Scott McCallum

Former Wisconsin Governors Urge People to Vote in New Ads

Jim Doyle and Scott McCallum featured in TV and radio public service messages.

Can Bipartisan Effort Save State Arts Funding?

Wisconsin ranks 50th in arts support. Group of 'heavy hitters' hopes to change that.

Is Wisconsin ‘Flush With Cash’?

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

Why Gableman Courts Controversy

His latest blowup in the courtroom is part of a pattern.

Mandela Barnes Seeks Electoral First

No sitting or former lieutenant governor has won a U.S. Senate election in state history.

Farrow, ‘Margaret Thatcher of Wisconsin,’ Dies At 87

First women Lt. Governor in state history had five-decade career in public service.

Gov. Evers Releases Statement Regarding Passing of former Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow

Will Evers’ Pardons Hurt Him In Election?

He’s bragging about setting a record. Will Republicans use it in attack ad?

Pardons On The Ballot in 2022?

Evers restarted a program that Walker left untouched for eight years.

Evers Builds Image for Giving Pardons

Giving more per year than any recent predecessors. But far behind 'Julius the Just.'

The Race Is On For Lt. Governor

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

Vos Picks Gableman To Lead Election Probe

Announcement comes just one day after GOP Assembly Speaker attacked by Trump.

10 Republicans Accused of Voter Fraud 

Meet the folks who wanted to overturn Wisconsin’s election. Legal complaint says they committed crimes.

Former Wisconsin adjutant general passes away

Voting Access Ensures All Voices Are Heard

A new bipartisan coalition is working to promote safe, reliable voting in Wisconsin.

Courts To Decide Governors’ Emergency Powers

Republicans oppose Evers’ mask mandate, want courts to restrict longtime power of governors.

Bipartisan Group Will Promote Voting By Mail

And in-person voting. Former GOP Attorney General dismisses fraud claims on mail-in ballots

Evers Issues 18 Pardons

The governor revived the pardoning process last year, after former Gov. Walker ignored it for nearly a decade.

State’s ‘Hidden Deficit’ Lowest in 30 Years

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

Why a Voter Purge Is So Critical

The goal is to reelect Trump. Even if that means purging some Republican voters, too.

Foxconn Judge Was Former Walker Aide

And donor to GOP candidates. His ruling allows huge drawdown of Lake Michigan water by Foxconn.

The Curious Job of Lieutenant Governor

Mandela Barnes finding out there is no manual — and few certainties — for the job.

Evers Will Give Pardons

Reversing Walker’s policy, governor to consider pardons, as other predecessors did.

Brian Hagedorn’s Questionable Judgement: Assault Accusations and Campaign Finance Law Fines Among Lowlights of Hagedorn Supporters

Campaign Touting Endorsement of Scandal Plagued Judges

About that Republican Cash Surplus

The term is meaningless and such half-truths muddy our understanding of state budget.

Lame Duck Mischief Defamed the State

Walker opted to divide and conquer up until last day in office.

Walker and Jobs, the Final Tally

In eight years, state steadily fell further behind nation and Midwest.

Walker Signs Lame Duck Bills

Doesn’t veto a single measure, chooses to “override the will of the people,” Evers says.

What Will Scott Walker’s Legacy Be?

Remembered for his accomplishments? Or his “poor loser” legislation?

Three Months and Four Days Later, Still No Reimbursement or Remorse From Scott Walker for Illegal Usage of State Plane

‘Governors Can’t Use Public Resources to Benefit Themselves or Their Campaigns’

State Writes Off Shady $1.1 Million Loan

Convicted fraudster Ron Van Den Heuvel, a generous GOP donor, defrauded state agency.

History Gives Walker Slim Odds to Win

State voters rarely elect a gubernatorial candidate whose party holds the presidency.

Judge Kelly Handed Doe Controversy

Latest judge to handle John Doe must decide on contempt of court referrals.

What Happened to Wisconsin?

Decades of bipartisan commitment to protecting environment have been abandoned. Why?

Evers vs. Walker Would Be Historic Race

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

Why Gableman Is Stepping Down

And how will that affect the race for Supreme Court?

Four Key Judge Races Coming

Supreme Court Justice Ziegler and three Appeals Court judges running in spring election.

Candidate for Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security Unable to Maintain County Jail

Latest Horrific Incident at Facility Overseen by Sheriff David Clarke Involves Newborn Child

David Clarke the Demagogue

A sheriff who once represented law and order has sold his soul to become a media star.

13 Lessons The Guardian Taught Us

Or how Scott Walker corrupted Wisconsin, as the leaked Doe documents reveal.

Is Sheriff Clarke the Black Trump?

And a possible running mate? Atlantic Mag charts the rising star of Milwaukee’s sheriff.

New Corrections Chief Faces Problems

Including overcrowded prisons, staff shortages and low morale, and a dearth of leadership.

Scott Walker Peddles Bull

No stranger to peddling bull, governor hosts Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction at State Fair

Get Ready for Gov. Kleefisch?

