SATURDAY June 28, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Whitefish Bay Library - 5420 N Marlborough Dr.

Join us and local leaders for a Fair Maps Community Hearing to shape the future of redistricting in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Fair Maps Coalition, which includes LWVWI, is conducting information/listening sessions around the state. Citizens are invited to share their opinions at a community hearing at 10 a.m. on June 28, at the Whitefish Bay Library. 

We may have fair maps now, but they’re only temporary. Without lasting legislation, we risk going back to a system where politicians pick their voters—and ignore the will of the people. When maps are rigged, we don’t get what we want or need: clean air and water, strong public schools, affordable healthcare, and real accountability. That’s why the Coalition has been hard at work drafting legislation, and now we’re inviting you to weigh in.

Let’s demand a Wisconsin where every voice is heard. Join us. bit.ly/MapsCommunityHearings

Let’s get together on June 28!

Current Leaders and longtime members of our League will be on hand to orient newer members to the League, and all of us can take the opportunity to mingle and learn more about why each of us has joined the League. 

Saturday, June 28 - 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Summit Place  |  6737 W Washington St, Meeting Room: 2135  |  West Allis 53214

Registration is appreciated but feel free to come in any case!

Volunteer to help!

Any questions? Please do not hesitate to contact league@lwvmilwaukee.org. Thank you!

The Mass Incarceration advocacy program will hold its monthly meeting on June 30 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. Additional meeting details can be found here. There will be no meeting during the month of July. Regularly scheduled monthly meetings will resume on August 4 at 4:00 p.m. 

Data Center Program Summary and Actions

The well-attended Data Centers program on June 21st provided the audience with reliable information and opportunities for future actions as recommended by presenters.

 The electricity “demand” and the financial and health cost associated with data centers as they move into SE Wisconsin was the focus of the LWVMC’s well-attended Climate Action Group’s presentation on Saturday, June 21.  UWM distinguished professor emeritus Dave Petering provided an overview of data centers, their extraordinary electrical power requirements, and the challenge new data centers in SE Wisconsin present to We Energies 2023 Plan to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050.  He called the situation a “wicked” problem.

 Tom Content of Citizens Utility Board followed by illuminating the complexities involved in protecting small rate payers like homeowners and small businesses from the costs of infrastructure needed to supply data centers with power.  He insisted that tech companies that own data centers must pay all the costs of their energy “demands” and wants to be sure small users are not left shouldering that burden. Citizens, he encouraged, must speak for themselves and let their WI Senators and Representatives know they do not want to and cannot afford to take on the cost of providing energy to data centers. 

Antonio Butts, Executive Director of Walnut Way and a lifelong Milwaukee resident, confirmed Tom’s emphasis on protecting small users, especially those who are financially disadvantaged or challenged.  He suggested that there should be a “Data Center Accountability Board” to assess the economic cost and benefits of data centers, noting they provide short term construction jobs yet little employment opportunities for the long term. Such a board could serve as or join in an Integrated Resource Plan whereby Wisconsin could develop a long-term strategic plan for meeting future energy needs while considering cost, reliability, and environmental impact. Currently in WI, each utility’s proposal is considered individually by the WI Public Service Commission.  

Finally, Amanda Richman representing Healthy Climate Wisconsin delved into the myriad health effects of pollution caused by natural gas plants, currently envisioned as both baseload and back-up power for data centers. 

A recording of the program and presenters’ Power Points will be available on LWVMC’s YouTube page and website.  Those present agreed, the coming of data centers in SE Wisconsin warrants LWVMC members attention and action.  Watch LWVMC’s weekly Update for Climate Action opportunities!

“This app is the easiest way to stay on top of League legislative action updates” says Gail Sklodowska, VP Advocacy.  “Glad to see LWVWI taking advantage of it.”

Stay in the loop and take action—join the OutreachCircle app for the latest updates from LWVWI on how to protect democracy. You’ll get timely alerts and tools to make your voice heard when it matters most.  Join League in Action here! 

