Quotes of the Week
It is incredibly clear that this bill is aimed at making it harder for transgender and nonbinary youth to have their names and pronouns updated, even after they’ve taken the time to go to court, even if they have a supportive parent who has been with them through that process. But to also be clear — not all parents are supportive. I wish they were.
– Sen. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit, who chairs the LGBTQ+ Caucus, at an Education Committee hearing on a bill that would require parental consent for school staff to refer to students by their preferred name and pronouns at school.
Set aside whether or not you think a child should change their name or socially transition at school age. You know, in our schools we don’t allow our kids to take a Tylenol without permission from parents, we don’t allow them to go on a field trip without permission from parents, we don’t allow their pictures to be shared without permission from parents. A major life choice — and transitioning and changing your name is a major life choice — is something parents should be involved in.
– Rep. Barbara Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc, the bill’s author, testifying at the hearing.
In recent weeks, Wisconsinites watched as the Republican majority in Congress—including Republican members of Wisconsin’s own congressional delegation—sat silent about threats to gut federal funding for popular programs that help support Wisconsin’s seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, working families, and kids in our classrooms every day.
– Gov. Tony Evers in a letter to Wisconsin Republicans in Congress, urging them to take action to fight the Trump administration’s policies to cut federal funding and implement tariffs.
The Governor’s letter makes it clear he refuses to support even modest work requirements for Medicaid, prioritizing unchecked government expansion over program sustainability, and supports open borders and raising taxes on working families in Wisconsin by letting the Trump tax cuts expire. Hardworking taxpayers deserve responsible leadership, not partisan posturing.
– U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, in a post on X responding to Evers’ letter.
Political Stock Report
-A collection of insider opinion-
(March 1-7, 2025)
Rising
Supreme Court spending: The candidates and independent groups combined to spend $56 million in Wisconsin’s 2023 state Supreme Court race that flipped the ideological balance in liberals’ favor for the first time in 15 years. This time around, they’ve already dropped a combined $48.6 million — and there’s still more than three weeks to go. Two years ago, liberals successfully nationalized the race around abortion and “rigged” legislative maps as Janet Protasiewicz won by 11 points while conservatives bemoaned that former Justice Daniel Kelly refused to try doing the same. Brad Schimel, a former Republican AG, vowed right out of the gate that he wouldn’t make the same mistake. And it’s paid off — though the emergence of Elon Musk as a major player could be a double-edged sword. WisPolitics has been keeping a running tally of spending in the court race between independent expenditure filings, reservations tracked by AdImpact and information from sources with knowledge of the buys. On the pro-Schimel side, Musk’s Building America’s Future PAC is up to nearly $4 million in spending according to a new filing with the state, while his America PAC has reported $4.2 million in independent expenditures, largely for GOTV efforts backing Schimel. Meanwhile, the WMC Issues Mobilization Council is up to almost $3.6 million in reservations, according to AdImpact, and Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin has reported $2.5 million in canvassing and digital ads supporting the Waukesha County Circuit Court judge. In all, WisPolitics had tracked $26.8 million backing Schimel as of this afternoon, including the $7.1 million he’s put on the air. After Musk’s investment in the 2024 presidential campaign, some Dems worried about the prospect of getting into an arms race with the world’s richest man, believing no matter how deep they dug, he’d be able to go deeper. The good thing for Susan Crawford, though, is her money goes farther. WisPolitics has tracked $21.8 million in spending backing Crawford – not counting a pledge of a seven-figure effort by the state Dem Party to tie Schimel to Musk through canvassing, digital ads and other outreach. Crawford is — by far — the biggest spender on her side with nearly $15.8 million in ads. Candidates get a much better rate on broadcast TV buys, meaning she gets more bang than the other side so long as GOP donors keep choosing to funnel a large part of their money through independent groups. Insiders note Crawford isn’t putting up that kind of an ad campaign through individual donations of $20,000. Rather, it’s a sign that the state Dem Party machine under Chair Ben Wikler keeps rolling, pumping big bucks into her campaign that she can then use to fund her ad buys. The donors on her side have a downside, too, insiders note. Dem megadonor George Soros, for example, has already shown up in more than one spot attacking Crawford, as has Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Musk, though, resonates more with voters than either of those two. The latest Marquette University Law School Poll shows Musk is upside down with Wisconsin voters. Overall, 41% of Wisconsin voters had a favorable impression of Musk, while 53% had an unfavorable one. His split was 29-58 with independents, while just 1% of Dems had a favorable view of him. That’s why voters are seeing Dems vow to “punch back” against the billionaire and DOGE leader. With the turmoil coming out of Washington, D.C., and the way Dems generally feel about Trump, it’s another way to motivate the base. There are some persuadable voters out there, insiders say. But the real push this spring is to maximize base turnout. That’s why no matter how much Dems may howl about Trump or Musk in the race, you’re not going to see Schimel back away from the president. He needs Trump’s voters. Because after all, insiders note, the president is largely what drives the new GOP base. Those Trump voters, though, have yet to prove they will reliably turn out without the president on the ballot – especially in a spring election. Whereas years ago the spring electorate favored the GOP, insiders now say it’s about plus-4 or plus-5 for Dems with reliable college-educated voters moving away from Republicans — or just staying home when Trump is involved if they’re not open to a progressive candidate. Insiders see Schimel still focused on trying to expand the electorate by making appeals to those Trump voters. The two circuit court judges sure aren’t driving voters to the polls on their own, largely because people don’t know them. The new Marquette poll finds 38% of registered voters don’t have an opinion of Schimel