The Real Problem with Property Taxes
Much of state funding for 'public instruction' doesn't go to the schools.
Dec 16th, 2024
Republicans Behind the Times on Act 10
70% of Americans now approve of unions, compared with 48% in 2009.
Dec 11th, 2024
Wisconsin Dairy Farmers Need Immigrants
Providing 70% of labor force on dairy farms and filling many other jobs.
Oct 7th, 2024
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro Campaign in Rural Wisconsin
Democrats can win in rural counties, 'but you have to work at it.'
Sep 23rd, 2024
Wisconsin Democrats Praise Biden, Endorse Harris
Praise for job well done by president and throwing support to Vice President.
Jul 22nd, 2024
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan Calls For Biden to Suspend Campaign
Pocan shares concern that Biden cannot win due to widespread concerns over his age, mental fitness.
Jul 19th, 2024
Sarah Godlewski’s Struggle for Democracy
Seeking student workers to help understaffed election clerks, despite Republican opposition.
Apr 1st, 2024
Democrats Optimistic About New Voting Maps
'This is a sea change in Wisconsin politics.'
Feb 27th, 2024
Peace Activists Target Tammy Baldwin, Praise Mark Pocan
But how far apart are senator and congressman on Israel, Hamas and Gaza?
Dec 19th, 2023
Wisconsin a Major Front in War Against Democracy
Report identifies Wisconsin and North Carolina as leaders in this ugly movement.
Dec 10th, 2023
Officials Condemn Neo-Nazi March in Madison
Blood Tribe, a growing white supremacist group, chanted that 'Israel is not our friend.'
Nov 20th, 2023
How School Choice Backers Skew The Statistics
Are voucher schools really more 'cost-effective'?
Sep 5th, 2023
‘We’re Not Here For Crumbs’
40% of school districts got less funding from state budget Evers signed. Public school advocates are upset.
Aug 14th, 2023
Referendums on Ballot Are Confusing
Three proposals by Republicans sow confusion, resentment.
Mar 22nd, 2023
Enslaved Workers May Be Making Your Breakfast
Wisconsin confronts problem of human trafficking and exploited immigrant labor.
Feb 28th, 2023
State Should Restore Driver’s Licenses for Immigrant Workers
Make our roads safer and help economy and undocumented workers.
Feb 26th, 2023
Vote Tracking Bill Has Bipartisan Support
Proposal would allow state's absentee voters to track status of their vote.
Feb 13th, 2023
State Republican Chair Wants It Both Ways On Trump
Trying to unite the party's Trump lovers and haters won't be easy nor morally palatable.
Jan 1st, 2023
The War Over Democracy Isn’t Over
Both nationally and in Wisconsin there will be more attempts to undermine elections.
Dec 4th, 2022
UW System Quietly Adds More Charter Schools It Oversees
Now up to 13 K-12 schools, including one that's part of a for-profit chain.
Nov 21st, 2022
5 Lessons From Mid-Term Election
Milwaukee's under-performance is a problem. And lack of national Democratic funding doomed Pfaff.
Nov 13th, 2022
Beware Skewed Numbers on School Funding
School choice supporters push misleading statistics.
Oct 31st, 2022
Johnson Has Long Opposed Abortion
He celebrated overthrow of Roe and cosponsored 6 bills over 8 years to restrict abortions.
Sep 25th, 2022
Public Schools At Stake in Governor’s Race
Michels wants universal school choice, would dismantle public schools.
Sep 18th, 2022
Social Security At Issue in Fall Election
Ron Johnson supports ending guaranteed right to Social Security, Medicare.
Aug 22nd, 2022
Tammy Baldwin’s Big Moment
Wisconsin’s Democratic U.S. Senator leads the way toward bipartisan deal on marriage equality.
Jul 31st, 2022
Evers Rips Republicans On Schools
Governor condemns funding cuts, 'censoring' teachers and using 'kids as political pawns.'
Jul 24th, 2022
Vos Penalized in Open Records Case
Assembly Speaker 'did not respond to four records requests for six months,' circuit court judge states.
Jul 19th, 2022
State Leaders React to Overturning of Roe
Republicans celebrate, Democrats say they are ‘heartbroken’
Jun 25th, 2022
Wisconsin’s Starring Role in Jan. 6 Insurrection
State is “ground zero” in ongoing effort to undermine democracy, experts warn.
Jun 9th, 2022
State Republicans Want More Guns
Party convention document opposes background checks, red flag laws, supports open and concealed carry without permits.
May 30th, 2022
Students With Disabilities Subjected to Seclusion, Physical Restraint
Report finds 84% of all such incidents in state’s schools involve students with disabilities.
