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Content referencing Steven Walters
Federal Funds Uncertainty Threatens State Budget
$28 billion of projected two-year budget is supposed to come from federal funds.
Feb 17th, 2025 by Steven Walters
Tommy Thompson Loves Trump
'He may be unorthodox, but I'm all for him.'
Feb 10th, 2025 by Steven Walters
It’s Groundhog Day in State Capitol
New budget surplus estimate triggers GOP tax cut pledge. Again.
Feb 3rd, 2025 by Steven Walters
Evers Faces Washington, April Elections Headwinds
Will governor run for reelection? Are political winds behind or against Democrats?
Jan 27th, 2025 by Steven Walters
550 Lobbyists Busy in State Capitol
Ultimately some 750 lobbyists costing $40 million may battle for state budget decisions.
Jan 20th, 2025 by Steven Walters
Republicans Ignore Evers Plea for Citizens Lawmaking
24 states allow citizen initiatives to create and pass constitutional amendments and laws.
Jan 13th, 2025 by Steven Walters
Top 10 News Stories of 2024
Oh what a year it was. Here are the top 10 news stories, plus honorable mentions.
Dec 30th, 2024 by Steven Walters
A Christmas Gift List For State Officials
What would Tony Evers, Robin Vos, Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson like to get?
Dec 23rd, 2024 by Steven Walters
Tax Bills Trigger School Funding Debate
Property taxes rising for schools. Evers, Democrats call for more state aid.
Dec 16th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Act 10 Still Divides the Capitol
Leaders who passed it all gone, state Supreme Court mostly different, as battle renewed.
Dec 9th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Will Legislature Change Election Laws?
Republicans may back earlier recount of absentee ballots -- along with other changes.
Dec 2nd, 2024 by Steven Walters
GOP Losses Will Test Vos, LeMahieu
Smaller majorities in each house will change state Capitol, make it tougher to pass Republican bills.
Nov 25th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Wisconsin Voters Again Color State Purple
The state continues to flip back and forth between two parties, two ideologies.
Nov 18th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Women Lead Democratic Gains in Legislature
Wisconsin voters rejected Kamala Harris but back many other women for office.
Nov 11th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Candidates Ignore State’s Looming ‘Senior Tsunami’
Over-75 population expected to explode, creating huge shortage of health care workers.
Nov 4th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Wisconsin Voters Could Do Something They Haven’t Done in 29 Years
Rejecting proposed voting definition constitutional amendment would be third defeated amendment in 2024.
Oct 28th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Voters In Five States Could Approve Ranked Choice Voting
Wisconsin-based Democracy Found is champion of effort.
Oct 21st, 2024 by Steven Walters
What To Ask The Candidate Knocking On Your Door
Legislative candidates want your vote. You should ask them these questions.
Oct 14th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Both Parties Now Push Early Voting
Early voting now crucial in elections. How you can do it.
Oct 7th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Democrats Target Rep. Novak in New District
Remapped Assembly district is 55% Democrat. But incumbent Republican is running hard.
Sep 30th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Thompson Urges Serb Hall Rally by Trump
Former governor urges Republicans to contest Milwaukee and Dane counties.
Sep 23rd, 2024 by Steven Walters
Marquette Poll Retooled for 2024 Election
E-mails and texts replacing random phone calls.
Sep 9th, 2024 by Steven Walters
A Summer of Intense Politics
With more to come in the next two months.
Sep 3rd, 2024 by Steven Walters
Democrats Think Referendum Success Was A Preview of November Win
But conservatives say funding referendum's failure was a result of out-of-state spending.
Aug 26th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Voter Enthusiasm Up For Wisconsin Democrats
Marquette poll shows Democrats now equal to Republicans in voter enthusiasm.
Aug 19th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Evers, Biden Are Closely Connected
'I am emotional,' Evers said after Biden withdrew from the race. 'He is a good friend.'
Aug 12th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Who Should Have Spending Power For Federal Funds?
Parties spar over constitutional changes on Aug. 13 primary election ballots.
Aug 5th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Parties’ Presidential Campaigns Flip-Flop
Trump and surging Republicans now stalled as Harris stokes excitement. Experts weigh in.
Jul 29th, 2024 by Steven Walters
RNC Brings Fame to Gen Z Party Leader
Milwaukee party official Hilario Deleon winning national, international attention.
Jul 15th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Wisconsin’s Republican Roots Run Deep
Party that will have its national convention here was founded in this state in 1854.
Jul 8th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Feuding Supreme Court Justices Need a Break
Will a summer vacation cool tempers of three conservatives vs four liberals?
Jul 1st, 2024 by Steven Walters
Shortage of Lawyers Plagues Northern Counties
New Attorney Retention and Recruitment Committee seeks to address the crisis.
Jun 25th, 2024 by Steven Walters
UW, Prisons, MPS Now Capitol’s Top Issues
Evers and GOP legislators disagree. Issues could figure in fall elections.
Jun 17th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Turnover High For Republican Convention Delegates
Few rank-and-file delegates from past conventions are included. Why?
Jun 10th, 2024 by Steven Walters
One-Fourth of Assembly Will Be Newbies
Fair maps drawn by both parties for first time in 12 years could transform the Assembly.
