms large for so many across the Badger State. An estimated 131,400 Wisconsinites are at risk of losing their homes if Congress doesn’t act before year’s end. 

“We need an influx of dollars, and we need it from our government to help us,” said Kathy Beeksma, City of Ashland Housing Authority. “We need help, and we need our government to get their act together and start helping those that are in situations like we see here tonight.” [WATCH]

Wisconsinites across the Badger State have battled the impossible situation of stagnant wages and the rising cost of housing, and living in general, for years. Now, battered by the health and economic crisis caused by the botched response to the pandemic, the issue is even more pressing. In the wake of the November election, the group urged new elected leaders to act and focus on bringing relief to their communities on the ground instead of playing politics with an election that’s long since concluded.

“In Wisconsin, the legislature bears a responsibility because they have hamstrung whatever steps the Governor could take to help alleviate the problem here,” said Anne Brown, an Eau Claire resident facing impending housing insecurity. “Obviously, the Trump administration has no compassion...they don’t care about me, they don’t care about the little guy, and that’s a problem. Hopefully, the incoming administration will be an improvement, and I expect that it will, but that doesn’t help me when on January 1, the landlord files the eviction. I can’t wait for the new administration to act. I’ll be out of my house by then.” [WATCH]

“I wish I had more resources to turn out to, but I’m just relying on prayer right now,” said Mary Cooper-Wells, a Milwaukee resident facing housing insecurity. [WATCH]

With the compounding impact of COVID-19 on the economy and public health, Wisconsin’s homeless shelters are also bracing themselves as they anticipate increased demand as evictions are executed over the next few months.  

“The extension of the moratorium is going to have to take place...I don’t know what they were thinking about to end this thing on December 31. Coldest months of the year,” said Jacqueline Clark, Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union. “Fortunately we’ve been having good weather. We’re at a crisis, and we really need to demand what we need to survive, and that’s mainly keeping a roof over our heads. That’s the foundation.” [WATCH]

“I would say, remember we’re people. There’s a face and a name behind these numbers they look at, and if they really want to look at economic drivers, families are the number one economic driver in the country. We need to help families, and the best thing we can do is to ensure stability in their homes,” said Beeksma. [WATCH]

Members of the media unable to attend, but wishing to speak with event participants should email press@opportunitywisconsin.org. 

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About Opportunity Wisconsin

Opportunity Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. Through our stories, we’re elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies that put the wealthy few first and leave the rest of us behind. Together, we’re demanding our elected officials focus more on growing the economy for middle class folks and expanding opportunity for all Wisconsinites. To learn more about Opportunity Wisconsin, visit OpportunityWisconsin.org or stay connected on Twitter at @OpportunityWI and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OpportunityWI.

About BLOC

BLOC works to invest in our community and engage citizens to build long-term political power, ensure a high quality of life and access to economic opportunity for members of the Black community in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin through coordinated political action and empowers Black leaders with the tools, training, and resources needed to organize and guarantee that their issues, concerns, and values are represented at all levels of government. To learn more about BLOC, visit blocbybloc.org or stay connected on Twitter at @BlocbyblocMKE and on Facebook at Facebook.com/blocbyblocmke.

Senator Tammy Baldwin: “Voters Have Decided. It’s Time for Us to Come Together.”

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Wisconsin residents call on state and federal elected officials to move past partisan sparring and move forward together on critical issues facing their communities

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KENOSHA, Wis.— Last night, on the heels of President Trump officially requesting a partial recount in Dane and Milwaukee Counties, Opportunity Wisconsin, SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin, Progress North, BLOC, and A Better Wisconsin Together were joined by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, and Wisconsinites across the state for a virtual town hall to discuss what's at stake right now during the pandemic and call on lawmakers to focus on COVID relief and moving forward together, not partisan sparring.

“Voters have decided, regardless of party, that it’s time for us to come together and tackle some of the very real issues facing our state and facing our country,” said Senator Baldwin. [WATCH] 

Lieutenant Governor Barnes spoke directly to the COVID crisis that is devastating communities across the Badger State, “It is the responsibility of government to step in during situations like this, during times like these. If there is ever a need for government, it’s now. And the people of the state of Wisconsin are not getting good government by way of the state legislature, and [Republican legislators] should be ashamed of themselves…There are way too many lives at risk, and too many lives are at stake right now for them to continue to play these games.” [WATCH]

This election season, despite the pandemic, an economic crisis, and deliberate barriers to silence the voices of marginalized communities, voters did their job and turned out in record numbers. Non-partisan election officials and community members did their jobs too by ensuring every step of the election process was transparent and secure.

