Podcasts about Citizen Action

We wish everyone a happy Juneteenth Day and encourage everyone to attend an event near you. Look for us at Milwaukee and Eau Claire events. Robert provides us with the latest Tick report: emergency room visits from tick-borne illnesses are at 10 year high and a Univ. of Rhode Island Tick website finds 9 ticks active in Wisconsin in June, the highest the Black Legged Deer Tick. The Lone Star Tick (which makes you allergic to meat) is present as well. Following a brief discussion on the Trump effective surrender to Iran, we dive into new data demonstrating the devastating impact of Republican cuts to food assistance for families and children. More Than 770,000 Children are no longer receiving SNAP benefits after Trump's savage cuts to federal food program. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 4.3 million fewer people received SNAP nationwide in February 2026. Embattled MAGA Congressman Derrick Van Ordin, himself a food stamp beneficiary during his childhood, justifies these cruel cuts as an anti-fraud measure. We discuss the Trump Regime on-going efforts to steal the 2026 midterms. including Kash Patel's rogue FBI effort to intimidate social justice groups engaged in voter registration by raiding the homes of leaders of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in Ohio. Learn more at Hands Off Ohio. Robert also explains how Trump is tying the U.S. Senate in knots in his latest attempt to force his supersized voter suppression bill through. We welcome Citizen Action member and climate organizer Ted Kraig to the show to to discuss the 3rd anniversary of the Milwaukee Climate and Equity Plan. You are invited to celebrate this Saturday morning at 9 AM at the Urban Ecology Center-Washington Park, in Milwaukee. Ted discusses the depth of the climate crisis but also gives us hope that that organized people can make systemic change in the next few years that can put us on a path towards stabilizing the climate crisis.

Welcome to June, it's Pride Month! We encourage our listeners to RSVP to Citizen Action's Annual Meeting this Saturday, at 10am. Robert gives us the latest tick report amid national concern about tick-borne illnesses. Spurred by global warming, tick activity continues to surge in Wisconsin while the national media descends on Martha Vineyard as the island is beset by ticks, and victims are forced to avoid red meat. Trump visits Western Wisconsin, the home of Wisconsin's pivotal Congressional District 3. Is he an anchor on embattled MAGA incumbent Derrick Van Orden and other Republicans on the ballot or does Trump know how to generate a massive turnout of MAGA voters? We dive into a critically important Wisconsin Health Assessment, a periodic report mandated by the State Legislature.Rarely do such radical findings come from an official state government report. This year's report finds that a stunning 1 in 10 Wisconsinites skipped needed health care due to cost. The report also contains shocking revelations on low wages, the growing unaffordability of housing, massive under investment in public education (especially in low income BIPOC majority schools), and a chronic under investment in public health. Will the next legislature act on this searing indictment of status quo policies or kick the can down the road? MASH union president Peter Rickman joins us to discuss the state health assessment, building worker power, and to update us on newly scheduled $20 Wage Town Halls in Fond du Lac, Madison, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, and more locations. We close with news that Boss Vos vows to try again on the failed surplus budget deal. With Governor Evers continuing to complain about the failure of the first effort, will they get another kick at the cat?

We honed in on a couple of President Donald Trump's pet projects and rehashed the state's failed budget surplus deal with Citizen Action of Wisconsin's Robert Kraig. It's hard to pick any one thing when it comes to the Trump administration, but we narrowed it down to these things: Trump's $1.778 billion (what we call) "slush fund" The $1 billion in taxpayer dollars for a ballroom The MMA fight on the White House lawn The Iran war and prices The second half of the show consisted of the failed deal between Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and the top two Republicans in the Legislature to spend the state's $2 billion budget surplus, and all the factors that have come since. That includes the flaws in a Marquette Law School poll showing 80% agreeing with the deal, the analysis since showing it would have put the state in a budget deficit and how Republican Robin Vos wants Evers to call another special session to get it done. Roughly, the deal consisted of one year of special education funding and property tax relief, plus $300 checks and no taxes on tips/overtime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the tick report, we dive into a wild week for MAGA lackey Tom Tiffany who said he was open to Trump slush fund payouts to January 6th insurrectionists and those who attempted to illegally overturn an election. In addition, Tiffany admitted he was against the budget deal because he wants to give away more state revenue (to rich people of course). Robert takes on the Marquette Law Poll which found 80% of Wisconsinites polled support the failed surplus deal. This is another example of polling failing to improve democratic deliberation, as the ever shrinking state media fails to adequately inform voters. The Congressional Progressive Caucus is backing Taxing A.I. We love it and discuss the need for progressive revenue in Washington and Madison to fund pressing public priorities like public schools, healthcare, and childcare. Sleazy Independent Expenditure campaigns have begun in Democratic Gubernatorial primary. We try to look at who's behind the money. You may be suprised what we were able to dig up. We close with a look at how corporate America buys our lawmakers with hard and soft power, including a Big Pharma backed event state legislator event in Madison this summer pitched as a way to improve legislative skills. We discuss and encourage our listeners to RSVP to Citizen Action's virtual Annual Member Meeting, next Saturday, June 6th, 10am.

