James Rowen

Recent Articles

Op Ed: State Republicans Oppose Federal PFAS Law
Op Ed

State Republicans Oppose Federal PFAS Law

Just one of state's five GOP House members backs bill regulating 'forever chemicals.'

Op Ed: Grothman, Fitzgerald Dishonor State Heroes
Op Ed

Grothman, Fitzgerald Dishonor State Heroes

Vote against removing Confederate statues from U.S. Capitol dishonors Civil War dead.

Op Ed: EPA Overrules Pruitt-Walker Smog Increases
Op Ed

EPA Overrules Pruitt-Walker Smog Increases

Ex-governor and EPA leader raised legal pollution level to aid Foxconn plan.

Op Ed: GOP Is The Pain-and-Suffering Party
Op Ed

GOP Is The Pain-and-Suffering Party

Led by Robin Vos, Republicans repeatedly back policies causing poverty, sickness and death.

Op Ed: Mark Born Offers a History Lesson
Op Ed

Mark Born Offers a History Lesson

Republican representative and Joint Finance leader suggests small glass case of exhibits is quite enough Black history.

Op Ed: 10 Amazing Opinions Of Glenn Grothman
Op Ed

10 Amazing Opinions Of Glenn Grothman

Cardi B is indecent, the War on Men will destroy America and other classics.

Op Ed: State’s GOP Congressmen Backed Greene
Op Ed

State’s GOP Congressmen Backed Greene

They opposed removing Rep. Greene, who supported the killing of Democrats, from House committees.

Op Ed: Tom Tiffany and White Privilege
Op Ed

Tom Tiffany and White Privilege

Far-right Congressman from northern Wisconsin opposes Native American Secretary of Interior.

Op Ed: Scott Fitzgerald Has Very Bad Week
Op Ed

Scott Fitzgerald Has Very Bad Week

First he violates congressional oath, then says he doesn’t know if Trump to blame for Capitol takeover.

Op Ed: You Pay Them $3,300 a Week, They Oppose $600 For You
Op Ed

You Pay Them $3,300 a Week, They Oppose $600 For You

Every Republican member of Congress from Wisconsin opposed pandemic relief bill.

Op Ed: State DNR Still Wrong on Lakeshore Golf Course
Op Ed

State DNR Still Wrong on Lakeshore Golf Course

Kohler Co. plan, okayed under Gov. Walker is bad precedent and bad for environment.

Op Ed: State Supreme Court Gets ‘F’ For Ethics
Op Ed

State Supreme Court Gets ‘F’ For Ethics

Its recusal rule was written by groups the court is supposed to oversee.

Op Ed: Trump Has Weakened 125 Environmental Rules
Op Ed

Trump Has Weakened 125 Environmental Rules

Many have been wiped out entirely, analysis finds. 40 more rollbacks planned.

Op Ed: Glenn Grothman Puts on a Mask
Op Ed

Glenn Grothman Puts on a Mask

100,000 lives could be saved if we wear masks. Republican Grothman offers oddball ad.

Op Ed: Wisconsin Has More People in ICU With COVID-19 Than Canada
Op Ed

Wisconsin Has More People in ICU With COVID-19 Than Canada

Canada has six times more people than our state, but a much lower rate of new cases.

Op Ed: Ron Johnson on the Warpath
Op Ed

Ron Johnson on the Warpath

Senator subpoenas dozens of Obama officials. Anything to get Trump reelected.

Op Ed: How Trump Has Increased Coal Pollution
Op Ed

How Trump Has Increased Coal Pollution

Nationally and in Wisconsin more toxins allowed.

Op Ed: Wear a Mask, Boost the Economy
Op Ed

Wear a Mask, Boost the Economy

Goldman Sachs study: for every day you wear a mask the GDP will be boosted by $56.14.

Op Ed: Sturgis Biker Rally A Threat to State
Op Ed

Sturgis Biker Rally A Threat to State

Many Wisconsin Harley riders attending event that will likely spread COVID-19.

Op Ed: The Party of Lincoln No More
Op Ed

The Party of Lincoln No More

Johnson, Grothman, Tiffany redefine Republican Party in an un-Abe-like way.

