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WisPolitics Midday provides what you need to know about Wisconsin politics in under two minutes. Quality content brought to you each weekday by the reporting team at WisPolitics.com.

WisPolitics


    • May 14, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 7m AVG DURATION
    • 521 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from WisPolitics Midday

    Capitol Chats: Revenue Secretary Casey says evaluating tariffs' impact on revenue 'very difficult'

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 12:34


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Department of Revenue Secretary David Casey talks about the challenges of measuring tariffs' impact, the agency's budget priorities and more.

    Capitol Chats: Eric Fulcomer says college financial aid "threatened" by federal cuts

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 13:26


    In this week's Capitol Chats, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities President Eric Fulcomer  expresses concerns with the impact of federal funding cuts on college grants, and says he hopes the state budget can support more grant money.          

    Capitol Chats: DNR Secretary Hyun talks budget priorities, Senate confirmation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 12:09


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Department of Natural Resources Secretary Karen Hyun talks about her top priorities for the state budget and the prospects for her confirmation by the state Senate.

    Capitol Chats: Scott Walker discusses spring election, future of state GOP

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 17:20


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, former Gov. Scott Walker says the Republican Party needs to work on its grassroots organizing following the spring election. He also says he won't be running for governor next year, and isn't endorsing a particular candidate at this point.

    Capitol Chats: LFB Director Lang says evaluating tariffs' impact will be 'critical' to state budget

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 13:57


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, longtime Legislative Fiscal Bureau Director Bob Lang discusses the bureau's role in the budget process and says accurately evaluating the impact of tariffs on revenue estimates will be "critical."

    Capitol Chats: Marquette Law School poll director talks high voter turnout, issues that drove spring election results

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 17:21


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin says Elon Musk's involvement in the state Supreme Court race "doesn't look like it reshaped voting patterns in the state very much at all," but says his intense campaign could take some credit for the high voter turnout.

    Capitol Chats: Rep. Cruz says public education at a "concerning crossroads" in Wisconsin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 14:37


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Rep. Angelina Cruz, D-Racine, says public education is at a "concerning crossroads." The former teacher and union leader is a freshman in the Assembly and serves on the Education Committee.

    Capitol Chats: Freshman Rep. Brill is focused on addressing addiction in Wisconsin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 13:21


    Rep. Lindee Brill, R-Sheboygan Falls, who is the vice-chair of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention Committee, says in a new Capitol Chats episode that addressing addiction in the state is important to her because of how many people are impacted each day.

    Capitol Chats: U.S. Sen. Baldwin says Dems will "fight back" to prevent Medicaid cuts

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 13:32


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, criticizes cuts to federal funding and tariffs under the Trump administration. Baldwin also says Dems will fight to prevent cuts to Medicaid.

    Capitol Chats: U.S. Sen. Johnson is "concerned" about impact of Trump's tariffs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 17:15


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, discusses his concerns about retaliatory tariffs and the impact on Wisconsin. He also praises President Donald Trump's cost-cutting efforts.

    Capitol Chats: Rep. Tenorio hopes to bring more people to the table as first Filipino Assembly member

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 12:10


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, freshman Rep. Angelito Tenorio, D-West Allis, talks about his milestone as the first Filipino American in the state Assembly and his priorities in office.

    Capitol Chats: Rep. Kaufert talks returning to the Legislature, prison reform

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 18:41


    Rep. Dean Kaufert, R-Neenah is returning to the Legislature after 10 years away. He is now the chair of the Committee on Corrections and discussed his plan to address prison reform working with both parties.

    Capitol Chats: Rep. Arney talks building community and key issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 16:34


    Freshman Rep. Margaret Arney, D-Wauwatosa, discusses her priorities, including expanding Medicaid, addressing climate change and providing resources to Wisconsinites.

    Capitol Chats: Returning Rep. Rob Kreibich to prioritize boosting Wisconsin businesses

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 12:30


    In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Rep. Rob Kreibich, R-New Richmond, discusses tax cuts, returning to the Legislature and priorities the chair of the Commerce Committee.

    Capitol Chats: Freshman Rep. DeSanto talks legislative priorities, past as professional clown

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 13:59


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, freshman Rep. Karen DeSanto, D-Baraboo, talks about her priorities for the legislative session and her past role as a professional clown.

    Capitol Chats: Neubauer hopes to address high costs for working families in upcoming session

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 13:05


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, discusses her priorities for the legislative session and working with Republican leadership.

