One Year Since Passage of American Rescue Plan, Wisconsinites Still Feel The Relief

March 11, 2022

MADISON, Wis. —Today marks the one year anniversary of the American Rescue Plan being signed into law by President Joe Biden. The landmark legislation put money in the pockets of hard working Wisconsinites by expanding and strengthening the Child Tax Credit, lowering health insurance costs, making COVID vaccines free and accessible, and providing $1,400 stimulus checks to almost every American.

Miranda Stark, Opportunity Wisconsin deputy program director:
“One year since its signing, the American Rescue Plan has had an immeasurable impact on our state and our country. Our elected officials should look to the ARP as a success story and a model for legislation to help working families. Senator Tammy Baldwin was a strong supporter of the legislation, and her ‘yes’ vote helped get it over the finish line. However, Senator Ron Johnson was firmly opposed to the ARP, claiming that Wisconsinites didn’t deserve money in their pockets to recover from the economic shock of the pandemic. Senator Johnson’s opposition to this major COVID relief bill showed yet again that he stands with wealthy elites, not Wisconsin residents.”
 

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ICYMI: Johnson Voices Support for Scott’s Plan to Raise Taxes on 32% of Wisconsinites

In addition to raising taxes on the working class, the Johnson-backed plan would threaten Social Security and Medicare. Johnson stated on Breitbart Radio that he “mostly supports” the plan.

March 8. 2022

MADISON, Wis. — In case you missed it, Senator Ron Johnson came out in support yesterday of Senator Rick Scott’s (R-FL) controversial plan to raise taxes by an average of $1,000 for the bottom 40% of income earners and sunset Social Security and Medicare after five years. According to a study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, 32% of Senator Johnson’s constituents would see a tax increase under the plan.  

Miranda Stark, Opportunity Wisconsin Deputy Program Director, released the following statement in response: 

"Senator Johnson’s support for a plan that would raise taxes on 32% of Wisconsinites comes as no surprise given his voting record and recent comments. He supported a tax bill that overwhelmingly benefits the top 1% while the rest of us are working hard just to make ends meet. He was one of the biggest roadblocks to pandemic relief when his constituents needed it most, and just last week he doubled down on his opposition to the Child Tax Credit, which lifted Wisconsin children out of poverty. We would like to know why Senator Johnson supports raising taxes on the working class, but supports handouts for corporations and the wealthy. We’re calling on him to stop supporting laws that benefit ultra-wealthy people like himself at our expense."

Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a new TV ad as part of their  multimillion dollar TV and digital advertising campaign calling out Senator Ron Johnson for putting his own personal profits above hardworking Wisconsinites. The new ad, “Power,” calls out Senator Johnson for passing a special tax break that benefited his family’s business and for doubling his wealth since taking office. 

The new ad is Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest effort to hold Senator Johnson accountable and to demand he vote for policies that support Wisconsin residents. In addition to holding conversations with Wisconsin workers and families across the Badger State, Opportunity Wisconsin has spent over $4 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.
 

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IN HIS OWN WORDS: Johnson Wants to Repeal Health Care Law

Instead of lowering costs for working families, Ron Johnson wants to take another shot at health care repeal and undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

March 7, 2022

MADISON, Wis. — Ron Johnson reaffirmed his plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would raise health insurance premiums, end the guarantee that health insurance covers prescription drugs, remove protections for people with pre-existing conditions and allow insurance companies to charge people over 50 years old up to five times more for the same coverage. 

Miranda Stark, Opportunity Wisconsin Deputy Program Director, released the following statement in response:

“Instead of focusing on lowering costs for working families, Senator Johnson wants to revisit Republicans’ failed health care repeal effort, making costs go up and coverage go down. Repealing the Affordable Care Act would mean ripping away coverage from over 400,000 Wisconsinites and raising costs for thousands more.  If Johnson got his way, protections for people with pre-existing conditions could be eliminated, seniors could be charged five times more for the same insurance and drug costs would go up even more. Senator Johnson has consistently legislated in a way that is at odds with the needs of everyday Wisconsinites, and today’s  comments are just the most recent example. We’re calling on him to stop threatening our health care and start supporting the needs of his constituents.           

Last month, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a new TV ad as part of their  multimillion dollar TV and digital advertising campaign calling out Senator Ron Johnson for putting his own personal profits above hardworking Wisconsinites. The new ad, “Power,” calls out Senator Johnson for passing a special tax break that benefited his family’s business and for doubling his wealth since taking office. 

The new ad is Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest effort to hold Senator Johnson accountable and to demand he vote for policies that support Wisconsin residents. In addition to holding conversations with Wisconsin workers and families across the Badger State, Opportunity Wisconsin has spent over $4 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin. 

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Wisconsin Senators Must Vote to Confirm Supreme Court Nominee Jackson

Friday, February 25, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today, Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after President Joe Biden officially nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the 116th Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Despite earning bipartisan Senate confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 2021, Senator Ron Johnson was a “no” vote while Senator Tammy Baldwin voted in favor of Judge Jackson. If confirmed, Judge Jackson would become the first Black woman to serve on the court. 

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director:
“We applaud President Biden for following through on one of his first campaign promises to nominate a Black woman to our nation’s highest court. Judge Jackson is deeply qualified and has a strong record of standing on the right side of history. We urge both Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin to support this historic nominee.”

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ICYMI: Full Page, Front Page, and Digital Ads in Senator Johnson’s Hometown Paper

“Tell Ron Johnson to start looking out for Wisconsin jobs”

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

OSHKOSH, Wis.—Opportunity Wisconsin today launched front page, full page, and digital ads in Senator Ron Johnson’s hometown newspaper, the Oshkosh Northwestern. The ads reference Senator Johnson’s recent comments where he said, “It’s not like we don’t have enough jobs here in Wisconsin,” after refusing to fight to bring good-paying union jobs to his hometown of Oshkosh. The ads call on Wisconsin residents to tell Senator Johnson to “start looking out for Wisconsin jobs.”  

