Wisconsin Recovers
News from the Wisconsin CampaignCommunity Leaders Stand Up For WisconsinOn September 17th, over 70 community leaders from around the state gathered in Stevens Point for a conference on Standing Up for Wisconsin Communities: Why we need Federal aid—how to fight for it and win! The event was organized by the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future and Wisconsin Voices to give these leaders the knowledge and ability to fight for Federal aid to support the essential public structures upon which Wisconsin residents all rely.Wisconsin (and the nation) survived the severe recession only because of massive Federal recovery aid. But unless this aid is renewed, state and local budgets will not make it through 2011, and the nation might slip back into recession. The focus of the conference was on how to get out the message that more Federal aid is needed. Conference participants first heard from Elaine Mejia from the DEMOS Public Works Project, who explained how the debate about Federal aid issues and the economy has been structured in the past and how individuals can help reshape the debate by framing the conversation differently. Katherine McFate from the Ford Foundation summarized the causes and impact of the recession and its impact on state budgets. Meg Bostrom of the TOPOS Partnership shared research about public perceptions with regard to the economic collapse, the government response, and Federal aid. Dean Baker from the Center on Economic Policy Research, speaking remotely from Washington, D.C., discussed the inadequacy of recovery efforts and possible sources of revenue for more Federal aid. After lunch, participants broke into small workgroups to practice bringing the conference message back to their communities. The conference evaluated the WISRecovers.org website and suggested additional resources that would be helpful in the long-term. Finally, they discussed how the need for additional Federal aid plans might be communicated through candidate forums, community meetings, media outreach, and further statewide meetings. Attendees now have the tools they need to start campaigning for more aid to their communities in order to maintain or increase the level of funding available to fundamental public structures such as schools, transportation, and other critical services. Access the Educational Materials from the conference here. The Eau Claire Community's RecoveryThis video features leaders in the Eau Claire community showing the importance of Federal aid. Federal recovery funding prevented a depression and laid the ground for economic revival. But the crisis is not over. To view more videos from around Wisconsin about recovery efforts, please visit the WisRecovers YouTube Channel. Wisconsin communities hold meetings on impact of Recovery Act and campaign for more Federal Aid
OSHKOSHCitizens for a Strong Oshkosh (CSO) held a Speakers described how $214 million of stimulus funds came into in Oshkosh and More information:
GREEN BAYOn July 12, the UW-Green Bay Center for Public Affairs, JOSHUA (congregational organizing for justice), the League of Women Voters and IWF held a community meeting at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay. Presenters were: Tom They talked about why Stimulus funding was necessary, how the dollars were used and what happens next. They also showed a video produced by JOSHUA on how Recovery Act funding helped Green Bay schools, the Oneida Nation, the Sexual EAU CLAIREOn August 4, the Alliance for Strong Communities in Greater Eau Claire held a Participants had small group discussions to consider the presentations and decide what they felt was the best course of action for Eau Claire. There was near unanimous agreement on the need for more Federal aid and the majority felt higher taxes on investors and the wealthiest people would be an appropriate way to raise the needed revenue. MILWAUKEECongresswoman Gwen Moore joined community activists and leaders from the Milwaukee area to call for more federal aid to save and create jobs. On June 3, Citizen Action, Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods, and many other groups held a press The Wisconsin Alliance for Strong Communities members -- local governments and school districts officials, labor unions, congregations and non-profit groups are letting everyone know how the Recovery Act helped our state. More importantly, we are organizing Wisconsinites to push for federal monies in 2011 so our schools can remain effective, our cities safe and our counties capable of maintaining key transportation systems while helping senior citizens, children and people with disabilities. GoalsThe Wisconsin Campaign for Federal Help in 2011 has three goals:
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Participating CountiesCoalition partners are organizing in many communities throughout Wisconsin. Cities where special work has taken place are shaded in the map and include:Beloit (Rock County) Eau Claire (Eau Claire County) Green Bay (Brown County) Janesville (Rock County) Kenosha (Kenosha County) La Crosse (La Crosse County) Milwaukee (Milwaukee County) Oshkosh (Winnebago County) Racine (Racine County) Rhinelander (Oneida County) Wausau (Marathon County) The fight for full recovery
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