PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.

>> UP TO 20 MILLION AMERICANS CAN HAVE THEIR STUDENT LOAN DEBT COMPLETELY ERASED.

AND MILLIONS MORE HAVE THEIR BURDEN EASED UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S STUDENT LOAN PLAN.

UKRAINE CELEBRATES ITS INDEPENDENCE DAY ON THE SAME DAY IT MARKS SIX MONTHS OF WAR WITH RUSSIA.

AND A MORE ACCESSIBLE LIFELINE SHOWS THE NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN WISCONSIN.

I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

TONIGHT ON "HERE & NOW," THE SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF, HOW THE WAR IN UKRAINE WEARS ON, 988 GIVES NEW HOPE TO A NOT SO NEW SERVICE AND HEAR FROM THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

IT'S "HERE & NOW" FOR AUGUST 26TH.

>> FUNDING FOR "HERE & NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.

>> IT'S NOT WITHOUT CONTROVERSY, BUT THIS WEEK BY EXECUTIVE ORDER THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WILL WIPE AWAY HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT FOR SOME 47 MILLION BORROWERS.

UP TO $20,000 OF DEBT CANCELLATION WILL BE GIVEN TO PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS, THOSE ARE GRANTS GIVEN TO THOSE WITH EXCEPTIONAL FINANCIAL NEED.

UP TO $10,000 OF FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS WILL BE FORGIVEN FOR OTHER BORROWERS.

ONLY THOSE EARNING $125,000 OR LESS ARE ELIGIBLE.

ADDITIONALLY, THE PAUSE ON FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT REMAINS IN PLACE UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR.

ANOTHER PRONG OF THE ORDER CAPS MONTHLY PAYMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE LOANS AT 5% OF A BORROWERS INCOME.

IN WISCONSIN, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, MORE THAN 687,000 STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS OWE MORE THAN $21.4 BILLION.

WITH AN AVERAGE STUDENT LOAN BALANCE OF JUST MORE THAN $31,000.

TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT, WE GO TO NICK HILLMAN, PROFESSOR AT THE UW-MADISON SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND DIRECTOR OF THE APPLIED RESEARCH LAB.

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

>> CONTROVERSY COMES FOR THOSE WHO THINK IT'S TOO BIG A GIVE AWAY AND THOSE WHO THINK IT'S TOO LITTLE.

AS AN EXPERT IN THE AREA, WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THE STUDENT LOAN ORDER?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

POLITICS OF THIS, SO THE AGREEMENT OF WHETHER IT'S TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL CUTS ACROSS REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, WHERE TYPICALLY REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING IT'S TOO BIG, SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS AT ALL, EVEN IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, BIDEN'S OWN PARTY THERE IS DISAGREEMENT ON WHETHER IT WAS BIG ENOUGH OR SMALL ENOUGH.

AND SO CERTAINLY THAT IS DEBATED RIGHT NOW AND I THINK THE RESEARCH EVIDENCE SAYS $10,000 IN CANCELLATION CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD FOR A LOT OF BORROWERS.

>> SO YOU THINK THAT THIS COULD HELP WISCONSIN BORROWERS?

>> YES, AND TWO REASONS.

ONE IS THAT A LOT OF TIMES THE BORROWERS WHO HAVE SMALL LOANS, THEY HAVE SMALL LOANS BECAUSE THEY ONLY ENROLLED IN SCHOOL A LITTLE WHILE AND LEFT WITHOUT A DEGREE, AND STRUGGLE BECAUSE THEY NOW DON'T HAVE A DEGREE TO PAY OFF IN THE LABOR MARKET AND DEBTS ARE OFTEN LESS THAN $10,000, AND SO THAT COULD HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT FOR A LOT OF STRUGGLING BORROWERS WITH RELATIVELY SMALL LOANS AND A LOT OF BORROWERS WITH THAT SIZE DEBT, $10,000 THRESHOLD HAS A COUPLE DIFFERENT REASONS TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN.

>> THE WORST CASE OF THAT, THOUGH, IS A BORROWER WHO HAS JUST A WHOLE LOT OF DEBT AND DIDN'T GET THAT DEGREE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM THAT THIS CANCELLATION CAN HELP A LITTLE BIT BUT DOES NOT NECESSARILY PREVENT FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE.

>> HOW IS THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT LOAN BALLOONED OVER THE DECADES?

