Michael Schraa

A Summer of Intense Politics

With more to come in the next two months.

Should Wisconsin Prisons Have Independent Oversight?

19 states have a prison ombudsman. Oversight could improve prisons, reduce lawsuits.

Following Counselor Death, Staff, Family Plead for Help At Lincoln Hills 

Counselor's family tells Senate death could have been prevented and state failed.

Most Incumbents Beat Challengers in State Legislature Primaries

Wisconsin had the most contested Assembly primary races since 2012.

UW, Prisons, MPS Now Capitol’s Top Issues

Evers and GOP legislators disagree. Issues could figure in fall elections.

Inmate Death Charges Reignite Charge To Close Wisconsin’s Oldest Prison

9 Waupun Correctional Institution staffers are accused of causing inmate deaths

Rep. Shelia Stubbs Celebrates Unanimous Passage of Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls Legislation from Senate Committee

New Life For Bill Aimed To Help Missing, Murdered Black Women

Committee switch creates pathway to passage, possible task force.

Why Legislature Won’t Create Task Force on Missing Black Women & Girls

Wisconsin has worst rate of Black females murdered or missing. One senator opposes bill.

Rep. Shelia Stubbs Celebrates Assembly Passage of AB 182

Relating to: Rental Readiness and AB 183-Relating to: Establishing and Operating Reentry Centers

Rep. Shelia Stubbs Celebrates Assembly Passage of AB 615 – Creating a Task Force on Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls

Rep. Shelia Stubbs Celebrates Unanimous Passage of AB 615 In the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Bill Prohibits ‘Cashless’ Businesses in Wisconsin

For any transaction of less than $2,000. City of Milwaukee supports state bill.

Bill Would Allow New Bars To Offer Indoor Cigar, Pipe Smoking

City of Milwaukee could support the bill, but raised questions over regulation.

State Has Many Uncontested Legislative Races

Why newcomers Ryan Clancy on East Side, Dave Maxey in New Berlin face no opponent.

Assembly Approves Funds for Lincoln Hills Replacement

Troubled youth prison was supposed to be closed by now.

Will Lincoln Hills Youth Prison Finally Close?

And at what cost? Legislature debates the issue anew.

Legislature Passes Raft of Law Enforcement Bills

14 bills increase funding, restrict local control; some directly target Milwaukee.

Wisconsin’s January 6 Collaborators

25 Republicans who sought to overturn a legal election.

How To End Prison Gerrymandering

It is particularly harmful to cities like Milwaukee. From Matt Rothschild's new book, 'Twelve Ways to Save Democracy in Wisconsin.'

Lawmakers Back Milwaukee Youth Prison

Bipartisan group seeks $43 million to fund replacement for scandal-plagued Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake facilities.

GOP Lawmakers End Weekly Unemployment Boost

State legislature votes to end $300 federal supplement. Governor Evers could veto.

Bill Allows Billboard Ads To Hire Corrections Workers

State law currently doesn’t allows this, but legislators cite need for more staff.

Bill Would Expand Law Enforcement Drone Use

Bill covers corrections facilities, but one sheriff said it would help protest surveillance.

Bipartisan Bill Targets Prescription Drugs

Passed by both houses, aims to lower drug prices, goes to Evers for his signature.

As State Looks to Bounce Back from Pandemic, Gov. Evers Urges Bipartisan Support for $2.38 Billion in Capital Budget Investments to Provide Estimated 29,000 Family-Supporting Jobs, $4.3 Billion in Economic Impact 

Governor's 2021-23 capital budget to be taken up by State Building Commission this week includes major projects in both Republican and Democratic districts

Should Waupun Prison Be Closed?

Two legislators say it may be time. Committee chair calls prison the "essence" of the city

State Prisons Badly Short of Staff

15% of staff positions in state unfilled, up to 40% at Waupun prison.

GOP State Legislators Asked Pence to Not Certify Election

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

Rep. Hintz: Condemns Republican Legislators’ Lies and Dangerous Rhetoric

Calls on Vos to Remove Legislators from Elections Committee

A Mask Mandate is Not Enough

It's a step in the right direction, but not enough to suppress the virus.

Republicans Flip-Flop on Local Control

First demanded local control of COVID-19 rules, now oppose county restrictions.

272 Candidates Running for State Legislature

Highest number since 2012, many contested primaries.

