Two several years after its preliminary introduction into the condition legislature, Condition Reps. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) and Kristina Shelton (D-Inexperienced Bay) reintroduced their Financial Justice Monthly bill of Legal rights (LRB-1728), surrounded by supporting public officials and social justice companies on the Assembly floor at the State Capitol (WisconsinEye recording). They have re-opened a door to reviving Wisconsin’s democracy by introducing this bill.
Representative Hong established the tone: “This resolution is an outline of a vision to shield the American Guarantee of a right to daily life, liberty, and the pursuit of pleasure. It identifies a distinct path forward to ensuring financial security, for performing and caring Wisconsinites, smaller corporations, farmers, and beyond.” She ended by quoting abolitionist Frederick Douglass: “Power concedes almost nothing without a demand from customers.”
Consultant Shelton then additional: “Working people in Wisconsin are facing serious legitimate stress about their safety and safety and are nervous to know if Wisconsin will present a place for them … Economic security for functioning people today has never been fewer assured.”
On the flooring were being other Democratic members of the Legislature, as well as vital social justice warriors who spoke out in support of the monthly bill.
Angela Lang, the government director of BLOC (Black Leaders Arranging for Communities), stated: “Economic flexibility and stability is a protection problem. If individuals have their essential desires met, we will see safer communities.”
Stephanie Janeth Salgado Altamirano, a Madison-space organizer from Voces de La Frontera, also spoke, as did Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, govt director at Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice.
Senate Minority Chief Melissa Agard (D-Madison) also gave some remarks: “The Economic Justice Invoice of Legal rights is a framework that not only we want to stay by, but we need to have to be doing work by. To me financial justice is operating toward a culture which is basically honest. We are asking for fairness, for fairness.”
The past speaker was Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee), who praised the legislators for introducing the monthly bill, which he referred to as a “bare minimal,” and said it was in the custom of Combating Bob La Follette and Gaylord Nelson. Larson also hailed the entrance-line activists defending democracy in the social justice movement.
The Economic Justice Invoice of Rights phone calls for:
1. A work that gives dignity at get the job done and pays a living wage
2. Sufficiently funded community instruction and cost-effective, accessible youngster treatment
3. A union, public or personal, and collective bargaining
4. Very affordable, accessible, and comprehensive high-quality wellness care
5. A clear, sustainable ecosystem and wholesome planet
6. Good, sustainable neighborhood infrastructures like risk-free, reasonably priced housing, transportation, and broadband
7. Equitable obtain to cash, investments, fiscal establishments, and retirement
8. A fair, restorative, and equitable justice method
9. Recreation and participation in group and civic lifetime
10. Existence, self-perseverance, and flexibility from oppressions Reside cost-free from concern of racial, religious, and gender oppression(s).
Hong and Shelton’s invoice would need a redistribution of wealth to the new the vast majority in this point out, which contains ladies, younger people, and men and women of colour. Despite the fact that not explicitly named in their assertion, this also contains the undocumented performing-class migrant communities that are much too normally forgotten when chatting about progressive and 21st century agendas.
Twelve decades soon after Act 10, it’s only suitable that Wisconsin starts reclaiming its popularity as a laboratory for democracy. Hong and Shelton’s intense strategy is a excellent begin.
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