State Survey Shows Jobs Lost

Wisconsin State Journal - 10/07/2019 Copy Reduced to 43% from original to fit letter page

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SUNNY, PLEASANT 62 • 43 FORECAST, A12 | MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 | MANUFACTURINGState | WORST survey YEARLY DECLINE SINCE LAST shows RECESSION jobs lost

MITCHELL SCHMIDT manufacturers employed 5,200 represents nearly 16% of the the for concern, but not panic.” to as the “gold standard” for [email protected] fewer people in August compared state’s workforce — are feeling a Seasonally adjusted data col- tracking job creation in the state, Amid international trade dis- with a year earlier — the largest squeeze brought on by the na- lected in the Current Employment has yet to show a signiﬁ cant year- putes and the rising cost of ma- year-over-year decline since the tion’s trade disputes with China, Statistics survey found that from over-year decline. It found the terials brought on by tariff s, and last recession. the European Union, Mexico and August 2018 to August 2019, the state had 480,926 manufacturing despite a generous state tax credit, Finalized job numbers won’t Canada. A slowing economy and state’s manufacturing sector lost jobs in March, nearly 12,000 more recent economic data show Wis- be available until next spring, but workforce challenges also are fac- about 5,200 jobs, or about 1.1%. than the previous March. consin manufacturers are tighten- Kurt Bauer, president and CEO tors, he added. However, the Quarterly Census The last QCEW year-over-year ing their belts. of Wisconsin Manufacturers & “It’s always concerning when of Employment and Wages, which decline came in February 2017. A preliminary government em- Commerce, said many in the you’re seeing a contraction,” runs about six months behind the ployment survey found Wisconsin manufacturing industry — which Bauer said. “I think there’s cause survey data and has been referred Please see JOBS, Page A6

IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY Johnson lashes out at probe RILEY VETTERKIND [email protected] Sen. Ron Johnson, in a com- bative TV interview Sunday, said he doesn’t trust the FBI and CIA, and pushed Republican talking points defending Presi- dent Trump amid an impeachment inquiry into his attempt to leverage Ukraine to investigate a political opponent. Johnson accused the FBI and CIA of being somehow in- volved in trying HADI MIZBAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS to undermine PROTESTS FLARE IN IRAQ Trump during the 2016 pres- Anti-government protesters rush to an injured participant during a weekend demonstration in Baghdad, Iraq. The spontaneous protests which idential elec- Story, A9 began Tuesday in Baghdad and southern cities were sparked by endemic corruption and lack of jobs. tion. He made a similar claim Johnson in January 2018, referring to a “secret society” within the FBI, but walked that statement back after more infor- NKorea demanding a new US ‘attitude’ mation became available. “I’ve never seen a president’s Nuclear talks stall After their fi rst talks in more On Sunday night, North Ko- interests” at home. administration be sabotaged than seven months in Stockholm rea’s Foreign Ministry issued a It said North Korea isn’t will- from the day after election,” HYUNG-JIN KIM on Saturday, the chief North Ko- statement accusing the U.S. of ing to hold “such sickening nego- Johnson said Sunday. Associated Press rean nuclear negotiator said the trying to mislead the public and tiations” as those in Stockholm Similar to his 2018 comments, SEOUL, South Korea — North discussions broke down “en- “spreading a completely un- until the U.S. takes “a substantial Johnson said he is concerned Korea said Sunday that it won’t tirely because the U.S. has not grounded story that both sides step to make complete and irre- about unearthed text messages meet with the United States for discarded its old stance and atti- are open to meet” again. versible withdrawal of the hostile from Peter Strzok, a former FBI more “sickening negotiations” tude” and came to the negotiat- The statement said the Stock- policy toward” the North. counterintelligence agent in the unless it abandons its “hostile ing table with an “empty hand.” holm talks “made us think they The statement didn’t say policy” against the North, as the But the U.S. said the two sides have no political will to improve which U.S. policies it was re- Please see JOHNSON, Page A8 two countries off ered diff erent had “good discussions” that it (North Korea)-U.S. relations ferring to. But North Korea has takes on their weekend nuclear intends to build on with more and may be abusing the bilateral Inside: More on the talks in Sweden. talks in two weeks. relations for their own partisan Please see TALKS, Page A6 impeachment inquiry. A8 Iraq veteran receiving pardon ‘That felony is ment between his friend and a He still regrets the moment and jealous husband after a night of is deeply remorseful for the pain not who I am’ drinking in the town