Representative Ryan Clancy

"We've got big brother on steroids," -Mayor Greg Ross, Cooper City, FL

This is how *proponents* of police surveillance are talking about it in 2026. Police and other law enforcement are using Flock cameras to track their exes, tackling children after misidentifying vehicles as stolen -- and now, regularly tracking people by their cell phone data without warrants. For crimes as minor as stolen fast food.

New surveillance technology is both invasive *and* still wildly inaccurate. Minneapolis police responded to 8500 Shotspotter "activations." 80% of those were clearly unrelated to a shooting and 32 resulted in some kind of arrest. That's less than 1/2 of 1%.

Thanks to John Oliver and his team for their excellent ~30 min overview (see the comments for a link!)

Here in Wisconsin, we can and should keep this tech out of the hands of law enforcement. Last September, we released our Freedom From Fear package to do just that (w/ the support of ACLU of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Turners at Turner Hall, and many others).

Read more about Freedom From Fear here: https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/democratic-socialist-legislator-proposes-regulating-police-surveillance-warrior-style-training/

"Democratic socialism is clear values enacted through responsible governance. As the Wisconsin Legislative Socialist Caucus, we want to protect all workers and every community. We have consistently voted against tax breaks for data centers – and, just months later, were the first to call for a statewide moratorium on AI-scale data centers."

Democratic socialism is a practical, moral alternative to the status quo. Too many people in power have flexible, negotiable principles -- and the people of Wisconsin have noticed.

We're ready to apply these principles to Wisconsin's budget, its criminal legal system, to data centers, K-12 education, and the other glaring problems that have gone unsolved for far too long.

ICE is still declaring itself above the law. They've shifted to a less openly violent strategy following the mass community resistance to Operation Metro Storm -- as well as here, in Milwaukee. But they are still kidnapping people from their homes, and still killing people on the street, and in detention.

Last August, we introduced our Keep Families Together package to blunt ICE's power in Wisconsin. Now, most of the Democratic caucus supports it, and the City of Milwaukee has taken action through its ICE Out Milwaukee plan. Next session, we have an obligation to act decisively and effectively because this problem will not solve itself. Thanks so much to State Futures and the nationwide coalition continuing this fight -- we're proud to be a part of it.

Read more about Keep Families Together here: https://www.aclu-wi.org/news/the-keep-families-together-package-drawing-the-line-against-authoritarianism/

See comments for story link!

AI data centers are exceedingly unpopular here in Wisconsin, and last night the Town of Janesville showed us once again just how unpopular they are.

In a town of less than 4,000 people, a huge crowd turned out for a Town Board meeting. Those who showed up were overwhelmingly in favor of a moratorium on AI data center development, with many calling for an outright ban.

The Planning and Zoning Committee agreed, unanimously sending the moratorium proposal to the full board next week. In June, the City of Janesville Council voted unanimously to block a proposed data center at the old GM site.

I am proud to have authored a bill this session to enact a statewide moratorium on AI data centers in Wisconsin, alongside Senator Tim Carpenter and Representatives Darrin Madison, Francesca Hong, Supreme Moore Omokunde, Ryan Clancy, Angelina Cruz, and Angelito Tenorio.

Early voting for the August primary began *yesterday* and extends through Sunday, August 9th!

Milwaukee's early voting locations:

-Good Hope Library
(7715 W Good Hope Rd)

-Midtown Voting Center
(4170 N 56th St)

-Tippecanoe Library
(3912 S Howell Ave)

-Washington Park Senior Center
(4420 W Vliet St)

-Zablocki Library
(3501 W Oklahoma Ave)

-Zeidler Municipal Building
(841 N Broadway)

Early voting hours vary by location, depending on the day of the week! Please go to https://city.milwaukee.gov/earlyvoting for the most accurate, up-to-date information.

This is one of many reasons why voter ID laws are bad policy. They're a solution to a non-existent problem -- the famously left-wing Heritage Foundation reports seven (7) cases in Minnesota between 2020 and 2025. Minnesota doesn't require voter ID at the polls, FYI. (Check their data out here, if you don't believe me: https://electionfraud.heritage.org/search)

The intent is to discourage voting, and to disenfranchise the most vulnerable and attacked people in our society, like trans people. That's the real goal here.

The Primary Election is Tuesday, August 11th! Here’s a brief guide for voting while trans: 🏳️‍⚧️

• Wisconsin requires a valid form of photo ID in order to vote, such as a driver’s license, passport, or most student IDs (check your student ID policy first!)..

• Your gender presentation *does not legally need to match the gender marker on your ID,* however the name on your ID does need to match the name on your registration–you can check the name you’re registered under at myvote.wi.gov.

• If you aren’t yet registered, you can do so either *online or while voting* at your polling location.

• If you encounter discrimination while trying to vote or are not allowed to cast your ballot, call the *National Election Protection Hotline* at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

A big thank you to State Rep. Ryan Clancy for answering the call and donating blood at last week's Southeast Board blood drive. Leaders like you are helping raise awareness about the urgent need for blood donors and making a real difference for patients in need.

The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis as donations have fallen to a four-year summer low. All blood types are needed, but the shortage is especially severe for type O blood, and supplies of type O positive have dropped below a one-day supply. Don't wait. Help save lives and support hospital patients by scheduling a blood donation appointment today through the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

TONIGHT! Join us for the next Milwaukee Leader writing jam to produce some original content for our chapter's very own socialist publication!