Tara Johnson, a La Crosse area poll worker, pleaded with elected officials who seek to sow misinformation, “To every elected official: stop disrespecting the voters. Stop disrespecting poll workers who put their lives on the line to ensure a free and fair election in this state and accept those results and do your job. You work for us, and you have been honored with the opportunity to serve in whatever elected office you hold. Get to work to take care of Wisconsin.” [WATCH]

Badger State residents are pushing to ensure that their newly elected leaders care and govern for all Wisconsinites, and that starts by putting politics and the campaign behind us. Wisconsin faces its biggest coronavirus surge yet and we need our state and federal lawmakers to put the health and wellbeing of their constituents first. The voters decided and we need economic relief now.

“As healthcare workers, we showed up every day. In this pandemic, we showed up, it was dangerous, it was stressful. It was a stressful job because we know our patients and the public are counting on us,” said Fayomi Agbongbon, a frontline healthcare worker from Milwaukee. “We need elected leaders to show up and do their job and to get control of this pandemic to protect frontline essential workers. No more playing politics or wasting time as we face the worst crisis of our lives. We need to face this. We need to aggressively attack this pandemic and do the right thing. This is not a partisan issue. It’s about protecting health and safety, economic well-being of all of our essential workers and our community” [WATCH]

“As an educator, I feel that we can’t stop not talking to our elected officials, and just keep emailing, keep talking, make them know that our children are worth everything and that we are their voice right now and every child deserves quality. Every child deserves to be educated regardless of poverty level, race, color, whatever, they deserve that, and I think we are the ones who need to voice that opinion. We all need to stick together because more voices together are better than one,” said Tricia Peterson, a Juneau small business owner and educator. [WATCH]

Members of the media wishing to speak with event participants should email press@opportunitywisconsin.org. 

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About Opportunity Wisconsin

Opportunity Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. Through our stories, we’re elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies that put the wealthy few first and leave the rest of us behind. Together, we’re demanding our elected officials focus more on growing the economy for middle class folks and expanding opportunity for all Wisconsinites. To learn more about Opportunity Wisconsin, visit OpportunityWisconsin.org or stay connected on Twitter at @OpportunityWI and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OpportunityWI.

SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Wisconsin State Council coordinates the legislative and political agenda for Wisconsin’s eight SEIU locals. SEIU is the nation’s largest and fastest growing union with 2.1 million members nationwide and over 10,000 members in Wisconsin. SEIU’s membership is among the most diverse in the labor movement and includes public sector, building services and health care employees. The State Council is responsible for developing and implementing, in coordination with the international and state locals, a statewide electoral, lobbying, and communications program for SEIU. To learn more about SEIU Wisconsin, visit SEIUwi.org or stay connected on Twitter at @SEIUwi and on Facebook at Facebook.com/seiuwi.

About Progress North

Progress North is a relatively new organization in the Northwoods, the primary focus of which is connecting the people of northern Wisconsin to each other – and others across the state – across the deep divisions of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and generation. We center all of our work around the values of equity, people centered democracy, and the common good. We have a clear vision for a better future: by coming together to rewrite the rules and making the wealthiest few pay their fair share, we can ensure that everyone can earn a good living and have a good life; we can resource our schools so that every child can pursue their dreams; and we can provide families with the care we all need to get and stay well. To learn more about Progress North, visit progressnorth.org, or stay connected on Twitter at @ProgressNorthWI and on Facebook at facebook.com/progressnorth

About BLOC

BLOC works to invest in our community and engage citizens to build long-term political power, ensure a high quality of life and access to economic opportunity for members of the Black community in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin through coordinated political action and empowers Black leaders with the tools, training, and resources needed to organize and guarantee that their issues, concerns, and values are represented at all levels of government. To learn more about BLOC, visit blocbybloc.org or stay connected on Twitter at @BlocbyblocMKE and on Facebook at Facebook.com/blocbyblocmke.

About A Better Wisconsin Together

A Better Wisconsin Together is a state based communications and research hub for progressives. Working with partner organizations, ABWT holds elected officials and institutions accountable and promotes progressive ideas and values. Our messages are research driven using cutting edge digital earned, paid, digital and social media strategies. Stay connected with A Better Wisconsin Together on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Voters Come Together to Celebrate Democracy in Madison

Saturday, November 7th

Wisconsin community leaders, activists and voters gathered at the Capitol to celebrate a smooth and successful election 

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MADISON, Wis.— Community leaders and activists gathered together in Madison today to celebrate democracy and congratulate Wisconsin officials on smooth election and vote count. With all eyes on Wisconsin in November, the Badger State played a pivotal role in sending a new president to the White House for the second time in a row. By a margin of just over 20,000 votes, the state’s ten electoral votes will go to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, record turnout, and close margins, by all accounts the election was well administered and smoothly run. Speakers at today’s press conference sent a clear message: the voters decided, now it’s time to get to work.

