Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Heads to Biden’s Desk, Despite Sen. Johnson’s Obstruction

Sen. Johnson, who didn’t bother reading the bill, refuses to support creating jobs, fixing crumbling infrastructure, and boosting Wisconsin’s economy

Friday, November 5, 2021

MADISON, Wis. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which passed the Senate on August 10 with support from all 50 Democrats and 19 Republicans. Two days after voting ‘no’ on the bill, Senator Johnson shared on conservative talk radio that he “didn’t read the thing.” 

Opportunity Wisconsin program director Meghan Roh issued the following statement in response to today’s House vote:

“Today is a historic day for the people of Wisconsin, who will benefit immensely from repaired roads and bridges, increased access to broadband, cleaner drinking water, and so much more. Despite widespread bipartisan support for the bill from lawmakers and the public alike, Senator Johnson voted ‘no’ on yet another much-needed package that will improve the lives of his constituents. We applaud the Biden-Harris administration for delivering on this historic piece of legislation and strongly urge Senator Johnson to stop blocking legislation that greatly benefits the people he’s supposed to represent.”

The IIJA invests in the Badger State by: 

• Providing Wisconsin with $5.2 billion for highways and $225 million for bridges over 5 years; in Wisconsin there are 979 bridges and nearly 2,000 miles of highway in poor condition, costing the average Wisconsin driver $547 per year

• Providing $592 million over 5 years to improve public transportation 

• Providing internet access to the 318,000 Wisconsinites who currently lack it, and providing an Affordability Connectivity Benefit to help low-income families (22% of Wisconsinites) afford internet access

• Providing Wisconsin with $841 million over 5 years to improve water infrastructure and ensure clean, safe drinking water in all communities, including through the elimination of lead service lines and pipes and the dangerous chemical PFAS.

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October Jobs Report Shows Stunning Job Growth, Pandemic Recovery

Monthly employment data from BLS shows 531,000 jobs added in October while unemployment fell to 4.6%, a new pandemic low

Friday, November 5, 2021

MADISON, WIS. — Following the release of today’s jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that shows 531,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added in October nationwide, exceeding the BLS’ estimate by 81,000, Opportunity Wisconsin program director Meghan Roh issued the following statement: 

“The employment data released today is a strong affirmation that the Biden-Harris agenda and the American Rescue Plan—which have put shots in the arms of nearly 200 million Americans, delivered relief to small businesses, and allowed us to safely reopen our economy—are working. 

“We are grateful to the elected officials who have championed our recovery, and we look forward to continuing on this positive trajectory by delivering on the Build Back Better package and bipartisan infrastructure deal, both of which will create even more jobs and allow us to emerge out of the pandemic stronger than before. 

 “We are calling on Senator Ron Johnson to stop standing in the way of relief, obstructing both bills currently in Congress, advocating for sending American jobs overseas, and threatening the job growth that we’re currently seeing.“

In February of this year, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the U.S. would reach 4.6% unemployment by the end of 2023. The next month, Democrats passed the American Rescue Plan, and today’s jobs report revealed that we beat the CBO estimate by over two years. Highlights from the jobs report include: 

• 531,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added in October, exceeding the BLS’ estimate by 81,000 and the marking the highest rate of job growth since July

• The 4.6% unemployment rate is a new pandemic low 

• 164,000 jobs were added to the leisure and hospitality industry as businesses have reopened and Americans are safely traveling again

• Wages increased by 0.4% from last month and 4.9% from this time last year

• Today’s report also included upward revisions of jobs numbers from August and September, showing that we are on a strong road to recovery that will only be bolstered by passage of the Build Back Better and bipartisan infrastructure packages.

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Build Back Better Framework Would Create Millions Of Good-Paying Jobs, Cut Costs And Lower Taxes For Wisconsin Families

Thursday, October 28, 2021

MADISON, Wis. - Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after the Build Back Better framework was unveiled today, which would be a once-in-a-generation investment in Wisconsin families that would create millions of good-paying jobs and lower taxes, while making corporations and the rich pay their fair share.

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:

“Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration, over the last several months we have seen shots in arms, money in pockets, small businesses reopening, students safely returning to the classroom, or simply seniors hugging their grandchildren again. Now it’s time to continue to build on this progress by passing the Build Back Better agenda.  