A packed U.S. Supreme Court guts what is left of the Voting Rights Act while cynically claiming not to overturn it. We delve into the the implications for civil rights and for the 2026 and 2028 elections We welcome Christine Neuman Ortiz, the Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera to discuss their huge May Day marches and rallies in Milwaukee and Madison. Christine educates our listeners on the federal and state agenda for immigrant rights and urges everyone to attend one of the May Day events. Attend a May Day Strong event near you Robert reviews a wild week in A.I. data center news, including: (1) the Public Service Commission makes major changes to the We Energies proposed rates for data centers; (2) Wisconsin data center tax break to cost the state more than $2 billion in lost revenue; and (3) a new Marquette national poll shows the same public opposition to data centers it has found in state polling. Meanwhile on the health care cost crisis, Citizen Action and allies continue with well attended Health Care Town Halls, this week in Wisconsin's Northern Tier in Superior and Ashland. Robert explains why politicians saying it is no longer possible for Wisconsin to expand Medicaid or enact a BadgerCare Public Option miss the mark. Global warming sparks surge in tick bites, lymes disease, in Wisconsin. Robert provides us with the latest tick report for hikers and campers for the outdoor season. We close with more on the “electability” debate in the Democratic Gubernatorial Primary, as a new “leaked” memo from Tiffany consultants touts the electoral strengths of Francesca Hong. Is their claim that Hong's populist appeal could supercharge Democratic turnout and cut into the GOP rural base mere subterfuge to aid a less electable opponent, or a compelling indictment of the conventional wisdom of the Democratic consultant class?

Listen to Citizen Action of Wisconsin's Governor Candidate Forum, featuring the 7 leading Democratic candidates. Before the debate, Citizen Action's executive Director, Robert Kraig discusses why the forum is so important for you to listen to and previews highlights from the forum.

On Tuesday, April 14, state lawmakers and environmental groups held a news conference to push back against Governor Hochul's push to slash the state's climate law. In part 2 of our coverage, we hear from Maggie Reilly of Third Act; Assemblymember Anna Kelles; Senator Harckham; Blair Horner of NYPIRG; and Ethan Gormley of Citizen Action. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

We reflect on Trump's flirtation with Armegeddon in Iran and the unstable ceasefire announced on Election Day. We review this week's Spring General Election that resulted in a romb for liberal Chris Taylor, leaving the state Supreme Court with 5-2 center-left majority. Turnout was down but still strong for a state court race. We discuss our top election takeaways. We talk about the story behind over 70 school referendums and the Menomonie mayor. We encourage our listeners to RSVP to Citizen Action's virtual Governor candidate forum next Tuesday, April 14th at 6pm. Hear directly from 7 Democratic candidates for governor. RSVP by April 13th to attend. We close with a review of Trump's attack on cheap, reliable renewable energy that Clean Wisconsin says will cost Wisconsin more clean energy than peak demand for an entire year.

In the final stretch run toward election day Tuesday, April 7th, we have a deeper discussion on why Chris Taylor will be a great Supreme Court Justice. We autopse Trump's terrible week, including: the war in Iran, the attack on voting by mail, and SCOTUS oral arguments on Trump's illegal attack on birthright citizenship. We debrief successful No Kings rallies. There is a tidal wave of economic populism sweeping the country with labor with progressive organizing groups leading efforts that are advancing bills to tax the wealthy and corporations to fund priorities like public schools, healthcare and childcare. Is Wisconsin prepared to lead? We look the increasing prominence of child care in the governor's race for clues. We Energies proposes yet another massive rate increase, a proposed 14% rate increase on top of what are already the 3rd highest prices in the Midwest. The rate increases do not take into account long term commitments to new energy for data centers where ratepayers are responsible if the data centers leave during the life of the new energy infrastructure. We continue our discussion of the data center invasion in Wisconsin, including a virtual town hall Citizen Action held this week to organize people across Wisconsin to lead us toward solutions. The Legislature gave itself a 10 month vacation to reelect themselves without doing anything to create guardrails for data centers.

On Saturday March 28, more than 3000 No Kings protests took place across the country to challenge the Trump's administration efforts to impose authoritarian rule. Several thousand gathered at the State Capitol in Albany before a second large demonstration on Central Avenue. In addition to speeches from elected officials, the crowd also heard about the fight for immigrant rights, single payer health care, labor rights and opposition to the wars in Iran and elsewhere. We hear from Bob Cohen of Citizen Action, Jim Tierney, Danny Boudreau of Ranked Choice Voting Albany, Karen Beetle of Capital District Border Watch, Matt Oill of Socialist Alternative, Mark Emanation of the Capital District Area Labor Federation, Bryan Paz-Hernandez of the No Kings Collective Albany, Tiffani Silverman, Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, Jim Sevinsky, and Chris Garramone of the Party of Socialism and Liberation. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

We revisit the Iran War escalation and review the current Department of Homeland Security shutdown snarling airports as Trump shoots down every legislative deal to fund TSA, holding for his SAVE TRUMP (voter suppression) Act. With the Democratic Primary for Governor still wide open, some voters are trying to pick the most viable candidate based on personality or profile, as Ruth Conniff reports in the Wisconsin Examiner. We unpack why Democratic leaders and activists fall into acting like pundits rather than picking the candidate with the clearest most compelling solutions to the state's many pressing issues. We discuss the latest MU Law Poll, where Judge Chris Taylor is leading the April 7th Supreme Court election with 30% to 22% for Lazar. The poll also reveals much greater voter enthusiasm for voting than Republicans and Independents. We also speculate on the poll's latest finding in the Wisconsin Democratic Primary for Governor. RSVP to Citizen Action's Governor Candidate Forum, Tuesday, April 14th, 6pm.

