Last week, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo essentially freezing payments from the federal government. The memo was rescinded, but perhaps it's a sign of what's to come from the Trump administration.

Regular Recombobulation Area contributor and Marquette University professor Phil Rocco, who has written and researched extensively on the relationship between different levels of government, joins the podcast to help make sense of what happened and what might be next.

Let's recombobulate.

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Donald Trump said immigration was his No. 1 issue. So, let's talk about it. A big picture podcast discussion with immigration attorneys Gabriela Parra and Kevin Layde, and guest co-host Angela Lang.

Donald Trump was sworn into office as the 47th president last week, and with that inauguration came a flurry of activity, perhaps most notably on the issue of immigration. One report said Donald Trump characterized immigration as his No. 1 issue in his 2024 campaign, ahead of even the economy. 

So, we want to talk more about immigration. But part of having this conversation means separating some of the rhetoric from the reality, and talking about what is actually happening on this issue. Because on balance, this can all be pretty discombobulating. 

Joining us to help us recombobulate and make sense of the issues are our guests for this episode, Gabriela Parra and Kevin Layde, managing partners at the Layde & Parra immigration law firm. Angela Lang, executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, joins as co-host.

Topics discussed include:

Watch the full episode as a video here.

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Dan Shafer hosts Phillip Roccco, the Editor for Marquette University and the author of "Prisoners of the State," in the Recombobulation Area. In their discussion, Phillip and Dan explore proposals designed to provide state counties with a slight increase in funding to sustain programs that are at risk of elimination, which would be financed through a moderate sales tax. Phillip also addresses the perception of state funding to local governments as a progressive compromise in the context of Act 12.

Dan further discusses the role of the Joint Finance Committee in developing a budget for shared revenue, highlighting the financial losses incurred by not implementing Medicaid Expansion for BadgerCare, which would make healthcare more affordable rather than offering less coverage for higher costs.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Dan Shafer returns to the Maggie Daun Show to address the financial requirements of Waukesha County and other regions. In recent developments, Mike Johnson has been reinstated as Speaker of the House. Furthermore, newly elected officials, such as Tammy Baldwin, have taken their oaths in the Senate.

Chris Drosner also participates in the discussion, focusing on the recent closures and consolidations within the beer and brewing sector. The conversation touches on the closure of City Lights and the subsequent seizure of production and distribution by its owners. Additionally, they explore whether individuals are opting for tap, seltzer, or house beers to support local breweries. Briefly, Phillip Rocco joins into to talk whats going on in local government.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Dan Shafer and Angela Lang will host a discussion with Jeff Mandell from LAW FORWARD on the complexities of ACT 10 and its repeal. Enacted in Wisconsin in 2011, ACT 10 severely limited public sector unions' collective bargaining rights, sparking protests and debates over workers' rights.

Jeff Mandell analyzes the distinctions between State Constitutions and Federal Constitutions, highlighting how State Constitutions often provide equal or greater support and protection.He states how Act 10 is Unfair and is not constitutional.

Dan and Angela later return to her article, emphasizing that the repeal of Act 10 represents a significant advancement for Wisconsin in terms of restoring order and progressing towards future goals.

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Dan Shafer steps into the role of guest host on the Maggie Daun Show, sparking an animated discussion with Angela Lang, a writer for the Recombobulation Area. They dive into her newly released article, pondering the question of what lies ahead.

As Dan and Angela reflect on their past New Year's Eve celebrations, the conversation takes an intriguing turn with a mention of Chuck Schumer's support for Bill Wikler, infusing their festive chat with a dose of political insight. They address issues such as voter apathy, core values, and the importance of informing voters with accurate information prior to elections.

https://www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/where-do-we-go-from-here

The Maggie Daun Show is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Monday through Friday from 2-4 pm across the network. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X and Instagram to keep up with Maggie and the show!

Dan Shafer, Founder of the Recombobulation Area and Civic Media's Political Member, joins host Mark Becker to answer this:

What really happened in Wisconsin in the 2024 Presidential Election?

Besides discussing the closeness of the Presidential Election, Mark also asks Dan about the difference between the 3rd Congressional District and the 8th. What's next for Wisconsin in 2026? And how will Tony Evers do if he runs for re-election? Mark muses in the last segment about the CEO Assassin and his thoughts on the situation that is brewing.

Rational Revolution with Mark Becker is a part of the Civic Media radio network and airs Saturdays at 2 across the network. . Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook and X to keep up with Rational Revolution with Mark Becker.

The Assembly Minority Leader reflects on the results of the 2024 election in Wisconsin, the first under new maps, and looks ahead to what's to come in the state legislature in 2025.

Greta Neubauer, the state representative from the 66th Assembly District and the Assembly's Democratic Minority Leader, joined The Recombobulation Area podcast for a discussion on the 2024 election and a look ahead to what's to come in state government in 2025.

In August, Neubauer predicted that Democrats would win 52 seats. They ended up winning 45. 

“We are always going to be ambitious,” said Neubauer. “I think we had a real shot in all of those 52 seats. We had a number of places where we came up just short, really close, in some really close elections — in the Milwaukee suburbs, in Green Bay — and those are places where we’ll be competing in future years. And so, we are really pleased that, in a tough year for Democrats, we were able to pick up 10 seats. We were able to narrow the margins quite a bit. We have five more to go to get that majority.”

In our conversation, we also discussed some of the reflecting that Democrats are doing after this election, the issue of messaging on issues and priorities, what she learned in the first election under new and more competitive maps, the power of incumbency in Wisconsin elections, immigration policy, priorities for 2025, what to expect with a legislature with smaller majorities, and more. 

Looking ahead to 2025, Neubauer said “there’s going to be a lot more room for bipartisan work” with smaller Republican majorities in 2025. She said she is hopeful for compromise on issues like education funding and tax policy.

“Of course, Republicans are out the gate talking about another tax cut,” she said. “We’re open to that, but it has to be focused on helping those people who are having a difficult time make ends meet. It can’t be focused on more giveaways to the rich and to big corporations like we’ve seen from our Republican colleagues in the past.”

Listen here, or at The Recombobulation Area.

Donald Trump won Wisconsin and the presidency. Angela Lang and Dan Shafer try to make sense of what just happened.

We talked about the "late night ballot dump" issue and more. Part of the Civic Media special broadcast, "Making Your Vote Count 2024."

For the Civic Media special broadcast, Making Your Vote Count 2024, I talked to Scott Krug, a Republican state representative from Nekoosa who currently serves as Chair of the Assembly Committee on Campaigns and Elections, and Paulina Gutierrez, the newly appointed director of the Milwaukee Elections Commission. 

Clips from both of those interviews appear in the special broadcast, and also in bonus content at The Recombobulation Area, where I produced a segment breaking down the late night ballot dump that occurs in Milwaukee. Find that segment here.

In addition, we’re publishing both of those interviews in their entirety here, as a podcast. First, you’ll hear from representative Krug, and then from director Gutierrez. 

Be sure to make your voice heard and vote by Nov. 5. Let’s recombobulate.