“It Gives Me A Lot Of Hope”: Wisconsin Parents Discuss American Rescue Plan With Senator Baldwin

Thursday, March 18, 2021

During Facebook LIVE with Opportunity Wisconsin and Citizen Action, Senator Baldwin highlights how the American Rescue Plan will lift more than 46,000 Wisconsin children out of poverty

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MADISON, Wis.— As Wisconsinites start to see the impact of the American Rescue Plan, Opportunity Wisconsin and Citizen Action Wisconsin Northwestern Organizing Cooperative sat down with Senator Tammy Baldwin and Badger State parents on Facebook LIVE to discuss the historic impact this law will have on children and families across the state. 

[READ MORE: How the American Rescue Plan Helps Wisconsin Families]  

“We’ve just passed a measure that could take half of all children currently in poverty out of poverty,” said Senator Baldwin. “Why shouldn’t we have this goal every day, pandemic or not? Why should we not have this commitment that every child has every opportunity?” [WATCH]

When asked how additional financial support from the American Rescue Plan would impact her, Barbara Cerda, a Milwaukee area mother, responded, “I got my stimulus check this morning, and my first trip was to the gas station to fill up my tank. I had been putting in little bits at a time, and this morning I was able to fill up my tank...Long term, I can pay my rent for six months, I can use that money to fix my car that has been in my garage for the past four months. It means I can buy my children new clothes, we’ve been using our summer clothes.”  [WATCH]

The American Rescue Plan cuts child poverty in the United States in half through an expansion of the child tax credit, which will lift over 46,000 Wisconsin children out of poverty. The new child tax credits will deliver up to $1,600 annually per child to the families of over 1.1 million Badger State children.

A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions. 

Opportunity Wisconsin steering committee member and UW-Eau Claire professor, Dr. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton, moderated the conversation. Members of the media wishing to speak with event participants, should email press@opportunitywisconsin.org to arrange interviews.

Opportunity Wisconsin Launches NEW Ad In Six-Figure Campaign

Monday, March 15, 2021

New digital ad [“NEWS”] from Opportunity Wisconsin holds Johnson accountable for opposing COVID relief

MADISON, Wis.— As Wisconsinites start to see $1,400 COVID relief checks in their bank accounts, Opportunity Wisconsin has launched a new digital ad [WATCH: “NEWS”] that holds Senator Ron Johnson accountable for opposing the American Rescue Plan. The new ad is part of a six-figure digital ad campaign and follows the announcement of Opportunity Wisconsin’s launch of last week’s ad, “NO.” Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin kicked off a three-week, $1M statewide TV ad campaign featuring Wisconsin residents urging Senator Johnson to stop blocking COVID relief checks for Badger State families and workers.  

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:

“Over the past few days, Wisconsin residents have started to see immediate relief from the American Rescue Plan - no thanks to Senator Johnson. As the Badger State starts to dig out of the devastation we’ve experienced, we can’t forget who fought for us and who failed us. Senator Johnson stood in the way of Wisconsin’s recovery and we must all hold him accountable for it.”   

“NEWS” Full Script:

Have you seen the news?

Senator Ron Johnson voted against the $1,400 COVID relief checks. 

He voted against the support Wisconsin families need to get through this pandemic.

Tell Ron Johnson to stop blocking our recovery. 

A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions. See highlights from the American Rescue Plan in our breakdown here: American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin?

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WATCH: NEW Digital Ad Holds Senator Johnson Accountable for Opposing COVID Relief

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Despite Johnson’s Partisan Political Ploys, Wisconsinites Will Soon Receive Badly-Needed COVID Relief As President Biden Signs Bill Into Law 

MADISON, Wis.— Today Opportunity Wisconsin launched a new digital ad [WATCH: “NO”] that holds  Senator Ron Johnson accountable for opposing the American Rescue Plan, which is now the law of the land and will soon deliver over $20 billion in lifesaving assistance to Wisconsin workers, families, small businesses, and cities across the state. The six-figure digital ad will reach Wisconsinites across most of the state over the coming days and follows a three-week, $1M ad campaign that launched last month and urged Johnson to support the legislation. 

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:

“We’re incredibly grateful to our elected officials who delivered on their promise to help Wisconsin workers and families recover from a pandemic that has devastated communities across the Badger State. Whether it’s $1,400 relief checks, funding for vaccines, support for small businesses, or lifting children out of poverty, the American Rescue Plan is a game-changer for so many in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, Senator Johnson did everything he could to prevent this from happening, and we all must hold him accountable for standing in the way of Wisconsin’s recovery.”

“NO” Full Script:

COVID relief is on the way.

But Senator Ron Johnson voted NO.

$1,400 relief checks? NO.

Funding for vaccines? NO.

Support for small businesses? NO.

Tell Ron Johnson to stop blocking our recovery.

