Chris Kapenga

High Court Rules Meagan Wolfe Can Remain State’s Top Elections Official

Unanimous Supreme Court ruling rejects Republican legislators' attempt to fire Wolfe.

Waukesha County Executive Kills Sales Tax Plan, Warns of ‘Deep Service Cuts’

Paul Farrow gives in to opponents. Waukesha among just 2 counties without sales tax.

GOP Losses Will Test Vos, LeMahieu

Smaller majorities in each house will change state Capitol, make it tougher to pass Republican bills.

Republicans Replace Senate President, Keep Majority Leader

State Sen. Mary Felzkowski will preside over slightly smaller GOP majority in upcoming legislative session.

Wisconsin Supreme Court To Hear Case About Firing Election Chief

The court will weigh in on whether it was illegal for Republican lawmakers to vote to fire Meagan Wolfe.

On 89th Anniversary of Social Security, Democrats Fight to Strengthen Program While MAGA Republicans Threaten Cuts

Advocates Plead for Task Force on Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls

Bill to create task force passed by the state Assembly, but never voted on by Senate

Wisconsin Senate Votes to Override Governor’s Vetoes

Effort unlikely to pass Assembly.

Vos Says Recall Effort ‘Plagued With Fraud and Criminality’

Assembly Speaker also claims recall can't happen because state Supreme Court struck down GOP-drawn legislative maps

Controversial Power Line Bill Dies In Legislature

Opponents of 'Right of First Refusal' bill say it would have hiked utility rates.

Senate Fires 8 Evers Appointees, Approves 3 Constitutional Amendments

Senate ends session for year with governor 'apoplectic' over 'petty partisan politics.'

Republican Committee Recommends Firing Two UW Regents

Because John Miller and Dana Wachs opposed a deal ending diversity-related positions.

Republicans Appeal Court Order Protecting Top State Election Official

Dane County judge ruled that GOP legislators can't remove Meagan Wolfe from office.

Hoping To Avoid Court Drawing Them, GOP Approves New Legislative Maps

But Gov. Tony Evers said he will veto proposal, which leaves Wisconsin Supreme Court in control.

UW Pay Raises Approved After Nearly 6-Month GOP Blockade

Some 34,000 workers had to wait since July for standoff on DEI issue to be settled.

UW Regents Backtrack, Take Republican DEI Deal

Regents vote to accept limits to DEI programs in return for pay raises for 34,000 employees and new engineering building.

UW Regents Consult Attorneys In Fight Over DEI, Pay Raises

Evers has sued Legislature on issue. GOP legislators threaten to remove some regents.

LeMahieu Grows Into Majority Leader Role

Republican Senate leader has worked at times with Democrats to get legislation passed.

After Campaign Shames Him, Vos Advances Impeachment of Elections Administrator

Speaker advances legislation to impeach Meagan Wolfe.

Court Injunction Prevents Ouster of Election Administrator, At Least For Now

Dane County grants temporary protection for Meagan Wolfe's job while case plays out.

Will Senate Oppose Brewers $546 Million Subsidy?

Easily passed Assembly, but facing bipartisan opposition in the Senate.

Legislators Battle Over Redistricting Bill

Democrats, civic groups argue bill has loophole to maintain Republican control over drawing of legislative maps.

Republicans Endorse Raises For All State Employees, Except UW System Workers

Raise denial is latest salvo in fight over UW System's diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Republicans Continue to Hold UW Employees’ Pay Hostage

GOP Legislators Admit They Can’t Fire Top Elections Official

In court filing Republican leaders say vote to fire Meagan Wolfe was 'symbolic.'

Fair Maps Advocates Condemn GOP Redistricting Plan

Still battling, Vos says U.S. Supreme Court will make Protasiewicz recuse.

Vos Won’t Attempt To Impeach Elections Administrator Until Lawsuit Finished

Senate President Chris Kapenga has asked the Assembly to start process.

Evers’ Child Care Proposal Might Get A Second Life

After inaction by GOP leaders, Senate quietly moves legislation forward.

Senate Votes To Fire Elections Commissioner, Triggering Legal Fight

Republicans vote to fire Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Megan Wolfe, AG Kaul says vote is illegal.

Wisconsin Billionaires Bankroll Efforts To Shrink State’s Social Safety Net

Quiet lobbying backed by major GOP benefactors like the Uihleins and Bradley Foundation.

Legislature Passes Local Revenue, Schools Bills

Deal heads to Gov. Evers’ desk. Despite bipartisan support, some are calling for him to veto proposals.

