Copy
Friday, April 15, 2022
One more time: Happy Fish-Fry-Day, Wisconsin!

Speaking of the fish fry, remember the old Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips restaurant chain? We got to wondering whatever happened to it and found this little 5-minute YouTube clip on its history. Long story short: Replacing cod with pollock is a very bad business decision!

In the past, we've shared stories about the variety of local fish frys, even told you about a website and Facebook groups devoted to them. Whatever your plans, we hope the fish is tasty, the cole slaw creamy, and the accompanying beverage frosty. Have a great holiday weekend.

Here's the tl;dr on today's newsletter:
  • Today should mark the official beginning of the 2022 fall election campaigns—but nobody knows yet where the new legislative district lines will be.
     
  • There's good news and some ominous news about the effort to keep health insurance affordable in the face of continued opposition from Republicans.
     
  • And we have an editorial about a legislative committee hearing next week on a limited marijuana legalization bill. But, um, the Legislature isn't in session any longer—how cynical do you have to be to think this stunt won't get called out?
 
Scroll to read, and as always, email us at info@upnorthnewswi.com
with tips, suggestions, and ideas. 
 
Send us your best Wisconsin scenery:  photos@upnorthnewswi.com

Heath Insurance Got More Affordable for Many in Wisconsin, But That Changes Unless American Rescue Plan Credits Are Renewed 

 

There’s good news and some ominous news about the ongoing effort to keep health insurance coverage affordable for Americans, especially in states like Wisconsin that feature ongoing opposition by Republicans.

Rates went down last year for many Wisconsin families purchasing coverage on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. A new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute said the average premium for a benchmark plan was 6.7% lower in 2021, to a cost of $417. That’s because of increased premium aid included in the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress last year—proposed by President Joe Biden and passed without any Republican support.

Those enhanced premium tax credits are temporary, however, and a separate report from the two groups said 29,000 Wisconsinites would lose their coverage—among 3 million people nationwide—if the help is not made permanent.

The nation saw record enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans in the first year of the Biden administration, including more than 200,000 people in Wisconsin who received the extra healthcare security during a time of record unemployment and pandemic uncertainty.

“The decline in ACA Marketplace premiums gives Wisconsin families more breathing room, at a time when they are concerned about the rising price of food, rent, and other essentials,” said Joe Zepecki, state director for Protect Our Care. “This study further underscores the urgent need for Congress to extend the premium tax credits in the American Rescue Plan to help keep coverage affordable for Wisconsinites."

Republicans who have controlled the Legislature since shortly after the ACA took effect have consistently prevented its full implementation in Wisconsin. The state is one of only 12 states to not expand Medicaid coverage, known here as BadgerCare, to people working to survive on only $17,774 per year. That move is affecting an estimated 91,000 people in Wisconsin in lower-income households and costing state taxpayers $1.6 billion in lost federal aid during the current 2021-23 state budget period. Expanding Medicaid is extremely popular, with 70% support in Wisconsin polls.

We're Hiring!

UpNorthNews is looking for a video reporter to join our team and share stories on Facebook and Instagram about Wisconsin news, the places we like to go, the foods we like to eat, and more. Click HERE to learn more.

Time for a New Game: Which Legislative District Are You Running In? Answer: Nobody Knows!



In more normal times, today would mark the opening of a window in which candidates for this fall's election can start collecting signatures on nominating petitions. That's how candidates get on the ballot in the first place—for example, a candidate for state Assembly must collect 200 signatures.

But anyone running for Assembly or state Senate who starts that process today is flying blind because there are no official districts boundaries for the Legislature. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has yet to issue an updated ruling about redistricting—the process of drawing new maps every 10 years to account for population changes in the US census.

The court adopted maps last month—choosing district lines submitted by Gov. Tony Evers over other suggestions—but Republicans appealed to the US Supreme Court which ordered the state justices to either choose new lines or give more information about why Evers' maps comply with federal voting laws.

Candidates can still collect signatures, but people who are eventually determined to reside beyond the new boundaries will not have their signatures counted. 

Nominating petitions must be turned in by June 1.
Follow Us Throughout the Day on Your Favorite Platforms
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Email
Instagram
Commentary from Founding Editor Pat Kreitlow

Next Week's Hearing on Legalizing Pot Is a Smokescreen Since the Legislature Has Already Checked Out for the Rest of the Year

 

There’s a chance you may have noticed other news outlets playing up a story about how a state Senate committee will hold a hearing next Wednesday on a bill that could legalize some marijuana possession and use.

 

Honestly, it’s not worthy of a news story. It’s worthy of an editorial calling out Republican leadership for treating Wisconsinites with such cynicism and arrogance.

The bill being heard next week was introduced on March 9. The Senate adjourned on February 22. For the year.

For the rest of the year. 

Classified as a full-time body, the legislators will continue to be paid even though they have no plans to come into session to pass any further legislation. 

By holding a hearing on a bill that was dead the moment it was introduced, Republicans want to show some segment of the population that they aren’t such bad guys and really are willing to legalize marijuana—they really mean it this time, honest.

Don’t bet on it. 

Wisconsin is surrounded by states that have loosened restrictions in some form. But our state’s right-wing politicians have a rock-ribbed conservative image to uphold, even though the February Marquette Poll shows record-high public support—including a majority of Republican voters surveyed.

Next week’s sham hearing is a reminder that legislators have the ability to do productive things in between sessions. For example, in 2008 this editor was a legislator who chaired a study committee on the nascent biofuels industry in Wisconsin. Our state has a history of useful study committees.

And then there are issues that have been studied into the ground and need nothing more than an up-or-down vote. This Legislature could have voted on several different bipartisan bills that were introduced during the session. Instead, they sent bills to Gov. Tony Evers that led to a record 98 vetoes. That’s not a legislative list of accomplishments—that’s a party platform. The only way to be less productive would be to not meet at all while still getting paid.

Mission accomplished.

Your. Vote. Matters!
Don't skip any election.

 

Also: 

– Sheboygan council: card draw
– Port Edward village board: coin flip

Send us your feedback and news tips, too.
The mailbag address for Founding Editor Pat Kreitlow is  >>>  
Pat@UpNorthNewsWI.com

 
No-Nonsense Wisconsin News.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Spotify
Website
Copyright © 2022 Courier Newsroom/UpNorthNews, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.