Joel Brennan, president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee. Former Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Administration.
Former president and CEO of Discovery World.
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Content referencing Joel Brennan
Hong, Barnes Lead Democratic Primary for Governor In New Poll
Marquette poll shows most voters undecided, with Taylor leading Lazar for high court.
Feb 25th, 2026 by Rich Kremer
Small Set of Counties Could Pick Democratic Candidate for Governor
Tony Evers won just 16 of 72 counties in November 2022 election.
Feb 16th, 2026 by Steven Walters
Will County Financial Screwup Affect Governor’s Race?
Opponents now attacking David Crowley for his handling of the situation.
Feb 3rd, 2026 by Bruce Murphy
After Trump Weighs In, Josh Schoemann Drops Out of Governor’s Race
The Washington County executive announced his decision the day after President Trump endorsed his opponent.
Jan 29th, 2026 by Shawn Johnson
Pretti Killing Becomes Issue in WI Governor’s Race
Republican Tom Tiffany says he hasn't seen video of ICE agents shooting Alex Pretti.
Jan 27th, 2026 by Baylor Spears
Barnes Proposes Grants To Fight Food Deserts
Proposal would fund new stores, support stores near closure and connect farmers with reliable buyers.
Jan 22nd, 2026 by Sophie Bolich
More Than Policy, Dem Candidates Differ on Style and Tone
The seven-leading gubernatorial candidates participated in a forum Wednesday night.
Jan 22nd, 2026 by Erik Gunn
10 Takeaways From Governor’s Race Donations
How much money was raised, and from who, tells us a lot about the candidates.
Jan 20th, 2026 by Bruce Murphy
Revealed — All The Biggest Donors in Governor’s Race
Half of all campaign cash came from donors giving at least $10,000. Who are they?
Jan 20th, 2026 by Jeramey Jannene
Early Fundraising Shows Competitive Democratic Primary for Governor
Crowley leads 7 Democrats who've raised 6-figure sums; Tiffany is GOP leader.
Jan 17th, 2026 by Shawn Johnson
Where Do 9 Candidates for Governor Stand on Data Centers?
Hong calls for moratorium, Hughes, Schoemann see 'opportunity.'
Jan 13th, 2026 by Henry Redman
Wisconsin’s State Building Footprint Has Shrunk by 10%
All since 2021. Should that continue? Candidates for governor weigh in.
Jan 13th, 2026 by Brittany Carloni
Evers Calls on Republicans to Offer Property Tax Relief
Discussing his final year in office, objects to immigration crackdown.
Jan 13th, 2026 by Anya van Wagtendonk
Priebus Doubts Tim Michels Will Enter Governor’s Race
It's 'a little late,' says Republican who advised Michels failed 2022 campaign.
Jan 6th, 2026 by Rich Kremer
Mandela Barnes Is Democratic Front-Runner In Governor’s Race
The field is large. The key issue may be electability.
Dec 31st, 2025 by Christa Dutton / NOTUS and Jade Lozada / NOTUS, Wisconsin Watch
GOP Candidates for Governor Talk Trump, Money, Issues
Tiffany and Schoemann disagree on Trump's impact on August primary.
Dec 29th, 2025 by Rich Kremer
Top 10 Stories of The Year
In an amazingly newsworthy year, what were top state issues?
Dec 29th, 2025 by Steven Walters
Senate President Confident GOP Won’t Lose Majority
'We’re going to run on the same policies we’ve always run on,' Felzkowski says.
Dec 23rd, 2025 by Baylor Spears
Senate Minority Leader Hesselbein Hopeful for More Bipartisan 2026
Wants Legislature to cap prescription drugs cost and expand homestead tax credit.
Dec 17th, 2025 by Baylor Spears
Joel Brennan Launches Campaign for Governor
Democratic insider joins crowded primary. Interim GMC replacement named.
Dec 11th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Prominent Democrat ‘Very Seriously’ Considering Bid for Governor
Joel Brennan's entry could shake up already crowded field.
