Content referencing Spencer Black

85 of 86 Incumbent State Legislators Won in 2022

85 of 86 Incumbent State Legislators Won in 2022

Just one lost. Experts blame Republican gerrymandering and uncompetitive districts.

Op Ed: Anonymous Legislator Undermining State Stewardship Fund
Op Ed

Anonymous Legislator Undermining State Stewardship Fund

More than a dozen times, initiatives to protect invaluable natural areas were killed.

Op Ed: Honoring Biking Advocate Phil Van Valkenberg
Op Ed

Honoring Biking Advocate Phil Van Valkenberg

New trail named for state’s tireless champion of biking.

Op Ed: Congress Should Approve Two More States
Op Ed

Congress Should Approve Two More States

It's time to make Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico states.

Op Ed: Why Republicans Turned Green
Op Ed

Why Republicans Turned Green

Republican senators worried about reelection in November helped pass “The Great American Outdoors Act.”

Op Ed: Biden’s Climate Plan Is Smart Politics
Op Ed

Biden’s Climate Plan Is Smart Politics

And smart policy. The two should go hand in hand.

Op Ed: Why Honor Confederate Leaders?
Op Ed

Why Honor Confederate Leaders?

Would we honor Japanese Admiral Yamamoto, who led the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Op Ed: Natural Areas Program Protects State’s Beauty
Op Ed

Natural Areas Program Protects State’s Beauty

State program created 70 years ago protects 500,000 acres at 692 sites across Wisconsin.

Op Ed: Trump Vulnerable on Environment
Op Ed

Trump Vulnerable on Environment

He’s done more damage than any president in modern history. Will Democrats make this an issue?

Op Ed: Lessons of the Lower Wisconsin River
Op Ed

Lessons of the Lower Wisconsin River

Beautifully conserved, it's the longest free flowing river left in the Midwest.

Derailed: Could Doyle Have Saved High Speed Rail?
Derailed

Could Doyle Have Saved High Speed Rail?

And could the state still get it some day? Last in a series.

Derailed: State’s Talgo Trains Still Sit Idle
Derailed

State’s Talgo Trains Still Sit Idle

Since Republicans killed deal with manufacturer, trains have sat unused in Beech Grove, Indiana. Part 6 of series.

Wisconsin legislators rally behind Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Press Release

Wisconsin legislators rally behind Judge Jill Karofsky for Wisconsin Supreme Court

Judge Karofsky currently serves as a criminal court judge in Dane County.

Op Ed: Endangered Species Act in Danger
Op Ed

Endangered Species Act in Danger

It has high public support. But Trump wants to gut key provisions of the act.

Op Ed: The Game is Rigged in Wisconsin
Op Ed

The Game is Rigged in Wisconsin

We wouldn’t tolerate a rigged football game. Why allow a rigged democracy?

Op Ed: Good News for State’s Environment
Op Ed

Good News for State’s Environment

Evers administration is turning around the decline in DNR staff morale and mission under Walker.

Op Ed: Lame Duck Mischief Defamed the State
Op Ed

Lame Duck Mischief Defamed the State

Walker opted to divide and conquer up until last day in office.

Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes Announce Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources Policy Advisory Council
Press Release

Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes Announce Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources Policy Advisory Council

"We’re going to bring science back to decision-making in Wisconsin."

Murphy’s Law: The Fight Against Gerrymandering
Murphy’s Law

The Fight Against Gerrymandering

Advocates hope their Supreme Court case -- now being rewritten -- will succeed.

Op Ed: Why State’s Lakes Are in Decline
Op Ed

Why State’s Lakes Are in Decline

Long list of Walker policy changes has led to polluted streams and lakes.

The State of Politics: Democrats Rejected Redistricting Reform
The State of Politics

Democrats Rejected Redistricting Reform

Legislative leaders rejected reforms proposed in 2009-2010 session.

Op Ed: The Troubling Record of Brad Schimel
Op Ed

The Troubling Record of Brad Schimel

How has state Attorney General failed? Let us count the ways.

Op Ed: John McCain and Republican Values
Op Ed

John McCain and Republican Values

He’s a patriot and man of character. Contrast this to Trump, Vukmir and Nicholson.

Op Ed: Republicans Have Abandoned Their Principles
Op Ed

Republicans Have Abandoned Their Principles

And voters may make them pay in November.

Earth Day forum with Spencer Black
Press Release

Earth Day forum with Spencer Black

The forum will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, April 21, in the Firefly Room of the Wauwatosa Public Library.

Op Ed: How Walker Destroyed Bipartisan Conservation
Op Ed

How Walker Destroyed Bipartisan Conservation

Democrats and Republicans agreed on need to protect state’s environment. Not any more.

Op Ed: Democrats Beware Overconfidence
Op Ed

Democrats Beware Overconfidence

Republicans are vulnerable in 2018, but nothing is assured.

Op Ed: Wisconsin’s “Fall From Grace”
Op Ed

Wisconsin’s “Fall From Grace”

Insider article by Judge Lynn Adelman reveals how key decision transformed state.

Op Ed: Trump Waging War Against the Outdoors
Op Ed

Trump Waging War Against the Outdoors

Attacking national parks, weakening pollution rules, the list is long.

Murphy’s Law: 11 Sure-Fire Predictions For 2018
Murphy’s Law

11 Sure-Fire Predictions For 2018

How crazy will 2018 be? Let us count the ways.

Op Ed: Mining Bill Will Pollute the State
Op Ed

Mining Bill Will Pollute the State

And will overturn 1998 law passed overwhelmingly and backed by most voters.

Murphy’s Law: Pat Roggensack On the Warpath
Murphy’s Law

Pat Roggensack On the Warpath

Supreme Court chief justice slams Journal Sentinel, Janine Geske, and others.

Op-Ed: Wisconsin’s Water Resources Under Threat
Op-Ed

Wisconsin’s Water Resources Under Threat

State leaders and DNR now side with water polluters over citizens.

Op-Ed: Walker’s High Speed Folly
Op-Ed

Walker’s High Speed Folly

Was governor’s biggest mistake turning down federal money for high speed rail?

Wisconsin Ignores Climate Change

Wisconsin Ignores Climate Change

Republicans join Koch Brothers, opposing actions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The Secret Lobbyists

The Secret Lobbyists

Lobbyists must register to lobby the legislature but can work in secret to get the big money from government contracts. Why?

Murphy’s Law: Can New President Darnell Cole Rescue MATC?
Murphy’s Law

Can New President Darnell Cole Rescue MATC?

Not long after arriving in town, new MATC president Darnell Cole called Greater Milwaukee Committee President Bob Milbourne and asked to meet.

Murphy’s Law: Is Ald. Herron Leaving Town?
Murphy’s Law

Is Ald. Herron Leaving Town?

City Hall has been rife with rumors that Ald. Terrance Herron is leaving Milwaukee.

Murphy’s Law: Scott Jensen’s Big Shakedown
Murphy’s Law

Scott Jensen’s Big Shakedown

Rep. Jon Richards was feeling a little lonely.

Murphy’s Law: Is the State Legislature Still a Men’s Club?
Murphy’s Law

Is the State Legislature Still a Men’s Club?

It was the gunfight at the Capitol corral and only men were invited.

Murphy’s Law: Antonio Riley’s Campaign Coffer Looks Mayoral
Murphy’s Law

Antonio Riley’s Campaign Coffer Looks Mayoral

News reports have made much of the money raised by Ald. Marvin Pratt and Ald. Tom Nardelli, speculating about their chances for mayor.