Latest news with #Evers
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Oshkosh legislators to continue pursuit of full Municipal Services Payment program funding
OSHKOSH – Residents will likely continue subsidizing the cost of city-provided services for state-owned property exempt from property taxes. The Wisconsin Legislature won't be increasing funding to the Municipal Services Payment program after the Joint Finance Committee removed Gov. Tony Evers' proposal from the state biennial budget June 13. The decision means the state will continue to significantly underfund the program at 37.62%, just more than half of Evers' recent resolution of 72%. Dig deeper: Hintz doesn't expect state to boost Municipal Services Payment Program funding despite Evers, Oshkosh proposals The MSP program reimburses municipalities for police, fire and waste management services to property tax-exempt, state-owned facilities like UW-Oshkosh and the Oshkosh Correctional Institution. Oshkosh receives just more than $1 million from the MSP, but the city has around $900 million worth of state-owned property, putting it as the third-largest holder of such facilities in Wisconsin behind Madison and Milwaukee. As a result, taxpayers are left to make up the shortfall. In his recent biennial budget, Evers proposed adding a further $17 million to the MSP's current budget of $18.6 million, which would see the state funding the program at 72%. Oshkosh's common council recently passed a resolution asking the state legislature to fully fund the MSP at 100%, prompting a similar motion on the floor at the Joint Finance Committee. But the issue has seemingly become a partisan one, with the motion being shot down via a 12-4 vote after all 12 Republicans on the GOP-controlled JCF opposed the funding increase. This follows a recent workshop held last month with the Oshkosh Common Council during which State Rep. Nate Gustafson (R-55) said he couldn't commit to supporting the city's resolution of having the state fully fund the MSP. State Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-19) was not present at the workshop but also would not commit to the resolution in a subsequent email to the Northwestern. In contrast, State Sen. Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D-18) and State Rep. Lori Palmeri (D-54) said they would put forward a standalone bill if Evers' proposal failed. "The citizens of Oshkosh are being taken advantage of,' Dassler-Alfheim told the Northwestern in an interview following the JCF vote. 'It is the state's obligation to pay for their resources that are located here in Oshkosh, so the governor asked for 72% and I would have hoped for a compromise maybe at 50%, but instead we got no increase.' Emails to Cabral-Guevara and Gustafson asking about the apparent partisan nature of the MSP issue were not immediately returned. "There is nothing political about protecting the taxpayers of Oshkosh from footing the bill for services provided by municipalities to state facilities," Dassler-Alfheim said. Read more: State legislators support Oshkosh's resolution for state to fully fund Municipal Services Payment program Created in 1973, the MSP program is supposed 'to make equitable annual payment to municipalities,' yet the state hasn't fully funded it since 1981. According to a budget summary from the JFC, the highest percentage of entitlement cost covered over the last two decades was 88.1% in 2005. MSP funding was reduced for both the 2009-11 and 2011-13 budgets, with the current funding of $18.6 million being set since 2011. Despite Evers' proposal being removed from the state budget, Oshkosh may still have hopes for seeing increased state funding to the MSP. The proposal could be drafted and introduced in either the Assembly or the Senate as a standalone bill in the same language used in Oshkosh's resolution. But that bill would likely have to be referred to the same Joint Finance Committee that removed Evers' line in the budget and voted against the motion for the legislature to fully fund the MSP. 'This is falling on the backs of Oshkosh citizens and that's inappropriate, so I will keep fighting for them,' Dassler-Alfheim told the Northwestern Oshkosh City Manager Rebecca Grill explained the Joint Finance Committee's decision only further compounds the city's 2026 budget process, which starts with a budget deficit of over $3 million. Common council member DJ Nichols then made comments suggesting Oshkosh could contemplate legal action. "All options are on the table," Nichols told the Northwestern. "If the legislative branch can't solve this, maybe it's time to explore if the judicial branch can provide any relief — not just for Oshkosh, but for each of the over 360 municipalities that the JFC has betrayed." In a post on his official Facebook page, Nichols' fellow common council member Kris Larson took further issue with the situation seemingly becoming a partisan issue. 'MSP is a PERFECT example of something that all of your reps should be pushing for, for YOU, as it directly benefits YOU (and would benefit their communities ... which is literally their job),' Larson wrote. 'YOUR ability to pay the most fair property tax rate should not have anything to do with whether your representatives have an R or a D after their name ... but on this subject, it does.' The 2025-27 biennial state budget is slated to pass July 1. Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@ and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville. This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: Oshkosh legislators to continue pursuit of full MSP program funding
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wisconsin state leaders celebrate Juneteenth, say fight for freedom continues