On Wednesday March 25th 500 climate activists came to the State Capitol to urge state lawmakers not to give in to Governor Hochul's push to gut the state's climate law. We hear from Anne Rabe of the Alliance for a Nuclear Free NY; Greg Schwedock; Ethan Gormley of Citizen Action; Kim Fraczek of the Sane Energy Project; Molly Ornati of 350 Brooklyn; John Seakwood of Third Act Upstate; Alex Beauchamp of Food and Water Watch; Laura Faulk of the Climate Reality Project; Meghan Ahearn of NYPIRG; Jessica Azulay of AGREE: Jim Gordon of Extinction Rebellion; Bill Tai of Third Act; And Santosh of NY Communities for Change. About two dozen were eventually arrested for blocking access to the Governor's office, including Greg, Molly, Bill, Jim, Santosh, and me. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

200 national, state, local groups and representatives from 6 Indigenous Nations have sent a letter to Governor Hochul demanding that she drop her plans to build 5 gigawatts of new nuclear power in the state. The advocates' letter was signed by more than 200 groups including Food & Water Watch, Alliance for a Green Economy, NY Renews (a coalition of 400+ organizations), NIRS, Citizen Action, NYPIRG, PUSH Buffalo, and Make the Road NY. The Indigenous nations' letter came from the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force Ryan Madden of NY Renews talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

We discuss the growing opposition to the Iran War and new data revealing the war cost $11 billion in the first week. A coalition of antiwar groups launched a national campaign on Wednesday calling for Representative Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Chuck Schumer to step down from their positions as minority leaders. We discuss news from the judiciary this week: conservative State Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler is not to run for a new term to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2027 and Brad Schimel is blocked by Tammy Baldwin from continuing as U.S. attorney in Milwaukee. We welcome Kristie Tweed, Citizen Action of Wisconsin's statewide Healthcare Coordinator to discuss the BadgerCare Public Option bills' legislative roll out last week and plans for the next month, as grassroots leaders push for more lawmakers to co-sponsor the legislation. Krisite tells us about how you can get involved in the upcoming events in Cashton, Appleton, Milwaukee, and Wausau and she provides an update on the bill's growing co-sponsorship list. The Legislature was sued by Law Forward over its billing of private attorney fees to the public. "Wisconsin taxpayers deserve to know their money is being spent lawfully to advance a valid public purpose." Milwaukee Public Schools announced they will be forced by state underfunding to slash 260 staff, as MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius stressed that MPS faces rising costs while receiving a $0 state increase in general aid due to the last disastrous state budget deal. As Wisconsin public school districts make cuts, the UW Athletic Department is coming to the Legislature with hat in hand looking for taxpayers to fund millions to support the UW's NIL program to pay college athletes in football and basketball.

After a brief discussion of Trump and Netanyahu's war with Iran, we turn to defeating authoritarianism by fighting for policies that help people with their most pressing priorities, like good paying jobs, well funded public schools, healthcare and childcare. We discuss the introduction of new legislation for a BadgerCare Public Option, which represents the most comprehensive healthcare affordability proposal introduced in Wisconsin this session. The legislation would open Wisconsin's trusted BadgerCare program to anyone who lacks adequate employer-sponsored coverage. Citizen Action announces a statewide virtual town hall with all the Democratic Governor candidates, Tuesday, April 14th 6pm. We bring attention to Legislative Republicans taking a chunk out of Department of Public Instruction's (DPI's) already approved funding over debunked allegations that they paid for a junket in the Dells. What kind of budget deal allows the Republicans to unilaterally veto agreed funding levels after ignoring the results of their own investigation? We lament the expiration of the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program due to GOP opposition following a large land purchase to extend the Ice Age Trail in Devils Lake area. And, as the Legislature may do nothing to regulate data centers – as Big Tech and utilities want – local people fight back, as a Judge allows a Port Washington referendum to continue. Finally, what is the division between Governor Evers and Legislative Democrats on gerrymandering? Will Vos reach another damaging deal with Evers before they both head off into the sunset?

We discuss the retirement of Speaker Robin Vos after a decade of ruthless control of the Legislature. Vos was the most powerful and successful state politician since Scott Walker, and one of the most infuential Assembly Speakers ever. The 2026 election is upon us and Citizen Action is announcing our endorsement of Judge Chris Taylor for state Supreme Court. This week the new $20 Wage Bill was introduced in the Legislature with a big media event at the Capitol. We review the new MU Law Poll. We take a deeper dive into what the poll tells us about the race for governor, and where voters stand on data centers, health care, and the cost of living. We welcome Wisconsin Public Education Network (WPEN) leader Heather DuBois Bourenane to discuss Public Schools Week and a new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's chronic underfunding of public schools. The lawsuit was filed by teachers, parents, students, and WPEN by Law Forward. We encourage our listeners to attend a Capitol Rotunda rally this Friday (Feb. 27th) at noon.

We remember Jesse Jackson for carrying the tourch for the multi-racial working class long after the hopes of the Civil Rights Era faded, his prophetic oratory which still speaks to us today, and his special connection to Wisconsin. We highlight the victory for health care access for mothers, children, and women with a higher risk of breast cancer, Boss Vos finally relents to significant pressure from the public and other Republicans and allows a vote on postpartum Medicaid and cost-free breast cancer screening bills. We welcome Peter Rickman, president of the MASH union to discuss the new $20 Wage bill that will be introduced next week, Tuesday, at 11AM, at the State Capitol, Senate Parlor. Robert educates us on an important lawsuit against Trump's climate-denying EPA by health and climate groups over the dangerous repeal of rule supporting climate protections. We discuss an important public hearing held this week for four Data Center bills. Citizen Action members joined dozens of community leaders and data center activists who want a pause on new construction and sensible public accountability for future data centers.