>> PROBABLY TWO BIG FACTORS CONTRIBUTE AND THEY WORK TOGETHER.

ONE IS THAT TUITION HAS RISEN, BUT IT'S NOT JUST TUITION, IT'S THE TUITION, THE FEES, THE ROOM AND BOARD, ALL THE OTHER EXPENSES THAT IT TAKES TO STAY IN COLLEGE HAVE BEEN RISING RAPIDLY.

DOUBLING SINCE THE 1990S, EVEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION.

THAT'S ONE SIDE.

THE OTHER SIDE IS FAMILY INCOMES HAVE EITHER PLATEAUED OR DECLINED OR BARELY EVEN MOVED, AND THE INCOMES THAT WE HAVE JUST AREN'T KEEPING PACE WITH THE EXPENSES OF GOING TO COLLEGE AND AS A RESULT, MORE INDIVIDUALS ARE HAVING TO SHARE THAT RESPONSIBILITY OR CARRY THAT RESPONSIBILITY THEMSELVES THROUGH THE LOAN SYSTEM TO PAY FOR COLLEGE.

>> IN YOUR MIND, IS THAT DEBT WORTH IT IN TERMS OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY?

>> IT IS WORTH IT ON AVERAGE.

THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE SITUATIONS THAT JUST DON'T FIT THAT AVERAGE STORY, BUT ON AVERAGE, STRONG EVIDENCE THAT NOT ONLY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL DOES THE EDUCATION PAY OFF IN THE LABOR MARKET BUT FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, BETTER OFF WITH WELL-EDUCATED PLUMBERS OR HEALTHCARE WORKERS OR YOU NAME IT.

A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY THE PAY-OFF IS STILL THERE BUT THE VALUE PROPOSITION IS BEING QUESTIONED AND KIND OF TAPPING INTO THAT QUESTION RIGHT NOW.

>> PEOPLE WE KNOW CAN TAKE DECADES TO PAY OFF SCHOOL LOANS.

WHAT ROLE DO INTEREST PAYMENTS PLAY IN THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE.

>> THEY MAKE IT MORE EXPENSIVE.

TOOK OUT $10,000, IN SEVERAL YEARS MIGHT BE HIGHER THAN THAT, MIGHT OWE 12, 13,000, IF THE PAYMENTS ARE ONLY GOING TO INTEREST.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO PROPOSING TO CAP SOME OF THOSE INTEREST RATES ON, AND REPAYMENT PLANS AND THERE ARE SOME CONVERSATIONS AROUND HOW TO REMOVE SOME OF THOSE INTEREST RATES OR MAKE THEM LOWER, BUT THEY ARE STILL THERE, STILL PART OF THE NETWORK AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR STUDENT LENDING SYSTEM.

>> PART OF THE PLAN ALSO CUTS UNDERGRAD PAYMENTS TO 5% OF INCOME.

HOW MEANINGFUL IS THAT FOR FOLKS?

>> I THINK THAT SHOULD BE PRETTY MEANINGFUL.

THESE INCOME-DRIVEN REPAYMENT PLANS, THEY ARE CALLED, AND MAY BE 7 OR 8 DIFFERENT ONES NOW AND BORROWERS ARE TAPPED INTO THEM, AND 5% OF DISCRETIONARY EARNINGS, BASICALLY THE INCOME YOU HAVE ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE, SO IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A WAY TO JUST MAKE PAYMENTS, YOU KNOW, LESS BURDENSOME FOR INDIVIDUALS.

>> WHAT KIND OF STUDENT GETS MOST HURT BY TAKING OUT BIG STUDENT LOANS?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT STORIES AND SO MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR LOAN SYSTEM.

AND IN MANY CASES, THE DEBT CANNOT BE DISCHARGED IN BANKRUPTCY OR DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THE REPAYMENT SYSTEM ITSELF AND THE PROCESSES YOU CAN BE HARMED, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES, COMPLEXITY OF THE LOAN SYSTEM.

AND OTHER WAYS IT HELPS STUDENTS STAY ENROLLED IN SCHOOL.

IT'S A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, WITHOUT LOANS PEOPLE MIGHT NOT HAVE GONE TO COLLEGE IN THE FIRST PLACE AND NOW YOU HAVE THEM AND IT'S A HARD, HARD PUBLIC POLICY PROBLEM TO SOLVE.