Capitol Has New Generation of Leaders

44% of Legislature's 132 members changed in last four years.

Inside the Dome Deals Are Common

La Follette's resignation, Godlewski appointment latest example of insider Capitol deals.

Why Republicans Push ‘Flat’ Income Tax

Could mean big increases for lower and middle income taxpayers.

Sen. Alberta Darling Is Retiring

Veteran Republican will resign Dec. 1. Special election will decide if GOP keeps supermajority.

Senate Democrats Elect New Leadership

Sen. Melissa Agard will lead 11 Democrats, just one third of the Senate.

State Has Many Uncontested Legislative Races

Why newcomers Ryan Clancy on East Side, Dave Maxey in New Berlin face no opponent.

Debate About Whether To Enforce Abortion Ban Could Hurt OB-GYN Recruitment, Retention

Wisconsin's 1849 ban could result in felony charges for doctors.

Republicans Immediately Adjourn Evers’ Special Session On Abortion Referendum

Proposal would have allowed a referendum to overturn 1849 abortion ban.

What’s Next For Lawsuit Over Wisconsin’s 1849 Abortion Ban?

Attorney General Josh Kaul pursuing lawsuit to block law's enforcement.

Will Republicans Give Milwaukee a Sales Tax?

Meeting to ‘reset’ relationship between city and state legislators raises doubts, hopes.

GOP Lawmakers Want Lawsuit Against Abortion Ban Dismissed

The three legislative leaders being sued by state DOJ say they aren't the right people to sue.

How Governor’s Power Was Weakened

Recent high court decision latest of several rulings reducing governor's power.

Kaul, Evers Sue to Challenge 1849 Abortion Ban

Suit says 1849 law superseded by later laws, names GOP legislative leaders as defendants.

Gov. Evers, AG Kaul Announce Direct Legal Challenge to Wisconsin’ s 1800s-era Criminal Abortion Ban

In wake of U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, lawsuit challenges archaic abortion statute banning nearly all abortions in Wisconsin, including in cases of rape and incest

State GOP Lawmakers Reject Special Session on Abortion

GOP-controlled Senate adjourned in 15 seconds a special session to repeal 1849 law banning abortion.

GOP Bill Cuts Social Safety Net To Boost Hiring

Republican lawmakers would restrict access to healthcare, food assistance and unemployment insurance.

Legislators Withhold Chisholm’s Pay Raise

Every state worker except Milwaukee DA given a 2% raise in pay.

Rural Hospitals Lose Few Workers Due to Vaccine Mandates

Loss of 20% expected, but actual figure about 2%, survey of state hospitals finds.

The Return of McCarthyism

Michael Gableman is the new Joe McCarthy, with the same bullying, sneering, demagogic style.

Why The GOP Push To Oust Wolfe

If elections commission administrator resigned and board deadlocks on who should replace her, Vos and Republicans get to choose new leader.

Charges Against Election Officials Are Partisan Stunt

Using unproven allegations to cause distrust of democracy.

Senate Targets Elections Commission

Three separate elections investigations pushing for changes. What's the likely impact?

Why Foxconn Jilted Wisconsin

Plans electric car plant in Ohio, which offered no state subsidy. Why?

Republicans Want Yet Another Election Probe

After non-partisan report finds 2020 election was safe and secure, Senate leaders call for another investigation.

State Senate Approves Longer Work Hours for Teens Under 16

Bill passed on divided vote. It applies to small businesses exempt from federal labor act.

State Senate Advances Abortion Bills

The Republican controlled Senate has advanced similar bills before. Evers expected to veto.

Rebecca Kleefisch Announces Campaign for Governor

Kleefisch served as Lieutenant Governor under former Gov. Scott Walker.

Evers Considering Vaccine Mandate for State Employees

The governor expressed support for private sector mask, vaccine mandates.

Fisker Wants State Law Changed For Potential Foxconn Car Factory

The electric vehicle company wants to sell cars directly, as opposed to Wisconsin's franchise dealer system.

Spectrum Awards $7,500 to Family Promise of Waukesha County

Legislative Session Much Ado About Nothing

School spending issue gaveled in and out. Failed veto override generates many speeches.

Evers, Johnson Rake In Campaign Funds

Outpacing challengers, Evers raises $5 million and Johnson $1.2 million in first half of 2021.

‘Governor Wins’ on State Budget?

Experts suggest Evers will win the political spin over budget and tax cut.