May 23rd, 2022
Midwives Prepare to Protect Abortion Access
Using abortion pills or helping pay transportation to states still doing abortion.
May 5th, 2022
Democratic Candidates Opposing Ron Johnson Jump on Abortion Issue
Leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overruling Roe injects issue into US Senate race.
May 3rd, 2022
Sexism And The Marquette Poll
Should pollsters test respondents agreement with statements deriding women?
Apr 30th, 2022
Tim Michels Is No Political ‘Outsider’
Candidate for governor has long record of political donations, lobbying, state contracts.
Apr 27th, 2022
Doug La Follette Faces Primary Challenge for Secretary of State
Alexia Sabor, Chair of Dane County Democratic Party, running for Secretary of State.
Apr 22nd, 2022
Republican School Board Push Has Mixed Results
GOP-backed candidates pick up seats in Waukesha and Kenosha, lose in several areas.
Apr 6th, 2022
Barnes Campaign Aims to Bring State Together
Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate candidate running hard in rural, urban areas of state.
Apr 4th, 2022
US Supreme Court Throws State Election Into Chaos
Decision on Wisconsin maps part of national Republican push to undermine democracy.
Mar 27th, 2022
A Moment of Clarity On Voting Rights
Marquette pollster Charles Franklin goes off script at Press Club.
Mar 6th, 2022
Kaul, Planned Parenthood Oppose Abortion Ban
GOP bill almost identical to restrictive 6-week abortion ban passed in Texas.
Feb 14th, 2022
Assembly Democrats Take The Long View
Youngest leadership team ever lays out its vision, hopes and concerns.
Feb 9th, 2022
Why Doctors Oppose ‘Medical Freedom’
Republican bill allows rebel practitioners to prescribe ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19.
Feb 6th, 2022
School Voucher Lobby Wants More State Funding
Pushing for more public funding of private schools.
Feb 2nd, 2022
Tom Nelson’s Longshot Race for U.S. Senate
A 'classic populist, grassroots campaign’ — with the least campaign dollars.
Jan 18th, 2022
Suit Seeks to Reactivate 31,854 Purged Voters
League of Women Voters charges that voters illegally removed without first being notified.
Dec 24th, 2021
Evers Touts $110 Million Addition For Schools
New federal coronavirus relief funds for state’s K-12 schools include $9.6 million for MPS.
Dec 5th, 2021
Baldwin, Johnson Urge People Not to Exploit Waukesha Tragedy
Rare joint press release asks outside groups not to politicize situation.
Nov 29th, 2021
Voces Protests Change in Biden Bill
Build Back Better drops pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Nov 22nd, 2021
The Return of McCarthyism
Michael Gableman is the new Joe McCarthy, with the same bullying, sneering, demagogic style.
Nov 13th, 2021
Vos, Assembly Ordered To Release Election Probe’s Documents
Judge gives them 10 days to comply with state open records law.
Nov 8th, 2021
Evers Vetoes Reading Assessments
But governor signs bill requiring financial transparency for schools,
Nov 6th, 2021
State High Court Hears Arguments on Private Attorneys
Circuit court ruled that GOP legislators can’t hire attorneys before any lawsuit is filed.
Nov 2nd, 2021
Senate Passes New Reading Test for Early Grades
Modeled on Mississippi plan. Democrats call it meaningless without more spending on education.
Oct 26th, 2021
Republican Legislators Propose Redistricting Bill
Joint resolution calls for prioritizing existing districts, giving Republicans electoral advantage.
Sep 24th, 2021
Democrats Walk Out Of Assembly Committee
Citing COVID-19 risk and no Republicans wearing masks. 'This is so far from real democracy.'
Sep 15th, 2021
State High Court Wary of Doing Redistricting
Conservative judges have made best arguments against acceding to Republicans’ wishes.
Sep 6th, 2021
Public School Advocates Discuss State Budget Losses
Evers says ending gerrymandering may be only way to get more education funding.
Aug 3rd, 2021
Big Money Is Taking Over the Courts
Wealthy, right-wing interests are assaulting the integrity of the judiciary.
Jul 29th, 2021
Evers Offers GOP a Second Chance to Fund Schools
Newly revised federal guidelines could take away pandemic aid to state unless education funding increased.
Jul 11th, 2021
Our Fourth Of July Crisis
Voting rights imperiled and a push to mandate singing the national anthem.
Jul 3rd, 2021
Supreme Court Unexpectedly Fires Chief Appeals Judge
Progressive justices object to unprecedented move by the state's high court.
