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Report details 20th Century history of KKK at UW-Madison

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UW-Madison is taking ownership of past campus groups with Ku Klux Klan affiliations. But the university has no plans to remove from campus buildings the names of student leaders who participated in the KKK in the early 20th Century.

A newly released report mentions two student members by name: Porter Butts and Fredric March. Both were members of a KKK group that emerged in 1919, during the rebirth of the KKK as an organization opposed to civil rights for African-Americans, and that also pushed an anti-Jewish, anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant agenda.

Chancellor Rebecca Blank tweeted about the report after its release on Thursday.

A second UW-Madison group was part of a national for-profit fraternal organization dubbed the “Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.” The report states it had some success among faculty and students between 1922 and 1926.

A summary of the report is available at news.wisc.edu.

Johnson defends U.S. participation in Trans-Pacific Partnership

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U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (Photo: Andrew Beckett)

President Donald Trump is apparently changing his mind again, on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trump tweeted this week that TPP has “too many contingencies and no way to get out if it doesn’t work.” Trump made U.S. exit from the trade pact one of the first items on his to-do list after taking office, but last week, lawmakers who attended a White House meeting on trade reported he was reconsidering.

Wisconsin U.S. Senator Ron Johnson is a supporter of TPP, and U.S. participation. “We don’t want to be on the outside looking in, as other countries engage in freer and fairer and more reciprocal trade,” the Republican said in an interview with WRDN.

The president tweeted that “bilateral deals are far more efficient, profitable and better for OUR workers.” Johnson thinks multilateral trade is better. “TPP represents about 13 and-a-half percent of the world’s economy without the U.S. With the U.S. it represents about 40 percent,” Johnson said. “It should be really ‘win-win,’ and that’s what trade does, if its done properly.

Johnson said Wisconsin manufacturing and agriculture would benefit from TPP, which Trump withdrew the U.S. from last year.

Elections Commission approves security spending

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The Wisconsin Elections Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved spending on new elections security. The commission voted to proceed with hiring up to six new staffers, purchasing authentication software to improve security in the voter registration database, and contracting with IT specialists to address security needs. Commission spokesman Reid Magney

“We hope to have these things done in the next several months,” Commission spokesman Reid Magney said. “Hopefull before the August elections, and certainly before November.”

Magney says none of the changes should have a noticeable impact on the voting experience at local polling places. “If we do everything right, voters won’t notice anything.”

There is additional money available from a $7 million federal grant. Magney says the commission will be asking for input from county clerks and the public, on how to spend the rest of it.

Soglin says he’s ready to challenge Walker

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Paul Soglin

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin says he’s ready take on Governor Scott Walker. There are now more than a dozen Democrats in the primary race, and Soglin says his own polling shows him edging out state schools superintendent Tony Evers.

“Evers is at 25, I’m at 23, and frankly what the poll says is the more information people get about all of us, I continue to go up.”

In a WisPolitics interview in Madison Tuesday, Soglin addressed a number of issues including the Foxconn deal, which he wants to revisit if elected.

“It’s not as simple as downsizing the agreement. What it means is sitting down with Foxconn, sitting down with economists, and getting real about the size of the state’s investment.”

Soglin also said voters are not concerned about his age — he’ll be 73 on Saturday — his “tax and spend liberal” reputation, or meeting with Fidel Casto in 1975.

Scott Walker not interested in Trump cabinet post

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Governor Scott Walker WRN image

Scott Walker says he’s not interested in a job with the Trump administration. The Republican governor was unequivocal, when asked about that potential after a bill signing at the Capitol on Monday.

“I will never willingly leave the role as governor through the end of this next coming term,” Walker said following a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol on Monday. “I’m running for reelection to serve a full term.”

Walker said his certainty is based on something he was told, by former governor and cabinet secretary, Tommy Thompson. “You can get much, much more done as a governor, and it’s much more fulfilling being a governor than being in the cabinet.” Thompson served as HHS Secretary for four years during the George W. Bush administration.

Also Monday, Walker was asked about his friend, Missouri Governor Eric Grietens, as Democrats in the Missouri legislature attempt to have him disciplined. “I think it’s a horribly sad situation,” Walker said. “I don’t know how someone stays in that position. It’s difficult if not impossible for him govern.”

