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Content referencing Luther Olsen
South Dakota Expands Medicaid
39 states have now expanded Medicaid. What is Wisconsin waiting for?
Nov 28th, 2022 by Bill Kaplan
School Voucher Lobby Wants More State Funding
Pushing for more public funding of private schools.
Feb 2nd, 2022 by Ruth Conniff
Democrats Lose Experience In Legislature
10 years of Republican control helps creates Legislature with less experienced Democrats.
Sep 20th, 2021 by Steven Walters
GOP Obamacare Lawsuit a Cynical Political Stunt
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down suit. Meanwhile, Vos and and state GOP obstruct Medicaid expansion.
Jun 21st, 2021 by Bill Kaplan
Nation Has Changed, Expand Medicaid
38 states have done so, Wyoming may be next. When will Wisconsin wise up?
Mar 23rd, 2021 by Bill Kaplan
The Hammer of Student Testing
Republican legislators may use tests as a way to force schools to reopen.
Feb 19th, 2021 by Terry Falk
The Banality of State Sen. Luther Olsen
Retiring Republican moderate has rolled over repeatedly for the most extreme GOP ideas and politicians.
Jun 22nd, 2020 by Ruth Conniff
Senator Jennifer Schilling Calls It Quits
Resigning Friday to take an unidentified job that would create a conflict of interest.
May 15th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Can Democrats Retake State Senate?
An uphill fight. Retirements by seven incumbents make races hard to call.
May 11th, 2020 by Steven Walters
Janet Bewley Is New State Senate Minority Leader
Sen. Bewley sets her sights on overcoming GOP opposition, re-taking the senate.
May 7th, 2020 by Melanie Conklin
Clean Water Becomes Hot Political Issue
Gov. Evers and legislators in both parties call for action. Will they work together?
Jan 13th, 2020 by Steven Walters
All They Want for Christmas
The Christmas wish lists of Gov. Evers, Mayor Barrett and other politicians.
Dec 23rd, 2019 by Steven Walters
A World Without Scott Fitzgerald
Capitol insiders wonder who will be senate majority leader if Fitzgerald wins race for Congress.
Oct 14th, 2019 by Steven Walters
New Bills Would Fully Fund And Expand 4-Year-Old Kindergarten
Bills could help close the achievement gap, says State Sen. Luther Olsen
Oct 13th, 2019 by Mary Kate McCoy
4-Year-Old Kindergarten Gets Bipartisan Support
Senate taking up bills in committee that would expand early childhood education programs.
Oct 7th, 2019 by Ruth Conniff
State School Spending Hits Record $6 Billion
Both parties take credit for K-12 schools funding hike. But can it be sustained?
Aug 26th, 2019 by Steven Walters
NRA’s Favorite Wisconsin State Politicians
Former Gov. Walker was Wisconsin’s top NRA beneficiary.
Aug 9th, 2019 by Erik Gunn
School Groups Divided About State Budget
Happy Evers increased spending, but it’s still short of what’s needed, they say.
Jul 4th, 2019 by Shamane Mills
Why GOP Opposes Federal Medicaid Funds
It’s cost state taxpayers $1.1 billion. Why won’t Republicans accept the money?
Jun 26th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
10 Evers Proposals GOP Will Kill
Top priorities for the governor which Republicans aim to kill.
Apr 29th, 2019 by Steven Walters
Can Any ”Dark Store” Reform Get Passed?
Evers wants full reform but big lobbying groups oppose it. Lawmakers seek compromise.
Apr 22nd, 2019 by Steven Walters
Legislators Resist Many Evers Proposals
GOP push back on minimum wage, water quality, corrections worker wages, unemployment compensation and more.
Apr 5th, 2019 by Laurel White
Evers Backs Off On Killing Vouchers
Governor admits it can’t be done. His own DPI data shows why it shouldn’t be done.
Jan 29th, 2019 by George Mitchell
Experts Praise New State Superintendent
Evers’s choice, Stanford Taylor, is state’s first black superintendent of public instruction.
Dec 29th, 2018 by Corrinne Hess
About That Republican Victory
Voters rejected Democrats for the Assembly, Robin Vos declares. Er, not exactly.
Nov 15th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Kimberly-Clark, Unions, Push for Subsidy
State Senate lacks votes to approve $70 million subsidy for 400 jobs.
Nov 15th, 2018 by Laurel White
GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White
Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.
Jan 15th, 2018 by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign
The Strange Rage of Scott Fitzgerald
His call to fire elections commission leader defies the law and common sense.
Jan 12th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Politics May Doom School Funding Panel
Nearly everyone agrees system needs reform, but can’t agree how to do it.
