
Submit columns for consideration to wisopinion@wispolitics.com


Jessica McBride: Post Maria Lazar rout: Diagnosing the problem
This is so much bigger than Maria Lazar or her campaign strategy.

Dave Zweifel: Thanks to Trump, we’re getting hosed at the pump
Ironically, it was the man who insisted that Americans continue to rely on carbon-emitting fossil fuel-guzzling engines who is responsible for making them more expensive and, for many families, even unaffordable.

Jerry Hanson: Walworth County ICE cooperation could victimize citizens
Walworth County deputies do not routinely determine the citizenship or immigration status of those in their custody before transferring them to ICE. ICE administrative warrants could easily sweep individuals into ICE custody who are here legally or have not violated immigration laws.

Alyza D. Lewin: Wisconsin adopting IHRA definition of antisemitism is commendable
The IHRA definition is critical to protecting Jews from contemporary antisemitism. It explicitly states it is not antisemitic to criticize actions or policies of the Israeli government.

Samer Alatout: UW must respond to state law on speech
Existing anti-discrimination laws already provide robust protections against harassment and exclusion on the basis of religion. The IHRA framework does more than extend those protections. It regulates political speech.

Brian Fraley: Government Oversight, Accountability and Transparency Committee wants answers from DPI
State lawmakers will hold a public hearing Wednesday to examine the Department of Public Instruction’s administration of student assessment contracts and associated expenditures.

Richard Moore: How to cut state spending, really
An amendment capping spending growth. An amendment restoring legislative oversight of rulemaking. Mandatory sunsets. Reining in the counties and towns. The state has plenty of ways to cut state spending.

John Nichols: Just how big could Democrats win in 2026?
The results from an important race in Wisconsin this week suggest the Republicans could be in very big trouble.

David Blaska: Waukesha County is RINO country
Three days after an abortion-without-limits lobbyist won election, we’re thinking even Trump-Only Republicans should welcome back into the party a few more RINOs like Brian Hagedorn on Wisconsin’s supposedly non-partisan Supreme Court.

John Norcross: Waukesha’s purple wave: Local activists flip the script on partisan school board takeovers
After several election cycles, communities are beginning to see and react to the negative consequences of partisan-controlled school boards. The 2026 results show that there is a path for communities to flip the script on the MAGA takeover of public education.

Michelle Bryant: MPS: A crisis of priorities
We cannot continue to say one thing about the importance of education while doing another when it matters most. In the end, how we treat our educators is the clearest reflection of our priorities and how we are willing to treat our children.

Peter Burgelis: Under Wisconsin’s road funding system, Milwaukee pays more, gets less
Milwaukee’s share of General Transportation Aids for 2025 decreased slightly to $26.5 million, representing less than 5% of the state’s $547 million GTA program despite Milwaukee paying over 10% of Wisconsin’s fuel-tax and registration fees.

Bill Kaplan: Lincoln vs. Trump
The contrast between Republican presidents Lincoln and Trump is glaring: Lincoln, who preserved the nation, and Trump, who tries to cast it asunder every day.

MD Kittle: Senators: Nuke the filibuster, pass The Save America Act
Sen. Ron Johnson sees it as a kind of golden rule in dealing with nasty Dem politics: Do unto others before they do unto you.

Gregg Hoffmann: Trump Attacks Forest Service, USDA
The Trump administration continues its attack on nature and the environment, with the Forest Service and Ag Department the latest targets.

WisOpinion: ‘The Insiders’ analyze Taylor’s 20-point win over Lazar in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race
The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the large margin of victory for liberal Judge Chris Taylor over conservative Judge Maria Lazar in Tuesday’s Supreme Court election. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center for Public Leadership.

Scott Walker: Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election results: A midterms lesson for Republicans
Winning in Wisconsin requires a strong message, manpower and money. Right or wrong, if you don’t have enough money, then the message and manpower don’t matter.

Tom Still: More defense research in Wisconsin can apply to civilian issues, too
It’s important to know much national defense research has little to do with building better missiles or bombs. It’s often about prevention, detection, reaction and recovery in times of emergency at home. That affects civilians as well as military personnel.

Dave Zweifel: With straight faces, GOP accuses regents of playing politics
Got a charge out of state Sen. Patrick Testin’s “outrage” over the Board of Regents’ firing of UW President Jay Rothman this week.

