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Johnson says whistle blower ‘exposed things that didn’t need to be exposed’

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As the public phase of the Hous impeachments proceedings enter a second week, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson said he’s willing to share his firsthand knowledge of the U.S.-Ukraine relationship. On NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday, Johnson told Chuck Todd that he’s been asked to do that by Republicans on the panel.

The Wisconsin Republican – who was in Ukraine prior to the president’s phone call with that country’s president – said he’s been asked share his firsthand knowledge, but doubts he’ll be asked to testify. “They’re not going to call me, because certainly Adam Schiff wouldn’t want to be called by the Senate. I’ll supply my telling of event, which is difficult to to do in 8-10 minutes on a show like this.”

Johnson also expressed concerns over the role of the whistle blower in the impeachment proceedings. “Having this all come out into public …. has exposed things that didn’t need to be exposed. This would have been far better off if we were just taking care of this behind the scenes.”

Johnson said he’s concerned about the impact the impeachment process is having on the country, stating that political differences need to be “settled at the ballot box, not in the streets or through impeachment.”

Ron Johnson letter to Trump urges him to abandon rules for vaping flavors

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Senator Ron Johnson is asking President Trump not to push restrictions on vaping flavors. In a letter to the president, Johnson said he supports rules that ensure the safety of products for consumers but he’s also concerned about government action that stifles innovation and threatens jobs. He said the restrictions on flavored vape products are being “rammed through.”

“I am strongly opposed to far-reaching, unchecked government action that stifles innovation and restricts adults’ freedom to choose safer alternatives to smoking.”

The administration is also considering raising the age to buy vaping products from 18 to 21, an idea Johnson says he supports.

Man shot and killed by police in Fox Crossing

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A man was shot and killed by police officers in Fox Crossing early Thursday, according to a release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

A Fox Crossing police officer and a Neenah police officer responded to a call for a suicidal subject on the 900 block of Clover Street, Fox Crossing, Wis. Following an interaction with the subject both officers discharged their weapons, striking the subject. A weapon was found on the scene. Authorities performed lifesaving measures and the subject was transported to Thedacare Neenah where he died from his injuries. 

The names of the victim and the officers involved have not been released.

Evers on GOP leaders: ‘I don’t think they’re bastards’

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He doesn’t really think they’re bastards. Governor Tony Evers was asked in the Dells Wednesday about a report that he used that pejorative last week, in referring to Republican leaders in the legislature. “I don’t think they’re bastards, obviously,” Evers said. “‘Don’t let the bastards keep you down’ is a term of art, it’s not a term of necessarily insult.”

The Journal Sentinel reported Wednesday that Evers was so angry when Republican state senators fired Brad Pfaff as state agriculture secretary, that he told state workers the move was “amoral and stupid” and urged them not to let the “bastards” impede their work.
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Conservative group’s lawsuit seeks purge of state voter rolls

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A conservative group wants to purge thousands of people from the state’s voter rolls. Last month, the state Elections Commission mailed notices to some 234,00 voters, telling them to update their registrations with their new addresses if they’ve moved, or to notify the commission if they have not. Voters who fail to act will have their registrations suspended after April 2021.

But the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty contends state law requires the commission to remove people from the voter rolls much sooner. Three men it represents filed a lawsuit Wednesday asking an Ozaukee County judge to force the commission to remove people from the voter rolls if they did not respond to the commission’s letter.

Analiese Eicher, Executive Director of the liberal One Wisconsin Now Institute, said the suit is a tactic utilized around the country by conservatives seeking to manipulate the rules on voting to give themselves an advantage

Eicher noted that WILL board members donated thousands of dollars to the campaign of state Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly, who is up for reelection next spring.

Assembly approves National Bible Week, Christmas Tree resolutions

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The state Assembly has approved a resolution declaring the week of Thanksgiving as National Bible Week in Wisconsin. Madison’s Freedom from Religion Foundation has called the resolution “highly inappropriate.”

Not so,. says Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Burlington). “It’s not something new that we’ve done . . . we have done these in the past. I think we recognize people of all faiths,” Vos said.

“I don’t have a real problem with it,” said Minority Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Ohskosh). “It seems to be we’re going to have holy wars or something, it might be to distract from the lack of an agenda overall.”

