Mark Spreitzer

Bipartisan Deal Would Fund WisconsinEye After Shutdown

Senate passes bill including nearly $600,000 and seeks competitive bids for future broadcast rights.

Lawmakers at Odds on Funding WisconsinEye As Time Running Out

Senate Republicans now want a competitive bidding process.

Republican Senate Leader Says He’s Left Out of Tax Relief Talks

Devin LeMahieu miffed. Governor's office chides Republicans: 'try talking to each other.'

Senate Republicans Push Trans Bills Despite Likely Vetoes

Measures would ban transition surgeries for minors, restrict transgender athletes and reshape who controls state agency rules.

‘Clear as Mud’ Hemp Rules Targeted by Wisconsin Lawmakers

After Congress closed a hemp loophole, legislators float competing plans that could reshape THC products or shut many of them down entirely.

After Shutdown, WisconsinEye Discussing Future With Legislators

Nonprofit seeking partial public funding to resume operation.

Senate Committee Debates ‘Community Solar’ Bill

Allowing private companies to construct small solar projects. Utilities oppose it.

As Living Costs Soar, Tax Relief Shrinks for Low-Income Wisconsin Residents

Homestead tax credit has withered due to inflation, legislative inaction.

Bipartisan Wisconsin Bill Would Create New State Disaster Aid Program

$30 million grant program to offer aid for those not covered by federal disaster assistance.

Senate Approves School Cellphone Ban

Senate also passes bill require insurance coverage of breast cancer screenings.

Where ‘Monday Processing’ and Other Election Changes Stand

Republicans, Democrats have competing proposals, but proponents pledge to work together.

Four Districts Will Shape Control of Wisconsin Senate

Democrats are targeting three Republican incumbents.

State Legislators At Odds on Election Bills

But committee leaders promise 'civil conversations' in effort to meet 'the moment.'

Democratic Rep. Jenna Jacobson Will Challenge Top GOP State Senator

District held by incumbent Howard Marklein now leans slightly Democratic.

State Senate Passes Bill That It Says Targets ‘Violent Riots’ With New Felony Penalties

But Sen. Larson says it could be used on protesters.

Lawmakers, Evers At Odds Over Control of $171 Million in Interest

Whether the interest is considered federal or state money is 'open and novel legal question' according to a nonpartisan state attorney.

How Republicans Tweaked State Aid to Benefit GOP Communities

Legislature radically changed state aid formula to give more to Republican areas.

Legislature Pauses To Remember Jonathan Brostoff

But will it act on proposal to add waiting periods to gun purchases?

Wisconsin Lawmakers Hold Tense Debate On Bill To Ban Gender-Affirming Care For Youth

Opponents regard bill as 'cruel' anti-trans legislation, while supporters say it would 'protect' children.

Widespread Opposition at Hearing to Bill Requiring Parental Approval for Pronoun, Name Changes

GOP-bill draws opposition from legislators, those testifying.

Legislature’s LGBTQ+ Caucus Doubles in Size

With 7 new members, the caucus now includes 12 lawmakers, all Democrats.

Wisconsin Senate Won’t Have Election Committee

For first time in nearly two decades, no designated election committee.

Legislative Study Committee Disagrees on Sandhill Cranes

Should hunting them by legalized? Should farmers' corn crops be protected?

Robin Vos Will Continue as Assembly Speaker

Senate Democrats also reelected Diane Hesselbein as minority leader

Wisconsin Political Ads Now Must Disclose Use of AI

Bipartisan bill signed by Gov. Evers, who vetoes a number of other proposals.

Senate Fires 8 Evers Appointees, Approves 3 Constitutional Amendments

Senate ends session for year with governor 'apoplectic' over 'petty partisan politics.'

Senate Republicans Fire Four Evers Appointees

GOP boots one from DNR board, three from UW Health board.

Republicans Pass Evers’ Legislative Maps

Governor had promised to sign such a bill. Democrats warn of trickery.

Constitutional Amendment Would Block Ranked Choice Voting

Proposal designed to halt bipartisan bill.

GOP Bill Requires UW To Tell Out of State Students How to Vote at Home

Could lower youth vote in Wisconsin, add 'substantial administrative burden'?

Wisconsin Democrats Propose State Protections For Same-Sex Marriages

Proposal follows 2022 federal law, overturning of Roe vs. Wade. Would strike 2006 constitutional amendment.