Nov 13th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Asks Again for Red Light Cameras To Nab Speeders
New legislative bill limits where cameras can be placed, how proceeds are spent.
Jun 9th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Business Group Creates $500,000 Fund for MPS
Greater Milwaukee Committee supports changes by Superintendent Cassellius.
May 12th, 2025 by Corrinne Hess
The Decline of The Water Council
The MMAC has basically taken over its financial management. Why?
Apr 9th, 2025 by Bruce Murphy
Mayor Talks Education, Public Safety in 2025 State of the City
Upbeat speech also discusses Growing MKE plan, elections and safe streets.
Mar 3rd, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Tom Barrett Is Figuring Out What Comes Next
Rotary speech by ex-mayor and newly-returned ambassador is frank and funny.
Feb 18th, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee’s New District Attorney Sworn In
Kent Lovern replaces John Chisholm as Milwaukee's top prosecutor.
Jan 17th, 2025 by Graham Kilmer
Cavalier Johnson Is All In On Growing Milwaukee
Annual State of the City speech places growth plan front and center.
Mar 4th, 2024 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Leaders Want State To Allow Red Light Cameras
Mayor Johnson, County Executive Crowley say cameras are proven tool for addressing reckless driving.
Feb 16th, 2024 by Graham Kilmer
New Third-Party Study Suggests How Milwaukee Could Save Millions
But will ideas like selling buildings or changing police overtime rules work?
Nov 17th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
The Connector Building Opens in Harambee
New community hub and cafe part of larger revitalization project, B-Line Park.
Sep 19th, 2023 by Sophie Bolich
How David Crowley Led on Sales Tax
The inside story of how the county exec and mayor helped pass state legislation to save Milwaukee.
Aug 23rd, 2023 by Bruce Murphy
County Public Hearing Debates Sales Tax
Most speakers favor sales tax hike, citing the specter of massive cuts to government services.
Jul 12th, 2023 by Graham Kilmer
Council Committee Endorses 2% Sales Tax
And blasts state policy restrictions while insisting tax is far from a 'Milwaukee bailout.'
Jun 26th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
UWM Gets Stiffed In Governor’s Budget
While UW-Madison got $347 for building projects. Will Milwaukee's leaders push for better deal from legislators?
Mar 27th, 2023 by John Torinus
Northwestern Mutual To Create Second Glassy Tower With $500 Million Investment
Company will completely overhaul existing building, create pedestrian street and relocate Franklin employees to Downtown.
Feb 2nd, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
City, GMC Kick Off Study of City Operations
Study will have price tag in the hundreds of thousands, but who is the mystery firm doing it?
Jan 18th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
More Renderings of Downtown ‘Iron District’ Released
11-acre development with new soccer stadium, concert venue lists big-name supporters.
May 23rd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Meet Milwaukee’s New Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Johnson, first elected Black mayor in Milwaukee history, promises to focus on crime, jobs, neighborhoods and relationship with state.
Apr 5th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Elmer Moore Tapped To Lead WHEDA
GMC's Scale Up Milwaukee director will lead Wisconsin's largest affordable housing provider
Mar 25th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Philanthropist, Entrepreneur Michael Cudahy Dies At 97
He co-founded Marquette Medical Systems, built Pier Wisconsin, was generous donor.
Mar 14th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Has a Singing Mayor Again
Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson tries singing at city's 176th Birthday Party, before a big turnout of politicians.
Jan 31st, 2022 by Michael Horne
Joel Brennan Leaving Evers’ Administration To Head GMC
Top-ranking state official will lead Greater Milwaukee Committee.
Dec 15th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
WCD Celebrates Start of Convention Center Expansion
$420 million project is intended to boost business, fully realize Wisconin Center's potential.
Oct 28th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Wisconsin Awash in Federal Covid Funds
Billions must be spent by 2026. Evers administration eyes long-term investments.
Sep 14th, 2021 by Madeline Fox
State Now Projects $4.4 Billion Windfall
Fiscal bureau projects far more tax revenue than expected for 2021-2023.
