Martin Schreiber

This Is First Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court In Living Memory

Media says court was liberal 15 years ago. Dead wrong. This is a radical change.

Former Governor Tony Earl Dies at 86

Earl was governor from 1983-87. Democrat was champion of environment.

Gov. Evers Announces Passing of Former Wisconsin Gov. Tony Earl

Governor orders US, Wisconsin flags to fly at half-staff as state mourns loss

Contribution to Andrea Pratt of $400

Contribution to Andrea Pratt of $400

Evers Takes a Page from Republicans

His push to give tax rebate to taxpayers was first used by Lee Dreyfus to win office.

Former Wisconsin Governor to speak at College of Nursing Nov. 19

McCoshen Won’t Run for Governor

Lobbyist and former Thompson aide had traveled state for a year.

The Race Is On For Lt. Governor

The last time there was no incumbent, back in 2010, nine candidates ran for the position.

Evers Faces Daunting Odds In 2022

Democrats have lost 32 of the last 33 elections for governor when the president was a Democrat.

Bobot Will Attack Langley. Sort Of

Vince Bobot has (mostly) changed his mind about going negative in race for city attorney.

Dozens more Wisconsin elected officials endorse Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Karofsky earns support from Democrats, Republicans, and Independents from across Wisconsin

Contribution to Vincent Bobot of $1,000

Democrats’ Sweep of Statewide Offices Is Rare

First time since 1982, only third time in more than 125 years.

Governors Jim Doyle, Tony Earl and Marty Schreiber endorse Earnell Lucas

Lucas is a decorated law enforcement executive and respected public safety professional.

History Gives Walker Slim Odds to Win

State voters rarely elect a gubernatorial candidate whose party holds the presidency.

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Will Democrats Set Record for Governor Race?

A record 16 candidates have registered, making predictions difficult.

The Lobbyist Governors Loved

The late Bill Gerrard was part of “permanent government” voters decry.

True Love Stories in Caregiving

Two men discuss the journeys that reshaped their lives and loves

David Clarke the Demagogue

A sheriff who once represented law and order has sold his soul to become a media star.

Marty Schreiber’s Last Campaign

The former governor, faced with his beloved wife’s dementia, urges others to ask for help.

Contribution to Michael Murphy of $300

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $1,000

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $400

Governor Scott Walker’s 2016 State of the State Address

"The state of our state is strong. We are moving Wisconsin forward."

Opening of Two New Memory Cafés Continues Progress Towards a Dementia Friendly Milwaukee County

Memory Cafés improve the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias.

Race for Democratic Chair Gets Dirty

Some mudslinging at the candidates may stick to Democratic insider and consultant Thad Nation. This story was updated at 6:30 p.m., May 26.

The Mysterious Kondos Chateau

One of the town's most magnificent mansions has a strange history, complete with a jailed lawyer who once served a governor.

The Governor’s Party

Governor Jim Doyle was the guest of honor at a fundraiser at Mocean's on September 16.

Buffett Tour on Hold

“Spirit – The Seventh Fire” has been put on hiatus.

Scott Walker and the Milwaukee Curse

Milwaukee has not been the home of many of Wisconsin’s governors.

In-House Election Commission Good Idea?

It is more of an internal workgroup,” Pat Curley said.

