Why People Live Longer in Some States
The differences between Wisconsin and states like Mississippi.
Dec 23rd, 2024
Did Act 10 Improve Wisconsin’s Economy?
Scott Walker fell far short of his promises and behind some neighboring states.
Dec 12th, 2024
How Fair Are Wisconsin’s Taxes?
And how will they be affected by Trump tax cuts?
Dec 4th, 2024
Is Raising the Minimum Wage Good Policy?
Or just good politics? Let's consider the data for both.
Nov 27th, 2024
What the 2024 Election Tells Us About Wisconsin Voters
Wisconsin was the most competitive state in America. Which issues mattered?
Nov 20th, 2024
What Kind of Economy Will Trump Inherit?
Across the board the numbers all tell a similar story.
Nov 13th, 2024
Is Immigration A “Happy Problem?”
People are voting with their feet to come to the U.S., despite how Trump characterizes it.
Oct 30th, 2024
Were We Better Off Four Years Ago?
It's a central claim in Trump campaign. But the data tells an interesting story.
Oct 26th, 2024
Is It Finally Time For Wisconsin To Accept Medicaid Expansion Dollars?
And would Donald Trump reduce the number of uninsured people?
Oct 16th, 2024
Fact Checking Trump and Vance
The data show they are lying about crime, the economy and health insurance coverage.
Oct 9th, 2024
Will State Move to Legalize Marijuana?
There are lessons to be learned from states that have done so.
Sep 25th, 2024
Should Wisconsin Legalize Marijuana?
What do the people want? Let's look at the data.
Sep 18th, 2024
Harris May Need More Than 51% of Vote
Wisconsin looks good, but she may need 3% lead in national vote to win electoral college.
Sep 11th, 2024
Abortions Up In U.S., Down in State
Rising since 2017 and even after Dobbs decision. But declining in Wisconsin since 2022.
Sep 4th, 2024
Will Trump Protect Social Security and Medicare?
So claims literature mailed by Republican Party of Wisconsin. Let's examine the facts.
Aug 28th, 2024
WOW Counties Turning Less Republican
Ozaukee and Waukesha now less red while Washington County resists the trend.
Aug 21st, 2024
Why Do Republicans Say They’re Struggling?
Their positive views on economy turned sour even as the economy improved. What gives?
Aug 14th, 2024
What Tuesday’s Election Tells Us
Two cynical structured and timed amendments and one race for Waukesha County DA that ignores actual data.
Aug 8th, 2024
Did Trump Oversee The Best Economy in History?
The data for Wisconsin and nation offers a less euphoric conclusion.
Jul 31st, 2024
Why Those Proposed Amendments to State Constitution?
Why did Republicans craft them? And why did choose August election for the vote?
Jul 24th, 2024
Why Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes Are Now Legal
The explanation begins with a highly unusual 2022 Wisconsin Supreme Court decision.
Jul 17th, 2024
The Imperial Legislature Is Shot Down
6-1 decision by Wisconsin Supreme Court a surprise. What does it tell us about the court?
Jul 10th, 2024
How Did Politics Affect Covid Deaths?
Data by state shows interesting trend for Wisconsin, the U.S.
Jun 26th, 2024
How To Make Wisconsin Richer
ALEC's annual 'Rich States Poor States' report is at odds with its own data.
Jun 19th, 2024
Would Trump or Biden Be Better for Economy?
What the data shows about Wisconsin and U.S. economies.
Jun 12th, 2024
How Wisconsin Republicans View Trump’s Conviction
It's agreed: A 'dark day' and Democrats have 'weaponized' the legal system.
Jun 5th, 2024
Which Party Has Done More to Increase Federal Debt?
Ron Johnson has pushed hard on this issue. What has been the result?
May 29th, 2024
How Bipartisan Is Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation?
Lugar index shows Ron Johnson, Tom Tiffany least bipartisan. Baldwin, Gallagher rank high.
May 22nd, 2024
Why Are Wisconsin Republicans So Hostile to Ukraine?
All 5 of state's remaining Republican House members voted against aid to Ukraine.
May 15th, 2024
Which Party Is Better For The Economy?
Data shows a clear difference going back a century, including Biden and Trump.
May 8th, 2024
How Partisan Is Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation?
DW-NOMINATE shows our members are typically more partisan than the median.
May 1st, 2024
Wisconsin’s Legislative Committees Uniquely Powerful?
Suit by Gov. Evers shows Wisconsin violating separation-of-powers doctrine.
Apr 24th, 2024
Why Can’t MPS Improve Student Reading Scores?
Failure to use phonics and poorly trained teachers may help explain this.
Apr 17th, 2024
Was Wisconsin’s Presidential Primary a ‘Huge Success’ For Trump?
So claims Republican fundraising emails. Let's consider the data.
Apr 10th, 2024
Scott Walker’s Misleading Use of Job Data
Citing isolated fact to CNN contradicted by a raft of positive data on job growth.
Apr 3rd, 2024
How Partisan Divide on Education Hurts State
Some schools with poor students have success. Why aren't we learning from that?
Mar 27th, 2024
Will Wisconsin Supreme Court Legalize Absentee Ballot Boxes?
It rejected three issues raised in lawsuit and will rule on only one. Why?
Mar 20th, 2024
About That Recall Effort Against Robin Vos
The campaign by Vos haters is anti-democratic. Here's why.
Mar 13th, 2024
Who Is Most At Risk From Gun Shootings?
The data on Milwaukee tells the story.
Mar 6th, 2024
State High Court Should Review Our Gerrymandered Congressional Districts
Just how gerrymandered are Wisconsin's districts? Let's look at the numbers.
Feb 28th, 2024
How Healthy Is The Wisconsin Economy?
Poll reveals Republicans higher on Wisconsin than U.S., but what do economic indicators say?
Feb 21st, 2024
Should Evers Sign Redistricting Bill?
It's governor's plan, but gives Democrats only a 17% chance of winning half of all Assembly seats with 50% of state vote.
Feb 14th, 2024
Supreme Court Should Have Consultants Draw New District Maps
Data shows all suggested maps tilt Republican and fairer maps can be drawn.
Feb 7th, 2024
Why GOP Redistricting Gambit Failed
Last minute Republican legislation based on Evers' plan vetoed by governor. Why?
Feb 2nd, 2024
How Gerrymandered Are State’s Congressional Districts?
And how much can they be improved by fair maps?
Jan 24th, 2024
Ranking The 7 Proposed Legislative Maps
7 redistricting maps were submitted to state Supreme Court. Which is best and why?
Jan 17th, 2024
District 8 Becoming More Democratic. Its Senator Isn’t.
State Sen. Dan Knodl votes like MAGA Republican in a nearly evenly divided district.
Jan 10th, 2024
Would Ranked Choice Voting Enhance Democracy?
Bill before state Legislature has more support from Democrats, but could help both parties.
Jan 3rd, 2024
The State Supreme Court Minority’s View of Gerrymandering
226 pages of dissent that ignore key facts and data.
Dec 27th, 2023
Why Voters Are Pessimistic About Economy
The economic data for state and U.S. is very positive. So why is it viewed so negatively?
Dec 20th, 2023
What Does The Data Say About The Wisconsin Economy?
Poll reviews sour mood, but data paints a different picture.
Dec 6th, 2023
How the Gerrymander Wastes Votes
Compared to 4 other maps of Wisconsin's legislative districts, the current one nullifies the most votes.
Nov 29th, 2023
How Will Supreme Court Rule On Gerrymandering Lawsuit?
And what exactly does contiguity mean when it comes to legislative maps?
Nov 22nd, 2023
Is Legislature Illegally Grabbing Executive Power?
Evers suit charges Legislature has repeatedly violated state constitution.
Nov 15th, 2023
Meagan Wolfe Impeachment Effort Shows Power of MAGA Republicans
A 2022 primary challenge and an unprecedented impeachment challenge are signs of far-right control of GOP.
Nov 9th, 2023
What Can We Learn From Gerrymandering Case Briefs?
Seven parties submit written briefs in advance of oral arguments in Supreme Court case.
Nov 1st, 2023
In Defense of Gerrymandering
How the Supreme Court minority defends its objection to 'Fair maps!'.
Oct 25th, 2023
The Wisconsin Supreme Court Starts Its Review of Gerrymandering Case
And conservative justices are already dissenting.
Oct 18th, 2023
How Gerrymanders Hurt Both Parties
Making political parties in state and nation more extreme, unrepresentative.
Oct 11th, 2023
Why That ‘Iowa’ Redistricting Plan Was Unfair
Wisconsin Republicans' plan did not provide political proportionality.
Oct 4th, 2023
The Impact of Impeachment Threats
Republicans seek to scare Justice Protasiewicz and elections overseer Meagan Wolfe into following their dictates.