Jun 9th, 2021 by Erik Gunn
State Capitol Discriminates, Legislator Charges
Signs asking unvaccinated people to wear masks is “discrimination,” Republican insists.
Jun 6th, 2021 by Melanie Conklin
Foxconn Sued for Breach of Contract
Real estate developer seeking nearly $400 million on behalf of taxpayers.
Feb 4th, 2021 by Corrinne Hess
Evers Names 30 Equity Council Members
Governor’s Advisory Council on Equity and Inclusion appointees include leaders from nonprofits, tribes, churches, community groups.
Feb 2nd, 2021 by Catherine Capellaro
Spending on Medicaid, Prisons Skyrockets
Up much faster than inflation in last 20 years, crowding out other spending.
Jan 4th, 2021 by Steven Walters
Evers Announces $78 Million in COVID-19 Business Grants
Grants will go to businesses that didn't qualify during previous rounds.
Dec 3rd, 2020 by Danielle Kaeding
Kaul Sues Legislature Over Lame Duck Laws
Lawsuits can’t be settled, consumers lose out on potential settlements, AG charges.
Nov 24th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Will Foxconn Pay Taxes Pledged to Racine County?
If company doesn’t the state may have to bail out local taxpayers.
Oct 24th, 2020 by Corrinne Hess
The Foxconn Deal Was Never Real
The Verge interviews employees who describe nightmare-like conditions and a completely phony project.
Oct 19th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
State Reviewing Foxconn Jobs Report
The review will determine whether the company is eligible for the tax credits.
Jul 23rd, 2020 by Erik Gunn
State Allocates $100M for Nursing Home Aid
Funding from the CARES Act will go offset COVID-19 related expenses.
May 22nd, 2020 by Erik Gunn
GOP Listens To Business Lobby Reopening Plan
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce wants to replace the Badger Bounce Back plan with their own.
May 1st, 2020 by Erik Gunn
Evers Orders Budget Cuts
State losing billions in revenue due to the economic shutdown.
Apr 30th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Foxconn Squeezes Evers
Demands $45 million from the state and for what? Probably nothing.
Apr 15th, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
Foxconn Says It Earned Tax Credits
But state officials challenged Foxconn's eligibility in 2019, will review employment claims.
Apr 9th, 2020 by Corrinne Hess
Convention Center District Authorizes $420 Million Expansion, Raises Hotel Tax
District still aiming for 2023 opening even though bonds can't be sold.
Apr 2nd, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Foxconn Contract Has Huge Loophole?
“Ironclad” contract may allow company to count seasonal employees for tax credits.
Mar 3rd, 2020 by Bruce Murphy
Local Skepticism Grows On Foxconn’s Future
Opinions in Racine County shifting as company’s plans keep changing.
Feb 5th, 2020 by Erik Gunn
Why Foxconn Contract Is In Dispute
Both sides may have reason to renegotiate contract.
Dec 24th, 2019 by Jon Peacock
Senate Democrats Offer 2020 Agenda
Shilling pushes homeless funding and closing dark store tax loophole.
Dec 24th, 2019 by Laurel White
All They Want for Christmas
The Christmas wish lists of Gov. Evers, Mayor Barrett and other politicians.
Dec 23rd, 2019 by Steven Walters
Convention Center Moves Forward
District board hires Atlanta-based architectural firm for $300 million project.
Dec 20th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Foxconn Deal Looks Dead
Company’s revised plan ineligible for subsidies and Foxconn opposes contract rewrite.
Dec 19th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Foxconn Says it Can’t Find Workers
Can’t attract talent, company says, throwing more doubt on state-subsidized deal.
Dec 17th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Foxconn Can’t Get Tax Credits, State Says
Switch from Gen 10.5 plant to Gen 6 plant makes it ineligible under contract, company is told.
Dec 13th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Meet Evers’ New Ag Advisor, Brad Pfaff
Governor’s fired Agriculture Secretary now the Department of Administration’s director of business and rural development.
Nov 12th, 2019 by Melanie Conklin
Senate Fires State Agriculture Secretary
Every Republican votes not to approve Evers appointee Brad Pfaff.