“Senator Ron Johnson, the same person who pushed through a special tax loophole to benefit his family’s business, is now once again turning his back on Wisconsin workers,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director. “Self-serving Senator Johnson seems to only care about helping himself and wealthy folks like him. It’s time for Senator Johnson to start looking out for Wisconsin jobs.”

FRONT PAGE AD
FULL PAGE AD
DIGITAL AD

Today’s ads are part of Opportunity Wisconsin’s multimillion dollar advertising campaign calling out Senator Ron Johnson for putting his own personal profits above hardworking Wisconsinites. Last week, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a new TV ad, “Power,” calling out Senator Johnson for passing a special tax break that benefited his family’s business and for doubling his wealth since taking office. “Power” is running on broadcast, cable, and digital platforms in the Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Wausau media markets.  

Today’s ads are Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest effort to hold Senator Johnson accountable and to demand he vote for policies that support Wisconsin residents. In addition to holding conversations with Wisconsin workers and families across the Badger State, Opportunity Wisconsin has spent over $4 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.

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NEW: Multimillion Dollar TV Ad Campaign Calls Out “Self-Serving” Senator Johnson

WATCH:  “He should have used his power to serve Wisconsin. Instead, Ron Johnson served himself.”

Thursday, February 17, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Opportunity Wisconsin today launched a new TV ad as part of their  multimillion dollar TV and digital advertising campaign calling out Senator Ron Johnson for putting his own personal profits above hardworking Wisconsinites. The new ad, “Power,” calls out Senator Johnson for passing a special tax break that benefited his family’s business and for doubling his wealth since taking office. 

“Whether it’s blocking critical pandemic relief or refusing to fight for good-paying Wisconsin jobs, self-serving Senator Johnson seems to only care about helping himself and wealthy folks like him,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director. “It’s time for Senator Johnson to stop putting his personal profits above the people of Wisconsin.”

[WATCH THE FULL AD]

“Power” Full Script:
He should have used his power to serve Wisconsin.

Instead, Ron Johnson served himself. 

An investigation found that Ron Johnson pushed through a special tax loophole that benefited his  own family’s business.

After the loophole became law, Ron Johnson cashed out of the company for five million dollars.

Ron Johnson has doubled his wealth since taking office.

Look up the facts.  

And tell Ron Johnson to stop passing tax laws that benefit himself.

The new ad will run on broadcast, cable, and digital platforms in the Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and Wausau media markets. 

The new ad is Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest effort to hold Senator Johnson accountable and to demand he vote for policies that support Wisconsin residents. In addition to holding conversations with Wisconsin workers and families across the Badger State, Opportunity Wisconsin has spent over $4 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.

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Opportunity Wisconsin Statement on Johnson’s “Predictable Hypocrisy” on Voting Rights

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today, Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after Senator Ron Johnson blocked the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act from advancing in the U.S. Senate. The legislation would strengthen access to the ballot box by expanding early voting, protecting and expanding access to voting by mail, and protecting against voter intimidation.

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director 
“Just days after his performative tweet quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Senator Ron Johnson’s predictable hypocrisy was on full display with his vote today blocking this critical voting rights legislation. Whether it was downplaying the January 6 insurrection or calling on state lawmakers to take control of federal elections, Senator Johnson’s actions have spoken much louder than his empty rhetoric and today’s vote was no different. If Senator Johnson truly wanted to honor Dr. King’s legacy, he would stop putting politics above the people of Wisconsin and start supporting policies that defend our democracy.”           

Last week, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a new six-figure TV and digital ad calling out Senator Ron Johnson for putting pharmaceutical companies before Wisconsin families. The new ad, “Standing In The Way,” details how Senator Johnson took over $1.4 million from the health care industry and is now fighting against letting Medicare negotiate lower drug prices.

The new ad is Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest effort to hold Senator Johnson accountable and to demand he vote for policies that support Wisconsin residents. In addition to holding conversations with Wisconsin workers and families across the Badger State, Opportunity Wisconsin has spent over $3 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.

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NEW: Opportunity Wisconsin TV Ad Tells Senator Johnson to Stop Letting the Drug Companies “Rip Us Off”

WATCH: “Ron Johnson is putting pharmaceutical companies before Wisconsin families who are struggling to afford prescriptions.”

Friday, January 14, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—On Monday, Opportunity Wisconsin will launch a new six-figure TV and digital ad calling out Senator Ron Johnson for putting pharmaceutical companies before Wisconsin families. The new ad, “Standing In The Way,” details how Senator Johnson took over $1.4 million from the health care industry and is now fighting against letting Medicare negotiate lower drug prices. Last week, Opportunity Wisconsin released a new video highlighting the absurd, outlandish, and even dangerous reasons Senator Johnson has been trending in the news lately. 

[WATCH THE FULL AD]

“Standing In The Way” Full Script:
We have a chance to lower the cost of prescription drugs, but Senator Ron Johnson is standing in the way.
Ron Johnson took over $1.4 million from the health care industry.
Now, he’s fighting against giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower drug prices.
Ron Johnson is putting pharmaceutical companies before Wisconsin families who are struggling to afford prescriptions. 
Tell Ron Johnson to stop letting the drug companies rip us off.

The new ad will run on a combination of broadcast, cable, OTT, and digital in the Green Bay and Wausau media markets. 

This is Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest effort to hold Senator Johnson accountable and to demand he vote for policies that support Wisconsin residents. In addition to holding conversations with Wisconsin workers and families across the Badger State, Opportunity Wisconsin has spent over $3 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.

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