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Two paths forward on Wisconsin’s abortion ban
Wisconsin’s 172-year-old abortion ban, which doesn’t include exceptions for rape or incest, proved to be an influential force in this month’s elections. With uncertainty about the future of abortion hanging over Wisconsin ever since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federally protected abortion rights in June, Democrats galvanized women and young voters on the message of […]
Assembly Democratic leadership remains unchanged
Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) was unanimously reelected by Assembly Democrats during their caucus meeting Thursday afternoon. “The cycle was very difficult, but we have won a hard fought victory and prevented illegitimate, undemocratic, single party control in Wisconsin,” Neubauer said in her address to the caucus. Neubauer, 31, will lead a smaller caucus of […]
DHS officials warn about respiratory illness rates, urge vaccinations
Wisconsin Department of Health Services officials said there is concern more people than ever before could become sick this holiday season as three respiratory illnesses — influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 — circulate at high rates across Wisconsin and the country. “All three of these viruses we have seen before and they’re not totally […]
Brandtjen responds to Republicans barring her from caucus meetings
Rep. Janel Brandtjen (R – Menomonee Falls) addressed Assembly Republicans’ vote to bar her from closed caucus meetings in a statement Wednesday. A letter — first obtained by WisPolitics — dated Nov. 11 and written by majority caucus chair Rob Summerfield (R – Bloomer), offered few specifics but said the caucus took the vote because […]
Senate Democrats elect new leadership during Tuesday meeting
Senate Democrats unanimously elected Sen. Melissa Agard (D-Madison) as the Senate minority leader during their caucus meeting on Tuesday. “To my current colleagues and my incoming colleagues, I want to thank you,” Agard said to the caucus. “I am humbled and honored to be taking on this responsibility, and I am eager to begin our […]
Legislative Democrats consider paths forward following election losses
Legislative Democrats staved off a Republican supermajority in the Wisconsin Assembly last week that would have allowed the GOP to override Gov. Tony Evers’ vetoes. The results — while viewed as a victory — still leave Democratic state lawmakers in a tough spot. Democrats lost one seat in the state Senate and three seats in […]
Exhibit in Capitol honors Wisconsin veterans killed during Vietnam War
The photos of 1,163 Wisconsinites killed during the Vietnam War are on display in the Capitol Rotunda through the weekend for Veteran’s Day, honoring those who lost their lives during the 20-year conflict. The “Wisconsin Remembers” exhibit puts faces to the names of the veterans who are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in […]
Legislative Republicans reelect top leaders during closed caucus
Assembly and Senate Republicans reelected their top leaders during closed caucus meetings Thursday. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu both won reelection. The leaders will guide larger caucuses in the coming biennium, after Republicans won an additional Senate seat and three additional Assembly seats during Tuesday’s elections. This will be Vos’ […]
Republicans fall short of legislative supermajority
This piece was updated to reflect vote totals as of 12:45 p.m. Wednesday. It seems unlikely that Republicans will secure the veto-proof majorities in the Legislature that would give them the power to override Gov. Tony Evers’ vetoes. State Sen. Melissa Agard (D – Madison) said while it was too early to tell in some […]
Wisconsin’s least competitive legislative races happening Tuesday
A handful of Wisconsin’s legislative races are expected to be competitive and play a decisive role in whether Republicans win supermajorities in the Senate and Assembly. The remaining races are mostly noncompetitive with candidates facing weak opposition or none at all. While election seasons typically include less competitive races, recent redistricting has played a role […]
Sen. Bernie Sanders rallies young people ahead of Election Day in Madison
UW-Madison students with their phone cameras trained on stage waited in anticipation to catch the moment Senator Bernie Sanders emerged at the Orpheum Theater on Friday night. The Vermont senator and unsuccessful presidential candidate visited Madison in a last-ditch attempt to get out the vote for Democratic candidate Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who is challenging […]
Lawmakers and government officials highlight open enrollment, encourage people to vote
Sen. Tammy Baldwin along with other lawmakers and government officials spent Halloween day encouraging Wisconsinites to take advantage of the health insurance open enrollment period and touting Democrats’ recent health care accomplishments. “Halloween is a celebration of scary things, and what’s most scary to me is people who don’t have health insurance,” Baldwin said at […]