Author: Staff

In a victory for the rights of state voters, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin on April 9 ruled in a 5-2 decision that a purge of the state’s voter rolls could not proceed. The ruling prevents hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin voters from being removed. Writing for the majority, Justice Brian Hagedorn explained that the relevant purge statute “does not apply to the [Wisconsin Elections] Commission; there is no credible argument that it does.” Notably, the Court rejected the argument that the Commission’s previous removal of voters in the 2017-2018 period showed it had the power to remove voters...

The ACLU of Wisconsin on March 17 denounced a package of bills introduced by a handful of state lawmakers aiming to make it more difficult to vote, calling the proposed legislation a direct attack on the voting rights of Wisconsinites. The bills would impose more restrictions on how voters can request and return absentee ballots and would increase barriers for voters around the state – including for many people of color, people with disabilities, and senior citizens. These proposals are based on misinformation and false or exaggerated claims about mail voting in Wisconsin. “Let’s just call this what it...

The County Board’s Parks, Energy and Environment Committee approved a proposal from Milwaukee County Supervisor Patti Logsdon on March 16 that would allow gun shows to be held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. Supervisor Logsdon proposed the ordinance change to allow gun shows at the complex in March 2020. The proposal had been laid over, referred back to committee, and referred to the Office of Corporation Counsel for a legal opinion before being recommended for adoption at the Parks Committee meeting. It was also co-sponsored by Milwaukee County Supervisors Felesia A. Martin and Sylvia Ortiz-Velez. The resolution is...

Three attacks at Atlanta-area spas on March 16 that left eight people dead has sent shockwaves through Asian American communities nationwide. While the White gunman’s motive remains unclear, the tragedy follows a growing trend of hate crimes that have Asian Americans since the COVID-19 pandemic began. While Atlanta authorities have hesitated to characterize the mass shooting as a hate crime, it follows a year of racist rhetoric from ex-president Trump who routinely called COVID-19 the “China virus” in order to deflect criticism of his mishandling of the public health crisis. Hmong Americans are the largest Asian ethnic group in...

The Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of Wisconsin released a statement on the March 16 shootings of Asian American Women in Atlanta, representing member organizations across the state and supporting advocates in Milwaukee. It is with heavy hearts that the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Coalition of Wisconsin mourns the lives lost in the shootings that transpired on Tuesday evening in Atlanta, GA. There have been more than 3,800 hate incidents committed against the AAPI community since the pandemic began. This level of communal trauma has already had a significant impact on Asian Americans and our statement will center...

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) announced on March 11 that it has awarded a contract to the vendor who will build Milwaukee County’s first battery-electric buses. Nova Bus, a leading North American transportation manufacturer that is part of the Volvo Group, will produce up to 15 all-electric LFSe+ buses for MCTS. The first 11 state-of-the-art vehicles will run exclusively on the upcoming East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. Four additional vehicles will be used along regular routes. Passengers who board these ultra-modern buses will enjoy a quiet ride, comfortable seating, USB charging ports, off-board fare collection, and a...