Tommy Thompson

Gov. Evers Announces $32 Million to Support COVID-19 Testing at UW Campuses

UW System statements on complying with new federal Title IX regulations

Congressional Republicans Fail Wisconsin

Democrats passed second pandemic relief bill in May. State’s GOP members continue to delay.

$2 Million Gift For UW System Online Classes

Anonymous donation will be used for instructor training, technology purchases.

UW System, State Government Looking At Budget Cuts

Gov. Evers said state agencies need to cut $250 million.

Respected Attorney Katie Kegel announces challenge to Judge Clare Fiorenza

Evers Orders $250 Million in Budget Cuts

Move comes after earlier call to slash $70 million, all due to pandemic’s economic downturn.

Statement by UW System President Tommy Thompson

Court Rulings Against Evers Sow Confusion

Supreme Court overrules vetoes and health orders with vague language offering no guidance.

Evers Issues 18 Pardons

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

Kaul Joins Lawsuit Against ICE Rule

Colleges have protested rule that could mean international students lose their visas.

Baldwin Bill Pushes Transitional Jobs

Pandemic dramatizes long-term issue of job shortages, issue pushed by policy analyst David Riemer.

Statements on Attorneys General lawsuit regarding ICE rules

Thompson Seeks $110M for UW System’s COVID-19 Response

The interim president wants federal, state aid for PPE and testing when schools reopen.

Gov. Evers Announces People’s Maps Commission Application and Selection Processes 

“People should get to choose their elected officials, not the other way around”

Sell Non-Core UW System Assets

System may face $200 million deficit. What about the golf course, real estate, cell towers?

Tommy Thompson Starts UW President Term

His first action is gathering input from UW System faculty, staff, students and members of the public.

UW Tests Tommy’s Legacy As a ‘Builder”

Former governor has huge legacy of bipartisan success, but leading UW won’t be easy.

State Was a Leader in Handling AIDS

Wisconsin less partisan and leaders had broad authority under law state Supreme Court recently overruled.

Amend Rules to Choose Next UW President

UW Regents should revert to earlier, more collegial guidelines for search process that Republicans scrapped.

Tommy Could Have Big Impact on UW

Will likely serve two years as UW System President. And could re-shape entire system.

What Happened at Madison’s Protests

State Sen. Tim Carpenter assaulted, two Capitol statues toppled, windows broken, Evers condemns violence.

State Trails Midwest in Spending on Universities

Report: Wisconsin’s public university funding below five neighboring states, down 42% since 2006.

UWM Chancellor Mark Mone’s statement on Tommy Thompson’s appointment as interim UW System president

Tommy Thompson Named Interim UW System President

Former governor comes in after a controversial search process that lost its top candidate.

Fitzgerald Reacts to Gov. Thompson Interim Appointment as University of Wisconsin System President

Former Governor Tommy G. Thompson to serve as UW System Interim President

Appointment effective July 1

WCA Praises Naming of Tommy Thompson as UW System Interim President

"Precisely the Person to Lead at this Time"

Pick Tommy for Interim UW President

System in disarray, needs a firm hand — and a friend. Tommy Thompson would be ideal.

Could Biden Pick Baldwin for Vice President?

Tammy Baldwin still on Biden's short list, has survived considerable scrutiny.

Milwaukee Has Long History of Protests

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

Don’t Put Off Healthcare During Pandemic

The Wisconsin Hospital Association is urging residents to continue seeking medical care.

The Return of Brad Pfaff

Former state agriculture secretary running for state senate, the very body that ousted him.

Republicans Suppress Their Own Voters

Because they thought even more Democrats would be discouraged. They were wrong.

State Surplus Will Help in Crisis

Evers veto of Republican tax cut saves expected surplus, means less financial stress.

GOP Gerrymandering and School Choice

Republicans proclaim vouchers for minorities while seeking ways to disenfranchise their votes.

State’s ‘Hidden Deficit’ Lowest in 30 Years

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

State Tax Burden Lowest in 50 Years

Huge change, combined state-local taxes down by 22% or $8.5 billion annually since 1994.

Remembering John Pawasarat

UWM researcher had huge impact with his studies.

Lessons of the Lower Wisconsin River

Beautifully conserved, it's the longest free flowing river left in the Midwest.

Could Doyle Have Saved High Speed Rail?

And could the state still get it some day? Last in a series.

How Republicans Became Anti-Train

The politics of resentment replaced business-oriented development, as Tommy Thompson would learn. Part 8 of series.

Riverwood Eagle’s Nest breaks ground on construction of new senior community project in Wisconsin Dells

WEDC will provide $250,000 to the City of Wisconsin Dells to help fund project

Senate Votes to Kill Governor Veto Power

Approves putting constitutional amendment on ballot to restrict partial veto power.

Upgrade the New Deal, Riemer Declares

Book by former aide to Norquist, Doyle, who helped Tommy Thompson design Badger Care, offers bold solutions.

How Walker and Sykes Killed the Train

With constant support from talk radio, Walker rejected fully funded, $810 million rail project. Part 3 in a series.

The Legacy of Morris Andrews

He built state teachers union into the foremost Capitol power — only to see its dramatic decline.

Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former State Representative Joseph Tregoning

"State Representative Tregoning was a dedicated public servant, active in his community, and a great advocate for farmers across our state."

Stimulus Program Funded Entire Rail Project

How Doyle administration got $800 million "100 percent funded” high speed rail. Part two in a series.