Rolf Lindgren: Keep Brian Schimming
Changing horses midstream is a bad idea.

Jessica McBride: Post Maria Lazar rout: Diagnosing the problem
This is so much bigger than Maria Lazar or her campaign strategy.

Dave Zweifel: Thanks to Trump, we’re getting hosed at the pump
Ironically, it was the man who insisted that Americans continue to rely on carbon-emitting fossil fuel-guzzling engines who is responsible for making them more expensive and, for many families, even unaffordable.

Jerry Hanson: Walworth County ICE cooperation could victimize citizens
Walworth County deputies do not routinely determine the citizenship or immigration status of those in their custody before transferring them to ICE. ICE administrative warrants could easily sweep individuals into ICE custody who are here legally or have not violated immigration laws.

Alyza D. Lewin: Wisconsin adopting IHRA definition of antisemitism is commendable
The IHRA definition is critical to protecting Jews from contemporary antisemitism. It explicitly states it is not antisemitic to criticize actions or policies of the Israeli government.

Samer Alatout: UW must respond to state law on speech
Existing anti-discrimination laws already provide robust protections against harassment and exclusion on the basis of religion. The IHRA framework does more than extend those protections. It regulates political speech.

Brian Fraley: Government Oversight, Accountability and Transparency Committee wants answers from DPI
State lawmakers will hold a public hearing Wednesday to examine the Department of Public Instruction’s administration of student assessment contracts and associated expenditures.

Richard Moore: How to cut state spending, really
An amendment capping spending growth. An amendment restoring legislative oversight of rulemaking. Mandatory sunsets. Reining in the counties and towns. The state has plenty of ways to cut state spending.

John Nichols: Just how big could Democrats win in 2026?
The results from an important race in Wisconsin this week suggest the Republicans could be in very big trouble.

David Blaska: Waukesha County is RINO country
Three days after an abortion-without-limits lobbyist won election, we’re thinking even Trump-Only Republicans should welcome back into the party a few more RINOs like Brian Hagedorn on Wisconsin’s supposedly non-partisan Supreme Court.

John Norcross: Waukesha’s purple wave: Local activists flip the script on partisan school board takeovers
After several election cycles, communities are beginning to see and react to the negative consequences of partisan-controlled school boards. The 2026 results show that there is a path for communities to flip the script on the MAGA takeover of public education.

Michelle Bryant: MPS: A crisis of priorities
We cannot continue to say one thing about the importance of education while doing another when it matters most. In the end, how we treat our educators is the clearest reflection of our priorities and how we are willing to treat our children.

Peter Burgelis: Under Wisconsin’s road funding system, Milwaukee pays more, gets less
Milwaukee’s share of General Transportation Aids for 2025 decreased slightly to $26.5 million, representing less than 5% of the state’s $547 million GTA program despite Milwaukee paying over 10% of Wisconsin’s fuel-tax and registration fees.

Bill Kaplan: Lincoln vs. Trump
The contrast between Republican presidents Lincoln and Trump is glaring: Lincoln, who preserved the nation, and Trump, who tries to cast it asunder every day.

MD Kittle: Senators: Nuke the filibuster, pass The Save America Act
Sen. Ron Johnson sees it as a kind of golden rule in dealing with nasty Dem politics: Do unto others before they do unto you.

Gregg Hoffmann: Trump Attacks Forest Service, USDA
The Trump administration continues its attack on nature and the environment, with the Forest Service and Ag Department the latest targets.

WisOpinion: ‘The Insiders’ analyze Taylor’s 20-point win over Lazar in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race
The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the large margin of victory for liberal Judge Chris Taylor over conservative Judge Maria Lazar in Tuesday’s Supreme Court election. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center for Public Leadership.

Scott Walker: Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election results: A midterms lesson for Republicans
Winning in Wisconsin requires a strong message, manpower and money. Right or wrong, if you don’t have enough money, then the message and manpower don’t matter.

Tom Still: More defense research in Wisconsin can apply to civilian issues, too
It’s important to know much national defense research has little to do with building better missiles or bombs. It’s often about prevention, detection, reaction and recovery in times of emergency at home. That affects civilians as well as military personnel.

Dave Zweifel: With straight faces, GOP accuses regents of playing politics
Got a charge out of state Sen. Patrick Testin’s “outrage” over the Board of Regents’ firing of UW President Jay Rothman this week.
