Photos

Content referencing Francesca Hong

MPS Failures Result In GOP-Called Audit of DPI

MPS Failures Result In GOP-Called Audit of DPI

GOP-controlled committee moves to audit DPI practices, DNR fish and wildlife account.

Pro-Palestinian Protests Begin at UWM

Pro-Palestinian Protests Begin at UWM

National protest movement and tent encampments reach UW system's Milwaukee and Madison campuses.

The State of Politics: Evers Vetoes GOP Bills at Record Rate
The State of Politics

Evers Vetoes GOP Bills at Record Rate

In one year he vetoed 32% of all legislative bills, compared to 3.7% for average governor.

Rep. Vining Introduces “Save Our Schools” Legislation
Assembly Committee Votes To Overhaul Voucher School Funding

Assembly Committee Votes To Overhaul Voucher School Funding

Governor Evers has already signaled his opposition.

Legislative Democrats Renew Push For Paid Family Leave

Legislative Democrats Renew Push For Paid Family Leave

Proposal aims to provide stability for families, faces uphill fight with GOP.

Wisconsin Lawmakers Call for Gaza-Israel Ceasefire

Wisconsin Lawmakers Call for Gaza-Israel Ceasefire

Nationwide, about 180 state and local officials have signed on to a letter to the Biden administration organized by Jewish Voice for Peace

Sen. Larson joins national call to Pres. Biden for ceasefire in Gaza
Bills Classify Ride-Share Drivers As Independent Contractors

Bills Classify Ride-Share Drivers As Independent Contractors

Uber, other companies again push law that 'eliminates' worker rights, AFL-CIO charges.

Bill Would Help Prevent Food Waste

Bill Would Help Prevent Food Waste

State grants to help create community composting, get retailers' unsold products to food pantries.

Assembly Democrats Have Large Climate Change Bill Package

Assembly Democrats Have Large Climate Change Bill Package

Dems hope at least a few bills find bipartisan support for passage.

Proposal Would Eliminate Teen Work Permits

Proposal Would Eliminate Teen Work Permits

Critics say it would eliminate funding for employer education, compliance monitoring.

Legislative Democrats Propose Legalizing Abortion, Requiring All-Options Counseling

Legislative Democrats Propose Legalizing Abortion, Requiring All-Options Counseling

Proposal would repeal restrictions in place before Roe vs. Wade was overturned.

New Brewers Subsidy Substantially Better For City, County

New Brewers Subsidy Substantially Better For City, County

New deal calls for study of Beer District concept, reduces county contribution, introduces new funding source.

Sen. Larson, Rep. Hong Introduce the Nurse Staffing and Patient Protection Act
Legislative Democrats Unveil Agenda To Restore Worker Rights

Legislative Democrats Unveil Agenda To Restore Worker Rights

Bill package includes proposals to undo Act 10, "Right to Work" legislation.

Sen. Larson, Rep. Hong reintroduce legislation to end tipped minimum wage in WI
Bill Would Increase Penalties For Those Supplying Drugs That Lead To Death

Bill Would Increase Penalties For Those Supplying Drugs That Lead To Death

But some legislators, including Ryan Clancy, speak out against increasing reckless homicide penalty.

Milwaukee’s First Dumpling Fest Scheduled For June 4

Milwaukee’s First Dumpling Fest Scheduled For June 4

Nearly a dozen Milwaukee restaurants set to participate in the event -- the first of its kind for Milwaukee.

The State of Politics: Capitol Has New Generation of Leaders
The State of Politics

Capitol Has New Generation of Leaders

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

Some Small Business Owners Back Paid Leave Proposal

Some Small Business Owners Back Paid Leave Proposal

Evers' proposal creates 12 weeks paid parental leave. A boon to hiring?

Bill Would Require Armed School Resource Officers

Bill Would Require Armed School Resource Officers

Republican proposal requires all schools to track crimes, hire officer after enough incidents.

GOP Legislators Vote For Audit of State’s Licensing Agency

GOP Legislators Vote For Audit of State’s Licensing Agency

They cite backlog in approving licenses. Democrats blame inadequate funding and staff.

85 of 86 Incumbent State Legislators Won in 2022

85 of 86 Incumbent State Legislators Won in 2022

Just one lost. Experts blame Republican gerrymandering and uncompetitive districts.

State Has Many Uncontested Legislative Races

State Has Many Uncontested Legislative Races

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

The End of Universal Free School Meals?

The End of Universal Free School Meals?

Expansion of free meals with federal pandemic funding has ended. How will families, schools respond?

Democrats Relaunch ‘Economic Bill of Rights’

Democrats Relaunch ‘Economic Bill of Rights’

Resolution went nowhere in Legislature but now a statewide campaign for fall elections.

Open Letter to the People of Ukraine
Omicron Has Hurt Area Restaurants

Omicron Has Hurt Area Restaurants

Just when things getting better, new variant slammed restaurants like Odd Duck, Lazy Susan.