>> IN YOUR MIND, SHOULD PAYING FOR COLLEGE BE REENVISIONED?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE REENVISIONED.

I THINK THIS IS A BIG MOMENT IN THAT REIMAGINATION, AND I THINK THAT OUR LOAN-BASED SYSTEM, IT ORIGINATED IN THE 1950S AND 1960S AND IT WAS REALLY DESIGNED TO MEET A VERY SMALL NEED AT THE TIME, AND OVER THE YEARS WE KIND OF ACCEPTED THAT MODEL AND HAVE USED THAT MODEL AS OUR CURRENT MODEL, AND I THINK IT'S BEING QUESTIONED ON WHETHER THAT WORKS TODAY.

>> YEAH, INDEED.

NICK HILLMAN, THANKS VERY MUCH.

THANKS FOR YOUR EXPERTISE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THIS WEEK MARKS THE CELEBRATION OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE IN 1991.

AND CAME ON THE SAME DAY THAT MARKED SIX MONTHS SINCE RUSSIA INVADED UKRAINE.

IN GREEN BAY, DOZENS GATHERED TO SHOW SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY.

THE U.S. HAS SENT MORE THAN $10 BILLION OF MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE WITH BILLIONS MORE TO COME.

BUT THE HUMAN TOLL IN DEATH AND DISPLACEMENT AND THE RAVAGING OF THE LANDSCAPE, WHEN AND HOW WILL IT END?

WE CHECK IN WITH PROFESSOR ANDREY IVANOV, SPECIALTY IS RUSSIA AND THE SOVIET UNION IN UW-PLATTEVILLE, AND IS ALSO UKRAINIAN, AND HE AND HIS FAMILY MADE A HARROWING ESCAPE.

HOW IS YOUR FAMILY DOING?

>> THEY ARE FINE.

SOME OF THEM ARE HERE, AND OTHERS ARE STILL WAITING TO COME FROM GERMANY, SO I'M -- I'M AWAITING THEIR ARRIVAL.

>> WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR CIVILIANS STILL INSIDE UKRAINE AT THIS TIME?

>> IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.

THE ECONOMIC PART IS VERY DIFFICULT.

LOGISTIC PART, THE TRANSPORTATION PART.

THE PANIC OF FEBRUARY AND MARCH HAS LARGELY SUBSIDED IN PARTS OF WESTERN UKRAINE AND PARTS OF NORTHERN UKRAINE, BUT IN THE SOUTH AND IN THE EAST THE SITUATION HAS WORSENED CONSIDERABLY WITH A LOT OF DESTRUCTION AND SHELLING AND ACTIVE MILITARY CAMPAIGN THAT'S STILL GOING ON.

SO WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ESSENTIALLY NOW THE SITUATION INSIDE UKRAINE, YOU HAVE KIND OF TWO UKRAINES.

YOU HAVE UKRAINE THAT HAS LARGELY BEEN SORT OF NOT AFFECTED BY THE DESTRUCTION, IT'S STILL AFFECTED BY THE MISSILES, BUT THEN THE EAST AND IN THE SOUTH YOU HAVE PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOMES, PEOPLE LOSING THEIR LOVED ONES, PEOPLE LOSING THEIR LIVES AND MASSIVE EVACUATIONS ARE STILL CONTINUING FROM THE EAST AND THE SOUTH AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW.

>> I'VE READ THAT RUSSIA NOW OCCUPIES 20% OF UKRAINE.

I THINK WHEN RUSSIA FIRST INVADED OBSERVERS THOUGHT THEY WOULD ROLL IN AND CAPTURE UKRAINE IN FULL.

WHAT DID YOU THINK AT THE TIME?

>> WELL, WHEN THE -- WHEN THE INVASION HAPPENED, I WAS -- I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT WAS GOING ON, FRANKLY.

MY FAMILY WAS AFFECTED AND IN THE MIDST, THE AREA THAT SUFFERED BOMBARDMENT AND HAD TO ESCAPE.

SO FOR ME THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTED ME PERSONALLY, AND I EXPECTED UKRAINE TO PUT UP VERY FIERCE RESISTANCE, EITHER THROUGH KIND OF INSURGENCY GUERILLA CAMPAIGN IF RUSSIANS WERE TO TAKE PARTS OF THE TERRITORY OR ACTIVE WAR EFFORTS, AND IT'S BEEN A COMBINATION OF BOTH, AND I'M VERY GLAD THAT THE RESISTANCE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN MANY PARTS OF UKRAINE BUT I'M ALSO VERY DISHEARTENED THAT THE RUSSIANS WERE ABLE TO MAKE SO MUCH PROGRESS IN OTHER PARTS OF UKRAINE AND THE SOUTH AND THE EAST IN PARTICULAR.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK THIS WILL PROGRESS?

