Opportunity Wisconsin Announces “Paving the Way” Statewide Tour to Highlight Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Thursday, May 12, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today Opportunity Wisconsin announced they will be hitting the road over the next few weeks as part of their new “Paving the Way” statewide tour, highlighting how the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is benefitting the Badger State. Opportunity Wisconsin will be hosting tour events with elected officials across the state, including in Madison, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Green Bay. On Tuesday, May 17th, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will join Opportunity Wisconsin and For Our Future Wisconsin for a kickoff event in Madison.

“As the weather warms up, we’re excited to hit the road and chat with folks across the Badger State about how the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is benefitting their communities and paving the way for a better economy, more jobs, and lower costs. This once-in-a-generation investment from the Biden-Harris administration will mean repaired roads and bridges, increased access to broadband, cleaner drinking water, and so much more,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director. “While we’re grateful to our elected leaders like Senator Baldwin, Governor Evers, and Mayor Rhodes-Conway who are putting these policies to work for Wisconsin, we’re also holding Senator Johnson accountable for not only voting against this critical bipartisan legislation, but for continuing to put his personal profits over the people of the Badger State.” 

In March, President Joe Biden visited Superior a day after delivering his State of the Union address to highlight the ways in which the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would benefit Wisconsin, including:

  • 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 Wisconsinites who currently lack it, and establishing the Affordability Connectivity Program (ACP) to help low-income families (22% of Wisconsinites) afford internet access

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

Senator Johnson Votes to Turn Back the Clock on Wisconsin Women’s Rights

Johnson’s vote to block the Women’s Health Protection Act denies Wisconsin women their constitutional right to access abortion care

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

MADISON, Wis.— Today, Senator Ron Johnson voted to block the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) from moving forward in the U.S. Senate. The bill would have codified the right to abortion guaranteed currently under Roe v. Wade into law, protecting both the right and access to the vital medical procedure. Yesterday, Senator Johnson endorsed a total ban on abortion care in the Badger State. During a radio appearance (27:05), Senator Johnson noted that approximately 6,000 abortions are peformed each year in Wisconsin and claimed that this was “6,000 too many.” 

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:

“Today Senator Johnson abdicated his duty to represent all of Wisconsin when he voted to block the Women’s Health Protection Act. Over sixty percent of Wisconsin residents say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, and yet, today Senator Johnson decided to deny our constitutional right to access abortion care. Senator Johnson has now left this issue up to a panel of un-elected judges who are poised to imminently overturn Roe v. Wade and send Wisconsin women back to 1849 where we would face a criminal abortion ban. 

“Today’s vote also has significant economic implications–something Senator Johnson purports to care about. Limits on our ability to make decisions about our own reproductive health isn’t just going to be ‘a little messy for some people,’ it’s going to have a direct impact on our economic security. Too many across the Badger State are worried about paying their bills and putting food on the table, and instead of working to bring down costs, Senator Johnson is choosing to support policies that we know would have very damaging effects on Wisconsin families and the economy. It’s time for Senator Johnson to stop putting politics over our personal health care choices.”

While testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee yesterday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen laid out just how damaging overturning Roe v. Wade would be, not only for women, but for the economy, saying the landmark court case “enabled many women to finish school, that [it] increased their earning potential. It allowed women to plan and balance their families and careers. And research also shows that it had a favorable impact on the well being and earnings of children.”

In fact, according to a recent piece published by The Morning Brew:

  • [Dr. Diana Greene Foster’s 2020 book] The Turnaway Study followed groups of women who wanted abortions for five years. Two-thirds of the group that was unable to get abortions were living in poverty within six months, compared to 45% of the group that was able to receive the procedure.

  • In 1970, prior to Roe v. Wade, women’s labor force participation rate was about 43%. Scholars argue that abortion access was an important factor in raising that rate to 57.4% by 2019.

  • A 2020 paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that being denied abortion access causes bankruptcies and evictions experienced by women to rise by 81%, and increases the amount of debt women hold that is 30+ days past due by 78%.

Since early 2021, Opportunity Wisconsin has been working  to hold Senator Johnson accountable to his constituents 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 $5 million in TV ads urging Senator Johnson to focus his work in Washington on addressing the economic needs of his constituents and to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.

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Senator Johnson Endorses Total Ban on Abortions in the Badger State

Johnson noted that the approximately 6,000 abortions performed in Wisconsin per year are “6,000 too many.”

