The state Department of Safety and Professional Services amassed a $47 million surplus — and agency call center service plummeted — while the Legislature rebuffed Gov. Tony Evers’ asks for more help
Author Archives: Matthew DeFour / Wisconsin Watch
Matthew DeFour started in September 2022 as Wisconsin Watch's first statehouse bureau chief. Previously at the Wisconsin State Journal he covered state and local government for 16 years, including four years as state politics editor. He has a BSJ and MSJ from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. He was honored by his peers as the 2020 Wisconsin Watchdog of the Year.
Posted inDemocracy on the Ballot, Government
Wisconsin’s Assembly maps are more skewed than ever. What happens now?
Gerrymandering continues to present a problem for Democrats and democracy in Wisconsin, but Republicans are unlikely to address the issue anytime soon.
Posted inGovernment
WisEye Morning Minute: Election 2022 Recap with Capitol Reporters Shawn Johnson and Matthew DeFour
On this Nov. 14, 2022 episode of Newsmakers, WisconsinEye Host Lisa Pugh sits down with Shawn Johnson, Wisconsin Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief, and Matthew DeFour, Wisconsin Watch Statehouse Bureau Chief, to share their latest thoughts on Wisconsin’s future.
Posted inDemocracy on the Ballot, Government
Many in Wisconsin GOP drop ‘stop the steal’ talk, play up inflation, crime
As they try to win enough seats for a supermajority to override a governor’s veto, most Republicans don’t even mention ‘election integrity’ on their websites
Posted inGovernment
Wisconsin GOP has sweeping agenda to ensure ‘election integrity’
More than a dozen bills wait in the wings in case the Republican Party takes full control of state government.
Posted inDemocracy on the Ballot, Government
In search for illegal Wisconsin votes, activists uncover gaps — but no plot
Elections officials agree the system to track ‘incompetent’ voters needs fixing, but claims by conservative groups of thousands of ineligible voters are overblown
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: Investigation records should be public
This article deals with the refusal of the Madison school district to release taxpayer-funded reports into allegations of misconduct.
Posted inOpinion
Your Right to Know: State needs a more open redistricting process
Wisconsin lawmakers will soon begin redrawing congressional and state voting boundaries, in accordance with the latest Census. It’s a good time to reflect on how that process has played out before — and for the public to demand greater transparency this time around.