Opinion

For nearly a decade, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature micromanaged the state’s cities, particularly Madison and Milwaukee. It will have a harder time usurping local control with Gov. Tony Evers in office.

Contrary to claims that this proposal will infringe upon the rights of the accused, Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin seeks to give victims like me equal legal footing as a judge is evaluating our rights against those of the defendant — nothing more, nothing less.

The partial government shutdown, initiated by Trump, is the longest in U.S. history.

The Trump shutdown, enabled by then House Speaker Paul Ryan, was political folly for both Trump and congressional Republicans.

Trump now bellows for a long shutdown for “months or even years” if he doesn’t get his wall.

Having failed in getting Mexico to pay for his wall, Trump wants taxpayers to pony up. Trump decided a shutdown would be good for him: Rev up his base and distract from Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation, the forced closure of the Trump Foundation, foreign policy controversies, resignation of Defense Secretary Mattis and a roller coaster stock market.

Religious freedom is not a luxury, nor is it old-fashioned. It is our first freedom upon which so much of our civic liberty truly depends.

Health care giant’s market power drives up your medical costs as executives get richer.

Voters overwhelmingly favor fair maps, yet Vos charging taxpayers millions to fight this.

He’s earned $2.3 million from government, and is already running for office again.

Nationally and in Wisconsin it’s exploded by both parties since Citizens United. What’s the impact?

New American Family deal for naming rights shows how the rich get richer.

The data show what schools work and are more popular. Why not sell this?

The school board seems opposed to any innovations that might fix struggling schools.

Marquette Poll shows where voters of both parties agree. Will GOP leaders take the hint?

And why Gov. Evers should change the policies of his predecessor.

Tony Evers changes his position on key issues days before taking office.

Brian Hagedorn, who is running for the state Supreme Court, wrote a blog beginning in 2005 in which he addressed readers as "fellow soldiers in the culture wars" while posting sometimes provocative comments on homosexuality and abortion.

Next year we can start putting “former” in front of “Governor” when we write about Scott Walker. The long nightmare is over, more or less.

Maybe the only way out of the now longest-ever partial government shutdown would be for Trump to exercise what he thinks is his power to declare a national emergency.

The actual cost of the wall has been estimated to hit $40 billion.

Wildlife columnist Patricia Randolph spotlighted the incredibly cruel practice of organized predator-killing contests throughout the country, including over a dozen right here in Wisconsin.

Remember all those financial tricks the money changers played during George W. Bush's terms in office? Don't look now, but they're back.

Scott Walker has told us he's going to spend the next few years traveling the country and giving speeches on behalf of Trump and, apparently, taking potshots at politicians like Elizabeth Warren who believe in a more equitable system, where government helps all, not just the wealthy. Thankfully, he'll be delivering that hypocritical message mostly out of the state of Wisconsin.

The organization known as "Marsy's Law for Wisconsin" has launched a major advertising push to put a "victims' rights" amendment on the statewide April 2 ballot.

Passing a referendum here would lend Wisconsin's voice to those across the country who have long been asking Congress to effectively overturn the high court's 5-4 decision that opened the big money spigots and corrupted the nation's political system.

In just the past few years, public opinion about single-payer health care has been rapidly changing. Polls show that more Americans than ever see the need for and understand Medicare.

Vos' disdain for open records, lip service to the contrary, is evidenced by a steady stream of denials to requests for copies of public records.

The 345-kilovolt line, complete with towers as tall as a 17-story building, would run from Dubuque's Hickory Creek terminal to the Cardinal substation located near Middleton.

The last eight years haven't been pretty. Scott Walker has left a formidable challenge for his successor, not to mention the same, old GOP-led Legislature is here to make the challenge even greater.

The oaths of office seem to have become mere words inserted into a ceremonial inauguration, their meaning and role in democratic America often forgotten by politicians who apparently have no intention of putting the public's interest first.

A decade has passed since the last time power was held by both parties in the state Capitol. With the election of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican majorities in both houses of the Legislature, sharing control of state government will be a new experience for many lawmakers who have known only one-party dominance. The upcoming state budget will likely test those relations.

In a letter to Gov, Tony Evers, Sen. David Craig, R-Big Bend, urges Gov. Tony Evers to support repealing the state minimum-markup law.

Scott Walker is manufacturing the slowest possible ride into the sunset after being beaten for governor of Wisconsin in 2018.

The longer the government shutdown lasts, the more it gives rise to false equivalency – that both sides in the gridlock are equally to blame. The hope that talking things out will solve the problem is going to increase as the ripple effects for the whole economy grow beyond the 800,000 workers working without pay or furloughed until the government reopens.

Factors such as screaming advertising and belligerency on-air are absent as polls embrace more liberal news outlets, particularly MSNBC which has been growing steadily, from near invisibility 15 years ago to now having the dominant cable news show in recent testing, “The Rachel Maddow Show.”

The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com. Last Tuesday Gov. Tony Evers gave...