A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions. See highlights from the American Rescue Plan in our breakdown here: American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin?

On Saturday, the American Rescue Plan passed the U.S. Senate, despite Senator Johnson’s inexplicable delaying tactics that forced Senate staff to read the bill aloud, wasting hours of the Senate’s valuable time for no apparent gain, while Badger State residents continued to struggle. 

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Game-Changing Relief For Wisconsin Nearing The Finish Line

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Despite Senator Ron Johnson’s Obstruction, Wisconsinites Will Soon Receive Badly-Needed COVID Relief 

MADISON, Wis.— Today Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after the House of Representatives approved the American Rescue Plan, a bill that will provide over $20 billion in relief to Wisconsinites across the state. A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions. 

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:

“Today, Wisconsin workers and families are one step closer to receiving the economic relief they desperately need to help them recover from pandemic. We’re grateful to our elected officials, like Representatives Gwen Moore, Mark Pocan, and Ron Kind, who today put Wisconsin families over partisan DC politics. The American Rescue Plan will benefit Wisconsinites who need it most, which stands in stark contrast to those who benefitted from the 2017 tax giveaway to the wealthy—a $1.9 trillion bill Senator Johnson eagerly supported.”

See highlights from the American Rescue Plan in our breakdown here: 

American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin?

On Saturday, the American Rescue Plan passed the U.S. Senate, despite Senator Johnson’s inexplicable delaying tactics that forced Senate staff to read the bill aloud, wasting hours of the Senate’s valuable time for no apparent gain, while Badger State residents continued to struggle. Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a $1M statewide TV ad campaign featuring Wisconsin residents urging Senator Johnson to stop blocking COVID relief checks for Badger State families and workers.

American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin?

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Despite Senator Ron Johnson’s Obstruction, Wisconsinites Will Soon Receive Relief That Will Be A “Game-Changer”

MADISON, Wis.— Ahead of an expected vote in the House of Representatives, today Opportunity Wisconsin released highlights of how the Badger State stands to benefit once the American Rescue Plan is signed into law. A recent survey from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research found broad support from Wisconsinites for the American Rescue Plan, with large bipartisan majorities in favor of many of the bill’s provisions.

“To say the American Rescue Plan is a ‘game-changer’ would be an understatement. Whether it’s $1,400 direct payments, expanded vaccine access, or aid to small businesses, the American Rescue Plan provides badly-needed relief to Wisconsin workers and families who have been hit hard during the pandemic,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director. “It’s outrageous Senator Johnson voted against such a critical piece of legislation at a time when his constituents are struggling.” 

American Rescue Plan: What’s In It For Wisconsin  

A few highlights of what Wisconsinites can expect to see from the American Rescue Plan

• Total: The American Rescue plan would provide $20 billion in relief to Wisconsinites – money that would go to families, small businesses, and cities across the state.

• Direct Relief. A provision that would send $1,400 checks to American families who need it most would give $7.8 billion to Wisconsin families, helping 4 million adults and 1.5 million children in the state. 

• Child Tax Credit. Tax cuts in the American Rescue Plan provide 98 percent of Wisconsin’s families with children an average tax break of $2,510.

• Earned Income Tax Credit. 349,000 Wisconsinites claimed the EITC in 2020. However, workers without children were only able to claim a maximum of $529 dollars. The American Rescue Plan raises this maximum amount to $1,500. Approximately 214,000 childless workers in Wisconsin would gain $214 million from the expanded EITC benefit.

• Food Assistance. The American Rescue Plan would extend the 15 percent increase in SNAP benefits passed in December through at least September. Families would receive an additional $27 per person per month, and in Wisconsin, 30 percent of that increase would go to the neediest households – those with income below 50 percent of the federal poverty level. As of mid-December 2020, there were 723,000 people receiving SNAP benefits. That would bring an additional $20 million into the state and help ease the food insecurity in Wisconsin. 

The American Rescue Plan would benefit those who need it the most. This stands in stark contrast to those who benefitted from the 2017 millionaires tax cut, a $1.9 trillion bill Senator Johnson eagerly supported.  

(Image Source: Steve Rattner) 

On Saturday, the American Rescue Plan passed the U.S. Senate, despite Senator Johnson’s inexplicable delaying tactics that forced Senate staff to read the bill aloud, wasting hours of the Senate’s valuable time for no apparent gain, while Badger State residents continued to struggle. Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a $1M statewide TV ad campaign featuring Wisconsin residents urging Senator Johnson to stop blocking COVID relief checks for Badger State families and workers.  