Jul 1st, 2021
School Funding Increase Actually a Property Tax Cut
GOP approved school aid will replace local property tax money, keep school funding flat.
Jun 20th, 2021
Republicans Running On Resentment
They are betting voters would rather see less for poor people than more for everyone.
Jun 17th, 2021
Republican Plan Loses $2.3 Billion for Schools
State lawmakers slashed education funding below federal minimum requirements.
Jun 11th, 2021
Legislators Pushed to Revise Schools Budget
Congressional Democrats warn that Republican budget could lose state $1.5 billion in federal aid.
Jun 9th, 2021
Rushed Redistricting Plan Criticized
Could a mysterious bill keep Republican gerrymandering in place until 2024?
Jun 8th, 2021
Republicans Slash Evers Education Budget
Reduction in spending could mean state loses $1.5 billion in federal pandemic relief funding for education.
May 28th, 2021
GOP Lawmakers Cut Evers’ Special Ed Funding Proposal
Republican state legislators reduce special education reimbursement in budget proposal.
May 24th, 2021
Fight For Fair Maps Heats Up
Legislators, advocates and a mathematician push for nonpartisan voting districts.
May 16th, 2021
Private School Voucher Costs Rising
GOP-controlled Legislature backs further voucher expansion in biennial budget.
May 7th, 2021
GOP Legislators Push Mexican Border Wall
Including a video. With music. 'Trump wall’ better than 'Obama wall.’
May 5th, 2021
Underly Announces Transition Team
New state school superintendent promises “more offense, less defense."
May 4th, 2021
Are State’s Schools Rolling In Dough?
Republican legislators think Milwaukee Public Schools getting away with something.
Apr 28th, 2021
Bill Requires MPS Reimburse Private School Transportation Costs
When MPS went virtual, it stopped providing transportation for private school students.
Apr 22nd, 2021
Republicans Throwing Away Our Money
Their extremist policies are costing state taxpayers billions.
Apr 21st, 2021
Signs of Hope at State Budget Hearing
Citizens attended public hearing in Whitewater and demanded legislators support a wide range of reforms.
Apr 11th, 2021
Wisconsin Needs Fair Maps
Gerrymandered districts give Republicans outsized legislative power.
Apr 1st, 2021
Evers Vetoes Bill on School Sports
Bill allowed virtual charter school students to participate in sports at their home school districts.
Mar 29th, 2021
State Supreme Court Dismisses AG’s Lame-Duck Lawsuit
Kaul sued Legislature over bill that took settlement authority from his office.
Mar 25th, 2021
Sen. Warnock Offers to Help Johnson
Georgia Democrat wants to help Ron Johnson overcome his "racism and moral blindness."
Mar 21st, 2021
Assembly Legislators Show Their Priorities
Minutes to pass big expansion of voucher schools, hours debating home schools.
Mar 20th, 2021
State Republicans Helped Fire Up Mob
Johnson and state’s GOP congressmen, including Gallagher, all helped incite pro-Trump insurrection.
Jan 8th, 2021
Lawyers Denounce Attacks on State Justices
They call on state bar, Supreme Court leadership to condemn threatening, anti-Semitic attacks.
Dec 23rd, 2020
Why Shirley Abrahamson Mattered
For decades one of the leading state supreme court judges in the nation.
Dec 22nd, 2020
Ron Johnson Against $1,200 Stimulus Checks
The senator said he opposes the bipartisan legislation to give citizens relief checks.
Dec 18th, 2020
Justices Face Anti-Semitic, Misogynist Attacks After Trump Ruling
State Supreme Court Justices Jill Karofsky and Rebecca Dallet attacked in post on white-supremacist website.
Dec 18th, 2020
State High Court to Review School Shutdown
WILL and school choice group sue to block Racine order closing all schools.
Nov 22nd, 2020
State Recount Turns Into Partisan Battle
The partial-recount is focusing solely on Milwaukee and Dane counties.
Nov 19th, 2020
Republican Superspreaders
Trump and Pence hold rally after rally in battleground states. No masks required.
Oct 31st, 2020
Kavanaugh Opinion on State’s Election Called “Ominous”
Supreme Court justice echoes Trump’s view that election day must decide final vote.
Oct 28th, 2020
New Law Firm Taking on Progressive Causes
Firm will counter Republican legal challenges surrounding voting rights, gerrymandering.
Oct 22nd, 2020
Evers Ad Responds to Recall Effort
Law allows target of recall to raise unlimited funds. Ad touts his handling of pandemic.
Oct 21st, 2020
Is Janesville Trump Country?
His Sunday speech there might suggest that. But past voting totals tell a different story.