Jun 3rd, 2024 by Steven Walters
Ron Johnson’s Curious Stand on Abortion
Pleading for Republican unity on an issue that's a loser for the party.
May 28th, 2024 by Steven Walters
GOP Senate Hurts Evers’ Talent Searches
Difficult to find cabinet secretaries when Senate keeps firing governor's appointees.
May 20th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Parties Target 5 State Senate Seats With No Incumbent
More competitive races will mean fierce battles and huge spending.
May 13th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Running for Legislature Not So Simple
Legislative hopefuls face strict rules, deadlines, paperwork.
May 6th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Evers Vetoes GOP Bills at Record Rate
In one year he vetoed 32% of all legislative bills, compared to 3.7% for average governor.
Apr 29th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Voters Worried About PFAS in Water
69% are worried, poll shows. But Evers and Legislature can't agree on how to address problem.
Apr 22nd, 2024 by Steven Walters
Will Legislators Run Or Not?
The long list of legislators in newly mapped districts who haven't filed to run includes Robin Vos.
Apr 15th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Voters Throw Shade on Biden, Trump
Nearly 180,000 primary voters refused to vote for either. What's does that mean for Wisconsin?
Apr 8th, 2024 by Steven Walters
How Higher Ed Institutions Are Shrinking
It's a stunning trend: Four-year and two-year campuses are cutting back, merging, closing.
Apr 1st, 2024 by Steven Walters
How New Supreme Court Influenced Legislative Decisions
Everything important passed by the Legislature came after court gained a liberal majority.
Mar 18th, 2024 by Steven Walters
New State Aid Favors Rural Areas
Milwaukee and Madison got a 10% increase while all other municipalities got a 20% hike, new report finds.
Mar 4th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Parties Seek New Candidates in New Districts
New state legislative maps means races are the fairest and most wide open in 12 years.
Feb 26th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Frustrated Gallagher Ends Congressional ‘Deployment’
Military veteran Mike Gallagher won't run for reelection after attempting to fix dysfunction.
Feb 19th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Wealthy Health Chain Closing 2 Hospitals
Executives seek to maximize revenue? GOP rejection of expanded Medicaid also at fault?
Feb 14th, 2024 by Bruce Murphy
Health Care A Big Issue in Western Wisconsin
As hospitals close and health care access shrinks Republicans face voter worries.
Feb 12th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Will Lena Taylor Change Her Style As Judge?
Will in-your-face style of state senator be tempered as a Circuit Court judge?
Feb 5th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Evers Silent on New GOP Tax Plan
Latest Republican plan tailored to meet governor's past comments. How will he respond?
Jan 29th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Republicans Fearful of New District Maps
Under one proposed map, incumbent Republicans would have to run against each other.
Jan 22nd, 2024 by Steven Walters
Why GOP Divided on Medical Marijuana
Republican divisions between geographic areas, between Senate and Assembly on the bill.
Jan 15th, 2024 by Steven Walters
2024 Political Calendar Is Jam Packed
Lots of deadlines and dates culminating in presidential election where Wisconsin's vote could be crucial.
Jan 8th, 2024 by Steven Walters
Top 10 State Government Stories of 2023
A year filled with surprises and big stories, led by the election of Janet Protasiewicz to Supreme Court.
Jan 1st, 2024 by Steven Walters
Funding Power Gives GOP Victory in DEI Fight
Why regents, Democrats were defeated by Vos and Republicans.
Dec 26th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Will Women Vote for Brad Schimel?
Former Attorney General a formidable candidate for state Supreme Court. Except for a couple issues.
Dec 20th, 2023 by Bruce Murphy
8 Questions About State Government
Think you know how our state Capitol works? Try answering these questions.
Dec 18th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Women Politicians Still Face Double Standard
Getting more criticism and social media insults than men. 'We get attacked more.'
Dec 11th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Schimel Could Be Potent Supreme Court Candidate
He's run up big election totals in key counties and statewide running for attorney general.
Dec 4th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Justices Favoring New Legislative Maps Face Tough Questions
Must entire state be redistricted? And who should court ask to draw the maps?
Nov 27th, 2023 by Steven Walters
LeMahieu Grows Into Majority Leader Role
Republican Senate leader has worked at times with Democrats to get legislation passed.
Nov 20th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Ziegler Still Pushing for Courts Security Agency
Chief Justice warns that courts must do a better job handling mentally ill offenders.
Nov 13th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Major Changes Loom To Wisconsin’s Elections
And they're proposed in an election year that is already predicted to be "rocky."
Nov 6th, 2023 by Steven Walters
How Wisconsin’s GOP House Members Explained Speaker Fight
Despite their names sometimes percolating, one member even missed the vote while on a trip to Israel.
Oct 30th, 2023 by Steven Walters
3 Pro Sports Venues Cost $1.9 Billion
Funding for Brewers (twice) Packers and Bucks facilities mostly came from taxpayers.
Oct 23rd, 2023 by Steven Walters
Why Protasiewicz Decided Not to Recuse
Her 47-page decision makes strong argument against any justice recusing.
