Wisconsin Right Now

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol don’t want Gov. Tony Evers to waste the chance to get a good look at Milwaukee Public Schools’ shortcomings. Evers recently called for an operational and an instructional audit of MPS. “I’m proposing today to go two steps further with two important goals: the first, to audit MPS’ programs and operations in their entirety, and the second, to audit the effectiveness of teaching and instruction of our kids in classrooms across the district,” Evers said. The governor, however, wants to keep the audit within his administration and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said that’d be a mistake. “I’m glad that Gov. Evers has called for an audit of the Milwaukee Public School System. Gov. Evers and DPI should work with Joint Legislative Audit Committee Co-Chairs [Eric] Wimberger and [Robert] Wittke to discuss authorizing the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau to audit MPS, DPI and any other invo

  Several U.S. House Republicans introduced multiple pieces of legislation to defund National Public Radio following new allegations of “leftist propaganda” from the taxpayer-funded news source. House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good, R-Va., Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., introduced similar legislation to prohibit federal funding for NPR, including barring local public radio stations from utilizing money from federal grants to “purchase content or pay dues to NPR.” Over the years, Republicans have made multiple attempts to defund NPR, citing similar complaints. The latest outrage follows an  editorial  from former NPR Editor Uri Berliner, who criticized the news source claiming it had "lost America's trust." Berliner criticized NPR’s coverage of alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, the COVID-19 lab leak theory and of Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop as examples of the outlet’s left-leaning bias. He described “

Republicans’ advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives will be only 217-213 after April 19, following Friday’s decision by U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher to resign. The resignation means no more than one Republican can cross the aisle on party-line votes. Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District representative, just 31 when he first won his seat in November 2016, had already said he would not seek a fifth term this election cycle. The timing is such that, by state law, his successor will come during the general election Nov. 5. That contest, in a strong Republican area, matches state Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, and former Democratic state Sen. Roger Roth. In a statement, Gallagher said, “Four terms serving Northeast Wisconsin in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime and strengthened my conviction that America is the greatest country in the history of the world.” Gallagher was a Marine intelligence officer from 2006-13, twice deployed to Iraq. Gallagher’s statement gave

Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly are taking the first step to reign in some of the governor’s veto power. Lawmakers on Tuesday took up Assembly Joint Resolution 112, which would change the Wisconsin Constitution to stop the governor from raising a tax or a fee on his own. “Wisconsin's unique partial veto is considered one of the most powerful policy tools in the country,” Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, told reporters. “From Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson's infamous Vanna White veto to Democrat Gov. Tony Evers 402-year tax increase, we have seen abuse of the partial veto addressed with proposed constitutional amendments by legislatures nearly 30 times in the last century.” Nedweski said this proposed constitutional amendment would apply to Evers specifically but would apply to all future governors as well by banning the governor from single-handedly increasing taxes or creating fees. “The will of the people is the law of the land, not the will of the go

One of the Republicans in charge of the legislature’s audit committee made strong accusations against Gov. Tony Evers’ administration over nearly $100 million in COVID-19 relief interest. Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Green Bay, on Tuesday, grilled the Secretary of the Department of Administration, Kathy Blumenfeld, over an audit from December of last year that shows the state accrued $97.2 million in interest on the $3 billion the federal government sent Wisconsin as part of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in the American Rescue Plan. Wimberger and other Republican lawmakers say the $97 million should be returned to the state’s general fund. But Blumenfeld and the Evers’ Administration want to keep the money in a special account, which Wimberger said the governor wants to spend on his own. “It just seems like the things that the DOA is doing is over the edge. It's beyond awful. And who is personally responsible, and whether the agency is responsible, I gue

Wisconsin Republicans are pushing a plan to let voters weigh in on the state’s abortion law. A group of lawmakers introduced a plan they hope will put a 14-week abortion ban on the spring ballot. “While I am personally pro-life, I know not everyone is,” Rep. Joel Kitchens, R-Sturgeon Bay, said, “It’s time we let the people of Wisconsin decide our laws regarding abortion and not leave it up to the whims of a judge.” Wisconsin currently allows abortions until 20 weeks of pregnancy. Kitchens said that a 14-week ban would still allow for most abortions. “ According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 93% of abortions in the United States occur in the first trimester. However, many Democrats support abortion up to birth. Rep. Kitchens says that extreme position isn’t shared by most voters,” Kitchens said. In order to get the 14-week ban on the ballot, Republican lawmakers would have to approve it in both the State Assembly and State Senate. Gov. Tony Evers woul

Tuesday was a day for Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol to show their frustrations with the University of Wisconsin. The State Assembly was scheduled to vote on a series of plans that would force changes upon the Universities of Wisconsin. The biggest proposed change would create a punishment for UW campuses that do not respect the free speech rights of students – particularly conservative students, according to Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie. “The UW Student Free Speech survey results tell us more and more that students, particularly those with conservative viewpoints, choose to self-censor rather than participate in meaningful discussion and debate,” Nedweski said. “Many are choosing not to attend UW schools at all.” Her plan, AB 553, would impose a two-year tuition freeze at any UW campus that violates the new free speech policy twice within five years. Another Republican proposal, AB 554, would end the use of race as a factor at all UW schools. Rep. Nik R