Oct 19th, 2020
Baldwin Urges Trump to Deliver Medical Supplies
Baldwin tells Trump medical supply shortage "couldn't come at a worse time."
Oct 16th, 2020
State High Court Rules Legislature Can Represent State
Dallet dissent calls it “shocking” to allow Legislature to take over attorney general’s role.
Oct 7th, 2020
Ron Johnson Quarantining After COVID-19 Exposure
Johnson skipped Trump rally to maintain his quarantine.
Sep 18th, 2020
A City Divided Gets a National Spotlight
Kenosha was already divided. Then Trump started tweeting about it.
Sep 1st, 2020
Don’t Come to Kenosha, Evers Tells Trump
President’s planned visit will “only hinder our healing,” governor says.
Aug 31st, 2020
Senate Democrats Demand Postmaster Address Delays
The Senators urge the postmaster not to make it harder for people to vote.
Aug 14th, 2020
Mike Pence’s Unreality Show
The Vice President loves us. That’s why he keeps coming back to Wisconsin.
Jul 19th, 2020
Choice, Charter Schools Get Big Payday
Federal Paycheck Protection grants don’t fund public schools but do fund private schools.
Jul 11th, 2020
Beloit Billionaire Starts Charter School
Children need better schools, says Diane Hendricks. It’s “divide and conquer,” says city official.
Jul 7th, 2020
Madison Protests Targeted ‘Fake Liberalism’
City and state have some of the nation’s 'worst inequalities'.
Jun 29th, 2020
The Banality of State Sen. Luther Olsen
Retiring Republican moderate has rolled over repeatedly for the most extreme GOP ideas and politicians.
Jun 22nd, 2020
Pocan Wants Uniform National Police Standards
Bill includes standard for use of force, de-escalation techniques, pursuit practices.
Jun 8th, 2020
Biden Virtually Campaigning in Rural Wisconsin
The former Vice President held a virtual round-table on rural issues with Rep. Ron Kind of Lacrosse.
May 21st, 2020
The Reopen Fans Love Attacking Women
State health secretary Andrea Palm, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, others targeted.
May 19th, 2020
Republican Anti-Trump Ad Hits State
Meet the Lincoln Project, led by past members of GOP campaigns, administrations.
May 12th, 2020
Republicans Test Ugly Campaign Theme
Message for 2020: ’Some of you will have to die’.
May 11th, 2020
Rural Educator Running for State Superintendent
Jill Underly, superintendent of the Pecatonica School District, wants to address educational inequities caused by poverty.
May 8th, 2020
Justice Suggests Evers’ Order Is ‘Tyranny’
State Supreme Court justices compare safer-at-home order to Japanese internment camps.
May 6th, 2020
Pandemic Temper Tantrums?
Republicans’ court challenge to Evers’s safer-at-home order is about anger, not state law.
May 4th, 2020
Justice Kelly Asks to ‘Unrecuse’ Himself
While running for reelection he withdrew from two election cases. Now he wants in.
Apr 29th, 2020
Pence Visits State Amid Criticism
"No national plan,” Wisconsin still lacks COVID-19 supplies, Democrats charge.
Apr 21st, 2020
Pandemic Changing State’s Political Landscape?
69% of Wisconsin voters say Trump did too little to prepare country for COVID-19.
Apr 18th, 2020
Did Voter Backlash Defeat Kelly?
Voters angry about in-person election may have reacted by opposing Republican choice for high court.
Apr 14th, 2020
Why Many Absentee Ballots Lack Postmarks
Apparently the U.S. Supreme Court never checked how metered mail works.
Apr 13th, 2020
Ron Johnson Pushes Controversial Drugs
Spearheads campaign urging Trump to lift restrictions on hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine use for COVID-19.
Apr 11th, 2020
Appeals Court Upholds Absentee Ballot Extension
Denies Republican appeal but restores requirement for witness signature on absentee ballots.
Apr 4th, 2020
Karofsky Campaign Issues Cease and Desist Over Attack Ads
Campaign calls ads "false, baseless, and disgusting."
Mar 28th, 2020
State Treasurer Surveys COVID-19 Economic Fallout
Supports federal proposal for a Universal Basic Income.
Mar 20th, 2020
Survey Shows Support for Health Care Changes
4 of 5 respondents in state survey worry they won’t be able to afford health care in the future.
Mar 10th, 2020
What’s Next in Voter Purge Battle?
Appeals Court overturned lower court ruling requiring purge of voter rolls. But battle far from over.
Mar 2nd, 2020
GOP Gerrymandering and School Choice
Republicans proclaim vouchers for minorities while seeking ways to disenfranchise their votes.