As we approach the end of our fiscal year, the silent auction at the May 31 Annual Meeting stands out as a very successful fundraiser for the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.   We thank Liz Harris-Hodge for her leadership of the event which raised over $3600 for the League.   In an earlier Update article, we thanked the members of Liz’s team that handled the logistics and managed the event.

Today we thank the League members and friends who donated items for the auction.  Nineteen (19) League members and friends donated sixty-five (65) items.  Nine of the nineteen item donors gave multiple items.  Couldn’t have done this without you!

Item donors were Joanne Barndt, Ann Batiza, PJ Boylan, Café Corazon Restaurants, Nancy Florsheim, Eloisa Gomez, Lorna Grade, Christy Guinane (Nancy Maloney’s daughter), Jen Lemke, Pat McFarland, Lisa Myers, Candice Owley, Paula Pinter, Joette Rockow, Peg Schrader, Gail Sklodowska, Mary Ellen Spicuzza, Mary Sussman, and Mary Voelker.

The success of this auction was all due to the generous donations of auction items.  We hope they and others will consider donating next year.  We couldn’t have had the silent auction without these gifts! 

Your Choice – Let’s Do Something!

During these times of actions in Washington that are undermining our democracy, do you feel the need to take action?   Have you marched, attended rallies, posted on social media, and are looking for more?

LWVMC is developing an Immigration Advocacy Committee.  If you are interested in joining our committee or receiving action opportunity alerts, please email Donna Spars at d.spars@lwvmilwaukee.org.  

Here is some good information from LWVWI:

Immigration Education and Resources

Immigration is complex, with many different legal statuses that affect people's rights, opportunities, and pathways to citizenship. One of the most effective ways to support and protect immigrant communities is through education. It is important to understand what each status means, who it applies to, and which ones provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship. The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin has highlighted some of the most common immigration statuses below to help build that foundation of knowledge. For a more detailed and comprehensive overview, visit our website to learn more. 

Understanding Different Immigration Statuses

Resources and Actions to Protect Our Immigrant Communities

LGBTQ+ UPDATE &  FAQ of the week 

In United States v. Skrmetti (2025), the Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors, ruling it regulates treatment by age and procedure, not sex or transgender status. This sets a "rational basis" review precedent, potentially affecting future laws on adult trans care, reproductive care, and insurance. 

Access to care now varies by state, with roughly half banning it. The Court did not rule on parental rights, leaving the limits of parental authority versus state law an open question. Physicians are now barred from providing such care, overriding major health organization guidelines. 

This decision significantly impacts transgender youth; studies show access to gender-affirming care reduces suicide risk, which is critical given high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts among this population.

For more, consider registering for the exceptional program presented by Fair Wisconsin:

Legal Briefing:Trans Healthcare Post Skrmetti.

It is scheduled for July 9 from 5 to 6 PM and is free. For more information, go to: info@fairwisconsin.com

LGBTQ, FAQ of the week: How many transgender athletes are in the US? 

According to the New York Times, there are fewer than 10 transgender athletes competing in the NCAA out of over 510,000. This statistic is unsurprising given that the population of transgender people over 13 years old in the US is less than 1%.

Interested in Helping Refugees in Our Community?

Hanan Refugee Resettlement assists refugees with housing arrangements, clothing, and groceries in starting a new life.  Their budget has been markedly diminished in the last months.

Volunteers Needed: July 26th 11AM–2PM

Salam Elementary School, 815 W. Layton Ave

Join Hanan Refugee Resettlement Agency for the Refugee & Immigrant Health Fair on Saturday, July 26th in Milwaukee! Hanan assists refugees after their arrival in the US in starting a new life. We’re looking for general volunteers to help with setup, clean-up, registration, babysitting & games, as well as language interpreters (Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Burmese, Rohingya, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, and Urdu)

Email staff@hananrrg.org to volunteer

Questions? Contact Donna Spars at d.spars@lwvmilwaukee.org.