Colón for Milwaukee - WI

Assembly Leaders Named, Pedro to Serve as Vice-chair of Budget Comm

After the history-making election hammering the economic negligence and divisions of the&#160;past eight years, the Wisconsin State Assembly will be led by a team of legislators whose dedication to the people of Wisconsin matches the grave challenges facing our fellow citizens.

Wisconsin families will be hearing the names: Grigsby, Sheridan, Pocan and Colón very often in the near future, and none too soon.

Pedro will serve as vice co-chairman of the powerful Joint Finance Committee, it was announced yesterday.

The Joint Finance Committee is known as the budget-writing committee and is regarded as a powerful post from which to&#160;help Wisconsin citizens.

Joining Pedro on the Committee will be fellow Milwaukee legislator, Rep. Tamara Grigsby (D-Milwaukee).

Assembly Speaker-elect Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) also announced that Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) will serve as the committee's co-chair after 10 years of dedicated service to Wisconsin families.

Rep. Sheridan, a former autoworker in Janesville and a past president of a United Auto Workers local, is in a uniquely&#160;valuable position to lead our Assembly as the&#160;auto industry and the American economy have&#160;seen nothing less than devastation&#160;wrought upon&#160;an untold number of American families.

We need solutions.

As the national economy has tanked the last several years, the national debt has swelled, our retirement savings have dissipated, and Wisconsin’s budget faces the resulting shortfall, important budget decisions&#160;will be made.

One thing is clear: The way forward must be guided by the concerns of Wisconsin citizens, and not special interests.

Pedro is proud to join an extraordinary group of legislators who—like Wisconsin citizens have done throughout history—will meet today’s challenges without fear and with hard work and allegiance to our families.

Obama, Pedro Win, Assembly Returns to Democratic Control

The people have spoken. And the people turned away the division, the hate, and the disregard for working families that have plagued us under Republican rule.

Huge voter participation swept away Republican control of the Wisconsin State Assembly and the American Presidency, returning control of our government to the people.

Pedro was an early ally of Barack Obama's and as Pedro has spoken with allies around the state; we have&#160;heard the voice of the American people.

Pedro was unopposed in the general election and received 98 percent of the vote.

The people have spoken and they want representation, not rule.

No candidate has ever inspired people like Barack Obama has.

Today, we all stand together, looking to the future to solve our problems in a common effort.

As President-elect Obama spoke last night:

“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. … This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can.”

Election Day: Nov 4, Tuesday

Vote Barack Obama for President!

If you witness any obstruction or intimidation on Election Day, call: 1 866 OUR VOTE and report it.

Do not take ‘no’ for an answer at the polls on Election Day.

Bring your driver's license (and/or other official IDs), and bring mail with your address (like bills, leases and bank statements) to the polls on Election Day in case the election's bureaucracy goofs up or Republicans try to challenge your right to vote!

If you witness any obstruction or intimidation on Election Day. Call: 1 866 OUR VOTE and report it.

Nothing will stop our drive for better health care, education, home safety, jobs, peace and security that hard-working citizens demand.

Barack Obama for President!

Election Day is November 4, next Tuesday. Vote on November 4!

If you witness any obstruction or intimidation on Election Day, call: 1 866 OUR VOTE and report it.

The unease of working families of all hues and varieties is with us.

No less real is the excitement of the 2008 election demanding change, reflected in the historic campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Pedro was an early supporter of Barack Obama and as Pedro has spoken with neighbors and allies around the state, we have witnessed the emergence of the voice of the American people.

This voice will see record-breaking voter participation sweeping away Republican control&#160;of the Wisconsin State Assembly and&#160;the American (not the Republican)Presidency,&#160;returning control of our government to the people, period.

No candidate has ever inspired people like Barack Obama has.

For example, people in Pedro’s district who hardly ever vote turned out on a cold February day and voted for hope and change&#160;in the presidential primary, another record-setting event.

Barack Obama has led and inspired millions because he has listened.