WI Secretary of State Calls for Removing Election Commissioner Robert Spindell

Spindell admitted serving as fake elector and also celebrated voter suppression.

Anti-Election Grant Amendment Could Appear on April Ballot

Proposal is Republican response to perceived issues with private grants 2020 from Facebook founder.

Proposed Bill Would Require Political Ads With AI-Enhancements To Be Labeled

AI-generated content makes it increasingly easy to generate video or audio of something that didn't actually happen.

GOP Senators Renew Fight Over Abortion, Tax Cuts

And override an Evers' budget veto, part of busy session Tuesday.

Republicans Reject 7 Evers Appointees

Including elections commissioner and 4 DNR board members. 'This is insanity,' says Evers, then immediately names replacements.

Republican Legislators Deny Evers’ Appointment to Elections Commission

Vote nixes Joe Czarnezki, the Democratic appointee to bipartisan commission.

Republicans Vote Down 4 of Evers’ 5 DNR Board Nominees

But full Senate must still weigh in.

Taxpayers Paying For Both Sides of Senate Lawsuit Over Redistricting

Democrats and Republicans both charging State of Wisconsin for redistricting legal fight.

Senate Committee Votes to Fire State Elections Administrator

Attorney General has said firing of Meagan Wolfe is illegal. Now up to full state Senate.

Election Deniers Make False Charges at Senate Hearing on Top Election Official

Attorney General says Republicans' hearing to consider ousting Meagan Wolfe is illegal.

GOP Senators Block Building Code Update Supporters Say Saves Energy, Improves Safety

Party-line vote leaves 2015 building code in place. Concerns over cost.

Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Expand Vaccine Access

The bills, aimed at addressing state's decreasing vaccine rates, are unlikely to advance in the Republican-led Legislature.

Artificial Intelligence Being Used To Generate Election Ads

"Synthetic media" allows coordination with super PACs, deep faces. Will it be regulated?

Despite Legal Gay Marriage, Wisconsin Laws Still Centered On Husband and Wife

From birth certificates to court documents, same-sex parents have concerns.

Legislature Passes Local Revenue, Schools Bills

Deal heads to Gov. Evers’ desk. Despite bipartisan support, some are calling for him to veto proposals.

Gov. Evers Raises LGBTQ+ Flag At Capitol, Celebrates Pride Month

"We will keep working to build a Wisconsin that is more welcoming, more inclusive and more just for everybody," said Evers.

Senate Mulls Milwaukee’s Financial Peril

Struggling to create plan for shared revenue and sales tax that's acceptable to Assembly and Gov. Evers.

Republican-Backed Bill Would Remove Ineligible Voters From State Database

But election officials say its unnecessary and could actually make elections less secure.

Vote Tracking Bill Has Bipartisan Support

Proposal would allow state's absentee voters to track status of their vote.

Biden Takes Victory Lap in Wisconsin

His speech in Madison suburb stands up for Social Security, unions and family supporting jobs.

Republicans Don’t Win Veto-Proof Legislature

Had to flip five Assembly seats and one Senate district and fell short.

Republicans Seek Veto-Proof Legislature

GOP supermajority possible if they flip one senate district, five assembly seats now held by Democrats.

Gableman Hints at Revolution in Speech to Republicans

Former supreme court justice fired from election probe criticized for ‘violent rhetoric'.

Federal Judge Allows Ballot Assistance for Disabled Voters

Judge strikes down state Supreme Court ruling that all voters must return ballots themselves.

Record Number of Legislators Retiring

At least 31 incumbents, one quarter of state Legislature retiring, highest since 1942.

Vos Keeps Gableman Investigation Going

Though contract for probe was expiring, Speaker says it will continue, after pressure from Trump.

Who Is Conducting Gableman’s Investigation?

Private lawyer and partisan group heavily involved in taxpayer funded election probe.

Barnes Campaign Aims to Bring State Together

Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate candidate running hard in rural, urban areas of state.

Historic Turnover Will Change Legislature

Retirements, redistricting and members pursuing higher office could transform Legislature.

The Gableman Conspiracy ‘Circus’

Offers hours of conspiracy-laden testimony and new report pushing to decertify 2020 election which Republican calls illegal, a ‘fool’s errand.'

Assembly Passes Early Vote Counting Bill

A raft of election related bills passed, some adding additional requirements to absentee voting.

Assembly Blocks ‘Recall’ of 2020 Electors

Resolution demanding recall killed in committee. Democrats insist Republicans vote on it.