“We strongly urge our elected officials to fully support the Build Better Better framework as we continue to recover from the pandemic and level the playing field for Wisconsin's working families. This plan will lower the costs of things families depend on, help people get back to work, and grow the economy. It’s past time for Senator Ron Johnson and Wisconsin’s Republican congressional representatives—all of whom voted against the American Rescue Plan—to stand with Wisconsin families and pass the Build Back Better Act. If they don’t, it will just be the latest reminder that they’d rather protect corporations from paying any taxes than they would protect people who work for a living.”  

The Build Back Better Act will be: 

• The most transformative investment in children and caregiving in generations. The  framework will save most American families more than half of their spending on child  care, deliver two years of free preschool for every 3- and 4-year-old in America, give more than 35 million families a major tax cut by extending the expanded Child Tax  Credit, and expand access to high-quality home care for older Americans and people with  disabilities.  

• The largest effort to combat climate change in American history. The framework will cut greenhouse gas pollution by well over one gigaton in 2030, reduce consumer energy  costs, give our kids cleaner air and water, create hundreds of thousands of high-quality  jobs, and advance environmental justice by investing in a 21st century clean energy  economy – from buildings, transportation, industry, electricity, and agriculture to climate  smart practices across our lands and waters. 

• The biggest expansion of affordable health care coverage in a decade. The framework will reduce premiums for more than 9 million Americans by extending the expanded  Premium Tax Credit, deliver health care coverage to up to 4 million uninsured people in  states that have locked them out of Medicaid, and help older Americans access affordable  hearing care by expanding Medicare.  

• The most significant effort to bring down costs and strengthen the middle class in generations. The framework will make the single largest and most comprehensive  investment in affordable housing in history, expand access to affordable, high-quality  education beyond high school, cut taxes for 17 million low-wage workers by extending  the expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, and advance equity through investments in maternal health, community violence interventions, and nutrition, in addition to better  preparing the nation for future pandemics and supply chain disruptions.  

• And, it is fully paid for and will reduce the deficit by making sure that large, profitable  corporations can’t zero out their tax bills, no longer rewarding corporations that shift jobs and  profits overseas, asking more from millionaires and billionaires, and stopping rich Americans  from cheating on their tax bills. Under this historic agreement, nobody earning less than  $400,000 per year will pay a penny more in taxes.

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Senator Johnson Votes to Block Bill That Would Strengthen Freedom to Vote

The Freedom to Vote Act would expand access to the ballot while cracking down on voter suppression and sham audits that undermine our democratic processes.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

MADISON, Wis.—Following today’s news that Senator Ron Johnson voted to block the Freedom to Vote Act, a transformative piece of legislation that would empower voters and ensure free and fair federal elections, Opportunity Wisconsin program director Meghan Roh issued the following statement:

“While it’s no surprise that Senator Ron Johnson, a frequent peddler of election-related misinformation, voted to block this commonsense piece of legislation, it’s deeply concerning nonetheless. Wisconsinites deserve to be able to exercise their right to vote free of systematic efforts to suppress their voices, and this bill would allow them to do just that. We’re calling on Senator Johnson to stop attacking the voting rights of his own constituents.”

In the wake of President Biden’s victory, Senator Johnson was one of the loudest voices amplifying baseless claims of election fraud peddled by the Trump campaign that were disproven in 63 court cases in which the Trump campaign was defeated.

NEW: Seven-Figure TV Ad Campaign By Opportunity Wisconsin Features Former Hufcor Employee Calling Out Senator Johnson for Rewarding Outsourcing and Doubling His Wealth

WATCH: “Tell Ron Johnson to stop putting his profits above our jobs.”

Ad to run during October 24 Green Bay Packers game

Tuesday, October 19
MADISON, Wis.—Opportunity Wisconsin today launched a seven-figure statewide TV ad campaign calling out Senator Ron Johnson for supporting a law that rewards companies for shipping Wisconsin jobs to foreign countries. The new ad, “Outsourcing,” features Kathy, a former Hufcor employee of 36 years whose job was eliminated after the Janesville manufacturing plant announced it would close and send Wisconsin jobs to Mexico. In the ad, Kathy shares how Senator Johnson has personally profited from outsourcing and doubled his wealth since taking office. Opportunity Wisconsin will also be hosting a series of events around the state, discussing Senator Johnson’s support for policies that put his profits over Wisconsin jobs.    

