Fred Risser

Is Eric Hovde a Self-Made Man?

Mega-wealthy Republican candidate for US Senate says he rose from nothing.

State High Court Asked to Rule On Marsy’s Law

Appeals court won’t decide suit, citing little case law whether voters on ballot question fully informed.

Democrats Lose Experience In Legislature

10 years of Republican control helps creates Legislature with less experienced Democrats.

Legislature Often a Family Affair

Lawmakers Devin LeMahieu, Greta Neubauer and others had parents who served before them.

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

Governor and three-fourths of legislators engaged in 2011 battle over law crushing public unions have moved on.

Risser ending 64 years in Wisconsin Legislature

Pandemic Ends Holiday Traditions

It's a special time in Wisconsin’s grand Capitol. But not this year.

Judge Rules Against Marsy’s Law

Circuit Court rules amendment passed by referendum didn't fully inform voters of constitutional changes.

Chisholm Calls Marsy’s Law ‘Unfunded Mandate’

County budgeting $224,000 for new staff to comply with requirements.

GOP Once Bypassed Governor on Redistricting

That was in 1960s and high court struck it down. Will we see repeat of this battle next year?

Half Of Legislative Seats Already Decided?

Probably. And why? Gerrymandering.

Primary Results Set Stage for November

Newcomers in many races. Kelda Roys will replace Fred Risser, nation's longest serving legislator.

Mail-In Ballots Indicate Huge Turnout for August Primary

Already, the absentee ballots requested surpass the total turnout for the 2016 primary.

Suit Challenges ‘Marsy’s Law’ Amendment

Opponents of victim rights amendment argue voters were deceived about its provisions.

Senator Jennifer Schilling Calls It Quits

Resigning Friday to take an unidentified job that would create a conflict of interest.

Can Democrats Retake State Senate?

An uphill fight. Retirements by seven incumbents make races hard to call.

Janet Bewley Is New State Senate Minority Leader

Sen. Bewley sets her sights on overcoming GOP opposition, re-taking the senate.

Many Democratic Legislators Resigning

But Assembly Minority Leader Hintz seeks reelection to his post.

Sen. Fred Risser Retires After 64 Years

He is the longest serving legislator in the United States.

Supreme Court Case Could Affect Abortion Access in Wisconsin

The High Court weighs case that could effectively overturn Roe v. Wade.

Assembly Health Committee Fails to Act on Sexual Assault Kit Legislation

Lessons Learned in 2019

It’s not divided government, it's shared government. Or should be.

Lawsuit Would Take Marsy’s Law Off April Ballot

Advocacy groups, attorneys argue victims rights constitutional amendment leaves voters in the dark on its sweeping impact.

Republican’s Proposed Constitutional Amendment “Risky and Full of Unintended Consequences”

“If taken literally, this would prohibit a governor from reversing irresponsible cuts made by a vindictive legislature.”

Senate Votes to Kill Governor Veto Power

Approves putting constitutional amendment on ballot to restrict partial veto power.

Rep. Stubbs, Lt. Gov. Barnes Announce Legislation Decriminalizing Marijuana

"The mass incarceration of African American men who have been disproportionately charged and imprisoned for low-level marijuana offenses is something that must be urgently addressed."

Risser Calls for Decriminalizing Marijuana

Wisconsin marijuana laws have a disproportionately negative effect on communities of color.

Pipeline Bill Opponents Hope for Veto

Republican-created bill would limit protests of oil, water, fuel pipelines. If it passes, will Evers veto it?

Senate Targets Governor’s Veto Power

Pushes constitutional amendment to limit partial veto. Legal group WILL will pursue Supreme Court review.

Senate Sends $82 Billion Budget to Evers

Governor can reject, approve or partially veto the Republicans' revised version of budget.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Applauds Abortion Access Protection Act

'The Abortion Access Protection Act is an important step to safeguard abortion care in Wisconsin.'

Oh, Those Dreaded Plastic Bags

Council debates what to do with bags that clog up recycling process.

A New Generation of Political Leaders

GenXers and Millennials are replacing Baby Boomers in political office.

AFP-WI Backs Expungement Reform Bill

The bill makes smart reforms to Wisconsin’s criminal justice system to help provide second chances to people who have paid their debt to society.

The Remarkable Tenure of Fred Risser

Now 91, he’s served 62 years in the Legislature as its greatest proponent of open government.

Legislature Works Overnight To Curb Evers Power

Limits on early voting, constraints on Evers campaign promise on health care.

Extreme Partisanship Prevents National Solutions

Could political reforms improve the state and national political system?

Democrats Rejected Redistricting Reform

Legislative leaders rejected reforms proposed in 2009-2010 session.

Governor Walker Signs Bills on Improving Family Access to High-Quality Child Care, Creating Transitional Jobs Program for Wisconsin Veterans, and Increasing Funding for Watershed Protection Grants

Governor Walker signs 64 bills into law at the Wisconsin State Capitol

Bill Could Expunge More Criminal Records

Overrides state Supreme Court ruling, allows offenders to request this after completing sentences.

Senate “Hatchet Job” Removes Haas, Bell

What did they do wrong? “I have no idea,” Fitzgerald admits, but demands firings.

GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White

Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.

With Elections Just a Year Away, Legislature Abandons Wisconsin Families

Industrial Acid Mining Bill Will Put Public Health at Risk for Generations

Walker Ignores Biking on State Committee

No biking, pedestrian representatives on autonomous vehicles committee.

Sen. Taylor stands with 91% of Wisconsinites and against GOP repeal of training and permits for conceal carry gun owners

GOP legislators seemed determined to move forward regardless of the will of the people.

Lobby Day on the Way

On April 13th advocates will lobby legislators for pro-biking measures.

Legislators Introduce the Jail Death Transparency Act

Current law is only applicable to law enforcement officers and does not hold correctional officers in city, county, and state correctional facilities to the same investigatory standards.

Will Lawmakers Dare Raise Beer Tax?

Two Democrats propose first increase in 47 years. It may be a lonely crusade.

Sen. Taylor calls for special session on juvenile corrections and more funding

In a letter dated today, Senator Taylor urged Governor Walker to call a special session of the Legislature to take up Senate Bills 803 and 804.

What Powerball Losers Pay For

Those losing $2 lottery tickets pay for property tax relief -- and quite a few other things.

What will it take to get Republican leaders to intervene?

Reports of child abuse, sexual assault not enough to spur GOP investigation

Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats call for hearing about correctional facility safety

"We were alarmed to learn of very serious allegations of abuse at Lincoln Hills through the media," the letter reads.

Why We Need Term Limits

Shirley Abrahamson has served 39 years. Fred Risser has served 60 years. Maybe that's too long.

Peter Barca for Governor?

Some Democratic insiders see Assembly minority leader Peter Barca as the best hope to run against Scott Walker.

Republicans Will Oppose Gun Controls

There may be national outrage on the issue, but Gov. Walker and others oppose changes.

Brewpub Owners to Protest “Brewpub Tourism Development” Act

Who could oppose a bill with the apparently forthright name of “Brewpub Tourism Development Act”?