More OIC – George Connections

Although the Gary George – OIC-GM connections are well documented, particularly those that have led to the convictions of George, Mark Sostarich and Carl Gee, recently-released audit information and other source documents indicate that perhaps the OIC-George connection needs to be further investigated. Nobody is accusing anybody of wrongdoing, but perhaps investigators should dig a little deeper into the dealings of George and those connected with him, if only to remove any hint of suspicion from settling on the mantle of the innocent. Take, for instance, the relationship between Todd Robert Murphy, OIC-GM and Gary George. Murphy was recently relieved of his Public Relations contract with OIC-GM, and was replaced by Martin Schreiber and Associates. The recent audit of the OIC-GM accounts indicated that payments made by OIC-GM to TRM Marketing Consultants, Murphy’s firm, were “unallowable expenses,” according to Paul Steiber of the State of Wisconsin. His review included two months during which Murphy received $4,000 per month from OIC-GM. Was this a “cushy consulting job,” as Leon Todd has suggested? Todd said the Murphy-planted cover story about OIC-GM that appeared in the Shepherd Express (and, interestingly, in newspapers in the African-American community) was “not enough” to save him his job. According to the audit, OIC-GM was not authorized to hire a public relations consultant with W2 funds. The Ethics Board did not have a complete accounting of the amount of money Murphy’s firm was paid over the years. The board was investigating “direct” payments, and Murphy’s were considered “indirect.” According to John Becker of the Ethics Board, the payments to Todd Robert Murphy’s firm “were not something we focused on.” Nor has the board “seen any checks,” from OIC-GM to Murphy, he said. One wonders if the State of Wisconsin Ethics Board should have done a better job reviewing its own documents, for the Statements of Economic Interests filed by George for the years 1999-2001 show that George received more than $1,000 per year from Murphy’s firm. It would be interesting to know how much exactly per year Murphy sent to George, and what he got in exchange. George also reported receiving funds from Petrie and Stocking, the firm that employed Mark Sostarich, who gave George kickbacks from OIC funds. George also received money from Coleman & Williams, Ltd., an accounting firm. Coleman & Williams also received money from OIC – to conduct an audit of the OIC books. Isn’t it odd that an accounting firm that received money from OIC-GM would also, coincidentally, be sending more than $1,000 per year to George, who was systematically swindling OIC-GM out of money, with the connivance of Carl Gee, the group’s director, and Mark Sostarich, the Petrie and Stocking lawyer? Bill Coleman, of the accounting firm, said the relationship was quite innocent, and that he had hired Gary George to do unspecified legal work for his firm. Since many aspects of attorney-client relationships are privileged, we’ll have to take his word for it. Still, workers at the Ethics Board, the United […]

Plale Recall Drive Begins

Can a group of south side political activists pull themselves together enough to acquire 13,212 signatures to force a recall election against Sen. Jeff Plale? Rep. Jon Richards said he doubts it. “This thing is going nowhere,” says Rep. Josh Zepnick. “These people are so lazy! They’ve taken out a newspaper ad asking people to come by and sign a recall petition. Who is going to do that?” True enough. To win an election, you’ve got to knock on doors, post signs in windows and do all kinds of grass-rooted activities. There is scant evidence of this in the Plale recall attempt, and absolutely no evidence of it in the northern fringes of Plale’s district, including Brady Street and the East Side. That hasn’t stopped Plale from printing up thousands of football schedules that he is handing out at every turn. The South Milwaukeean made the journey to St. Rita’s Church last week to attend the Brady Street Association monthly meeting where he was asked about the recall. “They’ve got until September 7th to get the signatures to recall me,” Plale told the audience. When told there seemed to be no effort on the East Side to circulate petitions, Plale said, “well, these people wouldn’t know how to find Brady Street.” Plale was also in the Brady Street area for what the neighborhood hopes is an annual Artisinal Food Festival. The gig was held Sunday, July 25th, and Plale was there along with his schedules. The recall effort against him stemmed from his crucial vote to uphold Governor Doyle’s veto of a republican-sponsored measure to limit property tax increases. Plale says the upcoming plans to sponsor a constitutional amendment known as the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, (TABOR) is similarly flawed, and a potential recipe for disaster. He cites Colorado, a state that has enacted similar provisions into its laws and is now in the midst of its worst fiscal crisis ever. Amendment on the Run The legislature republicans spent the last unedifying session promoting the agenda of Gays, Guns and Gambling. The Madison gang came up with loads of goofy legislation, none of which could sustain a veto by the governor. Leave it to this group to be able to reconvene and pass a constitutional amendment, no less, in just one week. This was the decision of Sen. Mary Panzer, the republican leader who had earlier been criticized for not rushing a Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights law through the Solomonic deliberations of the nation’s most august lawmakers. But, as soon as she faced a primary challenge from Rep.Glenn Grothman, an ambitious fellow republican who covets her senate seat, Panzer decided to schedule a vote for this week. Then, the legislature can go home and come back next year to vote again. Then, finally, the matter will be put to public vote in a referendum, if it is still alive. But, if the legislature does not act by August 5th, the whole procedure would have to be repeated in yet one […]

Lautenschlager’s Fast Ones – Past Speeding Tickets Raise Residency Issues

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager exploits a legal loophole.

My Campaign Blog

Two hundred fifty bucks or a free press pass?

Krug Scores Joint Finance Seat

Rep. Shirley Krug was chosen Monday to take a seat on the influential Joint Committee on Finance

Why Did Chief Jones Protect a Man With a Violent Record?

Earlier this week, Milwaukee Police Chief Jones used his power to protect Wendell Jones, the husband of County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs-Jones.

Why Businesses Are Attacking The State’s Freeway Plan

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's latest freeway project could "virtually suffocate downtown Milwaukee," a letter from the Downtown Business Improvement District complains.