Sep 27th, 2023
The Power of Wisconsin’s Gerrymander
Recent election results show how entrenched the Republican advantage is.
Sep 20th, 2023
3 Scenarios For GOP Threats Against Protasiewicz
Federal and state case law suggest there are no grounds for impeachment.
Sep 13th, 2023
Should Judicial Candidates Be Muzzled?
Forcing Protasiewicz to recuse could doom fair maps and discourage informative judicial races.
Aug 30th, 2023
Should Protasiewicz Recuse From Redistricting Cases?
Or should Rebecca Bradley? Her comment was less factual and more scathing.
Aug 23rd, 2023
Who Are State Supreme Court’s ‘Rogue Members’?
Ziegler and conservatives have ignored state Constitution in governance dispute.
Aug 16th, 2023
North Shore Special Elections Show Impact of Gerrymandering
Packing-and-cracking allowed Republicans to keep control of seats that were trending Democratic.
Aug 10th, 2023
Do Act 12 Mandates Violate State Constitution?
Legislation enabling Milwaukee sales tax included restrictions that could be challenged.
Jul 26th, 2023
Is City’s Decline in Homicides For Real?
The data shows significant decline for Milwaukee in 2023, but a still worrisome trend.
Jul 19th, 2023
Tax Plans Reveal Very Different Values
Evers and Republicans each offered a helping hand. But to whom?
Jul 12th, 2023
How Milwaukee’s Financial Crisis Arose
And how good -- or bad -- is the state's solution?
Jun 28th, 2023
Which Party Is Better for U.S. and Wisconsin Economies?
75 years of data shows greater jobs and economic growth under Democratic presidents.
Jun 14th, 2023
Grothman Vs. Biden On Federal Judges
Did president not appoint enough 'white guys'? Let's look at the numbers.
Jun 7th, 2023
Why GOP Fears Advisory Referendums
Vernon County's vote against abortion ban helps explain local restrictions in revenue sharing bill.
May 24th, 2023
Two Issues Show Decline Of Democracy In Wisconsin
Republican Legislature ignores huge majority of voters on abortion and redistricting.
May 17th, 2023
Wisconsin Ranks Among Four Least Democratic States
National ranking shows it dropped since 2011 from one of most democratic to third worst.
May 10th, 2023
Will State Supreme Court Cool Its Ideological Rancor?
As of August 1, its hostility toward experts and democracy won't fly.
May 3rd, 2023
Liberals Winning State Supreme Court Races
They’ve now won three of last four races by big margins. What the data shows.
Apr 26th, 2023
Election Shows Shifting Demographics
The WOW counties delivered less wow for the Republican Party.
Apr 12th, 2023
Republicans Seek a One-Party State
Gerrymandering, and electing Dan Knodl, are a means to get there.
Apr 3rd, 2023
Is Democracy at Stake in Supreme Court Race?
A conservative majority seems set on restricting voting rights.
Mar 30th, 2023
Will Tax Cuts For the Rich Boost Economy?
Or help convince people to move to Wisconsin? What the data tells us.
Mar 17th, 2023
What Kind of Justice Would Daniel Kelly Be?
He left a clear track record during his four years on state Supreme Court.
Mar 5th, 2023
Will a Flat Tax Grow State’s Economy?
The data for other states doesn't support this claim.
Feb 22nd, 2023
Flat Income Tax a Bonanza for Wealthy
Republican proposal skewed to help the rich, cutting income tax for millionaires by 53%.
Feb 16th, 2023
Multiple Representatives Would Lessen Gerrymandering
If every Assembly district had 3 representatives rather than 1 the result would be dramatic.
Feb 1st, 2023
Would Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Partisanship?
Alaska's experience offers fascinating lessons for those who care about democracy.
Jan 18th, 2023
Examining Wisconsin Gerrymandering By Analyzing 2022 Election Results
The present Wisconsin gerrymander is a tool for assuring continued one-party rule.
Jan 13th, 2023
Do Democratic Voters Live Longer?
Data shows a powerful connection between life expectancy and partisanship.
Dec 28th, 2022
All About Wisconsin’s ‘Zuckerbucks’
If anything the funding helped Trump, election data suggests. So why are Republicans angry?
Dec 21st, 2022
Why Are Our Congressional Districts So Gerrymandered?
Key reason: too much emphasis on 'communities of interest.'
Dec 14th, 2022
How Democratic Are State’s Smaller Cities?
Across the state they are always more Democratic than the rest of the county.
Dec 8th, 2022
Should Wisconsin Adopt a Flat Tax?
Republicans are pushing this. Is it a good idea?
Nov 30th, 2022
Trump, Evers and Urban ‘Cesspools’
Trump's hatred of cities might help explain how metro area residents voted in November.
Nov 25th, 2022
Politics and Population Density
It's remarkable: The further voters live from the center of Milwaukee the more Republican their views.
Nov 16th, 2022
Measuring Wisconsin’s Economy
The data give a mixed picture of the state's economy, with stagnant labor force growth.
Nov 9th, 2022
Who Is The Real Tim Michels?
Pragmatic businessman or right-wing idealogue? His policy statements offer clues.
Nov 2nd, 2022
Is Wisconsin ‘Flush With Cash’?
Why state has $4.3 billion surplus, what it means and how should it be handled.
Oct 26th, 2022
3 Solutions to City, County Fiscal Woes
Without one or more of these solutions Milwaukee will see drastic cuts in service.
Oct 20th, 2022
Is Trump a Threat to Republican Candidates?
A Trump endorsement may mean something different in a general election than a primary election.
Sep 21st, 2022
Can Ranked Choice Voting Calm Political Rancor, Extremism?
The voting system would also solve the third party problem in the American political system.
Sep 14th, 2022
Yes, Religion Matters in Election
Data shows religion can influence voters’ position on abortion -- and perhaps on GOP candidate for governor Tim Michels.
Sep 7th, 2022
Is A Compromise on Abortion Possible?
Actually, polling data for Wisconsin suggests an approach most would favor.
Aug 31st, 2022
Examining Michels ‘Blueprint For Elections’
The GOP businessman candidate for governor offers a very un-business like analysis.
Aug 24th, 2022
Wisconsin’s Banana Republicans
Why are Grothman, Johnson, Michels defending Trump’s illegal hoarding of top secret files.
Aug 17th, 2022
What Does Kansas Abortion Vote Mean for Wisconsin?
Kansas vote shows abortion still a partisan issue. But abortion bans are widely unpopular, even in conservative states.
Aug 11th, 2022
About The Non-Delegation Doctrine
A favorite weapon of Justice Rebecca Bradley distorts constitutional history to limit government.
Aug 3rd, 2022
State Supreme Court At War With Itself
Nasty divide caused by rage of Rebecca Bradley.
Jul 27th, 2022
The Ugly Rhetoric of Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley
Radical Supreme Court justice ignores democratic principles and pandemic data.
Jul 20th, 2022
Do Absentee Drop Boxes Lead To Tyranny?
So claims state Supreme Court in 122 pages of overheated rhetoric.
Jul 13th, 2022
Independent State Legislature Theory Is a Threat to Democracy
And the Supreme Court will hear a case being brought on the grounds that this theory is correct.
Jul 8th, 2022
Does Wisconsin Have Republicans With Integrity?
For instance, how about the four candidates for governor?
Jun 29th, 2022
Trump’s “Big Lie” Vs The Election Data
The story in Wisconsin and nationally could not have been clearer.
Jun 22nd, 2022
Kyle Rittenhouse and Lax Gun Laws
What is the impact of differing state laws on gun violence?
Jun 15th, 2022
The Right Wing Answer to Gun Violence
Radio talker Dan O’Donnell has marshalled his facts. Let’s consider the data.
Jun 8th, 2022
Do More Guns Mean More Killings?
All the data, global, national and in Wisconsin, tells a similar story.
Jun 1st, 2022
How To Grow Wisconsin’s Wealth Gap
The Institute for Reforming Government offers a plan to help the wealthy.
May 25th, 2022
Late-Term Abortions Change Voters’ Views
Both in Wisconsin and nationally. But few abortions are done after 16 weeks.
May 18th, 2022
What Do Voters Think About Abortion?
In Wisconsin and nationally, it depends on your partisan views and particularly, your religion.
May 11th, 2022
How Many Support Gableman Probe?
And what percent in state are confident of election results?
May 4th, 2022
How Do City, State Rank In Gun Homicides?
Guns in household less of a factor than a state’s legal restrictions.
Apr 27th, 2022
What’s Causing City’s Rise in Shootings?
The statistics are overwhelming. The solutions are less unanimous.
Apr 20th, 2022
State Trails Badly In Renewable Energy
How far behind is Wisconsin? Let’s check the data.
Apr 13th, 2022
Another Bizarre Gableman Proposal
With no evidence recommends state stop using ERIC voter registration system.
