News | AFT-Wisconsin Retirees Council

Biennual Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WIARA) Convention

The VIRTUAL Biennial Convention of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans has been scheduled for April 28th, 11:00am – 1:00pm.

To attend the Biennial Meeting on April 28, you'll need to register in advance on ZOOM. See The flyer for details.

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Proposed Bylaw Changes

Budget Input Sessions #2 (Governor Evers)

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Governor Evers’ Badger Bounceback Budget Live Sessions - April 2021

Economic Recovery & Opportunity: Thursday, March 18, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Register to attend here.
Accessible & Affordable Healthcare: Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Register to attend here.
Transportation & Infrastructure: Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Register to attend here.
What’s Best for Our Kids: Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Register to attend here.
Justice Reform & Marijuana Legalization: Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at 6 p.m. Register to attend here.
Climate Change & Our Environment: Wednesday, April 21, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Register to attend here.

AFL-CIO Flyer

Budget Input Sessions #1 (Joint Finance)

Joint Finance Committee Hearing Schedule - April 2021

Friday, April 9: Whitewater, UW-Whitewater, 800 W Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, April 21: Rhinelander, The Hodag Dome, 665 Coolidge Ave, Rhinelander, WI 54501. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Thursday, April 22: Menomonie, UW-Stout, 712 Broadway St S, Menomonie, WI 54751. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, April 28: Virtual. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Those wishing to testify must register in advance; more details to come.

AFL-CIO Flyer

Budget Opportunities and Challenges

State Budget Challenges and Opportunities

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WEBINAR: State Budget Challenges and Opportunities

Monday, December 14th, 7:00 pm

Jon Peacock & Tamarine Cornelius of the Wisconsin Budget Project will give us a

presentation on Wisconsin's state budget. These experts analyze our state's

budget and tax system, and will have some new thoughts about what to look

for in the FY21-22 state budget decisions. Although Gov. Evers won't formally

present his state budget proposal until February 16th, the outlines are already

shaping up. How can state employees help create a state budget that meets

our needs and priorities and those of the public? Will new leaders in the Joint

Finance Committee -- and a starkly new pandemic context -- make this spring's

legislative budget negotiations different than in the past? Will the Governor

wield his veto pen to good effect?

This presentation is sponsored by State Worker Power & the Association of Career Employees.

Also see the Wisconsin Budget Project's new website https://www.reimaginewisconsin.org/

for three principles for an equitable economy in Wisconsin.

Register in advance for this meeting on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvdeispzguHdQpYNtnqo2jgpBylZO9WEJI

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about

joining the meeting.

GOTV

Labor “Get Out the Vote” Virtual

Rally & Phone Bank

Saturday, October 17, 2020

Noon – 4:00 p.m.

Stephanie Bloomingdale, Mark Pocan & Josh Kaul

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WiARA Power Lunch

The Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WiARA) will be holding its annual Power Lunch on October 12. This year, it will be a virtual meeting. See the flyer for more details.

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Social Security 2100 Act

August 25, 2020: In a recent Zoom Conference with Congressman Mark Pocan arranged by the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans (WiARA), we learned that the House of Representatives have prepared a bill to strengthen and protect Social Security.

The effort was led by Representative John Larson. The bill would increase the cap for payroll taxes to $400,000, set a minimum benefit level and more. The bill hasn't been introduced yet and is awaiting Speaker Pelosi's determination of the right time for introduction.

For more details, go to https://larson.house.gov/social-security-2100

Check Your Voter Registration (or Register)

June, 2020 -- See the notice from the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans about how to confirm that your voting information is correct.

WiARA Notice

Support LTEs

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Help make Wisconsin safe during the Corona virus threat. Support LTEs who don't have paid sick leave or health insurance. See the letter from AFT-W President Kim Kohlhaas to Governor Evers advocating for LTES.

Letter from AFT-W President to Governor

Upcoming Events

Wisconsin Grassroots Festival – March 21, 2020 in Mazomanie

This event is to inform, engage, and inspire with thought-provoking speakers and breakout sessions. Come meet activists and organizations from around the state, and enjoy music, food and fun. Some events will also be available for live streaming and live broadcasting. For more information, including how to register, go to: https://allevents.in/mazomanie/12th-annual-wisconsin-grassroots-festival/1000092495593811

Wisconsin Labor History Society Conference – March 28, 2020 in Milwaukee

This conference will look at Wisconsin’s past and how to regain our State’s progressive traditions. Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, will be the keynote speaker. For more information, go to http://www.wisconsinlaborhistory.org/ Registration may be made online at www.wlhs2020.eventbrite.com.

Wisconsin Coalition of Annuitants 2020 Conference – May 15, 2020 in Madison

The WICOA conference is scheduled for Friday, May 15 at the American Family Campus. In addition to the presentations on the Wisconsin Retirement System, Jay Heck of Common Cause in Wisconsin will be speaking on What’s Ahead for ending Partisan Gerrymandering in Wisconsin. For a copy of the agenda and a link to registration, go to https://www.wicoa.org/2020conference.php.