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

John Doe Supported by Many Republicans

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

Wisconsin’s Shrinking Middle Class

No state has seen a bigger decline in the percent of middle class households than Wisconsin, new data shows.

How Rogue Aides Can Ruin Politicians

Gov. Chris Christie’s problems are a lesson to every politician in Wisconsin.

Brewing as a Conceptual Art

Brenner Brewing has a ways to go before it functions as a working brewery. Plus: a fundraiser for the anti-Clarke candidate.

Rent-To-Own Industry Wants Less Disclosure

Seeks to overturn law making it disclose interests rates. Industry supported Gov. Walker, who backs the change.

How State Aid to Cities Has Plummeted

Milwaukee is getting killed by declining shared revenue, violating a century-old state agreement.

Did the State Screw Talgo?

The train company's stunned CEO blasts Wisconsin for breaching its contract “like a Third World country.”

Whose Scandal is it, Anyway?

Republicans try, fail to shift blame to Dems on Kenilworth project

The Governor’s Party

Governor Jim Doyle was the guest of honor at a fundraiser at Mocean's on September 16.

When the Wealthy Serve

A Look at the Commerce Secretary’s Statement of Economic Interests

Plale Recall Drive Begins

Can a group of south side political activists pull themselves together enough to acquire 13,212 signatures to force a recall election against Sen. Jeff Plale? Rep. Jon Richards said he doubts it. “This thing is going nowhere,” says Rep. Josh Zepnick. “These people are so lazy! They’ve taken out a newspaper ad asking people to come by and sign a recall petition. Who is going to do that?” True enough. To win an election, you’ve got to knock on doors, post signs in windows and do all kinds of grass-rooted activities. There is scant evidence of this in the Plale recall attempt, and absolutely no evidence of it in the northern fringes of Plale’s district, including Brady Street and the East Side. That hasn’t stopped Plale from printing up thousands of football schedules that he is handing out at every turn. The South Milwaukeean made the journey to St. Rita’s Church last week to attend the Brady Street Association monthly meeting where he was asked about the recall. “They’ve got until September 7th to get the signatures to recall me,” Plale told the audience. When told there seemed to be no effort on the East Side to circulate petitions, Plale said, “well, these people wouldn’t know how to find Brady Street.” Plale was also in the Brady Street area for what the neighborhood hopes is an annual Artisinal Food Festival. The gig was held Sunday, July 25th, and Plale was there along with his schedules. The recall effort against him stemmed from his crucial vote to uphold Governor Doyle’s veto of a republican-sponsored measure to limit property tax increases. Plale says the upcoming plans to sponsor a constitutional amendment known as the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, (TABOR) is similarly flawed, and a potential recipe for disaster. He cites Colorado, a state that has enacted similar provisions into its laws and is now in the midst of its worst fiscal crisis ever. Amendment on the Run The legislature republicans spent the last unedifying session promoting the agenda of Gays, Guns and Gambling. The Madison gang came up with loads of goofy legislation, none of which could sustain a veto by the governor. Leave it to this group to be able to reconvene and pass a constitutional amendment, no less, in just one week. This was the decision of Sen. Mary Panzer, the republican leader who had earlier been criticized for not rushing a Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights law through the Solomonic deliberations of the nation’s most august lawmakers. But, as soon as she faced a primary challenge from Rep.Glenn Grothman, an ambitious fellow republican who covets her senate seat, Panzer decided to schedule a vote for this week. Then, the legislature can go home and come back next year to vote again. Then, finally, the matter will be put to public vote in a referendum, if it is still alive. But, if the legislature does not act by August 5th, the whole procedure would have to be repeated in yet one […]

Clark Picks Up Two State Endorsements

Two of Wisconsin’s elder statespeople jumped on the Wesley Clark for President bandwagon recently. Former alderman, secretary of state and attorney Vel Phillips, who most recently issued the oath of office to Acting Mayor Marvin Pratt says she backs the Arkansas general for president. With her support, she joins such black leaders as Charles Rangel and Andrew Young. Phillips was at a fundraiser for Clark Tuesday, January 27th at the home of Julilly W. Kohler. Phillips said she had just got off the phone with Henry Aaron who has offered to send her airplane tickets and to put her up in Atlanta February 6th for his birthday party. “Oh, I’m not sure I’m going to go,” said Vel, to the dismay of partygoers who could not imagine turning down any invitation from Henry Aaron, with or without free air travel and lodging. She still hadn’t decided by Sunday. Vel Phillips faces many decisions. When she left the Common Council, she bought the old roll-top desk aldermen once used until the present gems were installed. The desk will probably go to the Historical Society of Wisconsin. Why not the city-owned Milwaukee Public Library? “Well, the historical society already has a full-size statue of me,” Phillips said. Good enough reason. The attendees, including Frank Gimbel (who has a huge Clark sign posted in his east side yard), Mort and Dani Gendelman, Curry First, Dennis Conta and about 40 others filled the Kohler residence to talk up their man and to dine on way too much food provided from such disparate sources as Sam’s Club and Watermark restaurant. A special guest of honor was to have been former Senator Gaylord Nelson, ranked fourth on a list of the most important Wisconsinites in history. He’s the only one of the top five who is still alive. Alas! Nelson hadn’t even made it as far as the end of the driveway of his Kensington, Maryland home in days, so he called in his visit by speakerphone. Heavy snowfall complicated by quaint Maryland snow removal traditions kept him home, Nelson said. He endorses Clark for president, the Earth Day founder told the attendees in Milwaukee. Nelson speaks very slowly these days. The delivery, although halting, does nothing to mute the intellectual vigor and wit of Nelson. Regarding his choice of the military man for president, the anti-Vietnam War ex-Senator said, “People were wondering how could Gaylord Nelson support a general for president?” (Pause.) “Well, George Washington was a general.” (Pause.) “And he was a pretty good president.” (Laughter.) Apparently, Nelson held republican president Dwight D. Eisenhower in high regard. He noted that General Ike warned us about the military-industrial complex. “This is a fascinating race,” Nelson said, (Pause.) But there is a long way to go.” The State of Wisconsin constitution, as amended, does not give the Lieutenant Governor much to do. This suited Scott McCallum fine, but Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton is a restless sort and has been an early supporter and campaign groupie of […]