    Capitol Chats: Cowles reflects on 37 years in the state Senate

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 23:02


    Outgoing Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, in an interview for WisPolitics's Capitol Chats podcast says while there's “definitely a danger” to breaking party lines, lawmakers can't be afraid to “lose a committee appointment because of your principles.”  Cowles, the longest-serving Wisconsin state lawmaker currently in office, has been elected to the state Senate for the past 37 years since winning an April 1987 special election. Before that, he served in the Assembly from 1982-1987. He will retire next month after deciding not to seek reelection when he was drawn into a district with fellow Green Bay GOP Sen. Eric Wimberger.  Cowles joined WisPolitics' Capitol Chats podcast to talk about his time in office, how the state of politics has changed over the course of his career, and his history of bucking party norms.

    Capitol Chats: Wied says Americans "want the policies of President Trump," calls Hunter Biden pardon "despicable"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 10:06


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, freshman U.S. Rep. Tony Wied says Americans want the policies President-elect Donald Trump has proposed. The De Pere Republican also says he wants to develop a good relationship with Democrats, and condemns President Biden decision to pardon his son Hunter.

    Capitol Chats: WisDems' Abel says Baldwin would have won even without America First candidate on the ballot

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 8:54


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, soon-to-be Democratic Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Sarah Abel says Tammy Baldwin would have won reelection against Republican Eric Hovde even if America First candidate Thomas Leager, who Dem donors helped put on the ballot, hadn't been in the race. Hovde has blamed Leager for his loss.

    Capitol Chats: McCoshen credits Trump for rural turnout, Zepecki praises historic Baldwin victory

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 31:31


    In this week's Capitol Chats, GOP strategist Bill McCoshen and Dem strategist Joe Zepecki join a special edition of the podcast on this week's elections in Wisconsin. McCoshen credits President-elect Donald Trump for winning over more voters in rural areas and Zepecki touts Dem U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin winning reelection despite Trump carrying the state. Baldwin is the first Wisconsin candidate for U.S. Senate since 1968 to win an election when the nominee for the other party won the presidential race.

    Capitol Chats: Barnes says Senate candidacy prepared him to support candidates facing attack ads

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 12:11


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, former Dem U.S. Senate candidate and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes talks about his The Long Run PAC, which aims to support nontraditional candidates. Barnes says his experience running for U.S. Senate puts him in a position to support candidates who feel things aren't going their way or are being bombarded by racist or misogynistic attack ads.

    Capitol Chats: La Follette School director touts program to mitigate political polarization

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 14:10


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, UW-La Follette School Director Susan Webb-Yackee shares how the Main Street Agenda program, a partnership between the La Follette School and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, has sought to bring Wisconsinites together across political lines.

    Capitol Chats: Wied calls Dem opponent Lyerly a "rubber stamp" for Biden-Harris administration

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 12:20


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Republican 8th CD candidate Tony Wied says his opponent, Dem Kristin Lyerly, is a "rubber stamp" for the Biden-Harris administration. Wied also declined to share his thoughts on a GOP proposal to ask voters to weigh in on a 14-week abortion ban.

    Capitol Chats: Lyerly says abortion rights message resonates in 8th CD despite Catholic presence

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 11:20


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, 8th CD Dem candidate Kristin Lyerly, an OB-GYN, says she believes her message in support of abortion resonates in the district, arguing abortion “is not something rare and unusual.” This interview was conducted before Lyerly and GOP opponent Tony Wied agreed to a debate.

    Capitol Chats: Wisconsin attorney Behnke 'fortunate' to be American Bar Association president-elect

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 12:39


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, American Bar Association president-elect Michelle Behnke shares her thoughts on being the second Wisconsinite to lead the organization and what she hopes to accomplish. Behnke also reflects on her milestones as the first person of color and fourth woman to lead the State Bar Association.          

    Capitol Chats: Post-DNC special edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 36:29


    A special edition of Capitol Chats reviews the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. WisPolitics President Jeff Mayers speaks with Stan Milam of the Janesville Gazette, Grace Segers of The New Republic, Ruth Conniff of the Wisconsin Examiner and Matt Smith of WISN TV, co-host of WisPolitics partner show, “UpFront.”

    State GOP Chair Schimming says Harris 'honeymoon' will be 'cut short early'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 10:52


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, state GOP Chair Brian Schimming says while there may be a honeymoon period around Dem presidential nominee Kamala Harris' candidacy, he expects it to be cut short once voters learn more about her record.

    Capitol Chats: Wikler says delegates who haven't formally endorsed Harris support her over Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 13:52


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, State Dem Party Chair Ben Wikler says Wisconsin DNC delegates who haven't formally endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign have "absolute clarity" that they support her over former President Donald Trump.

