La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

La Crosse County Administrator Jane Klekamp in studio, a few months into the new job. We discussed a slew of things from what is a county admin., to bridge housing to a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant. La Crosse County Administrator Jane Klekamp in studio, a few months into the new job. We discussed a slew of things from what is a county admin., to bridge housing to a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant. Klekamp has worked within La Crosse County since 1989. She took over for Steve O’Malley mid-January, after he retired after 19 years as the county’s first-ever administrator.  A big part of the conversation was about bridge housing for families and how the county is doing in that regard. Also spent some time on “fix the damn roads,” free jail phone calls, and declaring racism a public health crisis. The county hiring a recently hired a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant to help deal with that. Lastly we hit on some of the programs that were expanded during COVID that are coming to an end, a new south side meal site and potentially a fifth one in West Salem through the Aging-Disability Resource Center and using American Rescue Plan Act funding for solar panels on county buildings.

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Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff in studio discussing a lot of different farming topics, including anti-plant milk legislation (he would call this pro-milk legislation) transitioning farms, farm pollution and ways to fund fixing the roads. Had Pfaff try to explain the dilemma small dairy farmers have and what could be done about that, like transitioning to other crops, hydroponics and whether the state helps with that switch. Also talked about farm pollution, like runoff, and if the state could be better regulating that. Pfaff has legislation to not allow plant-based drinks to call themselves “milk,” so we had to hit on that topic again. Lastly, brought up La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds’ post about being charged by the state $75 basically for owning a hybrid/electric vehicle. Why does that exist? Also asked if if there is a better way to simply fund fixing the roads. Ended the show quick that Pfaff and state Assembly Rep. Steve Doyle will hold a Wisconsin budget listening session from 5:30-6:30 p.m. April 3 at the West Salem Public Library. 

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UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky joined. We got into a what's on the ballot, how the legislature manipulates and ignores ballot questions and what we should really be voting on — like state dipping sauce. Began the show talking about how these spring, "nonpartisan" elections are vastly more important than a presidential election in terms of effecting your every day life, but the turnout is like 60 percent less. That led to some of the referendum questions on the ballot and how some are posed to encourage certain voter turnout and other nonbinding questions are just ignored by the legislature — like redistricting solutions, legalizing marijuana. And, speaking of redistricting, we discussed the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and what kind of things they might take up with a new member on the court. Lastly, we talked about Republicans mad the governor appointed a new secretary of state, when they want a special election, and some Scott Walker news.

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La Crosse School Board candidate Kathi Blanchard joined. She discussed some of the things she sees through her kids withing the district, talked how the board needs to build trust and expressed her views on consolidation. Blanchard is one of eight candidates running for school board with four open seats. She was born and raised in La Crosse, went through the public school system and currently has a freshman attending Logan and a fifth grader at Northside. Some of the things we talked about were the upcoming six-year, $60-million operating budget referendum, how she felt about the closing of Lincoln Middle School and teacher pay.

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La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke joined to help make sense of the bail reform questions on the spring ballot that could change the Wisconsin constitution, as well as other legislation happening, and a racial equity study that was recently reviewed. Spent most of the show on bail reform, as lawmakers earlier in the day tried to better identify violent crime, even as voters are already casting ballots on the measure. We also discussed a racial equity study by the Center for Effective Public Policy that the county's Criminal Justice Management Council reviewed recently. Spent the rest of the show with quick hitters on the other legislation going through Madison, including harsher riot penalties, harsher reckless driving penalties and parole transparency. 

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La Crosse School Board candidate Tim Alberts joined to discuss what he thinks his role should be, public trust, the referendum, and the importance of listening to a diverse group of people. Alberts is born and raised in La Crosse, graduated from Central and has two freshmen currently with the River Hawks. Alberts discussed the importance of passing the six-year, $60 million operating referendum that's on the current ballot, though he saddles that to a transparency issue within the district. We also discussed the consolidation plan to build a new high school that failed last election and what the plan should be with the district's many buildings and declining student population.Lastly, Alberts stressed the importance he sees with listening to the public, teachers and, most importantly, students.

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UW-La Crosse Outreach Specialist Spencer Wilken in studio with another segment of breaking news from decades ago -- this time about living with a dolphin -- as well as whether the Romans had potholes and her very popular Reddit thread on the moon landing. First, however, Wilken listened intently as Solem unwound from being off a week, and the news of Wisconsin Secretary of State resigning. Then we got into roundabout-construction season-pothole talk and how the Romans may have solved that dilemma. After that, some very weird news from the 1960s about dolphin research, taking what must have been a lot of LSD and subjecting a woman and a dolphin to living together in some kind of apartment. Lastly, we brought up Wilken's Reddit thread on the moon landing, as she prepares to get her doctorate in astrophysics.

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UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio to discuss the controversial release of Ranch Dressing ice cream, as well as Wisconsin politics in regards to dueling political tax plans and Legislature salaries and qualifications. Depending on your preference, either Chergosky or Solem had an extreme opinion on Ranch Dressing. Politically, the the tax cut plan discussion hovered around a new report was not favorable for either Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers or the GOP-led state Legislature proposals. And, in terms of the Legislature, we discussed how long they're in session, their ability to have a side-hustle, and the amount they get paid.

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La Crosse School Board candidate Jerry Wacek joined the show, discussing the old and new referendums in the district and some of his priorities when it comes to schools, including keeping the arts. Wacek is a field tech for an engineering company and he has two children in the district now — third grader and a sophomore. Eight are running for four open seats on the board, with the spring election cycle ending April 4. Before Wacek joined, 95.7 the Rock's Jean Taylor began the show to talk about the world's shortest race, the St. Patty's Day .01k happening March 17 in on Pearl Street, downtown. Proceeds from the 32.8-foot race go to the Hunger Task Force.

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Minnesota House Rep. Gene Pelowski of Winona joins the show to talk about some of the initiatives the state is discussing and putting forward with a $17 billion budget surplus, including free school meals, public school funding and legalizing marijuana/sports gambling. Minnesota flipped to full Democratic control this past election and Pelowski noted that there are now over 2,700 bills going through the part-time Legislature that has until May to siphon threw them. 

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