The Remarkable Tenure of Fred Risser
Now 91, he’s served 62 years in the Legislature as its greatest proponent of open government.
Dec 21st, 2018
GOP Bills Change 400 Sections of State Law
Changes help special interests, overthrow voters’ decision in November election.
Dec 3rd, 2018
Voters Approve $1.3 Billion More for Schools
Since 2012 state has cut school spending by cumulative $3.5 billon. Local referendums plugging the gap.
Nov 15th, 2018
State Jobs Agency Still a Failure
Walker administration blames director who left in 2012, but four audits in six years show problems persist.
Oct 23rd, 2018
Our 1,000 Miles of Great Lakes Shoreline
Great Lakes are huge resource for state. Foxconn threatens agreement that protects lakes.
Oct 10th, 2018
Fastest Legislators in Modern History?
Report finds more fast-tracking of legislation, less public input, under Walker and Republicans.
Sep 16th, 2018
Local Governments Beg State to Fix Roads
Municipalities have passed 559 resolutions calling on state leaders to fix the roads budget.
Sep 3rd, 2018
Schools Special Needs Grossly Underfunded
Special Education and bilingual instruction are mandated by federal or state law but way underfunded.
Aug 30th, 2018
Study Shows Benefits of Medicaid Expansion
States that accepted money have more coverage and cheaper preventive care.
Aug 14th, 2018
State School Funding Has Steadily Declined
Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding finds schools struggling with unmet needs.
Jul 21st, 2018
Growing Pains for Hemp Industry
It’s legalized, yes, but state could be more supportive.
Jul 3rd, 2018
UW Officials Stonewall State Audit Bureau
Legislators consider ways to compel their compliance.
Jun 27th, 2018
Audit Shows Big Problems at State Fair Park
Management issues, revenue shortfalls, contracts not tracked, environmental laws violated.
May 3rd, 2018
How Can We Protect Our Water?
Hire back the DNR scientists and inspectors and let them do their work.
Apr 22nd, 2018
Changes in School Funding Formula Needed?
Green Bay students speak 31 different languages. How do schools meet such needs?
Apr 4th, 2018
Why We Need a State Treasurer
The referendum to eliminate position will give more power to governor.
Apr 1st, 2018
Deaf Community Ill-Served by Legislature
Republicans water down bill to upgrade skill levels of sign language interpreters.
Mar 16th, 2018
A Wheelchair Is Not a Trampoline
And Republican food share proposal won’t help disabled and poor people.
Mar 5th, 2018
Walker’s Work Rule Makes No Sense
Two-thirds of FoodShare recipients are blind, elderly, disabled or children and can’t work.
Feb 7th, 2018
Kicking Us When We’re Down
Requiring photo ID for FoodShare recipients will make it harder to get help.
Jan 25th, 2018
New Approach to Funding Schools Needed
Blue Ribbon Commission studying the many problems with current approach.
Dec 18th, 2017
WEDC Admits They Don’t Follow the Law
Are they incompetent or flouting the law? And how will they oversee Foxconn?
Nov 3rd, 2017
Hemp’s Time Has Come
Benefits of legalization are many. Will legislature, Walker approve it?
Oct 30th, 2017
Can WEDC Oversee Foxconn Deal?
State jobs agency has failed for seven years. Can it protect taxpayers and watchdog Foxconn?
Oct 25th, 2017
Senator Vinehout Pleased with Committee Passage of Hemp Bill
"Hemp has tremendous possibilities in growing our rural economy..."
Oct 18th, 2017
De-Licensing Bill Could Have Huge Impact
State requirements for nurses, plumbers, CPAs and other jobs could be scrapped.
Oct 4th, 2017
Where Are the People?
Bill to end occupational licensing backed by right wing groups, but just one worker testifies in favor.
Aug 29th, 2017
Illinois Loves Our Foxconn Deal
They get more jobs. We pay the entire $3 billion in taxes.
Aug 26th, 2017
An Unequal Education?
State school funding formula broken; GOP solutions worsen problem.
Jun 16th, 2017
State Jobs Agency Data a Mess
Audit says WEDC doesn't know how many jobs created or retained.
May 23rd, 2017
Most Dangerous Bill You’ve Never Heard Of
Bill repeals laws costly to business, even if lives are at stake.
May 10th, 2017
Meth Epidemic Overwhelming Counties
Staggering increases in addiction. Help from state is needed.
Apr 11th, 2017
State’s Impaired Waters Growing
Hundreds added each year. DNR staff and enforcement way down.
Mar 23rd, 2017
Don’t Eliminate The State Treasurer
Wisconsin is the only state where treasurer doesn't oversee cash management.
Mar 7th, 2017
More Funding for Local Roads Needed
In 38 counties only 5% of local roads are rated “good.”
Feb 28th, 2017
Walker’s Budget Makes Schools More Unequal
Old equalized aid formula is broken. Governor makes inequity even worse.
Feb 12th, 2017
Who Is Minding DOT’s Spending?
Cost overruns, lack of transparency and oversight has led to huge transportation costs.
Jan 31st, 2017
State Pension Fund’s Risky Investments
Now invests in hedge funds, derivatives. And the annual return has declined.
Jan 23rd, 2017
Special Education Vouchers Raise Concerns
Plan hatched in secret. Law is long and complex. Vote was speedy and partisan. Results?
Nov 2nd, 2016
The New Bidding War for Teachers
Act 10 has opened door to bidding war and smaller, poorer districts losing out.
Sep 3rd, 2016
State Gave $472 Million in Business Tax Credits
Hand-outs to Amazon, Kohls, Quadgraphics and 16 other companies bleed state treasury.
Aug 18th, 2016
Rising Property Taxes Replace State Funding
Portion of local schools funding coming from state has plummeted since mid-1990s.
Aug 8th, 2016
State GAB Suffered a “Public Lynching”
Board member and retired judge Thomas Barland blames legislators for distorting facts.
Jul 6th, 2016
DNR’s Clean Water Protection Questioned
State audit shows DNR issued no notice of violation in 94% of cases where it was warranted.
Jun 7th, 2016
Referenda Help Schools Hit by State Cuts
77% of 85 ballot measures asking for more local tax dollars have passed in 2016.
Apr 27th, 2016
State Computer Systems Have Major Problems
Audit Bureau finds “significant deficiencies.” Result could be loss of federal funds, other problems.
Apr 13th, 2016
RR Company Bars Access to Mississippi
Public stopped from fishing and other recreation on river. Proposed bill would stop this.
Feb 16th, 2016
Trying to Fix What They Broke says State Senator Vinehout
“While the Governor talks about helping make college affordable and the importance of education, his feel good proposals do not undo the damage to higher education and our public schools.”
Jan 19th, 2016
Speed and Secrecy Killing Democracy
Citizen after citizen testified: "We don't know what's in the bill."
Jan 13th, 2016
Bill Would Limit City Control of Development
Proposed state law would increase developer "property rights" at expense of others.
Jan 6th, 2016
Don’t Kill the Government Accountability Board
Award winning GAB is nation's only nonpartisan watchdog agency.
Oct 13th, 2015
How Republicans Will Dismantle Civil Service
The result will replace hiring and promotions by merit with political appointments.
Oct 5th, 2015
WEDC Leaders Resist Reforming Troubled Agency
Top brass of jobs agency miss opportunity to apologize and fix problems.
Sep 28th, 2015
Sen. Vinehout: Reps Craig and Jarchow Display “Staggering Ignorance” of Legislative Audit Bureau
“Their bill embeds auditors in the agencies making them ripe for corruption by executive staff and partisan leaders.”
Jun 8th, 2015