>> I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL.

I'M NOT A NOSTRADAMUS.

IT'S HARD TO TELL.

THE LONG-TERM SCENARIO WITH WESTERN SUPPORT, WITH WESTERN AND ESPECIALLY AMERICAN HELP LOOKS VERY GOOD FOR UKRAINE.

AND IT LOOKS VERY BAD FOR RUSSIA.

THE SHORT-TERM SCENARIO, TALKING ABOUT THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS WITH WINTER COMING AND THE GAS AND OIL CRISIS AND ENERGY CRISIS, THE SHORT-TERM SCENARIO LOOKS VERY DIFFICULT FOR UKRAINE, AND SORT OF FAVORS RUSSIA, AND SO WE HAVE A LONG-TERM AND A SHORT-TERM SCENARIO.

THE QUESTION IS CAN THE WEST REMAIN STEADY IN ITS HELP TO UKRAINIAN FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE, AND FOR HOW LONG.

AND THAT WILL REALLY DECIDE THE OUTCOME OF THE WAR.

>> MORE BROADLY, WHY DOES VLADIMIR PUTIN WANT UKRAINE WHEN IT SO CLEARLY DOES NOT WANT HIM?

>> WELL, IT'S KIND OF A POST IMPERIAL SYNDROME, YOU KNOW.

EMPIRES COLLAPSE AND THEN YOU HAVE NEW ENTITIES EMERGE.

I'M A HISTORIAN, SO I TALK LIKE THIS.

SO YOU KNOW, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN RUSSIA WHO SUPPORT PUTIN'S NEOIMPERIAL AMBITIONS.

THEY WANT THE EMPIRE BACK.

WHETHER THIS IS THE OLD SOVIET UNION OR THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE IN WORLD HISTORY, WITH GERMANY AFTER WORLD WAR I, OR HUNGARY AFTER WORLD WAR I AND SO ON, AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONING THAT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, PUTIN WANTS TO RECREATE AN EMPIRE OR IMPERIAL SPACE THAT WAS LOST AFTER 1991, AND SOME MAY ARGUE LOST AFTER 1917.

>> SO, REPORTEDLY AT THIS POINT IN THE DESTRUCTION IT WILL COST $200 BILLION TO REBUILD UKRAINE'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOUSING.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO SEE THE DEVASTATION OF YOUR HOMELAND AND ITS PEOPLE?

>> IT'S VERY -- VERY DISHEARTENING, VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE PICTURES.

I'VE SEEN PICTURES OF HOUSE OF MY SISTER THAT RECEIVED A SHELL IN ONE OF THE AREAS OF THAT APARTMENT HOUSE, AND SO WHEN I SEE THAT, OF COURSE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I, YOU KNOW, THAT RELATES PERSONALLY AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, A MIXTURE OF GRIEF AND ANGER AND QUESTIONS AND SO ON.

BUT I -- I THINK THAT UKRAINE, WHICH HAS ENDURED DESTRUCTION DURING WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II WILL RISE AGAIN LIKE A PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES AND FROM THE RUBBLE OF THIS HORRIBLE ASSAULT, THIS HORRIBLE INVASION.

AND SO YES, IT WILL BE, YOU KNOW, THE DESTRUCTION IS THERE AND IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO REBUILD UKRAINE, BUT YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY WHO HAS COME FROM THERE AND YOU KNOW, HEARING STORIES OF MY PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS AND GREAT GRANDPARENTS WHO ENDURED WORLD WAR II, YES, DESTRUCTION IS HORRIBLE BUT IT IS POSSIBLE TO REBUILD AFTER DESTRUCTION.

>> PROFESSOR IVANOV, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

>> SINCE IT LAUNCHED IN MID JULY, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE DIALED IN TO THE NEW SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE IN WISCONSIN REACHED BY CALLING 988.

FAMILY SERVICES OF NORTHEAST WISCONSIN MANAGES THE CALL CENTER WITH COUNSELORS ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE FOR PEOPLE DIALING 988 SEEKING HELP.