From his days as a community organizer, a state senator, a US senator, a veterans’ advocate, and a champion for working families, Barack Obama has led by listening and caring!

The economy, jobs, health care, crime, a drawn-out war in Iraq—all of these issues have us concerned about our families’ future.

And the forces of big business and corruption will not concede and surrender power without a fight.

With our demand for change, an unprecedented program of voter suppression across America and concentrated right here in our backyard in Milwaukee is mounting actions against our right to vote.

Don’t worry and don’t be deterred.

Barack Obama and the Democrats have fought this anti-democratic program at every stage, and there are weapons we have to ensure our right to vote.

Vote on November 4

Do not take ‘no’ for an answer at the polls on Election Day.

Bring your driver's license (and/or other official IDs), and bring mail with your address (like bills, leases and bank statements) to the polls on Election Day in case the election's bureaucracy goofs up or Republicans try to challenge your right to vote!

If you witness any obstruction or intimidation on Election Day. call: 1 866 OUR VOTE and report it.

We will win, and we will not take no for answer.

Vote Barack Obama for President!

As always, please send Pedro your concerns and thoughts.

Ignorance Rears Its Head

Up in northwestern Wisconsin, State Rep Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) is running to return the State Assembly back to serving the working families of Wisconsin.

We were disappointed to hear the thoughts of his Republican opponent, Darcy Fields, bashing&#160;the "illegal immigrants" in that part of the state, whose legality&#160;Fields was able to divine by noting that families were overheard not speaking English during community parades that Fields had worked in as a clown.

If this has you thinking "what?" you are not alone.

Mr. Fields insists that he is committed to the rule of law, and his "assumption" that only&#160;law-defying families would not speak English at community parades has Fields out to save&#160;Wisconsin from becoming a "magnet state" for immigrants.

Those parade-attending, non-English-speaking law breakers better watch out for clowns.

Sigh.

Here is&#160;a partial&#160;transcription of the interview:

Darcy Fields: I don think that we should become a magnet state. I mean our country is based on the rule of law. You can understand why illegal immigrants would come here, when there's no penalty for not coming here, you know, so.

Question: Do you know what the situation is in this part of the state?

Darcy Fields: Well there are many illegal immigrants in this part of the state.

Question: And how do you know?

Darcy Fields: Well, I can tell you one, it's not a very scientific way of knowing, but I can tell one way that I know, is that I 'm a Shrine clown and the Shrine clowns raise money for the Shrine hospitals. And one of the ways we do that is that we attend parades.

And I do about 15 or 18 parades a year with the Shrine. And the streets in many of these areas where there's a high density of illegal immigrants are lined with children and families at the parade that I work with. I make balloon animals for them, and many of them can't speak English, and there's many, many, many of them.

Question: You're assuming they'll all illegal. They haven't been coming on ag or worker visa?

Darcy Fields: I think that's a reasonable assumption given the areas that I'm in, yes.

Pedro Colón Wins

Southside Milwaukee residents reelected Pedro Colon to his fifth term of representing the Eighth Assembly District.

“I am honored by the support of our community and look forward in the next term to continue serving in the state assembly that we are demanding be shifted from the control of moneyed special interests, back to serving the working families of Wisconsin,” said Pedro.

Voters gave Pedro a two-to-one winning margin over his two opponents in this closely watched Democratic primary race.

“Our neighbors on the south side demand action and accountability from their public servants. And they deserve nothing less,” said Pedro. “We are working to make 2008 the year of change that sees the wisdom of the people of Milwaukee’s south side prevail over the narrow concerns of corporate and political insiders.”

South-side wisdom is simply the commitment to the American principle that hard-working people are the decision makers in our democracy and that government promotes the welfare and liberty of the people.

This fundamental promise lives on as we build our future in the great tradition of progressive Wisconsin leading the way.

Voting on Sept. 9

- Vote for Pedro Colón on September 9! –

Despite Republican voter suprression efforts, Voting and registering to vote are easy to do in Wisconsin.

