Patrick Lucey

Former Governor Tony Earl Dies at 86

Earl was governor from 1983-87. Democrat was champion of environment.

Gov. Evers Announces Passing of Former Wisconsin Gov. Tony Earl

Governor orders US, Wisconsin flags to fly at half-staff as state mourns loss

Is Wisconsin ‘Flush With Cash’?

Why state has $4.3 billion surplus, what it means and how should it be handled.

The Race Is On For Lt. Governor

The last time there was no incumbent, back in 2010, nine candidates ran for the position.

Remembering Bill Durkin

He helped create Urban Stables, other philanthropic projects and was an anti-war activist, member of Chicago 15.

State Bar, Law Foundation support Vel Phillips statue on Capitol Square

Shirley Abrahamson Dies at Age 87

She was first woman and longest serving justice on Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Sheriff Earnell R. Lucas Statement on the Passing of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson

Abrahamson’s Remarkable Legacy Honored

State’s longest serving justice, longest serving chief justice, a trailblazer for women jurists.

Milwaukee Has Long History of Protests

Powerful black and brown protests in 1960s, 1970s can inspire marchers today.

State’s ‘Hidden Deficit’ Lowest in 30 Years

Great news except… it’s still higher than in 49 other states.

Gov. Evers Visits Wisconsin’s Sister State in Japan, Meets with Educators and Local Leaders

Governor congratulates Chiba Prefecture on Hosting 2020 Olympics

The Dark Side of Justice Abrahamson

A great legal scholar, but her style created bitter turmoil on the court.

How State Created Strongest Veto Power

No governor has more power to rewrite bills. How and why Wisconsin adopted this.

Hagedorn Also Running Against Abrahamson

Conservative Supreme Court candidate keeps bashing the liberal justice, who has cancer and is retiring.

Who Will Win State Budget Battle?

Right now it looks like an endless standoff. But appearances can be deceiving.

The Incredible Decline of State Roads Funding

Nonpartisan report shows percent of state taxes going to transportation fell 48% since 1970.

Tony Evers’ Best Chance for Enduring Reform

Restructure transportation funding, using the model of electric utilities.

Democrats’ Sweep of Statewide Offices Is Rare

First time since 1982, only third time in more than 125 years.

Abrahamson’s Career from Dominator to Dissenter

Justice Shirley Abrahamson who joined the high court in 1976 and led the court for years, won't be running for another term.

Classic Terrace Ave. Home on NARI Tour

And in the basement: Authentic Irish Pub with Poker Room and streetscape of Dublin Streets.

Dallet Would Make History If Elected

6 of 7 state Supreme Court members would be women, highest percentage in American history.

Former Wisconsin Governor Tony Earl Endorses Matt Flynn for 2018 Gubernatorial Race

"I have known Matt Flynn for 40 years. He will be a strong and effective governor," said Earl.

Evers vs. Walker Would Be Historic Race

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

Walker Is No Tommy Thompson

But in his less inclusive, more political way, he may be just as successful.

The Lobbyist Governors Loved

The late Bill Gerrard was part of “permanent government” voters decry.

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Statement on the Passing Of Former Chair William Gerrard

"He will be greatly missed."

The Hypocrisy of the WMC

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce wants no judge recusals -- except when it benefits them.

Marty Schreiber’s Last Campaign

The former governor, faced with his beloved wife’s dementia, urges others to ask for help.

What Would Tommy Do?

A Republican governor was once UW’s greatest champion. Those days are long gone.

How Republicans Will Dismantle Civil Service

The result will replace hiring and promotions by merit with political appointments.

A World Without Walls

Freeways create concrete walls that divide the city. Their expansion is unneeded.

Get Ready for Gov. Kleefisch?

If Walkers wins the presidency or gets a federal appointment, Kleefisch must be ready to serve.

Leonard Zubrensky remembered for reviving Democratic Party

John Doe Supported by Many Republicans

Supreme Court candidate James Daley was among many GOP judges and prosecutors involved in alleged "partisan witch hunt."

Are Abrahamson’s Days as Chief Justice Numbered?

Constitutional amendment on April referendum would result in her being replaced as chief justice. Even if it fails, her salary will be reduced.

The Quick-Law Governor

Countless sweeping changes have been proposed almost overnight, with no study, no rationale and no known author.

“Groundbreaking” for Bridge

It’s not really a groundbreaking without a shovel, so Cecelia Gilbert of the Department of Public Works brought five well-used, albeit ceremonial, spades to the Thursday 27 May event celebrating the beginning of construction of the Holton Marsupial Bridge. Obliging dignitaries, sensing a photo-op, grabbed the shovels and pantomimed digging them into the asphalt pavement below the Holton Viaduct. The ceremony was scheduled to accommodate Mayor Tom Barrett, who was present at the event before racing off to his daughter’s piano recital. Other guests included Ald. Michael S. D’Amato, Ald. Michael I. McGee, Jr., Supervisors Gerry Broderick and James White, and former State Senator Brian Burke. Julilly Kohler served as master of ceremonies for the event, and she kept her remarks sparing, yet managed to name all of the many individuals who have helped to make her dream a reality. This included “the former congressman from the fifth district,” as Brian Burke called his old elementary school chum, Tom Barrett, who, as Mayor was able to yield the ceremonial shovel on a public works project for the first time. Architects James Dallman and his wife Grace La were also on hand as were Mathew P. Tharaniyil, P.E. and Yakov N. Nenaydykh, another P.E. They are, respectively the president and the vice president of Bloom Consultants, the engineers of the project to span the Holton Viaduct with the suspended “marsupial’ bridge – a bicycle and pedestrian path that will provide grade-level access between the Brady Street neighborhood and the Lakefront Brewery and its surrounding Beer Line “B” neighborhood. Missing from the event was Frank Busalacchi, the Wisconsin Secretary of Transportation or any representative of Lunda Construction, the Black River Falls outfit that won the bid to construct the bridge. Lunda appears to be a publicity-averse organization. The firm has expressed a reservation about having webcams at the construction site, saying they might reveal some “trade secrets” of the mysterious, arcane art of bridge building. Good heavens! It’s a bridge, not a plutonium refinery. Also missing from the event was Whitney Gould, although you wouldn’t have known it from the article she managed to write about it for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the next morning. She reported, correctly, that the Mayor was there, in an otherwise generic story composed of previously reported items. Sonya Jongsma-Knauss and Vince Bushell of the Riverwest Currents were there. The sole representative of the electronic media was Channel 58. Afterwards, the crowd of 100 or so headed up to the Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden where owner Russ Klisch turned on the taps. Earlier that day, a stressed Russ was trying to get his new bottling machine to behave. Even so, it still chewed up a few bottles as it went through its shakedown cruise. Sales manager Paul Moebius said things are going well at the brewery – maybe too well. “We’re running out of beer!” he said. Last year’s sales were 5,000 barrels, and this year the brewery could hit 7,000 barrels. This is better than 2 […]