<div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:12pt">The State Budget, which guides spending for the next 2 years in our state is in the final stages of review by the Joint Finance Committee, which is showing disregard for citizen input.  WISDOM and the UU State Action Network, along with<i> Building Unity </i>are all working together to try to support progressive priorities such as criminal justice reform, public education, Badger Care expansion and climate justice.  </span><br></div><div style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></div><div style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">If you'd like to make your voice heard, read on.  We are being asked to call members of the Joint Finance Committee on Thursday, and/or join the Just Budget Unity Tour which will be at UUCW this <span style="font-size:12pt">Saturday, May 8th at 1:00 PM.  This site was chosen as a safely distanced outdoor tour stop site as it is in the district of Senator Kooyenga who is on the Joint Finance Committee.  </span></div><div style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></div><div><div id="gmail-m_-862192033704659593Signature"><div><div><div><span style="margin:0px"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-weight:bold;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:15px;line-height:1.38"><span style="margin:0px;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;color:rgb(32,31,30);line-height:normal">Click </span><span style="margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;color:rgb(32,31,30)"><span style="margin:0px"></span></span><span style="margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;color:rgb(17,85,204);text-decoration-line:underline"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C5SETj74LxEHCSS_yJcqkuWfL1dBYLBYAJS3zPRnXzg/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="margin:0px"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;line-height:normal">here</span></a></span><span style="margin:0px;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;color:rgb(32,31,30);line-height:normal"> to view the </span><span style="margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;color:rgb(32,31,30)"><span style="margin:0px"></span></span><span style="margin:0px;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(32,31,30);line-height:normal">“Call for a Just Wisconsin Budget” </span><span style="margin:0px;font-size:12pt;font-weight:400;color:rgb(32,31,30);line-height:normal">and those who have signed on. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-weight:bold;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:15px;line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(32,31,30)">Please </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(32,31,30)"></span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(17,85,204)"><a href="https://forms.gle/otVEEmVT28dbQq4q6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">sign on</span></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(17,85,204)"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(32,31,30)">and ask other groups and individuals to do the same.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-weight:bold;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:15px;line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(32,31,30)"><br></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;font-weight:bold;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:15px;line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:12pt;color:rgb(32,31,30)"></span></p><table align="center" style="color:rgb(0,0,0)"><tbody><tr><td><span style="font-size:12pt">Dear Friends of Justice,<br><br>We are at a very serious time in our state. Wisconsin people are calling for justice in the budget, but the Joint Finance Committee is removing justice measures from the budget bill at alarming rates including the proposal to expand Badgercare! It makes no sense. By expanding Badgercare and accepting the federal dollars, Wisconsin would save over $1.6 billion and insure over 90,000 more uninsured people.<br><br>It is time to make our voices heard! Joint the Just Budget Unity Tour - either in person or virtually and share the information below. <br><br>* The first piece is about the Coalition for a Just Wisconsin Budget that will continue this Friday and Saturday with in person, safely distanced stops in the rest of the Joint Finance Committee Districts.<br><br>* The second piece is a call to action from our friends at Wisdom. Please Call and/or write to the members of the JFC today!<br><br></span><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11pt;margin-right:25px"><img width="569" height="321" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4VlIjr2A7hCmUo8WW-uin19ZgiY2gaP-tzw5TPj2KGL2jewIBiTPccJjfC9_78s_Wk_dBDYk07DJp5axbXs4ZFJSXHf3t5VSJ8SH-fhwycxYikjnDDuAkt-4V1f4C6nuFFUuG3R8" class="gmail-CToWUd gmail-a6T" tabindex="0" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 25px;"></span></font> <br><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt">The Coalition for a Just WI Budget and partners will continue to hold press events and public “speak-outs”  in all of the districts of all 16 members of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) over the two days of </span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt;font-weight:700">May 7th & May 8th.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11pt"> We are calling this the </span><a href="http://buildingunitywisconsin.org/just-budget-unity-tour/" target="_blank" style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-weight:700;font-style:italic">Just Budget Unity Tour</span></a><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11pt">.</span></font> <br><font face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11pt">This tour is a great opportunity for people who live in or near the districts represented by JFC members, to share your testimonies for a just budget. </span></font><br><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Please do the following to help promote justice in the state budget:</span></p><ol style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38">Share this email with your network.</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38">Check out our <i><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cmlt25_Qs7bP6M16u-gHpRDaCrbtAXT4ie8f4TXKLyY/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Tour Schedule<u>, Posters and JFC Contact Info</u></a></i> and share!