We discuss how Democratic candidates for Governor are competing with each other to embrace the BadgerCare Public Option bill, which will soon be introduced in the state legislature. We are joined by Citizen Action's Healthcare Action Coordinator, Kristie Tweed, to discuss widespread public support for bold action on healthcare costs and coverage. Kristie tells us about town halls Citizen Action members are holding throughout the state and how you can get involved as we push for passage of BadgerCare Public Option. We expose the power flex by big business hacks at the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce (MMAC) which has filed suit to block proposed Port Washington ordinance to give residents a vote on public subsidies in big economic development deals. The business lobby, which promoted Foxconn, has a history of challenging democratic decision making, believing big corporations have a right to our tax money. Trump doubles down on threats to seize control of state elections, as lackey Congressman Brian Steil introduces a shocking voter suppression bill that does the bidding of the would-be dictator in the White House. We discuss why Wisconsin will be ground zero for the attack on the 2026 election and what we can do about it. Also, we discuss the ICE kidnapping of a Madison area soccer player's mom (who had legal status) at a soccer tournament, yet another example of the searing human toll of Trump's lawless crackdown.

This week we put the tragic events and courageous resistance to tyranny in the Twin Cities in the context of our failing democracy. A new report from the Urban Institute shows that Wisconsin has fallen behind other states in income over the past 50 years, especially compared to our neighbors in Minnesota and Illinois. How does the failure of Wisconsin's economic policy relate to the vulnerability of democracy? We assess the role of the Democratic Primary for Governor, and the active involvement of organized groups such as Citizen Action of Wisconsin, in charting a new policy course that truly addresses the income and affordability crisis. We also give a detailed update of the data center controversies across the state. We invite all Battleground Wisconsin listeners to attend Citizen Action's Governor Forums in La Crosse, Eau Claire, Wausau, Green Bay, and Milwaukee.

Jan. 22, 2026 - The Capitol Pressroom brand is expanding to television, with host David Lombardo leading a monthly look at New York's state government that will air on PBS stations around the Empire State. In light of this news, we're going to cross the streams today and share an excerpt of our upcoming televised panel discussion. David led a conversation about Gov. Kathy Hochul's budget and the upcoming legislative session with Rebecca Garrard, co-executive director of Citizen Action of New York, Cam Macdonald, General Counsel at the Empire Center for Public Policy, and Jack O'Donnell, managing partner of O'Donnell & Associates.

Several hundred climate activists protested outside of the Governor's State of the State address in Albany on Tuesday, urging her to invest in renewable energy rather than promoting fossil fuels and nuclear power while turning her back on the state's climate law. Among the speakers are Renee Vogelsang of Frack Action; Assemblymembers Anna Kelles and Emily Gallagher; Senator Webb; Dr. Sandra Steingraber; Kathy Nolan of Physicians for Social Responsibility; Matt of American Lung Association; Ethan Gormley of Citizen Action; Yvonne Taylor of Seneca Lake Guardians; Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch; and others.

Climate Can't Wait, a statewide coalition of over 55 environmental, climate, and community groups, released its second climate report card for Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY). The final grade was an F based on her track record of backsliding on implementation of critical climate legislation and failing to take actions to achieve the mandates of New York State's 2019 Climate Law (the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act or CLCPA). An Albany Supreme Court decision last October, Citizen Action of New York vs. DEC, found that the Hochul administration's failure to issue greenhouse gas reduction regulations as required by the Climate Law was illegal. Bob Cohen reviews the report card with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

We lead-off with Milwaukee Area Labor Council President Pam Fendt to discuss a successful organizing campaign by union workers at the City of Milwaukee to win a Common Council vote to override the Mayor's budget vetoes, including his effort to scale backe to pay increases for city employees who live in Milwaukee. We connect this worker-led union effort to the possibility of the 2026 state elections leading to a Democratic trifecta which could set the stage to overturn Act 10 and other anti-worker policies in Wisconsin. Will a new Democratic majority be ready to raise the additional revenue to make up for all the lost ground caused by Scott Walker's union busting? We update the co-sponsor count for the Utility Rate Cap bill, bringing the total of sponsors to 19. We encourage our listeners to contact your state Senators and Representatives next week before the December 5th co-sponsorship deadline. Robert updates us on the latest indications of an AI data center superpowered stock market bubble that could generate another financial meltdown, and leave Wisconsinites deal with abandoned data centers and unneeded methane gas plants. Citizen Action is an early supporter of Clean Wisconsin's petition to pause AI Data Centers until a comprehensive plan to deal with climate emissions, water, and energy costs for consumers is developed. We discuss why this is so important, especially considering the potential for a historic AI data center bubble bursting and leaving us holding the bag. Robert helps us better understand the policy question embroiling federal politics: Is Trump really trying to extend ACA subsidies as he announced this week? And will WisconsinEye halt its unique coverage of state politics on December 15th without more funds, further reducing the transparency and accountability of state government.

Nurses Out Loud – Citizens step into their rightful influence as Ashley Grogg reveals how small, consistent action shifts power back to the people. Through focused watchdog strategies, meaningful meetings with legislators, and purposeful voting, individuals strengthen accountability and revive civic engagement. This message empowers families to stay involved, protect freedoms, and restore responsive government in their...

Nurses Out Loud – Citizens step into their rightful influence as Ashley Grogg reveals how small, consistent action shifts power back to the people. Through focused watchdog strategies, meaningful meetings with legislators, and purposeful voting, individuals strengthen accountability and revive civic engagement. This message empowers families to stay involved, protect freedoms, and restore responsive government in their...