Apr 6th, 2022
State’s Gerrymander Could Last Forever
If state high court’s ‘least change’ rule followed in future, gerrymandering might last for decades.
Mar 30th, 2022
DeSantis Leads The COVID-19 Death Squad
GOP politicians who discourage vaccines are causing more deaths.
Mar 23rd, 2022
How Gerrymandered Is New State Map?
Let’s measure how the two parties will fare under maps approved by state Supreme Court.
Mar 16th, 2022
Michael Gableman Versus The Facts
His report claims grants to 5 Wisconsin cities changed the 2020 election. Let’s examine the evidence.
Mar 9th, 2022
Should MPS Be Split Into Smaller Districts?
What data is there to suggest legislative proposal is a good one?
Mar 2nd, 2022
Should Wisconsin End Its Income Tax?
Five conservative groups pushing this. Its impact is astonishingly regressive.
Feb 23rd, 2022
Republicans Are Killing Republicans
167,000 lives could have been saved in states opposed to vaccines.
Feb 16th, 2022
Is COVID-19 Transforming Itself?
Far fewer deaths per cases of omicron in Wisconsin and nation. Will anti-vaxxers exploit this?
Feb 9th, 2022
Who Are The Unvaccinated?
They are 100 times more likely to die than those fully vaccinated with booster shot.
Feb 2nd, 2022
Trump’s Lies Corrupting Wisconsin
His claims about elections shot down by courts, but WILL and Republicans working to turn those lies into laws.
Jan 28th, 2022
What Can School District Report Cards Tell Us?
Despite an improved score for MPS, many problems remain.
Jan 19th, 2022
The War Against the Wisconsin Elections Commission
Wisconsin Republicans have picked up where Trump left off.
Jan 13th, 2022
Economy Is Booming Under Biden
Economic numbers at historic highs. And Milwaukee doing even better.
Jan 5th, 2022
How We’ve Recovered From Economic Woes
Recent history shows similar patterns -- and keys to recovery -- for Wisconsin and U.S.
Dec 22nd, 2021
WILL’s Report Short on Evidence
Conservative report asserts, with no evidence, that changes in election law needed.
Dec 15th, 2021
How Republicans Are Killing Their Supporters
Right-wing anti-vaxxers help cause more deaths of Republicans nationally and in Wisconsin.
Dec 8th, 2021
The American Right’s Scary Views
The future of conservative thought after Trump looks dark.
Dec 1st, 2021
Rittenhouse Feared His Rifle Endangered Him
His case adds to data showing proliferation of guns makes us less safe.
Nov 24th, 2021
Comparing GOP And People’s Maps
Under GOP redistricting, Republicans can win majority of Assembly with 44% of the vote.
Nov 17th, 2021
What Explains the Virginia and New Jersey Election Results?
Huge increase in Republican turnout. Perhaps ‘critical race theory’ was a factor.
Nov 10th, 2021
Is Ballot Harvesting A Problem?
Kleefisch says so. The only two claims of this, both in other states, involved Republicans.
Nov 3rd, 2021
Measuring The Redistricting Plans
Which map is fairest and most democratic? Here are the experts’ analysis.
Oct 27th, 2021
GOP-Backed Legislation Could Worsen Gun Violence Epidemic
Data on gun violence indicates a correlation between proliferation of firearms and increased gun violence.
Oct 21st, 2021
Why is Milwaukee’s Murder Rate Increasing?
Systemic problems, the COVID-19 pandemic and policing failures appear to be responsible.
Oct 13th, 2021
Which Party Is Better For The Economy?
Economic data from the last 70 years suggest one party does a better job of managing the economy.
Oct 8th, 2021
Will 10 Years of Gerrymandering End?
The data shows huge advantage for Republicans. Will courts allow this to continue?
Sep 29th, 2021
Are The Rich Overtaxed?
So claim conservatives. But how much of the total tax burden are they including?
Sep 22nd, 2021
Biden Vaccine Plan Helps GOP Governors
States supporting Trump have much greater chance of COVID-19 deaths. Biden’s mandates bail out governors afraid to act.
Sep 15th, 2021
Pandemic Politics Threatens Lives And Economy
The data for Wisconsin is worrisome. The politics is puzzling.
Sep 8th, 2021
Why Is State Supreme Court So Angry?
Justices’ strange interpretation of watershed 1803 decision becomes a right-wing battering ram.
Sep 1st, 2021
Bipartisan Consensus Backs Helping Afghan Allies
But Trump, Tiffany, others on far right oppose helping settle Afghans in U.S.
Aug 25th, 2021
Most Republican Voters Want The Vaccine
Only a hard-core minority oppose it. So why are GOP politicians encouraging this, and risking our health?
Aug 18th, 2021
Higher Vaccination Rates Lead To Fewer Deaths
A political divide is evident in COVID-19 data. Republican leaning states tend toward fewer vaccinations, more deaths.
Aug 11th, 2021
What Is MPS Strategy For Stimulus Aid?
It's a huge opportunity to improve student achievement -- which is badly needed.
Jul 28th, 2021
How Trump Polarized Voters
Part of shift in Republican Party but no GOP politician has same impact as Trump.
Jul 21st, 2021
Trump Country Won Wisconsin For Biden
40,000 vote increase in Democratic vote since 2016 election came from pro-Trump areas of state.
Jul 14th, 2021
Should Michael Gableman Investigate 2020 Election?
Vos picks ethically challenged former justice who's already declared election stolen.
Jul 7th, 2021
Wisconsin, U.S. Life Expectancy Declines
Other developed countries doing better. Lack of safety net causing problem?
Jun 30th, 2021
The Paradox of Anti-Vaxxers
The vaccines were developed under Trump. So why do his supporters oppose them?
Jun 23rd, 2021
The Private Election Grants Didn’t Help Biden
If anything they helped Trump, an analysis of state election results show.
Jun 16th, 2021
Trump Country Has Much Lower GDP
Yet the difference is smaller in Wisconsin. Why?
Jun 9th, 2021
Republicans Oppose Making It Easier to Vote
Against foundation grants to improve elections even in GOP-leaning districts.
Jun 2nd, 2021
Should Unemployment Payments be Lower?
Businesses struggling to hire should focus on making their wages more attractive.
May 26th, 2021
How Republicans Are Misleading Donors
NRCC creates fake Trump fundraising letter filled with misleading information.
May 19th, 2021
Ron Johnson Threatens Republicans
Pandemic policies he pushes will cause the most deaths among Republican voters.
May 5th, 2021
About That Data on Charter Schools
Diving deeper into charter school data and polls of voters tells interesting story.
Apr 28th, 2021
The Paradox of Voucher Schools
They work better than MPS schools for minority students. Yet most Democrats oppose them.
Apr 21st, 2021
GOP Governors Have Higher COVID-19 Rates
More cases, more deaths per capita in states run by Republicans.
Apr 7th, 2021
How Fox Spread Lies About State’s Election
Sidney Powell, Rudy Giuliani and some very fishy graphs about Wisconsin’s presidential election.
Mar 31st, 2021
State Faces Voter Suppression Effort
Not by the Legislature. Instead court cases seek new policies to restrict voting.
Mar 24th, 2021
Will Biden Relief Plan Work?
Its likely impact will be very different than that of the Trump tax cuts.
Mar 17th, 2021
School Vouchers a Danger For Democrats
The issue could lose them enough voters in Milwaukee to lose the state.
Mar 10th, 2021
Trump’s Dismal Record on the Economy
The data shows the worst performance of any president since World War II.
Mar 3rd, 2021
High Court Minority Embarrasses Itself
State Supreme Court came perilously close to invalidating a legal election.
Feb 24th, 2021
With Donald Trump It’s Never Over
His lawyers are still pushing election lawsuit, hoping for a Trump coup in 2024.
Feb 17th, 2021
Democratic Assembly Candidates Trailed Biden
While state Republican candidates outperformed Trump. A problem for both parties.
Feb 10th, 2021
Why Republicans Oppose Mask Mandate
They say it’s about the governor exceeding his authority. So why not pass their own plan?
Feb 3rd, 2021
Why GOP Wants to Spread COVID-19
72% of state voters support mask mandate. But Republicans worry only about Trump supporters.
Jan 27th, 2021
New Voters Won the 2020 Election
And the results in swing states challenged by Trump are exactly in line with the national vote.
Jan 20th, 2021
We Hate State Administrators
State Supreme Court conservatives keep blasting the administrative state. Why?
Jan 13th, 2021
State’s COVID-19 Surge Has Passed
But will it return? The data tells a story of what we might expect.
Jan 6th, 2021
Tales Told By The 2020 Election
The Republican gerrymander held. But Waukesha County has grown more Democratic since 2012.
Dec 31st, 2020
We Won Wisconsin Big!
Actually Trump was defeated by Trump — as state and national voting patterns show.