</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38">Help invite people to join the public “speak-outs” that will happen at each “Tour Stop.” Consider sending written testimonies to the <a href="http://buildingunitywisconsin.org/just-budget-video-project/" target="_blank">Just Budget Video Project</a> which is turning people’s testimonies, articles, and songs into inspiring videos like <a href="https://youtu.be/wWJB-jwZW-Y?fbclid=IwAR0WqHaDaXfPNOs3ZwCiMr14i8s8AFLpDZFAxRw0272UmvIzhgPAi52-txU" target="_blank">this one</a>. Send written testimonies to <a style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span style="color:rgb(17,85,204);text-decoration-line:underline">marykbaum@gmail.com</span></a>. If you need ideas about what to write or speak about, check out our “<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C5SETj74LxEHCSS_yJcqkuWfL1dBYLBYAJS3zPRnXzg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Call for a Just WI Budget</a>”. You can also explore our <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p17HpKQ6-pqD4Gmjj6B9CexYaza1BNcQE6m2dt7cVKQ/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">talking points document</a> that has more information about things in the Governor’s proposed budget that we support or oppose.</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:decimal;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38">Like and Follow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buildingunitywi" target="_blank">Building Unity’s Facebook Page</a>. We will stream portions of the tour throughout both days. Please view, like and share the “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/525695695257482" target="_blank">Whole Tour Event</a>” as well as the individual “Tour Stop Events” that can be found in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buildingunitywi/events/" target="_blank">Events section</a> of Building Unity’s Facebook page. </p></li></ol><br><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.656"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Join us at 6:30 PM on Friday, May 7th, for a virtual </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:700;font-style:italic">video showing </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">of the videos that have been made by the </span><a href="http://buildingunitywisconsin.org/just-budget-video-project/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:700;font-style:italic">Just Video Project</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> (as well as some footage from that day’s tour) This brief video sharing will be followed by a community discussion about the budget and what can still be done to increase the chances for a just Wisconsin Budget. Click </span><a href="https://forms.gle/mn4HR8oLhZDm76Rc6" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">HERE</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> to register for this event. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.656"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Please share this event on Facebook: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/255823812914253" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">https://www.facebook.com/events/255823812914253</span></a></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.656"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">*** In the weeks following the tour, there will be </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:700;font-style:italic">Virtual Town Hall Meetings. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Each “Town Hall” will spotlight different issues, constituencies, and/or geographical areas of the state. If you or your group would like to help organize, plan, and/or play a part in these virtual town halls, please call Tim at 608-630-3633.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.656"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Banners on the side of the UnityMobile say:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.656"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(255,0,0);font-weight:700">WI NEEDS A JUST BUDGET</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.656"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:700">Join Our Next Virtual Town Hall!  Info @:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.656"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:700">www.</span><a href="http://www.buildingunitywisconsin.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:15pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:700;font-style:italic">BuildingUnityWisconsin.org</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.656"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:700">Save the Date: </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Saturday, May 22nd - 6PM</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.656"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Our Next Town Hall will focus on supporting youth justice leaders. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">More information at </span><a href="http://www.buildingunitywisconsin.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">www.buildingunitywisconsin.org</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"> or follow us on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/buildingunitywi" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/buildingunitywi</a>.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial"><br></span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">In Solidarity for Justice,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">Tim Cordon</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;line-height:1.38"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial">608-630-3633</span></p><br><br><span style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(32,31,30)">Please </span><span style="margin:0px"><a href="https://forms.gle/otVEEmVT28dbQq4q6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="margin:0px">sign on</a></span><span style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(32,31,30)"> to </span><span style="margin:0px;line-height:normal;color:rgb(32,31,30)">the </span><span style="margin:0px;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(32,31,30)"><span style="margin:0px"></span></span><span style="margin:0px;font-weight:700;line-height:normal;color:rgb(32,31,30)">“<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C5SETj74LxEHCSS_yJcqkuWfL1dBYLBYAJS3zPRnXzg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Call for a Just Wisconsin Budget</a>” </span><br><span style="font-size:12pt"><br><br><a href="https://click.everyaction.com/k/28654839/283916754/1511201757?