    Capitol Chats: Post-RNC special edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2024 33:57


    A special edition of Capitol Chats reviews the 2024 Republican National Convention. WisPolitics President Jeff Mayers speaks with WisPolitics reporter Kate Morton; Lou Jacobson, who covers politics for US News, PolitiFact and Sabato's Crystal Ball; and Taurean Small, campaign reporter at CBS News.

    Capitol Chats: Lincoln Project's Olson says Trump is playing 'zero-sum autocratic game'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 12:43


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode Trygve Olson, a senior adviser for anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project, compares former President Donald Trump to an autocrat and says Wisconsin voters will decide whether democracy continues in the 2024 presidential election.

    Capitol Chats: Stein says policymakers should consider universities to address job market needs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 14:08


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Wisconsin Policy Forum VP and Research Director Jason Stein weighs in on the Universities of Wisconsin's budget challenges. Stein raises concerns that the state has reduced the capacity for universities to serve the labor market and discusses the closures of two-year campuses over the past few years.    

    Capitol Chats: BLOC's Lang notes importance of Milwaukee, Black and Brown voters in 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 11:53


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Angela Lang, executive director of Milwaukee-based Black Leaders Organizing for Communities weighs in on Milwaukee and Black and Brown voters' importance in the 2024 election. Lang also shares her thoughts on what President Joe Biden could do to appeal to Black voters.

    Capitol Chats: Abrams says new staffing standards are "unrealistic" for nursing homes

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 14:34


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Rick Abrams, CEO of the Wisconsin Health Care Association and Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living (WHCA/WiCAL) shares concerns about Wisconsin's nursing homes' ability to meet new minimum staffing standards in the midst of a worker shortage.

    Capitol Chats: Forward Analytics' Knapp says “NIMBY" attitude a challenge for affordable housing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2024 15:11


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Forward Analytics Director Dale Knapp says the state will need to build more housing to meet an increased need due in part to the baby boom of the mid-20th century. Knapp said some challenges are building enough housing that's also affordable and people with a “not in my backyard” attitude toward new housing projects.

    Capitol Chats: Wisconsin Young Republicans chair says youth GOP ready to rally behind Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 17:21


    In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Wisconsin Young Republicans Chair Kyle Schroeder says young GOP voters are enthused and ready to get behind former President Donald Trump. He also says their biggest issues right now are abortion, the economy and issues at the southern border. He also says many are disappointed with the Biden administration isn't cracking down harder on pro-Palestinian protests around the country.          

    Capitol Chats: Wisconsin College Dems chair: Claims young voters won't turn out in '24 'dead wrong'

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 12:42


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Wisconsin College Democrats Chair Matthew Lehner says one of the biggest misconceptions about young voters is that they won't turn out to vote in November. He also says he shares concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but noted there are many other issues at stake in the upcoming presidential election, such as abortion, LGBTQ+ and racial equality and climate change.

    Capitol Chats: Dane GOP Chair Maly says voters will get behind Trump, GOP needs to get engage youth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 18:27


    On this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Dane County Republican Party Chair Brandon Maly, 24, says Republican voters, even so-called "RINOs," will likely rally behind Trump in the November general election as long as they can clear the abortion hurdle. Maly says voters aren't pleased with how the White House is handling many current issues, especially the economy. He also says Republicans should meet younger voters where they are, instead of talking about banning TikTok.

    Capitol Chats: Zepecki confident Biden will earn support of uninstructed voters in November

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 14:34


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Dem strategist Joe Zepecki shares his takeaways from the April 2 presidential primary. Zepecki says he believes President Joe Biden will earn support from uninstructed voters in November. He also points out the percentage of voters who cast ballots in the GOP primary for candidates that are no longer in the race was higher than the margin of uninstructed votes in the Dem primary.

    Capitol Chats: Group pushing for uninstructed Dem primary vote still wants Biden to win

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 13:39


    In this week's Capitol Chats: Kyle Johnson, political director for Listen to Wisconsin, says voters who checked the 'uninstructed' box this April primary want President Joe Biden to remember and listen to those who helped elect him to office. They're protesting Biden's policies toward Israel and Gaza. Johnson also says the movement still wants to see Biden earn a second term, but he needs to meet their demands before they can align to defeat former President Donald Trump. More than 47,000 voted uninstructed, surpassing the group's goal of 20,000. Published on April 3, 2024.

    Capitol Chats: Kelly says new maps could be 'challenge,' Dems should recognize voucher benefits

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 13:48


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, School Choice Wisconsin President Nic Kelly says new legislative maps that favor Dems could be a challenge. But he argues Dems should remember their constituents benefit from the state's private school voucher programs. Kelly also reviews the group's efforts during the legislative session.