in Bosco- he caused. bel in southwestern Wisconsin. Since then, Pizer has got- EMILY HAMER Pizer said he and his friends ten forgiveness from the man [email protected] didn’t know one of the women he punched, but the felony has Eric Pizer is a father, a col- with whom they were hanging tainted others’ view of his char- lege graduate with an associate out was married. acter, caused tension in his rela- degree in criminal justice and a After Pizer heard the hus- tionships, prevented him from decorated Iraq War veteran who band say, “I’m going to … kill starting a career and disallowed has always wanted to be a police you,” Pizer threw one punch him from being able to carry a offi cer. and broke the man’s nose, re- fi rearm, which he would need to But for the past almost 15 sulting in the substantial battery fulfi ll his dream of becoming a years, Pizer, 38, has also been a charge. He had no prior criminal law enforcement offi cer. felon. record and hasn’t committed any “I’ve always been who I am,” EMILY HAMER, STATE JOURNAL When Pizer was 23, two days crimes since. said Pizer, of Edgerton. “And that Eric Pizer, 38, of Edgerton, who served in the Marine Corps, will be among a after he got back from being Pizer said it was a “knee-jerk felony is not who I am.” group of four people receiving the fi rst pardons in Wisconsin in nine years. deployed in Iraq, he tried to reaction” and that he “didn’t Gov. Tony Evers plans to sign the pardon paperwork Monday at the Capitol. de-escalate a drunken argu- think about it, it just happened.” Please see PARDON, Page A8

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A8 | MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 FROM PAGE ONE WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL

ANALYSIS Second whistleblower adds to intrigue ERIC TUCKER, RICHARD LARDNER and JILL COLVIN Sources: Trump From the talk Associated Press allies sought show circuit WASHINGTON — A second whistleblower has come forward Ukraine favor Sunday morning talk shows were dominated by the emergence of a with information about President As Rudy Giuliani was pushing Donald Trump’s dealings with second whistleblower from within Ukrainian officials last spring to the U.S. intelligence community Ukraine, adding to the impeach- investigate one of Donald Trump’s ment peril engulfing the White who may flesh out an investiga- main political rivals, a group of tion into President Donald Trump, House and potentially provid- individuals with ties to the presi- ing new leads to Democrats in and fallout from the president’s dent and his personal lawyer were suggestion that China investigate their unfurling investigation of also active in the former Soviet Trump’s conduct. political rival Joe Biden. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL ARCHIVES republic. Attorney Mark Zaid, who rep- At least two Republican lawmakers Eric Pizer’s medals include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary resents both whistleblowers, said This circle of businessmen and Medal, at right. suggested the president had been the second person has spoken to Republican donors touted connec- joking in remarks to reporters out- the intelligence tions to Giuliani and Trump while side the White House on Thursday for eight years, Pizer’s pardon community’s in- trying to install new management about China. Pardon will restore his right to own a ternal watchdog at the top of Ukraine’s massive From A1 gun and pursue a career in law and can corrobo- state gas company. Their plan was U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, enforcement. rate information to then steer lucrative contracts on ABC: Over the past nine years, Pizer “I honestly don’t really have in the original to companies controlled by Trump “You really think he was serious worked with two lawyers, who those right words for how amaz- whistleblower allies, according to two people with about thinking that China’s going are helping him pro bono, to try ing this is for me finally,” Pizer complaint. That knowledge of their plans. to investigate the Biden family? I to reopen his case and plead the said. “Not just for me, but for document al- think — I think — I think he’s getting Trump Their plan hit a snag after — as I think Sen. Rubio said a cou- felony down to a misdemeanor or everyone else who has helped me leged that Trump Ukrainian President Petro Poro- get a pardon, with little success. along the way to get this for me. pushed Ukraine’s president to ple days ago, I think he’s getting shenko lost his reelection bid to the press all spun up about this.” But then Democratic Gov. This is one huge, gigantic relief.” investigate Democratic pres- Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whose con- Tony Evers was elected, replac- idential candidate Joe Biden’s versation with Trump about former U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., on ing two-term Republican Gov. ‘Extremely naive’ family, prompting a White Vice President Joe Biden is now at CBS: Scott Walker, who refused to is- Relles