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9BVi9BVldJVy8xLzg1ODYyIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjc1MTliMDVhLTAxYWQtZWIxMS04NWFhLTAwNTBmMjM3YWJlZiIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAibWFyeWtiYXVtQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=tKt-cqIs8Fg0j1E8MLwaoy4bWSFMeCSeN5LhK70QYXg=&emci=4b32e6ba-fcac-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=7519b05a-01ad-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=22125" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://nvlupin.blob.core.windows.net/images/van/AV/AVWIW/1/85862/images/WISDOM%20Email%20Header.png" class="gmail-CToWUd"></a></span></td></tr><tr><td><table align="center"><tbody><tr><td><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt">Last Thursday the legislative Joint Finance Committee (JFC) received the last testimony from citizens about the 2021-23 State Budget.  Immediately after the comment period ended, the Republican members of the Committee - without even informing the Democratic members - released a huge list of items they intend to "remove from consideration."  <em>Clearly, the list was prepared before they heard or reviewed the public comments. </em> The timing of the release gives the impression that they intended to make clear that they were not paying attention to the input from citizens and taxpayers.</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt">Some of the many items the JFC intends to remove from consideration in one big motion on Thursday include:</span></p><ul><li style="margin-left:15px"><span style="font-size:12pt">Expansion of Medicaid</span></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><span style="font-size:12pt">Drivers' licenses for undocumented people</span></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><span style="font-size:12pt">Expansion of programs that would provide alternatives to revocation back to prison</span></li><li style="margin-left:15px"><span style="font-size:12pt">The "raise the age" provision that would send 17 year-olds back to the juvenile system</span></li></ul><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt">Their list includes much more. To download the whole list, click <a href="https://click.everyaction.com/k/28654840/283916760/880172666?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9BVi9BVldJVy8xLzg1ODYyIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjc1MTliMDVhLTAxYWQtZWIxMS04NWFhLTAwNTBmMjM3YWJlZiIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAibWFyeWtiYXVtQGdtYWlsLmNvbSINCn0%3D&hmac=tKt-cqIs8Fg0j1E8MLwaoy4bWSFMeCSeN5LhK70QYXg=&emci=4b32e6ba-fcac-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=7519b05a-01ad-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=22125" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Today, we are asking WISDOM members and supporters to take action to let JFC members know that we are unhappy with their decision to summarily remove from consideration so many items from the state budget.</b>  You can let them know if there are particular things you are concerned about.  Or, you can let them know that you are upset by the complete lack of transparency in the process.</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt">The Joint Finance Committee intends to meet and to pass their omnibus motion on Thursday morning at 11:00 am.  <b>We are asking each of you to call one or more members of the Joint Finance Committee Thursday morning at 10 am.  </b>Ask them to slow down and re-consider this sweeping show of disregard for the people who believed there was meaning to their participation in the process the JFC itself established.  At the end of this email are the names, emails and phone numbers of the JFC members who are in the majority party.</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt">If you would like to go to the Capitol in person, we invite you to join with many groups who will be showing up in person on Thursday morning about 10 am to express their unhappiness with the JFC.  On Friday morning, Mark Rice of EXPO will be among the speakers at a rally at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 7337 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton.  If you are available, your presence there would also be appreciated.</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Please, make at least one phone call Thursday morning.  Do not accept the excuse that they are "just removing policy that shouldn't be legislated through the budget."  All of these items have significant budget impacts.  And, the JFC is never hesitant to fund policy tweaks that they like.</b></span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt">Here are the Republican members of the Joint Finance Committee:</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Representative Mark Born (Co-Chair)</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Rep.Born@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-2540</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Senator Howard Marklein (Co-Chair)</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Sen.Marklein@legis.wiscosin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-0703</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Senator Duey Stroebel</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Sen.Stroebel@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-7513</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Senator Dale Kooyenga</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Sen.Kooyenga@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-2512</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Senator Mary Felzkowski</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Sen.Felzkowski@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-2509</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Senator Kathleen Bernier</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Sen.Bernier@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-7511</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Senator Joan Ballweg</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Sen.Ballweg@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-0751</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Representative Amy Loudenbeck</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-9967</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Representative Terry Katsma</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-0656</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Representative Shannon Zimmerman</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Rep.Zimmerman@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-1526</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Representative Jessie Rodriguez</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Rep.Rodriguez@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-0610</span></p><p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><span style="font-size:12pt"><b>Representative Tony Kurtz</b><br><u><a rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">Rep.Kurtz@legis.wisconsin.gov</a></u><br>(608) 266-8531</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div></div></div></div></div></div>