Video from the event can be found on the Opportunity Wisconsin Facebook page.

“Now that the voters have decided, it is critical that we come together in recognition of what we have achieved and continue to speak up for our shared values and what we believe in: representation of all voices in our democracy, justice and equity across race and place, and reminding all politicians that voters choose our leaders, not the other way around,” said Kevin Gundlach, President of the South Central Federation of Labor.

“We have come here this morning to affirm that in Wisconsin every vote was counted. We’ve come to make our voices heard. We are not obligated to finish the work of fighting for a just nation, but we must not stand idly by,” said Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman. “We must never give up our struggle for democracy, and we must never give up our struggle for justice.

“The American people are very resilient, hard working, and determined. Just about five days ago we went to the polls, to assess and make a statement about Donald Trump and his administration,” said Madison City Councilman and Assemblyman-elect Samba Baldeh. “We’ll make sure that every vote is counted. Be patient, sit tight, all the votes will come through.”

“None of us forget how powerful [the vote] is, especially in the African American community,” said SEIU member and frontline worker Michael Elvord. “Black power is the Black vote.”

“Power is in us. Power is in our people, in our streets, in our communities — taking care of each other, feeding each other, keeping each other safe. I saw that power this week when I watched people in Wisconsin — in Madison, Milwaukee, and across the state — rising up to come together and make our voices heard,” said Maya Banks of Sunrise Madison. “That power is what decided this election.”

“[Our democracy] hasn’t always been perfect, we all know that. When it started you had to be a landowning white male to vote. Slowly, over time, we have become more inclusive. And because we have become more inclusive, because more people have voted, have used their voice in this democratic process, our society has improved greatly. We have a long ways to go still, but we have come a long way. And in this election, in 2020, it’s never been more true,” said Awais Khaleel of the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance.

“We have a voice. Not only at a national level, but at a local level, we have a voice. One of the most important ways to use your voice is to vote,” said Fitchburg Alder Joe Maldonado. “You all made the outcome of this election possible. Black people in Milwaukee, in Detroit, in Georgia made things possible. Hmong communities and indeginious communities in Wisconsin made this possible. Don’t ever lose that voice.”

“Young people turned out in waves because their lives literally depended on it this cycle. Young people, particularly young people of color, decided this election all across the state. They made a difference at every level. But we know the work’s not done. We know that young people didn’t just have a moment, that this is going to be a movement. We know that young people are going to be turning out at historic rates, taking their power back, and making sure that they have a government that represents their values,” said Kade Walker of NextGen Wisconsin.

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Opportunity Wisconsin Launches Digital Ads Thanking Election Officials

Friday, November 6th, 2020

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MADISON, Wis. — Today, ahead of Saturday’s statewide “Voters Decided” celebrations, Opportunity Wisconsin announced a six figure digital display ad campaign thanking Badger State election officials for a faithful counting of votes and encouraging them to continue protecting Wisconsintes’ decision this election season. Opportunity Wisconsin is also running a patch-through call program to local election officials thanking them for counting every vote.

“The Badger State has spoken and our votes have been cast, counted, and called,” said Reba Krueger, Opportunity Wisconsin Deputy Program Director. “We’re incredibly grateful to our local election officials for counting and protecting every vote. Despite the pandemic and deliberate barriers, Wisconsin voters have done our job and turned out in record numbers. And now election officials are doing theirs. It’s time to move forward together so we can tackle challenges like COVID, healthcare and making sure we can all make ends meet.”   

“Folks in my community and across the state showed up and spoke up, and we made our voices heard,” said Anna Landmark, Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee member and Landmark Creamery co-owner. “Our election officials did their jobs with integrity and the result we are seeing today is what Wisconsinites have decided. Democracy worked, and we must make sure democracy is upheld.”

“We have always counted every vote. Republican and Democratic poll watchers guaranteed the integrity of the counting. This period is normal and to be expected. The people have spoken and that voice, those votes must be respected. We believe in representative democracy, and we know democracy will prevail,” said Selika Ducksworth-Lawton, Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee member and UW-Eau Claire professor. 

“Election officials are committed to making sure that every eligible voter has an opportunity to cast a ballot, every voice is heard and every ballot is counted. We need to let them do their jobs, and I am confident in results they’ve tabulated,” said Carlene Bechen, Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee member and Fair Maps Organizer with Wisconsin Voices.

