ATLANTA (AP) — Casting his vote this month in one of the most politically competitive states in the U.S., Seung Lee happily backed Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s reelection. But when it came to the other top Republican on the ballot, Senate candidate Herschel Walker, he was uneasy. Walker “doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said Lee, a […]
Posted inDemocracy on the Ballot
What voter turnout in Wisconsin and beyond means about elections
The way we talk about political participation leaves out many Americans, including nearly 3.3 million convicted of felonies or serving felony sentences.
Posted inGovernment
Wisconsin GOP leaders to push for ‘long term’ tax cuts
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Republican legislative leaders said Tuesday they want to tap the state’s projected record-high $6.6 billion budget surplus to make “transformational” and once-a-generation tax law changes, including eliminating a tax paid by businesses and lowering income taxes for the most wealthy filers. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has rejected those ideas in the past […]
Posted inGovernment, Health & Welfare
Dismissal motion could delay Wisconsin abortion challenge for months
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said Monday that he wants his lawsuit challenging the state’s 173-year-old abortion ban to move quickly through the courts, but it could be months before anything happens after defense attorneys signaled they would try to dismiss it next year.
Posted inHealth & Welfare
USDA program keeps extra COVID-era money for fruits, veggies
U.S. agriculture officials proposed changes Thursday to the federal program that helps pay the grocery bills for low-income pregnant women, babies and young children, including extending a bump in payments for fresh fruits and vegetables allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted inFact briefs
Is Wisconsin widening a highway whose traffic has not increased in 20 years?
No. Wisconsin’s Interstate 94, the state’s longest expressway, has experienced modest traffic increases in the past decade.
Posted inHealth & Welfare
What should I do about PFAS in my water?
A consumer guide for dealing with harmful PFAS being detected nationwide, including Wisconsin.
Posted inFact briefs
Does Wisconsin have a projected $5 billion surplus?
Yes. The state Department of Revenue estimated in August that Wisconsin will have a $5 billion surplus by July 2023, the start of a new fiscal year.
Posted inFact briefs
Did Ron Johnson vote against the Respect for Marriage Act?
Yes. On Nov. 16, 2022 Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin voted against a procedural motion to advance the Respect for Marriage Act — a bill that would codify same-sex marriage equality nationwide.
Posted inFact briefs
Did the state’s score for Milwaukee Public Schools drop in 2021-22?
Yes. Milwaukee Public Schools fell from a three-star “meets expectations” rating to a two-star “meets few expectations” rating between 2020-21 and 2021-22.
This year, the district received an overall score of 56.8, compared to 58.1 the previous year.
Posted inJustice & Safety
Grannies will dance again in parade where tragedy struck
Almost a year ago, a driver plowed an SUV through a Christmas parade in Wisconsin, killing six people and scarring many more.
Posted inGovernment
Republicans court parade crash judge for Wisconsin state bench
Wisconsin Judge Jennifer Dorow drew fan mail and gifts from people who admired her handling of the often disruptive actions of a man on trial for killing six people by driving through a Christmas parade. Now she’s the popular choice of some Republicans to run next year in hopes of sealing a conservative majority on a Wisconsin […]