Press Release: Open letter

Monday, August 16, Milwaukee- Wisconsin Electoral Socialists sent an open letter urging Wisconsin Democratic governor candidate David Crowley to adopt stronger platform. The full text of the letter is below.

To Mr. David Crowley,

On August 11th, David Crowley became the democratic nominee for Wisconsin Governor by less than 1% over the Wisconsin Electoral Socialist’s endorsed candidate, Francesca Hong. While we respect Hong’s choice to concede, WES would like to take this opportunity to emphasize that the 300,000 or so people who voted with their belief in a better Wisconsin for working people should not be taken for granted. This movement is not about an individual, but about the values exhibited, the policies outlined, and the respect for constituents inherent in such a successful grassroots campaign. 

Therefore, WES‌ would like to invite Mr. Crowley and his campaign to consider the stances that gained the Hong campaign its support and move his platform towards the values that have proven to be central to the goals of the very Wisconsinites Mr. Crowley is working to represent as he approaches the general election against Tom Tiffany. 

Francesca Hong gained her groundswell of support from a wide variety of well-developed policy stances, including healthcare for all, a stop to mass incarceration, a commitment to protecting immigrant families from unlawful acts by ICE, universal childcare, and the development of physical infrastructure to serve Wisconsin for years to come.  While there is something to be said for the breadth of policies put forth by the Hong campaign showing a sincere effort to consider all the needs of all Wisconsinites, we at WES have chosen to highlight three areas where Mr. Crowley may begin the work of responding to the goals of his desired constituents:

DATA CENTER MORATORIUM

In order to ensure no taxpayer burden, environmental damages, or infrastructure failure, as well as informed community support, a moratorium on data center construction in Wisconsin must be enacted. Hong was the only candidate in the primary to support a moratorium and we expect the same commitment from Mr. Crowley as this is a proven priority of the base he will need to mobilize in support of his campaign. 

TAX THE RICH AND FUND THE SCHOOLS

No one wants an unexpected and unsustainable increase in their property taxes, and yet that has remained the solution for funding our public schools. Creating a new tax bracket that affects earnings after the first $1 million of income can provide enough revenue to the state to disconnect school funding from property taxes. As a graduate of Milwaukee Public Schools, we hope Mr. Crowley can see the sense in a plan that asks the wealthy to pay their fair share, and in return delivers quality education that any Wisconsin child can access regardless of their parents’ means. 

FAIR PAY FOR LABOR

While multiple aspects of worker protections were part of the platform that gained financial support from over 14,000 individual donors, adopting the Hong campaign plan for a $20 minimum wage would ensure that the hardworking Wisconsinites on whose votes Mr. Crowley now relies can afford to live.

WES remains committed to our guiding principals and will continue to do the work of supporting our current and future elected socialist representatives in Wisconsin. While we do not endorse Mr. Crowley, we hope this letter is taken as an opportunity to reflect and develop his platform into something that will serve the whole of our state regardless of political affiliation.

Sincerely, 

Wisconsin Electoral Socialists