Overturning Roe v. Wade could trigger Wisconsin’s 172-year-old criminal abortion ban with no exceptions for rape, incest, or health of pregnant person

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today, Senator Ron Johnson endorsed a total ban on abortion care in the Badger State. During a radio appearance (27:05), Senator Johnson noted that approximately 6,000 abortions are performed each year in Wisconsin and claimed that this was “6,000 too many.” The comments come after Senator Johnson appeared on Newsmax last week and said the United States Supreme Court was making the “correct decision” on overturning Roe v. Wade, even going so far as to say it was a “long time coming.” Over sixty percent of Wisconsin residents say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, a statistic that has held true for the last decade.

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:
“Not only would overturning Roe v. Wade send Wisconsin women back to 1849 where we would face a criminal abortion ban, but it would also mean significant economic setbacks for those in need of this critical form of health care. Too many across the Badger State are worried about paying their bills and putting food on the table, and instead of working to bring down costs, Senator Johnson is inserting himself into our personal decisions and advocating for a policy that we know would have very damaging effects on Wisconsin families and the economy.

“It’s time for Senator Johnson to start working for the Badger State and support critical legislation like Senator Tammy Baldwin’s ‘Women’s Health Protection Act’ that would codify Roe v. Wade and ensure women across Wisconsin have the freedom to access safe abortion care.”         

While testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee today, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen laid out just how damaging overturning Roe v. Wade would be, not only for women, but for the economy, saying the landmark court case “enabled many women to finish school, that [it] increased their earning potential. It allowed women to plan and balance their families and careers. And research also shows that it had a favorable impact on the well being and earnings of children.”

Since early 2021, Opportunity Wisconsin has been working  to hold Senator Johnson accountable to his constituents 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 $5 million in TV ads urging Senator Johnson to focus his work in Washington on addressing the economic needs of his constituents and to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.

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Johnson Says Abortion Should Have Been Banned 50 Years Ago (It Was)

Johnson applauds move that would trigger Wisconsin’s 172-year-old criminal abortion ban

Thursday, May 5, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today Senator Ron Johnson doubled down on his approval of the recently revealed draft opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court by saying “this is what should have happened 50 years ago.” The comments come after Senator Johnson appeared on Newsmax earlier this week and said SCOTUS had made the “correct decision,” even going so far as to say it was a “long time coming.” 

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:
“Not only does Senator Johnson want to turn back the clock 50 years to a time when abortion was already illegal, but he’s now celebrating the idea of returning to Wisconsin’s 172-year-old criminal and cruel abortion ban. Access to safe, legal abortion is a basic human right—and a majority of Wisconsinites agree. Limits on our ability to make decisions about our own reproductive health have a direct impact on our economic security. 

“It’s time for Senator Johnson to start working for the Badger State and support critical legislation like Senator Tammy Baldwin’s ‘Women’s Health Protection Act’ that would codify Roe v. Wade and ensure women across Wisconsin have the freedom to access safe abortion care.”         

Should Roe v. Wade be overturned, Wisconsin’s 172-year-old criminal abortion ban could immediately go into effect, banning abortion at any point in pregnancy with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the health of the pregnant person—impacting nearly 1.3 million people across the Badger State. Over sixty percent of Wisconsin residents say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, a statistic that has held true for the last decade.

Since early 2021, Opportunity Wisconsin has been working  to hold Senator Johnson accountable to his constituents 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 $5 million in TV ads urging Senator Johnson to focus his work in Washington on addressing the economic needs of his constituents and to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.

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Sen. Johnson Proclaims SCOTUS is Making the “Correct Decision” on Roe v. Wade

Johnson applauds move that would trigger Wisconsin’s 172-year-old criminal abortion ban with no exceptions for rape, incest, or health of pregnant person 


Tuesday, May 3, 2022

MADISON, Wis.— Today Senator Ron Johnson made his thoughts on access to safe, legal abortion very clear. While appearing on Newsmax he lauded the recently revealed draft opinion by the U.S. Supreme Court as the “correct decision,” even going so far as to say it was a “long time coming.” 6 in 10 Wisconsin residents say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, a statistic that has held true for the last decade. 