This week America met the “Benedict 8” – who pursued a craven, cynical, and ultimately unstrategic betrayal of the American public. We dive into how the “Benedict 8” and the leadership that enabled them exposes what's wrong with Democratic leadership and how it fails to deliver on its goals. Does this low point provide a moment to break with failed policies of the past and craft a new vision for the Democratic Party rooted in fighting powerful wealthy interests and winning on issues that dramatically improve the lives of the American people. We discuss the successful Citizen Action of Wisconsin Climate and Utility Justice Lobby Day this week at the Capitol where 150 citizen lobbyists from around the state met with legislators and attended a media event to announce the 2% of Income Utility Rate Cap Bill. We unpack why the new legislation is critical. The U.S. Catholic Bishops overcome the ideological cleavage in the church to condemn Trump immigration policies. What are the implications for the gestapo-like tactics of ICE? We discuss the new campaign against AT&T, who is helping ICE identify and pursue people across the country. AT&T contracts with ICE, CBP, and DHS—the agencies running Trump's deportation machine—and the terror that comes with it. We urge listeners to attend an event exposing AT&T in Illinois this Saturday.

Ahead of the closely watched New York City mayoral race, everyone is looking for a lesson from progressive Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani's rise to political stardom. The real answer may be a vastly undervalued political strategy: public money. Could public financing of elections overcome Citizens United and the flood of corporate cash and corruption in American politics? In the latest episode of Lever Time's MONEYBOMB series, we explore the importance of publicly funded campaigns. David Sirota speaks with two people who have had front-row seats to how public financing is combating election corruption — Karen Wharton, democracy coalition coordinator for Citizen Action of New York, and Jillian Gilchrest, a Connecticut state representative now running for Congress. For a full transcript of the episode, ⁠click here⁠. Click here to order our new book, MASTER PLAN: The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption in America. Get ad-free episodes, bonus content and extended interviews by becoming a member at levernews.com/join. To leave a tip for The Lever, click here. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A New York State judge has ruled that the State is violating its climate law (CLCPA) and it can not delay just because it is complicated. Citizen Action, PUSH Buffalo, Sierra Club, and We ACT sued since the state was 18 months late in issuing regulations on how it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Caroline Chen of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

On Tuesday, September 30, a People's Meeting was organized outside of Governor Hochul's nuclear summit in Syracuse by Onondaga Nation community members, the Haudenosaunee Environmental Task Force, Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation, the Alliance for a Green Economy, the Nuclear Information and Resource Service (NIRS), Citizen Action, NY Renews, FWW, and Frack Action. They demanded real climate solutions—renewable energy like solar, wind, conservation, and storage—that compared to nuclear are faster, cheaper, safer, and actually move us toward New York's Climate Justice goals. Hil Coppola of the Onondaga Nation talks with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

On Saturday, tens of thousands joined Make Billionaires Pay marches across the United States. As world leaders gather at the UN in New York City to discuss climate action and peace, 20000 took to the street to call to Shut down billionaires and Make Polluters Pay. In part 2 of our coverage, we hear from Jodi Evans of Code Pink, Katie McConnell of DSA; John Hocevar, Ocean Campaign Director of Greenpeace; Leslie Cagan, Tamika Middleton of the Women's March; Wendy Frank; and Jeff Gold of Citizen Action. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea speaks with Ethan Gormley of Citizen Action about the upcoming protests Make Billionaires Pay. Then, Sina Basila Hickey chats with Tara Aisha Willis, who is bringing new energy to the theater and dance curation at EMPAC at RPI. Later on, Willie Terry brings us more voices from the Capital District Area Labor Federation's 'Labor Day 2025 Celebration - Rally and Picnic'. After that, Juan Pantaleon sits down with three stand-ups who are running the 2025 Capital Region's Funniest Comic Competition. Finally, Thom Francis highlights the newly appointed, inaugural Poet Laureate of Schenectady, Adonis Richards.

As world leaders gather in New York City for the UN General Assembly and Climate Week, nearly 200 organizations have called for Make Billionaires Pay events across the country on Saturday, September 20. A bus is leaving from Albany for the main rally taking place in NYC. The rally themes include Shutdown Billionaires, Fascists and Polluters, and protect immigrants and Mother Earth. Ethan Gormley of Citizen Action talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

We discuss the murder of Charlie Kirk this week and how despite the shooter still being at large (as of our tapping of the show), many in the MAGA movement rush to make political hay, including Wisconsin's Derrick Van Orden, with some even calling for retribution against progressives and the news media when the killers motives are still unknown. This is both dangerous, and distracts attention from lack of gun laws and mental health interventions to make the public safer. Turning to much better news, we focus on the organized fight back against factory farm pollution in Western Wisconsin by local residents with the support of (GROWW) Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin. We talk about the critical role this authentic brand of community organizing can play in rebuilding our democratic institutions. We announce Citizen Action's involvement in a Climate March at the State Capitol, Sunday, September 28th @ 12 Noon, which is to national climate actions around the country. Robert updates us on Caledonia residents pushing back against another data center and the politics behind it. We also discuss a federal court blocking enforcement of EPA Ozone Standards in Southeast Wisconsin. Why is a Democratic AG siding with the business lobby? We take an early sneak peek at the 2026 elections, where more Democratic candidates have entered in the last month. Finally, the controversy continues on charges that Senate Democrats are picking primary candidates and trying to squelch competitive primaries. RSVP for the Climate March, Sunday, September 28th, Noon >> https://secure.everyaction.com/nVZ3Fxvm60idMFKwBjoEsA2