Jan 8th, 2018 by Steven Walters
Bill Suppresses Victim’s Mental Health Records
Defendant couldn’t request, jury couldn’t see records unless victim allows it.
Dec 19th, 2017 by Gretchen Schuldt
New Approach to Funding Schools Needed
Blue Ribbon Commission studying the many problems with current approach.
Dec 18th, 2017 by State Sen. Kathleen Vinehout
Walker Signs Vulnerable User Bill
Increases penalties for careless drivers who kill or injure bicyclists, pedestrians.
Dec 1st, 2017 by Dave Cieslewicz
The Fall and Rise of WEAC
Once mighty state teachers union has lost its clout, yet many members stick with it.
Nov 28th, 2017 by Bruce Murphy
Buyers’ Remorse for Voucher Backers
School choice backers donated generously to Walker, but he’s vacillated on the issue.
Aug 7th, 2017 by George Mitchell
Sales Tax Holiday Bad for Budget
Walker wants it, some GOP legislators condemn it. Why?
Apr 21st, 2017 by Tamarine Cornelius
How Legislature Rigged the Game
2015 campaign finance law gives more power to wealthy and corporations.
Mar 6th, 2017 by Steven Walters
$28 Million Spent on 2016 Legislative Races
A new record, 66% more than 2014, huge special interest spending.
Mar 3rd, 2017 by Matt Rothschild
Walker Will Unveil A Reelection Budget
Proposals in 2017-2019 budget made with eye to running for a third term.
Feb 6th, 2017 by Steven Walters
Special Interests Spend $9 Million on Legislative Races
Led by Greater Wisconsin Committee, Democratic-leaning groups spent more, 53% of money.
Nov 23rd, 2016 by Matt Rothschild
Record Elections Spending by Special Interests
$7.8 million spent so far, with more by Democratic-leaning groups.
Nov 2nd, 2016 by Matt Rothschild
Republicans Regret Assault on Open Records Law
But Rep. John Nygren is still open to changes to the Open Records Law, just not now.
Sep 19th, 2016 by Steven Walters
Did Walker Raid Veteran’s Home Fund?
Cap Times story on nursing home shows funding was diverted while care declined.
Sep 1st, 2016 by Bruce Murphy
Wisconsin Going Backwards on Achievement Gap
Critics say changes in state education programs could worsen black-white learning gap.
Dec 21st, 2015 by Abigail Becker
Crunch Time for Bucks Arena Deal
Joint Finance Committee needs nine of 16 members to approve it. That could be tough.
Jun 15th, 2015 by Steven Walters
Republicans Purge Their Elders
No matter how experienced, moderates willing to negotiate with Democrats are getting purged from the party.
Apr 21st, 2014 by Steven Walters
Say Goodbye to the Party of Lincoln
State Sen. Dale Schultz retires, shaking his head at how the Republican Party has changed.
Apr 15th, 2014 by Bill Lueders
Governor Signs Vulnerable User Bill
Bill to protect bikers and pedestrians and a separate bill allowing biking on state trails after 11 p.m. were both passed by legislature.
Apr 11th, 2014 by Dave Schlabowske
Watered-Down Bill Protecting Bicyclists Passes
Tougher bill to protect bicyclists and pedestrians had broad bipartisan support but a few Republicans prevented passage.
Apr 4th, 2014 by Dave Schlabowske
Nine Bills That Got Killed
Why the legislature failed to pass laws on nine hot issues.
Mar 31st, 2014 by Steven Walters
Will Walker Change State’s School Standards?
Once again, Walker threatens to replace Common Core standards. Is he bluffing?
Jan 27th, 2014 by Bruce Murphy
Bicyclists Vs. Motorcycle Group
Law defining bicyclists and pedestrians as "vulnerable users" who need more protection from motorists is opposed by the motorcycle lobby.
Sep 20th, 2013 by Dave Schlabowske
How School Choice Got Expanded Statewide
Deal by GOP legislators and pushed by voucher lobbyists expanded it beyond Gov. Walker's proposal.
Sep 3rd, 2013 by Steven Walters
Bicycle Lobbyists Hit the State Capitol
More than 100 advocates met with legislators and pushed for pro-bicycle policies. Will it have an impact?
Apr 19th, 2013 by Dave Schlabowske
Voucher Madness
Gov. Walker wants lots more choice schools, except in Republican districts. Why?
Feb 26th, 2013 by Bruce Murphy
Superintendent Burmaster Slaps The Governor Around
My, how times have changed.
Sep 24th, 2001 by Bruce Murphy