Jan 30th, 2020
After 22 Years Sen. Miller Stepping Down
Monona Democrat muses on a changing Capitol. “Compromise is viewed as a traitorous act.”
Jan 22nd, 2020
What’s Going on With Voting List Purge?
A scramble in the courts and an uncertain future.
Jan 9th, 2020
Gov. Evers Reviews His First Year
Not satisfied, but cites progress on schools, health care, “Scott holes”.
Jan 2nd, 2020
Another Evers Cabinet Pick Under Fire
Republicans won’t approve Dawn Crim, Secretary of the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Dec 24th, 2019
Why Pocan Voted No on Trade Deal
Madison Democrat the only state representative to oppose historic revision of NAFTA.
Dec 20th, 2019
Sean Duffy’s Ex-Chief of Staff Sells Pot
Pete Meachum, top aide to Duffy before Congressman resigned, now lobbies for marijuana producer.
Dec 19th, 2019
Court Will Consider Push to Purge Voters
What’s at stake, and what’s likely to happen.
Dec 13th, 2019
Charter Schools Wasted $48.6 Million in State Grants
Report finds 46% of schools funded are now closed or never opened at all.
Dec 10th, 2019
LWV Challenges Voter Roll Purge
Conservative group sues to demand purge, League of Women Voters seeks to intervene in case.
Nov 29th, 2019
Why State Voters Cooled on Impeachment
MU poll found small shifts add up and Trump might be helped by good economy.
Nov 22nd, 2019
Climate Change Threatens 23 Superfund Sites
Federal watchdog agency report finds 23 of 44 sites in state are vulnerable to flood hazard.
Nov 20th, 2019
Ron Johnson Attacks Vindman, Defends Trump
“I was the only member of Congress joining” delegation to Ukraine, he notes.
Nov 20th, 2019
Duffy Will Lobby for Financial Industry
BRG Group “thrilled” to hire former congressman, "a star" in state politics.
Nov 14th, 2019
Lawsuit Demands State Purge Voter Rolls
Conservative group WILL sues and assails Elections Commission.
Nov 14th, 2019
Legislators Can’t Intervene in Abortion Case, Court Says
Leaves Attorney General Kaul to defend state in Planned Parenthood challenge to GOP-passed abortion law.
Nov 11th, 2019
Right-Wing Groups Sue DPI On Test Scores
They claim “selective” release of data. DPI says it followed state law.
Nov 8th, 2019
Senate Votes to Kill Governor Veto Power
Approves putting constitutional amendment on ballot to restrict partial veto power.
Nov 6th, 2019
The Return of Paul Ryan
His new foundation could help Ryan plan and promote his post-Trump political career.
Oct 31st, 2019
State Supreme Court Reviews Lame Duck Laws
Justices question both sides in challenge to laws reducing powers of governor, attorney general.
Oct 22nd, 2019
Private School Vouchers Cost $350 Million
Public schools lose millions, led by $37 million deducted from MPS funding, DPI data shows.
Oct 18th, 2019
Two Democrats Will Run for Duffy’s Seat
Republican Sean Duffy’s resignation leaves wide-open race for 7th Congressional District.
Oct 17th, 2019
Senate Targets Governor’s Veto Power
Pushes constitutional amendment to limit partial veto. Legal group WILL will pursue Supreme Court review.
Oct 16th, 2019
4-Year-Old Kindergarten Gets Bipartisan Support
Senate taking up bills in committee that would expand early childhood education programs.
Oct 7th, 2019
Majority of Wisconsin Wants Non-Partisan Redistricting
Polling results and votes in two-thirds of counties show support for a non-partisan process
Oct 2nd, 2019
Pocan Sees State’s Political Winds Shifting
Trump is losing Wisconsin, Democratic congressman says.
Sep 7th, 2019
State Loses Money to Trump Border Wall
$8 million grant to Wisconsin one of 127 military projects whose funding diverted to U.S. border wall.
Sep 5th, 2019
Shirley Abrahamson Steps Down
Her legacy saluted by liberal Ruth Bader Ginsberg and conservative Diane Sykes.
Aug 2nd, 2019
Suit to Limit Evers Veto Power Criticized
A “power grab” or trying to “get the constitution right”?
Aug 1st, 2019
Republicans Deny New Gerrymander Plan
Not planning to bypass governor, Fitzgerald says, but he and Vos won’t take follow-up questions.
Jul 30th, 2019
GOP Could Bypass Evers, Gerrymander Again
Joint Resolution bill could prevent governor veto, gain second decade of gerrymandering.
Jul 29th, 2019