Should Roe v. Wade be overturned, Wisconsin’s 172-year-old criminal abortion ban could immediately go into effect, banning abortion at any point in pregnancy with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the health of the pregnany person—impacting nearly 1.3 million women across the Badger State. 


Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:

“Access to safe, legal abortion is a basic human right—and a majority of Wisconsinites agree. Limits on our ability to make decisions about our own reproductive health have a direct impact on our economic security. Too many across the Badger State are worried about paying their bills and putting food on the table, and instead of working to bring down costs, Senator Johnson continues to be against bringing new, good-paying jobs to the state, against bringing down the costs of prescription drugs, against tax cuts for families with children, and now against our freedom to choose to have children at all. 

“It’s time for Senator Johnson to start working for the Badger State and support critical legislation like Senator Tammy Baldwin’s ‘Women’s Health Protection Act’ that would codify Roe v. Wade and ensure women across Wisconsin have the freedom to access safe abortion care.”         


Since early 2021, Opportunity Wisconsin has been working  to hold Senator Johnson accountable to his constituents 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 $5 million in TV ads urging Senator Johnson to focus his work in Washington on addressing the economic needs of his constituents and to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.

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[ICYMI] The Capital Times: Ron Johnson Votes to Help the Rich, Not Small Businesses

Thursday, April 21, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—In case you missed it, this week The Capital Times published an op-ed from Melissa Buchholz, owner of Odd Duck restaurant and Little Duck Kitchen in Milwaukee.

KEY POINT: “...I cannot understand the great pride Johnson takes in voting against these policies while touting his support for the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, where the average tax cut amounted to $30 for the poorest Wisconsinites, less than $700 for Wisconsinites making up to $113,800 in 2020, but nearly $40,000 for the richest 1% in our state. For Johnson to stand behind these tax giveaways to the rich, pretend they are uniformly benefiting us all, then argue we can’t afford to make health care and child care more affordable and accessible for the parents on my team and the families we serve every day makes clear that his priority is not looking out for ‘Main Street,’ as he claims.”

During a closed-door meeting on April 8, Senator Johnson admitted to pushing through a loophole in the 2017 Trump tax law that benefitted his family’s business, before cashing out of the company for at least $5 million. According to the Associated Press and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, during the same meeting, Senator Johnson also acknowledged that he had doubled his wealth since taking office saying, “They said I doubled my wealth. That’s true.” Recently, Senator Johnson also called his tax loophole a “significant accomplishment” and one of his “crowning achievements.”  


Melissa Buchholz: Ron Johnson votes to help the rich, not small business
The Capital Times
April 20, 2022

For many Wisconsinites, Tax Day is just the deadline to file your taxes and avoid any penalties from the IRS.

For small business owners, Tax Day is also a reminder of all the ways in which tax policies at every level play a crucial role in either increasing the likelihood of survival for our businesses or making it harder to succeed. As the owner of Odd Duck restaurant for nearly a decade and having recently moved to our new location at 939 S. 2nd St. in Milwaukee, I have experienced all the ups and downs of operating a business. And when facing those ups and downs, you come into direct contact with those policies that will affect the course of your business for better or for worse.

I know firsthand what it means to have a tax credit that is meaningful to my business as opposed to a tax giveaway to the rich that makes competing as a small business even harder. When Sen. Ron Johnson voted against the American Rescue Plan last March, he voted against expansions to the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Both are important to the success of my restaurant and small businesses across this state.

The expanded Child Tax Credit made more Wisconsin families eligible for the credit, increased the size of the credit, and made payments to parents monthly, which was huge for my employees who are raising children. When their kids are not in school, these monthly payments made child care more affordable, making it easier on them to continue working. And as small businesses like mine can attest in Wisconsin and across the country, getting more people into the workforce is critical for our business and the economy as a whole.

Additionally, the American Rescue Plan temporarily made the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit more generous and potentially refundable up to $8,000 for two or more young children or other dependents for 2021. Combined with the temporary increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for workers without dependents in 2021, and expanded eligibility for the EITC reaching younger and older workers alike, these tax credits are putting more money into people’s pockets at a time they need it most in the face of rising costs. This boost for families is often the difference between paying the bills on time or wondering how they will make ends meet, and our elected officials should be working to make these temporary provisions permanent.

