McKinley and Local Experts Discuss Innovative Ideas for our Local Economy

The ABC/LWV, partnering with Northland College's Center for Rural Communities and WITC, welcomed Sarah McKinley from the Democracy Collaborative in Washington D.C. for her presentation on June 22. McKinley spoke about "Innovative Ideas for Our Local Economy" and shared real world examples of successful and innovative community development from around the country. 

McKinley works as the manager of community development programs for the DC based organization.  She is the co-author with Marjorie Kelly of a report titled Community Wealth Building about how grassroots activism is forging a new economic agenda in local communities around the country - new business ownership models, utilizing anchor institution purchasing to deepen buying local, stimulating local investment funds, renewable energy initiatives. 

McKinley's talk was followed by a response panel made up of experts from our local business and economic development community.

This talk is the second in a two-part series on community economic development. The event was funded by a grant from the Wirtanen Family Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.

Couldn't make it? View the video of the presentation and the Q&A session below. Visit our Current Local Study page to learn more about the work we're doing. 

SARAH MCKINLEY PRESENTATION:

 

Q&A SESSION:

Dresser Presents "What’s Going on for Working Wisconsin and What Can We Do?"

In partnership with Northland College's Center for Rural Communities and WITC, the ABC/LWV hosted a talk on April 29 by Laura Dresser titled “What’s Going on for Working Wisconsin and What Can We Do?". 

Dresser, Associate Director of the UW-Madison Center on Wisconsin Strategy, presented an overview of key trends for working people in the state. Drawing on her two decades of research on the Wisconsin economy and solutions to inequality and wage stagnation, Dresser offered data on wages, income, and poverty and provided some thoughts on how those are reshaping lives in our communities. Dresser also described some concrete steps that can be taken at the state and local level to help rebuild opportunity. 

The presentation was followed by a panel of local people with expertise in business and workforce issues.

Couldn't make it? View the video of the presentation and the panel discussion below. Visit our Current Local Study page to learn more about the work we're doing. 

Laura Dresser Presentation:

Part 1: Presentation In partnership with Northland College's Center for Rural Communities and WITC, the League of Women Voters of Ashland & Bayfield Counties Wisconsin is hosting a talk by Laura Dresser titled "What's Going on for Working Wisconsin and What Can We Do?"

Panel Discussion: 

Laura Dresser "Working Wisconsin" Part 2 Panel Discussion/Q & A In partnership with Northland College's Center for Rural Communities and WITC, the League of Women Voters of Ashland & Bayfield Counties Wisconsin is hosting a talk by Laura Dresser titled "What's Going on for Working Wisconsin and What Can We Do?"

REPORT FROM THE LWV’S ECONOMIC INEQUALITY STUDY GROUP

Leaguers here’s a fact you might consider when asking who holds power, especially with all the anti-democratic legislation emerging out of the Legislature:

“Between 1979 and 20 12, average incomes for the top 1% in Wisconsin more than doubled, after being adjusted for inflation. In contrast the remaining 99% saw less than 2% growth. Put another way, $91 out of every $100 of income growth that occurred between 1979 and 2012 in WI wound up in the pockets of the top 1%.”

— Center on Wisconsin Strategy, UW Madison, Pulling Apart 2015: Focus on Wisconsin’s 1 Percent

After much reading and gathering of materials the Income Inequality Study group is beginning its discussion of what their written report will look like as well as the conclusions and recommendations to be drawn from their work.  

Most importantly the group is now also organizing the public education aspects of its work.  On Tuesday, November 17, the Public Education subcommittee has arranged for the LWV/ABC to co-host a new movie, Education, Inc. with the Bay Area Film Society at 7 PM StageNorth in Washburn.  The film examines the issues facing public schools around the country.  A panel of school teachers and administrators will comment on the film afterward.  They are also organizing a forum for Monday, January 11 featuring UW Madison Education professor, Julia Meade, a critic of the movement to privatize public education.  It will be held at the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center.

The Employment Issues Subcommittee is also approaching Northland College to partner on a forum this Spring on “Socially Just Entrepreneurship”.  The Safety Net Subcommittee is also looking at a spring date for a public education event on “Defending the Social Safety Net”.

The next Study Committee meeting dates will be at 5:30 pm at the Blue Wave Restaurant on Monday, December 7 and Thursday, January 7.  Any League or community member who wants to join the study group is welcome.  Please contact Linda Jorgenson at 373-2948, or Jan Penn at 274-2942.

LWV/ABC 2014-16 Economic Inequality Study Kickoff

AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING IN MAY THE LWV OF ASHLAND AND BAYFIELD COUNTIES ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING LOCAL STUDY FOR THE YEARS 2014-16:

“What are the specific ways in which the Chequamegon Bay region is impacted by economic inequality, and what can we do about it?”

Board members Jan Penn and Linda Jorgenson are working together to organize the study.  They plan to invite other local organizations to co-sponsor the study.  

THE FIRST MEETING WILL BE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18 AT 7 PM AT THE NORTHERN GREAT LAKES VISITOR CENTER.

If you are interested in joining the Study Committee please come to the meeting or Contact Us.