>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.

>> SMALL STARTUPS SEE THEIR PRIME TIME.

A NATIONAL DAY WITHOUT CHILD CARE HIGHLIGHTS A CRITICAL DEMAND.

SPECULATION SWIRLS AND WISCONSINITES PREPARE AS OVERTURNING ROE BECOMES A REALITY.

I'M ZAC SCHULTZ.

TODAY ON HERE AND NOW.

GOP REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DITTRICH AND DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR KELDA ROYS IS JOINING US.

PARENT'S CAN'T MANAGE WITHOUT THEM AND HOW THE GREAT RESIGNATION LEAD TO NEW BUSINESS STARTUPS.

IT'S HERE AND NOW FOR MAY 13 MAY 13th.

>> FUNDING FOR HERE AND NOW AND IS PROVIDED BY FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.

ROE V WADE STOOD FOR 50 YEARS AND TECHNICALLY STILL STANDS.

BUT WITH THE LEAK FROM THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT INDICATING THEY PLAN TO STRIKE IT DOWN, LAWMAKERS IN BOTH PARTIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE MAKING PLANS FOR WHAT ABORTION RIGHTS WILL EXIST AFTER ROE.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA DITTRICH.

A REPUBLICAN FROM OCONOMOWOC WHO JOINS US NOW.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

IN THE LAST WEEK WE'VE SEEN REPUBLICANS IN CONSERVATIVE STATES MOVE RAPIDLY TO INTRODUCE NEW ABORTION BILLS.

SOME GOING AS FAR TO ZERO EXCEPTIONS.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS ARE LIKELY TO INTRODUCE?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND WE HAVEN'T REALLY COME TO A CONSENSUS AS A CAY SIS AT THIS POINT.

I WOULD TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF OPINIONS ON WHAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, IN THE PAST, I'VE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION RAPE, INSISTS, AND THE LIKE OF THE OTHER, AND THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE NOT EVEN IN BIRTH CONTROL.

SO, WE HAVE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT AS A CAUCUS SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IN THE STATE.

OTHERWISE, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, WE WOULD REVERT BACK TO THE 1849 LAW THAT ALREADY EXISTS.

>> Zac: IN CASES IN WISCONSIN COUNTIES, WOULD YOU ANTICIPATE POLICE OR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS INVESTIGATING MISCARRIAGES IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IT WASN'T AN ABORTION?

IF THAT WAS THE LAW?

>> Rep. Dittrich: I CAN'T GUESS IF THEY TALKED TO A DA WHAT THEY WOULD DO AT THIS POINT.

CERTAINLY WE DON'T WANT THAT HAPPENING.

I THINK WE'RE TALKING MORE ABOUT MEDICAL REPORTING AND ASSURANCE THAT'S GOING AS IT SHOULD.

>> Zac: IF ROE V WADE IS OVERTURNED, THE 1849 STATUE GOES INTO EFFECT BARRING ANY LEGAL CHALLENGES.

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THAT STATUE GOVERNING ABORTION LAWS IN WISCONSIN?

OR DO YOU THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE CHANGES NO MATTER WHAT?

>> Rep. Dittrich: I DON'T THINK IT'S A MATTER OF MY OPINION, I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF WHERE WE CAN FIND COMMON GROUND IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE 1849 LAW DOES MAKE EXCEPTIONS FOR THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

AND I THINK THERE IS A CERTAIN SEGMENT THAT REALLY INSISTS UPON HAVING THAT EXCEPTION FOR RAPE AND INCEST.

I HAPPEN TO THINK ALL LIFE HAS VALUE.

KNOW MATTER WHAT.

SO, THAT BEING SAID, SOMETHING IN PLACE THAT WISCONSINITES CAN LIVE WITH.

ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THAT, MOST PEOPLE DO NOT SUPPORT ABORTION FOR ANY REASON AT ANY TIME.

MOST PEOPLE ARE WHO ARE IN FAVOR OF IT REALLY ARE IN FAVOR OF ONLY THE FIRST TRIMESTER.

SO, WE'VE GOT TO FIND A PLACE WHERE WE FIND SOME COMMON GROUND.

AND IN ANY OPINION, RESPECT LIFE IN THE PROCESS.

>> Zac: POLLING SHOWS MOST WISCONSINITES BELIEVE SOME FORM OF ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL AND ACCESSIBLE.

AND WE KNOW SOME OF THOSE SAME PEOPLE TRADITIONALLY SUPPORT REPUBLICANS AT THE BALLOT BOX.