'We honor the legacy of those who fought for our emancipation and those who continued to fight for our civil rights and economic progress,' Sen. Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee) said at the Tuesday celebration. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Exmainer.) Wisconsin state leaders spent the week leading up to Juneteenth recognizing the holiday and calling for the fight for freedom and equality to continue. Juneteenth marks the official end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865. On that day, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, to announce to more than 250,000 enslaved Black people that they were free, about two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The Juneteenth flag was raised over the Wisconsin State Capitol on Wednesday afternoon for the sixth year in a row. Gov. Tony Evers spoke at a ceremony held on the observation deck in the rain. The flag will be up over the Capitol until sunset on Thursday. The star in the center of the flag is meant to represent Texas — the Lone Star State — as well as a nova to signify a new beginning and freedom for Black Americans, while the red, white and blue colors are meant to represent that enslaved people and their descendants are Americans and shall be forever free. Evers said the holiday is a time to celebrate the 'critical progress' that's been made and to commit to 'make sure our work is building a more just, a more equitable and a freer state and country.' 'Now more than ever, we must not be silent about the realities faced by communities who have felt the disproportionate impacts of centuries of injustice. Now, more than ever, we must work towards the future where every family, no matter their background, race, zip code, or socioeconomic status has the tools and resources required,' Evers said And now, more than ever as leaders in D.C. try to sow division We must remember that there is more that unites us than divides us and that our diversity is our strength, not our weakness.' The legislative Black Caucus hosted a celebration of Juneteenth in the rotunda of the state Capitol on Tuesday and the theme of the celebration was 'Voices of Freedom: Justice in Motion, Leading with Purpose.' The caucus also honored La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington Spivey and Racine Judge Jamie McClendon, who are both the first black elected leaders to serve in their respected roles. Sen. Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee) said they were gathered to celebrate 'not just Black history but American history.' 'We honor the legacy of those who fought for our emancipation and those who continued to fight for our civil rights and economic progress,' Drake said. Drake noted that the significance of Juneteenth has grown with its recognition as a federal holiday reflecting 'a broader acknowledgement and importance of freedom and equality in American history.' At the celebration, D'Mario Cockfield, co-chair of the Milwaukee County Youth Council, spoke, quipping that he was sure people were wondering why a teen was giving remarks at the Capitol. 'If you grew up like I did you probably had a Black mother who told you to stay out of grown folks' business but — believe me I've heard that more times than I can count — but as I've gotten older, I've learned something very important that when it comes to freedom, justice and equality that this is my business and it's all of yours as well. It's a shared responsibility,' Cockfield said. Cockfield told the crowd that Juneteenth is about remembering how much Black Americans have struggled and overcome and also remembering to be present, aware and to be the change that those who came before us could only wish to see. He said the work towards justice is the work of every generation. 'Freedom isn't given, it's earned through struggle, through sacrifice and through courage,' Cockfield said. He said it also takes the will to be 'in grown folks' business.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor Evers celebrates recognizes LGBTQ small business owners in Chippewa Falls
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – Governor Tony Evers took time to celebrate Pride month in the Chippewa Valley. He visited with LGBTQ small business owners at Ope, It's Soap in downtown Chippewa Falls. Wisconsin Tourism saw another year of record-breaking economic impact. Evers says that it is, in large part, thanks to small business owners and LGBTQ individuals who contribute to the local and state economy. 'We believe in the rights of LGBTQ folks. They're our neighbors… friends. We have to celebrate that and be proud of the community and what they've accomplished.' Earlier this month, the Governor ordered the Progress Pride flag be raised over the Wisconsin State Capitol to celebrate the start of Pride month. 2025 marks the seventh year in a row that the Pride flag is being flown at the State Capitol in Madison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers cut a tribal liaison with prisons from the budget. Tribes say they think it would help.
Flags of the 11 Native American tribes of Wisconsin in the Wisconsin State Capitol. (Wisconsin Examiner photo) At a state prison in Stanley, Wisconsin, participants in a Native American-focused group take part in traditional cultural practices. According to Ryan Greendeer, executive government relations officer with the Ho-Chunk Nation, Stanley Correctional Institution's chaplain recently reached out to the tribe with requests for the group's programming. The chaplain wanted teaching materials, as many materials in the current selection were old. He said that men learn songs and Native language with the materials, as well as history and culture. The chaplain said the men are eager to learn more about all things Native, according to Greendeer. He was also seeking a larger pipe bowl and poles to help build a new lodge. The pipe has a history of ceremonial use. The prison's annual report for fiscal year 2024 mentions a Native American smudge and drum group. The report says that each month, several religious organizations and volunteers come in to hold various services, and the list includes 'Sweat Lodge (Native American).' There were 79 American Indian or Alaska Native people at Stanley Correctional as of April 30, according to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC). Gov. Tony Evers' budget recommendations for corrections included a tribal liaison position for the DOC. The liaison would be responsible for working with Native American tribes and bands on the agency's behalf. Each of the governor's cabinet agencies has already set at least one staff member to be a tribal liaison. The governor's proposal would create a new position, set aside for the job of tribal liaison for corrections. Evers also proposed creating a director of Native American affairs in the Department of Administration and tribal liaisons in several other agencies, including the Department of Justice and Department of Natural Resources. 'Gov. Evers' commitment has been—and always will be—to ensure that the state maintains strong partnerships with the Tribal Nations by recognizing and respecting the needs and perspectives of the Nations and Indigenous people,' Britt Cudaback, communications director for the governor's office, said in an email. The Legislature's Joint Finance Committee removed the proposed positions in May, along with hundreds of other items proposed by Evers. 