Kathleen Vinehout

Primary Winners Rely on Certain Counties

Of state's 72 counties a small number provide majority of statewide vote.

34 State Legislators Endorse Jill Underly for State Superintendent

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

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

Underly Campaign Announces Endorsement of 12 State Legislators

The Remarkable Tenure of Fred Risser

Now 91, he’s served 62 years in the Legislature as its greatest proponent of open government.

Legislature Works Overnight To Curb Evers Power

Limits on early voting, constraints on Evers campaign promise on health care.

GOP Bills Change 400 Sections of State Law

Changes help special interests, overthrow voters’ decision in November election.

Voters Approve $1.3 Billion More for Schools

Since 2012 state has cut school spending by cumulative $3.5 billon. Local referendums plugging the gap.

Secrecy Hides State Legislators’ Actions

Anonymous budget amendments and "Body Snatcher” bills reward special interests, limit public input.

State Jobs Agency Still a Failure

Walker administration blames director who left in 2012, but four audits in six years show problems persist.

Our 1,000 Miles of Great Lakes Shoreline

Great Lakes are huge resource for state. Foxconn threatens agreement that protects lakes.

Fastest Legislators in Modern History?

Report finds more fast-tracking of legislation, less public input, under Walker and Republicans.

Legislation Moved Quickly Under Walker

Much quicker passage, less public input, in first legislative session under Walker, analysis finds.

Schools Special Needs Grossly Underfunded

Special Education and bilingual instruction are mandated by federal or state law but way underfunded.

6 Senate Races Will Decide Party Control

Stakes are high, including control over 2020 redistricting.

All the Election Data You Want

It was one for the history books, with many surprising results and newcomers.

Tony Evers Wins Over Crowded Field

State Superintendent wins easily, Mitchell takes second.

Study Shows Benefits of Medicaid Expansion

States that accepted money have more coverage and cheaper preventive care.

Candidates for Common Council

Six candidates for 5th District in only primary contest.

Democratic Candidate Guide

Packed Democratic gubernatorial race and county sheriff contest are top items on Tuesday's ballot.

Democrats Make Closing Arguments

Lively gubernatorial debate covered topics from Gov. Walker's worst action to cutting the state's prison population.

Liberal Groups Won’t Endorse For Governor

None of four Democratic finalists got more than one-third of online vote.

State School Funding Has Steadily Declined

Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding finds schools struggling with unmet needs.

Poll Good News for Evers, Vukmir

Evers lead widens in gubernatorial primary, Vukmir nudges ahead of Nicholson.

Who Will Win Democratic Primary?

Eight challengers for governor, primary just weeks away, who are the favorites?

Roys Leads Democrats in Money Raised

Also leads seven other Democratic candidates for governor in cash on hand.

New Marquette Law School Poll finds roughly one in three Wisconsin voters still undecided one month before primaries

Voters split along partisan lines on Supreme Court nominee, other national and state issues

Democratic Candidates Duke it Out

In debate all eight Democrats running for governor blast the Foxconn deal.

UWM to host Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial debate on July 12

All eight Democratic candidates have agreed to participate.

Growing Pains for Hemp Industry

It’s legalized, yes, but state could be more supportive.

UW Officials Stonewall State Audit Bureau

Legislators consider ways to compel their compliance.

New Marquette Law School Poll finds many Wisconsin primary voters undecided, unfamiliar with candidates

Walker, Baldwin hold modest advantages over challengers

Wachs Says He’ll Fight for ‘Regular Folks’

Legislator and trial attorney calls himself a fighter, not an “elitist,” in Democratic primary for governor.

Vinehout Is Different Kind of Democrat

A policy wonk, populist and hunter, whose stance on guns annoys some party members.

Fall Election Could Be Fascinating

More contested seats, tough campaign tactics could make for tighter, intense races.

Six Questions for Democratic Convention

Can the party revive in Wisconsin? That depends on these six questions.