Earlier this week, Opportunity Wisconsin joined with partners in Green Bay and La Crosse for “Count Every Vote” demonstrations to ensure Wisconsinites’ voices were heard and respected. Click HERE for recordings and photos from the November 4 La Crosse event and HERE for the November 3 Green Bay event. 

If you would like to speak with any of the voters featured in these events, please contact press@opportunitywisconsin.org  

About Opportunity Wisconsin

Opportunity Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. Through our stories, we’re elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies that put the wealthy few first and leave the rest of us behind. Together, we’re demanding our elected officials focus more on growing the economy for middle class folks and expanding opportunity for all Wisconsinites. To learn more about Opportunity Wisconsin, visit OpportunityWisconsin.org or stay connected on Twitter at @OpportunityWI and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OpportunityWI.

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Wisconsin Voted for an Economy That Works for Everyone — Not Just the Wealthy & Well-Connected

Tuesday, November 4th

MADISON, Wis. — This election season, Wisconsinites turned out in unprecedented numbers to vote for an economy that works for all of us — not just President Trump and his friends.

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement in response to the latest results in the Badger State:

“Wisconsinites across race, place of origin and zip code, turned out in record numbers this election to stand with and for each other. While this isn't over until every vote is counted across America, the Badger State spoke loud and clear: President Trump’s economic agenda only worked for wealthy people like him, not our families and neighbors here in Wisconsin. That’s why voters here rejected him.

“Our leaders should take it as a clear sign that Wisconsinites won’t accept an agenda that leaves us behind while giving handouts to the rich. In the next administration and the new Congress, we need champions who will do what it takes to deliver economic relief to working Wisconsinites who are facing the double-crisis of the pandemic and the economic downturn. We are depending on them to deliver. 

“However, if they choose to stand in the way of this relief, like Senator Ron Johnson has this year, we will hold them accountable for not supporting economic relief for hard working Wisconsinites.

About Opportunity Wisconsin
Opportunity Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. Through our stories, we’re elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies that put the wealthy few first and leave the rest of us behind. Together, we’re demanding our elected officials focus more on growing the economy for middle class folks and expanding opportunity for all Wisconsinites. To learn more about Opportunity Wisconsin, visit OpportunityWisconsin.org or stay connected on Twitter at @OpportunityWI and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OpportunityWI.

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Green Bay Residents Call for Every Vote to be Counted

Tuesday, November 3rd

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GREEN BAY, Wis.— Tonight, shortly after polls closed in the Badger State, Opportunity Wisconsin held a press conference at the KI Convention Center featuring area residents who voted either early in-person or by mail/dropbox this election season. Participants in the press conference reminded folks in Green Bay, and their friends and neighbors across the Badger State, why it is important that every eligible Wisconsin voter have their voice heard and their vote counted. The event was livestreamed on Facebook. 

“My ballot is inside this building, and I’m one of the thousands of Green Bay voters who cast their ballot by absentee,” said Jon Shelton, UW-Green Bay Professor and Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee member. “We are here today to say that, no matter what candidate you support, as Americans, we can all agree that EVERY VOTE COUNTS, and we call on our leaders to COUNT EVERY VOTE.”

“We all voted a little differently this year. All our votes matter and have the right to be counted, no matter how long it takes! Let's be patient and let the process work, as designed,” said Jane Benson, a local small business owner. 

For democracy to work for all of us, every voter must have their voice heard and vote counted. Even in the midst of a pandemic that has left more than 2,000 Wisconsinites dead and hundreds of thousands searching for their next paycheck, our friends, family, and neighbors across the Badger State turned out in record numbers. And now our election officials are doing their job to count the votes, as they have in every previous election.

“It is exciting to see that so many people have voted early and by mail, it's energizing to see that so many people are willing to stand in long lines today. But with so many more people voting, there needs to be more time given to count the votes fairly and justly,” said Deb Hutchinson, a retired science teacher and sustainability advocate.  

“No politician, regardless of party should try to silence citizens by not allowing them to vote or cast their ballots. Every ballot must be counted so that every voice can be heard,” said Jarrett Brown, a local factory worker. “Any attempt to subvert the will of the people is a threat to democracy and to our legitimacy on the world stage.”

The United States has always held elections and upheld a peaceful transfer of power, even in times of great crisis. We held successful presidential elections amid the Civil War, the Great Depression, and both World Wars. Now it's our turn to prove that nothing will stand in the way of counting every vote and delivering our democracy.

Members of the media wishing to speak with event participants should email press@opportunitywisconsin.org. 

