Gaylord Nelson

How Should State Spend $6.6 Billion Surplus

Evers and Legislature could have fun -- and improve the state.

Statewide Democratic Candidates

Contested races for treasurer, secretary of state, lieutenant governor and U.S. senator.

Why Earth Day Still Matters

Founded by Wisconsin senator, it was always about more than the environment. It still is.

Work Play Earth Day Returns For 2022

Help Protect The Planet; Volunteer And Recreate At Wisconsin State Parks

Gov. Evers Signs 19 Bills

State Democrats Have a Rural Problem

But Evers and Baldwin did better than Biden or Clinton in rural Wisconsin.

Flood Control Helps Milwaukee Watershed

MMSD, conservationists have preserved 11,000 acres to help reduce flooding caused by climate change.

How Trump Polarized Voters

Part of shift in Republican Party but no GOP politician has same impact as Trump.

PRO Act Is Key to American Dream

Biden’s proposed Protecting the Right to Organize Act would protect union rights.

Mondale And Gaylord Nelson Were Pals

The two longtime U.S. Senators were both Norwegians, and passionate about the environment.

Lessons of the 1969 MATC Strike

How public employees beat the odds to create a union.

GOP Once Bypassed Governor on Redistricting

That was in 1960s and high court struck it down. Will we see repeat of this battle next year?

Wisconsin’s Long History As Swing State

For more than 100 years the state’s political pendulum has swung back and forth.

State Tourism Leader Says Don’t Travel

Pandemic risk too great now, state “secretary of fun” says, but hoping for a tourism rebound.

Tia Nelson Considers the 50th Earth Day

Started in 1970 by her father, Sen. Gaylord Nelson. Climate change the key challenge, she says.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Leads Resolution Recognizing 50th Earth Day, Honoring Founder and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson

Wisconsin SBDC celebrates 40 years of helping businesses

Support from UW System universities integral to success

State Treasurer Backs Climate-Friendly Investing

“We believe in science” and “investment in renewable energy," Godlewski declares.

Earth Day

"It is important on Earth Day and every day to recommit to our goal of an environmentally sustainable future."

Gov. Evers, Lt. Gov. Barnes Release Joint Statement Commemorating Earth Day

"Earth Day is a time to be thankful for our planet and the natural resources it provides us."

DNR Must Stop Coal Pollution

We Energies pollutes Lake Michigan, adding to toxic mercury levels harmful to babies.

Bipartisan Stewardship Fund Will Expire

Largest initiative in state history has protected large tracts of land, but now imperiled.

Lame Duck Mischief Defamed the State

Walker opted to divide and conquer up until last day in office.

Land Trust Groups Work on Conservation

State’s 46 land trusts boast 25,000 members, have protected 538,000 acres in Wisconsin.

The Wild Splendor of Our Rivers

How state streams like the Namekagon were saved. And how state Republican policies are hurting them.

John McCain and Republican Values

He’s a patriot and man of character. Contrast this to Trump, Vukmir and Nicholson.

How Can We Protect Our Water?

Hire back the DNR scientists and inspectors and let them do their work.

Why Earth Day is Important

A Wisconsin creation, by Gaylord Nelson, and a reminder of conservation legacy being squandered.

The Unique Candidacy of Mike McCabe

And why his campaign for governor is attracting an army of volunteers.

Walker’s Speech Ignores the Environment

Not one word or update about environment in State of the State speech. Why?

The Legacy of Marc Raskin

Remembering the Milwaukee native, Nixon “enemy” and leading liberal policy wonk.

What Happened to Wisconsin?

Decades of bipartisan commitment to protecting environment have been abandoned. Why?

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Celebrates 46th Anniversary of Earth Day

"We must maintain local control of our natural resources so that communities are able to protect their own quality of life."

Wisconsin Leads in Climate Change Study

Even as state agencies censor the issue, UW is national leader in its research.

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Announces She Will Oppose the Confirmation of Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator

“I cannot support an EPA nominee who refuses to see, and denies, the impact of climate change...”

The Wisconsin That Was

Artist Terese Agnew’s powerful exhibit celebrates, laments state’s progressive past.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele Celebrates Earth Day 2016

Since taking office, the county executive has prioritized environmental activism in every department, from Parks to Transportation to Facilities Management.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Statement on the 46th Anniversary of Earth Day

"The Republican Party still refuses to even acknowledge climate change is real, let alone do something about it."

Leonard Zubrensky remembered for reviving Democratic Party

Earth Day or April Fools Day?

"The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, lakes, oceans, scenic beauty, wildlife habitats and biodiversity… that’s all there is."

On Earth Day, Representative Lisa Subeck Proudly Stands Up for Wisconsin’s Natural Resources

Republican budget would do serious harm to our state’s outdoor heritage

The Capitol’s Biggest Soap Opera?

An obscure state agency that could loan money to Bucks arena is beset by squabbling.

The Importance of Earth Day

Take your cue from our former Senator Gaylord Nelson. Your actions can make a difference.

“Forward thinking and broadly focused” environmental legislation needed, says Brostoff

Jonathan Brostoff, candidate for Assembly District 19, released a statement in observance of Earth Day:

How Earth Day Turned America Green

Exactly 43 years ago, the first Earth Day, founded by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, launched a national movement.

