[♪] >> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.

>> IN THIS WE'RE IN THE BEST FISCAL POSITION WE'VE BEEN IN OUR 175 YEARS OF STATEHOOD.

>> Frederica: GOVERNOR TONY EVERS DISCOVERED HIS 2023 STATE BUDGET ADDRESS.

THE PRIMARY ELECTION FOR STATE SUPREME COURT IS ON TUESDAY AND DESPITE STRUGGLES UKRAINE REFUGEES WORK ON.

I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

TONIGHT ON "HERE & NOW" WE HEAR FROM TOP LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AS THE BUDGET PROCESS GETS UNDERWAY.

ZAC SCHULTZ REPORTS ON A JUSTICE WHO HASN'T ENDORSED A CANDIDATE IS HAVING A BIG IMPACT ON TUESDAY'S PRIMARY AND WE SPEAK WITH UKRAINE REFUGEES RESETTLED IN WISCONSIN.

IT'S "HERE & NOW" FOR FEBRUARY 17th.

>> Frederica: GOVERNOR TONY EVERS PROPOSED THE LARGEST BUDGET IN STATE HISTORY WITH INVESTMENTS IN SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC GOVERNMENT.

>> WE CARRY THE WEIGHT OF PROSPERITY WE HAVE A DUTY TO INVEST IN NEEDS THAT HAVE BEEN LONG NEGLECTED.

>> Frederica: WISCONSIN'S $7 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS IS FUELED IN PART BY THE FACT REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR EVERS COULD NOT AGREE ON HOW TO SPEND THE SPUR PLUS TWO YEARS AGO.

NOW EVERS SAID THE STATE NEEDS TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME AND HE'S PROPOSING AN ADDITIONAL $2.6 BILLION INVESTMENT IN K-12 EDUCATION OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> TONIGHT I'M CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO JOIN ME IN DOING WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS BY IMPROVING THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN K-12 SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

>> Frederica: THAT INCLUDES $1 BILLION IN ADDITIONAL AID TO SCHOOLS INCLUDING REVENUE BOOSTS OF $350 PER PUPIL IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BUDGET AROUND $650 IN YEAR TWO.

HISTORICALLY THE STATE STRUGGLED TO PAY FOR TWO-THIRDS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL COSTS BUT THIS BUDGET WOULD PUT STATE FUNDING EIGHT POINTS ABOVE THAT AND INVEST AN EXTRA $1 BILLION INTO SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING AND $270 MILLION FOR STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH.

>> LET'S MAKE SURE EVERY KID IN WISCONSIN HAS ACCESS TO SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>> Frederica: THE BUDGET WOULD INCLUDE A PERMANENT BOOST TO FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS USING AN IDEA REPUBLICANS CLAIM EVERS TOOK FROM THEM.

>> I PLEDGE MY SUPPORT TO SEND 20% OF THE STATE SALES TAX REVENUE BA TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES FOR SHARED REVENUE AND OUR BUDGET INCLUDES THAT PROPOSAL I DON'T CARE WHERE IT CAME FROM PROVIDING MORE THAN HALF A BILLION IN RESOURCES TO INVEST IN KEY PRIORITIES LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE HAVE TO GET THIS DONE FAST.

>> Frederica: A LARGE PART OF THE BUDGET CONVERSATION DATING BACK TO THE ELECTION LAST YEAR WAS ABOUT TAX CUTS.

>> I'M DELIVERING ON MY PROMISE FOR A 10% MIDDLE-CLASS TAX CUT AND PROVIDING $1.2 BILLION IN TAX RELIEF FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

>> Frederica: REPUBLICANS HAVE FLOAT THE IDEA OF MOVING TO A FLAT TAX WHICH WOULD PRIMARILY BENEFIT WEALTHY TAXPAYERS.

>> UNDER MY PLAN IF YOU'RE A SINGLE FILER MAKING LESS THAN $100,000 OR MARRIED JOINT FILER MAKING LESS THAN $150,000 THE CORNERSTONE OF MY TAX PLAN WILL CUT YOUR TAXES BY 10%.