The cheesehead revolution is well and truly over. Ryan announced plans to exit his position as speaker well before his party lost control of the House. Walker ran, but was capsized by the blue wave. Together, they have joined Priebus in private life.

Just before Christmas, Gov. Tony Evers announced his selection of Craig Thompson to be the next secretary of the Department of Transportation. While the choice has earned praise among road builders, supporters of good government and fiscal responsibility should be skeptical of the appointment.

New state licensing analysis offers baby step reforms, but more is needed.

Already we are seeing signs that our new Governor will seek input from those around him as well as stakeholders in moving Wisconsin forward.

But will our current leaders live up to the example of our founders?

Trying to keep an open mind, it will be helpful to read factual analyses that one hopes will be forthcoming from public sources such as the Legislative Fiscal Bureau and private researchers at the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

It’s increasingly clear that Wisconsin has reduced substantially its relative support for state transportation needs. What is less clear is how or whether the current governor and legislature will respond.

A Baldwin appointee to Wisconsin’s judicial nominating commission publicly accused Giampietro of “bigoted” views, views that in fact represent orthodox Catholic teaching.

A federal judge struck down the highly controversial restrictions on early voting in Wisconsin, laws that were passed in one of the most twisted lame-duck sessions in memory.

There should be no mistake concerning the importance of allowing the educational process to help students evolve from their hometown views into the expansive world of knowledge and critical thinking that the humanities were designed to foster.

Please do your part to insure that disagreement does not become hate. We must seek common ground and work to understand each other; only then will we restore civility.

Backed by Trump promises and $4 billion in subsidies, company admits factory jobs not coming.

Data show what people in Kewaunee County and the Central Sands region who live near the industrial-scale Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, already know--their drinking water is contaminated.

Bad River Ojibwe tribal member Bella Wabindato reminded the State Capitol audience and those of us listening or watching streaming channels that water sustains her people and everyone in the State of Wisconsin.

Republicans' legal bill for redistricting federal judge declared unconstitutional hits $3.5 million.

When you read today that Harley-Davidson's sales are dropping, don't forget who had made it his business to poke a stick in the company's spokes or sat by and watched.

Governor who warned voters about evils of this city will now live here.

RightWisconsin Editor James Wigderson and radio host Steve Scaffidi discuss Gov. Tony Evers and former Gov. Scott Walker.

Evers wants to throw more money at education even though, as the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty points out, it can’t be shown that more money will improve education in public schools.

As we celebrated school choice week, there were many reasons to celebrate. But there are also even more reasons to be vigilant.

Assembly Republicans are proposing to cut taxes for the middle class in Wisconsin, just like Governor Tony Evers promised on the campaign trail. However, Republicans say they won’t have to raise taxes on manufacturers and farmers as Evers planned.

Wisconsin politics can get pretty stupid, and politicians and voters in Wisconsin just seemed determined to prove how stupid they could be in 2018.

Somebody should have told Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, that it's better to be thought a racist than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.

CJ Szafir and Libby Sobic of WILL have written a report, “Roadmap to Student Achievement,” a two-year effort to create a number of policy recommendations to improve student performance.

It looks like it’s up to the voters to demand stronger recusal rules from the state’s highest court and support for these rules from all judicial candidates. The very integrity of our judges at all levels — from the state Supreme Court to municipal court judges — is on the line.

The fiscal calamity looming for our neighbor to the south could help lure businesses and workers to the Badger State.

While we as a nation have had some dark times, one of the shining times in our nation is when President Kennedy challenged our country in 1961.

More than 50 years ago, at a point when the Republican Party of Wisconsin had taken a turn toward extremism that threatened to divide the state along the ugliest and most destructive lines, Bill Kraus and a brave band of political visionaries saved their party and their state.

Grothman voted against a measure that was written with an eye toward ensuring that federal workers who are not getting paychecks during President Trump’s government shutdown would eventually be compensated.

Pundits and politicians who are wrapped up in the debilitating D.C. politics of this moment will always second-guess someone like Tony Evers. They will not recognize, let alone understand, what drives the new governor of Wisconsin.

In his response to Gov. Tony Evers' first State of the State, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos tried to portray the Democratic governor as a threat to the “accomplishments” of Scott Walker’s tenure — and then he tried to scare voters with the word "socialism."

There are many issues where they can forge agreements — and lead the state forward.

Court ruling they sought ends six Obamacare provisions supported by big majorities, polls show.

Cleaning out my desk, I found notes I took on my orientation day. I set my goals as part of the training. Here’s what rookie Sen. Vinehout promised herself: vote my conscience; match my votes to my district; be honest; respond to constituents; show respect to everyone in the Capitol; be the "servant leader" — humble and listening; be the professor and folksy farmer. I’d say I did pretty darn good.

Right now, the country is waiting to see who will blink first regarding the monetary demands for the infamous border wall ... Donald Trump, Democrats, Republicans, or Donald Trump’s base?

Out of Wisconsin’s 2,110 public schools, 344 either “fail to meet expectations” or “meet few expectations” on the state report card.