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol say students need free speech protections on University of Wisconsin campuses. The Assembly Committee on Colleges and University held a public hearing on a pair of plans Republicans say will not only make sure the Universities of Wisconsin are respecting the First Amendment but will also open the campus to more students. “The stark difference between Democrats’ confidence level in higher education, which is about 59% positive according to Gallup, and that of Republicans, which is only about 19% positive and Independents confidence which is measured at about 32% positive, is also reflected in the UW Free Speech Survey results shows the lack of intellectual diversity and tolerance for opposing viewpoints on UW campuses is directly affecting enrollment,” Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, told lawmakers. She is shepherding one of the two plans, Assembly Bill 553, through the legislature. Nedweski helped write the legislation after the

Republicans and Democrats each question the plan to change the state’s indefinitely confined voter rules at the Wisconsin Capitol. Rep. Cindi Duchow, R-Town of Delafield, presented her plan to tighten the state’s indefinitely confined voter law by defining what indefinitely confined means, requiring people to apply for a separate indefinitely confined absentee ballot, clarifying a public health emergency does not allow people to claim indefinitely confined status and would ban people from voting indefinitely confined if they vote in person. “Indefinitely confined means ‘I’m not leaving,’” Duchow told the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections. Wisconsin law allows people to vote absentee as indefinitely confined voters if they cannot or have trouble physically making it to the polls. Duchow says the rules need to be tightened because the indefinitely confined law also allows people to vote without showing an ID. “This is a problem that cuts to the heart of whether Wi

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol say the plan to spend over $500 million in public money on the Brewers stadium is a good deal for taxpayers. The State Assembly was expected to vote on the plan late Tuesday. Republicans hold a 64-35 majority in the Assembly. Ahead of the vote, State Rep Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, said he is proud of the proposal. “We have reached an agreement here in the assembly on the Brewers package,” Brooks told reporters. “We've also reached that agreement with the governor, the [Milwaukee] county exec and [Milwaukee’s] mayor. So, we are in a really good position to move the process along and send it to the Senate after today.” The latest version would use a little more than $400 million in state money, another $135 million from Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, and $100 million from the Brewers to pay for ongoing work and renovations at American Family Field. The City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County contributions would be generated from a fee th

  House Republicans have nominated Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to be speaker of the House, but it remains unclear if Jordan can get the needed 217 votes from his own fractured party. Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., a lesser-known member, threw his name in the hat for the position as well and got significant support in the nomination vote, though possibly only as a vote against Jordan instead of a true vote for Scott. Later, though, Scott threw his support behind Jordan. "I highly respect Jim Jordan. He is an asset to the Republican Party and our nominee for Speaker," Scott wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Our conference has spoken, and now we must unite behind Jordan so we can get Congress back to work." Jordan has conservative chops and support from the party base, but many moderates may not be willing to go his way. "For years, I've stayed out of House leadership elections, but this time I endorsed [Jordan]," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-T

Republicans took a majority of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after multiple media outlets projected California Republican Mike Garcia would win the 27th Congressional District. CNN, Fox News, the New York Times and the Washington Post all reported the GOP took the House majority as of Wednesday night. With a handful of races still left to call, Republicans are projected to hold at least 218 seats, enough to secure majority control. Democrats had 210 seats as of Wednesday. The New York Times tweeted , "Republicans seized a slender majority in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. It will reorder the balance of power in Washington and is expected to effectively give the party a veto on President [Joe] Biden's agenda for the next two years." Conservatives celebrated. "SO LONG, NANCY!" Fox News commentator Sean Hannity posted on Twitter. Democrat Nancy Pelosi is the outgoing Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Speaker of th

Senate Republicans voted Wednesday to keep U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell as head of their party in the Senate. The votes came in for McConnell despite a push from Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., to take the spot. Scott leads the National Republican Study Committee. He sent a letter to his Republican colleagues dated Nov. 15 making the case for their vote. “I’m writing to you today because I believe it’s time for the Senate Republican Conference to be far more bold and resolute than we have been in the past. We must start saying what we are for, not just what we are against,” he said. “I do not believe we can simply continue to say the Democrats are radical, which they are. Republican voters expect and deserve to know our plan to promote and advance conservative values. We need to listen to their calls for action and start governing in Washington like we campaign back at home. There is a Republican Party that is alive and well in communities across America. It is time there is one in Washingto

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are not happy with the new choice for chancellor at UW-Madison. Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, who is the vice-chairman of the Senate’s committee for universities and technical colleges, called  Dr. Jennifer Mnookin a “ridiculous choice.” “Jennifer Mnookin has a very clear history of advocating for the forced indoctrination of college students with critical race theory. She has openly supported mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations regardless of the rights of individuals to make that healthcare determination for themselves.,” Nass said Monday. “It has also been reported that Mnookin met with the scandal-plagued Hunter Biden (in 2019) and supported him joining the UCLA faculty to instruct students on drug policies.” UW Regents unanimously chose Jennifer Mnookin, who is currently the dean at UCLA’s law school. They announced her selection on Monday. Nass said the Republican-controlled legislature should take Jennifer Mnookin’s appointment as a mess

