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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.

Walker signs child tax rebate

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Governor Scott Walker was in Ashwaubenon Tuesday, signing a bill that will present a tax rebate for families with school-aged children.

Governor Walker says the $100 per child will come just in time for back-to-school shopping and will be a relief during a stressful time of year for many. “With shoes and clothes and pants and shirts and back-to-school supplies, that’s often a difficult time for parents and grandparents across the state of Wisconsin.”

Those who criticize the new law say it not money well spent. “You couldn’t think of a lazier way to spend $130 million than this proposal,” said Assembly minority leader Gordon Hintz, who calls it an election year stunt.

“The reality is there wasn’t a lot of thought put into this. It was a governor who looked at the polling and decided he needed to come up with something that he could give people before the election,” Hintz said.

Walker addressed the issue on Tuesday and says he does not agree. “People who are critics about this really are upset because they want to spend that money on things in government. We want to allow you, the hard-working taxpayers, to spend it on your kids and grandkids.”

The sales tax holiday will be August 1st through 5th. Sales tax will not be charged for school supplies and clothing that costs $75 dollars or less along with computers under $750 dollars and computer supplies that are $250 dollars or less.

Online sign-ups for the child tax rebate will begin May 15th.

WTAQ

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.

Rep. Kleefisch won’t run for re-election

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State Representative Joel Kleefisch has announced he won’t be running for re-election.

In a press release posted to Facebook on Monday, Kleefisch said he will be stepping down to spend more time with his daughters and wife, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch. “My kids have never really known parents outside of elective office. It’s time for them to sit with me on the side of a parade route”

Kleefisch says he’s happy to have served in the Assembly since 2004. “Words can’t describe what an honor it’s been to be part of Wisconsin’s successes for nearly 14 years.”

“I have never stopped believing that hard work and heartfelt convictions can make this state a better place for the people who live here.”

Kleefisch says that he’s especially proud of a number of bills and policies he’s promoted through his tenure, including fighting human trafficking, combating the opioid crisis, cracking down on sex offenders and making it easier for more hunters and anglers to get into Wisconsin’s great outdoors.

His departure is another in a string of Republicans announcing their retirement from office in Wisconsin, including House Speaker Paul Ryan.

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.

Vos won’t run for Congress

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State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says he won’t run for Congress, even as he downplays allegations of ethics violations connected with a trip to London.

Vos told WISN’s Jay Weber on Friday that he will not run for Congress following the pending departure of House Speaker Paul Ryan. Vos says he’s decided to stay and work for Wisconsin in the state legislature. “I am incredibly proud of the state we’re in. I’m proud that on every single conservative reform that has passed since 2010, I have been in the room, and I’ve been one of the people that helped to make it happen.”

“I’ve decided that I will stay in Wisconsin, stay in the state Assembly, and hope to bring back a very strong conservative majority to show Washington how states can lead and not the reverse,” says Vos.

Democratic State Representative Peter Barca, who held the 1st Assembly seat for one term in the 90s, is said to be considering getting in. There are already two Democrats in the race.

Meanwhile, Vos is also denying that there was any political wrongdoing on his part for taking a trip to London paid for by a political action committee. Vos was among a number of lobbyists and lawmakers from other states who took that trip for free.

Fallout from the trip has already cost Ohio’s Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger his job after an FBI investigation.

Vos says he followed state ethics laws in accepting the August trip, and that he hasn’t been contacted by the FBI or other authorities concerning the trip.

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.

Madison will remove memorial to Confederate POWS

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WRN image

The Madison Common Council voted Tuesday to remove a monument to Confederate prisoners of war from the city-owned Forest Hill Cemetery.

The large cenotaph that bears the names of soldiers buried there will be offered to the Wisconsin Historical Society or the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial.

The unanimous vote was taken after the council received three recommendations from different commissions.

Before the vote, a number of citizens spoke on both sides of the issue. There’s no word yet on when the monument will be taken down.

A smaller plaque was removed in 2017. It, too, will be offered to the State Historical Society or Wisconsin Veterans Memorial.

WIBA