In light of this, I cannot understand the great pride Johnson takes in voting against these policies while touting his support for the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, where the average tax cut amounted to $30 for the poorest Wisconsinites, less than $700 for Wisconsinites making up to $113,800 in 2020, but nearly $40,000 for the richest 1% in our state. For Johnson to stand behind these tax giveaways to the rich, pretend they are uniformly benefiting us all, then argue we can’t afford to make health care and child care more affordable and accessible for the parents on my team and the families we serve every day makes clear that his priority is not looking out for "Main Street," as he claims.

Too often, politicians use Main Street as a shield to pass policies that favor their wealthy donors while corporate interests use small businesses as pawns to protect their power and profits. As we marked another Tax Day this week, I wanted to be sure you all heard from an actual small business that knows it does better when the families that are just getting by can get a little more breathing room, not when the rich can buy a bigger yacht.

NEW AD: Eau Claire Mom Calls Out Sen. Johnson for “Only Taking Care of Himself”

New ad comes on the heels of Senator Johnson admitting he pushed through a loophole in the 2017 Trump tax law that benefited his family’s business, before cashing out of the company for at least $5 million

Opportunity Wisconsin has run over $5 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin

Thursday, April 21, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Opportunity Wisconsin has launched a new 5-figure digital 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, “Fairness,” features Sara, an Eau Claire mother of two, calling out Senator Johnson for passing a special tax break that benefited his family’s business and for doubling his wealth since taking office. This ad is a follow-up to “Duty” and “Grocery Store,” which launched last month, and “Power” which launched earlier this year.  

[WATCH SARA'S FULL AD]

During a closed-door meeting on April 8, Senator Johnson admitted to pushing through a loophole in the 2017 Trump tax law that benefitted his family’s business, before cashing out of the company for at least $5 million. According to the Associated Press and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, during the same meeting, Senator Johnson also acknowledged that he had doubled his wealth since taking office saying, “They said I doubled my wealth. That’s true.” Recently, Senator Johnson also called his tax loophole a “significant accomplishment” and one of his “crowning achievements.”  

“My husband and I work hard and we play by the rules. We’re not looking for a handout, we just expect a level playing field. But Senator Ron Johnson’s only taking care of himself and other rich people,” said Sara, in the new ad. “He pushed through a tax law that ends up raising taxes on most working people, but gives huge tax breaks to the super rich like him. Sure enough, Ron Johnson has doubled his personal wealth since taking office. That’s not right. Tell Ron Johnson to stop voting for tax laws that benefit himself.”  

The new ad will run on CTV/OTT and premium video platforms (e.g. Hulu, YouTube, Roku). 

The new ad is Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest effort to hold Senator Johnson accountable to his constituents 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 $5 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to focus his work in Washington on addressing the economic needs of his constituents and to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.

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[ICYMI] WQOW: Johnson Admits His Company and “Prominent Donors” Benefited From Tax Loophole He Championed


Opportunity Wisconsin has run over $5 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—In case you missed it, Eau Claire’s WQOW was the latest Wisconsin media outlet to cover Senator Ron Johnson’s recent admission that he pushed through a loophole that benefitted his family’s business, before cashing out of the company for at least $5 million. The comments, first reported by the Associated Press and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, also featured Senator Johnson admitting that he had doubled his wealth since taking office saying, “I’m still sitting on cash.” Senator Johnson’s comments were also covered by Green Bay’s WLUK and Wausau’s WSAW.  

[WATCH WQOW CLIP]

WQOW Full Script:
Republican U.S. Senator Ron Johnson told backers at a recent event in Wisconsin that his plastics company benefited from a key provision he pushed for in former President Donald Trump’s tax bill in 2017. 

That affirms a line of attacks being made against him during his reelection bid. 

Johnson made the comments in reaction to a question from an audience member at an event Friday in Medford. 

Johnson said that his company, Pacur LLC, some of his prominent donors, and many other businesses benefited from the small business tax provision. 

ProPublica reported in August that the tax break Johnson championed resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in deductions to mega-donors who funded his campaigns. 

Last week, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a new, nearly 7-figure TV ad calling out Senator Ron Johnson for putting his own personal profits above hardworking Wisconsinites. The new ad, “Duty,” features William, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and is a follow-up to “Grocery Store,” which launched last month, and “Power” which launched earlier this year.      

“Duty” is running 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 to his constituents 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 $5 million in TV ads since early 2021 urging Senator Johnson to focus his work in Washington on addressing the economic needs of his constituents and to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin. 

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