Capitol Notes

Could it be the national climate? Fundraising? Voter enthusiasm? The Brewers win? JR Ross of WisPolitics.com talks about the factors.

A look at developments in the weeks ahead of the Nov. 3 election in Wisconsin: mail-in voting, endorsements and debates.

Republican Tom Tiffany has more money in the bank than Democrat David Crowley for ad buys in the Wisconsin governor's race. JR Ross explains why and what that means.

On this special edition of Capitol Notes, learn about Season 3 of WUWM's Swing State of the Union podcast. This season is all about power — more specifically, who has it to make decisions in the state of Wisconsin. Here's the trailer.

Incumbent Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul is running to keep the seat, with a challenge from Fond du Lac District Attorney and Republican, Eric Toney.

How will the gubernatorial election in Wisconsin between Tom Tiffany and David Crowley impact school funding, voucher program and the legacy of education in Wisconsin politics?

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Congressman Tom Tiffany won their respective primaries. As we head into the general election, now what?

Wisconsin's partisan primary is Tuesday August 11. JR Ross shares his insights as candidates try to muscle their way into the lead Democratic gubernatorial spot.

It's been a tumultuous past few weeks for Democrats in Wisconsin's governor's race.

First, as we discussed on the last Capitol Notes, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley dropped out of the race and endorsed Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez. Then, Rodriguez discovered that her campaign manager was mismanaging campaign finances and Rodriguez dropped out the race. Then Crowley got back in and Gov. Tony Evers endorsed him.

WUWM's Maayan Silver sat down with JR Ross, editor of WisPolitics.com, to talk it through.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley dropped out of the race for Wisconsin governor. There's still a crowded Democratic primary, what's next? 

Wisconsin voters are concerned about AI. The state's politicians are jockeying to be the go-to leaders to assuage those fears.

Right here, folks: Everything you need to know about the $2 billion spending plan that would have increased school spending, lowered property taxes and resulted in $300 rebates went bust last week in the Wisconsin Senate.

Why was it signed off on by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders? Why were there supporters and critics on both sides? And will it rise again?

These questions and more are answered on this week’s Capitol Notes.

There were small numbers of ballots that didn't get counted after the spring election in Wisconsin. Several voters even sued. What's the message for clerks and voters alike?

What the national Marquette Law School Poll shows about a potential blue wave and how it could affect state legislative and governor’s races.

Conservative-backed appellate judge Maria Lazar is running against Chris Taylor, an appellate judge who has support from liberals.

Some legislators, including GOP Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, announced they won't be running again. How does that change the outlook for Democrats ahead of the fall election?

Find out why the Iran war may pose a problem for Republicans this midterm year, and the latest on the state Supreme Court race. 

A look at the legacies and impacts of Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and longtime GOP Assembly Speaker Robin Vos who both aren't seeking reelection.

This week's Capitol Notes asks politics whiz JR Ross to lay out what's happening in Congress and how Wisconsin's representatives are approaching it.

The Wisconsin GOP-led Legislature wants to put a constitutional amendment before voters that would change the state government's approach to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Midterms. Governor's race. Control of the Legislature. Legislative action on big issues. All that's ahead in 2026. Find out about it on Capitol Notes.

Democrats are bringing a new argument in their challenges to congressional lines in Wisconsin. Will it change anything before the 2026 midterms?

Tech companies are trying to build data centers all over Wisconsin. Here's what to know.

Some states have declared a state of emergency as FoodShare benefits pause because of the federal government shutdown. Wisconsin has not taken action. Why is that?

The federal government has been shut down for about two weeks. This week’s Capitol Notes digs into the politics behind it and the potential effects in Wisconsin.

How is Gov. Tony Evers' executive order on vaccines affecting access to COVID shots? What to watch for as the race to replace him in 2026 shapes up.

As the federal government sliced health care coverage over the next decade, Wisconsin, too, passed its budget. How will it impact people with Medicaid coverage, SNAP benefits or child care needs?

Legislators in the GOP-led Joint Finance Committee are working to get a budget finalized. It then needs to go before the Assembly and Senate, and then the Democratic governor.

The GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee is putting its stamp on the state budget. Last week, it took up K-12 funding and tax cuts. Will the plans survive Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' veto pen?

The U.S. House passed a reconciliation bill in May. The U.S. Senate is taking it up. There's a lot that's unknown about what will actually pass, but this week's Capitol Notes lays out how it could impact the Dairy State.

Have you been thinking about how Wisconsin's going to pay for stuff, like Medicaid, given that the federal government is working to slice its budget? JR Ross of WisPolitics.com unpacks that and more on this week's Capitol Notes.

What does a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling upholding the governor's ability to set up a 400-year school funding increase with his veto pen mean for this year's state budget process?

Supporters of conservative-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel included the possibility that liberal-backed Susan Crawford would sign on to new congressional district maps for Wisconsin. As JR Ross of WisPolitics.com details, that may not be so easy.

Susan Crawford won the state supreme court race by nine percentage points. JR Ross chimes in on what it all means and what to keep an eye on from Wisconsin's high court.

Hear about the donors, issues, ads and comments affecting Wisconsin's race that could, again, affect the ideological balance of the state's highest court.

A look at the latest in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, the race for superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction and what's fascinating JR Ross right now in the Wisconsin Legislature.

On April 1, 2025 voters will go to the polls for yet another election for Wisconsin Supreme Court justice. Whoever wins will, again, determine the ideological balance of the court.

On this special edition of "Capitol Notes," learn about Season 2 of WUWM's "Swing State of the Union" podcast.

This week, WUWM asks JR Ross how President Trump and Elon Musk's efforts to downsize the federal government could affect us in Wisconsin, including through the state budget or DEI efforts.

Republican President Donald Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders in his first week in office, including one seeking to end birthright citizenship. Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined other states in suing to have the policy declared unconstitutional.