THAT'S REAL SUSTAINABLE RELIEF THAT WILL KEEP INCOME TAXES LOW NOW AND IN THE FUTURE WITHOUT CAUSING DEVASTATING CUTS TO PRIORITIES LIKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Frederica: THE BIGGEST NEW PROPOSAL UNVEILED WEDNESDAY WAS THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE PROGRAM.

>> I AM ANNOUNCING WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A STATEWIDE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MOST PRIVATE SECTOR WORKERS WITH WISCONSIN PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE FOR 12 WEEKS AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT BY INVESTING MORE THAN MORE $240 MILLION IN FUNDS TO GET THAT FUND GOING.

>> Frederica: SIMILAR TO THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT PLAN, PAID FAMILY LEAVE WOULD EVENTUALLY BE PAID BY FEES BY WORKERS AND BUSINESSES.

THE BUDGET ADDRESS THE GOVERNOR'S LAST CHANCE TO DIRECT THE DEBATE.

IT NOW GOES TO THE LEGISLATURE WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE ALREADY PROMISED TO IGNORE THE ENTIRE PROPOSAL.

BUT EVERS ENDED HIS SPEECH WITH ONE LAST PLEA FOR REPUBLICANS TO CONSIDER HIS IDEA.

>> LET'S DISPOSE OF THE NOTION THAT PRIORITIES IN THE BUDGET ARE SOMEHOW EXTREME OR FAR FETCHED.

I PROMISE YOU THIS, IN THIS BUDGET THERE'S MORE THAN UNITES US THESE ARE WISCONSIN AREAS WHERE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND.

>> Frederica: THE STATE BUDGET IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE.

NEXT WE TURN TO THE CO-CHAIR OF THE POWERFUL BUDGET WRITING COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVE MARK BORN.

WE SAT DOWN WITH HIM AT THE STATE ALCOCAPITOL AND ASKED ON REACTION TO THE BUDGET.

>> IT'S DISAPPOINTMENT.

IT'S REALLY NOT A REALISTIC BUDGET, UNSUSTAINABLE, MASSING SPENDING, TAX INCREASES IN A VARIETY OF AREAS AND VARIETY OF WAYS.

GROWING GOVERNMENT, NEW PROGRAMS EVEN FINDING A WAY TO WORK A NEW AGENCY IN.

THAT WAS A SURPRISE FOR SOME OF US.

SO DISAPPOINTING.

CERTAINLY NOT HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

NOT ONE WE CAN REALLY WORK WITH OR WORK FROM.

WE HAVE TO START FROM CURRENT LAW AND BUILD FROM THERE ON A BUDGET THAT WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.

>> Frederica: WHAT WILL YOUR SPENDING PRIORITIES BE?

>> I THINK NO SURPRISE TO FOLKS BOTH BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN ARE WHO TELL US WHAT THE PRIORITIES SHOULD BE BUT ALSO IT'S BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENT SEVERAL YEARS NOW THERE'S REAL TOP PRIORITIES WE KEEP BUILDING ON FROM EDUCATION TO INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS TO HEALTH CARE.

I THINK THERE'S MAYBE ONE SLIGHTLY NEW ONE THIS TIME THAT'S BEEN GETTING A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND WORK DONE ON IT ALREADY TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO FUND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN A BETTER WAY OR TO MAKE MORE SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM FUNDING AND IT'S CERTAINLY ONE WE'RE WORKING ON.

I THINK MAYBE HOPEFULLY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPROMISE.

WE'LL SEE.

THE GOVERNOR CERTAINLY APPROACHED IT IN SOME WAYS WE WILL NOT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO INCREASE TAXES IN CITIES ACROSS WISCONSIN IS PART OF HIS PLAN.

THAT'S NOT THE MODEL.

BUT INVESTMENTS OF NEW SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCES WITH CHANGES.

WITH REFORMS AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND INNOVATION.

>> Frederica: AS TO THAT COMMON GROUND AROUND SHARED REVENUE AND MONEY GOING BACK TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED HE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE 20% OF THE STATE'S SALES TAX AND RETURN IT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

AND HE CREDITS THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE WITH COMING UP WITH THAT IDEA.