The Embarrassing Failure of Miller Park

The Milwaukee Brewers have begun the season with a horrendous start, one that is setting franchise records for futility.

Why Scott McCallum Is In Big Trouble

It was amusing to see the photo of Gov. McCallum that ran on the front page of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week.

Why Gov. McCallum’s Spending Priorities Were Wrong

As the legislature wrestles with the state budget deficit, there has been talk of cutting every level of government except the schools.

Is Nardelli Qualified To Be County Executive?

Nothing should surprise us about county government at this point, but it does seem odd that the two favorites in the race for county executive are Scott Walker and Tom Nardelli, neither of whom has a college degree.

Is Scott Walker Qualified To Be County Exec?

Rep. Scott K. Walker (R-Wauwatosa) was the first candidate to announce for county executive, and is widely considered one of the front-runners for the position.

Can Falk And Thompson Play Spoilers in the Governor’s Race?

I'm hard pressed to think of a more interesting state race than the upcoming campaign for governor.

Why Did Chief Jones Protect a Man With a Violent Record?

Earlier this week, Milwaukee Police Chief Jones used his power to protect Wendell Jones, the husband of County Supervisor Elizabeth Coggs-Jones.

How Scott McCallum Plans to Raise Your Taxes

Sometime in the coming week, Gov. Scott McCallum will be meeting secretly with lobbyists in Minocqua, of all places, to discuss a plan to cut school spending and force property tax increases as a way to balance the state budget.

The Truth About the Di Suvero Sculpture

It's been amusing to see all the hand wringing by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as to whether we dare move the Di Suvero sculpture.

Could Ed Thompson Get Elected Governor?

It's a wacky idea, but Ed Thompson may turn out to be a real spoiler in the race for governor.

Ameritech Catches Political Fire From Competitors

Open up this month's Ameritech bill and you may find a surprise.

Scott Jensen’s Big Shakedown

Rep. Jon Richards was feeling a little lonely.

Superintendent Burmaster Slaps The Governor Around

My, how times have changed.

Will Taxes Be the Key Issue in the Governor’s Race?

In the wake of the tragedy in New York and Washington, the Democratic candidates for governor have slowed down their campaigning, but they have been strategizing as to what the major issues will be in next fall's election.

Why Businesses Are Attacking The State’s Freeway Plan

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation's latest freeway project could "virtually suffocate downtown Milwaukee," a letter from the Downtown Business Improvement District complains.

Is Jim Sensenbrenner America’s Cheapest Congressman?

It must be tough being married to James Sensenbrenner.

Is Superintendent Korte In Trouble With The School Board?

At first glance, Milwaukee school superintendent Spence Korte looks like he could be on the chopping block.

Should Wisconsin Get Ready for War?

You may feel very safe and protected, living in cozy Wisconsin, far from America's seacoasts.

Five Budget Items the Media Has Missed

By now, everybody knows what's in the budget right?

Rally ‘Round the Convention Center, Boys

It was a mere three years ago that the Midwest Express Center opened, as a state-of-the-art solution to the city's convention needs.

Is the State Legislature Still a Men’s Club?

It was the gunfight at the Capitol corral and only men were invited.

Why The Mayor is Not Dead

Back in the early 1980s, Milwaukee Magazine ran a scathing caricature of Mayor Henry Maier with the title "What Does This Man Do All Day?"

Why the State Doesn’t Hate Tom Ament Any More

Time was when Milwaukee County was a favorite whipping boy of the state.

Milwaukee’s Mighty Economy Crushes Other Nations

Milwaukee has a new way to brag about itself.

Is the Plankinton Exit Worth $60 Million?

Some months ago the state Department of Transportation announced a plan for rebuilding the mammoth Marquette Interchange that did not include any exits or entrances at Plankinton Avenue