Op Ed: State High Court Nullifies 2018 Election
Op Ed

State High Court Nullifies 2018 Election

One again, conservative judges uphold lame duck laws and then overthrow governor's vetoes

Op Ed: State GOP Holding Convention in Hot Spot
Op Ed

State GOP Holding Convention in Hot Spot

In-person Republican convention next week in Brown County which has second-highest COVID-19 outbreak.

Op Ed: 37 Different Kinds of Trump Rage
Op Ed

37 Different Kinds of Trump Rage

So many ways of blowing up that headline writers are challenged.

Op Ed: Briggs & Stratton Execs Get Millions
Op Ed

Briggs & Stratton Execs Get Millions

Even as employee who pushed for more pandemic protections in workplace has died from virus.

Op Ed: Vos Blames Immigrants for Pandemic
Op Ed

Vos Blames Immigrants for Pandemic

High rate of COVID-19 in Racine caused by “immigrant culture”, Assembly Speaker says.

Op Ed: Walker Defends Trump With ‘Fact Check’
Op Ed

Walker Defends Trump With ‘Fact Check’

The President didn't use tear gas, no siree, the former governor assures us.

Op Ed: Do Republicans Have Secret COVID-19 Plan?
Op Ed

Do Republicans Have Secret COVID-19 Plan?

Vos and Fitzgerald want high court to overrule Gov. Evers’ policies. What will their plan be?

Op Ed: The Republican Death Cult
Op Ed

The Republican Death Cult

Gather in polling places, gather in churches, and let 11 million die; the new GOP vision.

Op Ed: Foxconn Facility Could Help in Pandemic
Op Ed

Foxconn Facility Could Help in Pandemic

New building isn’t manufacturing anything but could become emergency treatment center.

Op Ed: Scott Walker Offers Mortgage Debt Plan
Op Ed

Scott Walker Offers Mortgage Debt Plan

As governor he skipped state debt payments. Now offering a similar, unsolicited plan to nation's banks.

Op Ed: The Foxconn Road to Ruin
Op Ed

The Foxconn Road to Ruin

$630 million for roads and infrastructure for Foxconn while highways across state fall apart.

Op Ed: Stakes Are High for Supreme Court Race
Op Ed

Stakes Are High for Supreme Court Race

Kelly vs Karofsky will test the organizing, fundraising abilities of both parties.

Op Ed: Birds Can Now Be Slaughtered
Op Ed

Birds Can Now Be Slaughtered

County tries to protect birds as Trump policies open door to wanton killing.

Op Ed: Vos Echoes Trump on Disabled People
Op Ed

Vos Echoes Trump on Disabled People

Assembly Speaker’s attitude toward wheel-chair bound legislator is truly Trumpian.

Op Ed: Foxconn’s Crystal Ball Looks Fuzzy
Op Ed

Foxconn’s Crystal Ball Looks Fuzzy

Company’s smaller footprint has business proponent Tim Sheehy lowering expectations.

Op Ed: Under Evers, DNR Restores Science
Op Ed

Under Evers, DNR Restores Science

New groundwater standards and science-based approaches to chemical pollution.

Op Ed: EPA Hires Third Ex-Walker DNR Staffer
Op Ed

EPA Hires Third Ex-Walker DNR Staffer

Regional EPA office in Chicago embraces Walker staffers, philosophy .

Op Ed: Foxconn’s Water Rights Still at Issue
Op Ed

Foxconn’s Water Rights Still at Issue

Administrative law judge must rule on strong challenge to Lake Michigan diversion.

Op Ed: The Farewell Tour of Scott Walker
Op Ed

The Farewell Tour of Scott Walker

Ex-governor struggling for relevancy. Cue the Twitter photos.

Op Ed: Gerrymandering Costs Taxpayers Millions
Op Ed

Gerrymandering Costs Taxpayers Millions

Republicans' legal bill for redistricting federal judge declared unconstitutional hits $3.5 million.

