Kaplan comments on a whirlwind week in D.C.

Conservatives like to believe they have a lock on “hard-working” “common-sense” voters, in contrast to their “politically correct” opponents.

Mike Haas is the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. He looks out for the rights of voters. He does this with great aplomb and professionalism. Despite this, the majority party in the state Senate is clamoring for him to exit the post, acting as if he were some existential threat to them like, well, I don’t know, like Gandhi was to British rule in India.

The GreenBiz18 conference showed us that leadership can transcend politics. Wisconsin needs an economy that works for everyone, invests in innovative policies, technologies and infrastructure and takes the high road to protect workers and attract and retain talent. #GreenBiz18 shows us that “Doing well by doing good” is possible and becoming a high road state can help build a more vibrant and sustainable economy.

One of the Fox Valley’s largest employers has announced it is closing two Wisconsin plants and eliminating 600 jobs—but that won’t change its eligibility to claim a state tax credit that nearly eliminates the requirement for manufacturers to pay state income taxes. That’s because businesses can claim the credit even if they lay off workers, shutter factories, or ship jobs overseas.

Gov. Scott Walker may be right about some of the things in his State of the State speech, but he is only telling half-truths. In reality, Wisconsin has a long way to go in terms of disability rights.

Refusing legislative action to address “Dark Store” tax scheme

Council taking more power, mayor taking a beating.

Legislative leaders pushing for tolling on Wisconsin’s interstate highways would be well advised to carefully review the detailed study that was done for the state on this issue in 2016. It raises warning flags that should give pause to those who think tolls are the magic bullet of transportation finance.

WisOpinion.com is sharing posts this week from John Imes, executive director for Wisconsin Environmental Initiative, as he attends the GreenBiz18 conference in Phoenix. Imes writes about how day two of the conference focused on “collaboration, partnerships and effective advocacy to accelerate high road, clean energy, climate and sustainability innovations and policies.”

RightWisconsin’s James Wigderson talks with Treasurer Matt Adamczyk about his effort to get the legislature to adopt a constitutional amendment to abolish Adamczyk’s job. They also discuss the Secretary of State and his travel woes, how Adamczyk became state treasurer and the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.

Republicans are undermining prosecutors, FBI, both here and nationally.

Wisconsin needs to establish a solid new direction. In many ways, we’re becoming a low-road state with policymaking that tends to favor monied interests over the environment, workers and our communities.

Walker, having already boxed himself in with a jobs-creating promise he couldn’t keep, finds himself in yet another box – – this one marked “Corporate Welfare” – – because every company thinking of locating to Wisconsin or wanting to be paid off to stay is going to ask for Foxconn-type subsidies.