    Capitol Chats: WEAC's Wirtz-Olsen says more school referendums ahead without funding formula changes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 9:44


    In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Wisconsin Education Association Council President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen says the $1.4 billion in combined school budget referendum requests across Wisconsin is a sign public schools need more funding and the funding formula is broken. A WisPolitics review found this year to be the third-highest ask from schools since 2000. Wirtz-Olsen also talks about a new AAPI curriculum bill and the Senate's rejection of Gov. Tony Evers' nomination of John Miller to the UW Board of Regents.    

    Capitol Chats: Neubauer announces reelection bid, talks priorities and new maps

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 11:13


    In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, announces her bid for reelection after talking about what her caucus wants to work on for the remainder of the year. She also says she's not too worried the Dem Assembly members leaving this year will impact her caucus' ability to make significant gains with the new legislative maps. Published on March 13, 2024.

    Capitol Chats: Pfaff says he's "hell bent" on providing relief for PFAS contamination

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 12:47


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Sen. Brad Pfaff discusses his bill aiming to fight PFAS contamination. The Onalaska Dem says the Legislature must act on the issue amid a standoff between Republicans and Gov. Tony Evers over PFAS funding.

    Capitol Chats: Assembly Corrections Committee Chair Schraa on high vacancy rates, aging prisons

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 15:35


    In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Assembly Corrections Committee Chair Michael Schraa, R-Oshkosh, talks about some of the most pressing issues facing the Wisconsin's prisons. He talks about what it will take to continue driving security staff vacancy rates down and how likely it is a longterm push to replace maximum security prisons from the 19th century in Waupun and Green Bay with one newer facility. He also briefly touches on what's to come from his committee.    

    Capitol Chats: WISDOM's Rice says there have been no significant improvements on prison lockdowns

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 14:27


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, WISDOM Transformational Justice Campaign Coordinator Mark Rice says long term lockdowns amount to torture for inmates. He also says there has been no significant progress to lift the nearly yearlong lockdowns at Wisconsin's two oldest maximum security prisons, and argues former Parole Commissioner John Tate II created a better climate on the Parole Commission.

    Capitol Chats: Gustafson says artificial intelligence could address workforce issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 11:42


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, freshman Rep. Nate Gustafson discusses recommendations from the Speaker's Task Force on Artificial Intelligence he chairs. The Fox Crossing Republican also shares his thoughts on how AI could be used to address the state's workforce shortage.

    Capitol Chats: AFP's Novak says Wisconsinites' biggest concern is inflation ahead of election

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 12:01


    In this week's WisPolitics Capitol Chats podcast, Americans for Prosperity State Director Megan Novak says most voters are thinking about inflation on regular goods and services such as groceries and energy heading into the presidential election. She argues the federal government has got to stop growing the national debt and should also focus on providing more American energy while. She also blasts President Joe Biden for what she calls anti-worker freedom policies.  

    Capitol Chats: Shankland says Van Orden "not serving the people of Wisconsin"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 15:41


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, state Rep. Katrina Shankland, D-Stevens Point, talks about her campaign to unseat U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, and touts her credentials as a state legislator. Shankland is one of three Dems vying for the seat.

    Capitol Chats: WILL's Esenberg talks about redistricting, abortion cases

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 17:15


    In this week's WisPolitics Capitol Chats WILL President and General Counsel Rick Esenberg talks about the legislative redistricting lawsuit his office is party to. Esenberg also talks about what to watch for in the lawsuit seeking to make Wisconsin's 1849 abortion law unenforceable. A Dane County judge late last year ruled the law doesn't apply to consensual abortions, but Sheboygan DA Urmanski is appealing the decision.  

    Capitol Chats: Redistricting expert Johnson assesses maps submitted in Supreme Court legislative remap lawsuit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 13:35


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Marquette University Law School Lubar Center Research Fellow John Johnson gives his first impressions of maps submitted to the Supreme Court for a redistricting lawsuit. He says the court laid out criteria the maps must meet, but did not detail how to gauge the criteria. He also says he'd be surprised if the federal government weighed in on the issue as Republicans have said they are ready to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

    Capitol Chats: Cronmiller says legislative maps case is opportunity to eliminate gerrymandered maps

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 12:54


    In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Debra Cronmiller, executive director of the League of Women Voters and chair of the Fair Maps Coalition, discusses a case before the Supreme Court challenging the state's legislative maps. The court has ordered new maps ahead of the 2024 elections.

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