IS THAT THE PLAN?

>> THE DETAILS ARE NOT SETTLED.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS REFERRED TO.

HE TOOK DIFFERENT APPROACHES WITH TAX INCREASES COUPLED WITH THE 20% AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT'S FOCUSSED ON INNOVATION AND THE FUTURE AND SOME REFORMS NOT JUST THE SAME OLD, SAME OLD AT A LOCAL LEVEL BUT STILL, NEW SUSTAINABLE FUNDING FOR THE FUTURE TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE SERVICES THEY NEED TO PROVIDE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THERE'LL BE SOME PARALLELS BUT THERE'S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE DIFFERENCES TOO.

>> Frederica: IN THE PAST REPUBLICANS HAVE TALKED ABOUT BEING IN FAVOR OF SOME KIND OF FAMILY LEAVE AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET ADDRESS.

ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THAT OR HOW MIGHT YOUR MODEL BE DIFFERENT?

>> I THINK IT'S UNLIKELY THERE WOULD BE A BRAND NEW PROGRAM OF THAT LEVEL IN A STATE BUDGET.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD RUN THROUGH LEGISLATION THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS, DEBATE, DISCUSSION WITH COMMUNITIES OF INTEREST AND CERTAINLY THE PLAN HE PUT FORWARD IS IS POLICY.

>> Frederica: YOU TALKED ABOUT PRIORITY BEING K-12 EDUCATION.

HE WANTS TO BOOST SPENDING $2.6 BILLION.

WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER?

>> OVER NUMBER WILL BE DECIDED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS IN THE BUDGET DELIBERATIONS.

THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

I WON'T HAVE A NUMBER TODAY BUT I KNOW WE'LL INVEST IN EDUCATION.

>> Frederica: WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THE NEARLY $300 MILLION TO THE BREWER STADIUM?

>> LIKE THIS THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS AND HAVE TO DO WORK TO LOOK AT THIS AND NEED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN FOR SURE AND HAVE DISCUSSION ABOUT THAT BUT CERTAINLY I THINK FOLKS GENERALLY WANT TO WORK TOWARDS KEEPING THE BREWERS IN WISCONSIN AND MILWAUKEE HOPEFULLY FOR A LONG TIME.

>> Frederica: AS TO TAX CUTS, GOVERNOR EVERS CUTS ABOUT $1.5 BILLION WITH A 10% CUT FOR EARNERS MARRIED EARNERS UP TO $150,000 -- UNDER $150,000.

WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THAT, FIRST OF ALL?

>> THE SIMPLE REACTION IS OVER ALL TAX CUTS ARE GOOD BUT IT CUTS TAXES IN ONE SPOT AND RAISE AS A BUNCH IN OTHER AREAS.

IT'S REALLY NOT TAX REFORM.

IT'S NOT REALLY TAX CUTS.

IT'S MORE OF WITH A LITTLE DO A FEW NICE THINGS HERE AND A BUNCH OF THINGS THAT ARE THE WRONG DIRECTION ON TAX POLICY IN OTHER AREAS AND YOU WON'T SEE A REPUBLICAN BUDGET THAT WILL LOOK LIKE THAT WHEN IT COMES TO TAX POLICY.

>> Frederica: WILL WE SEE A FLAT TAX IN THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET?

>> I THINK FOR A WHILE NOW WE'VE BEEN MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AND THAT'S A GREAT GOAL.

WHETHER OR NOT WE'LL GET TO A FLAT TAX IN THIS BUDGET REMAINS TO BE SEEN BUT I THINK WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO TAX REFORM THAT MOVES US IN THAT DIRECTION AND MAKES US MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE MIDWEST WITH STATES HAVING A FLAT TAX.

>> Frederica: IF YOU CAN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT WHERE TO SPEND THE EXTRAORDINARY SURPLUS, WILL YOU ALLOW A LOT OF THAT TO ROLL OVER TO THE NEXT TIME?