Audit Shows Big Problems at State Fair Park

Management issues, revenue shortfalls, contracts not tracked, environmental laws violated.

Kelda Roys Wins 2nd Congressional District Democratic Straw Poll

"Today’s results show that Wisconsin Democrats are looking for hope, optimism, and someone to vote for, not just something to vote against."

Elevating the Next Governor of Wisconsin; Wisconsin’s Choice Campaign Narrows Field to Nine Candidates in Endorsement Process

Thousands vote in poll to find people’s champion to challenge Scott Walker and win

How Can We Protect Our Water?

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

Changes in School Funding Formula Needed?

Green Bay students speak 31 different languages. How do schools meet such needs?

7 Election Takeaways

What did we learn as the blue wave washed over Wisconsin?

Why We Need a State Treasurer

The referendum to eliminate position will give more power to governor.

Gov. Walker’s Common Sense Welfare Reforms

Critics are wrong, it’s all about workforce readiness.

Deaf Community Ill-Served by Legislature

Republicans water down bill to upgrade skill levels of sign language interpreters.

Abortion Issue Dogs Vinehout in Governor Race

Her past views against abortion and birth control haunt her campaign.

A Wheelchair Is Not a Trampoline

And Republican food share proposal won’t help disabled and poor people.

Marquette Poll Proves Matt Flynn’s Message is Resonating with Wisconsin Voters

Flynn is the candidate who has most consistently opposed the state's deal with Foxconn, and voters agree with Flynn.

New Marquette Law School Poll finds Wisconsin voters divided on benefits of Foxconn deal, but together in support of background checks for gun sales

Public unfamiliar with gubernatorial, senate challengers

Walker’s Work Rule Makes No Sense

Two-thirds of FoodShare recipients are blind, elderly, disabled or children and can’t work.

Kicking Us When We’re Down

Requiring photo ID for FoodShare recipients will make it harder to get help.

Can Democrats Win State Senate?

Schachtner win gives hope. But everything would have to go right.

GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White

Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.

Politics May Doom School Funding Panel

Nearly everyone agrees system needs reform, but can’t agree how to do it.

New Approach to Funding Schools Needed

Blue Ribbon Commission studying the many problems with current approach.

With Elections Just a Year Away, Legislature Abandons Wisconsin Families

Industrial Acid Mining Bill Will Put Public Health at Risk for Generations

WEDC Admits They Don’t Follow the Law

Are they incompetent or flouting the law? And how will they oversee Foxconn?

Hemp’s Time Has Come

Benefits of legalization are many. Will legislature, Walker approve it?

Can WEDC Oversee Foxconn Deal?

State jobs agency has failed for seven years. Can it protect taxpayers and watchdog Foxconn?

Senator Vinehout Pleased with Committee Passage of Hemp Bill

"Hemp has tremendous possibilities in growing our rural economy..."

We’re All Running For Governor

Ten Democrats are running, and most were at this forum, chastising Walker.

Where Are the People?

Bill to end occupational licensing backed by right wing groups, but just one worker testifies in favor.

Illinois Loves Our Foxconn Deal

They get more jobs. We pay the entire $3 billion in taxes.

Evers vs. Walker Would Be Historic Race

One of few times in history two incumbent state officials oppose each other.

Plague of Floods Caused by Climate Change

Dozens of 100-year floods in 30 years, roads keep getting washed out.

Medicaid’s Future A Key Campaign Issue

Republicans want big cuts. Democrats don’t. Likely issue in 2018.

Meth Epidemic Overwhelming Counties

Staggering increases in addiction. Help from state is needed.

Regent Nominees Gave Walker $22,550

The two nominees also gave more than $64,000 to other candidates.

The Muzzling of the DNR

Gagged by the Walker administration, its staff no longer provide any information.

Don’t Eliminate The State Treasurer

Wisconsin is the only state where treasurer doesn't oversee cash management.

More Funding for Local Roads Needed

In 38 counties only 5% of local roads are rated “good.”

