‘Tax the Rich:’ Retired Professor’s Plan to Save Rural Wisconsin

Beverly Pestel discusses being an advocate for unmet needs in her Richland County community and beyond on The Maggie Daun Show

She’s a retired chemistry professor who didn’t expect her golden years to be spent advocating for economic policies. But Beverly Pestel is leading an effort which calls for tax reform. Economic Equity Now is focusing on changing the financial reality to save rural Wisconsin communities. She tells Maggie Daun, host of The Maggie Daun Show, it started when she recently moved home.. Pestel describes the state she left more than 50 years ago as different – and not in a good way.  

This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s about fairness and community well-being. We may be talking about tax policy, but this is about improving our lives right now.

Beverly Pestel, retired professor turned grassroots advocate

“When I came back, I saw so many unmet needs,” Pestel explains. “We’re talking about crumbling schools, lack of affordable childcare, inadequate broadband. The things we should all have access to.” 

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LISTEN to the entire interview here:

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Pestel shares with Daun that her advocacy started when a group called the Patriotic Millionaires invited her to a free session about the economy and tax codes. And she says what she learned there was shocking. 

“We’ve all heard Warren Buffett’s line about paying less tax than his secretary,” she says. “But I didn’t realize the full extent of the loopholes, or how massive corporations pay no taxes at all. So with the help of Patriotic Millionaires, I learned how these skewed tax policies are impacting local economies. But learning wasn’t enough. I needed to get to work.”

And work she is – with a strategy focusing on values and needs. It’s also how Economic Equity Now started. And instead of the complexities of tax policy, the group shares a message: “We deserve nice things.” They hand out educational literature at parades and display the message on billboards. And they’re highlighting common-sense needs like fully funded public schools, affordable childcare, and reliable broadband.  

The messaging is striking a chord. 

“When you put it in terms of unmet needs, people understand and agree,” Pestel says. “But then introduce the fact that tax policy and political decisions are why these needs aren’t being met, things get complicated. And suddenly, it becomes personal.” 

Economic Equity Now doesn’t endorse candidates but urges people to consider who they are voting for and why. 

“We’re trying to educate, not alienate,” she emphasizes while talking with Daun. 

And the group recently started investing in more outreach while continuing to focus on relatable issues like the closure of UW Richland. 

“It devastated our local economy and morale,” Pestel says. “It’s a clear example of what happens when resources are cut and needs aren’t prioritized. This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It’s about fairness and community well-being. We may be talking about tax policy, but this is about improving our lives right now.”

Learn more about Economic Equity Now here. 

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