[WATCH KATHY’S FULL AD]

“I have worked at Hufcor for the last 36 years —I gave my life and my body to that place. Ron Johnson pushed through a tax law that rewards outsourcing,” said Kathy in the new ad. “Companies can bring profits back from Mexico tax-free, and worse, Ron Johnson profited personally from outsourcing. He has doubled his wealth since taking office. Tell Ron Johnson to stop putting his profits above our jobs.” 

The new ad will run on a combination of broadcast, cable, OTT, and digital in the Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Wausau media markets. The ad buy includes a spot during the October 24 Green Bay Packers home game versus the Washington Football Team. 

This is the latest in Opportunity Wisconsin’s efforts to hold Senator Johnson accountable. In February, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a $1 million TV ad campaign urging Senator Johnson to stop blocking Covid-19 relief checks and in June kicked off a statewide RV tour highlighting Senator Johnson’s vote against the American Rescue Plan. 

Rep. Sinicki, Small Business Owners Meet to Discuss Build Back Better Agenda

Participants discussed the historic investments being made in the Badger State and called on Senator Johnson to support Wisconsin workers and families

Friday, August 27, 2021

CUDAHY, Wis.—On the heels of Tuesday's vote in the  U.S. House of Representatives to move the Build Back Better agenda forward, Opportunity Wisconsin and Family Friendly Wisconsin hosted a roundtable conversation with Wisconsin State Representative Chris Sinicki and Milwaukee area small business owners yesterday at Cudahy Pancake House to discuss the historic investments proposed in the Build Back Better agenda.  

“The Build Back Better agenda includes bold investments that will ease the burden of high costs on working Wisconsin families and grow the economy by investing in small businesses and local communities,” said Brita Olsen, Family Friendly Wisconsin State Director. “We’re grateful to Representative Sinicki and these small business owners for joining us and sharing more about what they still need from Washington to fully recover from the pandemic.”  

“We need to make sure our elected officials understand the importance of supporting our small businesses,” said State Representative Sinicki. “I see Senator Ron Johnson, time and time again, criticizing small businesses that need help and blocking the support they need.” 

Aaron Ruiz, co-owner of Avenue Coffeehouse, expressed gratitude for the pandemic relief they received, “We were fortunate because we got busier when the lockdown started. [The grants] allowed us to hire some more baristas.”  

Learn more about how the Build Back Better agenda is supporting small businesses. 

The budget resolution blueprint passed by the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate lays the groundwork for another reconciliation package that could include many provisions from the Build Back Better agenda. Specifically, the plan could lower the costs of prescription drugs, childcare and health care and create a national paid family and medical leave program so that everyone can take time away from work to care for themselves, a loved one or a new child. 

The reconciliation package won’t cost working families a dime. In fact, it will also lower their taxes. Congress can pay for these plans without raising taxes on anyone making under $400,000 by making the ultra-wealthy and big corporations pay what they owe.

[ICYMI] WPR: 1 Month After Child Tax Credits Expanded To More Families, Food Insecurity Drops 24 Percent

Despite Senator Ron Johnson’s Opposition, American Rescue Plan Paying Off For Wisconsin Families

Monday, August 23, 2021

MADISON, Wis.—In case you missed it, reporting today from Wisconsin Public Radio details that, “In the month since families began receiving the expanded child tax credit, national data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey showed a drop in the number of households with children that reported insufficient food or trouble paying bills.” 

The American Rescue Plan, which U.S. Senator Ron Johnson vehemently opposed, is projected to cut child poverty in the United States in half through an expansion of the Child Tax Credit, which will lift over 46,000 Wisconsin children out of poverty. The new tax cuts are delivering up to $3,600 annually per child to the families of over 1.1 million Badger State children. 

Read more about how the American Rescue Plan helps Wisconsin families in this report from Opportunity Wisconsin.

We’re calling on Senator Johnson to start supporting policies that help Wisconsin families and the Badger State. 

WPR: 1 Month After Child Tax Credits Expanded To More Families, Food Insecurity Drops 24 Percent

• In the month since families began receiving the expanded child tax credit, national data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey showed a drop in the number of households with children that reported insufficient food or trouble paying bills.

• The Census surveyed families just before and just after the first payments arrived, and found a 3 percentage point decline in food insufficiency and a 2.5 percentage point decline in difficulty paying bills.