Dec 23rd, 2020
State Supreme Court Justices Unmasked
The losing minority in Trump election case vent their anger and reveal their prejudices.
Dec 16th, 2020
How Trump Lost Wisconsin
County-by-county analysis shows similar pattern of voting to 2016 — with key differences.
Dec 9th, 2020
Trump’s Lawyers vs Democracy
Reading through the lawsuits, you can see why judges rejected them
Dec 2nd, 2020
State’s Leadership Vacuum Is Killing People
Deaths per day will double by Christmas. And red counties are getting hit the worst.
Nov 25th, 2020
The Republican Push For Autocracy
Analysis shows GOP now resembles authoritarian parties in Hungary and Turkey.
Nov 18th, 2020
Can Biden Improve the Economy?
Democratic presidents typically do better, but Biden will face an obvious challenge.
Nov 11th, 2020
‘Bleak Winter’ Coming for Wisconsin
The numbers show COVID-19 exploding. True leadership is sorely needed.
Nov 4th, 2020
Biden or Trump Better for Economy?
Moody’s Analytics breaks it down. The difference is huge.
Oct 28th, 2020
Wisconsin Losing War Against COVID-19
Both on the health and economic front, harder hit than most states. Why?
Oct 21st, 2020
How Republicans Screwed Themselves
Opposition to mask mandate by GOP is bad law and very bad politics.
Oct 14th, 2020
The Republican Death Squad
Why won’t Vos and Fitzgerald support measures to contain the state’s pandemic surge?
Oct 7th, 2020
The State of American Judiciary in 2020
ACA rulings show a disturbing right-wing activism. It could get worse.
Sep 30th, 2020
Supreme Court Shows Its Colors
What the Green Party ruling tells about the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Sep 23rd, 2020
Is COVID-19 Winning in Wisconsin?
The data is alarming. As are the many allies of the virus.
Sep 16th, 2020
Has Trump Been Good for the Economy?
What people believe about the economy and what the data shows.
Sep 9th, 2020
How Republicans Embrace COVID-19
The data shows a strange alliance; how the GOP helps a deadly virus spread.
Sep 2nd, 2020
Is The Stock Market Betting on Biden?
Two theories on why stock values are rising amid an economic downturn.
Aug 27th, 2020
State Supreme Court Is Radically Activist
Record shows many examples of grabbing cases before lower courts rule.
Aug 19th, 2020
A Mask Mandate is Not Enough
It's a step in the right direction, but not enough to suppress the virus.
Aug 5th, 2020
Evers Should Re-Order All Restrictions
Not just a mask mandate. Put the Supreme Court on the hot seat.
Jul 30th, 2020
Why Evers Must Take Action
Data shows state is losing the battle against COVID-19. He must reissue an emergency order.
Jul 22nd, 2020
Why Wisconsin, U.S. Failed Against COVID-19
Conservative network, including key state operatives, quietly fought solutions other advanced countries pursued.
Jul 15th, 2020
The War Against Masks
It’s the most cost effective way to slow the pandemic. So why such opposition?
Jul 8th, 2020
Who Benefits From the Madison Vandalism?
History suggests it could change the narrative, change voters’ views.
Jul 1st, 2020
Is Less Testing for COVID-19 the Answer?
Trump says the rise in cases is due to more testing. What does the data show?
Jun 25th, 2020
Will State Face a Second COVID-19 Wave?
All evidence suggests state is doing well. But there may be danger from other states.
Jun 17th, 2020
How Bad Is The Pandemic Recession?
The numbers tell a sobering story. Will policymakers learn from it?
Jun 10th, 2020
Lessons from the Spring 2020 Election
Republicans opposed liberals and alleged voter fraud and neither issue resonated.
Jun 3rd, 2020
Justice Hagedorn Surprises Observers
Supreme Court justice seems like a true conservative, not a right-wing activist.
May 27th, 2020
What Comes Next in the Fight Against the Coronavirus?
Will individual choices be enough to keep a spike in cases and deaths at bay?
May 21st, 2020
Should the Federal Government Keep its Word?
The Supreme Court says yes, except Justice Alito, who sees things differently.
May 14th, 2020
Is It Safe to Reopen the State?
The data shows pandemic spreading into non-urban red counties.
May 6th, 2020
The Politics of the Pandemic
Republican push to reopen state economy depends on distorting the data.
Apr 29th, 2020
Did Republicans Doom Dan Kelly?
Many voters in red counties opposed him, perhaps in anger at being forced to vote in a pandemic.
Apr 22nd, 2020
Why Was Election in Pandemic Required?
So ruled both the Wisconsin and U.S. Supreme Court. Let’s examine their reasoning.
Apr 15th, 2020
The Scott Walker Economy
The final data on GDP, jobs, unemployment: how we did compared to nation, Midwest.
Apr 8th, 2020
Is Dan Kelly Good for Democracy?
His legal work and rulings as Supreme Court justice show strong anti-democratic views.
Apr 1st, 2020
Judge Adelman Blasts U.S. Supreme Court
Getting buzz nationally. Is his critique warranted?
Mar 18th, 2020
Why The MPS Referendum Is Needed
The data shows MPS trails other metro area districts in per-pupil spending.
Mar 11th, 2020
State Regulators at Issue in High Court Race
Justice Dan Kelly seems to side with those out to destroy the “administrative state.”
Mar 4th, 2020
The Myth of Nonpartisan Judicial Elections
They could hardly be more partisan. Time to rethink how we elect Supreme Court members?
Feb 27th, 2020
Will School Choice Help Reelect Trump?
Democratic attacks on choice and charter schools favored by minority voters could backfire.
Feb 19th, 2020
A Report Card for Milwaukee Schools
State data shows charter and choice schools typically outperform traditional public schools.
Feb 12th, 2020
The Republicans’ Gerrymander Scheme
The polls, the data, the legalities. How Robin Vos hopes to triumph.
Feb 5th, 2020
Both Parties Bar Primary Challenge to Trump
Weld and Walsh barred from Republican presidential primary in state’s Spring election. Why?
Jan 15th, 2020
The Return of Texas v. U.S.
Case could kill ACA, leave 18 million without health insurance. Which states would be hurt most?
Jan 9th, 2020
Measuring Republican Views on Impeachment
Poll shows a culture of denial among Wisconsin Trump supporters.
Jan 2nd, 2020
Rep. Sensenbrenner’s Disappointing Column
The Republican has showed his independence in the past. But not this time, not on impeachment.
Dec 26th, 2019
Can More Cities Become Tech Innovators?
Study suggests federal government invest in cities like Madison. Good idea?
Dec 18th, 2019
The Problem of Low Wage Workers
The data is very revealing. Can it point to solutions?
Dec 12th, 2019
How We View Undocumented Immigrants
Polls show even state’s Republican voters overwhelmingly oppose current policies.
Dec 4th, 2019
Can Government Break Its Promises?
Obamacare law’s promises to insurers later broken by Republicans. Courts will decide if that’s legal
Nov 27th, 2019
Why Raise the Minimum Wage
The data is now overwhelming on the positive effect in states that did so.
Nov 20th, 2019
The Charter School Dilemma
They perform better and are supported by most black voters — but opposed by most white Democrats.
Nov 13th, 2019
NAEP Test Results Bad News for MPS
They’ve also gone down for the state. How can we do better?
Nov 6th, 2019
What’s Causing Decline in Insured Children?
Health insurance for kids declined in some states including Wisconsin under Walker. Why?
Oct 30th, 2019
Segregation in Milwaukee Area Schools
The data tells a sobering story of racial and economic separation.
Oct 16th, 2019
Do ‘Checkoff Groups’ Help or Hurt Family Dairy Farms?
Federally-required agricultural promotion organizations may not benefit small dairy farms
Oct 9th, 2019
Does the Growing Partisan Divide Make Sense?
As the global economy changed, so did traditional Republican and Democratic constituencies.
Oct 2nd, 2019
The Use and Abuse of Jobs Data
Walker administration used flimsy interpretations of jobs reports to put a positive spin on the state's economy.
Sep 25th, 2019
Rethinking State Economic Policies
What do state policies on Foxconn and dairy industry have in common?
Sep 18th, 2019
Gerrymandering Is Built on Lies
Which is why the North Carolina plan was overruled. Wisconsin’s is very similar.
Sep 12th, 2019
Comparing Wisconsin and Minnesota
Minnesota doing worse? MacIver cherry picks data to make this claim.
Sep 4th, 2019
Measuring Poverty’s Impact in the City
Powerful new data has been done. But some research was shut down.
Aug 28th, 2019
The Future of Wisconsin Gerrymandering
An inexplicable U.S. Supreme Court decision leaves door open for GOP mischief.
Aug 14th, 2019
Would MPS Referendum Pass? Should it?
Poll shows city residents support increased funding for MPS, but referendum still faces obstacles.