SHELLY MISSALL IS THE PROGRAM MANAGER AND JOINS US FROM GREEN BAY.

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SO, WHAT IS THE VOLUME OF CALLS RIGHT NOW AT THE 988 CALL CENTER?

>> WE ARE SEEING ABOUT 4,000 CALLS A MONTH COMING IN.

>> AND HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO PREVIOUS HOTLINES?

>> SO PRIOR TO 988 LAUNCHING, IT WAS PRETTY SIMILAR.

WE HAVE SEEN CONTINUED GROWTH OVER THE YEARS, SO WE LOOK BACK JUST ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF TO JANUARY OF 2021, WE WERE TAKING ABOUT 1100 CALLS A MONTH, AND SO THE LAST PROBABLY 3 OR 4 MONTHS WE HAVE BEEN AT THAT 4,000 MARK, SO WE HAVE JUST SEEN NATURAL GROWTH IN THE UTILIZATION OF THE LINE.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF GROWTH IN NEW CALLERS WITH THE LAUNCH OF 988.

>> WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE NEW CALL LINE THAT PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO?

>> I THINK IT'S AN AWARENESS AND A CURIOSITY.

SOME OF THE CALLS ARE ABOUT PEOPLE JUST EXPLORING THAT SERVICE, MAYBE NOT BEING CONNECTED IN, NOT HAVING KNOWN WHAT THE SERVICE WAS OR THAT IT EXISTED PREVIOUSLY.

AND A HUGE PART OF THAT IS THE EASY ACCESS TO OBVIOUSLY THAT THREE DIGIT DIALING WITH 988 IS A LOT EASIER TO ACCESS AND REMEMBER THAN THE TEN DIGIT 800 NUMBER.

ALTHOUGH THAT TEN DIGIT 800 NUMBER STILL DOES EXIST AS A LEGACY AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST AND BE USABLE AS WELL.

>> SO IN FACT, IT'S CALLED THE SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE BUT YOU HAVE TOLD US THAT FEWER THAN MAYBE A THIRD OF THE CALLS ARE THE EMERGENCY CALLS.

WHAT ARE THEY MORE SO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MOST OF THE CALLS THAT WE ARE SEEING ARE FOLKS WHO ARE CALLING JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL CRISIS.

IT COULD BE THEY ARE HAVING RELATIONSHIPS ISSUES, JOB ISSUES, FINANCIAL ISSUES, THEY ARE HAVING SOME ISSUES MANAGING THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, WHATEVER THAT INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL CRISIS IS THEY JUST NEED SOMEBODY TO TALK TO RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH, SO YOU'VE ALSO SAID THAT SOMETIMES IT'S HELPERS THEMSELVES THAT CALL WHO SEEK THE ANONYMITY OF THIS LINE.

DESCRIBE THAT KIND OF CALLER.

>> YEAH, SO ONE OF THE REALLY NICE THINGS ABOUT THE LIFELINE IS IT IS FREE AND ANONYMOUS, SO FOLKS DON'T EVEN NEED TO TELL US THEIR NAME WHEN THEY CALL IN.

AND THAT CREATES A GREAT SPACE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE HELPERS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY, THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS, THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING IN THE LOCAL CRISIS SYSTEMS, WHO ARE WORKING IN E.R., THINGS LIKE THAT, AND THEY ARE IMMERSED IN THIS, AND DON'T WANT TO REACH OUT TO A CO-WORKER FOR HELP OR SOMEBODY THAT WILL RECOGNIZE ME THAT I HAVE TO WORK WITH TOMORROW, AND SO WE ARE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS LIKE THAT TO HAVE SOMEBODY TO TALK TO WITH A LITTLE MORE ANONYMITY AND LESS CONCERN ABOUT THAT RECOGNITION AND HOW THAT IMPACTS THEIR DAY-TO-DAY WORK RELATIONSHIPS.

>> BUT IN A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION YOU DO HAVE A MECHANISM FOR REFERRING ON TO EMERGENCY SERVICES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO, WE COLLABORATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ACROSS THE STATE OF WISCONSIN AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC SAFETY OR 911 DISPATCH CENTERS, SO WE ARE CONNECTING IN WITH THOSE IN THE IMMINENT RISK SITUATIONS WHEN THERE IS SERIOUS RISK OF HARM TO SELF OR OTHERS.

