A No Kings Weekend, A New WisDems Chair, and A Political Wake-Up Call
Your Monday morning briefing
I hope everyone had a good Father’s Day and a meaningful no kings weekend. It was powerful to see people across the country showing up—peacefully but firmly—to stand up for immigrants, for democracy, and most importantly, for each other.
But while we showed up in joy and protest, I don’t want us to gloss over what else happened this weekend: There was a politically motivated assassination. In America. This weekend.
In Minnesota, a man posing as a police officer went to the homes of two Democratic lawmakers with a plan to kill them. He shot and killed State Rep. Melissa Hortman, the former Speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband, then went on to shoot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The Hoffmans survived but have a long road of recovery ahead of them.
And it nearly became something even bigger when we found out late Saturday that the suspect hadn’t yet been caught, and that he had a list of 11 Wisconsin lawmakers. My panic escalated for even more public servants, many of whom I’m come to know as acquaintances and friends.
He was taken into custody Sunday, so while we can exhale for a second, let’s not lose the thread: This was an act of domestic terrorism. This was political violence. And if we don’t face it head-on, across party lines, it’s only a matter of time before it happens again.
We need to talk seriously, and now, about how we protect public servants, especially at the state level, where people are often just neighbors and parents trying to make their communities better. They should not have to fear for their lives to do their jobs.
I was encouraged to see Wisconsin state legislative leaders from both sides release a joint statement shortly after the tragedy. From State Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), State Senate Democratic Leader Diane Hesselbein (D-Middleton), Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), and Assembly Democratic Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine):
“The horrific attacks against Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman appear to be targeted acts of political violence. We grieve for Speaker Emerita Hortman and her husband, Mark, and hold Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in our thoughts as we pray for their full recovery.
No one should ever fear for their lives because of their service to their community. Political violence accomplishes nothing, and is never the answer. We hope that the assailant is apprehended swiftly.”
On another note:
WisDems held their annual convention this weekend, and party leadership officially transitioned as Ben Wikler passed the gavel to newly elected Chair Devin Remiker. Devin has a long history of organizing and strategy work in Wisconsin and nationally, and comes to the role after serving as the party’s Executive Director.
Also, from The Recombobulation Area:
Along with Remiker’s election as chair, the party elected two new officers. Sarah Godlewski, the current Secretary of State and former State Treasurer, was elected as 1st Vice Chair. Joshua Taylor, Chair of the party’s Fourth Congressional District, was elected as 2nd Vice Chair.
This was a peaceful, purposeful, and unified transition—which is exactly what’s needed right now.
I wish Devin, Sarah, and Joshua the best of luck and look forward to seeing how they guide the party into an incredibly important Midterm season.
Meanwhile, in budget talks:
At a federal level, the Bleach Blonde Bad Built Budget Bill™️ continues to crawl its way through the Senate this week. If you haven’t called yet, now is the time. And if you already have—yes, you can absolutely call again.
If you’re in Wisconsin, Ron Johnson actually disagrees with this bill (for the wrong reasons) but, this may be the one time in your lifetime that his staffers answer the phone pleased to hear from you and your opposition to a bill.
From Punchbowl:
In a matter of hours, Senate Finance Committee Republicans will release long-awaited legislative text for its portion of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
Senate Republicans will gather for a conference meeting in the Capitol after the 5:30 p.m. fly-in vote. Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) will give a presentation on the panel’s text.
The Finance Committee has jurisdiction over the thorniest policy debates consuming Republicans in the Senate, House and White House. It’s also the final Senate panel to release legislative text, which has to happen in order for the “Byrd Bath” to begin.
This will be a long week for the committees going through the “Byrd Bath.” The panels must clear each provision with the Senate parliamentarian under the Byrd Rule, which controls the reconciliation process. Finance isn’t likely to start the formal Byrd review until later this week, at the earliest.
Tell your senators: This budget is a disaster for working families, and we deserve better. Vote no.
In Wisconsin, the Joint Finance Committee has been meeting to work though their version of a new biennial budget and while there has been tiny glimmers of compromise, I remain disappointed and unsurprised at many of the decisions coming out of those discussions. This is from late last week:
More to share:
Girls Who Walk MKE and Chase My Creations are co-hosting a walk on Tuesday in honor of Juneteenth:
More details, from them:
Join us TUESDAY at 6pm for a special Juneteenth flag walk with @chasemycreations to celebrate Black liberation and spread community strength.
📍meet-up spot: outside of lake park bistro
🧭 distance: 2.2-mile loop
⏰ duration: about an hour minutes
🎨 wear red, black, or green to rep the colors + spirit of Juneteenth!
🚧 there is some construction on lake park and the entrance of the parking lot, leave early to allow time to get there
all paces are welcome! strollers, dogs on leashes, and mobility devices are welcome at your own discretion. there will also be flags to take home and plant on your own routes.
Also, we were able to help fund a number of scholarships for a local summer reading program for kids from Little Village Play Cafe and Joy Ice Cream. If you have a paid subscription here, have donated through the website or purchased any Motherhood for Good merch, it not only helps support my work and my family, but helps fund things like this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
More soon,
Kate
I'm a new subscriber, but I just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying the work you're doing here - informative, simply explained (but still with nuance), and coated in empathy. Happy to be in community with you 💛
LOL as if anyone in RoJo’s office has ever picked up the phone when I call! But I will continue to leave voicemails! It’s actually therapeutic to vent my frustration into the abyss.