Assembly Committee Hears Unsupported Claims of Voter Fraud

A convicted fraudster, who once worked with Michael Gableman, makes wild allegations.

Speaker Vos Struggles to Maintain Control

Assailed by GOP rebels. ‘Conspiracy theorists have taken over the party.’

Democrats’ Revolving Door Swings Again

Assembly minority leader Gordon Hintz's decision to step down the latest of many leadership changes.

Hintz Will Quit As Assembly Minority Leader

Democrat will resign position in January, cites need to spend more time with family.

Gableman Asks Court to Arrest Madison, Green Bay Mayors

It’s “comic buffoonery,” says attorney for Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich.

Michael Gableman Has No Shame

Head of GOP election probe was a nasty bully, making slanderous, irresponsible charges to Assembly committee.

Gableman Reveals Staff in Election Probe

Nine staff earning up to $10,000 month in Republican-backed investigation.

Democratic Legislators Refuse to Meet Privately With Gableman

Head of elections probe refuses to answer questions in public, committee members charge.

The Return of McCarthyism

Michael Gableman is the new Joe McCarthy, with the same bullying, sneering, demagogic style.

GOP Legislators Push To Continue Gerrymandering

Pushing for redistricting to diverge from current districts as little as possible.

The Rise of Rep. Janel Brandtjen

A leader in election lies and demagoguery has become a state Republican power.

Republicans Divided Over Election Audits

Are you with Team Vos or Team Brandtjen? Fish for unproven problems or overturn 2020 election?

Trump Praises Brandtjen ‘Election Audit’

Puts more pressure on Vos as Pocan calls for firing Gableman.

Sen. Agard Unveils Marijuana Legalization Bill

Outside a dispensary in Illinois, the state lawmaker called for legalization.

Vos Backtracks on Election Audit

After criticizing Brandtjen for pushing yet another audit, he caves. “It’s red meat for the base.”

Whose Vision Will Prevail In Budget Battle?

Republicans got their way in budget rewrite, but Evers' vetoes loom.

Legislature Passes Absentee Voting Restrictions

And proposal cutting funding to municipalities that reduce police funding.

State Assembly Passes Transgender Athlete Bill

Legislation would bar transgender women from playing on female athletic teams.

Assembly Leaders Accused of ‘Systemic Racism’

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

Legislature Passes Many Bills

Full agenda on Tuesday of mostly partisan legislation, much of it heading for governor’s veto.

Who’s the Most Right Wing Of All?

Conservative group ranks state’s most conservative members of Congress and Legislature.

Bills Cap Predatory Lending at 36%

Average payday interest rate is 517%. Industry has given generously to legislators

Legislature Tries Again to Control Federal Stimulus Money

Evers twice vetoed bills to do this. Assembly’s latest bills violate federal rules, LRB warns.

Legislature Has Dramatic Debate

Over its power, purpose, prestige... and whether Robin Vos hates Tony Evers.

Republicans Attack Zuckerberg Election Grants Again

Using emails from Green Bay's former clerk, GOP lawmakers are calling for an investigation.

Republican Bill Makes Voting Harder

List of restrictions will make it less likely that disabled, nursing home residents and others vote.

Will Supreme Court Act on Mask Mandate?

State high court has sat on case for months, could decide fight between governor and Legislature.

Do State Election Laws Need Reform?

After months of Trump’s false claims, legislators still squabbling, but a bipartisan bill is possible.

GOP State Legislators Asked Pence to Not Certify Election

15 legislators signed the letter. Four of them serve on Assembly elections committee.

Why Republicans Won’t End Election Complaints

It’s no longer about electing Trump. It’s laying the groundwork for voter suppression.

Democrats Slam Assembly Elections Committee

A ‘forum for debunked conspiracies’?

Legislative Houses Elect Their Leaders

Democrats call for action on COVID-19 crisis.

Democratic Committee Members Reject Speaker’s Manufactured Controversy

State’s Health Care Workers Demand Hazard Pay

As COVID-19 cases rise again, Democratic bill provides increased pay, paid medical leave.

Wisconsin Politicos Respond to Safer At Home Ruling

Politicians, lobbyists and activists fall back on party line in attacking or praising decision.

Assembly Rejects Bipartisan Rape Kit Bill

Republicans pass bill with "poison pills' that will force veto by Gov. Evers.

Proposal Would Ban Gerrymandering

Fair Maps Constitutional Amendment would amend state constitution, require non-partisan redistricting.