Lawton challenges Dems on climate change

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton challenged Democrats to fulfill their commitment to environmental issues in her floor speech, while mocking Republicans as "gadflies" who are "shouting from the margins."

She urged delegates to maintain pressure on lawmakers on energy and climate change legislation, saying that businesses in Wisconsin can only evolve through a "clear framework of state and national goals."

"Are we going to live up to the DNA of Gaylord Nelson and Aldo Leopold and John Muir?" Lawton asked.

She also asked Dems to help their 1st CD colleagues, chiding Paul Ryan for voting against stimulus money that she said is helping cities devastated by the economy.

"They know that they deserve better than a congressman whose goal was to privatize Social Security," Lawton said of 1st DC Dems. "Let's vow tonight as a state to help them make that necessary change."

Listen to the speech.

-- By Andy Szal