said there are several House cover-up. Crucially, the the center of the House impeach- “I doubt if the sue pardons. things that make Pizer an ideal new whistleblower works in the ment inquiry of Trump. China comment “I still remember the day that candidate for a pardon. intelligence field and has “first- was serious, to tell Evers was elected,” said David For one, Relles said Pizer’s hand knowledge” of key events, But the effort to install a friendlier you the truth. He Relles, one of Pizer’s attorneys. charge could have been reduced Zaid said. management team at the helm of loves to bait the “I called Eric because the case to a misdemeanor instead of a The emergence of the second the gas company, Naftogaz, would press and he does had just been dormant, and I felony. whistleblower threatened to un- soon be taken up with Ukraine’s that almost every said, ‘Well, maybe you got a shot Pizer said he was “extremely dermine arguments from Trump new president by U.S. Energy Sec- day to see what now.’” naive” in terms of how the legal and his allies to discredit the retary Rick Perry. Blunt you’ll talk about.” On Monday, Pizer will be system worked when he was 23. original complaint. They have It’s unclear if Perry’s attempts to among a group of four people On recommendation from his called it politically motivated, U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., replace board members at Naf- on Fox: who will be receiving pardons lawyer at the time, he accepted claimed it was filed improperly togaz were coordinated with the for the first time in nine years in a plea deal for the felony charge and dismissed it as unreliable be- “I believe that a abuse of power, Giuliani allies pushing for a similar as we have seen over the last 10 Wisconsin. Evers plans to sign because under the deal he would cause it was based on secondhand outcome, and no one has alleged their pardons Monday afternoon, only have to do probation instead or thirdhand information. days, that has been so detailed and that there is criminal activity in appropriately laid out by the whis- invoking a constitutional power of jail time. A rough transcript of Trump’s any of these efforts. And it’s un- held only by the governor. But Pizer said he didn’t fully call with Ukrainian President tle-blower, I think the elements are clear what role, if any, Giuliani there.” The three others who are set understand the impact that hav- Volodymyr Zelensky, released had in helping his clients push to to receive pardons include Kevin ing a felony on his record would by the White House, has already get gas sales agreements with the U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sorenson, Mwangi Vasser and cause. corroborated the complaint’s state-owned company. R-S.C., on Fox: Steven Nichols. Sorenson and With a felony on his record, central claim that Trump sought “If the whis- Vasser were both convicted for Pizer hasn’t been able to start to pressure Ukraine to investigate But the affair shows how those tleblower’s allega- selling drugs in their late teens. a career, despite going to night the Bidens. The push came even with ties to Trump and his admin- tions are turned Nichols was convicted of a felony classes to get associate degrees though there was no evidence of istration were pursuing business into an impeach- burglary when he was 21. in criminal justice and health wrongdoing by the former vice deals in Ukraine that went far ment article, it’s Sorenson, now 36, wants the science. He’s made “just enough president or his son Hunter, who beyond advancing the president’s imperative that pardon so he can serve in more to get by” in his jobs as a piano served on the board of a Ukrainian personal political interests. It also the whistleblower positions in the military, includ- mover, a construction worker, a gas company. raises questions about whether be interviewed in Graham ing volunteering for deployment. landscaper, a FedEx Driver and Text messages from State De- Trump allies were mixing business public, under oath, Vasser, 40, hopes to become a now working for a concrete com- partment officials revealed other and politics just as Republicans and cross-examined.” military chaplain. Nichols, 62, pany. details, including that Ukraine were calling for a probe of Biden wants to be able to hunt and Having a felony also contrib- was promised a visit with Trump and his son Hunter, who served U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, travel to Canada for the Calgary uted to tensions in Pizer’s mar- if the government would agree to five years on the board of another D-Minn., on CNN: Stampede, an annual rodeo, ex- riage, which ended after four investigate the 2016 election and Ukrainian energy company, Bu- “My focus is on the hibition and festival. years. Ukrainian gas company Burisma risma. fact that you have “A pardon can profoundly im- — the outline of a potential quid — Associated Press got a president pact a person’s life by offering A hard transition pro quo. that is acting like them an official grant of forgive- If the 