That being said, the public is growing weary over the behind-closed-doors aspect of governing. Public discourse is the life-blood of a healthy democracy. When the public believes lawmakers are led by lobbyists, (or the oft-used ‘special interests’ ) faith in government plummets. I believe that’s why approval ratings for all levels of government are at record lows right now.
As lawmakers work behind the scenes on both the state budget and the Foxconn deal public skirmishes continue to pop up over the timing. Which package will get done first? What changes are being made, and by whom. Gwyn Guenther of the Wheeler Report takes a look at the latest from Madison in this week’s…
Veteran journalist Craig Gilbert of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel called me last week for my take on what Trump has done to the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Its leading Republicans are in limbo, rendered mostly mute about Trump amid mounting allegations over his treatment of women. They aren’t recanting their support for their nominee. But they…
Earlier in the week a reporter asked me a series of questions about tonight’s GOP Debate. Here is what I sent her in response…
Trump will consume all of the oxygen in the room, and will be rewarded with a majority of the post-debate press coverage no matter what actually happens Thursday. With Trump in the debate, the regular expectations of debate decorum are out the window. That’s in part why the media loves Trump and gives him so much coverage. It will be interesting to see if any of the competitors try to mix it up with Walker, or if they ignore him. Trump has tried to say that Wisconsin is a mess, but his reliance on failed, generalized lefty talking points hasn’t hurt Walker. Perhaps Trump or others seize on specifics to which Walker would feel compelled to react. How he responds is important.
73% of Businesses Say Students Graduating from the Public K-12 System are Unprepared for the Workforce A new survey of Wisconsin businesses paints an unflattering picture of the education system in the state. According to the Wisconsin Employer Survey, nearly three-quarters of businesses think students graduating from the public K-12 system are not prepared for the…
Gwyn Guenther calls in from the road to give us an update on a brewing controversy over teacher licensure. We have the latest on the new Assembly Ways and Means subcommittees, plus this week’s Women in the Capitol series features Rep. Amy Loudenbeck. https://audioboom.com/posts/6533990-the-wheelercast-12-04-17
You may have taken a few days off last week, but the state budget negotiators did not. Gwyn Guenther brings us up to speed on the latest on the transportation budget gridlock, takes a look at an ongoing dispute between Minnesota and Wisconsin and pays tribute to a former State Senator. https://audioboom.com/posts/6091871-the-wheelercast-episode-4-07-10-17?t=0
Dan, Lisa, and Brian relive the magic of the mixtape, show you the dangers of leaving your minivan side door open in the winter, and have a detailed discussion about the 2019 Oscars. Which none of them watch. It’s Episode #78 of The 9er! Check out this episode!
MADISON, Wisc. – Representative John Macco (R-Ledgeview) issued the following statement regarding the Republican-led “Returning Your Surplus” proposal in the Assembly. The package is estimated to cut Wisconsinites’ tax burden by over $2.9 billion, with the average filer seeing a savings of $772. “Today, the Wisconsin Assembly Republicans announced our plan to bring much-needed tax relief…
When asked to opine on the state of Wisconsin’s US Senate race, I offered my take: Conservative strategist Brian Fraley, who owns the communications firm Edge Messaging, said Johnson has done “almost everything right” since Labor Day. “When national Republicans took their money elsewhere, Johnson’s campaign turned it up a notch, didn’t surrender, and just…
