Some Assembly Required

The month of May is dedicated to recognizing APIDA Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the significant contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Desi Americans to the history of Wisconsin. Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) joins Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz to discuss action, community and the future of Tottenham Hotspur.

Over the last few months, Wisconsin has become a leader in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Tune in as members of the Wisconsin Assembly Democratic caucus share their experiences with getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and what they look forward to do once they are able to talk about the pandemic in the past tense.

Last week, Congresswoman Gwen Moore joined Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) to discuss this American Rescue Plan. Senator Tammy Baldwin joins us for the second part of our two part series to continue the conversation on relief for Wisconsinites and the American people.

On March 11th, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan. This plan is a game-changer for Wisconsin families and small businesses by providing Wisconsinites with the support that is needed to get past this public health crisis and restore our economy. Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) sits down with Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Senator Tammy Baldwin in this two part series outlining the American Rescue Plan and its impact on Wisconsin.

Throughout the month of February, the members of Wisconsin’s Legislative Black Caucus have been at work, hosting and organizing commemorative events to honor African American leaders and historical events. While Black History Month is a time of recognition and celebration, it’s also a time of action. Today, Rep. Kalan Haywood II (D-Milwaukee) joins Representative Gordon Hintz, to give an overview about what the Legislative Black Caucus has been up to, but to also revisit the last 6 months and our state’s commitment to advancing racial justice.

Democracy in the Time of Corona (feat. Congressman Mark Pocan) by Wisconsin Assembly Democrats

Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) joins us to talk about police reform legislation, his experience participating with the ongoing protests, and ways legislators can move the needle forward when it comes to conversations on Black Lives Matter.

The Legislative Black Caucus takes over 'Some Assembly Required' for a continuation of last week's conversation on racial equity and the history of Juneteenth.

Today, Rep. LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee) joins us for a quarantine edition of 'Some Assembly Required', to discuss proposals aimed at addressing the underlying issues that have allowed systemic racism to continue permeating our communities. --- Anti-Racism Resources Podcasts: 1619 (by New York Times), Code Switch (NPR), Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw Films & Shows: 13th, Just Mercy, Selma, Fruitvale Station, When They See Us Books: Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness 
by Michelle Alexander, White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD Organizations to Follow: Urban Triage (Madison), Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness (Madison), Leaders Igniting Transformation - LIT (Milwaukee), Black Leaders Organizing for Communities - BLOC (Milwaukee), NAACP (National), Color Of Change (National), Sister Song (National)

Wisconsinites have never been afraid to roll up our sleeves, put in the hours, and get the job done. And, our state has a tradition of developing our workforce and honoring those who live and work here .Department of Workforce Development Secretary Caleb Frostman joins us to discuss his first year on the job and some of the priorities important to our state’s workforce.

March is Women’s History Month— and a great opportunity to honor the trailblazers in our communities and their contributions in politics, science, education, social movements, and much more. Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) joins us to kick off Women’s History Month and discuss the importance of reproductive justice in policy making.

Last week Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr joined us to discuss the goals of the agency and the ways Wisconsin can move the needle forward to address our rising adult prison population. Today, Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) sits with Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) for the second part of our criminal justice and corrections reform special.

By 2021, Wisconsin’s adult prison population is expected to reach 25,000 inmates, and our state faces the reality of either building new prisons to accommodate the growing population or, reforming the system. Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) sits down with Wisconsin Department of Corrections Secretary Kevin Carr to discuss the ways Wisconsin can move the needle forward to address our rising adult prison population.

In 1945, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs was created to consolidate separate veterans programs under one agency. Today, Assistant Minority Leader, Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton), sits down with WDVA Secretary, Mary Kolar to discuss her first year as Secretary, and some of the priorities that are important to Wiscosin veterans.

Over the past two decades, the cost of prescription drugs has skyrocketed – putting a financial strain on millions of seniors and families who depend on medication to stay healthy. Today on December 12th, we have with us Rep. Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg) to talk about the role legislators play when it comes to helping people afford the medications they need.