HOWEVER, THAT IS A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF THE CALLS THAT WE ACTUALLY TAKE, AND THAT WE NEED TO DO THAT SORT OF INTERVENTION WITH SO IT'S REALLY ABOUT 1% OF THE CALLS WE TAKE WHERE WE ARE GETTING INTERVENTION LIKE THAT HAPPENING.

>> SOME HAVE WONDERED WHETHER CALL VOLUME IS SO HIGH PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT OR GET TRANSFERRED TO A NATIONAL HOTLINE.

HOW WELL STAFFED UP IS THE 988 CALL CENTER TO HANDLE THE LOAD?

>> SO IN WISCONSIN WE ARE DOING REALLY WELL WITH OUR STAFFING AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THAT CAPACITY OF THE CALLS AND WE DO CONTINUE TO BUILD CAPACITY BY ADDING STAFF, I BELIEVE WE ARE ADDING ABOUT TWO POSITIONS A MONTH RIGHT NOW FOR THE ONGOING AND FORESEEABLE FUTURE, SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO HIRE ADDITIONAL COUNSELORS TO BUILD THAT STAFF AND PART OF THAT HAS BEEN STRATEGIC AT A NATIONAL LEVEL AND WITHIN WISCONSIN WITH THAT ROLL-OUT.

WE DID SEE SOME MEDIA EARLY ON AND SO THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF SHARING, BUT IT'S BEEN A MORE OF A SOFT LAUNCH AND BUILDING CAPACITY ACROSS THE STATE TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REACHING OUT AND WE'LL SEE MORE COMING FACING THE PUBLIC AS FAR AS SHARING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT 988 NEXT YEAR.

>> DOES THE POPULARITY OF 988 HIGHLIGHT HOW MUCH PEOPLE NEED A LISTENING EAR AND JUST HELP FIGURING OUT WHERE TO GO OR WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?

>> I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GREAT OBSERVATION.

YEAH, THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS WHO COULD USE SOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BUT IF THEY'VE NEVER BEEN CONNECTED IN WITH THE RESOURCES THAT EXIST THEY MIGHT JUST NOT KNOW IT'S THERE.

SO 988 IS GREAT, IT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE WHAT'S OUT THERE, IT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES THAT EXIST, ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES AND PLACES THEY CAN GO TO IN A CRISIS, AND IT REALLY BUILDS UPON THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO GET CONNECTED WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED IN A SAFE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT.

>> AND EASY NUMBER TO CALL AS WELL.

SHELLY MISSALL, THANKS FOR THE CALL AND FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> TONIGHT WE BRING YOU THE SECOND OF TWO INTERVIEWS OF THE CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.

LAST WEEK WE TALKED WITH DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT, SECRETARY DOUG LA FOLLETTE.

NEXT WE HEAR FROM REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE AMY LOUDENBECK OF CLINTON.

FIRST ELECTED TO THE STATE ASSEMBLY IN 2010 AND SERVES AS VICE CHAIR OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

AMY LOUDENBECK, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> FIRST, WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE SECRETARY OF STATE?

>> WELL, THE OFFICE CAN BE IMPORTANT AND I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN NEGLECTED FOR TOO LONG.

I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY RESTORE PURPOSE AND RESPECT TO AN OFFICE THAT IS CONSTITUTIONAL, DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE VOTERS AND I SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT OFFICE WORK AGAIN FOR THE PEOPLE.

>> NOW, YOU WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ADMINISTRATION OF ELECTIONS TO THAT OFFICE.

WHY?

>> I HAVE SUGGESTED THAT AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE WISCONSIN ELECTION COMMISSION COULD INCLUDE A SECRETARY OF STATE.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF A NEW MODEL AND I THINK THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT OTHER STATES DO, SECRETARIES OF STATE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITH REGARDS TO ADMINISTERING ELECTIONS.

IT'S A MINISTERIAL POSITION.

I'M NOT ADVOCATING FOR COMPLETE POWER OR CONTROL OVER ELECTIONS.

I AM ADVOCATING FOR A NEW MODEL THAT UTILIZES THIS CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE IN ANY WAY THAT IT CAN ADD VALUE TO THAT ROLE.

>> DOESN'T MOVING ELECTION ADMINISTRATION INTO THAT ELECTED OFFICE POLITICIZE THE FUNCTION, THOUGH?