On Wednesday September 3, more than 3 dozen climate activists held a news conference outside of the State Department of Environmental Conservation in downtown Albany to urge the Hochul administration not to cave to President Trump, who is pushing the Governor to reverse prior decisions rejected several William company pipelines (NISE, Constitution) allegedly in exchange for allowing an offshore wind project off of Long Island to proceed. We hear from Ethan Gormley of Citizen Action, Isaac Silberman-Gorn of Frack Action, Melissa Hoffman of Food and Water Watch, Renee Vogelsang of Frack Action, and Hannah from RPI Sunrise. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Mark Dunlea speaks with Ethan Gormely of Citizen Action and Tim Judson of NIRS who went to the NYS Fair to try and convince the governor to reject new nuclear power plants and pipelines for fracked gas. Then, Moses Nagel speaks with Bob Sanders, a 70 year old who is on the final week of a ride across the country to raise awareness and money to oppose the genocide in Gaza. Later on, we will have a live interview with Bruce France of Braver Angels who will be having a workshop The Skills for Disagreeing Better in Colonie. After that, comedian / producer Ryan Shipley is in studio with Juan Pantaleon to promote the second annual Capital Regions Funniest Comic Competition. An open forum comedy competition where the audience decides the winner. Finally, Thom Francis welcomes Matthew Klane to the stage at The Linda in Albany, NY. Co-hosts: Vinny DamaPoleto and Andrea Cunliffe

When Governor Hochul attended Opening Day at the Great New York State Fair , Central New York residents, community leaders and environmentalists planned a press conference to demand the Governor reject dangerous nuclear power plants and major fracked gas pipelines . While the rally was canceled due to thunderstorms, protestors were still there with banners and several encountered the Governor inside the fair. Ethan Gormely of Citizen Action and Tim Judson of NIRS (Nuclear Information and Resource Services) discuss the issues with Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Alyssa is joined by Hugh Hugh Yeman to discuss the community policing effort known as WhistleSTOP.  SHOW NOTES: Chicago Sun-Times: Ann Landers Chicago Sun-Times: Carson City Chicago Sun-Times: 5th Ward Chicago Sun-Times: Community Policing Chicago Sun-Times: Ann Landers 2 Chicago Sun-Times: For Protection on the Streets just whistle Chicago Sun-Times: Raising a Ruckus on Street Crime then Acting Against It Chicago Sun-Times: Organizers Give a Hoot about Stopping Assaults. Chicago Maroon: Community Organization Revitalizes WhistleStop Program for Violence Prevention Chicago Sun-Times: Police chief blows whistle on crime Chicago Tribune: Lake View citizens' 'Whistlestop Day' Chicago Tribune: Start Whistle Battle on Bandits Chicago Tribune: Hyde Park Dwellers Hunt Solution to Crime Woes Chicago Tribune: S. Side whistle campaign cuts crime Chicago Tribune: Neighbors join to blow whistle on criminals Chicago Tribune: Neighbors join to blow whistle on criminalsUofC Facebook Chicago Sun-Times: Michigan Avenue, once a picture-perfect postcard, is now a depressing mess Chicago Sun-Times: Cubs refuse Sox' stadium sharing plan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Network Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the Citizen Action of New York - Capital District Chapter, "Open House Celebration," at 94 Central Avenue, Albany. In this labor segment, Willie interviewed Nancy Perini, Citizen Action Capital District Chair, and Eduardo Hernandez, Citizen Action Capital District Community Organizer, about their Open House and future programs.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine, First, Moses Nagel brings us excerpts from the Schenectady City Council meeting on Good Cause Eviction. Then, Willie Terry visits the Citizen Action of New York - Capital District Chapter, "Open House Celebration," Later on, Blaise Bryant pays tribute to the late Denise DiNoto After that, Khin Naing discusses how he brought Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage celebrations to Troy High School. Finally, a piece from our archives with Avery Stempel of Collar City Mushrooms.

July 1 was the deadline for public comments on NYS's reporting regulations for greenhouse gas emissions. Bob Cohen of Citizen Action talks about the regs but notes that far more important and not yet issued are the state's regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

With Matt on vacation this week, Robert is the solo host. On this week's episode we dig deeper into the state budget battle with three well positioned guests. First we welcome Peegy Wirtz-Olsen, the President of WEAC, to discuss the devastating consequences of proposed GOP cuts to public education and why her union and organizing groups such as Citizen Action are calling on the Governor to veto a bad budget.. Next, we are joined by Senator Kelda Roys, a member of the powerful Joint Finance Committee with an inside view of the process, to explain the stakes in this year's budget battle and why Republicans abruptly stopped work on the budget last week. Finally, Senator Chris Larson joins Kelda and Robert to discuss how the combination of the Governor's veto power and the new leverage Senate Democrats have with a divided Republican Senate Caucus to win a better state budget on health care, education, child care, and criminal justice reform.