ARE YOU WORRIED SOME OF THOSE VOTERS MAY CHANGE THEIR MIND AND VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS THIS FALL BECAUSE ABORTION COULD BE ON THE BALLOT FOR THEM?

>> Rep. Dittrich: NO.

I WILL TELL YOU WHY.

I HAVE BEEN VERY OVERT ABOUT MY PRO-LIFE SINCE THE FIRST DAY I RAN.

ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS MY POSITION ON ABORTION.

ALSO, BECAUSE I'VE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION IN THE PAST, PRO-LIFE LEGISLATION IN THE PAST.

FOR EXAMPLE, DISCRIMINATION WE DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE IN THEWOIN THEWOMB AS WE DO OUTSIDE WOMB.

BASED ON THE BABY'S SEX.

SO, PEOPLE KNOW MY POSITION.

SO, I'M NOT CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THIS WILL EFFECT THE ELECTION.

FOR ME.

>> Zac: NOW, IF WOMEN IN WISCONSIN NO LONGER HAVE A CHOICE WHETHER TO CARRY A PREGNANCY TO TERM, WOULD YOU EXPECT REPUBLICANS TO SUPPORT MORE WOMEN-FRIENDLY LEGISLATION?

PAID FAMILY LEAVE, MORE SUPPORT FOR CHILD CARE, OR MANDATORY SICK LEAVE.

>> Rep. Dittrich: WE KNOW PAID FAMILY LEAVE IS ALREADY AN OPTION.

I'M SHARING, I THINK WE NEED TO LEGISLATE THAT.

I THINK, ESPECIALLY IN THIS TYPE JOB MARKET, THAT ACTUALLY FAVORS WOMEN.

BECAUSE EMPLOYERS ARE WILLING TO DO THESE THINGS ON THEIR OWN.

SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY NEED WOMEN IN THE WORK FORCE SO MUCH.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED SO DRASTICALLY IN THIS COUNTRY IN THE WORK FORCE.

VERSES BACK WHEN THE ROE VERSE WADE DECISION WAS ORIGINALLY MADE.

THAT THE WORK FORCE LOOKED SO MUCH MORE DIFFERENT.

WHAT I DO SUPPORT IS, YOU KNOW, SUPPORTING WOMEN SO THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE ABORTION IS THEIR ONLY OPTION.

YOU MAY RECALL THAT I HAVE BEEN THE CHAIR TASK FORCE ON ADOPTION.

AND I'VE REALLY TRIED TO MAKE ADOPTION AN EASIER PATH FOR FAMILIES IN THE STATE.

AND I THINK WE CAN DO MORE AROUND THAT, AS WELL, FOR OUR WOMEN THAT DON'T WANT TO PARENT A CHILD RIGHT NOW.

I'VE ALSO SUPPORTED PHARMACISTS PRESCRIBING BIRTH CONTROL.

SO, THAT WOMEN CAN HAVE EASIER ACCESS TO BIRTH CONTROL IN THE STATE IF THEY SO WISH.

I'D RATHER SEE THAT THAN SEE A PREGNANCY TERMINATED.

>> Zac: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME REPRESENTATIVE DITTRICH.

WE ARE NOW JOINED WITH SENATOR KELDA ROYS.

WHAT KIND OF LEGISLATION WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE REPUBLICANS INTRODUCE IN THE NEXT SESSION IF ROE V WADE IS OVERTURNED?

>> Senator Roys: WISCONSIN ALREADY HAS ON THE STATUES AN 1849 BAN ON ABORTION MAKING IT A CRIME.

SO, I WOULD EXPECT TO SEE ALL KINDS OF LEGISLATION AND THINGS LIKE PUNISHING WOMEN AND BOUNTY LAWS LIKE THEY HAVE IN TEXAS.

AND ATTORNEY GE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> Zac: THEY ARE REPORTING THAT ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBIN VOSS IS NOT SURE THE REST OF HIS PARTY WILL GO ALONG WITH THAT.

DO YOU LEAVE HIM?

DOES HE HAVE THE POLL TO PUT THOSE THINGS IN PLACE?

>> Senator Roys: I DON'T THINK SO.

THE JOURNAL ALSO REPORTED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN ATTACKING ROBIN VOSS AS NOT CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH.

THE CURRENT LAW IN THE BOOKS, THE 1849 LAW THEY MENTIONED HAS NO EXCEPTIONS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

ABORTION WOULD BE A CRIME.

