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Francesca Hong: “Ratepayers should not be paying for utilities to lobby…”

Featuring: Francesca Hong, Democratic | Wisconsin State Assembly, District 76

Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2

Published June 2, 2026 | Video Starts at 13:09

Because it's about how do we do this together. And I don't believe that the governor alone should be making decisions without having the people at the table. Thank you, Francesca. You know, Ratepayers should not be paying for utilities to lobby against them. And as Joel mentioned, the Public Service Commission should be acting in the best interest of the public and not lobby. (13:09–13:15)

CLAIM

Asserts that ratepayers' money should not fund utility lobbying efforts.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Francesca Hong

“Wisconsin was actually the first state in the country to pass a renewable portfolio [in 1999].”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 07:34-07:43
“Natural gas and coal still generate about 72% of Wisconsin's electricity and renewables are only around 10 to 12%.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 07:52-08:02
“$12 million was what the executive pay for We Energies [executive] took home.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 13:42-13:55
“The law was written in the early 1900s and it prevents the commission from considering air pollution.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 23:17-23:28
“We have data centers right now that have sales and use tax exemptions that have cost the state upwards of $40 million.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 36:12-36:20
“Wisconsinites electricity bills are the second highest in the Midwest.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 51:31-51:37
“The manufacturing and agricultural tax credit that costs the state around $400 million a year, this is a tax credit, a subsidy that we…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 58:15-58:25
“It [AB888] creates the funding necessary to train up thousands of workers who would be able to collectively bargain and construct this…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 07:36-53:04
“Ratepayers should not be paying for utilities to lobby against them.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 13:09-13:15
“We've seen millions of dollars get lost in trade association fees.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 13:35-13:42
“The administration should use every tool possible and wield the full power of the executive [to address Line 5].”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 18:04-18:16
“Line 5 should be shut down and not rerouted.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 18:43-18:51
“We have to stop both Line 5 in both its current form and the reroute as well.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 18:43-18:51
“Expand the DNR board of directors to include not one, but multiple tribal nations representation.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 19:05-19:15
“There should be direct partnership with the Bad River Band, the Red Cliff, and every tribal nation defending their Great Lakes.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 19:05-19:15
“In Wisconsin, we have seen that the courts have interpreted it to include greenhouse gas emissions.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 23:27-23:36
“Our Public Service Commission keeps approving new gas plants while the climate crisis continues to accelerate.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 23:43-23:51
“It's imperative that we work, that the executive work with the legislature to repeal these statutory binders.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 23:51-24:02
“There are additional statutory changes that will allow the Public Service Commission to actually be much more reflective of the public…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 24:30-24:41
“If a data center wants to operate in Wisconsin, it should be powered entirely with renewables.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 35:20-35:27
“I've also introduced a bill that would put a moratorium on the construction of new AI data centers until we have more data on the impacts…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 35:30-35:42
“Data centers should pay for the full cost of the infrastructure they require.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 36:01-36:09
“Local governments should have the authority to approve or reject [data center] projects if they don't want them there.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 36:01-36:09
“We've had legislation introduced that would prohibit the use of NDA, and I would absolutely direct the legislature to continue to pursue…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 41:06-41:17
“The Republican majority in the legislature has refused to take up [legislation giving the PSC more regulatory power].”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 46:06-46:11
“Most of that [$12 million] was due to ratepayer hikes and the profits that were made from that.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 46:33-46:40
“It's imperative that we have transparency and accountability when it comes to decisions around ratepayer increases.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 46:40-46:49
“Closing loopholes, ensuring that we're putting in statute that there are regular reforms...is absolutely imperative.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 47:15-47:31
“No single lobby dollar is taken from the people of Wisconsin when it comes to payments for utilities.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 47:22-47:29
“The average we energy bills have doubled in the last 20 years.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 51:37-51:44
“Utility costs should not be shifted onto any family here in the state of Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 51:43-51:52
“Restoring regional transit authorities is going to be key.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 52:15-52:20
“The legislation [for restoring regional transit authorities] is ready to go in the state assembly.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 52:19-52:26
“We would get support from it in the Senate as well.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 52:23-52:26
“The bill for [EV charging infrastructure investments] already exists as well. I believe it's AB888.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 52:49-52:55
“If the legislature doesn't take action now to fully fund the Knowles Nelson stewardship program, this helps restore conservationist…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 57:28-57:44
“I would also establish a permanent Wisconsin climate resilience fund.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 57:44-57:49
“We can fund this by ensuring that we are not losing funds that could be coming into the state that are going out to pay for utility…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 57:48-57:58
“We are capping those profits and not approving additional utility rate hikes where those investments are not going to come to our grid.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 57:58-58:07
“Public health is at the intersection of every issue. Climate, housing, food, education, health care.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:04:18-1:04:27
“We have hollowed out our local governments and the funding that goes towards our public health departments.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:04:26-1:04:47
“Moving towards a more equitable shared revenue formula, ensuring that our local governments have the funding they need to invest into public…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:04:26-1:04:47
“There is a lot of work that must be done in terms of repealing a lot of the harm that has come from this divestment into public health.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:04:47-1:04:56
“This includes what we've seen in terms of defunding our public universities and public education.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:04:55-1:05:01
“We can build better centralized resource systems for our public health departments.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:05:09-1:05:15
“Collaboration is needed to ensure that there is proper communication and a better use of limited resources.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:05:23-1:05:39
“There is a unique opportunity right now to invest in renewables, to hold polluters accountable, to take on corporate control.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:15:23-1:15:31
“Johnson Controls has been trying to buy, basically trying to sell them out to make sure that they're not held accountable for the PFAS…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:15:44-1:15:55
“There is bipartisan understanding and now advocacy to make sure that the system that is rigged against us having a clean and healthy planet…”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:15:54-1:16:07
“A Republican legislature that has led us to a Wisconsin that does not serve all of us.”
Wisconsin's Environmental Future: A Nonpartisan Gubernatorial Forum Part 2 | Uploaded June 2, 2026 | 1:16:23-1:16:28