despite his four years in statewide office as attorney general from 2015-2019. Fifty-eight percent don’t have an opinion of Crawford, who was elected to the Dane County Circuit Court in 2018. Looking at just those who said they are both very enthusiastic about voting and are certain to turn out for the April 1 election — which was about 41% of the sample — Schimel’s split improves to 42-43 and Crawford’s 33-32. That’s not exactly blowing it out of the park. Poll Director Charles Franklin notes the ad campaigns will continue to shape the public’s perception of both candidates — and insiders expect that means their negatives are going to continue to climb. Schimel and his backers have relentlessly hammered Crawford on the sentences she’s handed out while on the bench, particularly to child sex offenders. To some conservatives, the fact Crawford is trying to muddy the water on the issue by attacking Schimel while also defending herself on the issue means crime is playing in conservatives’ favor. Likewise, liberals believe the hits against Schimel over his approach to testing rape kits while AG are hitting home, particularly with women. Why else would he be trying to defend himself so vociferously? Two years ago, Protasiewicz ran an effective messaging campaign focusing on her “values” when it comes to abortion and bemoaning “rigged” maps. Insiders on both sides fail to see a similar message from Crawford. Part of that, they note, is the environment has shifted somewhat on abortion. Two years ago, the race came just months after the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Dobbs decision overturning the right to an abortion. That put back in place an 1849 law that had been interpreted as banning the procedure with no exceptions for rape or incest. That ban, though, has been put on hold by a Dane County judge, and the state Supreme Court has yet to issue its ruling in a case before the justices that could strike down the law. Some argue it’s dampened the impact of the issue. Others, though, continue to see the issue as a driver for women. Insiders note Schimel, meanwhile, strikes a more moderate tone in public than he does speaking to GOP groups — and insiders credit Dems for capturing the audio to share with the media. That includes a Washington Post report that Schimel said at a GOP event in Jefferson County last month that a Trump endorsement was likely because “one thing he doesn’t do is forget people that screw him over, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court screwed him over.” It makes some Republican uneasy at how nakedly Schimel is tying himself to the president. Others, though, argue there’s no downside because Schimel can’t win without the president’s backers turning out, motivated by the belief that the race will have implications for his presidency. And there will be plenty of money to amplify it all, some say. With $48 million already laid down, some are already predicting this race will top $70 million.
Graduation rates: It’s a new record high. For the 2023-24 school year, 91.1% of high school students graduated on time, the highest mark since the four-year metric was introduced in 2009-10. But it’s also the same old story of a racial gap, insiders say. Ninety-five percent of white students graduated in four years, while 85% of Hispanic students and 72% of Black students are doing the same. The numbers are part of the state Department of Public Instruction’s annual data release that shows 805,881 students, down from 814,002 in the September 2023 head count. The data also show chronic absenteeism fell to 17.7% for the 2023-24 school year, the lowest it’s been since the 2020-21 school year. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, DPI used federal funds to target chronically absent and academically at-risk students. The department cites the drop in absenteeism as a sign the effort is paying off, adding the guv’s call to keep funding it in the 2025-27 budget should be approved. The attendance rate has also climbed to 92.4%, the best mark since the 2020-21 school year.
Mixed
Donald Trump: The president has long been a polarizing figure. It’s just that the intensity of that polarization is unique. The latest Marquette University Law School Poll finds 48% of registered voters approved of the job Trump is doing, while 51% disapproved. Trump’s split was 41-47 with voters in March 2017 in the first poll after he took office. He remained in net negative territory for almost all of his first term other than one month during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic when voters were split 48-48 on him, and in late October 2020, his job approval rating was 47-52. Still, when you drill down in the numbers a little, some interesting details reflect the polarizing effect Trump has on the electorate. Thirty-eight percent strongly approve of the job Trump is doing, while 45% strongly disapprove. Joe Biden was considered a drag on his party last fall, and his strongly disapprove number ranged from 45% to 49% in 2024. And that was after three years in office. This is supposed to be Trump’s honeymoon. Meanwhile, Biden’s strongly approve didn’t climb out of the teens in 2024. Trump had a little bit of a similar effect on voters during his first term; in February 2020, 36% strongly approved of his job performance, while 43% strongly disapproved. Still, insiders note this is a president fresh off a popular vote win that sent the opposition party into a tailspin. His job approval numbers among self-identified partisans underscores that polarization, with 92% of Republicans approving and 97% of Dems disapproving. By comparison, in March 2017, 77% of Republicans approved of his job performance, while 81% of Dems disapproved. There are still some things that voters in general like about what Trump’s doing, including deporting those here illegally with 61% approving, including 32% of self-identified Dems. Even when asked if they supported deporting those in the U.S. illegally who have jobs and no criminal record, voters were split 50-50. They don’t, though, care for tariffs, with only 32% believing they will help the economy and 51% saying they will hurt. Insiders say the takeaway from the numbers includes that the GOP base is now in lockstep with Trump, unlike in years past, when some continued to consider themselves Republicans even as they took issue with the one in the White House. Those voters are now Dems or just sitting it out completely, some say. The challenge for Republicans will be to keep that coalition together when Trump isn’t on the ballot. So far, they’ve seen little signs of success in that regard. Still, some Republicans continue to dream of marrying the old base in the ‘burbs with the new voters Trump has brought in, saying that could prove a winning statewide combination. Others don’t see that as a natural marriage and wonder what kind of coalition the GOP will be able to build once Trump is out of the picture.