Aug 7th, 2019
How Democrats Can Beat Trump
And win the state. Polls show which issues are winners — or too leftist.
Jul 31st, 2019
Do Stock Buybacks Depress Worker Pay?
Money spent on buybacks could be used to hike worker pay.
Jul 24th, 2019
High CEO Pay Due to Stock Buybacks?
It’s definitely one cause. It may also make the American economy less productive.
Jul 17th, 2019
Can Democrats Win Small-Town Wisconsin?
Wisconsin could decide the election and those small towns are crucial.
Jul 10th, 2019
State Supreme Court Off the Deep End?
Ruling reducing state superintendent’s power violates state constitution, common sense.
Jul 3rd, 2019
Democrats Now The Free Trade Party?
Attitudes of the two parties seem to be flip-flopping on this issue.
Jun 26th, 2019
Can Democrats Win the State Assembly?
With right issues, it’s possible, even If districts are still gerrymandered.
Jun 19th, 2019
Republican Grifters
Many fake right wing groups rip off donors. Why are conservatives more vulnerable?
Jun 12th, 2019
The Republican Attack On “Socialism”
Ron Johnson and Trump lead the way. But beyond that word, things get murky.
Jun 5th, 2019
How Non-Partisan Are Supreme Court Races?
Not very, the data suggests. Is there any way to change this?
May 29th, 2019
Ranking the Top States
Many of the lowest ranked states supported Trump. Wisconsin was one exception.
May 22nd, 2019
The Surprising Strength of Obamacare
Health exchanges working better than ever, particularly for Trump supporters.
May 15th, 2019
Is State a Leader in “Economic Freedom”?
So says a Cato Institute report. There’s reason to doubt this.
May 8th, 2019
Democracy In Retreat
It’s happening world-wide and in the U.S. with Wisconsin helping lead the way.
May 1st, 2019
Should State Expand Medicaid With Federal Funds?
No, say two researchers. But their data is highly suspect.
Apr 24th, 2019
Wisconsin’s Disappearing Counties
Rural counties losing population. Immigrants would help -- and might be welcomed.
Apr 17th, 2019
What Is The Future of Health Care?
Who’s gained the most from ACA and why Medicare for All could be a trap.
Apr 10th, 2019
Walker Seeks to Gerrymander America
His new job: finance chair of national group opposing non-partisan redistricting.
Apr 3rd, 2019
Who Are Those Education Reformers?
Are conservatives or liberals pushing for charter schools?
Mar 27th, 2019
The Gerrymander Wars March On
Wisconsin Republicans strategy is to support Maryland gerrymander that hurts GOP voters.
Mar 20th, 2019
How Walker, Trump Hurt Dairy Industry
Their policies helped fuel a dairy crisis.
Mar 13th, 2019
Why is MPS Shrinking?
Because it opposes the choices of many of its customers.
Mar 6th, 2019
Does the Manufacturing Tax Credit Work?
Gov. Evers and Republicans differ on value of the Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit. Who's right?
Feb 27th, 2019
A Data Portrait of the Walker Years
A huge success! — according to the MacIver Institute. Ah, not exactly.
Feb 20th, 2019
Not All Conservatives Oppose Streetcar
In fact, some argue New Urbanism enhances conservative values.
Feb 13th, 2019
Texas Lawsuit Threatens Republicans
Vos and Fitzgerald support lawsuit overturning Obamacare, but voters don’t.
Feb 6th, 2019
How Evers and Legislators Can Cooperate
Marquette Poll shows where voters of both parties agree. Will GOP leaders take the hint?
Jan 30th, 2019
A Customer Service Model for MPS
The data shows what schools work and are more popular. Why not sell this?
Jan 24th, 2019
Can MPS Be Fixed?
The school board seems opposed to any innovations that might fix struggling schools.
Jan 16th, 2019
Why State’s Dairy Farms Face a Crisis
And why Gov. Evers should change the policies of his predecessor.
Jan 9th, 2019
Will Judge Peterson Allow Voting Restrictions?
Since lame duck law reinstates provisions he previously struck down, that seems unlikely.
Jan 2nd, 2019
Vos and Fitzgerald Trash Urban Voters
Affirming the alignment of Republicans with voters from shrinking counties.
Dec 26th, 2018
Walker and Jobs, the Final Tally
In eight years, state steadily fell further behind nation and Midwest.
Dec 19th, 2018
Gerrymander is Alive and Well
Data from November election tells a tale of totalitarian tendencies.
Dec 12th, 2018
The Republican War Against Democracy
Details in lame duck bills show disdain for democracy by Vos and Fitzgerald.
Dec 5th, 2018
Gap Grows Between MPS and Charter, Choice
State school report cards since 2014 tell the tale. Are there solutions for MPS?
Nov 28th, 2018
What State School Report Cards Tell Us
Measuring charter and choice schools against MPS is revealing.
Nov 21st, 2018
Banana Republic Politics
Republicans threaten governor’s power, but may actually kill a bad 2017 law they passed.
Nov 14th, 2018
MPS Charter Schools Work Better
So why doesn’t the school board embrace them?
Nov 8th, 2018
Why Schimel’s Lawsuit Makes No Sense
Even conservatives suggest the AG’s suit against Affordable Care Act is bad law.
Nov 4th, 2018
Why Republicans Lie About Health Care
The reality is they can’t create an alternative way to cover pre-existing conditions.
Oct 24th, 2018
The Strange Suit by Brad Schimel
Why try to end coverage of pre-existing conditions which 67% of Republicans support?
Oct 17th, 2018
The Incoherence of Scott Walker
His suddenly changing policies make for a confused campaign.
Oct 10th, 2018
The Curious Campaign of Leah Vukmir
Her campaign seems to ignore poll data showing most disagree with her stands.
Oct 3rd, 2018
Does Manufacturing Tax Credit Matter?
Evers would scrap tax break passed by Walker and Republicans. Will that help or hurt?
Sep 26th, 2018
The Impact of Republican Tax Cuts
It relies on supply side economics. So how well is that working?
Sep 19th, 2018
Making Wisconsin More Like Texas
Schimel and Walker support changes in Affordable Care Act most voters oppose. Why?
Sep 12th, 2018
Walker Cost State 80,000 Jobs
Jobs grew 33 percent less under him compared to other states, the data shows.
Sep 5th, 2018
The Case for Single Payer Care
65% in this state get insurance at work. Would they support Medicare for All?
Aug 29th, 2018
Must Democrats Have a Unified Message?
So claims a NYT story. But the party generally fares better by allowing differing views.
Aug 22nd, 2018
Why Republicans Lack Health Coverage
Trump’s attack on Affordable Care Act mostly hurts Republicans, the data shows.
Aug 15th, 2018
The Trouble with Freedom Indices
Assumption that government spending reduces freedom limits the ability to assess government programs.
Aug 8th, 2018
How Government Helps the Economy
A government safety net is the best way of assuring the economy can evolve and grow.
Aug 1st, 2018
The Rise of Federalist Society Judges
Nationally and in Wisconsin they have become activists and super legislators.
Jul 25th, 2018
Why Roys Is Wrong On School Choice
And what this may say about the Democratic Party.
Jul 18th, 2018
McAdams Decision Is a Travesty
Cyber-bullying was championed by state Supreme Court, while trashing faculty governance.
Jul 11th, 2018
How Trump Threatens State’s Exports
As parties flip-flop on free trade, can Wisconsin’s export economy be protected?
Jul 5th, 2018
Can Democrats Still Contest Gerrymander?
Strange Supreme Court decision on Wisconsin redistricting leaves some room for hope.
Jun 27th, 2018
Comparing Badger Economy to Border States
Wisconsin does both better and worse than neighboring states.
Jun 20th, 2018
Solving Murders in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s arrest rate in murder cases outpaces that of most other large U.S. cities.
Jun 13th, 2018
The Republican Love of Big Government
Are Republican states the most socialistic?
Jun 6th, 2018
What’s Wrong With Illinois?
Its economic problems stem from political gridlock over how to pay for its commitments.
May 30th, 2018
More Ways Minnesota Beats Wisconsin
Less people leaving state, more getting health insurance in Minnesota.
May 23rd, 2018
Yes, Minnesota Beats Wisconsin
But is its better economic performance due to more liberal policies?
May 16th, 2018
Trickle Up Economics
The Great Recession’s huge impact on employment shows why trickle down doesn’t work.
May 9th, 2018
Is California the Future?
The data about California may have political and economic lessons for Wisconsin.
May 2nd, 2018
Why Is City’s Student Achievement So Low?
NAEP results show notable progress in Chicago, but discouraging results here.
Apr 25th, 2018
What Do Voters Want from Justices?
Screnock’s defeat suggests they want integrity, not a Supreme Court bought by special interests.
Apr 18th, 2018
Voters Want Checks and Balances
That’s the message on Supreme Court race, Treasurer referendum. Was message received?