Special interest lobbying organization continues to push false narrative deriding Wisconsin farmers and small business owners.

Wisconsin was once a model of clean and open government. No more. But with a new governor, it’s time to recommit to democracy.

It’s not always what the mainstream media reports that raises red flags of bias. It’s what they don’t report.

This year, Martin Luther King Day fell on the same date, Jan. 21, on which the U.S. Supreme Court issued its notorious Citizens United decision nine years ago.

The resolution contains a poisonous item that interferes with the fundamental right of the accused, which is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

The vast majority of Wisconsinites oppose gerrymandering and want nonpartisan redistricting. That’s what emerges from the latest Marquette Law School poll, which was released on January 24.

Wisconsin must get real about drunk driving.

Undefining America as a nation of immigrants does not honor our values, it abandons them.

The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com. As a longtime children’s advocate and...

While looking into different issues, I have had cause to file open records requests with three local governments in recent months. The inconsistent responses reveal how challenging it still is for a Wisconsinite to hold his government accountable when government officials choose to be difficult.

The Wisconsin Capitol's 39th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. is at noon on Jan. 21.

The Capital Times' Paul Fanlund interviews Gov-elect Tony Evers.

Whatever political price Trump is paying for the shutdown, it is likely less than allowing news cycles to be even more dominated by revelations about his connections to Russia.

Any of the three top challengers appears capable of a credible general election run against Soglin.

Chancellor Blank writes to the U.S. Department of Education regarding a proposed rule that would affect how universities respond to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

We may be naive, but we think Evers can work with Republican majorities to advance the liberty movement in Wisconsin.

RightWisconsin's pundit panel shares predictions for the year ahead.

Bipartisan legislative support for tolling study validated by two major reports.

With Walker gone, Wisconsin begins a new era.

Tony Evers rises above GOP’s nasty politics.

While regulations that punish negligent or malicious actions are necessary to keep wrongdoers from repeat and predatory behavior, overregulating good-faith businesses has stifled job growth, efficiency, and tech innovation.

American workers and companies are the hardest-working, most innovative on Earth. If given a level playing field, they can compete with anyone. Unfortunately, they have been forced to compete in a trade environment that is neither free nor fair.

There’s no disgrace in losing an election. However, there is great disgrace in losing and then behaving the way Scott Walker has since the voters denied him a third term.

The president's attorney Rudy Giuliani claims that a sitting president cannot be indicted. If true, when Trump runs for re-election, there may be a new slogan to put on those red hats his supporters wear: “Don’t Lock Him Up.”

Wisconsin is naturally blessed with great forests, a wealth of water resources, a varied and beautiful landscape, and an abundance of wildlife. With such a blessing of resources comes the responsibility to be wise stewards.

Evers has learned that running for governor is much easier than doing the job. Campaign promises often have to be watered down, delayed or abandoned in the face of on-the-job realities.

Democratic state senator served just five months before his defeat-- the shortest tenure for a legislator in state history.

It may seem to Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly that having been gerrymandered into the minority, it is impossible to soon become the majority. But the impossible in politics is often the inevitable.

In his first State of the State speech since taking office, Gov. Tony Evers spoke of the Wisconsin economy as a glass he sees as half empty for many people. In the Republican response to Evers’ address to Wisconsin Legislature, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos portrayed that glass as more than half full – thanks in large part to GOP ideas that had primed the pump for the past eight years.

Here are a few prognostications and trends to watch.

Wisconsin has the opportunity to be ready in case something happens to the federal protections for people with pre-existing health care needs. Assembly Republicans have worked diligently to make this happen. Unfortunately, health care has become so divisive in our political conversation that state-level protections have yet to become reality.

What the departing House speaker left undone raises real questions for future fiscal conservatives.

While there are a number of suggestions in the commission's 16-page document that could be beneficial to education in Wisconsin, it seems that another opportunity for bold reform has been passed up.

Among the executive orders signed by Governor Tony Evers in his first week was a directive for DHS and DATCP to “provide recommendations on how to…. Protect against attempts to undermine the Affordable Care Act marketplace with short term plans that do not comply with Affordable Care Act requirements.”

We agree with Gov.-elect Tony Evers that it is high time to have an honest conversation about the voucher programs in Wisconsin.

Echoing a theme from his successful campaign, Gov. Tony Evers called for “putting people first” and bridging partisan divides after being sworn in as Wisconsin’s 46th governor. How optimistic are you that new Evers will get his wish for more bipartisanship at the Capitol?

After his first few weeks in office, the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, weigh in on whether Gov. Tony Evers will find bipartisan agreement with the Legislature. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Jensen & Chvala, evaluate Gov. Tony Evers' new cabinet. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

As Wisconsin voters face the first election in 2019 for the open seat of retiring Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson, the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, handicap the race between Brian Hagedorn and Lisa Neubauer, both state appeals court justices. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

The new year brings personnel changes to the State Capitol's East Wing as the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, augur what Wisconsin's political future may hold. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.