Walker’s Budget Makes Schools More Unequal

Old equalized aid formula is broken. Governor makes inequity even worse.

Who Is Minding DOT’s Spending?

Cost overruns, lack of transparency and oversight has led to huge transportation costs.

State Pension Fund’s Risky Investments

Now invests in hedge funds, derivatives. And the annual return has declined.

Special Education Vouchers Raise Concerns

Plan hatched in secret. Law is long and complex. Vote was speedy and partisan. Results?

State Gave $472 Million in Business Tax Credits

Hand-outs to Amazon, Kohls, Quadgraphics and 16 other companies bleed state treasury.

Rising Property Taxes Replace State Funding

Portion of local schools funding coming from state has plummeted since mid-1990s.

DNR’s Clean Water Protection Questioned

State audit shows DNR issued no notice of violation in 94% of cases where it was warranted.

State Computer Systems Have Major Problems

Audit Bureau finds “significant deficiencies.” Result could be loss of federal funds, other problems.

DOC audit needed to improve safety

“Taxpayers, correctional officers, children and families deserve better.”

Trying to Fix What They Broke says State Senator Vinehout

“While the Governor talks about helping make college affordable and the importance of education, his feel good proposals do not undo the damage to higher education and our public schools.”

Republican agenda features familiar ideas

Dem proposals on school funding, broadband and student loan debt gain support

Speed and Secrecy Killing Democracy

Citizen after citizen testified: "We don't know what's in the bill."

Bill Would Limit City Control of Development

Proposed state law would increase developer "property rights" at expense of others.

Don’t Kill the Government Accountability Board

Award winning GAB is nation's only nonpartisan watchdog agency.

WEDC Leaders Resist Reforming Troubled Agency

Top brass of jobs agency miss opportunity to apologize and fix problems.

Republicans’ Brazen Attack on Open Government Continues

Newest Speaker Vos Proposal Will Severely Restrict Records Access

Rep. Barca Testifies About Problems Plaguing Privatized Medical Transportation Program, Will Offer Alternative

Rep. Barca Requested Audit in Response to Constituent Concerns

Sen. Vinehout: Reps Craig and Jarchow Display “Staggering Ignorance” of Legislative Audit Bureau

“Their bill embeds auditors in the agencies making them ripe for corruption by executive staff and partisan leaders.”

Who Will Lead the Democratic Party?

Five candidates seek the difficult job of trying to revive the minority party in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Announces Endorsements

Slate highlights problem solvers.

More Women Run for Top Capitol Jobs

The number of women candidates running for state Capitol jobs is coming back.

Will Liberal Democrats Undermine Mary Burke?

Opposition to a pro-business Democrat could help Walker win reelection.

Conservation Scorecard Reveals Bipartisan Conservation Cooperation

Engaged Conservation Voters Trumping Polluters

State Releasing Far More Sex Offenders

Number released from mental lockup has quadrupled, but officials say risk to residents is low. First of a three-part series.

Telephone Company Rip-Off

Now that the telecom industry is deregulated, AT&T can gouge customers with late fees.

Christmas Gifts for Your Favorite Politician

Here are some last-minute gift ideas for a few Wisconsin pols.

Why the Minimum Wage Should Be Increased

It could do more than anything to reduce the income gap in this state.

Can Burke Beat Walker?

The 2014 campaign may depend on which candidate has the best story to tell.

Walker’s Year Of Political Danger

Weak poll results and tricky issues face the governor in the year before he runs.

Marquette Law School Poll shows Walker in tight race with Burke for Wisconsin governor in 2014

A new Marquette Law School Poll finds that, just over a year from the election, the 2014 Wisconsin governor’s race is shaping up to be very competitive.

The New Right-Wing Media

The state is a national leader in creating new conservative publications.

The Debtor Governor

Figures from non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau figures show Walker’s debt level the worst since 1970.

Mental Health Care in Shambles at County Jails

Jails are overloaded with people with mental illness. A key Republican lawmaker wants to examine issue.