A legislative committee in Jefferson City has released an investigative report about Greitens’ former mistress accusing him of physical aggression, sexual manipulation and blackmail.

Walker signed 93 bills into law on Monday, including one that to protect Soldiers and Airmen in the Wisconsin National Guard, and their families, when they are mobilized to state active duty.

The bill requires the state Department of Military Affairs to grant continuation pay to Guard members injured while on state active duty. It also requires the department to pay a $100,000 benefit to a guard member’s designated beneficiary, if they’re killed on active duty.

Pocan critical of Trump TPP reversal

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President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a re-entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan says that’s not what Trump campaigned on here in the state.

“I just think if he does that it would be really turning his back on so many people who are just hoping on keeping jobs in America, and bringing jobs back to this country.” The 2nd District Democrat says a return to TPP would be devastating.

“The swamp that he rain against will get even bigger, with more and more wealthy folks and wealthy corporations doing better and better, and people in Wisconsin and across the country more likely to see their jobs outsourced.”

Lawmakers who attended a White House meeting on trade Thursday reported the president is considering reversing course. Trump made U.S. exit from the trade pact one of the first items on his to-do list after taking office.

Ryan’s departure shakes up 1st Congressional District race

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Charles Franklin

Paul Ryan’s seat in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District is not a surefire win for Democrats. They’re energized by Ryan’s decision not to run, and the furnishing success of ironworker Randy Bryce, the Democratic front-runner.

Marquette Law School political scientist Charles Franklin notes that it’s looking like a tough year for Republicans, with Democrats hoping for a “blue wave” to capture the seat and the House.

“But if a Republican can win it, they could probably hold it for awhile, absent more Democratic forces in the future,” Franklin said. “The seat is one that typically produces Republican margins that are 10 to 14 points more than the Republican margins statewide.”

Bryce and Janesville school teacher Cathy Myers are running in the Democratic primary.

Paul Nehlen — who lost the GOP primary two years ago — is running again. Nehlen has made racist and anti-Semetic comments have been denounced by the Republican party. “I would be very surprised not to see one, or as many as several, much more establishment Republicans enter the race.”

At least one establishment Republican has already said he is not running — former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus. “Look, I’m always interested in serving but the timing for me couldn’t be worse.” Priebus told WISN radio that he’s just started a new job with the Milwaukee law firm of Michael, Best, and Friederich. He also said he’s enjoying being home with his family — something Ryan cited as a primary motivation in his decision to not seek reelection.

Other potential Republican candidates include Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Assembly members Samantha Kerkman, Amy Loudenbeck, and Tyler August. Also state Senator David Craig and UW Regent David Steil. None of them have indicated that they’re running or not, although Kerkman told the Capitol Times that she’s thinking about it.

Statewide tornado drills today

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Statewide tornado drills are on today. A test tornado watch is set for 1:00 this afternoon. Local municipalities will test warning sirens at 1:45 and 6:45. Many local broadcasters will participate, and NOAA weather radios will issue alert messaging.

Households, schools and workplaces are encouraged to part in the statewide tornado drills to make sure everyone is ready when danger approaches

Walker suggests permanent military presence on border

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Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is all in, on President Donald Trump’s National Guard border order. On Fox News Network Monday, Walker noted past presidents had deployed the Guard to fight the illegal drug trade.

“I’d take it a step further,” Walker told Fox and Friends. “I suggest that the president should actually put permanent training facilities along the border. What a great way to save money. Train people in the military at the same time you held guard the border.”

No Wisconsin Guard units have been sent to the border yet, and none have been requested. “Until we can have a wall and proper security, we’re going to be guarding our border with the military,” Trump said last week.

DATCP Consumer Alert for ‘Apple Tech Support’ scam

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Wisconsin Consumers are being warned about the latest phone scam. The robocalls claim there is a problem with the recipients’ iCloud or Apple ID accounts. “That’s going to concern a number of consumers,” said Michelle Reinen with the state Bureau of Consumer Protection.

If you receive a similar telephone call, Reinen says you should hang up. “Do not press any keys. Do not ask to end the call by pressing a button. Do not ask to talk to a representative by pressing a button. Just hang up the call.”

In many instances, consumers have reported that the caller ID information has been spoofed to make it appear as if the call is coming from the Apple Store at the Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa. In at least one other instance, the number provided was that of an Apple Store in Los Angeles.