Apr 11th, 2018
Walker’s Plan to Break the Law
And why Attorney General Schimel didn’t warn him it was folly.
Apr 4th, 2018
A Federal Jobs Guarantee?
NY Senator Gillibrand is pushing idea. Polls show people favor it.
Mar 28th, 2018
How MPS Is Hurt By Its “Friends”
North Division controversy raises issue: which schools best serve low-income black students?
Mar 21st, 2018
Many Republicans Oppose Gerrymandering
Even in Wisconsin. But nearly all are former officeholders.
Mar 14th, 2018
Is GOP Trying to Destroy Democracy?
New report points to problems, which can be seen nationally and in Wisconsin.
Mar 7th, 2018
The Lessons of Amazon’s City Search
What can Milwaukee learn from from losing its bid for Amazon’s headquarters?
Feb 28th, 2018
Evaluating Walker’s Reinsurance Plan
It has some benefits, but not enough to make up for Trump’s health care changes.
Feb 21st, 2018
GOP Abandoning The Free Market
Wisconsin instead picks winners and losers. How is that working?
Feb 14th, 2018
GOP Not the Law-and-Order Party?
Republicans are undermining prosecutors, FBI, both here and nationally.
Feb 7th, 2018
Why Can’t MPS Improve Results?
Perhaps because our leaders ignore data on which schools work.
Jan 31st, 2018
Has Tide Turned Against Republicans?
Last week’s elections show GOP could be vulnerable to right kind of campaign.
Jan 24th, 2018
Behold the Elephant Chart
It shows global and U.S. changes benefit 1%; who are the losers?
Jan 17th, 2018
Will Federal Tax Plan Succeed?
Past economic data suggests it won’t. And voters think it will fail.
Jan 10th, 2018
How Are Our Schools Doing?
Much worse than Chicago’s. And little difference between public and choice schools.
Dec 20th, 2017
The Many Errors of Brad Schimel
His sloppy report on John Doe leaks won’t help Attorney General’s reputation.
Dec 13th, 2017
The Rise of a Partisan Supreme Court
It’s supposed to be non-partisan. How and why did this change?
Dec 6th, 2017
Did Walker Save Wisconsin’s Economy?
So claims his supporters at WILL. Let’s consider the evidence they offer.
Nov 29th, 2017
Is Waukesha County Becoming Less Red?
Perhaps not, but legislative districts straddling its border are changing.
Nov 22nd, 2017
Why Does GOP Want To Raise My Taxes?
And why do I get nothing back in return but a bigger federal deficit?
Nov 15th, 2017
The Wisconsin Jobs Mystery
How can unemployment be low when jobs growth is so low?
Nov 8th, 2017
Is Wisconsin’s Economy “On Fire”?
Walker says so in new ad that slams Illinois. Is its claim true or false?
Nov 1st, 2017
Who Benefits From Federal Housing Subsidies?
Higher income get more than low income, Waukesha more than Milwaukee.
Oct 25th, 2017
The More Guns, Less Crime Scam
Questionable research shows Right To Carry reduces crime. Here’s the full story.
Oct 18th, 2017
John Roberts’ Nightmare
His decision on gerrymandering case could ruin Supreme Court’s reputation.
Oct 11th, 2017
The Lessons of Repeal and Replace
Republicans never had an actual plan. Bernie Sanders might learn from that.
Oct 4th, 2017
Should Wisconsin Join The Amazon Bidding War?
If the Foxconn deal is the new standard, the subsidy for Amazon could reach $10 billion.
Sep 27th, 2017
Can Milwaukee Win The Amazon Challenge?
If a lower cost of living for employees is a key criteria.
Sep 20th, 2017
How to Build Wisconsin’s Economy
Bribing companies to relocate here doesn’t work. So what does?
Sep 13th, 2017
Should State Look Beyond Manufacturing?
Rustbelt jobs have steadily declined since 1990. State should look elsewhere for answers.
Sep 6th, 2017
Judges Consider a Democratic Gerrymander
Maryland uses same technique as Wisconsin, but to benefit Democrats.
Aug 30th, 2017
Right Wing Seeks to End Democracy?
Their support for Wisconsin gerrymander part of a disturbing international trend.
Aug 23rd, 2017
Will Foxconn Deal Fight Poverty?
Legislative language suggests this. What are the deal’s true aims and costs?
Aug 16th, 2017
Walker’s Health Care Gamble Exposes State
He bet on health care exchanges and against expanding Medicaid, which could hurt Wisconsin.
Aug 9th, 2017
Foxconn, Wisconsin’s Manufacturing Future?
Deal will cost $500 for every person in the state.
Aug 2nd, 2017
Has Barrett Driven Up City Debt?
Conservative MacIver Institute says yes. Let’s look at the data.
Jul 26th, 2017
The “Democrats Are Evil” Trap
National Review’s David French blames this for GOP loyalty to Trump. Let us consider the irony.
Jul 19th, 2017
Who Wins From Global Warming?
Wisconsin wins; Florida, Texas, southern states big losers.
Jul 12th, 2017
How Will Trumpcare Affect Wisconsin?
The bottom line: worse health and 1,000 additional deaths per year.
Jul 5th, 2017
Will Supremes Rule on State Redistricting?
Past cases show Supreme Court is reluctant to overrule district courts.
Jun 28th, 2017
Is Manufacturing in Decline?
Recent trends are down in Wisconsin, but hardly a cause for panic.
Jun 21st, 2017
You Dare Not Question Scott Walker
A Federalist column attacks my conclusion that governors have little impact on the economy.
Jun 7th, 2017
US Supreme Court Wrong on Redistricting?
By focusing only on racial gerrymandering justices miss the bigger picture.
May 31st, 2017
Why GOP Backs Gerrymander
Once leaders both parties' leaders opposed it. Why did Republicans change?
May 24th, 2017
State’s Political Map At Issue
Does geography or gerrymandering give a GOP edge? U.S. Supreme Court could decide.
May 18th, 2017
Does Tax Credit Make State a Winner?
An Econ professor and Walker fan uses shaky research to say yes.
May 10th, 2017
Can Governors Do Much About Economy?
Less than people think. But more, perhaps, than Walker is doing.
May 3rd, 2017
ALEC and Wisconsin’s Economy
ALEC ranks state high for its policies, but they haven’t improved economy.
Apr 26th, 2017
WMC Manufactures Bogus Data
Does it show Manufacturing & Agriculture tax credit creates jobs? Nope.
Apr 19th, 2017
Why Walker Should Expand Medicaid
Both the data and politics point in one direction: accept the federal funding.
Apr 12th, 2017
Should Wisconsin Reconsider Medicaid Expansion?
States that did saw the largest decrease in uninsured.
Apr 5th, 2017
Three Whopping Data Lies
Or how Walker, Schimel, Trump jump from correlation to causality.
Mar 29th, 2017
How Trump Betrays His Supporters
Trumpcare in Wisconsin and nation hikes costs the most for Trump voters.
Mar 22nd, 2017
Who Wins From Anti-Poverty Programs?
In U.S. and Wisconsin, biggest beneficiaries are whites without degrees.
Mar 15th, 2017
Should State Shift Economic Development Strategies?
A differentiation strategy might work better than Walker’s low-cost approach.
Feb 22nd, 2017
National Press Discovers Rural Wisconsin
Their observations, and demographic data, tell a story Democrats need to hear.
Feb 15th, 2017
The Curious Politics Of Rural Counties
New voting data shows their power, but makes their trust in Trump a mystery.
Feb 8th, 2017
Court’s Redistricting Order A Problem?
The solution that Democrats have cheered may not be so simple.
Feb 1st, 2017
54 Judges’ Powerful Case for Recusal
Their petition lays bare the problem. State Supreme Court hasn’t responded.
Jan 25th, 2017
The Rise of Right-Wing Propaganda
Commentators peddling non-facts are crowding out thoughtful conservatives.
Jan 18th, 2017
5 Issues Democrats Must Face
The data is clear: Democrats must change strategies or they will never succeed.
Jan 11th, 2017
How Will Trumponomics Impact State?
If he targets trade with China, that’s a major trading partner for Wisconsin.
Jan 4th, 2017
2016 Election Results Prove Gerrymandering
State election totals by ward prove the problem again. How will courts react?
Dec 28th, 2016
What Do Trump’s Voters Want?
Data provides clear picture of Trump country. Democrats may need new policies.
Dec 21st, 2016
DeVos All Wrong on Charter Schools?
Trump education appointee favors charter schools without accountability. Data shows they fail.
Dec 14th, 2016
Measuring Wisconsin’s Gerrymandering
Data shows why the court struck down state's map; “efficiency gap” not the reason.
Dec 7th, 2016
Trump, Truth, and Financial Trouble
Voters’ median income -- and gullibility -- help explain election results
Nov 30th, 2016
Can Trump Voters’ Pessimism Be Overcome?