It's a two-step requirement that's done at one time (takes one minute):

- Establishing your voter identification [a live, breathing citizen]

- Establishing&#160;your voter&#160;residency [a citizen living at his/her home/apartment/dorm/room for 10 days prior to voting]

[Note: Don't take chances. Bring your driver's license (and other official IDs), and mail (like bills and bank statements) to the polls on election day in case the election's bureaucracy goofs up! You can register before election day if you like; see List of Wisconsin Municipal Clerks for registering before election day, and other voting info].

1. Establishing the identification of a voter [a live citizen] is easy. If you voted in the last four years in Wisconsin your identification should be established, according to the General Accounatbility Board, but you may still need to prove where you live at the polls.

If you are not registered to vote (haven't voted in Wisconsin in four years), you need to prove your identification and your residency by filling out a voter registration application as follows:

Provide your driver's license number (or if you have not been issued a driver's license, provide a state-issued identification card number or provide the last four (4) digits of your social security number), AND have proof of residence indicating that you have lived at your current address for 10 days preceding the election.

2. Establishing your voter residency (proof of residence) is easy [a citizen living at his/her home/apartment/dorm/room/senior center].

If you want to register to vote at your polling place on election day, you must bring proof that you have lived at your present location for at least 10 days preceding the election; it's called "proof of residence".

PROOF OF RESIDENCE

The following are acceptable proof-of-residence documents: 1. A gas, electric, or telephone service statement (utility bill) less than three months old (dated not earlier than 90 days before the September 9, 2008 election date).

2. A bank statement with address.

3. A paycheck with address.

4. A current and valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

5. A current and valid Wisconsin identification card.

6. Any other official identification card or license issued by a Wisconsin governmental body or unit.

7. Any identification card issued by an employer in the normal course of business and bearing a photo of the card holder, but not including a business card.

8. A real estate tax bill or receipt for the current year or the year preceding the date of the election.

9. A residential lease which is effective for a period that includes the September 9, 2008, primary election day.

10. A university, college, or technical institute fee card (must include photo).

11. A university, college, or technical institute identification card (must include photo).

12. A check or other document issued by a unit of government.

*If you cannot supply acceptable Proof-of-Residence, your registration form can be substantiated and signed by one other voter who resides in your municipality, corroborating your residency information. The corroborator must then provide acceptable Proof-of-Residence.

Voting Resources

Below are links to several voting resources&#160;to help&#160;voters seeking to vote, register to vote, and vote absentee.

- Find your polling place in Milwaukee.

- How to register and vote on Election Day.

- List of Wisconsin Municipal Clerks for registering before election day, and other voting info

- Do you live in Assembly District Eight? Find your district legislators here.

- Getting an absentee ballot.

- EB 131 Application for Voter Registration

- EB-131 Wisconsin Voter Registration Form in Spanish.

- EB-121 Wisconsin Absentee Ballot Application in Spanish.

- How to register to vote.

- What documents can be used for proof of residence?

Journal-Sentinel and Shepherd Express Endorse Pedro Colón

- Vote for Pedro Colón on September 9! -

Pedro is proud to receive the recent backing of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and the Milwaukee Shepherd Express.

Both papers have&#160;distinguished histories in Milwaukee and Pedro is honored to have earned recognition from two different editorial perspectives.

The Journal-Sentinel editorial describes Pedro as “engaged with the district,” “attentive” to his constituents, employing an “effective voice for Milwaukee,” and specifically owing to Pedro’s position on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee having achieved "respect in the Legislature to be in a position to deliver for Milwaukee.”

The Milwaukee Shepherd Express in endorsing Pedro takes sharp issue with one of his opponents, describing “… extreme right-wing candidates running as Democrats in the Sept. 9 primary,” including Pedro’s district.

The Shepherd Express writes that “(t)he real Democrats who have been targeted by (Tom) Reynolds … deserve the Democratic primary voters’ support because they support the Democratic Party’s ideals,” endorsing Pedro and five of his Milwaukee colleagues.

Voters will decide next week if Pedro has earned another term, and Pedro is proud to participate in democracy at the ballot box where elections ought to always be decided.