Oct 16th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Senate Targets 6 Evers Appointees
Republicans leave elections commission unbalanced and board overseeing DNR unable to act.
Oct 9th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Final Five Bill Changes Congressional Elections in Wisconsin
Bipartisan proposal pushes less partisan, ranked-choice elections.
Oct 2nd, 2023 by Steven Walters
What’s Next for Kelli Thompson?
The head of state public defender's office, now retiring, getting mentioned as possible state Supreme Court candidate.
Sep 25th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Parties Bicker Over How to Do Iowa-Style Redistricting
Democrats charge that Vos plan will hand ultimate power to Republican legislators.
Sep 18th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Graying Demographics Drive GOP Tax Cut
Tax cut for retirees, who have the highest turnout in elections, adds new wrinkle.
Sep 11th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Tax Cut, Brewers Aid Top Legislative Agenda
GOP plan for $2.9 million tax cut could use up most of remaining state surplus.
Sep 5th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Soaring Home Prices Squeeze First-Time Buyers
Many Millennials priced out. Evers cites workforce crisis, lack of housing for workers.
Aug 21st, 2023 by Steven Walters
Who Are State Supreme Court’s ‘Rogue Members’?
Ziegler and conservatives have ignored state Constitution in governance dispute.
Aug 16th, 2023 by Bruce Thompson
Republicans Dismiss 13th Call for Special Session
In 5 years, Legislators have shot down every such call by the governor, with one exception.
Aug 14th, 2023 by Steven Walters
New Court Majority Changes Target Chief Justice Ziegler
Is it revenge for conservatives' past overthrow of Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson?
Aug 7th, 2023 by Steven Walters
1.4 Million Wisconsin Residents Need To Reapply For Medicaid, Will They?
As of June, more than one-third had not initiated the renewal process. Real test comes at end of summer.
Jul 31st, 2023 by Steven Walters
Trump a Tough Issue for State GOP
State Republican chairman pushing Trump loyalists to support whoever wins the nomination.
Jul 24th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Abortion Rights Backers Get Two Wins
'There is no such thing as an 1849 abortion ban in Wisconsin.'
Jul 17th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Republicans Two Seats From Veto-Proof Majorities
Just 2,498 votes assured that GOP legislators can't override Gov. Evers' vetoes.
Jul 10th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Tax Cuts Divide Evers, Republicans
GOP legislators want billions more in cuts, with nearly half of it going to wealthy taxpayers.
Jul 3rd, 2023 by Steven Walters
The Winners In Shared Revenue, K-12 Funding Deal
Everyone could claim victory. But who won -- and lost -- the most?
Jun 26th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Will GOP Dump State Elections Leader?
Fate of Meagan Wolfe a high stakes decision for state voters, Republican image.
Jun 19th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Democrats Rehire Wikler for 2024 Races
State party chair Ben Wikler has led Democrats to victories and has a growing national profile.
Jun 12th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Missing Ventilators Restart Fight Over Federal Funds Oversight
Auditors found some COVID-19 supplies missing, triggering debate about who should control aid dollars.
Jun 5th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Evers, Republicans Find Common Ground
Better relations between governor and Legislature helps create three major proposals.
May 30th, 2023 by Steven Walters
How Will AI Affect Next Election?
Artificial Intelligence could have a huge impact, ramping up disinformation in swing states like Wisconsin.
May 22nd, 2023 by Steven Walters
Republicans Stall Elections Reforms
Reforms backed by bipartisan Elections Commission, including elections inspector general, stripped from budget bill.
May 15th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Evers Vision Trashed by Republicans
It's governor's vision vs. 12 Republicans on Joint Finance Committee. Who's right?
May 8th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Budget Votes Will Renew ‘Scarcity’ Debate
Claims of a 'scarcity' even in flush times are why problems never get solved, charges poverty researcher Matt Desmond.
May 1st, 2023 by Steven Walters
Capitol Has New Generation of Leaders
44% of Legislature's 132 members changed in last four years.
Apr 24th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Conservatives Push To Protect Walker-Era Reforms
Seeking constitutional amendments to enshrine Act 10, right-to-work, school choice laws.
Apr 17th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Collegiality a Casualty in Supreme Court Election?
Current court members were active in election, could intensify rancor between judges.
Apr 10th, 2023 by Steven Walters
How Wisconsin Became Wild West of Campaign Spending
In just 20 years quiet nonpartisan Supreme Court races turned into something ugly.
Apr 3rd, 2023 by Steven Walters
Inside the Dome Deals Are Common
La Follette's resignation, Godlewski appointment latest example of insider Capitol deals.
Mar 27th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Analysis Details Evers’ Paid Leave Plan
$243 million state spending starts trust fund, payroll tax on employers and employees would sustain it.
Mar 20th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Will Mike Gallagher Challenge Baldwin?
U.S. Senator Baldwin seeks reelection in 2024. Republican Rep. Gallagher's star turn in Washington helps build his profile.
Mar 13th, 2023 by Steven Walters
Capitol Campaign Spending Records Keep Falling
'The voices of average citizens are being drowned out.'
Mar 6th, 2023 by Steven Walters