We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday! We're back with Rep. Robyn Vining to talk about the importance of small businesses in Wisconsin, the role state legislators play in supporting local economies, and her legislative projects.

Assistant Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) joins us to talk about her work on veterans issues, and the ways we can move the needle forward to support the men and women who’ve worked tirelessly to preserve our liberty and freedom as a nation.

On November 6th, 2018, the people of Wisconsin ushered in a new era of divided government. Today, we have the privilege of hosting Governor Tony Evers, to discuss his first 10 months in office, and the issues most important to the people of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s deer hunt is a major economic driver for communities across the state, contributing roughly $1.4 billion to our state’s economy. But our state’s tradition of hunting is more than just a boost to our economy, it also drives home the importance of ecological balance. Rep. Staush Gruszynski (D-Green Bay) joins us to talk about this season’s deer hunt and some of the challenges facing our state’s deer herd.

Last week, Legislative Democrats held simultaneous events across the state, to roll out our fall legislative priorities. Today, Senator Jennifer Shilling joins us to discuss the challenges facing Wisconsin families, workers, and communities.

We're only 19 days away from the start of the NBA regular season--Rep. David Crowley (D-Milwaukee) gives us his season predictions and reflects on the current state of people of color in Wisconsin.

If you say “Wisconsin” around the country or the world, you will hear people respond with “farming”, “cheese”, “milk”, ”cows”. Rep. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) joins us to discuss legislation supporting Wisconsin farmers.

In the wake of the recent mass shootings, we've seen Republicans in Washington D.C. and even the President himself, publicly support legislation that is necessary to reduce gun violence and promote gun safety. With us on the issue is Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison).

After the 2018 election, Republicans held a lame duck session aimed at taking power away from the newly elected Democratic Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul. Since then, grab has led to chaos in the Joint Finance Committee and uncertainty moving forward. Tune in for a breakdown of the ongoing lame duck saga, and later, Rep. Steve Doyle joins us with updates from his travels across the state as a part of the Assembly Task Force on Suicide Prevention.

Democrats know that great public schools don't just lead to better outcomes and more opportunities for students—they are the heart of every local community. Since 2011, however, Republicans have cut billions of dollars from Wisconsin public schools, making it harder to keep school districts open, and retain teachers in areas that need them the most. Rep. Gordon Hintz is back, this time with longtime education advocate, Rep. Sondy Pope, to discuss the state of education in Wisconsin, and her preference for footwear. Title Credit: Aaron Collins

There are over 23,500 individuals incarcerated in Wisconsin’s prison system. Our state ranks as of the highest in the nation for racial disparities, incarcerating more African Americans at a higher rate, compared to their White counterparts. Having worked on criminal justice reform, Rep. Evan Goyke is back to fill in for Rep. Gordon Hintz and is joined by Rep. Shelia Stubbs to discuss the next steps in reforming our state’s criminal justice system.

Straight from the Committee on Joint Finance, Rep. Evan Goyke fills in for Rep. Gordon Hintz and talks about the importance of advocating for education funding in Governor Evers’ budget. And later, Rep. Considine discusses his experience in the classroom as a former special education teacher and his legislative projects.

As Republican leadership refuses to address gun safety, Rep. Kolste joins us to discuss common sense solutions that minimize the threat of gun violence, her time as a member on the Committee on Transportation, and health care policy. Credit: Brett Halverson for the Title

Earlier this week, Governor Tony Evers joined legislative Democrats at a press conference announcing the introduction of legislation that would allow Wisconsin to expand Medicaid. Rep. Riemer sits down with us to talk about the Medicaid Bill in depth, and to recite Julius Caesar.

Rep. Gordon Hintz sits down with State Representative Chris Taylor to discuss Foxconn, Governor Evers' budget, and whether or not Lake Mendota is better than Lake Monona.

Welcome to the very first episode of "Some Assembly Required." Assembly Democratic Leader, State Representative Gordon Hintz, walks us through gerrymandering with State Representative Greta Neubauer, and what her summer playlist consists of. Music: Midnight Stroll/Ghostrifter