AND TOO MANY REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS, I THINK, ARE VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THAT KIND OF A LAW.

>> Zac: POLLING SHOWS THAT MOST WISCONSINITES SUPPORT SOME LEVEL OF ABORTION RIGHTS.

BUT OBVIOUSLY SOME OF THOSE SUPPORTERS HAVE VOTED FOR REPUBLICANS IN THE PAST.

DO YOU THINK OVERTURNING ROE V WADE WILL CHANGE HOW THEY VOTE?

ARE THEY REACHABLE FOR DEMOCRATS?

>> Senator Roys: THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE.

THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S BEEN EASY FOR REPUBLICANS TO TAKE THESE ANTI-CHOICE VOTES.

YOU KNOW?

REALLY EXTREME POSITIONS LIKE NO EXCEPTIONS FOR RAPE OR INCEST OR FOR A WOMAN'S HEALTH.

NOW THAT ROE V WADE WILL BE OVERTURNED, ALMOST CERTAINLY, THOSE VOTES ARE NO LONGER JUST SYMBOLIC; RIGHT?

THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON PEOPLE'S LIVES.

AND I THINK THEY WILL BE PUNISHED AT THE BALLOT BOX.

>> Zac: NOW, IF GOVERNOR EVERS WINS REELECTION THIS FALL.

THE OLD 1849 STATUE IS IN PLACE.

CAN YOU IMAGINE A SCENARIO WHERE THEY PASS COMPROMISED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PUT MORE RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION THAN CURRENTLY EXIST UNDER ROE V WADE BUT NOT AS RESTRICTIVE AS THE 1849 LAW?

IS THERE MIDDLE GROUND IF REPUBLICANS CAN'T FIT EVERYTHING THEY WANT BUT THE 1849 LAW IS ON THE BOOKS?

>> Senator Roys: I DON'T THINK THAT IS POSSIBLE IN WISCONSIN.

OUR REPUBLICAN PARTY IS SO EXTREME THEY WILL NOT HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO MOVE LEGISLATION THAT CHANGES THAT ABORTION STATUE IN ANY WAY.

THEY'VE JUST GONE SO FAR TO THE RIGHT THAT I DON'T THINK THEY CAN GET THEIR PARTY BACK.

PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE GERRYMANDERING.

BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE FOR VOTERS.

IT'S OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATEWIDE RACES GO DEMOCRATIC AND WE ARE ELECTING PRO-CHOICE PEOPLE.

>> Zac: FORMERLY YOU SERVED AS THE PRO CHOICE WISCONSIN.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN HEARING FROM WOMEN AND DOCTORS IN THE PAST WEEK?

WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN TELLING YOU?

>> Senator Roys: THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CONCERN HOW THIS WILL DEVASTATE PEOPLE'S LIVES.

THERE IS ALSO QUITE A LOT OF ENERGY AND HOPE AROUND TRYING TO PRESERVE ACCESS FOR PEOPLE.

I JUST PUBLISHED AN OP-ED URGING PEOPLE TO GO GET MEDICATION PORTION AND JUST HAVE IT ON HAND.

EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT PREGNANT.

JUST SO IN YOU NEED IT, YOU'LL VISIT IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET.

THERE IS A LOT OF ACTIVISM AROUND THE ELECTION.

AS THEY SAID, WE ARE NOT POWERLESS TO SAY WE WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO 1849.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO QUIETLY.

WE NEED TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD AT THE BALLOT BOX.

IF WE DO THAT, IF WE ELECT DEMOCRATS UP AND DOWN THE TICKET, WE CAN CAUGHT FUSEAU V WADE AT THE LEVEL AND MAKE SURE NO ONE IS PROSECUTED IN WISCONSIN FOR PROVIDING ABORTION CARE.

>> Zac: IF THE 1849 LAW SON THE BOOKS, WOULD YOU ANTICIPATE LOCAL POLICE OR DISTRICT ATTORNEYS INVESTIGATING MISCARRIAGES AND THINGS LIKE THAT?

>> Senator Roys: THAT IS NOT CONJECTURE, WE HAVE SEEN THAT AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IN OTHER STATES.

I THINK IT'S VERY SCARY.

I'M SOMEONE THAT BELIEVES IN PUBLIC SAFETY AND WANTS TO HAVE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE DIVERTING OUR PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES FROM REALLY IMPORTANT INVESTIGATIONS SO THAT WE CAN GO AFTER WOMEN WHO MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING A TRAUMA.

YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY WHO HAS HAD A MISCARRIAGE, I CAN IMAGINE THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD HAVE MADE IT WORSE IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE INSTEAD OF RECEIVING APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE.

>> Zac: THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE COMMENTING THIS IS PRIMARILY A WOMAN'S ISSUE.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT?

WHAT SHOULD MEN BE DOING AT THIS TIME?

HOW SHOULD THEY BE INVOLVED IN THIS CONVERSATION?

>> Senator Roys: THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION.

THIS ABSOLUTELY AFFECTS WOMEN AND MEN.

THEY SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD MEAN TO NOT HAVE THE OPTION OF ABORTION AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES TO CHOOSE.

ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HAVE A KIDS BUT WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR PARTNER, THEIR FEMALE PARTNER IS NOT PUT IN JEOPARDY OF LOSING HER LIFE OR LOSING HER HEALTH, SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT THIS.

YOU KNOW, ABORTION IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU DON'T REALLY THINK ABOUT UNTIL YOU NEED IT.

BUT WHEN YOU NEED IT, YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE AND AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE.

AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR MEN TO VOTE, AS WELL, SO PRESERVE ABORTION CARE AND ABORTION RIGHTS BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A BIG GENDER GAP WITH PARTY, IT IS MEN OVERWHELMINGLY WHO HAVE, SORT OF, BEEN ABLE TO GET OFF SCOTT FREE BY HAVING ABORTIONS SO WIDELY AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE.

>> Zac: ALL RIGHT KELDA ROYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> Senator Roys: THANK YOU.

>> Zac: IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK, THE U.S. SENATE FAILED TO GARNER THE 60 VOTES NEEDED TO PASS THE WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT.

IT WOULD CODIFY A PERSON'S RIGHT TO ABORTION IN FEDERAL LAW.

TAMMY BALDWIN INTRODUCED THE BILL LAST YEAR AND TOOK TO THE SENATE FLOOR THIS WEEK PRIOR TO THE VOTE.

>> Senator Baldwin: THIS DECISION IF FINALIZED WILL NOT STOP ABORTIONS FROM HAPPENING.

IT WILL ONLY PREVENT SAFE WORSE WORSE -- SAFE ABORTIONS FROM HAPPENING.

AND IT WILL IMPACT POOR WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR WHO WILL NOT HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE DECISION.

>> Zac: AND FROM D.C. TO WISCONSIN, NURSES RALLIED AT THE STATE CAPITOL THIS WEEK CALLING FOR SAFER STAFFING LEVELS, BETTER WAGES, AND MORE AFFORDABLE EDUCATION.

>> THERE HAS BEEN DAYS WHEN I'VE HAD PATIENTS THAT HAVE HAD 13 DRUGS RUNNING SIMULTANEOUSLY.

I'M MANAGING MORE THAN ONE PATIENT WITH ALL OF THAT GOING ON.

I'M MONITORING ALL OF THEIR VITAL SIGNS.

AND IT IS MY LICENSE, MY RESPONSIBILITY TO NOT ONLY THE STATE, BUT THAT HOSPITAL, TO KEEP THAT PATIENT ALIVE.

WE HAVE KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

WE LACK SO MUCH INFRASTRUCTURE AND WE ARE NOT HEARD.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHY THIS MARCH IS HAPPENING TODAY.

IT'S TIME FOR NURSES TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>> WE TURN NOW FROM HEALTH CARE TO CHILD CARE.

MONDAY WAS A DAY WITHOUT CHILD CARE.

IN WHICH ACTIVISTS ASKED CHILD CARE CENTERS TO CLOSE FOR A DAY TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE NEED FOR INCREASED WAGES AND MORE AFFORDABLE OPTIONS FOR PARENTS.

WE ARE JOINED BY TRACY JENSEN, PROGRAM DIRECTOR.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON TODAY.

>> Zac: THE APPARENT IRONY OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN A DAY WITHOUT CHILD CARE, YOU FELT YOU COULDN'T AFFORD TO CLOSE FOR THE DAY.

BOTH FOR YOU AND YOUR PARENTS.

IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

WITH HAVING COVID THESE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, ASKING OUR PARENTS TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE OPEN FOR CHILD CARE WE THOUGHT WAS A LITTLE BIT MUCH.

