Opportunity Wisconsin Demands “Florida Man” Ron Johnson Reimburse Taxpayers for Vacation Junkets

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Last week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a devastating report detailing how Senator Ron Johnson has been using taxpayer dollars to fly between his vacation home in Florida and Washington, D.C. Federal records show that taxpayers footed the bill for 19 flights from Fort Myers, Florida — where Johnson purchased a home for $1.6 million in 2013 — to Washington between 2013 and May 2021. 

The facts speak for themselves – Johnson broke ethics rules to fund his vacation travel at taxpayers’ expense. In light of this blatant abuse of tax dollars, Opportunity Wisconsin is demanding Johnson reimburse taxpayers for the money spent to fund his vacation travel.

“While Wisconsin families are struggling to make ends meet, one of the richest members of Congress, ‘Florida Man’ Ron Johnson, is asking us to foot the bill for his vacation travel,” said Miranda Stark, Opportunity Wisconsin deputy program director. “Senator Johnson has doubled his wealth while in office, yet he has the audacity to think Wisconsinites should be paying for his vacation travel. If Senator Johnson wants to visit his mansion in Florida, he should pay for his own travel. He must immediately reimburse taxpayers for every dollar he’s wasted on his vacation travel.”

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, including bringing new, good-paying jobs to the state, lowering the costs of health care and prescription drugs, and supporting tax cuts for families with children. 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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Opportunity Wisconsin Statement on Senator Johnson’s Use of Taxpayer Dollars for Vacation Travel

Friday, May 27, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today, Opportunity Wisconsin released the following statement after an article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  detailed how Senator Ron Johnson has been using taxpayer dollars to fly between his vacation home in Florida and Washington, D.C. Federal records show that taxpayers footed the bill for 19 flights from Fort Myers, Florida — where Johnson purchased a home for $1.6 million in 2013 — to Washington between 2013 and May 2021. 

Miranda Stark, Opportunity Wisconsin Deputy Program Director:

“Senator Johnson using taxpayer money to fund travel from his vacation home in Florida is disturbing but not the least bit surprising. In fact, it’s totally in line with his long record of serving himself while in office — a record that includes opening a massive loophole in the tax code that benefitted his own business, and doubling his wealth while in office. Senator Johnson should focus on using taxpayer dollars to help Wisconsinites, not passing tax breaks that benefit his company or bankrolling flights from his vacation home.“

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, including bringing new, good-paying jobs to the state, lowering the costs of health care and prescription drugs, and supporting tax cuts for families with children. 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 “Not That Fond of Restaurants” Johnson Blocks Critical Support for Hard-Hit Industry

Johnson blocks refilling the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, just one week after proclaiming he’s “not that fond of restaurants”

The future of Wisconsin’s nearly 13,000 restaurants and bars depend on this critical relief

Thursday, May 19, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today, Senator Ron Johnson blocked a bill to refill the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), a critical resource that has allowed many Wisconsin restaurants and small businesses to keep their doors open during the pandemic. However, not all Badger State businesses were able to access those funds and are now in danger of closing. Senator Johnson’s obstruction comes one week after he stated he was “not that fond of restaurants” after he was asked who in history he would like to dine with and where he would take them to eat.    

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:
“Senator Johnson loves to talk about his support for Wisconsin small businesses and today he had the opportunity to quite literally put his money where his mouth is. Instead, Senator Johnson chose to block a bill that would have helped protect over 288,000 jobs and nearly 13,000 small businesses across the Badger State. This, unfortunately, does not come as a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. Just last week, Senator Johnson even proclaimed he was ‘not that fond of restaurants.’ We know Senator Johnson has constantly stood in the way of bringing good-paying jobs to the Badger State, but now he’s even refusing to protect the jobs that are already here. It’s time for Senator Johnson to stop putting politics over the people of Wisconsin and start supporting policies that help Wisconsin workers and families.”

President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act established the RRF, which allocated funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. The original $28.6 billion was exhausted within three weeks of the launch; during the first three weeks that the RRF application portal was open, more than 372,000 businesses applied, requesting more than $76 billion in funds. 

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act would allocate an additional $40 billion in direct relief for restaurants. The bill would have enough funding to provide grants of up to $10 million to the 177,000 restaurants, roughly two-thirds of applicants, who didn't receive any grant money under the initial program due to insufficient funds. The Independent Restaurant Coalition authored a letter to Senators, signed by various industry groups, noting that nearly four out of five of those nearly 200,000 businesses who were unable to access funding are now in danger of closing.

[Learn more about how refilling the RRF will benefit Wisconsin’s economy.]

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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NEW: Opportunity Wisconsin Launches Billboard Highlighting Sen. Johnson’s Obstruction of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The billboard is located on I-94 E near the Pettit National Ice Center and is part of Opportunity Wisconsin’s “Paving the Way” statewide tour, which kicked off yesterday in Madison with Mayor Rhodes-Conway

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

MILWAUKEE, Wis.—Today Opportunity Wisconsin launched a new billboard celebrating the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and holding Senator Ron Johnson accountable for his vote against it. The billboard, which is located on I-94 East near the Pettit National Ice Center, is part of Opportunity Wisconsin’s “Paving the Way” statewide tour, which kicked off yesterday in Madison with Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. The tour is highlighting how the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is benefitting the Badger State and will make additional stops with elected officials and community leaders in Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Green Bay, and La Crosse.    

“Not only did Senator Johnson vote against the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, but he admitted that he didn’t even bother to read the bill. Time and time again, Senator Johnson has stood in the way of bringing new, good-paying jobs to the state and instead, has stood on the side of the wealthy and well-connected,” said Miranda Stark, Opportunity Wisconsin deputy program director, during yesterday’s tour kickoff. “Not only did Senator Johnson push through a loophole in the Trump tax law that benefited his family’s business, but it also has disproportionately benefited the wealthy. In fact, Senator Johnson’s ‘crowning achievement’ was projected to deliver an average of just $20 to middle-income Wisconsin families in 2019, while giving a payday of over $25,000 to the richest one percent….So as we criss-cross the state over the next few weeks, celebrating this historic investment in Wisconsin, we must also remember who worked for us and who worked against us. We are demanding that Senator Johnson vote for policies that support Wisconsin workers and families.”

Read more about yesterday’s “Paving the Way” statewide tour kickoff in:

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.

 

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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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