>> I'VE BEEN REALLY CLEAR AS I'VE BEEN CAMPAIGNING THAT I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT UNILATERAL POWER.

I AM PROPOSING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ARE MINISTERIAL IN NATURE, THAT COULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THAT OFFICE.

LOCAL CLERKS IN WISCONSIN RUN ELECTIONS.

WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IS TRAINING OR GUIDANCE OR MAINTAINING THE VOTER ROLLS.

DUTIES THAT, LIKE I SAID, ARE MINISTERIAL IN NATURE AND NOT DISCRETIONARY.

>> HERE'S WHAT THE INCUMBENT CHALLENGER SAID LAST WEEK "TRUMPITE REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL OF SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICES SO THEY CAN MAYBE FIDDLE WITH THE ELECTION," HE SAID, "IN 2024."

>> PERHAPS IT'S HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES WHERE SECRETARY OF STATE HAVE MORE POWER THAN HERE, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE HERE.

I AM RUNNING BECAUSE DOUG LA FOLLETTE DOES NOT THINK THE OFFICE IS IMPORTANT AND I DO.

WE DON'T HAVE A SECRETARY OF STATE THAT TAKES HIS JOB SERIOUSLY, I WILL.

THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING.

>> SO THE ONLY WAY TO MOVE ELECTIONS FUNCTIONS, I WOULD THINK, TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS IF A REPUBLICAN IS ELECTED GOVERNOR.

I ALSO SEE SPEAKER ROBIN VOSS HAS ENDORSED YOU.

WOULD HE CEDE ANY KIND OF LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT OF ELECTIONS TO YOUR OFFICE SHOULD YOU BE ELECTED, HAVE YOU SPOKEN WITH HIM ABOUT THAT?

>> HE HAS STATED HE IS NOT INTERESTING IN TRANSFERRING POWER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO OVERSEE ELECTIONS, LIKE I SAID I'M TALKING ABOUT DUTIES AND I THINK MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE IS, AND THE DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE, IS THE STRONG ONE AND IT'S ONE THAT IS BORNE ON MUTUAL RESPECT AND RESULTS.

WHEN WE HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS, LET'S NOT FORGET WE HAVE THE OFFICE TO ADD VALUE TO THE PROCESS OF ELECTION OVERSIGHT AND ADMINISTRATION.

THAT'S THE FIRST STEP, I THINK FOR A LONG CONVERSATION THAT IS GOING TO BE PART OF THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BUT AT A MINIMUM, IF ELECTED, MY GOAL WOULD BE TO MODERNIZE THE OFFICE, TO BE RESPONSIVE TO REQUEST FOR AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS, TO BE A BILLION DOLLAR BOARD MEMBER FOR THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ABOUT PUBLIC LANDS AND ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN THE ROLE THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE THAT I SEE AS BEING NEGLECTED RIGHT NOW.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AS YOUR BEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN YOUR CAREER IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> WELL, OF THE OVER 50 BILLS THAT I HAVE HAD PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW SINCE I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE, IT'S DIFFICULT, YOU CAN'T REALLY CHOOSE AMONG YOUR CHILDREN.

BUT I'VE DONE A LOT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, I'VE DONE A LOT IN REGARDS TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

BEEN A REALLY DILIGENT MEMBER OF THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE TO PRIORITIZE OUR EXPENSES BUT ALSO BE FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE AND TURN A SURPLUS THAT OUR STATE HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT DEFICIT, A LOT OF THINGS I CAN BE PROUD OF.

>> WHY SHOULD VOTERS ELECT YOU OVER THE LONG TIME INCUMBENT?

>> BECAUSE I THINK THIS JOB IS IMPORTANT, I WANT IT TO BE IMPORTANT, I DON'T THINK HE TAKES THIS ROLE SERIOUSLY, I THINK HE'S BECOME COMPLACENT AND I THINK HE'S BECOME ARROGANT AND I THINK WE DESERVE A SECRETARY OF STATE THAT HAS RESPECT FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND I INTEND TO DO THAT AND DO THAT WELL AND WITH A CONSISTENT WORK ETHIC AND DIPLOMACY THAT THE JOB REQUIRES.

>> AMY LOUDENBECK, THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WBSWISCONSIN.ORG AND CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.

THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT.

I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> FUNDING FOR "HERE & NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS ISCONSIN.