Madison's Downtown Public Library

Wednesday, August 25, 2010
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Kyle Richmond, Chair

1. Staff & Treasurer's Reports
2. Burning Issue: Zoning Code Re-write--Satya Rhodes-Conway
3. Educational Issue: Dane County Update--Kyle Richmond
4. Take Back the Land Statement--VOTE
5. Ben Manski is seeking Progressive Dane's endorsement in the District 77 Assembly race. Should the Elections Committee begin the process of considering an endorsement?--VOTE
6. City Ethics Update--Brenda Konkel
7. Announcements

BEER CAUCUS at Nick's afterwards

Interested individuals, regardless of membership status, are encouraged to come and participate in the discussions.

The Task Force report can be found at http://danedocs.countyofdane.com/webdocs/pdf/oeo/final_report.pdf

Interested individuals, regardless of membership status, are encouraged to come and participate in the discussions.

Progressive Dane's
General Membership Meeting Agenda

Middleton Fire District Building
7600 University Ave
Wednesday, July 28th
6:30 - 8:30

Chair – John Hendrick

Icebreaker & Introductions
Take Back the Land Statement (VOTE)
Staff Report & Announcements
Educational – County Budget
Burning Issue – Racial Justice, Celia Jackson
Other
Announcements
Beer Caucus Afterwards at Hody Bar & Grill

Next month this meeting will be held on August 25th in Monona at the Monona Community Center.

As one put it, “When you enact legislation that makes any subset of that community feel like they are being targeted specifically, or have concerns about coming forward and talking to police, that damages our capability to obtain information to solve the crimes."

The Dane County Immigration Task Force has heard repeatedly that similar distrust of law enforcement is hampering policing in our area. This is due to Sheriff Dave Mahoney's policy of discretionary contacts to Federal immigration authorities concerning some individuals held in our jail.

Sheriff Mahoney has resisted efforts to change these practices.

On June 1, the Madison Common Council will consider a resolution on this issue; June 2, the Immigration Task Force will finalize their report. Progressive Dane supports this resolution and counsels the Task Force to make strong recommendations against discretionary immigration contacts.

At 6:30 on June 1, prior to the Common Council meeting supporters of change will rally at the City-County Building. We urge all community members who are concerned with safety and justice to attend and contact their representatives.

Jacque Pokorney & Thomas J. Mertz
Progressive Dane Co-Chairs

Please join me Tuesday. The meeting begins at 5:00, so you can stop by on your way to the Immigration Rally.

Distribute Widely!

Madison School Budget Hearing
Call to Action
June 1, 2010, 5:00 PM
Doyle Administration Building Auditorium

TJ Mertz, Progressive Dane Co-chair and Education Committee Chair, is bringing forth a proposal asking the Board to reallocate a portion of these savings to address equity and provide a better basis for policy and budget decision-making. At the May 26 General Membership Meeting he will be asking Progressive Dane to support this proposal.

A full explanation of the proposals can be found at http://madisonamps.org/2010/05/16/mmsd-budget-an-open-letter/

Primarily, there has been the lack of public input and process during this entire ordeal with many concerns about what has happened to our city process, but that would fill another page or two.

The biggest issue now is regarding the $16 million of TIF being “required” to complete this project. Hammes Co. has said the project cannot be done without $16 million of Madison taxpayer money. Bob Dunn has given testimony about the benefit of the public space with access to the water and associated parking as the public benefit for this taxpayer money.

Led by Student Progressive Dane, PD has been part of the long effort to change the Sheriff Dave Mahoney's damaging practice of unnecessarily involving Federal immigration authorities in the cases of those held in the Dane County Jail. This practice has torn apart families and created distrust of law enforcement in our immigrant communities.

This is you chance to again make your voice heard. Strong recommendations from the Task Force may prompt change.

The meeting agenda is here and you can find the draft report here.

If you are not already member, now is also a good time to join. Membership includes voting rights at all membership, committee, and task force meetings, a discussion listserv, a newsletter, up-to-date information on upcoming events that matters to you, and the knowledge that your contributions are helping to make Dane County a better place for everyone, no exceptions.

Progressive Dane is among the many organizations endorsing the event.

All welcome to join UTI and allies on International Workers Day. Joining the national day of action for Immigration Reform, march for FAIR Immigration Reform and improving working and living conditions for worker's families:

* Immigration Reform NOW! Stop the Raids, Driver Licenses for ALL!
* No to the cuts to our education, the money for the War to the Public Education
* Not another tax on working families, tax the rich.

After the march there will be a "PEÑA" (Sing along in spanish) Music, food and information for the entire community!

More information, want to volunteer or be part of the event? call 608/345-9544 or alex@uniondetrabajadores.org.

Need more info, Want to help or volunteer? Contact UTI! 866-476-0884 or info@uniondetrabajadores.org.

To learn more about this and other UTI projects visit their new web site www.uniondetrabajadores.org.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Madison Downtown Public Library

Chairing: Michael Johnson

Agenda

Treasurer's Report
Greyhound Bus Issues
Elections Debrief
Financial Reporting
Governmental Ethics
Elections of Additional Steering Committee Members (VOTE)
May Day Rally (VOTE)
Other
Announcements

PD Beer Caucus--immediately following at Nick's

Individuals who are not members of Progressive Dane are very much encouraged to attend.

A complete listing of all Progressive Dane meetings can be found at www.prodane.org.

Anyone with questions or special needs should contact the Progressive Dane office at 358-2940 or office@prodane.org.

Press are encouraged to contact Progressive Dane Co-chair Jacque Pokorney at 843-9616 or juju_jacque@yahoo.com.

On Sunday April 18th at 1:00 pm at Warner Park Community Recreation Center – 1625 Northport Dr. – the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education will hold their second Public Hearing on the 2010-11 district budget. The Board needs to hear from the community that we value education and are willing to pay to keep our schools strong. Progressive Dane urges community members to attend and make their voices heard.

In a very low turnout County District 5 contest, Michael Johnson lost to Analiese Eicher.

A big thank you to Johnson and all the candidates for their work and willingness to serve and to those PD members who volunteered with the campaigns.

Elections are just the start. With on going land use and urban agriculture, public safety and the Task Force on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System, issues with the sheriff and ICE and immigration, as well as many other issues along with another difficult budget, our County Supervisors will need your help and support. Look for alerts and opportunities in the coming weeks and months.

Next April, the entire Madison Common Council, the Madison Mayoralty and 2 School Board seats will be on the ballot. It is never too early to think about running for office. If you don't run you can't win. Contact Lukas Diaz, PD elections Chair to learn more.

For a a more detailed wrap up, see Brenda Konkel's blog post; for the full results, visit the County Clerk.