Brittany Kinser and Jill Underly: What if you have an election and no one pays attention? The Marquette University Law School Poll finds none of the four statewide candidates on the spring ballot have made a strong impression on voters. Unlike Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel in the state Supreme Court race, however, Kinser and Underly so far haven’t had millions at their disposal to change that. Among all registered voters surveyed, 16% had a favorable impression of Underly, the first-term superintendent, while 20% had a negative one. Meanwhile, 64% had no opinion of her, period. The same goes for 71% of voters when it comes to Kinser. Her backers highlight the fact Kinser is the only one of the four spring candidates with a net positive image; 16% view her favorable, while 13% have a negative one. But when the margin of error is plus or minus 4.6 percentage points, being in the teens is hardly solid footing for a campaign, some say. Looking at just those who are very enthusiastic about voting and say they are certain to turn out April 1, the numbers tick up somewhat: Underly has a 26-28 fav-unfav rating, while Kinser’s is 29-18. Insiders also see numbers in the Marquette poll that suggest Kinser has a path to victory. Fifty-eight percent are either satisfied or very satisfied with their public schools, a slight dip from recent years. Meanwhile, 58% say holding down property taxes is more important, while 41% say the priority should be increasing funding for schools. On top of that, 60% says Wisconsin schools have set standards lower than they should be; in 2014, 47% said they were too low. The challenge for Kinser is how to capitalize on those unhappy with the system. Neither candidate has been on broadcast TV so far, and no group has stepped forward to launch such a buy on their behalf. They’re also both struggling for oxygen in a crowded news environment. Voters are already being bombarded with ads in the state Supreme Court race. The Capitol is mulling the guv’s budget. And there is a ton of noise coming out of Washington, D.C. in the early weeks of the new Trump administration. The latter has some wondering what role external factors may play in the results. Republicans continue to hammer Underly for her overhaul of testing benchmarks, and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee approves a review of that decision and the process the Department of Public Instruction went through in reaching it. The LAB is also expected to release any day now a review of DPI’s efforts to monitor financial information of school districts, independent charters and choice schools. That could remind the public about Underly’s silence about Milwaukee Public Schools’ failure to file financial reports on time ahead of a $252 million referendum that voters narrowly approved. Then there’s DC. Trump is now moving to shutter the Department of Education, prompting Underly and others in Wisconsin’s education establishment to slam the effort. Kinser, meanwhile, says she’s looking for more answers, but opposes “any reduction in the amount of federal dollars supporting K-12 education in Wisconsin – full stop.” The confluence of outside factors has insiders wondering how the candidates will break through the clutter. Considering how much is on the air in the Supreme Court race, that seems unlikely. So are their fates tied to the Supreme Court candidates with Underly winning if liberal Susan Crawford takes that contest and Kinser knocking off the incumbent if conservative Brad Schimel wins? Some argue Kinser has crossover appeal, saying Underly has been such a partisan that she does not. Others believe progressive voters will rally around Underly while Kinser may still have some convincing to do with conservatives who are turning out for Schimel to “save” the court considering her background that includes attending the Democratic National Convention 2024. Some also suggest the lack of attention on the race could result in another challenge for the two: What’s the likelihood some turn out to cast their ballots for Supreme Court and skip the DPI race with its unfamiliar candidates?