6 Months on from their Insurrection, WI Republicans Haven’t Learned Anything

Federal and state reps deny accountability and continue to push the Big Lie

Vos Picks Gableman To Lead Election Probe

Announcement comes just one day after GOP Assembly Speaker attacked by Trump.

Surplus Leaves Evers, Legislators Even Further Divided

Unprecedented $4.4 billion surplus is huge opportunity. But for what?

Evers Announces Reelection Bid

Speech at state Democratic convention touts education spending and new Foxconn contract.

Wisconsin Senate President Chris Kapenga Threatens Education Funding

GOP Legislators Refuse Special Session on Medicaid Expansion

The Republican-controlled Senate and Assembly both adjourn sessions without debate or votes.

Evers Revises Plan to Expand Medicaid

Will Republican legislators turn down “projects in their own districts”?

Wisconsin Governments Getting $19.9 Billion In Federal Aid

New report warns: how state and local governments spend it could create later 'fiscal cliff.'

Who’s the Most Right Wing Of All?

Conservative group ranks state’s most conservative members of Congress and Legislature.

As State Looks to Bounce Back from Pandemic, Gov. Evers Urges Bipartisan Support for $2.38 Billion in Capital Budget Investments to Provide Estimated 29,000 Family-Supporting Jobs, $4.3 Billion in Economic Impact 

Governor's 2021-23 capital budget to be taken up by State Building Commission this week includes major projects in both Republican and Democratic districts

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

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

Plastics firm expands operations in Sussex

Sussex IM expansion will create 84 jobs, draw $9.9 million capital investment

Evers Pushes New Programs, Spending

Republicans warned him not to include budget items they oppose. He will anyway.

Race and Income and ‘Back to School’

Republicans decry virtual schooling for Black students. But Black families more likely to support it.

LeMahieu Struggles in Vos’s Shadow

New Senate majority leader a surprise choice who's trying to resist the dictates of Robin Vos.

Unemployment System Audited After Pandemic Failures

Massive delays in claims, duplicate payments and an unreliable call center among issues found in report.

The Hunger Games, Wisconsin Edition

You’re on your own as pandemic rages and Republican legislators again refuse to meet.

State Officials Can’t Agree on Pandemic

Just as Vos agrees with Evers that some measures needed, Senate leader says no.

Rising Cases, Stress at One Hospital

As legislator leaders fail to take action, health care workers see no end in sight.

State Response To COVID-19 a Trainwreck, Pocan says

The congressman wants an end to the partisan battle over a COVID-19 relief bill.

What’s the Magic Number for Robin Vos?

How many COVID-19 cases and deaths are needed before the Legislature takes action?

Right-Wing vs Left-Wing Lawyers

WILL has more funding, more staff, more Harvard. Can a new liberal law group compete?

Trump Rally Becomes Confrontation

Crowd resists Health Department rules, Serb Hall hit with city citations, its manager in fracas with crowd.

Legislative Houses Elect Their Leaders

Democrats call for action on COVID-19 crisis.

WILL Hires Kyle Koenen to be Policy Director Koenen brings extensive legislative experience to WILL policy team

Koenen brings extensive legislative experience to WILL policy team

Election Shakes Up State Senate Leadership

LeMahieu becomes Majority Leader after Fitzgerald's election to Congress.

A Mask Mandate is Not Enough

It's a step in the right direction, but not enough to suppress the virus.

The War Against Masks

It’s the most cost effective way to slow the pandemic. So why such opposition?

15+ Wisconsin Lawmakers May Attend ALEC Annual Meeting in Orlando Amid Spiking Coronavirus Cases

GOP, Dems Battle Over Unemployment Backlog

Democrats say Walker administration failed to update the system, now it can't handle unprecedented wave of unemployment claims.

GOP Adds More “Tougher On Crime” Legislation

New bills increase penalties for offenses like car theft and reckless driving.

Brostoff Slams Occupational Licensing Legislation

The Milwaukee representative assails legislation, says it could have a hazardous outcome.

GOP Legislators Push “Tougher on Crime” Bills

Stiffer penalties on variety of crimes even as Evers moves to reduce prison population.

Sen. Craig Authors Bills in “Tougher on Crime” Initiative

Crime must not pay and courts must enforce current laws

State Occupational Licenses Under Scrutiny

Legislators, pushed by conservative groups, seek to review, relax occupational licensing.

Another Evers Cabinet Pick Under Fire

Republicans won’t approve Dawn Crim, Secretary of the Department of Safety and Professional Services.