Identity politics failed. Democrats need policies that help all, regardless of race, region.
Nov 23rd, 2016
Trump’s Politics of Pessimism
The data show his supporters are very pessimistic. How will he meet their needs?
Nov 16th, 2016
Do “No Excuses” Charter Schools Work?
The data is encouraging. So why are some MPS leaders resistant?
Nov 11th, 2016
Do Tax Cuts Lead to Economic Growth?
What the historic evidence since 1960s shows.
Nov 2nd, 2016
Three Visions of the Future
Comparing the Trump, Clinton and Ryan tax plans and their impact on the economy.
Oct 26th, 2016
Secrecy and the John Doe Probe
Did secrecy hurt the investigation? Will courts release the info now that the case is over?
Oct 12th, 2016
Global Warming and Wisconsin’s Economy
Will state’s leaders heed the example of Warren Buffett on alternative energy?
Oct 5th, 2016
Does Big Government Threaten Freedom?
The Church of the Gipper argues big government threatens freedom. But what about private parties? Such as Donald Trump.
Sep 14th, 2016
The Decline of Reaganism
The Church of the Gipper is defied by Donald Trump. Will Republicans adjust their ideology?
Sep 7th, 2016
Schimel Switches Strategy on John Doe
His response to appeal abandon’s state Supreme Court’s position, suggesting its ruling is weak.
Aug 31st, 2016
Redistricting and Democracy
Gerrymandering has eliminated nearly all competitive legislative and congressional districts.
Aug 24th, 2016
Which Candidates Lie the Most?
Aggregating the Politifact ratings of candidates for president and U.S. Senate.
Aug 17th, 2016
Why Courts Have Limited Photo ID
Two recent cases have made Wisconsin ground zero for voting rights.
Aug 11th, 2016
The Further Adventures of John Doe
U.S. Supreme Court signals it might take appeal of decision shutting down John Doe probe.
Jul 22nd, 2016
Schools With Low-Income Students Can Succeed
But they tend to be charter schools. Will Abele use OSPP to create more?
Jul 20th, 2016
Can MPS Learn From the Data?
Its rejection of the Opportunity Schools Partnership is merely one sign the answer is no.
Jul 13th, 2016
The Radical State Supreme Court?
Three cases reveal the court overruling precedent while claiming it isn’t.
Jul 7th, 2016
Why Trump’s Hostile Takeover Succeeded
The data shows how he stole Republican Party despite opposition of its leaders.
Jun 23rd, 2016
How to Fix Medicaid
State officials wrestling with problem of rising costs ignore the obvious solution.
Jun 22nd, 2016
Possible Solutions to Murder in Milwaukee
Should it be treated as health epidemic? And why are shootings now more lethal?
Jun 16th, 2016
Murder in Milwaukee
What do the statistics tell us about homicides and why they happen?
Jun 9th, 2016
Why Federal Court Rejected Archer Suit
Eric O’Keefe’s attempt to punish DA John Chisholm was way thin on evidence.
May 31st, 2016
The Shrinking Middle Class
National shrinkage of middle class households hits Milwaukee hard. Is there any solution?
May 25th, 2016
Did John Doe Threaten High Court?
Two Supreme court justices were deeply implicated in probe, yet voted to shut it down.
May 10th, 2016
How to Attract Jobs to Wisconsin
Walker’s policies haven’t worked. More urban-centered policies could improve things.
May 2nd, 2016
John Doe Controversy Gets Even Stranger
Judge Lynn Adelman seemed mystified by attorneys for both sides in suit against John Chisholm.
Apr 20th, 2016
Road Map To Economic Failure
Why has Walker’s jobs plan failed? And why won’t he change his approach?
Apr 14th, 2016
When Progressives Imitate the Right
The Shepherd’s campaign against Democrat Chris Abele is a classic example
Apr 1st, 2016
Media Used By Right Against Kloppenburg
Journal Sentinel attacks Kloppenburg on unproven issue raised by right-wing.
Mar 28th, 2016
Did Club for Growth Help Create Trump?
Conservatives that got courts to end campaign spending limits gave Trump his key issue.
Mar 21st, 2016
Caperton Rule Could Kill John Doe Decision
State high court’s Doe ruling runs afoul of U.S. Supreme Court decision on judicial conflicts.
Mar 16th, 2016
John Doe Foes Worried About Appeal?
They’re concerned U.S. Supreme Court might review state court ruling killing Doe probe.
Mar 4th, 2016
Have Anti-John Doe Forces Blundered?
They could open door to federal court questioning state Supreme Court’s shutdown of Doe probe.
Feb 29th, 2016
The Curious Case of Brad Schimel
Why has Attorney General suddenly entered John Doe controversy?
Feb 8th, 2016
Has Walker Shrunk Wisconsin’s Economy?
Both Barca and Trump blame him. But what does the data show? Second in series.
Feb 4th, 2016
The Decline of Conservative Thought
Once the party of ideas, the GOP now polices political correctness.
Feb 1st, 2016
Has Walker Grown Wisconsin’s Economy?
His conservative policies were supposed to grow jobs. Did they? First in a series.
Jan 22nd, 2016
Did Democrats Overreact to ACT Scores?
The claim that state dropped from 2nd to 41st on ACT scores is simply wrong.
Jan 15th, 2016
Can New Approach End Gerrymandering?
“Efficiency model” goes before courts. It has a chance.
Jan 6th, 2016
Roggensack Weakens Judicial Watchdog?
Chief justice appoints GOP operative sanctioned by federal court to Judicial Commission.
Jan 4th, 2016
U.S. Supreme Court Must Meet John Doe
By hearing case, court would end legal confusion and might enhance its reputation.
Dec 22nd, 2015
Why John Doe Won’t Die
The court cases haven’t ended. Will U.S. Supreme Court take the case?
Dec 8th, 2015
The Shrinking Labor Force
The percent working has dropped in U.S. and even faster in Wisconsin. Why?
Dec 1st, 2015
How Liberals Imitate Right Wing
Their stance on Abele and charter schools is just as close-minded as right wingers.
Nov 19th, 2015
Why Mortality is Rising for Middle Aged Whites
Since 2000, the death rate for this group has begun rising. Are there political causes?
Nov 11th, 2015
Has Wisconsin Become a Can’t Do State?
State’s still lagging economy points to problems with political leadership.
Nov 3rd, 2015
Do More Guns Lower Crime?
That’s the theory behind proposed bill to permit guns in college buildings. Is the theory true?
Oct 28th, 2015
Marching Towards Ideological Conformity
Ideology prevents Republicans from offering real solutions. Ditto for liberal charter school haters.
Oct 20th, 2015
What Explains Trump’s Popularity?
Polls of Wisconsin voters and other data provides disturbing clues.
Oct 13th, 2015
Is ObamaCare Working in Wisconsin?
Yes, because Walker used one part of Obamacare to replace what he rejected.
Sep 30th, 2015
The Fall of Scott Walker
Did the Club for Growth contribute to the rise of Donald Trump and the fall of Scott Walker?
Sep 23rd, 2015
Why Was Cindy Archer Lawsuit Pursued?
It’s certainly not helping conservatives who filed it. Another John Doe mystery.
Sep 16th, 2015
The Mysterious Silence of John Chisholm
His unwillingness to answer challenges to John Doe raises questions.
Sep 9th, 2015
Mysteries of the John Doe investigation
The probe has left many mysteries and unanswered questions. First of two parts.
Aug 31st, 2015
Will Walker Plan to Replace ObamaCare Work?
He’s the only Republican to present a specific plan, but its results might explain why.
Aug 24th, 2015
The John Doe Fiction Continues
National Review doubles down on dubious claim of “paramilitary raids.”
Aug 18th, 2015
Why David Brooks Is Wrong on Minimum Wage
He opposes raising it but uses bad math and incomplete research.
Aug 11th, 2015
About Those John Doe “Paramilitary Raids”
Are right-wing accounts of the Doe investigation fictional?
Aug 10th, 2015
Why Conservatives Attack Minnesota
They condemn its business climate even as it out-performs Wisconsin.
Aug 3rd, 2015
Doe Decision “Overrules” U.S. Supreme Court
Wisconsin justices knew coordination was occurring. So they simply tried to rewrite federal law.
Jul 22nd, 2015
Why Is Minnesota Outperforming Wisconsin?
Does having a Republican or Democratic governor explain the difference?
Jul 15th, 2015
Why Transportation Costs Are Out of Line
U.S. and Wisconsin use a Soviet model, which results in shortages of funding and long lines of traffic.
Jul 8th, 2015
Who Wins From Court’s Obamacare Ruling?
Wisconsin and Walker are both big winners, while Rojo and Paul Ryan look foolish.
Jul 2nd, 2015
Why is Wisconsin Last in Startup Businesses?