Falling
ROFR: Republican lawmakers are at war with each other over an issue no one more than a block from the Capitol cares about — or understands. And the outside pressure is only ramping up as insiders wonder how Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, and Assembly Speaker Rovin Vos, R-Rochester, deal with the math in their caucuses. The bill — which cleared the Assembly on a voice vote last session but didn’t get to the floor in the Senate — takes a step this session with a joint public hearing that insiders find notable for a couple of reasons. One, just about everyone in the room was wearing a suit, underscoring that this is an issue that has the attention of interest groups and lobbyists, not your typical voter. Two, 14 GOP lawmakers went out of their way to register their opposition to the legislation: Sen. Chris Kapenga, of Delafield, Sen. Steve Nass, of Whitewater, and a dozen members of the Assembly. That’s not the kind of thing you see with a typical bill, insiders note, and it underscores the numbers problem for the two leaders. LeMahieu told WisPolitics in December that he was willing to pass the bill with Dem votes as his majority shrunk to 18-15 from 22-11 last session. If he were only going to lose Kapenga and Nass, that’d be one thing, insiders note. But insiders say they’re not alone, and they wonder just how many GOP senators are ready to vote no if the bill hits the floor. The legislation is a priority for LeMahieu, who managed to get big bills such as an overhaul of alcohol laws, the Brewers stadium package and a shared revenue deal through his chamber despite reservations from some in his caucus. But how far would he reach into the Dem caucus to get right of first refusal across the finish line this session? Surely he’d make sure to have at least 10 GOP votes and preferably more. It’d be a big political risk to alienate more than half of your caucus, some say. And what could Dems leverage in return? LeMahieu told WisPolitics after the public hearing that he wanted to pass the bill “as soon as possible.” He will have his chance to try that March 11 or 18, two dates leadership has asked members to keep open for possible floor periods. There are those who bet the bill would be a sure thing to pass the Assembly if LeMahieu got it through his chamber. After all, Vos has a knack for working his caucus. Still, if the dozen lawmakers who registered against the bill stand firm, that would leave him at 42 votes. How would he maneuver that one? Try another voice vote? No way that would fly with some of his more conservative members looking to loudly announce their opposition. Utilities and others backing the bill are exasperated by the circular firing squad. Just put it on the floor, pass it and move on, they argue. This isn’t an issue that resonates with the public, and no one is going to pay a political price for this at the polls next year. You ever seen someone effectively write an ad about transmission line policies that lit voters’ hair on fire? That doesn’t mean this is a pressure-free zone, though. Conservative talk radio in Milwaukee doesn’t have the sway it once did in the Capitol. But it can still get listeners riled up, and hosts such as Dan O’Donnell have been on the warpath about the legislation and the “RINOs” backing it. Some Republicans bemoan colleagues who shake with fear anytime talk radio says something. But that’s a little easier to say when you’re outside the reach of WISN’s radio signal. Insiders note the split in the caucus — coupled with the pressure from talk radio and conservative groups such as Americans for Prosperity — would normally be the death knell for any legislation. But LeMahieu in particular has been an advocate for the legislation considering the framework the federal government has established for states to work with, arguing it would be cheaper for Wisconsin ratepayers in the long run. Insiders also suspect that LeMahieu and Vos are swayed by the heavy hitters involved. Control of the Legislature will be on the line in 2026, and both could use all the help they could get funding campaigns next year, especially if the midterms prove a challenging environment for the GOP.
Dems: The Democratic Party has a problem. The base is a big part of it. The latest Marquette University Law School has some brutal numbers for the party. It’s not like voters in general love political parties; 47% of voters view the GOP favorably, while 52% had an unfavorable opinion. But they really dislike Dems right now with just 34% taking a positive view of the party and 62% taking a negative one. A good chunk of that is the base. Ninety-two percent of self-identified Republicans had a positive view of their party, but just 76% of Dems said the same of theirs. And the party is upside down with independents at 15-79. There are a host of factors at play. Poll Director Charles Franklin, for example, notes the party was dragged down by four years of an unpopular incumbent in Joe Biden. Voters’ view of Dems as the party of the elite with little connection to its old blue collar base has been well documented. And Dems are still on their heels a little with independents after a presidential campaign that focused heavily on cultural issues — especially those related to transgender athletes — that have the party’s base out of step with voters in general. Franklin notes there’s also a particular danger for Dems in Wisconsin. Along with their poor numbers, more voters are identifying as Republicans. The latest Marquette was 36% Republican, 32% Dem and 42% independent. Franklin noted in all of 2024, the average sample was 33% Republican, 31% Dem and 36% independent. Wisconsin has managed to hold onto its swing state status for 25 years even as others have come and gone from the list. Could this be a sign that it’s going to start tilting toward the GOP? And how do Dems fix their issues? Especially when there continues to be a stream of headlines about Dems in “disarray” and squabbling about the party’s messaging. Just look at the reaction to Trump’s address to Congress this week. Trump helped exacerbate some of those problems. Insiders note he could also help the party start to get back on its feet. A president who bragged about a “historic” victory in November is already underwater with Wisconsin voters — much like he was during his first term. And insiders note as much as Trump has an incredible power of rallying his supporters to the polls when he’s on the ballot, he also has proven to be a major motivator for Dems when he’s not. One of the easiest ways to improve one person’s standing is to make the other guy seem worse, insiders note. Others caution about seeing signs of 2024 leaving a permanent mark on the party. Dems are still trying to find their sea legs again after November’s failures in the race for the White House, the Senate and the House. Don’t forget, some note, the GOP was supposed to be relegated to a regional party after the shellacking it took in 2008 only to ride the Tea Party wave just two years later.
Michael Gableman: The former conservative Supreme Court justice is worried the ethics complaint he’s facing will lead to legal problems — an assertion that perplexes some. He’s also clearly having money issues — which isn’t much of a surprise to insiders. Both come to light in new filings from the Office of Lawyer Regulation, which is seeking an order compelling Gableman to sit for a deposition with the agency after the former justice rebuffed prior attempts to get one on the record. Attorney Donald Schott, who’s overseeing the case, submitted an affidavit stating he sought the deposition because he found Gableman’s response to the complaint failed to address many of the factual allegations against him. Filed in November, the 75-page complaint asks the state Supreme Court to sanction Gableman for 10 alleged violations of the state codes for attorney conduct related to his taxpayer-funded review of the 2020 election. That includes disrespecting a Dane County judge and opposing counsel in a hearing over an open records lawsuit against his Office of Special Counsel. Still, few see anything truly criminal in what Gableman is accused of doing, unless there’s some way to add up the allegations to — say — a misconduct in office charge or inappropriately using public funds. Still, documents filed alongside the petition include emails between Gableman attorney Peyton Engel and Schott. In one, Engel writes that with some of the allegations, there “is the looming possibility of criminal charges, and whenever there is a risk of criminal charges the only advice I can give my client is: keep your mouth shut.” Some wonder if Gableman simply doesn’t want to answer questions and that trying to raise Fifth Amendment claims is one way out of it. The emails show Gableman also didn’t want to incur the legal expense of sitting for a deposition. WisPolitics previously obtained legal bills that showed taxpayers had covered $49,713 for private attorneys to represent Gableman in the “OLR Matter.” But the office of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, tells WisPolitics the Assembly isn’t currently paying for anything related to Gabelman’s OLR case or any other personal legal bills. In one email to Schott, Engel wrote Gableman would “prefer not to incur the expense of a deposition” while the funding of his defense “remains an open question.” Schott noted in his response that Gableman received a grievance Law Forward filed against him almost a year ago and was granted two lengthy extensions to respond. Writing he didn’t want to “appear sympathetic,” Schott pointed out the former justice has already had nearly a full year to arrange funding for his legal defense. When Gableman decided against seeking reelection to the court in 2018, there was scuttlebutt he might have been in line for an appointment to the first Trump administration. But nothing came of that. Vos hiring him to review the 2020 election was seen as an and pportunity to get back into the public arena. But after Vos fired him in 2022 — and called the former justice an embarrassment — he hasn’t been in the public eye other than for his work on the failed efforts to recall Vos. And the only campaign finance report the recall committee filed showed no payments to Gableman or the consulting firm he used while working for the Assembly. The other nugget to come out of the filings is Gableman’s hopes that the complaint could be resolved with a stipulation. While the documents show the two sides arranged talks, Engel told WisPolitics OLR as a matter of policy doesn’t drop counts from a complaint as part of any effort to negotiate a settlement and nothing came out of a meeting on a possible deal. Barring a stipulation, his hearing in the case is scheduled for June.
Evers budget makes nuclear energy push as guv looks for clean options
Gov. Tony Evers, who has focused on renewable energy for much of his time in office, is making a push in his latest state budget to look at expanding nuclear power.
That includes calling for $1 million to study siting a new plant and expanding an existing research credit to cover nuclear power.
Evers told WisPolitics in an interview he’s been thinking about bolstering nuclear energy in Wisconsin’s portfolio “frankly for years.” Evers said he remains committed to the state’s push on wind and solar power, but believes a look at nuclear is needed with the coming energy demands.
The Public Service Commission’s Strategic Energy Assessment, published in November, projected a decrease of peak electric demand of about 5% between 2023 and 2024 before an increase of 14.8% thereafter through 2030. According to the report, “The addition of new and expanding customer loads, such as a data center and transportation electrification, are placing upward pressure on Wisconsin’s energy demands within this timeframe.”
“Frankly, we’re going to need more energy. It’s as simple as that,” Evers told WisPolitics. “We want to have it in a way that’s clean. Nuclear is probably one of the ways that we can get this done.”
Evers isn’t walking away from his push for renewable energy sources in this budget, now before the GOP-run Legislature. He included provisions such as $50 million in general purpose revenue in 2025-26 to increase support for the Green Innovation Fund, which would boost lending and investment in the renewable energy sector.
Along with boosting what environmental groups call the “Green Bank,” the guv’s budget would require the Department of Administration to create a grant program for local organizations to promote local climate and clean energy community engagement. He’s also calling for $20 million in 2025-26 to support continuation of the Energy Innovation Grant program that seeks to help investment in projects related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage and energy planning.
The nuclear push, though, is new. Evers didn’t include any provisions mentioning nuclear power in the previous three budgets he introduced.
Wisconsin’s only nuclear power plant is in Two Rivers, owned and operated by NextEra Energy Resources. One in Carlton closed a dozen years ago. The Two Rivers plant currently generates 5% of the power in Wisconsin. By comparison, among the other zero-carbon energy sources, solar accounts for 9% of production in the state, while 8% comes from wind and 3% from hydropower.
Natural gas continues to account for the largest share of generation capacity at 43% with coal at 29%.
Since the Carlton facility closed, the state in 2016 lifted a moratorium on new nuclear power plants. Some lawmakers have pushed to again consider the option to no avail.
Just ahead of Evers’ budget being released last month, several GOP lawmakers circulated legislation that would require the PSC to conduct a nuclear power siting study and then submit the report to the Legislature no later than 12 months after the bill took effect. The legislation also included a provision that would require the PSC to act on an application for a nuclear plant within 150 days after the submission was completed. Under the proposal, the chair could extend the review period for up to 150 days for good cause.
“An expansion of nuclear power is needed to meet Wisconsin’s growing energy needs,” GOP state Sen. Julian Bradley, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, said in a statement. “I’m glad that the Governor wants to work on this with us. I remain committed to an all-of-the-above approach to powering Wisconsin’s future.”
Wisconsin Conservation Voters urged opposition to the bill, saying it would “cut corners on ensuring the safety of new nuclear facilities” because of the proposed deadline for PSC action.
Evers’ call for a plant feasibility study doesn’t include a provision on the timeline for approving a new nuclear power plant application. It only proposes $1 million to fund a study by the PSC on the feasibility of a new plant.
Meanwhile, he’s also called for extending a research credit to cover work related to nuclear power. There are similar credits now for research on internal combustion engines and certain energy efficient products.
Evers said in the interview he’s been interested in nuclear energy for years, citing his background as a science teacher. He has spoken with officials in Ontario, Canada, about their efforts to build new small modular reactors. They are about a third of the size of a conventional reactor, and components can be factory-assembled and transported to a site for installation.
Likewise, Evers noted Michigan is preparing to reopen a nuclear power plant that had been shuttered in 2020. State and federal officials have authorized $3.1 billion for the operation, which still needs approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
There has also been talk of adding small modular reactors at the site.
“I feel that it’s time to at least take a look at it,” Evers said. “We’re kneecapping ourselves if we just said, ‘Never,’ and I think we should do some studies on it.”
The response from environmental groups to Evers’ call has been muted. Clean Wisconsin declined comment, while League of Conservation Voters Government Affairs Director Jennifer Giegerich said the group was most excited about the $50 million “Green Bank” provision and the guv’s push to up funding for Focus on Energy.
Giegerich said fusion energy is likely a decade away from commercial viability.
“Traditional nuclear reactors still pose unresolved challenges around long-term waste storage, so we don’t see them as a priority for meeting our energy needs here in Wisconsin,” she said. “Instead, we support continued investments in energy efficiency, conservation, and large-scale wind and solar with battery storage to reduce overall energy demand and build a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Mike Huebsch, the former GOP Assembly speaker and an ex-member of the Public Service Commission, acknowledged the storage of spent nuclear fuel is one of the biggest challenges in expanding nuclear power. He also cited lawsuits, regulations and “knee-jerk reactions against it.”
Still, he noted similar challenges with other carbon-free generation sources such as wind and solar. That includes creating adequate battery capacity to store power when wind or available sun is intermittent.
Now on the board of the Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition, Huebsch said along with finding an acceptable place to store spent nuclear fuel, research could unlock ways to use it for additional energy generation.
“I think nuclear fuel and nuclear energy is certainly one of the most important steps we can take in terms of a carbon-free future,” he said.
Elections Commission plans to hear depositions from Madison clerk, others over uncounted absentee ballots
The state Elections Commission today unanimously voted to hear depositions from Madison employees, including Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl, to seek more information about the city’s failure to account for nearly 200 absentee ballots in the November election.
The vote came amid harsh criticism from the current Dem chair of the commission and a former Dem chair of the panel. The current chair, Ann Jacobs, knocked Witzel-Behl for a “complete lack of leadership.’’
Members did not decide whether the depositions would be conducted publicly, though Commissioner Mark Thomsen made that recommendation. The commission also approved a motion to send a communication to clerks ahead of the April 1 election with guidance to ensure the error doesn’t happen again.
Ahead of the votes, several members of the commission expressed disbelief and frustration at the city’s failure to account for the ballots.
Today’s action came as staff attorney Angela O’Brien Sharpe told the commission that despite reviewing materials provided by Witzel-Behl’s office, staff “still do not understand what exactly went wrong” at polling places, or “what specific factors at the polling place contributed to poll workers overlooking or failing to count these ballots.”
The commission conducted an investigation into Witzel-Behl after Madison election officials failed to immediately notify the state when they discovered 193 absentee ballots that weren’t included in the final canvass of the Nov. 5 election results. Two batches of ballots were discovered: first on Nov. 12 and then on Dec. 3. But the city didn’t notify the commission until late December.
The report by staff found several steps could have been implemented to ensure the ballots were counted, including a check of all carts and totes used to store ballots before they were counted. The probe also included a review of whether Witzel-Behl failed to comply with the law or abused her discretion, but staff did not make a determination on that question.
A class action lawsuit has been filed by the progressive group Law Forward on behalf of four Madison voters this week seeking damages over the uncounted ballots.
Jacobs, a Dem appointee, knocked Witzel-Behl for printing poll books several weeks before the election and having poll workers do the extra work of manually highlighting which voters had returned absentee ballots rather than using pre-printed poll books closer to Election Day that automatically indicate that information.
“I am genuinely troubled by the number of profoundly bad decisions that are recited in these materials leading up to Election Day,” Jacobs said. “And the idea that you should print out your poll books two weeks before the election, in the city of Madison where you have a population of students who notoriously vote the weekend before, or while you have extended early voting, that’s just, that is a nonsensical decision.”
Thomsen, also a Dem appointee, emphasized the voters who were disenfranchised because their votes weren’t counted, saying “193 people were denied their constitutional right.” He also questioned how the ballots could have been missed.
“These are bags that, I mean, how do you just not open bags, right? And I haven’t done it, but it seems to me that’s just basic stuff,” Thomsen said.
Commissioner Bob Spindell, a Republican appointee, said he “can easily understand how these bags could be missed” but asked whether Witzel-Behl was on vacation or out of the office when the ballots were discovered.
Sharpe told Spindell she did not know.
“It seems to me, as has been pointed out here, that you hear ‘193 ballots were not counted,’ that anybody, any manager, would immediately jump on that and say, ‘Okay, what’s what’s going on here?’ and take a look at it,” Spindell said.
Johnson ‘concerned’ about impact of Trump’s tariffs
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson says he’s “concerned” about the impacts of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Wisconsin.
“I’m concerned about retaliation against Wisconsin manufacturers, against builders, against farmers,” Johnson said in a WisPolitics Capitol Chats podcast interview before Trump pulled back on some tariffs. “I’m concerned about the potential inflationary impact of that.”
But the Oshkosh Republican praised Elon Musk’s cost-cutting actions. He said the government spends too much, and it needs to return to a “reasonable pre-pandemic level of spending.”
To those who have criticized Musk for being unelected, Johnson said Musk has been asked by an elected president to hold the federal government accountable and find waste, fraud and abuse.
“I think it’s almost indisputable that Elon Musk is probably one of the most brilliant, accomplished and effective human beings ever to walk the face of the earth,” Johnson declared.
This week, National Republican Campaign Committee Chair Richard Hudson advised House Republicans against holding in-person town halls as frustrated constituents raise concerns and Dem to boost attendance.
Johnson told WisPolitics following this announcement he’s still opting for virtual events.
Johnson held a virtual town hall last week and this week with thousands of attendees and hundreds of questions. Johnson said he would continue to hold town halls virtually to reach more people and because he is concerned about the safety of his staff.
“It’s unfortunate that, you know, Democrat-elected officials are telling their constituents, their supporters to take to the streets,” Johnson said. “And so I am concerned about potential violence against my state staff, but obviously I want to hear what our constituents have to have on their minds.”
Following Trump’s intense exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in DC, Johnson said he believes Trump is taking a smart approach to establishing peace between Russia and Ukraine. Johnson also criticized Zelenskyy for his actions in the Oval Office.
“I think it’s widely recognized that President Zelenskyy behaved very badly,” Johnson said, adding that he was pleased that Zelenskyy seemed to rethink his position following the meeting and came forward seeking peace. The U.S. and Ukraine are scheduled to have peace talks next week in Saudi Arabia, according to Zelenskyy on X.
Johnson also explained his vote earlier in favor of a Senate bill that would have prohibited federally funded schools from allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s sports.
Johnson said it was “unfair” that any transgender women could compete in women’s sports, and that he was “disappointed” in Democrats for blocking the bill from moving forward.
The Senate voted 51-45 along party lines on cloture Monday night; 60 votes were needed for the bill to advance to the floor.
Listen to the podcast, recorded on Tuesday.
Political TV
(Check local listings for times in your area)
“UpFront” is a statewide commercial TV news magazine show airing Sundays around the state. This week’s show, hosted by GERRON JORDAN and MATT SMITH, features former GOP Gov. SCOTT WALKER, U.S. Rep. MARK POCAN, D-Town of Vermont, Marquette Law School Director CHARLES FRANKLIN and ABC News Washington Bureau Chief RICK KLEIN.
*See more about the program here.
*Also see a recap of the show online each Monday at WisPolitics.
“Rewind,” a weekly show from WisconsinEye and WisPolitics, airs at 8 p.m. on Fridays and 10 a.m. on Sundays in addition to being available online. On this week’s episode, WisPolitics’ JR ROSS and Wisconsin Public Radio Capitol reporter ANYA VAN WAGTENDONK discuss reaction to President DONALD TRUMP’s tariffs, results of the Marquette University Law School Poll, the latest action on a major transmission line bill and more.
*Watch the show here.
This week’s episode of WisPolitics’ “Capitol Chats” features U.S. Sen. RON JOHNSON, R-Oshkosh, on his concerns about retaliatory tariffs and the impact on Wisconsin. Johnson also praises President DONALD TRUMP’s cost-cutting efforts.
*Listen to the podcast here.
“The Insiders” is a weekly WisOpinion.com web show featuring former Democratic Senate Majority Leader CHUCK CHVALA and former Republican Assembly Speaker SCOTT JENSEN. This week, the two discuss the latest in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race between SUSAN CRAWFORD and BRAD SCHIMEL.
*Watch the video or listen to the show here.
“In Focus: Wisconsin” airs Sundays at 9:30 a.m. on Spectrum News 1 on channel 1. This week’s program with host RYAN BURK focuses on corrections and prison reform. Guests include: Sen. JAMIE WALL, D-Green Bay, Waupun Mayor ROHN BISHOP and Wisconsin Policy Forum Senior Research Associate ARI BROWN.
PBS Wisconsin’s “Here and Now” airs at 7:30 p.m. Fridays. This week’s program with anchor FREDERICA FREYBERG features reporter ZAC SCHULTZ on attack ads in the state Supreme Court race and La Follette School of Public Affairs Assistant Prof. MARIEL BARNES on the “manosphere” movement and its influence on culture and politics.
“For the Record” airs Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on Madison’s WISC-TV. This week’s program with host WILL KENNEALLY features Waukesha County Judge BRAD SCHIMEL on his bid for state Supreme Court and Marquette Law School Poll Director CHARLES FRANKLIN on the latest poll results on the spring elections.
Week Ahead
Monday: The Assembly Judiciary Committee holds an executive session on bills related to criminal charges and penalties for certain offenses.
– 10 a.m., 300 Northeast, state Capitol
Tuesday: The Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Accountability and Transparency holds an informational hearing on telework, space management and cybersecurity.
– 11 a.m., 415 Northwest, state Capitol
Tuesday: The Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections holds an executive session on an administrative rule relating to the conduct, regulation and accommodation of election observers.
– 1 p.m., 300 Northeast, state Capitol
Wednesday: The Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development holds a public hearing on bills related to tax districts, tribal regalia and governments, licenses for teaching an American Indian language and reporting information on American Indian children in a school district.
– 10:30 a.m., 330 Southwest, state Capitol
Wednesday: Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford face off in a debate hosted by WISN.
– 7 p.m., Marquette Law School
Thursday: The Senate Committee on Education holds a public hearing on bills related to changes in the educational assessment program and banning wireless communication devices in schools.
– 10 a.m., 330 Southwest, state Capitol
Thursday: The Assembly holds a floor session to consider several bills related to traffic offenses, certain criminal charges and penalties, and the requirement to place school resource officers in Milwaukee’s public schools.
– 12 p.m., Assembly Chamber, state Capitol
Names in the News
Join WisPolitics for a DC breakfast with U.S. Sen. RON JOHNSON, R-Oshkosh, on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Johnson chairs the Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Investigations. Register here.
Attend a Milwaukee Press Club-WisPolitics-Rotary Club of Milwaukee luncheon with Waukesha County Judge BRAD SCHIMEL on March 18. The former AG is running for state Supreme Court against Dane County Judge SUSAN CRAWFORD. Schimel will take questions from a media panel including: CHARLES BENSON of TMJ4 News, ALISON DIRR of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and MATT SMITH of WISN 12. Register here.
Tune in to a live episode of the “Talking Trade” podcast March 20 at Carroll University on tariffs, dealmaking and uncertainty in 2025. M.E. Dey President SANDI SIEGEL, a customs broker and freight forwarder, and international business consultant KEN WASYLIK of E.M. WASYLIK will co-host. They will be joined by two Carroll University experts: Business School Dean TIM SULLIVAN and Associate Prof. and MBA program Director ALEXANDRA SIELAFF. Register here.
Register for the April 30 Wisconsin Economic Forecast Luncheon hosted by WisPolitics, WisBusiness and the Wisconsin Bankers Association at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. The event will feature Forward Analytics Director of Research & Analytics DALE KNAPP and US Bank economist ANDREA SORSENSEN, a former academic. Register here.
UpNorthNews is holding a Wednesday panel event, “Protecting Justice for All,” on the state Supreme Court race at Overture Center for the Arts in Madison. The event will feature panel discussions moderated by PAT KREITLOW of UpNorthNews and TODD ALLBAUGH of Civic Media. Panelists will include: Sen. KELDA ROYS, D-Madison, Reps. SUPREME MOORE OMOKUNDE, D-Milwaukee, and FRANCESCA HONG, D-Madison, MICHELLE VELASQUEZ of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, former UW-Madison School of Education Dean JULIE UNDERWOOD, WEAC President PEGGY WIRTZ-OLSEN, political strategists JOE ZEPECKI and MELISSA BALDAUFF, among others.
Gov. TONY EVERS appointed PHIL GRASSMANN as Rusk County sheriff to fill the vacancy being created by Sheriff JEFFERY WALLACE’s retirement. Grassmann has been with the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office since 2004 and has served as chief deputy since 2015.
Endorsements: The following is a list of recent endorsements, based on emails received by WisPolitics.com:
Supreme Court
BRAD SCHIMEL: Fraternal Order of Police
Lobbyist Watch
Fifty-two changes were made to the lobbying registry in the past 10 days.
Follow this link for the complete list.
