Monthly Archives: July 2013

Press Conference at the Capitol, to Introduce the Money Out, Voters In Resolution!

We’re excited to announce we will be holding a press conference at the State Capitol this Wednesday, July 24th at 10:30 am with Rep. Chris Taylor to announce the introduction of the Money Out, Voters In resolution and we need your help to ensure it is a success.
If you haven’t yet added your name to this Wisconsin petition, please click HERE. Also, if at all possible, please attend the press conference.
The resolution will be introduced by Rep. Chris Taylor in the Assembly and Sen. Dave Hansen in the Senate. The press conference will be in the Assembly Parlor (2nd Floor West).
Confirmed Speakers:
  • State Representative Chris Taylor
  • Lisa Subeck, United Wisconsin
  • James Hartwick, Rock River Move to Amend
  • Bruce Speight, WISPIRG
  • Lori Compas, Wisconsin Business Alliance
Money Out, Voters In is a coalition of 30+ Wisconsin groups working on THE core problem of money in politics. Over 18,000 Wisconsin citizens have already added their names to this petition, demanding that the Wisconsin Legislature place an Advisory Referendum on the ballot in Wisconsin directing the Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution to end the notions that money is speech and corporations have the same rights as human beings.
Please show your support by adding your name to the petition and consider coming to the press conference. Together we can fix our broken political system, restore our democracy and put America back on track!

Another Wisconsin city calls for reversal of Citizens United

United Wisconsin shows that petition efforts in Wauwautosa have paid off.

Signature total far exceeds requirement for referendum in current hometown of Governor Scott Walker

WAUWATOSA – Today, United Wisconsin, along with local grassroots partners, submitted 4,320 petition signatures, over 18% more than the minimum required by law, calling on the City of Wauwatosa to place an advisory referendum on the next ballot calling for the reversal of the 2010 Citizens United ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court which granted corporations the right to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections.

The 60-day petition drive, conducted along with Grassroots Tosa and Move to Amend – Southeastern Wisconsin, marks the latest Wisconsin municipality to petition their local elected officials for the opportunity to be heard over the increasing corrupting of our politics by big money special interests. This April, the cities of Whitewater and Fort Atkinson along with Chippewa County passed similar referendums by wide margins. United Wisconsin and partners currently have two more campaigns underway in the villages of Shorewood and Whitefish Bay.

United Wisconsin Executive Director Lisa Subeck commented

“The overwhelming support for this petition drive by the residents of Wauwatosa demonstrates just how concerned voters are over the hijacking of our elections by corporations and the wealthy. The next step is for the Wauwatosa Common Council to move this resolution to a city-wide referendum at the next election and give every Wauwatosa resident the chance to make their voice heard over the issue of Citizens United.”

Wauwatosa is the current home of Governor Scott Walker, whose support will ultimately be needed to add Wisconsin to the growing list of states calling for a constitutional amendment reversing Citizens United. In the last 3 years, 16 states have gone on record in opposition to the Citizens United ruling.

“The movement sweeping the nation calling for the reversal of Citizens United transcends political divisions,” Subeck concluded. “In poll after poll, the issue of combating the corrupting influence of big money in politics is met with bipartisan support. Now, the residents of Wauwatosa will have the opportunity to join over 500 municipalities and 16 states across the nation by voicing their support at the ballot box for common-sense campaign finance reform.”

Volunteer to reverse Citizens United in Shorewood and Whitefish Bay

News from United Wisconsin.

Volunteer to reverse Citizens United in Shorewood and Whitefish Bay

Across the state, the grassroots campaign to restore our democracy and reverse Citizens United is heating up, and United Wisconsin and Grassroots Northshore are leading the charge!

United Wisconsin is kicking off petition drives to pass local referendums in cities and towns across Wisconsin, and is launching petition drives right now in Southeastern Wisconsin – with the campaign in Shorewood and Whitefish Bay kicking off June 29th – and many more to come.

Join us for our campaign kickoff Saturday, June 29th, at Sweets and Associates (2510 E. Capitol Dr) between 10am-and 5pm! We will be hosting petition signature gathering at stationary locations in strategic areas throughout Shorewood and Whitefish Bay to collect the signatures needed to put the referendum on the next ballot!

Sign up with us below to join us this Saturday, June 29th, between 10am-5pm to ensure we have a strong kickoff to our campaign. We have all the supplies you need, and after a brief training, you will be out making the difference!

Can’t make it this Saturday? No problem! We have a campaign office open everyday. Stop in during the times listed below to sign the petition. If you want to volunteer, let us know what times you can help by using the sign-up form below.

Grassroots Northshore Office hours (325 W Silver Spring Dr, above Irina’s Kitchen/ Entrance in back):

The 60-day campaign runs from June 29th until August 27th.

M-Th 11am-7pm

Fridays  Noon-6pm

Saturdays 11am-5pm

Sundays 2pm-5pm

To sign up: http://bit.ly/17ynXFa 

16-year-olds allowed right to vote in Takoma Park

In a May city council meeting, Takoma, MD Park council members voted on numerous city charter amendments. One of these amendments would grant 16 and 17-year-olds voting privileges in city elections. The Huffington Post reported that city council members approved the amendment 6-1. This amendment also included giving back convicted felons the right to vote if they have served their time.

The Washington Post documented that some residents were leery about lowering the voting age because they felt “teenagers lacked the maturity and experience to handle the responsibility and that they would be easily influenced by their parents.” However, the amendment passed because of its affect on the bigger picture. By developing voting habits in younger teens, it will be more likely that they will continue to vote regularly. Councilman Tim Male, who voted for the measure, told WJLA-TV (http://wj.la/12yVSqi) that “[Elected officials] are trying to make it possible for more people to be part of our city government.”

And isn’t that what democracy is all about?

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