Yes. In a 2021 report commissioned by Gov. Tony Evers, scientists at the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts concluded that the state is getting warmer, “especially in the winter.”
Author Archives: Hope Karnopp / Wisconsin Watch
Hope Karnopp joined Wisconsin Watch as a reporting intern in May 2022. She is a journalism major and is pursuing certificates in public policy and environmental studies at UW-Madison. Hope previously covered state politics as an intern for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She also works with the Daily Cardinal and hosts a radio segment about campus news for WORT-FM, which has been recognized by the Milwaukee Press Club.
Posted inFact briefs
Does the Evers administration refer to the Wisconsin state Capitol tree as a ‘Holiday Tree’?
Yes. In 2019, Gov. Tony Evers began referring to the tree on display in the Capitol Rotunda as the “State Capitol Holiday Tree,” dropping the “Christmas ” title. The state began using the “holiday” title in 1985 to avoid perceptions that it was endorsing any religion, the Associated Press reported.
Posted inFact briefs
Are average gas prices in Wisconsin below $3?
Yes. On Dec. 7, the average price of gas in Wisconsin was $2.97/gallon, according to AAA. On the same day, the national average was around $3.36/gallon. Gas prices are falling nationwide and are closer to the prices before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Posted inFact briefs
Did Wisconsin’s governor veto a record 126 bills in the last legislative session?
Yes. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers vetoed 126 bills during the 2021-22 legislative session — a record number, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau. He vetoed 20 bills during the 2019-20 session.
Posted inFact briefs
Is Madison’s guaranteed-income pilot program funded by taxpayers?
No. Madison’s guaranteed income pilot program is funded entirely by private donations, not taxpayers, according to the city’s website.
Posted inFact briefs
Does Wisconsin grow more cranberries than any other state?
Yes. Wisconsin is the leading producer of cranberries, according to the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association. Wisconsin grew about 60% of the 2020 crop nationwide, according to the research arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Posted inFact briefs
Did Ron Kind and Glenn Grothman vote to make a planned strike by railroad workers illegal?
Yes. Wisconsin U.S. Reps. Ron Kind (D) and Glenn Grothman (R) both voted for a resolution to block a rail strike and force railroad unions to accept an agreement led by the Biden administration. The House passed the resolution 290-137 with bipartisan support.
Posted inFact briefs
Did 12% of COVID-19 relief funds go to ineligible businesses in Wisconsin?
No. The Legislative Audit Bureau found the Department of Revenue did not follow eligibility requirements when distributing COVID-19 relief grants to 45 businesses.
Posted inFact briefs
Does two-thirds of every dollar spent at a small business stay in a local community?
Yes. A 2018 study commissioned by American Express found that an “average two-thirds of every dollar (67 cents) spent at small businesses in the U.S. stays in the local community.”
Posted inFact briefs
Did Mandela Barnes receive a higher share of the Wisconsin vote than Hillary Clinton or Joe Biden?
Yes. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes received slightly more of the vote share than President Joe Biden did in 2020 and significantly more than Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton did in 2016. Barnes, who lost to Republican incumbent Ron Johnson, received 49.5% of the vote in the 2022 midterms, compared to Johnson’s 50.5%.
Posted inFact briefs
In Wisconsin, do evictions stay on your record for 20 years?
Yes. Under Wisconsin Supreme Court rules, records of small claims cases — which include evictions — are kept for 20 years. Dismissed small claims cases, however, are removed from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website after two years.
Posted inFact briefs
Does Wisconsin track the number of livestock killed by wolves?
Yes. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has an interactive map showing verified wolf depredations of livestock, pets and hunting dogs.