The state’s backward-looking business culture may be to blame.
Jun 24th, 2015
Will Jobs Record Hurt Walker’s Presidential Bid?
The numbers for Wisconsin are bad, yet Walker is a leading presidential candidate. Why?
Jun 17th, 2015
The Economic Impact of a New Bucks Arena
Separating fact from fiction, what does the data show?
Jun 10th, 2015
Wisconsin Ranks Last In Welfare Reform
A conservative group’s ranking of results suggests the state ranks 50th in the results of its reforms.
Jun 5th, 2015
Will Supreme Court Overrule Key Part of Obamacare?
Result could increase health care costs and number of uninsured in states like Wisconsin.
May 28th, 2015
Why Doesn’t Milwaukee Embrace Charter Schools?
Data shows they work better than MPS schools, but board adamantly opposes them.
May 20th, 2015
A New Approach to Equal Opportunity
New data shows switching neighborhoods can improve equality. What does this mean for Milwaukee?
May 12th, 2015
The Meaning of Judge Bradley’s Victory
She carried more assembly districts than Obama or Mary Burke. Are there lessons for Democrats and the GOP in her victory?
May 6th, 2015
Push For $15 Minimum Wage A Mistake?
Research clearly shows $10 minimum wage helps workers, but there’s no data to support hike to $15.
Apr 27th, 2015
The Cult of the Free Market
Adam Smith gets distorted as partisan ideologues increasingly skew data to simplify reality.
Apr 22nd, 2015
The Charter School Advantage
A new study shows charter schools outperform MPS schools. But they still trail the average state school.
Apr 15th, 2015
Exploding the Myths About Poverty
America didn’t “lose” the War on Poverty. Poverty declined. Can it be reduced further in cities like Milwaukee?
Apr 9th, 2015
Predicting Wisconsin’s Economic Future
Two commentators fiercely disagree as to whether Wisconsin has turned the corner. Who’s right?
Apr 1st, 2015
Can Wisconsin Democrats Rebuild Their Brand?
Maybe the party needs to think like a business and rethink the product it offers.
Mar 23rd, 2015
On The Road to Serfdom?
Paul Ryan and others argue U.S. spending and government control is increasing. What does the data show?
Mar 16th, 2015
Will Right-to-Work Cause Sickness and Death?
Logic of the law’s supporters suggest this -- and other terrible things -- will happen.
Mar 6th, 2015
Milwaukee a Leader in City Center Job Growth
So says a recent study. But is the data more than a passing fad?
Mar 2nd, 2015
Testing Walker’s Jobs Theory
He’s embraced a low-taxes approach used by other states, which has been a failure.
Feb 24th, 2015
The Walker Economic Record
Crunching the numbers: How has Wisconsin’s economy fared in his first four years?
Feb 16th, 2015
How Good Are Charter Schools?
The data is very encouraging, so why are liberals so opposed?
Feb 11th, 2015
Will Streetcar Help The Inner City?
Opponents say it won’t. Let’s examine the data.
Feb 4th, 2015
Does Walker Have Losing Strategy for Global Warming?
States that are unfriendly to new technologies confronting the problem could be economic losers.
Jan 22nd, 2015
The Bogus Claims on Right to Work
Serious researchers on impact offer many caveats, which advocates blithely ignore.
Jan 19th, 2015
The Real Impact of the Minimum Wage
A new study by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office looks at the costs and benefits.
Jan 9th, 2015
The Impact of Right to Work Laws
State Republican leaders want to pass such a law. What will be the impact on jobs and wages?
Jan 7th, 2015
Wisconsin Taxes and Inequality
Have Walker’s tax changes increased or decreased inequality in the state?
Dec 19th, 2014
Wisconsin Is Now a Republican Oligopoly
Election results reveal Democrats now start all elections with a ten percent disadvantage.
Dec 11th, 2014
The Rise in Income Inequality
The problem is national, but choices made by Walker and the Republicans may widen or reduce it in Wisconsin
Dec 8th, 2014
Walker Decision on Obamacare Is Costly
New numbers allow for analysis of Affordable Care Act’s impact nationally and in Wisconsin.
Nov 26th, 2014
Do Democrats Have a Future?
They need to get 55 percent of the vote to get back the legislature. Will any strategy work?
Nov 14th, 2014
Evaluating The Burke and Walker Jobs Plans
Can either reverse the state’s long-term trend of lagging national job growth?
Nov 3rd, 2014
The Assault on Wisconsin’s Campaign Laws
Given higher court’s slap-down of Judge Randa’s decisions overthrowing Wisconsin laws, just where does the law now stand?
Oct 28th, 2014
Both Sides Wrong About Walker’s Impact on Jobs
Actually, the data shows Gov. Walker has had little impact, positive or negative, on how the state grows jobs.
Oct 20th, 2014
Why the Appeals Court Slapped Down Conservatives
In John Doe case, the Republican-leaning court tossed out 7 suits against John Chisholm, and chastised Judge Randa. Why?
Oct 8th, 2014
What Explains the Democratic Economic Advantage?
Possible explanations for why the economy and stock market perform better under Democratic presidents.
Sep 25th, 2014
Are Democrats Better for the Economy?
The data shows Democratic presidents have better economic growth. But is the data meaningful?
Sep 10th, 2014
The Curious Contradictions of Christian Schneider
Journal Sentinel columnist admits killing Obamacare would hurt Wisconsin, even as he bashes it.
Aug 29th, 2014
Will Liberal Democrats Undermine Mary Burke?
Opposition to a pro-business Democrat could help Walker win reelection.
Aug 20th, 2014
Obamacare’s Success So Far
Uninsured rates decline in most states, more so for those “embracing” the legislation, and Wisconsin finds itself in the middle of the pack.
Aug 11th, 2014
Court Decision Could Kill Obamacare in Wisconsin
That would hurt many who’ve enrolled, and leave Gov. Walker in a tough position.
Aug 6th, 2014
Why MPS Can’t Improve
It’s clearly failing black children. Why can’t MPS do as well as other cities in addressing the problem?
Jul 29th, 2014
Why Did Walker Flip on Common Core?
And why is the opposition to it so heated? An analysis of the actual standards and the arguments against them.
Jul 23rd, 2014
The Impact of Obamacare
States that embraced it have greatly lowered the number of uninsured. What’s the impact on Wisconsin?
Jul 17th, 2014
Is Walker to Blame for Poor Job Growth?
Liberal and conservatives adamantly disagree. What does the data show?
Jul 9th, 2014
Supreme Court May Disappoint Conservatives
Their past decisions may force them to rule against those appealing the John Doe investigation.
Jun 30th, 2014
The Milwaukee Advantage
Why is population growth here better than in most Great Lakes states?
Jun 26th, 2014
The Democratic Disadvantage
Republicans can continue to control the legislature with 46% of the statewide vote. How can Democrats overcome this edge?
Jun 18th, 2014
Will New EPA Rules Hurt Wisconsin’s Economy?
Looking at the impact of efforts to combat global warming.
Jun 9th, 2014
Walker’s Record on Unemployment
Wisconsin has had less success reducing unemployment than surrounding states. Why?
May 28th, 2014
Milwaukee Is a Great Lakes Star
New census estimates show Milwaukee’s population is growing faster than any other Great Lakes city.
May 7th, 2014
Journal Sentinel Gets Snookered by Walker
Newspaper’s vaunted Politifact column approves of Walker’s very misleading claim about state job growth.
May 1st, 2014
Decline of the Dairy State
Walker’s policies may help depopulate farms. How will cities be affected?
Apr 16th, 2014
Why Utah Scores High on New Economy Rankings
Yes, it’s conservative, but it strongly supports rail transit and urban living. Final story of a series.
Apr 2nd, 2014
Why Wisconsin Lags in High Tech Economy
Are the state’s liberals too opposed to change? Part II in a series.
Mar 5th, 2014
Wisconsin Lags in Building a High Tech Economy
Which states and cities lead the way in building a new economy? Part I of a three-part series.
Feb 19th, 2014
Myths About the Minimum Wage
Economists don’t agree that raising the minimum wage reduces employment. It actually increases jobs in fast-food industry.
Feb 7th, 2014
Ending Income Taxes Won’t Bring Jobs
Gov. Walker says states without the tax do better. Statistics say otherwise.
Jan 22nd, 2014
Why Walker’s Job Strategy Has Failed
He’s followed a much-touted strategy used by successful companies. Why hasn’t it worked?
Oct 17th, 2013
Which Governor is Best At Growing Jobs?
The truth is far more complicated than either party would claim.
Aug 22nd, 2013
The State’s Spin Machine
Dept of Workforce Development spins job numbers to make Walker look good. Does it matter?
Jul 30th, 2013
Cities Lead the Way
Latest census figures shows all state population growth in urban areas.
Jul 3rd, 2013