'Unfortunately, [Evers] sends us an executive budget that's just piles full of stuff that doesn't make sense and spends recklessly and raises taxes and has way too much policy,' Joint Finance Committee co-chair Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) said in May. Tribes already work with the state, including the Oneida Nation, which is located in northeast Wisconsin. The tribe told the Examiner that it continues to work with the state to make sure incarcerated Native Americans have proper access to culturally based practices and resources. With a tribal liaison that can help navigate the corrections system, the tribe's efforts to make sure resources are provided and distributed appropriately make better progress, the tribe said. 'These efforts will continue whether or not a tribal liaison position exists, although the impact on incarcerated individuals who use culturally based resources may be greater as efforts take longer,' the tribe said. The Oneida Nation said it 'supports tribes' efforts to ensure incarcerated members maintain access to appropriate support services as provided by tribal, state, and federal laws.' Maggie Olson, communications coordinator for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, said the tribe is not located close to the corrections facilities where their tribal members are incarcerated. This is a significant barrier, she said. 'It would be nice to be able to have a better handle on where our people are within the system to ensure they are having their spiritual and cultural needs met,' Olson said in an email to the Examiner. 'It is much easier (at this time) to meet religious needs (think Christianity) within the correctional system than it is to meet the spiritual and cultural needs of Native Americans within the system.' A great first step would be having a dedicated person who can build relationships with incarcerated Native Americans, she said. In a statement, the tribe said the liaison 'would be a start to developing and enhancing tribal input with State initiatives.' The tribe said it wants to work with the DOC on access to supportive services in county jails. Olson said she met DOC Secretary Jared Hoy at an event on June 5 and that they had a great discussion about the potential benefits of a tribal liaison at the agency. 'With the uncertainties surrounding federal funding, we are hopeful state funding will be increased to tribal programs in Wisconsin,' Olson said. The tribe's criminal justice work involves partnership with the DOC. In the St. Croix Tribal Reintegration Program, case managers work with tribal members before and after their release from prison or jail, the tribe said. The program has a memo of understanding with the Department of Corrections, providing guidance for working relationships between tribal reentry and probation. All of the governor's cabinet agencies have consultation policies that say how they will work with tribal governments. Agencies and tribal elected officials have annual consultation meetings to talk about programs, laws and funding that may affect the tribe. Discussions at the annual state-tribal consultation tend to be about high-level policy, but they can delve into specifics, Greendeer said. He gave an example related to tribal members who are on probation or parole. 'For example, a topic that keeps coming up is re-entry programming for enrolled tribal member offenders,' Greendeer said. 'A concern discussed at a recent consultation was that probation/parole officers might not consider tribal norms/values, citing a lack of eye contact in saying a client is disengaged or disconnected.' The co-chairs and vice-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee did not respond to requests for comment. DOC communications director Beth Hardtke did not answer a question from the Examiner about the responsibilities and goals of the tribal liaison position. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
How law enforcement plans to keep Pride Festival safe
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Stonewall Columbus Pride March and Festival returns this weekend, welcoming thousands of people downtown to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. With police anticipating big crowds, Columbus Police Commander Scott Evers said safety is top of mind. 'We started planning for this event pretty much the day after, you know, it ended last year,' Evers said. 'From that, you know, we just kind of figure out what we can improve from last year.' How Granville, Grove City and Gahanna are celebrating Pride 2025 Evers said when it comes to planning, the main focus is allocating resources. He said the department works with federal and state partners and gathers feedback from other cities. 'Some of the things we change is just a lot of it's just logistics,' Evers said. 'You know, how we can situate personnel so they can, you know, be better able to respond to different areas.' Officers will be out patrolling the area on foot, horseback, bikes and cruisers. Attendees can also expect to see cameras throughout the Pride festival and parade route. 'If you see something, say something,' Evers said. 'Cameras obviously make it easier for people to see more things. It's a force multiplier.' Pride on High viewing area to benefit Columbus LGBTQ+ groups Pride Month comes amid rising political protests and tensions, and police are prepared for protests planned at the statehouse. 'We have dialogue officers that are here,' Evers said. 'They have existing relationships with all kinds of groups, as many groups as we can, and we focus on it is truly a relationship with a lot of groups, right? If people are protesting, I mean, it's their First Amendment right, and we are here to accommodate and welcome anybody that comes.' This year, with warmer temperatures forecast for the weekend, police said there will be more water available and they'll be communicating with event organizers should they have to make changes due to weather. 'We continuously evaluate every event, like I said, that happens here, nationally, internationally and we adjust plans,' Evers said. 'We adjust plans, or we don't adjust plans, just depending on it.' List: 2025 Pride Month events, festivals in central Ohio According to Columbus police, they have not received any credible threats to the Pride fest or protests this weekend. The Pride Festival will run from 4-10 p.m. on June 13 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on June 14 in Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St. The march will leave from the corner of Broad and High streets at 10:30 a.m. June 14. Participants will proceed north on High Street to the Buttles Avenue intersection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