ACLU Suit Calls for Elderly Inmates Release

State ACLU leader calls state prisons a “ticking time bomb” on COVID-19 for elderly and vulnerable.

WI Assembly Votes 96-0 Passing Legislation to Hold PBMs Accountable for Rising Drug Costs and Protect Patients and Pharmacists Statewide

Bill Addressing High Drug Prices Advances

Assembly will take up bipartisan legislation, amendments, on Tuesday.

WI Assembly Committee on Health Hears Legislation to Lower Prescription Costs by Protecting Patients from Harmful PBM Practices

FZE Manufacturing Solutions, LLC named latest Made in Wisconsin® company

WEDC officials present award in North Fond du Lac as part of Manufacturing Month

Let’s Talk Honestly About Suicide

More than 50% are committed with guns. As a teen I could have been one of those statistics.

County Proposal Replaces Youth Prison

Tells state it can renovate county Juvenile Justice Center to house children now in state prisons.

Rules Violations Cause 40% of Prison Admissions

State figures show supervision violations, not new crimes, drive prison admissions.

Evers Faces Hurdles to Cutting Prisons

Governor promised to cut prison population by 50%, but has so far made no progress.

Evers Brings Back Pardon Review Board

Walker disbanded it, wouldn’t pardon anyone in his eight years as governor.

Gov. Evers Moves Forward on Plans to Close Lincoln Hills

"We are committed to getting kids out of Lincoln Hills and closer to home as soon as we safely and responsibly can."

Delay in Closing Youth Prisons Criticized

Advocates oppose Evers’ projection of two years to close Lincoln Hills, Copper Lake.

Dems Back More Openness, GOP Mostly Mum

Freedom of Information Council survey gets little response from GOP candidates.

No, You Can’t Regulate Drones

New state law backed by Milwaukee business group prevents local governments from regulating drones.

Governor Walker Signs Bills to Create and Expand Outdoor Recreation, Attract Talent to Wisconsin, and Improve Medical Assistance

93 bills signed into law at the Wisconsin State Capitol

Juvenile Corrections Reform Signed Into Law

State of Wisconsin adopts reforms authored by Rep. Goyke

Speaker Vos leads State Assembly Delegation to a Trade Summit

"With the current negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and newly imposed tariffs, it’s essential that we’re actively engaged in a dialogue to protect our state’s interests."

Republican Bill Limits Wheel Tax

Local wheel taxes increased 73% in 2017; bill requires referendum approval.

Governor Walker Announces Plan to Provide a Long-Term Solution for Wisconsin’s Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Systems

"Republicans and Democrats alike agree this is the way forward to reform juvenile corrections..."

Republican Bill Second-Guesses, Restricts Local Governments

Assembly bill would add restrictions to local governments raising money for transportation projects

With Elections Just a Year Away, Legislature Abandons Wisconsin Families

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

The GOP Sales Tax Hypocrisy

Favored Republican towns allowed to levy a local sales tax. But not Milwaukee.

Leah unveils 100+ Wisconsin endorsements

Elected officials, grassroots activists and business owners unite behind Leah

GOP Bill Targets Local Wheel Taxes

100 proposals restricting local governance passed since 2011.

Advisory Referendums Have Meant Little

Legislators are considering advisory referendums on legalizing marijuana and making Daylight Savings Time permanent.

Back Open Government? Prove It!

Assembly voted 96-1 for resolution backing open government, but legislators continue to look for ways to limit it.

UW Shouldn’t Hide Finalist Names

Provision slipped into budget allows universities to hide names of top candidates for key positions. No other state agencies enjoy this exemption.

Crunch Time for Bucks Arena Deal

Joint Finance Committee needs nine of 16 members to approve it. That could be tough.

Budget Could Delay Local Highway Projects

Republican legislators want to reduce borrowing in Walker transportation budget, but this could delay numerous projects.

Lobbyists Oppose Various Bills Limiting Voting

Bills with photo ID, limiting absentee voting, making it tougher to register -- got scant support from lobbyists.

Republicans Back Anti-Gun Bill

Mandatory three-year term for illegal gun possession has support of Flynn and Barrett. But will it pass?

How to Reelect Freshmen Legislators

Party leaders let them sponsor high-profile bills likely to win votes.

Legislators Raising Questions About State’s Tracking of Ex-Offenders

Legislative committee members have concerns about accuracy of GPS tracking system.