HAVING TO QUARANTINE OUR CLASSROOMS, WE HAVE BEEN ASKING PARENTS TO COME PICK UP THEIR CHILDREN.

WE FELT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE DAYS TO TAKE OFF FROM WORK.

AS A COMMUNITY, WE DECIDED THAT WE WERE GOING TO KEEP OUR DOORS OPEN.

>> Zac: SO, WHAT DID YOU ASK YOUR FAMILIES TO DO IN LIEU OF ACTUALLY TAKING THE DAY OFF?

HOW DID THEY TRY TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS DAY?

>> SO, WE DID A HASH TAG DAY WITHOUT CHILD CARE.

PARENTS WERE ABLE TO COMMENT IN WHAT THEY WOULD DO IF THERE WAS NO CHILD CARE AT ALL.

WE ALSO HAD PARTICIPANTS COME IS COME -- PARENTS COME IN AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF ABOUT MILD CARE AND QUALITY CARE.

WE HAD THEM -- THEY BROUGHT AN AWARENESS TO CHILD CARE AND WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> Zac: IT SEEMS LIKE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BROUGHT A NEW APPRECIATION FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, BUT DID IT BRING IN ENOUGH NEW DOLLARS TO ACTUALLY SUPPORT EVERYONE?

>> THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

WE ARE VERY THANKFUL, WE DID GET FEDERAL FUNDING.

AND WE ARE INVESTIGA INVESTING T WE CAN TO KEEP OURSELVES AFLOAT.

BUT WE ARE DEFINITELY CONCERNED ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AND RETENTION AND BEING ABLE TO KEEP OUR EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS, GAINING NEW EMPLOYEES.

>> Zac: NOW, IN THEORY, THE LAWS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND SHOULD DICTATE THE COST AND AVAILABILITY OF CHILD CARE.

AND PERHAPS, IT DOES FOR FOR WEALTHY FAMILIES.

HOW DOES THAT GET DISRUPTED WHEN A CHILD CARE FA CENTER IS SERVIA WORKING-CLASS POPULATION?

>> AS FAR AS EQUALITY?

>> Zac: YEAH YOUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE FOR FAIR WAGES.

DOES THAT WORK IN A PLACE LIKE ACA?

>> IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY FOR US.

>> SO, WHAT ARE YOU ABLE TO DO?

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHAT RATES YOU CAN SET?

HOW MUCH YOUR FAMILIES CAN AFFORD TO PAY?

>> SO, WE HAVE A LOT OF BLUE COLLAR WORKERS THAT HAVE THEIR CHILDREN HERE AT SUNNY DAY.

SO, THAT KIND OF DETERMINES HOW THE COST IS.

>> Zac: AND WHAT ROLE DO YOU SERVE IN THAT REGARD?

I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A SERVICE FOR THEM TO BRING THE CHILDREN THERE.

IF YOU WEREN'T THERE, WOULD THERE BE OTHER PROVIDERS THAT WOULD POP UP?

YOU ARE A PRETTY LARGE FACILITY; RIGHT?

>> WE ARE A LARGE FACILITY.

BUT WE ARE ALSO IN THE DESPERATE.

WE HAVE QUITE A FEW FAMILIES ON A WAITING LIST HERE.

I THINK RIGHT NOW WE ARE LICENSED FOR 220 CHILDREN.

AND I THINK WE HAVE OVER 100 CHILDREN, 100 FAMILIES ON A WAITING LIST RIGHT NOW.

>> Zac: OKAY.

>> SO, THERE DEFINITELY IS THE NEED FOR IT.

>> Zac: WHAT ROLE DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE TO PLAY IN THIS?

DO THEY HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OR SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BE GETTING MORE INVOLVED?

>> SORRY, ARE YOU ASKING SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BE MORE INVOLVED?

>> Zac: YES, WOULD YOU LIKE THE GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE INVOLVED TO HELP WITH THIS OR SHOULD THEY GET OUT OF THE WAY?

THERE THERE TOO MANY REGULAT REGULATIONS?

>> SO, WE DO HAVE -- WE HAVE WISCONSIN SHARES.

WHICH HELPS SUPPLEMENT FOR SOME OF THE PARENTS HAVING THEIR CHILDREN HERE.

BUT WE REALLY NEED HELP FOR EVERYONE OVERALL, FOR COST OF CHILD CARE.