Nov 6th, 2019 by Laurel White
State Jobs Will Go Unfilled
Republican Finance Committee co-chairs refuse Evers request for 60 new hires in state government.
Nov 1st, 2019 by Melanie Conklin
Legislators May Hike Public Defenders Pay
Plan would more closely align state public defenders’ pay with that of state prosecutors.
Nov 1st, 2019 by Laurel White
New Apartments Near Streetcar Line
Plus: Where does the Strauss deal stand? State office building moving forward.
Oct 20th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
MSOE Opens Diercks Hall, Boots Up “Rosie”
New computer science hall will keep MSOE at cutting edge of education and tech.
Sep 13th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Homeowners Near Foxconn Say They Were Misled
Now their homes are gone for road widenings that never happened.
Sep 3rd, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Foxconn Jobs Not Worth The Cost
New analysis shows the cost to taxpayers per job outweighs the return.
Aug 6th, 2019 by Melanie Conklin
WisDOT Plans Increase in Hiawatha Service
With $35 million from new budget, WisDOT seeks federal matching grants for expansion.
Jul 17th, 2019 by Graham Kilmer
Evers Wants $2.5 Billion Capital Budget
Fitzgerald assails “alarming... level of spending and bonding”.
Mar 11th, 2019 by Shawn Johnson
Evers Budget Overlooks Convention Center
Wisconsin Center District plans downtown expansion by 2020, still hopes for state funding.
Mar 8th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Evers Embraces Expertise
Hiring talented people, appointing expert advisors, who knew you could govern that way?
Dec 20th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Barrett Will Run for Reelection
Mayor calling supporters, plans to run for 5th term in 2020, they say.
Jun 28th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
The Arts and Culture Building Boom
Symphony, Ballet, Discovery World and Art Museum expansions transforming the city.
May 15th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Discovery World Breaks Ground on Major Addition
New 10,000 square foot pavilion, and remodeling of existing building planned.
Oct 10th, 2017 by Graham Kilmer
What Will WCD Board Do About Marcus Center?
Abele wants them to take over arts center but WCD board members would rather wait till 2020.
Dec 17th, 2015 by Virginia Small
Marcus Center Cast Into Limbo
No one seems to agree with Abele's plan to have it absorbed by sprawling Wisconsin Center District.
Dec 14th, 2015 by Virginia Small
The Design Competition That Wasn’t
Lakefront Gateway competition picked a team, not a design. So what will that mean for the lakefront?
Nov 23rd, 2015 by Tom Bamberger
City Accepts $14 Million Federal Streetcar Grant
City wins TIGER grant after "a brutal competition" where demand for transit dollars greatly exceeded the sums appropriated.
Oct 29th, 2015 by Michael Horne
Gimbel Gets Reappointed to Wisconsin Center Board
Will continue after 3 decades as board chair! Did mayor and governor swap appointments to make this happen?
Jul 16th, 2014 by Michael Horne
The Return of Flying Car
What will be featured at next month’s third annual showcase of technology and innovation.
May 21st, 2014 by Brett Kihlmire
Wisconsin Center’s Leadership Adrift?
Many of the board's seats are either vacant or held by legally unqualified individuals.
Mar 10th, 2014 by Michael Horne
Does Lakefront Still Lack a Vision?
Panelists at Discovery World conference debate plans and opportunities for Milwaukee's lakefront. A report with photos.
Oct 29th, 2013 by Michael Horne
Pratt’s “Reimbursement” Mystery Money
Acting Mayor Pockets $7,500 with no explanation
Feb 9th, 2004 by Michael Horne
Could Ed Thompson Get Elected Governor?
It's a wacky idea, but Ed Thompson may turn out to be a real spoiler in the race for governor.
Oct 15th, 2001 by Bruce Murphy
Ameritech Catches Political Fire From Competitors
Open up this month's Ameritech bill and you may find a surprise.
Sep 28th, 2001 by Bruce Murphy
Superintendent Burmaster Slaps The Governor Around
My, how times have changed.
Sep 24th, 2001 by Bruce Murphy