>> WE HAVE AN ACCOUNT AND REVENUES.

I DON'T THINK YOU'LL SEE OUR BUDGET WITH HOLDING A LOT OF MONEY BUT SAVE FOR A RAINY DAY.

WE MAE KEEP MORE IN THE BALANCE OR THERE BUT WE WON'T KEEP SURPLUSES IF THE GOVERNOR'S VETO CAUSES THAT THAT'S HIS DECISION THEN.

WE'LL SEND HIM A BUDGET THAT'S REASONABLE AND INVESTS IN PRIORITIES AND RETURNS MONEY TO THE TAXPAYERS WITH INFLATIONARY TIMES AND SOME OF HIS VETOES LEFT MONEY IN THE STATE SAVINGS ACCOUNT, SO TO SPEAK, THEN THAT WILL BE WHAT HAPPENS BUT THAT'S NOW HOW WE'LL CRAFT THE BUDGET.

>> Frederica: REPRESENTATIVE MARK BORN THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Frederica: WE SPOKE WITH JASON STEIN RESEARCH DIRECTOR OF THE WISCONSIN POLICY FORUM FOR HIS TAKE ON THE BUDGET NUMBERS.

WHAT STANDS OUT IN THIS ADDRESS?

>> THE INCREASE FOR A WHOLE VARIETY OF PRIORITIES.

STARTING WITH SCHOOL AND HEALTH CARE AND THINGS WE TRADITIONALLY EXPECT AND THEN THROW IN MORE THAN $290 MILLION FOR MILLER PARK AND FOR MEDICAL LEAVE AND BROADBAND.

THE NON-TRADITIONAL PRIORITIES EASILY ABOVE $1 BILLION JUST THOSE THREE.

>> HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO OTHER BUDGETS?

>> NOTHING LIKE WE'VE SEEN BEFORE.

IT'S UNPRECEDENTED.

IT ALLOWS FOR BOTH PARTY TO THINK BIG ON THE TAX CUT OR SPENDING SIDE.

AT THE SAME TIME A LOT OF SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES THAT WILL LOWER THE STATE'S RESERVES SUBSTANTIALLY WHICH IS APPROPRIATE BUT I THINK THE SPENDING HAPPENING MAY BE DIFICULT TO SUSTAIN IN THE NEXT BUDGET.

>> Frederica: AS TO THE TAX CUTS THE GOVERNOR REGARDS THEM AS TAX CUTS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS OPPOSED TO WHAT WE UNDERSTAND REPUBLICAN BUDGET WRITERS ARE TRIND WHICH MAY BE A FLAT TAX.

HOW DO THE PLANS COMPARE?

>> THE FIRST THING IS THE GOVERNOR HAS A MIX OF TAX INCREASES THAT WILL PRIMARILY FALL ON UPPER INCOME EARNERS AND TAX CUTS FOR MIDDLE AN LOW INCOME EARNERS.

WHILE THE REPUBLICAN PLAN PUTS FORWARD A LARGE TAX CUT THAT ALSO WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN IN FUTURE YEAR AND RAMP UP TO $5 BILLION A YEAR.

>> Frederica: DO YOU THINK THERE'S MORE COMPROMISE TO BE HAD IN THE BUDGET?

>> THE GOVERNOR'S BIG SIGNATURE PROPOSALS YOU WOULD NOT EXPECT THEM TO GO THROUGH AS PASSED BUT IN AREAS FOR AID FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT WE CALL SHARED REVENUE AND IN PERHAPS MILLER PARK OR THE BREWERS STADIUM AND SOME OF THOSE AREAS REPEALING THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX YOU COULD EXPECT TO SEE SOME GIVE AND TAKE AND MAYBE AN ALTERNATE COMPROMISE PROPOSAL.

>> IN ELECTION NEWS, FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, EVERY MAJOR DECISION BY THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT HAS BEEN MADE BY ONE MAN, JUSTICE BRAN HAGEDORN HE OFTEN GIVES A 4-3 ADVANTAGE BUT HE SIDES WITH THE THREE LIBERALS INFURIATING HIS CONSERVATIVE COLLEAGUES.