>> Zac: TRACY JENSEN AT SUNNY DAY CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> YEAH, THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Zac: WISCONSIN SMALL BUSINESSES ARE DOING WELL, ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE U-W SYSTEMS INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

THE STUDY SHOWS NEARLY 11,000 NEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS WERE OPENED IN THE LAST YEAR.

ONE OF THE AREAS SEEING RAPID GROWTH IS THE LaCROSSE REGION.

WE ARE JOINED BY ANN HLAVACKA.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> Anne: YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> Zac: SO WHAT KIND OF GROWTH ARE YOU SEEING IN WESTERN WISCONSIN?

>> Anne: SO, I THINK WE ARE SEEING KIND OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING AROUND, GENERALLY.

THERE ARE, CERTAINLY, INDIVIDUALS THAT I THINK WITH THE PANDEMIC IT CAUSED THEM TO KIND OF THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO BE DOING.

WE HAVE CERTAINLY HEARD THE TERMINOLOGY OF THE SO-CALLED GREAT RESIGNATION.

WHERE I THINK SOME INDIVIDUALS IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCE ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO BE MY OWN BOSS?

AND START A BUSINESS?

THERE ARE ALSO OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE ARE SEEING COME UP BECAUSE OF THE NATURAL TRANSITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED BUT MAYBE PEOPLE REFLECTING AND MAKING THE DECISION THAT NOW IS THE TIME TO MAYBE SELL THEIR BUSINESS OR OTHERWISE TRANSITION THEIR BUSINESS.

SO, IT'S REALLY A COMBINATION OF DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT I THINK ARE COMING INTO PLAY.

>> Zac: AND MOST OF THESE ARE SMALL BUSINESSES.

BAKERIES, AUTO SHOPS?

WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE WE SEEING HERE?

EVERYTHING?

>> Anne: I DO THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

I THINK LIKE SMALL BUSINESS DRIVES ALSO INNOVATION.

SO, I THINK YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUND DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO SOMETHING AND MAYBE IT'S A NEW PRODUCT, A NEW SERVICE.

THOSE TYPE OF THINGS ARE ALSO COMING INTO PLAY.

AND I THINK THAT ENDS UP BEING HELPFUL.

>> Zac: WE SAW A LOT OF MONEY INJECTED INTO THE ECONOMY THROUGH THE DEMOCRATS COVID RESPONSE PACKAGES.

BOTH IN INDIVIDUAL PAYMENTS TO PEOPLE AND THROUGH GOVERNOR EVERS' ABILITY TO HAND OUT MONEY.

HOW MUCH IS GIVING PEOPLE THE INITIATIVE TO START-UP SOMETHING NEW?

>> Anne: WELL, I WILL SAY ONE OF THE RECENT STEPS THAT WE'RE TAKING IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN WAS A GRANT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED $10,000 FOR THOSE THAT MOVED INTO VACANT COMMERCIAL SPACES.

I THINK THAT HAS CANE OF -- HAS KIND OF REGENERATED SPACES.

SO, THOSE TYPE OF PERHAPS, I THINK, HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO BE A CATALYST TO TAKING THE STEP TO GOING INTO BUSINESS.

AND STARTUPS, I THINK, HAVE BENEFITED FROM THAT.

A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN SOME OF THE OTHER FINANCIAL RELIEF THAT HAS BEEN OUT THERE.

>> Zac: WE'RE ALSO, ON THE OTHER HAND, SEEING AN INCREASE IN INFLATION AND INTEREST RATES ARE GOING UP.

CAN THAT PUT THE BRAKES ON SOME OF THIS GROWTH?

>> Anne: I THINK THE ISSUE OF INFLATION AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES, INTEREST RATES, THOSE DO IMPACT HOW FAST COMPANIES CAN GROW, WHAT LEVEL OF DEPTH THEY CAN TAKE ON.

I THINK THOSE WILL BE FACTORS THAT ARE GOING TO COME INTO PLAY.

BUT I ALSO THINK THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUGHT A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE TO THINK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

SO, I THINK THEY ARE EVALUATING THEIR OPERATIONAL STEPS A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO DETERMINE WHERE THEY SHOULD PUT THEIR EMPHASIS.

IT'S IMPACTING THINGS LIKE WHAT OUR BUSINESS MAY BE OPEN.

HOW DO THEY CREATE THAT SYNERGY WITH OTHER BUSINESSES SO TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFIT FOR ALL.

AND YET, AT THE SAME TIME, BE ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR COST.

