La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Jill Billings in studio, discussing ribbon cuttings for roundabouts, the end of the November legislative session, healthcare, smoking age and what it’s like at Thanksgiving dinner for a legislator.

Began the show talking quick about a busy Monday for Billings, who was at a ribbon cutting for roundabouts that aren't done yet and a few healthcare meetings.

That led to a conversation about civics and how legislators need to get up to speed on issues that aren't familiar to them.

After that, we spent a minute on the Wisconsin Supreme Court beginning hearings on the "rigged maps" lawsuit. After that, we discussed the smoking age, should vaping be legal indoors and if we could ban smoking indoors in today's political atmosphere.

In the second half of the we talked about the November legislative session, in what I like to call "cram" sessions. We also hit on healthcare/health insurance as open enrollment is underway and why not every politician isn't trying to make that a campaign issue. We also discussed how an extraordinary amount of Democratic bills had a floor vote — TWO out of 71 bills were Democratic, or 2.8%. That's nearly a 1% jump from last year, when only 1.9% of bills were from Democrats.

Ended the show talking about the Thanksgiving dinner and politics at the household of a state legislator.

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Kristie Tweed, from the group Citizen Action of Wisconsin, joined to discuss healthcare in Wisconsin, including legislation out there for a public option. Tweed, who is the Driftless Region organizer, also talked a bit about some climate solutions that Citizen Action is working on. Before that, however, we talked about Citizen Action represents and wants to accomplish.  

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UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio discussing, if you had to pick only one Thanksgiving food, third-party presidential spoilers and how Americans are divided on politics and self checkouts.

Began the show in holiday tradition, discussing all the best and worst things on the table during Thanksgiving — but like avoiding politics with family at the table, we avoided the divide on green bean casserole, as well.

After that, got into Wisconsin politics a bit on Republicans passing another “tax cut,” while a divided government got a $500 million Brewers stadium done. 

The bottom half of the show dealt with an ethics report on US House Rep. George Santos and why he’s not kicked out of Congress yesterday, and how the parties should have a backbone to dismiss members that are breaking rules.

Then we got into former US House Rep. Ron Kind’s comments on the “No Labels Party” coming in as potential spoilers in the 2024 presidential election. But would their moderate candidate spoil it for Democrats or Republicans?

Lastly, self checkouts, are you for them or against them? The country, there too, is divided.

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School District of La Crosse Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, joined to discuss a committee's final report into the potential closing of two elementary schools — North Woods and Hintgen — why that decision came about and the next steps in the process. 

This week, a community compiled Facilities Advisory Committee (FAC) released its final report on school consolidation, after eight-plus months of work. 

Engel discussed the factors the district is facing in needing to consolidate, as well as the factors the FAC took into account in coming to its final conclusion.

We also talked about the next steps, which include public comment sessions on Nov. 27 (online) and Nov. 29, at the Hogan Administrative Center (map), as well as what the La Crosse School Board has in store over the next few months leading up to a potential decision to close the two elementary schools.

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A two-guest Wednesday, as Lisa David Olson dropped by the studio to talk about talking and her upcoming book release. After that, city councilman Mark Neumann joins to discuss the passage of the La Crosse 2024 budget, that includes a tax increase.

With Olson in studio, we discuss, of course, the book, called, “From the Spotlight to Real Life,” and how the Nov. 25 launch isn’t just some boring book signing — it’s an improv show from 2-4 p.m. at the Pump House in downtown La Crosse.

Olson has built a public speaking career on how to speak — but not just to the public or in public, but in every day life, too.

After that, La Crosse city councilman Mark Neumann joins to talk about the 2024 budget that passed Monday at a public hearing that saw just one person from the public talk.

We discuss some of the details in and out of the budget and why taxes are going up about 8% — up around $105 per $150,000 of property tax value.

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The accomplishments for the UW-La Crosse football team have piled up, and Eagles coach Matt Janus took a few minutes off from watching game film ahead of the first home playoff game since 2006 to tell us about this team. UW-L is ranked fourth in the country, 9-1 overall and one of four top seeds in the playoffs, led by his dual-threat quarterback, what we learn is "The Alien" at wide receiver, and "The Joker," the guy with the funny hair, that leads this defense. We also discuss beating UW-Whitewater for the first time in 19 seasons and what's scary both about UW-L and its upcoming opponent, Minnesota-Morris (7-3).

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Went down multiple rabbit holes Friday with UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in regards to Joe Biden being on the 2024 ballot, the Marquette U poll being trusted and how to stay nonpartisan.

The first rabbit hole was about Green Party candidate Jill Stein announcing a 2024 presidential run, where she’s been for the past seven years and where a candidate needs to start to run for office. It stems from Eric Wilson, on La Crosse Talk PM the day before, running for US House in the 3rd District with no prior experience. 

After that we talked about the Wisconsin state Legislature’s, what I like to call cram session, where a hundred bills get passed and the public can’t keep up. But we contrasted that with the very public way the $517 million Milwaukee Brewers stadium deal is being handled in the public’s eye.

After that, we discussed how Chergosky has to walk the line of non-partisanship. That conversation began with polls, including the Marquette University Law School poll — how it’s one of the most trusted — and how else we could get the public’s take on issues — like polling the Joe Rogan podcast audience. 

Also, we discussed polling on the 2024 presidential race and — at the end of the show — whether we should be voting for judges. The poll conversation included how Nikki Haley beats Biden by a landslide but can’t beat Donald Trump, and whether it’s productive to believe someone with name recognition will run against Biden in 2024.

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Eric Wilson in studio to tell us what his passions are in running for the US House of Representatives in Wisconsin's 3rd District. We scratched the surface getting to know the Democrat, which led to a giant discussion on a need to change healthcare in the country. Not only did he suffer a giant health issue, his father is also battling cancer. We also talked about traversing the 3rd District and how he gets his name out there and his message heard. Wilson is an Eau Claire native, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a degree in economics, who played in the UW Marching Band. He works in digital product management, as well as mortgage loan rejuvenation.  

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La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds in studio discussing voter turnout and re-election, as well as housing, including short-term rentals, and the 2024 budget process. 

Began the show talking a bit reminiscing about the first-term mayor’s election and the low — but typical — voter turnout and what his thoughts are on re-election. That included how college students — or any group — could sway a local election with a larger turnout.

After that, we got into the city’s budget process a bit, rising property taxes and differences between how the city and county budgets are funded. We also talked about if that system needs to be changed, as the city has been discussing cuts to services.

Also discussed housing, as Reynolds has said over and over that a lack of housing is the city’s biggest dilemma. The council is looking at regulating short-term rentals, like Airbnbs, but we talked about how the state limits a local government’s ability to do much.

Lastly, we hit on where the city is at allocating it’s estimated $22 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, as a couple of groups have asked the council for additional money, including the city’s Arts Board.

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La Crosse County administrator Jane Klekamp in studio to talk about the 2024 budget, including spending $14.6 million on roads and the upcoming public comment session. We also discussed the difference between the county's and the city of La Crosse's budget makeup. Wrapped up talking about what the county is doing to help with childcare.

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