WisconsinEye continues to fight for its survival in a competitive and challenging philanthropic environment. Despite the challenge, small- and medium-sized private charitable gifts have allowed the network to continue in fulfillment of its mission and commitment to the citizens of Wisconsin.

With news on Monday of a bipartisan deal between Governor Evers and GOP leaders, the network has determined to provide full coverage of all aspects of the pending action: Joint Committee on Finance, Senate and Assembly floor sessions, news conferences, and related events as scheduled.

“We hold fast to our commitment of providing full and open access to State Capitol proceedings. Financially, we are limping along and the future remains uncertain. Still, our team has rallied to the call because public access to these important proceedings is vital to our democracy,” stated network president Jon Henkes.

Last month, WisconsinEye presented a request to the legislature’s Joint Committee on Legislative Organization, asking for interim funding support to compliment private charitable dollars until a bipartisan measure could be achieved. Here are the details of that request:

  • JCLO action to provide $50,000 per month, effective May 1, 2026 through December 2027.
  • This request reflects the intention of monthly support as articulated in the Senate’s bill to support WisconsinEye.
  • This request captures the spirit of the Assembly’s bill to provide ongoing earnings from invested funds.
  • The requested amount of $50,000 per month provides for one-half of the network’s operational expenses and will send a significant, strong message to program sponsors and charitable donors contemplating their support.
  • The end date proposed accompanies a parallel request of WisconsinEye to extend the network’s current access and carriage agreement through CY 2027, allowing time for the new legislature to consider a long-term plan of support – one that could create a hybrid of the Senate and Assembly bills, and allowing for WisconsinEye to stay operational while exploring an RFP and other support options.

“We remain optimistic, given their strong statements of support for WisconsinEye’s mission, value, and performance over 18 years, that our governor and legislature will step up in this moment of financial need,” Henkes said.