NEW: Billboards Near Milwaukee Airport and Bradford Beach to Call Out “Florida Man” Ron Johnson for Billing Taxpayers for His Vacation Travel

Opportunity Wisconsin will be handing out FREE popsicles at Bradford Beach on Sunday from 12:30-2:30 PM or while supplies last

Friday, July 1, 2022

MILWAUKEE, Wis.—As Wisconsinites prepare for the holiday weekend, Opportunity Wisconsin is launching three new billboards reminding residents that Senator Ron Johnson is traveling on their dime while he refuses to support policies that help address rising costs. The billboards, situated near General Mitchell International Airport and Bradford Beach, come after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a report detailing how Senator Johnson has been using taxpayer dollars to fly between his vacation home in Florida and Washington, D.C. As part of the effort, Opportunity Wisconsin will be handing out FREE popsicles at Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach on Sunday, July 3rd from 12:30-2:30 PM, or while supplies last.   
    
“Wisconsin families are struggling to make ends meet and instead of working to bring down costs, Senator Johnson is spending his time in the Sunshine State - something many Badger State families can’t afford to do this holiday weekend. Since taking office, Senator Johnson’s policies have given special tax breaks to millionaires like himself. Now he’s asking us to help pay for travel from his mansion in Florida,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director. “If Senator Johnson wants us to pay for his Florida vacations then he needs to vote for policies that lower health care costs, bring new, good-paying jobs to the state, and support tax cuts for families with children. It’s time for Senator Johnson to start working for the Badger State and stop putting his personal profits (and pleasure travel) over the people of Wisconsin.”

Earlier this week Chef Gregory León, a James Beard award finalist and owner of Amalinda in Milwaukee, took Senator Ron Johnson to task for blocking funding for the state’s restaurant industry and spending taxpayer money on traveling to Florida instead. On Monday, Opportunity Wisconsin released “Ron Johnson’s Fort Myers Vacation Guide,” a satirical travel blog “authored” by Senator Johnson where he writes, “If you’re a self-proclaimed cheapskate like me and looking to save a few bucks on your next vacation, I’ve taken the liberty of drafting this guide. Here are my do’s and don’ts to ensure that your next vacation to my favorite spot, Fort Myers, is a breeze.” 

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.

# # #

Milwaukee Small Business Owner Takes Sen. Johnson to Task for Florida Vacations on Taxpayers’ Dime

“While most of us were trying to support our friends and neighbors by spending our dollars in our communities, our state’s senior Senator, Ron Johnson, decided to spend his vacation dollars in Florida. Even worse, he asked us to help foot the bill.”

Thursday, June 30, 2022

MILWAUKEE, Wis.—This week Chef Gregory León, a James Beard award finalist and owner of Amalinda in Milwaukee, took Senator Ron Johnson to task for blocking funding for the state’s restaurant industry and spending taxpayer money on traveling to Florida instead. On Monday, Opportunity Wisconsin launched “Ron Johnson’s Fort Myers Vacation Guide,” a satirical travel blog “authored” by Senator Johnson where he writes, “If you’re a self-proclaimed cheapskate like me and looking to save a few bucks on your next vacation, I’ve taken the liberty of drafting this guide. Here are my do’s and don’ts to ensure that your next vacation to my favorite spot, Fort Myers, is a breeze.” 

Last month the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a devastating report detailing how Senator 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.

---

Heartland Signal: Travel Wisconsin, Ron Johnson

By Chef Gregory León

June 28, 2022

As a restaurant owner in Milwaukee, we rely on the boost in tourism we see in the summer to keep us in the black, pay our employees, and grow our business. Because of the pandemic, we’ve seen a dramatic drop in tourism to our state, making an already difficult situation for restaurants even more financially precarious. But we’ve gotten through these tough times, thanks to our employees, our families, and our fellow Wisconsities. We banded together, helped each other, and now we’re climbing out of the pandemic. 

But while most of us were trying to support our friends and neighbors by spending our dollars in our communities, our state’s senior Senator, Ron Johnson, decided to spend his vacation dollars in Florida. Even worse, he asked us to help foot the bill. That’s right. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently reported that Senator Johnson was charging Wisconsin taxpayers for trips from his vacation home in Florida back to Washington, D.C.. 

Pure and simple, this stinks. It certainly seems to be in violation of the law. But I’ll let others litigate that. What bothers me the most about this is that it’s apparently too much to ask our Senator to support the Wisconsin small businesses he is supposed to represent?

But this isn’t the first time Senator Johnson has put himself before us. He does it every day. He consistently voted against things that help Wisconsin families, like expanding the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit, while voting to give rich people like himself more tax cuts that they don’t need. 