• According to data from KidsCount, a data center that tracks child well-being in the U.S., 8 percent of households with children in Wisconsin didn't have enough food sometime during the week from early June to early July, and 27 percent had trouble covering household expenses during that period. The expanded child tax credit was distributed beginning July 15. About 35 million households have already received the credit, which offers monthly payments of up to $300 per child through the end of 2021.

• The expansion of the tax credit not only increased the amount households can receive, but extended those payments to households that previously had not qualified, like those that did not have taxable income and some mixed-immigration status families. However, while families who were eligible for the tax credit when they filed their 2019 or 2020 taxes were automatically put in the system to start receiving payments, those newly eligible groups had to register through the IRS website — which means many of the lowest-income families haven't yet received payments.

• "That's a great thing in just the first month, I’m guessing that those numbers are going to improve," said Timothy Smeeding, a University of Wisconsin-Madison economist and child tax credit expert. "The word's getting out, so I expect it'll even be better soon for people who really need it."

• About 47 percent of families who received the expanded child tax credit reported spending it on food, and about 10 percent put it toward child care.

• Child hunger has been a particular focus of coronavirus relief efforts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided waivers for schools to provide meals to all kids for free, rather than having them pay based on a tiered free, reduced or subsidized pricing model.

• "We know that poverty and food insecurity takes a huge toll on our health care and our education system, so we know this is not only beneficial for kids and families, it's smart policy," she said. "It ensures that kids are fed and able to learn, it ensures that health care expenditures are down."

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ICYMI: Senator Johnson’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week

Thursday, August 19, 2021

MADISON, Wis.—In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson has had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad week. From recent reporting by ProPublica revealing that Senator Johnson’s work on the 2017 Republican tax bill delivered millions of dollars in tax cuts to his campaign donors, to admitting to not reading the bipartisan infrastructure bill that he voted against—it has not been great for Senator Johnson. 

We’re calling on Senator Johnson to stop putting his wealthy donors over hardworking Wisconsinites and start supporting policies that help the Badger State.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nobody's senator but theirs: Ron Johnson's backroom dealing shows who he's working for. It's not you.

• A blockbuster scoop by ProPublica on Wednesday makes crystal clear who Ron Johnson represents: He is the senator for the ultra-wealthy.

• Though he tried to defend himself on Wednesday, Johnson’s secret, closed-door maneuvering on the tax bill is one more reason he’s unfit to represent Wisconsin citizens. The sooner he's removed from office, the better for our democratic republic.

• The senator is willing to work hard, and even stand up to his party's leader, when it comes to doing the bidding of a few extremely rich patrons. When it comes to working for the good of the many more average Wisconsin citizens he represents? Not so much.

• Johnson’s priorities are all wrong — and they’ve been all wrong for this entire term.

• Former Sen. Herb Kohl, who financed his own campaigns, used to have a slogan: Nobody’s senator but yours.

• Ron Johnson has put a new spin on that: Nobody’s senator but theirs.

• It's time to actually drain the swamp and fire Sen. Ron Johnson from public office

The Capital Times: Editorial: Ron Johnson is a crook

• Why did Johnson fight so hard against a president for whom he has generally been willing to debase himself as the most willing lapdog in the Senate Republican Caucus? At the time, Wisconsin media speculated that “Johnson Wants a Bigger Tax Cut for Himself.” That was part of the explanation. But in this particular instance, Johnson was not merely thinking of himself.

• Johnson, who was worth around $40 million before the pandemic, has a long record of voting for legislation that benefits the owners of so-called “limited-liability” corporations, like the one he owns with his wife.

• But as the political outsider became a political careerist, he has expanded his grifting to serve the interests of those who have kept him in office up to this point.

Wisconsin Examiner: Johnson says he didn’t read infrastructure bill

• Sen. Ron Johnson was one of 30 Republicans who voted against the recently passed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill — yet in an appearance on the conservative Dan Bongino Show, Johnson said he hadn’t even read the bill.

• The package passed the Senate last week but has not yet passed the House of Representatives. It could bring billions of dollars to Wisconsin to repair roads and bridges, expand internet access across the state and replace lead pipes; 19 Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) voted for the bill.

• Johnson noted the bill’s 2,700 page length and its price tag in his public statements about the vote, but later said he didn’t read it.

• “And, I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t read the thing,” he said on the Aug. 12 episode of the Dan Bongino Show.

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