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Hello, you precious, purposeful persimmons!
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Welcome to another week of chances to make the world better! ❤️
As always, if you have a local or national topic you want us to cover (ESPECIALLY LOCAL), hit us up! We created an easy-to-use, short form you can fill out.
Local issue
The current Wisconsin attorney general, Brad Schimel, is bragging about how thousands of untested rape kits are now tested.
... except A) there's STILL a backlog, and B) we STILL don't have the actual results from those tests!
National issue
Did you know it can cost an person who's incarcerated $1 per minute to make a phone call? A Senate bill would change that.
xoxo,
Kate + Hilary
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Studies have shown that, while calling is more effective, emailing still has a big influence on representatives. Call OR email, as time or preference allows!
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Wisconsin's rape kit backlog still exists, no matter what Attorney General Brad Schimel says.
Recently, WI AG Brad Schimel announced that Wisconsin's rape kit backlog testing was finally complete ... which is technically true.
This sounds like good news! What's the problem?
The problem is that we still don't have the results for more than a quarter of those 4,000 kits.
Additionally, while there's a clear need to get caught up by taking care of previously abandoned kits, it has to go hand-in-hand with testing current kits ... and that is NOT happening.
Five kits submitted since June 1 have still not been tested, to which we say, WTF?
What are we going to do about it?
Schimel is up for re-election in a few months. We're going to bombard his office with calls letting him know he is NOT off the hook, and that we expect those five new kits to be tested immediately.
(SOURCE)
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WI Attorney General Brad Schimel
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Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'll be voting in the elections this November in Madison.
I’m calling because I’m very concerned about the state of Wisconsin's rape kits. While I acknowledge the achievement of finally getting them all tested, it concerns me greatly that we seem unable to keep up with current tests.
When can we expect the five tests submitted after June 1st to be tested?
[WAIT FOR A SPECIFIC ANSWER; IF THEY HEDGE, TELL THEM YOU EXPECT THEM TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IMMEDIATELY AND ASK TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN IT HAPPENS.
IF THEY ASK, 'WHAT KITS?', TELL THEM TO CHECK THE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL.]
Testing rape kits and receiving the results in a timely fashion is crucial to protecting our citizens and preventing serial rapists. This is non-negotiable.
[OPTIONAL: ADD A NOTE ABOUT HOW TESTING RAPE KITS HAS PERSONALLY AFFECTED YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW.]
Thank you for your hard work answering the phones.
[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to boost your words]
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Hi, my name is [NAME] and I'll be voting in the elections this November in Madison.
I’m writing because I’m very concerned about the state of Wisconsin's rape kits. While I acknowledge the achievement of finally getting them all tested, it concerns me greatly that we seem unable to keep up with current tests.
When can we expect the five tests submitted after June 1st to be tested?
Testing rape kits and receiving the results in a timely fashion is crucial to protecting our citizens and preventing serial rapists. This is non-negotiable.
[OPTIONAL: ADD A NOTE ABOUT HOW TESTING RAPE KITS HAS PERSONALLY AFFECTED YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW.]
Thank you for your hard work answering emails.
Sincerely,
[FULL NAME]
[FULL ADDRESS]
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Studies have shown that, while calling is more effective, emailing still has a big influence on representatives. Call OR email, as time or preference allows!
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Support legislation to lower costs for prison phone calls
There's a bill that's been languishing in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation that would ensure charges are "just and reasonable."
Right now, "to make phone calls from most federal and state prisons, inmates generally must set up accounts with a private company to hold money deposited by family members. The companies typically have a contract with the prisons, which receive a portion of the call revenue. A single 15 minute phone call can cost $15-17."
Why does this matter? Aren't we talking about criminals?
Discounting the fact that our justice system is horrifically racist, connection to family and community helps fight recidivism. This also matters for folks whose loved ones are locked up, fairly or unfairly. It's a civil rights issue, and it's about human dignity.
Why call now if it's stuck in committee?
Because our own Senator Ron Johnson is ON that committee, which means he has the power to do something about it! This seems like an easy win for him that could have a substantial impact on incarcerated folks' daily lives.
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Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from Madison.
I'm calling today to urge Senator Johnson to support Senate Bill Two Five Two Zero, the Inmate Calling Technical Corrections Act of 2018.
Unreasonable charges for phone calls cause many incarcerated people to lose their connections to their family and community. This increases chances of recidivism and hurts families.
[HOW IT WILL PERSONALLY AFFECT YOU OR PEOPLE YOU KNOW]
This bill is currently stuck in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which Senator Johnson is a member.
Will Senator Johnson commit to working to bring this bill to a committee vote, and voting for it?
IF YES: ✔️
That's excellent news. Please thank the senator for me, and let him know that I’m glad he's willing to support such a common-sense bill that's an easy win for everyone.
IF THE SENATOR IS UNSURE: 🤔
Please let the senator know that I am urging them strongly to look into this common-sense bill. It's an easy win for everyone.
IF THE SENATOR IS AGAINST THE BILL: 👎🏻
Please pass along my message to the senator—I’m strongly urging them to reconsider their position on this, and to give this common-sense bill another look.
Thank you for your hard work answering the phones.
[IF LEAVING A VOICEMAIL: please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied]
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It's important, as with the phone call, to personalize this template. Studies have shown that congressional staff often disregard form emails.
Federal Senators and Representatives don't have email addresses; instead, you fill out a contact form on their website. Links are above in contacts, and also here:
Sen. Johnson:
https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-the-senator
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Hi, my name is [FULL NAME] and I’m a constituent from [FULL ADDRESS].
I'm writing today to urge Senator Johnson to support Senate Bill 2520, the Inmate Calling Technical Corrections Act of 2018.
Unreasonable charges for phone calls cause many incarcerated people to lose their connections to their family and community. This increases chances of recidivism and hurts families.
[HOW IT WILL PERSONALLY AFFECT YOU OR PEOPLE YOU KNOW]
This bill is currently stuck in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which Senator Johnson is a member.
Will Senator Johnson commit to working to bring this bill to a committee vote, and voting for it?
Thank you for your hard work answering emails.
Sincerely,
[FULL NAME]
[FULL ADDRESS]
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