Just last month, he blocked critical funding for our state’s restaurant industry, an industry that supports 288,000 jobs and nearly 13,000 small businesses in Wisconsin. Of course, considering he recently said he’s “not that fond of restaurants,” we probably shouldn’t have been surprised, since Senator Johnson only seems to vote for things that personally benefit himself. 

Unfortunately, his self-servingness doesn’t stop there. Senator Johnson is very wealthy. In fact, he’s one of the richest members of Congress. Yet in 2017 he had the audacity to give himself a tax cut while he consistently voted to raise taxes on Wisconsin small business owners and families. Even worse, he went on the radio recently and complained that his wealth had “only doubled” since joining the Senate.

I don’t begrudge Senator Johnson for being wealthy. But I do resent that while he’s voting to make life harder for Wisconsin families who are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads, he’s using his elected office to make himself even richer. And now, as a final insult, he’s asking Wisconsin families to help pay for his vacation travel from Florida. What’s wrong with vacationing in Wisconsin, Senator? And what’s wrong with paying for it yourself? You can clearly afford it.

Enough is enough. If Senator Johnson wants to spend his time in Florida rather than Wisconsin, fine. He can stay in Florida as far as I’m concerned. But don’t kick us when we’re already down by making us pay for it. Just as importantly, stop voting to make our lives harder just to give yourself more tax breaks you clearly don’t need. 

---

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.

# # #

Roe v. Wade Overturned: Time for Senator Johnson to Step Up and Support Wisconsin Women and Families

In wake of SCOTUS decision, Senator Ron Johnson’s refusal to vote for policies that support Wisconsin families will have even more devastating consequences

Friday, June 24, 2022

MADISON, Wis.— Today the United States Supreme Court released its official opinion, overturning Roe v. Wade, triggering Wisconsin’s 172-year-old criminal abortion ban. Last month, when given the opportunity to protect the right to abortion, 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. 

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:

“While expected, today’s decision is devastating nonetheless. Today the U.S. Supreme Court, cheered on by Senator Ron Johnson, overturned Roe v. Wade and sent Wisconsin women back to 1849 where we will likely face a criminal abortion ban. Over sixty percent of Wisconsin residents say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, and yet, Senator Johnson abdicated his duty to represent all of Wisconsin when he voted to block the Women’s Health Protection Act.  

“Today’s decision 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,’ as Senator Johnson claimed, 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 serving himself and start supporting policies that help Wisconsin workers and families.”

While testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee last month, 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 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.

# # #

Ron Johnson Refuses to Take Action on Gun Violence, Supports the Status Quo

Johnson votes against bipartisan deal, despite an overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites supporting common sense reforms  

June 23, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today the U.S. Senate took a historic step to preventing future gun violence in America by passing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act by a vote of 65-33. Senator Ron Johnson voted no on the measure, despite a new Marquette Law School poll showing an overwhelming majority of Wisconsin residents support taking action on new gun safety policies.   

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:

“Wisconsin has some of the weakest gun laws in the country, and an average of 641 Wisconsinites die by guns each year. Despite this, and the Badger State’s overwhelming support for common sense reforms, Senator Johnson today voted against a bipartisan compromise to address the epidemic of gun violence. Senator Johnson has once again shown that his unwavering loyalty to powerful special interests is more important than his duty to represent the people of Wisconsin. When will enough be enough for Senator Ron Johnson?”

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.

# # #

Ron Johnson Must Do What’s Right and Support Bipartisan Gun Reform Compromise

Johnson votes to block bipartisan deal, despite an overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites supporting common sense reforms

Thursday, June 23, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—On Tuesday evening, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson voted to block a bipartisan, common sense compromise that would reform our nation’s gun laws and save countless lives in the Badger State and across the country. The U.S. Senate is expected to take a final vote on the bipartisan compromise today. 

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:
“Wisconsin has some of the weakest gun laws in the country, an average of 641 Wisconsinites die by guns each year. Despite this, and the Badger State’s overwhelming support for common sense reforms, Senator Johnson has indicated he opposed the recent bipartisan compromise to address the epidemic of gun violence. 

“Senator Johnson has once again shown that his unwavering loyalty to powerful special interests is more important than his duty to represent the people of Wisconsin. We’re calling on Senator Johnson to join his Republican colleagues in voting for the final passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.” 