2004 incident had hap- Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., a point, continuing to paint him- a global gangster. ness,” Evers said in a statement. pened today, Relles said, it would member of the House Intelligence self as the victim of a “deep state” He is basically go- “(These four) have paid their have been a “classic case” for vet- Committee, said word of a second and hostile Democrats. ing to one leader after another try- debt to society, made amends, erans court, which allows qual- whistleblower indicates a larger As the president often does Klobuchar and contributed to their com- ifying veterans to get charges shift inside the government. when he feels under attack, he ing to get dirt on munities. I believe they deserve dismissed or reduced after suc- “The president’s real problem trumpeted his strong support his political opponent. I consider a second chance.” cessful completion of a treatment is that his behavior has finally among Republican voters. He that a violation of our laws.” program for addiction, mental gotten to a place where people kept lashing out at Utah Sen. Mitt U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, No pardons under Walker health or other disorders. are saying, ‘Enough,’” Himes Romney, one of the few Republi- D-Conn., on NBC: Walker was firm on his po- Pizer served four years in the said. cans who has publicly questioned “This is a moment where patriots sition of refusing to grant par- Marines, earning two commen- Democrats have zeroed in on Trump’s conduct. need to step up and try to save this dons during his tenure, despite dations and the rank of corporal. the State Department in the “The Democrats are lucky that country, and I think there are a lot repeated appeals from Pizer, his He did two tours of duty, one in opening phase of their impeach- they don’t have any Mitt Rom- of regular citizens out there that lawyers and letters from dozens Kuwait and one in Iraq. The sec- ment investigation. The Intel- ney types,” Trump wrote, paint- are going to demand that their of citizens — including veterans ond deployment was voluntary, ligence, Oversight and Foreign ing the 2012 GOP presidential members of Congress look at the and Republicans — who asked because he didn’t want to aban- Affairs committees have already nominee as a traitor to his party. facts, make a decision out of facts, Walker to give Pizer a pardon. don four new marines who were interviewed Kurt Volker, a for- Romney tweeted recently that not make a decision based on Pizer’s case even got coverage under his command. mer special envoy to Ukraine Trump’s “brazen and unprec- their loyalty to the cult of Donald from the New York Times, which In Iraq, every week rock- who provided the text messages. edented appeal to China and to Trump.” called his conviction a “one- et-propelled grenades would be At least two other witnesses are Ukraine” for an investigation of punch felony.” shot at the base where Pizer was set for depositions this week: Biden is “wrong and appalling.” — Tribune News Service “I would say people recog- stationed. One had even exploded Gordon Sondland, the U.S. am- The July call raised questions nized that he deserved a second against a brick wall right outside bassador to the European Union, about whether Trump held back idence of wrongdoing by either chance,” Relles said. his tent, blasting him out of his and Marie Yovanovitch, who was near $400 million in critical Biden. UW-Madison professor Barry bunk. abruptly ousted as the U.S. am- American military aid to Ukraine A leading candidate for the Burden, an expert on American Pizer said the stress of being bassador to Ukraine in May. as leverage for a Burisma inves- 2020 Democratic presidential politics, said Walker’s stance on only two days removed from a Trump, rather than visiting his tigation. Hunter Biden served on nomination, Biden wrote in The pardons was “exceptional” for war zone contributed to his gut nearby golf course in Sterling, the board of Burisma at the same Washington Post that he had a Wisconsin, as both Republican reaction of punching the hus- Virginia, for a second day, stayed time his father was leading the message for Trump and “those and Democrat governors before band, Steven Frazier, in the nose. at the White House, where he Obama administration’s diplo- who facilitate his abuses of him exercised their constitu- He said it was “hard to flip tweeted and retweeted, with the matic dealings with Ukraine. power. ... Please know that I’m tional pardoning power. the switch” from being “always Bidens a main target. Though the timing raised con- not going anywhere. You won’t Before Walker, former Repub- aware, always alert” while he “The great Scam is being re- cerns among anti-corruption destroy me, and you won’t de- lican Gov. Tommy Thompson was on duty to being a normal vealed!” Trump wrote at one advocates, there has been no ev- stroy my family.” issued 238 pardons, former Re- civilian. Today, soldiers are republican Gov. Scott McCallum quired to stay on base for around issued 