Wisconsin Weekly: What’s at stake in Tuesday’s election

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Wisconsin Weekly is a Friday news roundup of reports from Wisconsin Watch and other trusted news outlets. Access to some stories may be limited to subscribers of the news organizations that produced them. We urge our readers to consider supporting these important news outlets by subscribing, and sign up to get our free newsletters here.

This week we highlight several Wisconsin Watch stories in the run-up to Tuesday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court election between liberal Janet Protasiewicz and conservative Daniel Kelly — the highest spending judicial race in U.S. history. Wisconsin Watch’s Matthew DeFour lays out the issues that could get a second look if Protasiewicz wins, tipping the court to liberal control. Phoebe Petrovic characterizes the ad blitz that has saturated TV and social media in Wisconsin. Matt Mencarini reports on the high court’s flip flops over the constitutionality of state limits on payments for people injured or killed by medical malpractice.

On April 12, you’re invited to hear from all of these Wisconsin Watch reporters plus statehouse reporter Jacob Resneck and Managing Editor Dee J. Hall as we discuss the results from the April 4 election. The event, which includes a cash bar, runs 6-7 p.m. at Robinia Courtyard in Madison. Sign up here.

Access to some stories listed in the Wisconsin Weekly roundup may be limited to subscribers of the news organizations that produced them. We urge our readers to consider supporting these important news outlets by subscribing.

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Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly debates Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Janet Protasiewicz at the State Bar of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis., on March 21, 2023. The two are vying for a 10-year term, with the winner determining the ideological balance on the seven-member court. Spending in the race has already topped $20 million, making it the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history. (Joey Prestley / Wisconsin Watch)

In Wisconsin Supreme Court race, ad spending for Kelly ekes past Protasiewicz after she led in ads 23-to-1

Wisconsin Watch — March 28, 2023

As the April 4 election nears, liberal Janet Protasiewicz’s campaign has raised nearly $12 million more than conservative Daniel Kelly’s, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
But as of Monday, Kelly’s allies lead in ad spending, with outside groups spending about $2 million more to support him or oppose her. In February, the contest became the most expensive court race in U.S. history. The Democracy Campaign estimates today it stands at $39.7 million.

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Janet Protasiewicz and Daniel Kelly debate at the State Bar of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis. on Mar. 21, 2023. (Joey Prestley / Wisconsin Watch)

Wisconsin Supreme Court’s ‘fractured opinions’ leave state without clear guidance

Wisconsin Watch — March 29, 2023

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is more divided than ever. Last year, the court issued more decisions with a “fractured opinion” than in any of the past 25 years, according to a review of Marquette University Law School research. Fractured opinion cases could be more easily revisited if liberal Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz defeats conservative former Supreme Court Justice Dan Kelly on Tuesday.

Related coverage from Wisconsin Watch: Conservatives, liberals weigh in on Wisconsin Supreme Court ‘activism’

During their only debate, Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Daniel Kelly and Janet Protasiewicz discussed their views on court precedent. (Joey Prestley / Wisconsin Watch)

Medical malpractice in Wisconsin: Could Supreme Court election change precedent?

Wisconsin Watch — March 30, 2023

In the past two decades, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has flip flopped on whether a limit on damages in medical malpractice lawsuits was constitutional. All three cases involved people who suffered horrific, life-altering injuries or died due to negligence from doctors. All three set different precedents, including one that overturned a precedent. In Tuesday’s Supreme Court election, liberals could retake a majority for the first time in 15 years, meaning issues previously settled by the conservative-controlled court could be revisited — again.

Related coverage from Wisconsin Watch: Wisconsin’s three precedent-setting malpractice cases explained

Susan and Mark Wallitsch are photographed with their son, Frank Wallitsch, in their home in Mount Horeb, Wis. Frank Wallitsch, who was placed under a guardianship related to his disability, lost his voting rights even though his parents did not intend for those rights to be removed. But despite being on the state’s ineligible voter list, he was able to vote in previous elections. (Drake White-Bergey / Wisconsin Watch)

Dane County election review finds dozens of ineligible voters who cast ballots

Wisconsin Watch — March 25, 2023

Ninety-five people in Dane County altogether cast more than 300 ballots in past elections despite being on the state’s list of people deemed incompetent to vote, according to the Dane County Clerk’s Office. The state elections agency is now reviewing all 22,733 entries to ensure the list is accurate.

After people on Medicaid die, states including Wisconsin aggressively seek repayment

Kaiser Health News — March 24, 2023

Wisconsin has among the most aggressive estate recovery programs in the country, recouping more than $31 million in state fiscal year 2020. That year, Wisconsin recovered an average of $5,277 from 6,005 estates with the highest recovery at $181,540.

High child care costs, low accessibility leads to smaller Wisconsin families

Appleton Post-Crescent — March 29, 2023

Northeastern Wisconsin families understand the persistent struggle to afford everything from diapers to housing. It now costs $310,600 to raise a child from birth to age 18, a 9.1% increase from five years ago, according to The Brookings Institution. One challenge has become particularly severe: Child care. (This story is the first in a series, Families Matter, to be produced by the six newsrooms in the NEW News Lab, including Wisconsin Watch.)

The Milwaukee County Transit System is launching WisGo, a new fare collection system. Starting April 1, 2023, participating bus riders will ride for free after reaching daily, weekly and monthly payment caps. (Courtesy of Milwaukee County Transit System)

Milwaukee County to cap bus fares under new system. Here’s what to know.

Wisconsin Watch – March 30th, 2023

Milwaukee County is modernizing its bus fare collection system, aiming to make transit equitable for residents. Bus riders can pay for their fares through WisGo, a new fare collection system, starting Saturday, April 1. Everyone with a plastic WisGo card or the Umo mobile app will ride for free after reaching daily, weekly and monthly caps.