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As COVID Cases Surpass 200,000 in Wisconsin, Sen. Johnson Confirms an Illegitimate Supreme Court Justice Instead of Delivering Relief to Wisconsinites

Monday, October 26, 2020

MADISON, Wis. —  Today, as COVID cases in Wisconsin surpassed 200,000, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) joined his fellow Senate Republicans in voting to appoint Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. In February 2016, after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, Senator Johnson said he strongly agreed "that the American people should decide the future direction of the Supreme Court by their votes for president."

Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement in response to Johnson’s vote:

“More than 200,000 Wisconsinites have battled COVID, more than 1,800 loved ones have been lost to the pandemic here, countless families are struggling to make ends meet, and all Sen. Johnson has done is push through the illegitimate confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Sen. Johnson’s vote for Barrett — who has all but guaranteed the rollback of key health care protections through the Court —  is a direct attack on Wisconsinites’ health care during a pandemic. He has spent his Senate career prioritizing special interests and corporate bailouts over Wisconsin families and working people, and his vote to confirm Barrett is a shameful political ploy to stack the Court with President Trump’s appointees and ensure the Supreme Court keeps putting corporate interests over the American people’s interests.” 

About Opportunity Wisconsin

Opportunity Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. Through our stories, we’re elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies championed by President Trump and his allies these past three years, and showing how they have made Wisconsin’s economy worse off. Join us in demanding our elected officials focus more on growing the economy for middle class folks and expanding opportunity for all Wisconsinites, not just the wealthy few. To learn more about Opportunity Wisconsin, visit OpportunityWisconsin.org or stay connected on Twitter at @OpportunityWI and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OpportunityWI.

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COVID-19 Memorial Welcomes President Trump to Janesville

October 17th, 2020

WATCH: 1,500 seconds of silence in honor of all the lives lost to COVID-19 across the Badger State

JANESVILLE, Wis.— Today, COVID Survivors for Change and Opportunity Wisconsin welcomed President Trump to Janesville with an outdoor memorial dedicated to the over 1,500 lives lost across Wisconsin to COVID-19. The tribute, which consisted of 1,500 empty chairs, was erected to not only remember our friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors killed by this deadly virus, but to also hold President Trump to account for his failure to lead during this crisis—which has undoubtedly led to unnecessary illness and even death. 

Visitors were able to read stories from Wisconsinites personally impacted by COVID-19, in addition to a message that lined the perimeter of the memorial, “He knew in January…But 'wanted to always play it down'…They told their friends on Wall St. the truth, who made millions…But never did what needed to be done to protect us…Now, Wisconsin has lost tens of thousands of jobs…And more than 1,500 of our friends, neighbors, and family members have been lost forever…#WeRemember”

Those unable to attend in person were able to pay tribute virtually with 1,500 seconds of silence livestreamed from the memorial on the Opportunity Wisconsin Facebook page.

This morning, Dr. Rachel Hughes, a southern Wisconsin Emergency Medicine physician and Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee member, published an open letter to President Trump in the Capital Times:

Your decision to politicize prevention has directly led to the inability of schools to open this fall. The fallout from your lack of leadership has fragmented families and pushed many Americans into poverty as the economy continues to sputter. Your refusal to address the gaps in our healthcare system and your on-going attacks against the Affordable Care Act show your lack of respect for hardworking families and demonstrate your belief that excellent healthcare is only for the wealthy. Moreover, your failure to mobilize the full capacity of your office to support front-line medical workers across the country leaves those Wisconsinites most at risk to fall through the widening gaps, and is a death sentence for many.

Members of the media wishing to speak with Dr. Hughes via phone/Zoom should email press@opportunitywisconsin.org. 

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About COVID Survivors for Change

COVID Survivors for Change is a national, non-partisan movement bringing together Americans who have lost a loved one to COVID-19, as well as those who have survived the virus and those whose lives have been dramatically altered by the pandemic. As part of COVID Survivors for Change, Americans are mobilizing to make sure that communities have the funding, resources and leadership in place to address future public health emergencies. Survivors will also find community and healing in meeting other people whose lives have been forever changed by the pandemic. For more information, please visit: covidsurvivorsforchange.org.

About Opportunity Wisconsin

Opportunity Wisconsin is a coalition of Wisconsin residents fighting for an economy that works for working people. Through our stories, we’re elevating the real consequences of the destructive economic policies championed by President Trump and his allies these past three years, and showing how they have made Wisconsin’s economy worse off. Join us in demanding our elected officials focus more on growing the economy for middle class folks and expanding opportunity for all Wisconsinites, not just the wealthy few. To learn more about Opportunity Wisconsin, visit OpportunityWisconsin.org or stay connected on Twitter at @OpportunityWI and on Facebook at Facebook.com/OpportunityWI.