Rep. Robyn Vining and Wisconsin Democrats Go Big for Small Business
Legislature Passes Raft of Law Enforcement Bills

Legislature Passes Raft of Law Enforcement Bills

14 bills increase funding, restrict local control; some directly target Milwaukee.

Joint Statement on the One-Year Anniversary of the Capitol Insurrection
Jessica Katzenmeyer Racks Up More Endorsements From Across Wisconsin
Bill Requires More Access to Police Records

Bill Requires More Access to Police Records

Brostoff wants more access for media and public to investigative records.

Democrats Pressured on Immigration Reform

Democrats Pressured on Immigration Reform

Voces de la Frontera and allies picket Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

Senator Agard Introduces Legislation to Ban Bump Stocks
The State of Politics: Big Changes Needed In Political Districts
The State of Politics

Big Changes Needed In Political Districts

Population changes in Madison, metro Milwaukee require redrawn legislative and congressional seats.

Now Serving: Madison Legislator Wins Dining Award
Now Serving

Madison Legislator Wins Dining Award

Plus: Dairyland Custard coming to Brewery District, a new chicken wing restaurant, and a free beer pass.

Op Ed: When Will We Get Reform of Police?
Op Ed

When Will We Get Reform of Police?

State government has done little, police union threatened us, but we’re still pushing for change.

State Democrats Push $15 Minimum Wage

State Democrats Push $15 Minimum Wage

Housing, retirement and baby bond proposals also included in legislative package.

West Allis Alderman Angelito Tenorio Announces Candidacy for Wisconsin State Treasurer
The State of Politics: Legislature Is the Most Diverse in History
The State of Politics

Legislature Is the Most Diverse in History

Many first served as local officials, many ran small businesses, some started as Capitol staffers.

Activists Say Police Reform Bills Not Enough

Activists Say Police Reform Bills Not Enough

Elected officials, policing activists say task force bills are not substantive reforms.

Rep. Sanfelippo Calls For National Guard To Patrol City

Rep. Sanfelippo Calls For National Guard To Patrol City

Suburban Republican cites crime, calls it a “war zone,” demands Gov. Evers act.

Assembly Leaders Accused of ‘Systemic Racism’

Assembly Leaders Accused of ‘Systemic Racism’

Republicans use racist retaliation, punish free speech, Democratic legislators charge.

GOP Lawmakers End Weekly Unemployment Boost

GOP Lawmakers End Weekly Unemployment Boost

State legislature votes to end $300 federal supplement. Governor Evers could veto.

Assembly GOP Doubles Down On Racism, Retaliates Against Member of Color’s Efforts to Address Systemic Racism
Press Release

Assembly GOP Doubles Down On Racism, Retaliates Against Member of Color’s Efforts to Address Systemic Racism

Democratic state representatives lift the curtain on racist retaliation in the legislature

Bowen Introduces Package of Policing Bills

Bowen Introduces Package of Policing Bills

The Milwaukee representative introduced a slate of legislation titled "Enough is Enough."

GOP Legislators Target Jobless Pay

GOP Legislators Target Jobless Pay

Bill restores work-search requirement, ends supplemental pandemic aid to unemployed.

Representative Hong’s Statement on Passage of APIDA Heritage Month Resolution
Conservation voters calling for racial justice and accountability in the wake of growing Anti-Asian violence
Meet the District 5 School Board Candidates

Meet the District 5 School Board Candidates

Alex Brower and Jilly Gokalgandhi compete to replace outgoing school board director Larry Miller.

Bill Ends Low Wages for Tipped Workers

Bill Ends Low Wages for Tipped Workers

Sub-minimum wage of $2.33 would be outlawed, requiring payment of minimum wage.

34 State Legislators Endorse Jill Underly for State Superintendent
Working Families Party Announces Second Round of 2021 Endorsements
Press Release

Working Families Party Announces Second Round of 2021 Endorsements

Progressive Political Group Throws Weight Behind Jill Underly, Sets Sights on Growing Progressive Bloc in Madison Common Council

Will Budget Hearings Be Superspreader Events?

Will Budget Hearings Be Superspreader Events?

Mask wars pit Democrats against Republicans in Legislature.

Senator Agard Leads on Main Street Recovery Package
Capitol Christmas Decoration Memorializes COVID-19 Victims

Capitol Christmas Decoration Memorializes COVID-19 Victims

A garland was made with a ring for every person that has died in Wisconsin.

Following Massive Get Out The Vote Push, WI WFP Candidates Win Seats Across the State
Press Release

Following Massive Get Out The Vote Push, WI WFP Candidates Win Seats Across the State

WI Working Families Party organizers secure enough positive IDs to quadruple Trump’s 2016 margin of victory in Wisconsin, power down-ballot candidates to victory

Tyrone Cratic Williams Statement of Results of Assembly District 76 Democratic Primary