Voces de la Frontera’s Political Arm Endorses Pedro Colón Amid Labor Day Fete

- Vote for Pedro Colón on September 9! -

One defining quality of south-side Milwaukee workers is their work ethic.

Faced with barriers common to all Americans during the Bush years, people in Milwaukee both new and old don’t complain much—they work, they look for work, and never give up the struggle for the dignity that work brings.

Pedro has been honored by the support of organized labor, those allies whose political lives are spent advocating for the working families of Milwaukee, and the working families themselves whom we all cherish as the backbone of our community.

Pedro has just received another honor, the endorsement from Voces de la Frontera’s Action (c4).

Voces de la Frontera Action (c4) is the political arm of the:

Wisconsin nonprofit that educates workers about their employment rights and organizes to protect and improve the quality of life for low-wage and immigrant workers . . . (promoting) grassroots leadership and community and workplace organizing as a strategy to achieve (these) goals.

As we observe Labor Day, recognizing the contributions of working men and women, Pedro stands tall with Voces de la Frontera Action (c4) and other allies in demanding that our labor and our right to organize be protected as rights through which we achieve the quality of life that our families deserve.

From helping to kill a Republican attempt to ban the annual state subsidy for child care services for state workers, blasting the infamous attack at the El Rey grocery store, to working with AFSCME protecting workers singled out for having Latino-sounding names, and leading the fight for Wisconsin to join other states in opposing the harmful and unnecessary REAL ID, Pedro remains a proud and steadfast advocate of Wisconsin workers.

Pedro Colón Calls for Outreach to Latinos

- Vote for Pedro Colón on September 9! –

In a tight presidential race this year, Hispanics may prove decisive in the election of the next president.

Both John McCain and Barack Obama are targeting Latino voters.

Pedro says candidates for all political offices have to focus on and understand the needs of this&#160;rapidly-growing part of the electorate.

About five percent of Wisconsin’s population, roughly 272,000 people, is Hispanic.

The electoral power of Latinos will only increase.

In Wisconsin, Latino voters are growing at a rate 13 times greater than the general population, and 36 percent of the Latino population is under 18-years-old, according to The Almanac of Latino Politics (2008).

“The way you reach Latinos is the same way you reach other people, but it has to be a concerted effort,” said Pedro Colón , a Milwaukee Democrat and the first Hispanic member of the Wisconsin Assembly (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Aug. 11, 2008).

Pedro says that the approach to issues aimed at appealing to Latinos needs to be comprehensive: Taxes, jobs, health care, education, job training.

And one issue of central concern to Latino families: Gangs and crime.

“This quality-of-life and public-safety issue is often overlooked in attempting to address Latinos’ concerns,” said Pedro. “But Latinos, like everyone else, will not tolerate crime against the family. The family unit and the home are unbreakable bonds that crime attacks.”

As always, please send Pedro your concerns and thoughts.

A Historic Election for America

- Vote for Pedro Colón on September 9! -

Talking to neighbors this summer, Pedro has heard the voices of the people of Milwaukee’s Eighth assembly district.

Words of alarm and sometimes discouragement are voiced on issues ranging from health care, home safety, taxes, outsourcing of American jobs, the War in Iraq, to the plight of our veterans.

Seeing Vietnam-era veterans in our neighborhoods—haunted, an enduring look of disbelief in their eyes—we worry about the new generation of veterans as 100,000s of heroes come home traumatized and wounded, changed forever.

Yet underlying the anxiety of our hard-working families of all hues and varieties is the undeniable excitement of the 2008 election.

The citizen engagement, the historic campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and the demand for change have made the 2008 election (with the expected highest voter turnout in 40 years) a turning point in American history.

Our neglected veterans, our brothers and sisters looking for jobs or working for too little, and those seeking health care are all with us as we make 2008 a historic moment, reclaiming the obligation that hard-working families can seize the American Dream.

Look back here for updates as our campaign continues through the summer and fall.

As always, please send Pedro your concerns and thoughts