The governor on Saturday offered thoughts and prayers, but didn’t offer any plans after Milwaukee’s violent weekend. The Republicans running for governor in Wisconsin are promising more cops, more prisons, and say they'll fire prosecutors who don’t get tough on crime after a violent weekend in Milwaukee that saw more than two dozen people shot. Milwaukee Police say Friday night’s deer district shootings wounded 21 people. Another of those shootings saw 17 people shot. A string of shootings on Sunday saw another five people shot, including two people who died. Monday saw the Republicans running for governor promising to get tougher on crime if elected. [caption id="attachment_81346" align="alignleft" width="220"] Rebecca Kleefisch[/caption] “The simple points are to put 1,000 more cops on the street. Bail and sentencing reform to stop these bad D.A.’s and these bad judges. Fire [Milwaukee County] District Attorney John Chisholm on day one.

Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are pointing to another report as proof their policies are working. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu on Wednesday released a memo from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau that shows Wisconsin’s tax burden has fallen by $22 billion since 2011. “In 2010, Wisconsin had the 5th highest tax burden in the nation. Residents were sending far too much of their earnings to Madison. On top of high taxes, the state had a $3.6 billion structural deficit, no Rainy Day Fund, and businesses were leaving in droves,” LeMahieu said. Wisconsin is headed toward a record $4 billion surplus , plus a $1.7 billion rainy day fund. “After twelve years of consistent tax cuts, fundamental reforms of government, and responsible budgeting, we’ve reduced the tax burden on Wisconsinites by $22 billion,” LeMahieu said. “As a result, our economy is more competitive and our state is attracting more people.” Wisconsin’s Tax Burden Wisconsin’s tax burden, according to the Wis

(The Center Square) – Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are moving to allow people who’ve already had COVID-19 to get credit for overcoming the virus. The Assembly Committee on Constitution and Ethics is discussing AB 675 , which would require businesses in the state to accept proof of natural immunity instead of vaccination proof or regular coronavirus testing. “We can’t force people to get vaccinated, and I certainly would be strongly against that,” said Rep. David Murphy, R-Greenvile, said at a hearing o the measure Wednesday. “So that leaves people in the situation of either being forced to do something they don’t want to do, or they leave their job.” The push comes as companies across the state wait to see if President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for all businesses with 100 or more employees is upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear arguments Friday on lawsuits challenging the mandate. It also comes as Wisconsin is reporting new records in coronavi

Faced with an elected sheriff's painstakingly documented evidence alleging that Wisconsin Election commissioners - including two major Joe Biden donors - blatantly violated state law, Gov. Tony Evers trashed Republicans and defended the commissioners. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Thursday led the chorus of Republicans who said WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe must resign following claims from the Racine County sheriff that the commission broke state law last year. It appears that the state's top Democrats are okay with the Wisconsin Election Commission and its unelected members unilaterally usurping the state Legislature and deciding which laws to simply ignore, according to a state audit and the sheriff. That's even though the governor's own office had instructed the WEC that the law in question - on sending special voting deputies to nursing homes - could not be simply disregarded. The WEC is an agency under Evers. There is no sign that Attorney Gene

Faced with an elected sheriff's painstakingly documented evidence alleging that Wisconsin Election commissioners - including two major Joe Biden donors - blatantly violated state law, Gov. Tony Evers trashed Republicans and defended the commissioners. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Thursday led the chorus of Republicans who said WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe must resign following claims from the Racine County sheriff that the commission broke state law last year. It appears that the state's top Democrats are okay with the Wisconsin Election Commission and its unelected members unilaterally usurping the state Legislature and deciding which laws to simply ignore, according to a state audit and the sheriff. That's even though the governor's own office had instructed the WEC that the law in question - on sending special voting deputies to nursing homes - could not be simply disregarded. The WEC is an agency under Evers. There is no sign that Attorney Gene

“This is a shortage that’s coming from multiple angles...we’re lacking new construction, we’re lacking the ability to develop lots.“ -Mary Duff, Wisconsin Realtors Association The latest proposal at the Wisconsin Capitol to find more affordable housing in the state focuses on cutting red tape for builders and young people. A handful of Republicans on Thursday introduced their housing reform plan. Among the proposals is a focus on cutting red tape, giving developers and builders tax credits to build new homes, and pushing local communities to allow more homes to be built. The number two Republican in the Assembly, Rep. Jim Steineke , R-Kaukauna, said the lack of affordable homes is driving up the price of homes, particularly first homes. “We need to look into regulations,” Rep. Rob Summerfield, R-Bloomer, said at a statehouse news conference. “Local communities also need to look to see what they can do to help.” Steineke is a realtor himself. “Wisconsin’s media age for first