"HERE & NOW" REPORTER ZAC SCHULTZ REPORTS HOW HAGEDORN'S STREAK ON THE COURT HAS BECOME A FACTOR IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION COMING UP NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21.

>> I THINK IT'S NO SECRET HE AND I DISAGREED ON SIGNIFICANT CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS.

>> OF THE FOUR CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT, DANIEL KELLY IS THE MOST OUTSPOKEN ABOUT JUSTICE BRIAN HAGEDORN.

>> IT'S NOT PERSONAL OPINION, IT'S NOT PREFERENCES.

THIS IS WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES.

SO WE DISAGREE ON A PROFOUND LEVEL ON SIGNIFICANT ISSUES.

>> KELLY AND HAGEDORN WERE ON THE COURT TOGETHER ONE YEAR BEFORE KELLY LOST HIS RE-ELECTION BID IN 2020.

THEY WERE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE VERSUS POLE IN BATTLING THE PANDEMIC.

AFTER KELLY LOST HAGEDORN'S PROMINENCE INCREASED AND HE SIDED WITH LIBERALS TO KEEP THE GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES OFF THE BALLOT AND IN THE GO FORWARD WHERE DONALD TRUMP TRIED TO THROW OUT SOME ELECTIONS.

>> HE WAS ELECTED AND WHEN HIS TERM WAS UP IF HE CHOOSES TO RUN AGAIN HE WILL NEED TO MAKE A REPORT OF HIS WORK TO THE PEOPLE OF WISCONSIN.

>> BRIAN HAGEDORN DECLINED TO COMMENT FOR THE STORY.

HIS TERM IS NOT OVER UNTIL 2029 BUT IT HASN'T STOPPED KELLY FROM USING HAGEDORN AS A FOIL TELLING VOTERS THEY SHOULDN'T SERVE FOR CANDIDATE DOROW BECAUSE SHE COULD BE ANOTHER HAGEDORN.

>> YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO ELECT A CANDIDATE TO FIND OUT IF THEY ARE A CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATIVE.

THAT WAS THE POSITION WE WERE IN WITH BRIAN HAGEDORN.

IT DOESN'T WORK OUT SO WELL.

>> JENNIFER DOROW HAD LITTLE TO SAY ABOUT JUSTICE HAGEDORN EXCEPT TO NOTE WHOEVER WINS THE ELECTION WILL BE SERVING WITH HIM ON THE COURT.

>> I CAN'T SPEAK FOR HIM OR HIS METHODOLOGY.

WHAT I CAN DO IS FOCUS ON WHAT I WILL BRING TO THE COURT AND THAT IS AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO BE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL TO APPLY THE LAW TO THE FACTS OF EACH CASE.

TO BRING COLLEGIALITY TO THE COURT AS WELL.

TO WORK WITH ALL OF THE JUSTICES ON THE BENCH AS WE WRESTLE WITH REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES.

>> THE TWO LIBERAL CANDIDATES ALSO DON'T WANT TO BE DIRECTLY COMPARED TO HAGEDORN BECAUSE HE'S A CONSERVATIVE BUT DO LIKE HIS IMAGE AS INDEPENDENT.

>> WHEN BRIAN KELLY CALLED OUT HAGEDORN AS SUPREMELY UNRELIABLE BECAUSE HE VOTED AGAINST THE BLOCK AND EXERTED HIS INDEPENDENT THOUGHT AND HE'S LABELLED AS SUPREMELY UNRELIABLE?

LIKE IT'S A BAD THING?

>> I SEE HIM DOING WHAT JUDGES AND JUSTICES HOPEFULLY DO, DOES NOT BECOME SO RIGID IN IDEOLOGY YOU CAN'T LISTEN OR BE MOVED BY THE FACTS IN FRONT OF YOU.

THAT'S WHAT WE ALL SHOULD AS SPIRE TO BE ABLE TO DO IS MOVE INSIDE THAT SPACE BECAUSE THE FACTS CAN SOMETIMES PULL YOU IN THE DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

>> IF MITCHELL WINS THEY WOULD CREATE A MAJORITY.

WOULD VOTERS EXPECT THEM TO OCCASIONALLY FRUSTRATE SUPPORTERS BY SHOWING INDEPENDENCE?

>> I THINK THE IDEA YOU CAN ANTICIPATE WHAT PEOPLE RULE IS WHY OUR COURTS LOSE LEGITIMACY.

IT SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE THE CURIOSITY OF THE FACTS BROUGHT BEFORE YOU NOT PEOPLE SAYING WELL, I KNOW WHAT THEY WOULD DO AND EXACTLY HOW TO FRAME THE CASE BASED ON WHO IS IN THE SEAT.

>> BE INDEPENDENT IS WHAT EVERYBODY SHOULD DO.

YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PRE DETERMINE WHAT A SUPREME COURT'S GOING TO DO.

THEY SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THE LAW, UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION AND YOU HEAR LOOK AT THIS.

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS JUSTICE HAGEDORN DIDN'T DO WHAT WE THOUGHT HE'D DO AND NOW HE'S SUPREMELY UNRELIABLE?

MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED INDEPENDENT AND THOUGHTFUL.

>> Frederica: REPORTING FROM MADISON, FOR "HERE & NOW".

>> Frederica: UKRAINE HAS BEEN INVADED FORCING MANY TO ABANDON THEIR HOMES AND WE HAVE A STORY HOW UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN WISCONSIN AND GROUPS HELPING THEM ARE HELPING THEM OVERCOME CHALLENGE.

>> WE WENT TO BED AT 4:30, 5:00.

WE HEARD AN INCREDIBLE EXPLOSION.

>> ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE INVASION LAST FEBRUARY, PETER POROSHKOV AND HIS WIFE WERE SHAKEN.

>> IT STARTED BUMPING.

>> WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS CLOSING IN ON THEIR HOME NE -- KIEV THE DECIDED TO TAKE THEIR DAUGHTERS AND LEAVE UKRAINE AND LEAVE.

>> WE HAD TO LEAVE.

IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE WE HAD TO LEAVE OUR DOG.

WE HAVE A GERMAN SHEPHERD.

>> EVEN AS WAR ERUPTED AROUND THEM KSENIA REMEMBERS BEING IN DISBELIEF.

>> FROM ONE POINT YOU CAN'T BELIEVE IT THEN YOU'RE RACING TO DO SOMETHING.

>> TRAVELLING THROUGH ROMANIA AND POLAND THEN FURTHER INTO EUROPE TOOK THE SOKOR FAMILY OF FIVE ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THEY EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO MEXICO.

AFTER CROSSING THE BORDER THEY WERE INVITED TO STAY WITH A FAMILY HERE IN WISCONSIN.

EVENTUALLY SECURING THEIR OWN APARTMENT IN STOUGHTON THE STORY OF TRAVEL AND UNCERTAIN DEGREE DESTINATIONS.

>> THEY HAD TOO LEARN A NEW LACK WATH.

FOR RECENT REFUGEES LIKE THE POROSHKOV FAMILY OF FOUR MANY GROUPS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO HELP.

>> WE HAVE ENGLISH CLASSES ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS IN THE EVENING AND HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS AND DIFFERENT TEACHERS WHO WE DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING BUT THEY ARE FRIENDLY AND EXPLAIN A LOT.

>> ONE OF THE GROUPS HELPING THE REFUGEES IS THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THEY HELPED ALMOST A DOZEN UKRAINIAN FAMILIES WHO MOVED TO THE AREA IN THE LAST YEAR.

THE VOLUNTEERS HELP HE REFUGEES APPLY FOR JOBS SOCIAL SECURITY JOBS AND DRIVER'S LICENSES AND HEALTH CARE.

>> IT'S BECOME VERY OVERWHELMING AT TIMES BUT THE PAYOFF IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE HERE NOW WHO WE CONSIDER FAMILY.

>> BECAUSE MANY OF THE REFUGEE FAMILIES CAME HERE WITH NOTHING, THEY ALSO RELY ON OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS FOOD PANTRIES AND CLOTHING BANKS BUT THE FAMILIES STILL STRUGGLE WITH THE EMOTIONAL STRESS OF LEAVING LOVED ONES IN THEIR WAR-TORN HOMELAND.

>> I CAN'T SLEEP.

I HAVE BAD DREAMS ABOUT MY FAMILY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WAR.

>> WE DID NOT EXPECT IT WOULD BE HARD FOR THE YOUNGEST BECAUSE FOR YOUNG KIDS IT'S MORE SIMPLE TO GET ACCUSTOM.

BUT SHE WAS CRYING A LOT AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR US TOO.

>> HE STAYS UP LATE AT NIGHT TO TALK WITH HIS BROTHER AND FATHER STILL IN UKRAINE.

ASIDE FROM THE THREAT OF WAR AND VIOLENCE THEY TELL HIM THEIR GAS AND ELECTRICITY IS OFTEN NOT WORKING.

>> IT'S NOT EASY TO LIVE THERE RIGHT NOW.

IT'S SAD.

>> ANOTHER HURDLE FOR REFUGEES TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IS A WORK PERMIT.

NATALIA FOUND A WORK AT A LOCAL FLORAL SHOP AND IT HAPPENED QUICKLY BUT FOR OTHERS LIKE PETER SOKOR THERE COULD BE COMPLICATION.

>> WHILE WAITING FOR THE WORK AUTHORIZATION I DECIDED TO TAKE COURSES FOR PROGRAMMING ON THE SECOND SEMESTER NOW STUDYING.

AND IT'S HARD.

BUT NOW I ALSO STARTED GETTING PRIVATE LESSONS AS A PIANIST.

>> WE'RE HELPING WITH EXPENSES FOR THEIR FAMILIES UNTIL THEY GET ON THEIR FEET BECAUSE THEY COME WITH NOTHING.

>> DONATIONS HAVE ALL BUT DRIED UP.

>> WE HAD TO STOP SPONSORING NEW FAMILIES FROM UKRAINE WHICH WAS A VERY DIFFICULT CHOICE BECAUSE WE HAVE FAMILIES HERE WHO ARE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FAMILY MEMBERS TO BE SPONSORED AND BROUGHT OVER BUT WE REALLY CAN'T SPONSOR MORE PEOPLE UNTIL WE RECEIVE MORE DONATIONS.

THERE IS SOMETHING THEY CALL GIVING FATIGUE WHERE IT JUST BECOMES A LOT.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE DONATED SO MUCH ANYTHING THEY ALREADY COULD AND I THINK THE WAR HAS GONE ON FOR A YEAR NOW AND SO AS IT CONTINUES I THINK PEOPLE ARE LESS AND LESS ABLE TO HELP.

>> DESPITE THEIR CURRENT FINANCIAL STRUGGLES, THE RESETTLEMENT GROUP KNOWS THEIR EFFORTS ARE WORTH IT TO THE FAMILIES.

>> THEY'RE AMAZING FAMILIES WE HAVE HERE.

THE KIDS, THE PARENTS THEY COME FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND ALL WALKS OF LIFE BUT IN THE ENDS THEY'RE JUST PEOPLE WHO WANT A SAFE PLACE TO RAISE THEIR FAMILY AND TO EXIST AND TO THRIVE.

>> AND THE FAMILIES RECEIVING THE HELP SAY THEY'RE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.

>> THIS GROUP IS INCREDIBLE FOR US.

I WOULD SAY THIS IS JUST HOW WE MET THEM.

THEY HELPED US TO RENT THIS APARTMENT AND WHEN WE CAME THEY JUST PREPARED EVERYTHING FOR THE GIRLS ESPECIALLY.

THEY'RE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.

IT'S WHY WE'RE SO IMPRESSED BY AMERICANS.

>> FOR "HERE & NOW" I'M STEVEN POTTER IN STOUGHTON.

>> Frederica: FOR THIS AND OTHER ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN GO TO PBS WISCONSIN.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 WISCONSIN.