The resolution passed on 86-9 vote Tuesday. The Assembly also voted Tuesday to officially recognize the rotunda evergreen as a Christmas tree. That resolution was a reaction to Governor Tony Evers invitation to school kids to send ornaments for the Capitol’s “Holiday Tree.” Four Democrats joined Republicans on the pro Christmas Tree vote.

Evers issues Executive Order to promote diversity & equity in state government

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Governor Tony Evers has signed an Executive Order relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion in state government. Among other things, it requires state agencies to develop and implement equity and inclusion action plans, directs the state Department of Administration to develop and provide mandatory equity and inclusion training for all state employees, and creates the Governor’s Advisory Council on Equity and Inclusion.

“Ensuring our state workforce not only reflects the folks we serve, but implements culturally responsive and equitable policies, is critical for our state government to be effective,” Gov. Evers said. “I look forward to the progress of the advisory council and these state agencies as we work together to build more inclusive work environments that empower folks of diverse backgrounds to thrive in their workplaces.”

Evers announced the Executive Order in Madison on Tuesday.

“I think he (Evers) already did this in the spring,” said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. “Sometimes I feel like the purpose of these resolutions is to just regurgitate what he’s already done.” Vos said the state had an inclusive government under former Governor Scott Walker. “I certainly want it to be under Governor Evers.”

Wisconsin weather: welcome to ‘Novemuary’

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The weather outside seems more like mid-winter than mid-November, with Tuesday morning low temperatures of the sort more commonly experienced in January or February.

How low did it go? The National Weather Service in Milwaukee reported records for this date were broken in Madison – at 4 degrees, and Milwaukee – at 9 degrees. The Weather Service in Green Bay reports records were also broken in Anitigo, Marshfield and Oshkosh, with wind chills Tuesday morning well below zero.

There’s also snow on the ground across most of the state, and more snow in the forecast Wednesday night for much of Wisconsin.

Sean Duffy’s new gig is with D.C. lobbying firm

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Another new job for former congressman Sean Duffy. The Wisconsin Republican will head the financial services practice at the lobbying firm BGR Group, according to a release from the firm.

BGR CEO Bob Wood stated, “Sean is a star in Wisconsin politics who quickly moved up in Congressional seniority and earned the respect of Congressional Leadership and the White House for his smart policies and his Midwestern work ethic. We are thrilled to have Sean join our bipartisan advocacy team to help clients resolve complex policy challenges.”

Duffy and wife Rachel Campos Duffy announced his resignation after learning that their ninth child would be born with a heart condition. The baby arrived in October and soon after, CNN hired Duffy as paid contributor. There he quickly made controversial and unsubstantiated claims, including a suggestion there’s a missing DNC server in Ukraine and questioning the allegiance of Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, an impeachment witness.

The former Ashland County D.A., MTV reality show star and lumberjack athlete is not able to lobby Congress for a year, but can lobby the administration.

No action on Evers’ special session on gun violence

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There was no action on gun violence in the legislature, but it was definitely “topic A” at the Capitol on Thursday. Minority Leader Gordon Hintz said taking guns from people posing a threat to themselves could reduce suicide rates. “If you want to reduce the number of suicides, you need to reduce access to firearms from those that are likely to harm themselves.”

Speaker Robin argued there are existing laws in place to take peoples’ gun when needed, and that a “red flag” bill deprives gun owners of due process. “Imagine that for any other circumstance. ‘We think that you might drive drunk, so we’re going to take away your car. We think that you might do something. I mean, even when you yell ‘fire’ in a crowded theater, it happens first, and then you’re prosecuted after. What they want to have happen is that you’re prosecuted first, and you have to prove yourself innocent. That is just a basic idea that far too many of us cannot accept.”

Attorney General Josh Kaul argued it wouldn’t have that impact. “Red flag laws have been upheld in Florida, in Connecticut, and Indiana. And . . . the one we’re introduced here in Wisconsin is similar in design to other legislation that is already in place in Wisconsin, that allows for people who are dangerous to be disarmed.”

Evers had called the special session on the red flag proposal, and on expanded background checks for gun purchasers. Both chambers gaveed in – and quickly out – without debate on either.