>> Zac: DO WE KNOW IF THESE ARE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING THAT FIRST CHANCE IN LIFE OR LATER PEOPLE A LITTLE OLDER?

TRYING A NEW CAREER.

TRYING TO STRIKE OUT ON THEIR OWN.

>> Anne: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

WE SEE INDIVIDUALS.

I WOULD SAY SOME THAT ARE, THEY MAY BE RETIRING A LITTLE BIT EARLIER FROM THEIR TRADITIONAL JOBS.

BUT THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY LOOKING INTO GOING INTO RETIREMENT.

I WOULD SAY IN THE MIDDLE AREA, THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE THE TECHNICAL KNOW HOW AND HAVE BEEN THINKING IN THE BACK OF THEIR MINDS I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO BE THE OWNER.

AND SO I DO THINK THERE IS THAT ELEMENT THAT IS OUT THERE PIP THINK THOSE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE POSITIONED POTENTIALLY FOR SOME OF THE TRANSITIONAL AREAS.

FOR BUSINESSES THAT THE CURRENT OWNERS WANT TO SELL.

AND THEY ARE IN A POSITION TO POTENTIALLY BUY THOSE BUSINESSES.

BUT I ALWAYS THINK YOUTH.

THAT IS WHERE A LOT OF OUR NEW IDEAS COME FROM.

SO, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY WE SEE IT ALL.

WE SERVICE SEVEN COUNTY REGIONS IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.

AND WE ARE SEEING IT THROUGHOUT THE REGION AND IN A VARIETY OF AGE GROUPS.

>> Zac: IN THE LAST FEW SECONDS WE HAVE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LOCATIONS IN WESTERN WISCONSIN.

ARE PEOPLE CHOOSING TO FIND A PLACE AND START A BUSINESS AS OPPOSED TO THE OLD MODEL OF MOVING TO WHERE THE JOBS ARE?

>> Anne: I THINK IT'S, AGAIN, A MIX.

THOSE BUSINESSES THAT GET STARTED IN THE REGION ALSO CREATE THAT NEXT JOB.

I THINK THAT THEN, SORT OF IN ITSELF, KIND OF FUELS THAT NEXT ROUND.

WHERE SOME DAY THOSE INDIVIDUALS MIGHT CHOOSE TO CONTINUE WORKING BUT SOME MIGHT CHOOSE TO START A BUSINESS.

OR BUY A BUSINESS.

OR BUY THE BUSINESS THEY JOINED AS AN EMPLOYEE.

SO, I WOULD SAY THE ONE AREA HERE IN WESTERN WISCONSIN WE SEE A LOT OF ACTIVITY IS, THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST IN TRYING TO ENGAGE THE EMPLOYEE AS PART OF KIND OF AN OWNERSHIP MODEL.

WE HAVE MORE INTEREST IN EMPLOYEE-OWNED, COOPERATIVE-TYPE BUSINESSES.

BECAUSE THEY REALLY DO WANT THE PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATE IN GAINING THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY BENEFIT FROM IT AS WELL.

WE OFTENTIMES SEE PEOPLE WANTING TO SEE HOW TO DO THAT.

>> Zac: ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

ANNE FROM LaCROSSE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> Anne: YOU BET.

HAVE GREAT DAY.

>> Zac: REBECCA BLANK GAVE PARTING REMARKS THIS WEEK.

SPEAKING TO THE DIFFICULTY OF WORKING WITH THE STATE'S REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MORE CONSTRAINED AND REGULATED UNIVERSITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE MUCH MORE A STATE AGENCY THAN AN INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY.

AND THAT DOES CREATE ISSUES AT TIMES FOR ALL OF US.

I UNDERSTAND WHY THE STATE HAS A STRONG INTEREST IN SOME OF THAT.

BUT, PARTICULARLY, AS THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR TOP RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES IT HAS BECOME EVEN MORE INTENSE.

IT BECOMES MORE AND MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE SOME OF THE FREEDOMS TO ACT IN THE WAYS THAT OUR PEERS ACT.

THE NEED TO GO THROUGH THREE SENATE COMMITTEES AND FIVE VOTES IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN ORDER TO GET APPROVAL TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> Zac: IN FULL DISCLOSURE, PBS WISCONSIN IS A PART OF U-W MADISON.

FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER ISSUES VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT PBSWISCONSIN.ORG CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.

FREDERICA FREYBERG WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.

I'M Zac Schultz.

HAVE GREAT WEEKEND.

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