MILWAUKEE - After a brief discussion of Trump and Netanyahu’s war with Iran, we turn to defeating authoritarianism by fighting for policies that help people with their most pressing priorities, like good paying jobs, well funded public schools, healthcare and childcare.

We discuss the introduction of new legislation for a BadgerCare Public Option, which represents the most comprehensive healthcare affordability proposal introduced in Wisconsin this session. The legislation would open Wisconsin’s trusted BadgerCare program to anyone who lacks adequate employer-sponsored coverage.

Citizen Action announces a statewide virtual town hall with all the Democratic Governor candidates, Tuesday, April 14th 6pm.

We bring attention to Legislative Republicans taking a chunk out of Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI’s) already approved funding over debunked allegations that they paid for a junket in the Dells. What kind of budget deal allows the Republicans to unilaterally veto agreed funding levels after ignoring the results of their own investigation?

We lament the expiration of the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program due to GOP opposition following a large land purchase to extend the Ice Age Trail in Devils Lake area. And, as the Legislature may do nothing to regulate data centers – as Big Tech and utilities want – local people fight back, as a Judge allows a Port Washington referendum to continue. Finally, what is the division between Governor Evers and Legislative Democrats on gerrymandering? Will Vos reach another damaging deal with Evers before they both head off into the sunset?

Listen to the show.

Listen to the entire podcast

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/voters-2022-getty-s430.pngEfforts to Ensure Fair Maps for Future Generations.

MILWAUKEE - We discuss the retirement of Speaker Robin Vos after a decade of ruthless control of the Legislature. Vos was the most powerful and successful state politician since Scott Walker, and one of the most influential Assembly Speakers ever. The 2026 election is upon us and Citizen Action is announcing our endorsement of Judge Chris Taylor for state Supreme Court. This week the new $20 Wage Bill was introduced in the Legislature with a big media event at the Capitol.

We review the new MU Law Poll. We take a deeper dive into what the poll tells us about the race for governor, and where voters stand on data centers, health care, and the cost of living.

We welcome Wisconsin Public Education Network (WPEN) leader Heather DuBois Bourenane to discuss Public Schools Week and a new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s chronic under funding of public schools. The lawsuit was filed by teachers, parents, students, and WPEN by Law Forward. We encourage our listeners to attend a Capitol Rotunda rally this Friday (Feb. 27th) at noon.

Listen to the show.

Listen to the Podcast

MILWAUKEE - We remember Jesse Jackson for carrying the torch for the multi-racial working class long after the hopes of the Civil Rights Era faded, his prophetic oratory which still speaks to us today, and his special connection to Wisconsin.

We highlight the victory for health care access for mothers, children, and women with a higher risk of breast cancer, Boss Vos finally relents to significant pressure from the public and other Republicans and allows a vote on postpartum Medicaid and cost-free breast cancer screening bills.

We welcome Peter Rickman, president of the MASH union to discuss the new $20 Wage bill that will be introduced next week, Tuesday, at 11AM, at the State Capitol, Senate Parlor.

Robert educates us on an important lawsuit against Trump’s climate-denying EPA by health and climate groups over the dangerous repeal of rule supporting climate protections.

We discuss an important public hearing held this week for four Data Center bills. Citizen Action members joined dozens of community leaders and data center activists who want a pause on new construction and sensible public accountability for future data centers.

Listen to the show.

We urge our listeners to call your state Legislators, at 1-800-362-9472, and tell them to co-sponsor Data Center Pause and Utility Rate Cap Bills.

TAKE ACTION in support of a new $20/hour bill being introduced next week in the State Legislature.

Listen to the Battleground Wisconsin Podcast

Madison, Wisc. – State Senator Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) released the following statement in response to Governor Tony Evers' final State of the State address:

MADISON, WI — Tonight, Governor Tony Evers reviewed his time in office, including his success in cutting taxes by over $2 billion a year, delivering job training to 127,000 Wisconsinites, and paying down $3 billion in state debt.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/jesse-l-jackson-s442.pngCivil rights leader passed away Tuesday at the age of 84 years old.

GREEN BAY — State Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D-Green Bay) today praised Governor Tony Evers for granting a full pardon to Green Bay mother Samantha Hampton, calling it “a powerful reminder that government can be a force for good.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gb-newcap-office-s470.pngFOX11 report questions non-profit agency's handling of public funds.

MILWAUKEE - Holy Bondi! Following a recap of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s bizarrely pugilistic appearance before the House Judiciary Committee. Next we dive into this week in the Trump Regime. This week ICE agents are flowing into small towns in Western Wisconsin while a possibly shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security looms due to Republican refusal to rein in ICE. Meanwhile Wisconsin U.S. House approves Brian Steils continues to burnish is MAGA credentials as his “show your papers” voter suppression bill passes the House.

New research finds climate change is making the Great Lakes’ winters shorter, but future tracking will be harder as the Trump regime scrubs climate change data. We discuss packed Public Service Commission (PSC) hearings where the vast majority of attendees demand rejection of a special electricity deal devised by We Energies for Data Centers. But will the PSC listen to the people or cave once again to the Big Utilities and their Big Tech partners? We also talk about a new Legislative Republican bill that would slow the revolving door between the PSC and big utilities.

We close with a discussion of the negotiations between Governor Evers and Legislative Republican leaders on the $2.5 billion surplus. Are both the Governor and the Republicans hellbent on giving away what remains of the surplus without dealing with the chronic under funding of public education, transit, and other vital public services?

Listen to the show.

Listen to “Bondi Bombast Boomerang” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast