Wikler sees ‘burgeoning blue wave’, Loudenbeck says GOP ‘strong’
Friday, Jun 6, 2025
Both voiced optimism at a WisPolitics luncheon about their parties’ futures despite recent losses.
Both voiced optimism at a WisPolitics luncheon about their parties’ futures despite recent losses.
Lawmakers and transportation experts at a WisPolitics luncheon agreed the state surplus could delay tough choices on how to fund transportation, but they expect hard decisions in future budgets. They also suggested one much-discussed future revenue option is unlikely for years to come: tolling.
The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, bemoaned the lack of a successor under Donald Trump, saying it’s handing China “the world on a silver platter.’’
State superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser at a Milwaukee forum generally sided with Gov. Tony Evers that the number of school referendums on the ballot is a warning sign on school funding. There are 89 referendums on Wisconsin ballots next week totaling $1.6 billion
“Nobody who’s supporting me is getting any kind of pass. Anybody who’s not supporting me isn’t getting any kind of a black mark,” Schimel said at an event hosted by the Milwaukee Press Club, WisPolitics and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. “Anyone who comes to my courtroom, I will focus on the facts of the case and what is the law.”
“We should not be wasting taxpayer money the way we do. We shouldn’t be wasting the borrowed money that’s mortgaging all of your future the way we do,” the Oshkosh Republican said. “And I don’t know how …anybody could take a look at what he’s uncovering and not just be, as I said, just outrage and demand that we keep looking.”
Gov. Tony Evers at a WisPolitics luncheon said tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China will have a negative impact on Wisconsin and possibly reduce the state’s projected $4.3 billion surplus.
Liberal Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford during a Milwaukee luncheon said she was “glad” about a state Dem Party campaign to counter millions of spending by groups tied to Elon Musk.
State superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser said at a WisPolitics candidate forum that she backs school choice because she “supports families making the best option for their kids.” Rival Jeff Wright, meanwhile, said he is concerned about a lack of transparency regarding funding of the voucher program.
Panelists weighed in on these challenges during a Jan. 15 WisPolitics + WisBusiness Health Care Report virtual luncheon, which follows the recent release of the latest annual report from the state Office of Children’s Mental Health. The office highlights concerns around anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts among kids in Wisconsin — all of which are on the rise.
Dem AG Josh Kaul said he’s ready to challenge the incoming Trump administration if it seeks to improperly divert federal funds to the president-elect’s immigration priorities, tries to end birthright citizenship or restricts access to abortion drugs.
But Vos argued the Government Oversight Accountability and Transparency Committee would provide a unique opportunity to examine state spending because so much of the focus with the current budget process is on “how much should the increase in the programs be. Very rarely do they have the time and the opportunity to delve into the details of how you know x, y, z, could be done.” The GOAT Committee, for short, will be chaired by Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu noted Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has raised the prospect of again trying to cut taxes on retirement income. But LeMahieu said he wants broader tax relief that cuts across ages. The majority leader also said he likely won’t bring up his proposal from this session to move the state to a flat tax and believes there’s no appetite in his caucus to try pumping additional state money into various local aids in an attempt to drive down property taxes.
Going into the next budget with a $4 billion surplus, incoming Senate President Mary Felzkowski says Republicans will be looking at tax cuts and funding one-time expenses like infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer said budget priorities should include housing, child care, Medicaid expansion and K-12 education.
Dems went into the 2023-25 session in a super-minority with just 11 members in the chamber. But they will walk in the door January with that GOP edge narrowed to 18-15 and the opportunity to flip the chamber in 2026 with four competitive races on the ballot. Three are now in Republican hands and the fourth is represented by Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire.
Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer says one thing Donald Trump did well during the campaign was express the anger that many families feel about their financial struggles. But she doesn’t believe he has a plan to actually help address the issue, making it incumbent upon Dem lawmakers in Wisconsin to show they do.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin told a WisPolitics DC luncheon that some of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks are “very troubling.” But the Madison Dem also said at Wednesday’s event that she’s “excited” at the prospect of seeing a fellow Wisconsinite — former GOP U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy — at the helm of the Department of Transportation.
Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley spoke at a Nov. 19, 2024, WisPolitics-Rotary Club of Milwaukee-Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon to discuss the 2025 budget and other county issues !(function(src,cb){var s=document.createElement(‘script’);s.src=src;s.async=true;if(s.readyState){s.onreadystatechange=function(){if(s.readyState==”loaded”||s.readyState==”complete”){s.onreadystatechange=null;… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t
“This is a very consequential outcome, but to call it a ‘wave election,’ or worse, a ‘landslide election,’ I think, really ignores the closeness that is still an important part of the story,” Franklin said at a WisPolitics-Milwaukee Press Club luncheon Wednesday.
!(function(src,cb){var s=document.createElement(‘script’);s.src=src;s.async=true;if(s.readyState){s.onreadystatechange=function(){if(s.readyState==”loaded”||s.readyState==”complete”){s.onreadystatechange=null;cb();}};}else{s.onload=function(){cb();};}document.head.appendChild(s);})(‘//player.invintus.com/app.js’,function(){Invintus.launch({“clientID”:”2789595964″,”eventID”:”2024101140″,”simple”:t… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.
Both voiced optimism at a WisPolitics luncheon about their parties’ futures despite recent losses.
Lawmakers and transportation experts at a WisPolitics luncheon agreed the state surplus could delay tough choices on how to fund transportation, but they expect hard decisions in future budgets. They also suggested one much-discussed future revenue option is unlikely for years to come: tolling.
The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, bemoaned the lack of a successor under Donald Trump, saying it’s handing China “the world on a silver platter.’’
State superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser at a Milwaukee forum generally sided with Gov. Tony Evers that the number of school referendums on the ballot is a warning sign on school funding. There are 89 referendums on Wisconsin ballots next week totaling $1.6 billion
“Nobody who’s supporting me is getting any kind of pass. Anybody who’s not supporting me isn’t getting any kind of a black mark,” Schimel said at an event hosted by the Milwaukee Press Club, WisPolitics and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. “Anyone who comes to my courtroom, I will focus on the facts of the case and what is the law.”
“We should not be wasting taxpayer money the way we do. We shouldn’t be wasting the borrowed money that’s mortgaging all of your future the way we do,” the Oshkosh Republican said. “And I don’t know how …anybody could take a look at what he’s uncovering and not just be, as I said, just outrage and demand that we keep looking.”
Gov. Tony Evers at a WisPolitics luncheon said tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China will have a negative impact on Wisconsin and possibly reduce the state’s projected $4.3 billion surplus.
Liberal Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford during a Milwaukee luncheon said she was “glad” about a state Dem Party campaign to counter millions of spending by groups tied to Elon Musk.
State superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser said at a WisPolitics candidate forum that she backs school choice because she “supports families making the best option for their kids.” Rival Jeff Wright, meanwhile, said he is concerned about a lack of transparency regarding funding of the voucher program.
Panelists weighed in on these challenges during a Jan. 15 WisPolitics + WisBusiness Health Care Report virtual luncheon, which follows the recent release of the latest annual report from the state Office of Children’s Mental Health. The office highlights concerns around anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts among kids in Wisconsin — all of which are on the rise.
Dem AG Josh Kaul said he’s ready to challenge the incoming Trump administration if it seeks to improperly divert federal funds to the president-elect’s immigration priorities, tries to end birthright citizenship or restricts access to abortion drugs.
But Vos argued the Government Oversight Accountability and Transparency Committee would provide a unique opportunity to examine state spending because so much of the focus with the current budget process is on “how much should the increase in the programs be. Very rarely do they have the time and the opportunity to delve into the details of how you know x, y, z, could be done.” The GOAT Committee, for short, will be chaired by Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu noted Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has raised the prospect of again trying to cut taxes on retirement income. But LeMahieu said he wants broader tax relief that cuts across ages. The majority leader also said he likely won’t bring up his proposal from this session to move the state to a flat tax and believes there’s no appetite in his caucus to try pumping additional state money into various local aids in an attempt to drive down property taxes.
Going into the next budget with a $4 billion surplus, incoming Senate President Mary Felzkowski says Republicans will be looking at tax cuts and funding one-time expenses like infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer said budget priorities should include housing, child care, Medicaid expansion and K-12 education.
Dems went into the 2023-25 session in a super-minority with just 11 members in the chamber. But they will walk in the door January with that GOP edge narrowed to 18-15 and the opportunity to flip the chamber in 2026 with four competitive races on the ballot. Three are now in Republican hands and the fourth is represented by Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire.
Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer says one thing Donald Trump did well during the campaign was express the anger that many families feel about their financial struggles. But she doesn’t believe he has a plan to actually help address the issue, making it incumbent upon Dem lawmakers in Wisconsin to show they do.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin told a WisPolitics DC luncheon that some of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks are “very troubling.” But the Madison Dem also said at Wednesday’s event that she’s “excited” at the prospect of seeing a fellow Wisconsinite — former GOP U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy — at the helm of the Department of Transportation.
Milwaukee County Exec David Crowley spoke at a Nov. 19, 2024, WisPolitics-Rotary Club of Milwaukee-Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon to discuss the 2025 budget and other county issues !(function(src,cb){var s=document.createElement(‘script’);s.src=src;s.async=true;if(s.readyState){s.onreadystatechange=function(){if(s.readyState==”loaded”||s.readyState==”complete”){s.onreadystatechange=null;… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial
“This is a very consequential outcome, but to call it a ‘wave election,’ or worse, a ‘landslide election,’ I think, really ignores the closeness that is still an important part of the story,” Franklin said at a WisPolitics-Milwaukee Press Club luncheon Wednesday.
!(function(src,cb){var s=document.createElement(‘script’);s.src=src;s.async=true;if(s.readyState){s.onreadystatechange=function(){if(s.readyState==”loaded”||s.readyState==”complete”){s.onreadystatechange=null;cb();}};}else{s.onload=function(){cb();};}document.head.appendChild(s);})(‘//player.invintus.com/app.js’,function(){Invintus.launch({“clientID”:”2789595964″,”eventID”:”2024101140″,”simple”:t… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.