And The Children Will Lead The Way

15 Children in WI represented by Midwest Environmental Advocates and Our Children's Trust filed a groundbreaking climate lawsuit against the Wisconsin Legislature and the Public Service Commission for enacting and enforcing unconstitutional laws that exacerbate the climate crisis and harm their future. READ ABOUT IT.

FEDERAL CLIMATE ACTION 

While the heat, flooding and wildfire smoke have abated here in Milwaukee, Climate Change has not. ACT NOW to protect your health and welfare - and our shared environment. 

URGENT!  Send your comments to the EPA on its proposed repeal of the underpinnings of the Clean Air Act and its air pollution and climate regulations.   

Before September 15  sign this petition to the EPA as an individual using this link.

Our Goal: 100% of MPS High Schools

September 15–19 is Civic Engagement Week in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). Voter registration is at the heart of civic engagement, and our goal is ambitious but achievable: to hold registration events in all 25 MPS high schools during that week and the following week (September 15–26).

Many students will be eligible to register—those who will turn 18 by the next election on February 17, 2026 can sign up. This is an extraordinary opportunity to help young people take a huge step into civic life.

If you’re already on our volunteer list, watch for emails announcing specific school registration dates and sign up where you can help. If you’re not yet on the list, we invite you to join us! Just review the slides here and then complete the form at the end. Once you’re on the list, you’ll receive email updates about volunteer opportunities.

Most registration shifts last about two hours (some are shorter, some a bit longer). Every shift offers a chance to witness the excitement of students registering—and often encouraging their friends to do the same.

New Medicaid/FoodShare Task Force

 A way for you to Unite and Rise!

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act imposes new barriers to Medicaid and food assistance (“FoodShare” in Wisconsin) coverage. Several experts say the real problems aren’t work or other new substantive requirements but paperwork burdens. 

Medicaid covers approximately one million Wisconsinites (20% of our population). FoodShare helps nearly 700,000 of us. Many could lose coverage. Of course, lots of those affected live in our area.

Most changes take effect in 2027, with detailed implementation rules rolling out in 2026. Let’s GET TO WORK, doing what we can to alleviate the worst of the problems. Collectively, we can:

This will be challenging but let’s be optimists. United, we can get something done. Contact Linda Laarman, l.laarman@lwvmilwaukee.org to discuss and join! 

LGBTQ+ Question Of The Week

What do the letters in LGBTQ+ mean? 

LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. The + after the letters symbolize the other gender and sexual identities that exist outside of these spaces but are not explicitly labeled. You may see LGBTQIA+, where the QIA stands for Queer, Intersex, and Asexual. 

WISDOM Petitions Address Mass Incarceration Issues

Wisconsin has some of the highest incarceration rates for Black and Indigenous people in the country. Meanwhile, investments in mental health care, food programs, and treatment alternatives—things that actually keep us safe—are being slashed.

LWVMC's Mass Incarceration committee is joining WISDOM, a statewide network comprising mainly of faith-based organizations, in calling on Gov. Evers to address these issues:

Exciting Voter Services Volunteer Opportunity 

One of the most rewarding voter services programs in our League is helping new citizens register as voters for the first time. Throughout the year, the immigration services hold naturalization ceremonies, and volunteers from our League are present to assist these new citizens register to vote. Not only is this an exciting moment for the new citizen, but also for the volunteers from our League who help in this process. Seeing the excitement of these new voters is a wonderful and unique experience. 

For many years, two League members, Linda Neubauer and Mary Jo McDonald, have led this program and recruited a strong group of volunteers to participate. Linda and Mary Jo feel it's time to step back from their leadership roles, so we are seeking two League members who might step forward to co-lead this fantastic program. Linda and Mary Jo will be available to work with the new co-leaders, ensuring a seamless transition.

This is an excellent opportunity for a League member to make a difference and have a rich, rewarding experience. The only skills needed are expertise in the online voter registration process and a willingness to help keep this vital program moving forward. If you're interested, please contact me at c.owley@lwvmilwaukeee.org, and we can discuss the role and responsibilities in more detail.

* Help Register and Inform Voters *

National Voter Registration Day (Sept. 16) is fast approaching, and Voter Services has scheduled quite a few Voter Registration events that day/week. New events added every week. We need volunteers to help register voters, update addresses, encourage civic engagement, offer informational handouts and answer questions. If you have some experience helping people register to vote at myvote.wi.gov (and on paper, if necessary), please sign up! It will be a few hours well spent!!

CHOOSE YOUR EVENT HERE

Lubar Center for Public Policy

1215 W. Michigan Street, Milwaukee

September 4, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

The Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette Law School will host an advance screening of a new documentary on the life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, entitled “Becoming Thurgood: America’s Social Architect.” The Lubar Center is pleased to offer this opportunity in partnership with Milwaukee PBS and Marquette University’s Center for Urban Research, Teaching, and Outreach. After the documentary, Chief Judge Maxine White and Lubar Center Director Derek Mosley will offer their perspectives and insights into the issues raised by the movie. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., the program begins promptly at 5:30 p.m., the movie lasts 1 hour, and the program will conclude by 7:00 p.m. Register here.