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Surprising No One, Senator Johnson Votes Against Relief for Wisconsin Workers and Families

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Despite Johnson’s Attempted Obstruction, Badger State Will Soon Receive $1,400 Checks, More Vaccines, and Small Business Aid

MADISON, Wis.— Opportunity Wisconsin today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill that will provide billions for Wisconsin small businesses, extend eviction moratoriums, expand vaccine distribution, invest billions to help reopen schools, and distribute $1,400 checks to struggling Wisconsinites who need it most. The bill passed, despite Senator Ron Johnson’s inexplicable delaying tactics that forced Senate staff to read the bill aloud, wasting hours of the Senate’s valuable time for no apparent gain while Badger State residents continue to struggle.

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:

“True to his word, Senator Johnson led the resistance to providing urgently needed relief for Badger State residents. With thousands of Wisconsin lives lost and even more out of work, our friends and neighbors across the state deserve a senator who is going to put them first. We’re grateful for elected leaders, like Senator Tammy Baldwin, who listened to their constituents and voted to help communities recover from the pandemic’s devastation. Unfortunately, Senator Johnson instead prioritized political ploys over the Wisconsin people.”    

The American Rescue Plan has overwhelming popular support in the Badger State, particularly provisions that provide relief for small businesses, extend eviction moratoriums, reduce health care costs, and provide $1,400 direct payments. Recent polling from Opportunity Wisconsin and Change Research showed that a 57% majority of Wisconsinites, including 14% of Trump supporters, believed that Senator Johnson should have supported the American Rescue Plan. Only 34% of Wisconsinites wanted Senator Johnson to oppose it.

Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a $1M statewide TV ad campaign featuring Wisconsin residents urging Senator Johnson to stop blocking COVID relief checks for Badger State families and workers.

NEW: Senator Johnson Plans to Delay COVID Relief Through Senate Stunt

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Report: Johnson “will ask for a reading of COVID-relief substitute on Senate floor,” expected to delay process of advancing critical legislation by 10 hours 

MADISON, Wis.— Today Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after news broke that U.S. Senator Ron Johnson is preparing to ask for an alternative COVID relief bill to be read aloud on the Senate floor, a political ploy that is expected to require ten hours and will only delay relief for struggling Wisconsinites. Wisconsin is poised to receive over $20 billion in relief that will go to support families, small businesses, and cities and towns across the state as they recover from the devastation of the COVID pandemic.   

Meghan Roh, Program Director:

“Let’s be clear, Senator Johnson is now doing everything in his power to delay urgently-needed COVID relief for millions of Wisconsin workers and families. It is unconscionable. At a time when folks around the Badger State are barely scraping by, often being forced to choose between keeping the heat on and putting food on the table, Senator Johnson has decided to put politics over the Wisconsin people. Senator Johnson is either completely out-of-touch with the struggles of his constituents or he simply doesn’t care. He should forgo this pointless stunt and support this urgent legislation that Wisconsinites need.”   

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Senator Johnson Doubles Down on Hypocritical Opposition to COVID Relief for Wisconsin Families

Monday, March 1, 2021

Wisconsinites have been urging Johnson to change his position and support COVID relief, including $1,400 direct checks to struggling residents

MADISON, Wis.— Today Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after U.S. Senator Ron Johnson doubled down on his opposition to the COVID relief package, which passed the House early Saturday morning and is currently being considered by the Senate. In his comments, Senator Johnson bemoaned the amount of relief being provided to Wisconsin families and workers, saying, “This isn’t money we have.”

Meghan Roh, Program Director:

“It’s rich to hear Senator Johnson complain about cost when he had absolutely no issue voting for a massive tax giveaway just a few years ago. And speaking of rich, Senator Johnson’s wealthy corporate donors were some of the only people who benefitted from those tax breaks, while working Wisconsinites saw next-to-nothing. Now, when it comes to providing meaningful financial relief for Badger State residents devastated by COVID-19, Senator Johnson can’t seem to justify the expense. As the Senate considers critical relief legislation this week, we urge Senator Johnson to listen to Wisconsinites and support $1,400 direct checks, other urgent measures to help us get through this pandemic.”  

In 2017, Senator Johnson eagerly supported a $1.9 trillion tax giveaway to America’s billionaires. Yet in December, he led the charge to stop a bipartisan effort to provide relief checks to Wisconsinites, with Politico writing that Johnson was “the guy who twice shut down...stimulus checks that would have gone to hundreds of thousands of his constituents.” Recently, Senator Johnson argued against additional COVID relief, claiming Wisconsinites have “excess savings.” 

Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a $1 million statewide TV ad campaign, featuring Wisconsin residents calling on Senator Johnson to support COVID relief checks. The campaign also included a full-page ad in Senator Johnson’s hometown newspaper, highlighting his hypocrisy. 

The ad read, in part:

“Senator Johnson gave a boatload of tax breaks to his wealthy corporate donors. But he’s blocking badly needed COVID relief checks for the rest of us.”    

A provision in the American Rescue Plan to send $1,400 checks to American families who need it most would give $7.8 billion to Wisconsin families, helping 4 million adults and 1.5 million children in the state. 

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