Senate Targets Governor’s Veto Power

Pushes constitutional amendment to limit partial veto. Legal group WILL will pursue Supreme Court review.

What Walker Cost Wisconsin

New report shows big decline in federal aid for state while he was governor.

Behind Wisconsin’s Abandoned High Speed Rail

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson laid groundwork for the project that Gov. Scott Walker killed.

Move Wisconsin Medicaid Expansion Forward

70 percent of Wisconsinites support Medicaid expansion. It would provide health insurance to those without, and save state millions.

Climate Crisis, Listen to Young People

Thousands of young people marched across the US demanding action to fight climate-change, will leaders listen?

Gov. Evers Attends Midwest U.S.—Japan Association Conference, Meets with Corporate Leaders

Trade mission emphasizes exports, connections with Japanese-owned businesses in Wisconsin

Where Will Future Jobs Come From?

Those Labor Day think pieces offered few answers. Where do we go from here?

“I Don’t Have the Answer” to Mass Shootings

So says Senate leader Scott Fitzgerald, who opposes expanding background checks.

Republicans Seek to Limit Governor’s Veto

Legislators propose constitutional amendment to bar partial vetoes increasing spending.

The Flag Stands for LGBTQ People, Too

On July 4th, remembering those Milwaukeeans who stood up for LGBTQ rights.

State Supreme Court Off the Deep End?

Ruling reducing state superintendent’s power violates state constitution, common sense.

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.

Mum’s The Word For Justice Abrahamson

For 43 years she said nothing about Legislature’s “illegitimate” sessions. Until now.

Foxconn Judge Was Former Walker Aide

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

Why Republicans Hate the Gas Tax

Once they promoted this user fee, now they’d rather roads fall apart. Why?

The Curious Job of Lieutenant Governor

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

The New Conservative Heavyweight

Wisconsin Institute of Law & Liberty is on the rise, pushing a right-wing agenda.

An Uphill Fight for ‘Lame Duck’ Challengers?

Wisconsin’s history shows legislative sessions are legal and necessary -- and the courts have backed them.

How Walker Wrecked State’s Prisons

Overworked staff, high turnover, rising overtime costs and violence plague the prisons.

Yes and No on Marijuana

Evers is right: No to full legalization but yes to medical cannabis, decriminalizing possession of small amounts.

Better Roads Require Gas Tax Hike

No increase in 12 years. 50% of roads are in poor to mediocre condition.

Recusal At Issue in High Court Race

State Supreme Court has one of nation’s weakest rules to prevent ethical conflicts.

Who Will Win State Budget Battle?

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

Governor’s Veto Power Looms Large

What Legislature gives, veto can take away. The battle has begun.

Republicans and Colin Kaepernick

Legislators opposition to honoring the NFL star is part of an ugly, historic pattern.

Evers Will Give Pardons

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

Republicans Discover the Middle Class

But their proposed tax cut is unfunded and doesn’t address state’s tax inequity.

Evers Appoints Record Number of Women

For first time in history, majority of governor’s advisors are women.

Why GOP Should Back Medicaid Expansion

Voters want it, just like they opposed government shutdown. Republican legislators, take heed.

Republicans Oppose Gerrymandering

Voters overwhelmingly favor fair maps, yet Vos spends millions in taxes to fight this.

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Jon Wilcox and David Prosser Endorse Hagedorn for Supreme Court

"Like the justices who have lined up behind my campaign, I pledge to defend the rule of law, uphold the constitution, and protect the public on the Wisconsin Supreme Court."

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.

Avoid Partisan Gridlock, Let Voters Decide

Referendums on key issues like state funding for K-12 and UW System could solve partisan divide.

Evers Has Many Advisers

And they are being asked to take on a huge agenda of possible reforms.

Evers Forms Panel On Prison Reform

Includes two former Supreme Court justices, three former prisons administrators.

Tony Evers’ Best Chance for Enduring Reform

Restructure transportation funding, using the model of electric utilities.

Write No Obituary for Scott Walker

He accomplished a lot and ran for office 13 times. He’ll probably run again.

Advice for Gov. Tony Evers

Take it or leave it, here’s some do’s and don’t’s for the new governor.

Banana Republic Politics

Republicans threaten governor’s power, but may actually kill a bad 2017 law they passed.

Why Walker Lost

He seemed to have the perfect strategy. The top 10 reasons he failed.

11 Things to Know Before You Ride The Hop

How many people will ride it? How is it free? Oh so many questions, all answered here.

Voters Could Return Divided Power to Capitol

But will it mean compromise -- or deadlocked government?

Health Care a Big Issue in Election

Key issue in Wisconsin; nationally 46% of House and Senate ads mention health care.

Walker Campaigns With Tommy Thompson

Campaigning in Green Bay, Milwaukee, Walker hits Evers for proposing “tax increase.”

Growing Our Workforce: Governor Walker Announces Plan to Expand Worker Training within Wisconsin’s Correctional Institutions

"Our plan will give inmates concrete skills they can use to become productive members of society once they are released."

How Thompson Grew State Prisons

Number of prisoners rose from 4,867 to 20,536 under Gov. Thompson. Now he wants reform.

Lifting Mothers and Children Out of Poverty

"Instead of criminalizing and demonizing the poor, we must help lift them up, so they too can escape poverty."

The Rise of Absentee Ballots

Just 12% of all ballots in 2004, could hit 33% in 2020.