“Groundbreaking” for Bridge

It’s not really a groundbreaking without a shovel, so Cecelia Gilbert of the Department of Public Works brought five well-used, albeit ceremonial, spades to the Thursday 27 May event celebrating the beginning of construction of the Holton Marsupial Bridge. Obliging dignitaries, sensing a photo-op, grabbed the shovels and pantomimed digging them into the asphalt pavement below the Holton Viaduct. The ceremony was scheduled to accommodate Mayor Tom Barrett, who was present at the event before racing off to his daughter’s piano recital. Other guests included Ald. Michael S. D’Amato, Ald. Michael I. McGee, Jr., Supervisors Gerry Broderick and James White, and former State Senator Brian Burke. Julilly Kohler served as master of ceremonies for the event, and she kept her remarks sparing, yet managed to name all of the many individuals who have helped to make her dream a reality. This included “the former congressman from the fifth district,” as Brian Burke called his old elementary school chum, Tom Barrett, who, as Mayor was able to yield the ceremonial shovel on a public works project for the first time. Architects James Dallman and his wife Grace La were also on hand as were Mathew P. Tharaniyil, P.E. and Yakov N. Nenaydykh, another P.E. They are, respectively the president and the vice president of Bloom Consultants, the engineers of the project to span the Holton Viaduct with the suspended “marsupial’ bridge – a bicycle and pedestrian path that will provide grade-level access between the Brady Street neighborhood and the Lakefront Brewery and its surrounding Beer Line “B” neighborhood. Missing from the event was Frank Busalacchi, the Wisconsin Secretary of Transportation or any representative of Lunda Construction, the Black River Falls outfit that won the bid to construct the bridge. Lunda appears to be a publicity-averse organization. The firm has expressed a reservation about having webcams at the construction site, saying they might reveal some “trade secrets” of the mysterious, arcane art of bridge building. Good heavens! It’s a bridge, not a plutonium refinery. Also missing from the event was Whitney Gould, although you wouldn’t have known it from the article she managed to write about it for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the next morning. She reported, correctly, that the Mayor was there, in an otherwise generic story composed of previously reported items. Sonya Jongsma-Knauss and Vince Bushell of the Riverwest Currents were there. The sole representative of the electronic media was Channel 58. Afterwards, the crowd of 100 or so headed up to the Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden where owner Russ Klisch turned on the taps. Earlier that day, a stressed Russ was trying to get his new bottling machine to behave. Even so, it still chewed up a few bottles as it went through its shakedown cruise. Sales manager Paul Moebius said things are going well at the brewery – maybe too well. “We’re running out of beer!” he said. Last year’s sales were 5,000 barrels, and this year the brewery could hit 7,000 barrels. This is better than 2 […]

Clark Picks Up Two State Endorsements

Two of Wisconsin’s elder statespeople jumped on the Wesley Clark for President bandwagon recently. Former alderman, secretary of state and attorney Vel Phillips, who most recently issued the oath of office to Acting Mayor Marvin Pratt says she backs the Arkansas general for president. With her support, she joins such black leaders as Charles Rangel and Andrew Young. Phillips was at a fundraiser for Clark Tuesday, January 27th at the home of Julilly W. Kohler. Phillips said she had just got off the phone with Henry Aaron who has offered to send her airplane tickets and to put her up in Atlanta February 6th for his birthday party. “Oh, I’m not sure I’m going to go,” said Vel, to the dismay of partygoers who could not imagine turning down any invitation from Henry Aaron, with or without free air travel and lodging. She still hadn’t decided by Sunday. Vel Phillips faces many decisions. When she left the Common Council, she bought the old roll-top desk aldermen once used until the present gems were installed. The desk will probably go to the Historical Society of Wisconsin. Why not the city-owned Milwaukee Public Library? “Well, the historical society already has a full-size statue of me,” Phillips said. Good enough reason. The attendees, including Frank Gimbel (who has a huge Clark sign posted in his east side yard), Mort and Dani Gendelman, Curry First, Dennis Conta and about 40 others filled the Kohler residence to talk up their man and to dine on way too much food provided from such disparate sources as Sam’s Club and Watermark restaurant. A special guest of honor was to have been former Senator Gaylord Nelson, ranked fourth on a list of the most important Wisconsinites in history. He’s the only one of the top five who is still alive. Alas! Nelson hadn’t even made it as far as the end of the driveway of his Kensington, Maryland home in days, so he called in his visit by speakerphone. Heavy snowfall complicated by quaint Maryland snow removal traditions kept him home, Nelson said. He endorses Clark for president, the Earth Day founder told the attendees in Milwaukee. Nelson speaks very slowly these days. The delivery, although halting, does nothing to mute the intellectual vigor and wit of Nelson. Regarding his choice of the military man for president, the anti-Vietnam War ex-Senator said, “People were wondering how could Gaylord Nelson support a general for president?” (Pause.) “Well, George Washington was a general.” (Pause.) “And he was a pretty good president.” (Laughter.) Apparently, Nelson held republican president Dwight D. Eisenhower in high regard. He noted that General Ike warned us about the military-industrial complex. “This is a fascinating race,” Nelson said, (Pause.) But there is a long way to go.” The State of Wisconsin constitution, as amended, does not give the Lieutenant Governor much to do. This suited Scott McCallum fine, but Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton is a restless sort and has been an early supporter and campaign groupie of […]

Why Businesses Are Attacking The State’s Freeway Plan

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's latest freeway project could "virtually suffocate downtown Milwaukee," a letter from the Downtown Business Improvement District complains.