As 2024 comes to an end, we are looking back on a year that certainly had its share of challenges, but also delivered historic victories that Wisconsinites ought to be proud of. As we look ahead to the new year, the time is now to build on the momentum of our wins, learn from our challenges, and set the tone for 2025.
One of the first wins of 2024 came in February, with Governor Tony Evers signing into law new, fair state legislative maps. Undoing a decade plus of Republican gerrymandering, these fair maps empowered Wisconsin voters to be able to elect leaders who truly reflect their communities’ values and better hold accountable those who don’t.
Now that we’ve elected a legislature under new fair maps, Wisconsinites have the power to demand better accountability at the Capitol as 2025 brings a new legislative session and biennial budget negotiations.
Another win for Wisconsin voters in 2024 was an overwhelming rejection of the blatant power grab put on our ballots by legislative Republicans in August. The resounding ‘No’ vote on the August primary ballot questions stood as a strong rejection of Wisconsin Republicans’ misplaced priorities and set a standard that our neighborhoods shouldn’t have to rely on our petty politicians to release essential funds when we need action fast.
2024 also brought progress on Wisconsinites’ reproductive freedoms, as the progressive majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided to hear a case that could protect our right to abortion care under our state constitution. With extreme right-wing anti-abortion judge Brad Schimel seeking a spot on the court in 2025, Wisconsinites must continue demanding that our high court do their job and protect our constitutional rights and freedoms, regardless of their personal partisan beliefs.
Nationally, the November 2024 election came with its own share of grief and uncertainty for communities across Wisconsin, but the re-election of Senator Tammy Baldwin meant Wisconsinites chose a forward looking agenda that invests in us and our communities.
And finally, Wisconsinites closed out the year with a historic win for workers’ rights when a circuit court judge restored collective bargaining rights for public employees in Wisconsin. Now, the people who teach our kids, take care of us in hospitals and nursing homes, plow our streets, and protect our safety will once again be able to have a say in their working conditions and negotiate fair wages and benefits after Republicans restricted those rights when they passed Act 10.
Most importantly, none of these wins happened by chance. These were all made possible thanks to years of hard work from advocates, organizers, and voters coming together to build a better future for all Wisconsinites.
As we look ahead to 2025, let 2024 be a reminder of all we can accomplish when we set aside our differences, focus on what unites us, and demand the change we want to see in the world.
Let’s start the new year by demanding our elected leaders in the legislature take action on the priorities of everyday, hardworking Wisconsinites: like child care access, affordable health care, lowering costs, common sense gun safety laws, clean water, and protecting our rights and freedoms.