Op Ed: Welcome to Milwaukee, Mr. Walker
Op Ed

Welcome to Milwaukee, Mr. Walker

Governor who warned voters about evils of this city will now live here.

Op Ed: Why Republicans Hate Madison
Op Ed

Why Republicans Hate Madison

For starters, way too many millennials.

Op Ed: Judge Extends Deadline on Foxconn Case
Op Ed

Judge Extends Deadline on Foxconn Case

Company’s proposed diversion of Lake Michigan water is illegal, environmental groups charge.

Op Ed: Time’s Running Out on Vos, Fitzgerald
Op Ed

Time’s Running Out on Vos, Fitzgerald

Vos says Democrats are "sore losers” and proceeds as though Republicans won.

Op Ed: Do Vos, Fitzgerald Want Dictatorship?
Op Ed

Do Vos, Fitzgerald Want Dictatorship?

Rather than accepting will of the voters, they hatch plans to reduce governor’s power.

Op Ed: How Walker Cost Taxpayers $2.6 Billion
Op Ed

How Walker Cost Taxpayers $2.6 Billion

The 7 biggest financial failures by a not-so-fiscally conservative governor.

Op Ed: Why Dane County Beat Us In Property Value
Op Ed

Why Dane County Beat Us In Property Value

State policies going back many years have hurt Milwaukee County.

Op Ed: How Act 10 Hurt State Education
Op Ed

How Act 10 Hurt State Education

New report shows far-reaching impact of Walker’s “modest requests” for change.

Op Ed: Rep. Grothman Loves, Hates Deficit
Op Ed

Rep. Grothman Loves, Hates Deficit

GOP Congressman leads in tax-supported newsletters and contradictions on the deficit.

Op Ed: 8 Bad Rankings Where State Leads
Op Ed

8 Bad Rankings Where State Leads

For worst repaired roads, small farm bankruptcies and six other categories.

Op Ed: The Special Interests Governor
Op Ed

The Special Interests Governor

Average citizens don't count when Walker and Republicans decide environmental policy.

Op Ed: The Long Arm of the WMC
Op Ed

The Long Arm of the WMC

Big business group wants to buy another high court justice, as WMC has admitted.

Op Ed: Why Did MMAC Do Foxconn Study?
Op Ed

Why Did MMAC Do Foxconn Study?

Maybe to help Republican candidates facing voters who don’t think Foxconn will help economy.

Op Ed: Foxconn Water Request Violates Law
Op Ed

Foxconn Water Request Violates Law

Company wants massive diversion of Lake Michigan water. But DNR won't oppose it.

Op Ed: Less Food For the Poor
Op Ed

Less Food For the Poor

Walker, Trump have fancy taxpayer-paid kitchens, cut food for the poor.

Op Ed: Walker’s Speech Ignores the Environment
Op Ed

Walker’s Speech Ignores the Environment

Not one word or update about environment in State of the State speech. Why?

Op Ed: How Golf Tees Kill Trees
Op Ed

How Golf Tees Kill Trees

What the DNR had to say about the new Kohler golf course.

Op Ed: Water Pollution Skyrockets Under Walker
Op Ed

Water Pollution Skyrockets Under Walker

His own data shows addition of 804 polluted waterways.

Op Ed: DNR Supports Park Land for Private Golfing?
Op Ed

DNR Supports Park Land for Private Golfing?

Kohler would get state park land along the lakefront for its private golf course.

Op Ed: State Roads Are Second Worst in Nation
Op Ed

State Roads Are Second Worst in Nation

Walker’s unwillingness to spend on highways causing huge problems.

Op Ed: Walker Is a Jobs Killer
Op Ed

Walker Is a Jobs Killer

He promised 62.500 new jobs per year, admits state adding less than half that.

Op Ed: The DNR Isn’t Quite Dead
Op Ed

The DNR Isn’t Quite Dead

Signs of life in its latest reports on natural resources that still survive.

Op Ed: State’s Impaired Waters Jump by 20%
Op Ed

State’s Impaired Waters Jump by 20%

DNR adds another 240 waterways that are officially impaired, bringing total to 1,300.