This week we dig into the federal and state budget battles, and the question of a 3rd term for Governor Tony Evers, with special guests Dan Shafer of the Recombobulation Area and Civic Media, and Steven Webb from Planned Parenthood. We open with a discussion of the critical importance of Juneteenth this year, as DEI is under attack by the Trump Administration, and some cities and businesses pull back from supporting local celebrations. Robert provides a simple explanation of how the new U.S. Senate budget bill is even worse on Medicaid than the House budget bill, and it particularly damages rural hospitals. We update listeners on the latest State Budget news, including Speaker Vos' continuing crusade to force Governor Evers' hand with slashing cuts to UW System funding. The plot thickens because Senate Republicans can't pass a budget without UW cuts or they will lose the most right-wing members of their caucus, Senators Kapanga & Nass. In addition, to serious tactical disagreements with the governor on how to win his state budget priorities the public supports by huge margins, like properly funding public schools, expanding BadgerCare, funding child care and closing Green Bay, their is now a serious discussion about whether it is time for Governor Evers to lead by a timely passing of the torch to the next generation of Democratic leaders and not running for Governor in 2026. We welcome award winning Milwaukee area journalist, Dan Shafer, founder of The Recombobulation Area and now part of the Civic Media network, who makes the case that it's time to pass the Torch and Tony Evers should not run for a third term as governor. He argues Wisconsin's governor needs to do what so many other Democrats have failed to do and step aside when the time is right. We close the show with Citizen Action board member, Steven Webb, who is the executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, to discuss the devastating cuts to healthcare in the federal Budget bills that will damage Planned Parenthood's ability to provide vital frontline healthcare to Wisconsinites. Steve tells us how you can also get involved in organizing with PPAWI to fight back.

June 18, 2025 - We're sharing an excerpt of a conversation on Dispatches from Planet Albany, which explored the path to the Democratic gubernatorial nomination for Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado. Our guest was Rebecca Garrard, co-executive director of Citizen Action of New York.

Today we're diving into the sixth of our eight-part series, exploring how nonprofits champion democracy and protect voting rights. We'll unpack the strategies these organizations use to advocate for democratic participation while operating within the law. This conversation feels especially urgent as we see acceleration to challenges to voting rights and democratic institutions in 2025.   Attorneys for this episode   Tim Mooney  Natalie Ossenfort Susan Finkle Sourlis    Shownotes Current Events / Executive Orders ·      Trump Administration Directives on Voting & Civil Rights o   Disbanded the DOJ Voting Rights Section's Election Monitoring Program. o   Rescinded Biden executive order promoting federal agency voter registration partnerships o   Halted implementation of interagency plans for voter access through social service agencies, and redirecting the Election Assistance Commission to implement draconian requirements outside the scope of its mission his authority over it. ·      Impact on Vulnerable Communities o   Revoked supporting access to the ballot for voters with disabilities and non-English speakers. o   Pressured USPS to deprioritize ballot delivery during election periods and issued an EO that attempts to reject mail in ballots postmarked on Election Day but received afterward.   Nonlobbying Advocacy Although you may consider this an off year for federal elections (but many local and state elections are happening this year)  – now is the time to work to ensure the protection of voting rights for the future. Advocacy can take many forms, lobbying is just one form. There are many ways organizations can advocate for change to ensure democracy and voting rights are secure. Organizing, educating the public, conducting research, executive branch and regulatory activities, working with your local state board of elections, trainings and litigation just to name a few way.   Here are some ways organizations have undertake ·      Educate the Public o   Democracy North Carolina launched a digital explainer on redistricting and gerrymandering for community audiences, and engaged in election protection work. This included monitoring polling stations for long lines, problems with voting, voting misinformation. ·      Hold a Rally or Event o   Detroit Action organized “Halloween Early Vote,” a trunk or treat in a historically underrepresented part of Detroit, promoting civic pride, early voting… and candy. ·      Litigation as Advocacy o   Campaign Legal Center and Southern Poverty Law Center sued Louisiana for new proof of citizenship documentation as a violation of federal law. o   League of United Latin American Citizens, the League of Women Voters Education Fund, the Democratic National Committee and others sued to overturn Trump's federal elections executive order, successfully enjoining some of the more egregious parts of it. Foundation-Funded Advocacy ·      Public and private foundations can fund 501(c)(3) nonpartisan voter engagement activities that do not support or oppose candidates for public office. ·      Special rules for private foundations re: voter registration drives (grants must be for nonpartisan VR drives conducted in 5 or more states over multiple election cycles), but community foundations can fund VR even for small, local, grassroots organizations. ·      Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York have supported nonpartisan voter education and rights litigation to strengthen democracy and public trust in government.   Lobbying ·      Legislative Wins o   New York: Enacted the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, pushed through with support from a coalition including Legal Defense Fund and Citizen Action of NY o   New Mexico: Passed legislation mandating automatic and same-day voter registration following lobbying by ProgressNow NM and allies. ·      Ballot Measures Protecting Voting Rights o   Michigan Proposal 2 (2022): Guaranteed early voting and drop boxes; supported by Voters Not Politicians and League of Women Voters of Michigan. o   Arizona: Local advocates, including Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), defeated multiple voter suppression ballot initiatives. o   Nevada: Voters passed automatic voter registration (2018) and expanded it further in 2022 with strong nonprofit support. Resources ·      Democracy & Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Democracy and Voting Rights ·      Public Charities Can Lobby (Factsheet) ·      Practical Guidance: what your nonprofit needs to know about lobbying in your state ·      Investing in Change: A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy ·      What is Advocacy? 2.0 ·      Seize the initiative

More than 300 people turned out in downtown Troy for the Memorial Day Rally against fascism organized by Indivisible Troy, opposing the ICE raids and attacks on immigrants and the constitution. We hear from Karen Zigler, several indivisible organiers, Jen from Jewish Voice for Peace, Eyad Alkurabi of Palestinian Rights Committee, Assemblymember Phil Steck, Troy City Council President Sue Steel, Jim Mounteer, Eduardo Hernandez of Citizen Action, law professor Mary Lynch, and Rudy Stegemoeller and Diane Geary of Common Farms, among others. Unedited.