24 and Democratic Gov. a month before returning home Jim Doyle issued more than 300, to “defuse” and “calm down,” Todd asked why he winced, he U.S. ambassador to the Euro- according to Evers’ office. Pizer said. Johnson launched into his Trump defense. pean Union, Gordon Sondland, Walker has said little about his From A1 Johnson last week also told re- told him that aid to Ukraine was rationale for his position. In late A ‘second chance’ porters that Trump blocked him tied to Trump’s request to have 2013, a Walker spokesman told The punch left Frazier with Hillary Clinton email and Rus- from telling Ukraine’s president Ukraine undertake investiga- the Wisconsin State Journal he headaches and breathing prob- sia investigations, who texted that U.S. aid to the eastern Euro- tions related to the 2016 U.S. had made the decision early in lems, but after a conversation inflammatory comments about pean nation was on its way. elections. his administration and the po- in 2014 facilitated through a re- Trump to Lisa Page, a former FBI Trump is the subject of an im- Johnson said Trump in an Aug. sition had not changed. Walker storative justice program, the two lawyer who also worked on those peachment inquiry from House 31 phone call rejected the idea he also told a TV reporter there men were able to talk through investigations. Democrats over a July 25 phone directed his staff to makemilitary were thousands of convicted fel- their differences on that night 15 Some Republican Trump sup- call with Ukrainian president aid to Ukraine contingent on a ons “who probably have a com- years ago. porters have pointed to the texts Volodymyr Zelensky in which new investigation by that coun- pelling case to be made that we “At the end of the conversation, as evidence that the Russian in- the two leaders discussed U.S. try. Johnson in his Sunday inter- don’t know about.” A spokesman we stood up, we shook hands, he vestigation was a “deep state” military aid and Trump asked for view added Trump “vehemently, said Sunday he had nothing more said he forgave me,” Pizer said. conspiracy to discredit Trump if a “favor,” namely Ukraine inves- angrily denied it.” to add. “That just felt amazing. … He he won the 2016 election. tigating the origins of the Russia Johnson said Trump told him Evers re-started the pardons forgave me, and I think that is all “That is why Trump is so up- investigation as well as former he was considering withholding board in June, and his office had that is really important.” set,” Johnson said. “He had this Vice President Joe Biden and his military aid because of alleged received 210 pardon applications Pizer said if Frazier was able to false narrative that resulted in son, Hunter. corruption in the 2016 election. as of Friday. Only five were heard forgive him, the state should be him being set up by (former FBI In Sunday’s interview, John- That, Johnson added, could in- before the board, one of which able to too. director) James Comey.” son appeared to believe Trump’s clude possible election interfer- was rejected. On Oct. 14, 10 “If I am granted a pardon, you Johnson’s comments in a version of events that he was not ence by Ukraine. more requests will be heard by won’t regret it,” Pizer said during clamorous Sunday interview on trying to damage Biden. Johnson, when asked, said he the board, and those hearings his pardon hearing around five NBC’s Meet the Press came just “That is the piece of the puz- does not trust the CIA or FBI. will continue every six to eight weeks ago. “For the rest of my days after the Oshkosh Republi- zle I’m here to report today, that “No, no I don’t, absolutely weeks, Evers spokeswoman Me- life, I will be a law-abiding can revealed he had learned of a unlike the narrative of the press not,” he said. lissa Baldauff said. member of society, I will be bet- possible quid pro quo involving President Trump wants to dig Johnson, when asked, said he Burden said the nine years of ter able to support my family, Trump from a top U.S. official but up dirt on his 2020 opponent, believes Russia interfered in the no pardons in the state likely cre- and I will contribute only pos- that the president had denied it what he wants is an accounting 2016 election, and that Trump’s ated a “backlog” of people who itively to the greater Wisconsin to him. of what happened in 2016, who former campaign chairman, Paul will be eligible. He said there will community. Johnson told the Wall Street set him up, did things spring from Manafort, was not “framed.” be “people who were ignored by “That is my pledge to you to- Journal last week he “winced” Ukraine?” Manafort was convicted of one governor and then given a day. I will make you all proud when he learned about the pos- Last week, Johnson revealed he bank and tax fraud related to his pardon by the next.” to have given me this second sible quid pro quo, but when had a piece of the impeachment work for a political candidate in 00 After being ignored by Walker chance.” Meet the Press moderator Chuck story to tell, revealing that the Ukraine. 1