Op Ed: GOP Water Grabbers At It Again
Op Ed

GOP Water Grabbers At It Again

Republican Tom Tiffany targets Public Trust doctrine that protects our waters.

Op Ed: Walker’s 2018 Campaign Baggage Is Heavy
Op Ed

Walker’s 2018 Campaign Baggage Is Heavy

The negative issues and squabbles he must handle keep growing.

Op Ed: Schimel and Pruitt, the Anti-Environmentalists
Op Ed

Schimel and Pruitt, the Anti-Environmentalists

State attorney general and federal EPA head never met a green policy they liked.

Op Ed: Will Walker Learn From Hurricane Harvey?
Op Ed

Will Walker Learn From Hurricane Harvey?

Texas ignored good planning and impact of climate change. The results are clear.

Op Ed: Will Stepp Join U.S. EPA Wrecking Crew?
Op Ed

Will Stepp Join U.S. EPA Wrecking Crew?

Her radical reshaping of state DNR may make her the perfect candidate.

Op Ed: Plague of Floods Caused by Climate Change
Op Ed

Plague of Floods Caused by Climate Change

Dozens of 100-year floods in 30 years, roads keep getting washed out.

Op Ed: Loss of Talgo Train Hurts Foxconn Deal
Op Ed

Loss of Talgo Train Hurts Foxconn Deal

High speed rail would have better connected Racine area to Madison, Chicago.

Op Ed: Don’t Give Away Acres of State Park
Op Ed

Don’t Give Away Acres of State Park

State allowing for-profit golf course to take over public land on Lake Michigan.

Op Ed: Trump Great Lakes Cuts Hurt Supporters
Op Ed

Trump Great Lakes Cuts Hurt Supporters

Great Lakes governors who supported him own that massive cut in Great Lakes funding.

Op Ed: We Like Suburban Segregation
Op Ed

We Like Suburban Segregation

Governments have long enabled metro area's biases.

Op Ed: The Brown Water Republicans
Op Ed

The Brown Water Republicans

GOP convention at Dells water park highlights environmental failings.

Op Ed: Walker’s Policies Hurting Small Farms
Op Ed

Walker’s Policies Hurting Small Farms

High capacity wells help Big Agriculture, hurt small farms, environment.

Op Ed: Schimel Gives Amnesty to Big Polluter
Op Ed

Schimel Gives Amnesty to Big Polluter

3M, a big Walker donor, gets no financial penalty for repeatedly polluting.

Op Ed: Why Walker Killed DNR Magazine
Op Ed

Why Walker Killed DNR Magazine

Too popular? Or too many stories promoting recycling and clean water?

Op Ed: The Un-Greening of Wisconsin
Op Ed

The Un-Greening of Wisconsin

Walker policies help political donors, hurt environment. Trump could pile on.

Op Ed: The Anti-Green Governor
Op Ed

The Anti-Green Governor

While Republicans like John Kasich embrace green measures to boost jobs, Walker rejects them all.

Op Ed: Only Wisconsin Scrubs Climate Change info
Op Ed

Only Wisconsin Scrubs Climate Change info

Other Great Lakes states inform citizens of climate change impact on environment.

Op Ed: DNR Censors All Climate Change Info
Op Ed

DNR Censors All Climate Change Info

Key facts, scientific consensus on climate change and Great Lakes removed.

Op-Ed: Walker Has Failed to Create Jobs
Op-Ed

Walker Has Failed to Create Jobs

State has suffered nearly six years of below-average job growth.

Op-Ed: Climate Change An Afterthought for DNR
Op-Ed

Climate Change An Afterthought for DNR

Issue barely exists, to judge by its website.

Op-Ed: Stepp’s Slothful Style of Running DNR
Op-Ed

Stepp’s Slothful Style of Running DNR

Or is it a Chamber of Commerce mentality? You be the judge.

Scott Walker’s rubber stamps: highlight, tweak, copy, paste
Scott Walker’s rubber stamps

highlight, tweak, copy, paste

Liberal guest commentator James Rowen compares budget bill remarks from two Republican Senators. Are they speaking from the heart or reading cue cards?