We welcome Citizen Action member and child care provider Julia Bennker back to the show to discuss this week's “strike” and actions at the Capitol by child care providers demanding the Legislature restore $480 million in funding. We hear first hand how the Legislature is failing parents and child care workers and how you can support the effort to fund child care in the state budget. Big news this week in Congress as House Republicans unveiled their budget which drastically cuts Medicaid to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. Robert gives us the details on how the GOP's plan will take healthcare away coverage from nearly 14 million Americans, according to the Congressional Budget Office. As we reported last week, the House Republican budget will not cut direct state matching funds such as the increased match for ACA Medicaid Expansion, allowing Wisconsin to finally accept the federal money to Expand BadgerCare. Even more, we now know the House budget also sunsets an extra 5% state match for states that Expand Medicaid before January 1, 2026. This means Wisconsin only gets the bonus match (which lasts two years) if it expands Medicaid in this new budget, making it an imperative that Evers veto any Legislative budget that fails to Expand BadgerCare. Robert also updates us on the latest in the Judge Hannah Dugan case which raises serious issues critical to retaining a constitutional democracy.

We discuss breaking news in the fight to save Medicaid this week as House Speaker Mike Johnson rules out cutting the federal match to states for Medicaid Expansion states. This is huge for Governor Tony Evers' plan to accept federal money to expand BadgerCare in the state budget. We renew our call for the Governor to publicly declare that he will veto any state budget that fails to expand BadgerCare. Despite the victory in Congress for Medicaid Expansion, Speaker Vos and Republicans in the Joint Finance Committee deleted expanding BadgerCare from their state budget Thursday afternoon. It's time for the Governor to fight for his budget. We urge our listeners to call Governor Tony Evers at 1 (608) 266-1212 and urge him to use his most powerful in the nation veto and publicly declare that he will veto any state budget from the Legislature that does not include proper funding for our public schools and BadgerCare expansion. Citizen Action member and child care provider, Julia Bennker, joins us to discuss the Joint Finance Committee's disastrous decision to remove child care funding from their state budget. Julia tells us about how child care providers are organizing a strike that will start Tuesday. Listen to the show. Read Citizen Action's statement on the removal of BadgerCare Expansion from Legislative Republican's State Budget. Citizen Action calls on Governor Tony Evers to use veto powers to leverage BadgerCare Expansion. Attend a “Hands off Medicaid” Town Hall this week. Learn about what's at stake for all of us, hear from our neighbors who are directly at risk, and talk about what we're doing to fight back and how you can get involved. Questions? Contact: Timothy.Faust@citizenactionwi.org RSVP for Milwaukee Join us for an upcoming “Hands Off Medicaid” Town Hall, Tuesday, May 13th, 6pm. Sign up for Citizen Action's Capitol Lobby day, Tuesday, May 27th

Why does Senator Cory Booker's filibuster this week matter and how is it connected to the Wisconsin election this Tuesday? We take a deep dive in the epic State Supreme Court election that saw a landslide win for Citizen Action endorsed Susan Crawford. The victory was essential to the future of the state with the balance of the court at stake. However, we discuss our concern with the current playbook that clearly can deliver progressive court candidate victories, but with high spending shit shows where virtually all paid communication is trashy crime and sexual predator ads that debase and erode the credibility of the court, a vital pillar of our democracy. And what about Elon? We review the first Joint Finance Committee public hearing on the State Budget this Wednesday and heads to West Allis' State Fair Park this Friday. At the hearing, support for funding Medicaid and increasing public education dollars dominated public testimony. We welcome Milwaukee County Supervisor Anne O'Connor to discuss her support for the Milwaukee County Climate Action Plan which is up for a vote in April and her opposition to the proposed We Energies gas plants that are at odds with the County's Climate plan goals.

It's time to get out the vote in Wisconsin for the Spring Election. We review news that the state supreme court race will shatter all spending records for the prized judicial seat that will determine control of the state' highest court. We discuss the critical importance of talking directly to potential voters the final 4 days and encourage our listeners to volunteer with Citizen Action on phones or doors. RSVP to talk to voters. Next week is the start of the Joint Finance Committee public hearings on the State Budget, next Wednesday in Kaukauna and Friday in West Allis. We encourage people in each area to consider attending in support of expanding BadgerCare and other state budget priorities. We welcome back to the show, Timothy Faust, Citizen Action's healthcare coordinator, who just returned from a week-long tour of rural Wisconsin hosting Hands Off Medicaid Town Halls to organize opposition to Congressional Republicans proposed cuts to Medicaid. Contact Tim: Timothy.Faust@citizenactionwi.org We close the show with a review of this week's PSC public hearing on We Energies desire to build polluting gas plants. Robert educates us on why the gas plant is a bad idea.

This week Citizen Action hosted a major news conference at the State Capitol with Legislative allies and Citizen Action members from around the state to unveil the Climate Accountability Act. The bill, which is already rapidly winning co-sponsors, requires the Legislature to pass a concrete and enforceable plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. Following the media event, Citizen Action members fanned out across the Capitol to visit their Representatives and State Senators and discuss state budget priorities, like expanding BadgerCare. We unpack the latest MU Law Poll which shows a clear pathway for key priorities in Governor Evers' state budget, if he is willing to use his stronger public popularity against a very unpopular Republican Legislature. We review the lessons learned from the first two weeks of phone calls at Citizen Action talking directly to Spring Election voters. We also discuss the most important developments in Donald Trump”s assault on the constitutional order, including a critical 5-4 Supreme Court ruling this week that sided against President Trump over $2B in frozen foreign aid and his unhinged prime time address to a joint session of Congress.