Senator Johnson’s vote comes the same week as a new Marquette Law School poll showed an overwhelming majority of Wisconsin residents support taking action on new gun policy:

Eighty-one percent support “red-flag laws,” which allow police to take guns away from people found by a judge to be a danger to themselves or others, while 13% oppose such laws. Support is unchanged since August 2019, when this question was last asked and 12% were opposed.

Mandatory background checks on people making gun purchases at gun shows or through private sales are supported by 79%, with 16% opposed. In August 2019, 80% supported such background checks and 16% were opposed.

A smaller majority, 56%, support raising the minimum age for gun purchases to 21, while 38% would keep the minimum age at 18. This is the first time this question has been asked in the Marquette Law School Poll.

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.

# # #

January 6th Committee Reveals Ron Johnson’s Leading Role in Insurrection

Revelation comes the same day Senator Johnson proclaims “government is stupid.”

June 21, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Today the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol revealed Senator Ron Johnson’s leading role in the violent plot to change the rules of America’s elections and override the votes of the people of Wisconsin. On January 6, 2021, just as the Joint Session of Congress was about to begin, Senator Johnson’s now-Chief of Staff texted an aide to Vice President Mike Pence stating that Senator Johnson wished to hand-deliver to the Vice President the fake electors' votes from Michigan and Wisconsin. The Vice President’s aide emphatically replied, “Do not give that to him.” This revelation comes on the same day Senator Johnson proclaimed during an interview that “government is stupid.”  

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:
“It’s par for the course for Senator Johnson to put politics over the people of Wisconsin. However, today’s revelation from the January 6th Committee reveals just how far Senator Johnson is willing to go in order to cling to power and maintain his status quo of self-enrichment. 

“Despite publicly admitting that former President Trump was indeed defeated in the Badger State, Senator Johnson was working to hand-deliver false statements to former Vice President Pence in order to stop the certification of a legitimate election. Actions speak louder than words and Senator Johnson must be held accountable for these incredibly serious actions.“  

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.

# # #

ICYMI: Senator Johnson Calls for Dismantling ACA Protections for Pre-Existing Conditions

June 17, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—In case you missed it, this week Senator Ron Johnson once again advocated for repealing Affordable Care Act protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and replacing them with high risk pool coverage — potentially throwing millions off their health care plans and pricing them out of insurance. This comes after Senator Johnson’s recent comments stating that repealing the lifesaving law should be a top priority. Earlier this year, Opportunity Wisconsin launched a radio ad highlighting Senator Johnson’s long track record of working to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. 

“There’s no question that everything is more expensive these days. But instead of helping bring down costs, Senator Ron Johnson is at it again–championing the demise of the Affordable Care Act and its life saving provisions. And that would mean higher costs for folks across the Badger State,” said Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director. “Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites would lose health coverage. Insurance companies could increase premiums on women and people over 50. And prescription drugs would get even more expensive. Senator Johnson is helping himself, while hurting us, and it’s time for him to lower our health care costs, not increase them.”

Last week, President Joe Biden called out Senator Johnson’s attacks on the Affordable Care Act during a national gathering of the AFL-CIO in Philadelphia, “The gentleman from Wisconsin, Senator Ron Johnson, is back at it again, trying to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, including its protections for pre-existing conditions. Hundred million people have pre-existing conditions. The only reason the insurance company has to cover it is because of that law and they’re never going to stop going after it.” 

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.

# # #

Senator Johnson Faces Potential Ethics Investigation Over Taxpayer-Funded Travel from Florida Mansion

Wisconsin constituent files ethics complaint with the U.S. Senate after it was revealed Johnson used taxpayer dollars to fund travel between his vacation home in Florida and Washington, D.C.

Thursday, June 2, 2022

MADISON, Wis.—Senator Ron Johnson may soon have to answer to ethics officials in the U.S. Senate after one of his constituents filed a complaint yesterday in the wake of a devastating report detailing how Senator 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. On Tuesday, Opportunity Wisconsin called for Senator Johnson to reimburse Wisconsin taxpayers for his vacation junkets.  

Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:
“After using Wisconsinites’ hard earned tax dollars to help pay for his vacation travel, ‘Florida Man’ Ron Johnson now potentially finds himself under investigation for once again using his position as a Senator to further line his own pockets. Wisconsin’s working families have paid enough from Senator Johnson’s policies that have pulled the rug out from under us, while giving special tax breaks to millionaires like himself. Now he’s asking us to help pay for his vacation to his mansion in Florida. 

“Our country has more important priorities than helping fund a millionaire politician's vacation travel. Senator Johnson should immediately reimburse taxpayers for this egregious abuse of his office. It’s time for Senator Johnson to stop serving himself and start supporting policies that help Wisconsin workers and families.”

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.

# # #