The Recombobulation Minute

I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate. 

There’s been a whole lot happening in the political universe these past few months. Much of it has been rather discombobulating, you might say. From the first 100 days of the Trump administration to the high-stakes race for Wisconsin Supreme Court and everything else that went into the Spring Election in Wisconsin, it’s been a lot to wrap our heads around.

But now, we’re entering a new phase on Wisconsin’s political calendar. That’s right, we’re getting into budget season. 

The biennial budget is the biggest thing that happens in state politics every two years, and our elected officials in the Assembly and Senate are going to be making some important decisions in the very near future. 

Now is a great time to contact your representatives and let them know what you think our priorities should be for our next state budget. Because in a government by the people, participation is power, and your voice matters.

Find all of Dan’s work at The Recombobulation Area. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area’s podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and see more the Civic Media website.

I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate. 

On April 22 in the Wisconsin State Senate, something happened that you don’t see too often — a high profile bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Republican-controlled chamber voted 32-1 to extend Medicaid coverage for new moms from 60 days to 12 months. Wisconsin is one of only two U.S. states to not have already extended this critical postpartum coverage. 

So, with that kind of support, you’d expect the bill to pass, right?

Well, not exactly. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has repeatedly blocked this legislation from coming up for a vote. Several Republican state representatives have been speaking out on this, urging Vos to change his tune, but he has not budged. 

It’s time for Vos to end this charade and allow this bill to come up for a vote. If he’s opposed, he can still vote against it, but one person should not block a bill that has already been supported by the majority of his own party, the majority of his own caucus. Let the people vote, Mr. Speaker.

Find all of Dan’s work at The Recombobulation Area. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area’s podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and see more the Civic Media website.

I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate. 

In recent months, Milwaukee health officials have uncovered significant lead hazards in city schools, mostly due to lead-based paint. Several schools have been closed as the problem has been found to be more widespread.

In late March, city officials formally requested help from the CDC  , but in doing so, they learned that the CDC’s entire lead program had been eliminated by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 

This is a major problem. Children in the state’s largest city are being exposed to lead poisoning at their schools, and the Trump administration is not only refusing to provide assistance, they are eliminating the entire lead program that would help in cases like this one. 

Now, state and local officials must step up to do something for these kids, since Trump and RFK Jr. are gutting federal support. Milwaukee’s children deserve better.

Find all of Dan’s work at The Recombobulation Area. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area’s podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and see more the Civic Media website.

I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate. 

In the April 1 Spring Election, Susan Crawford won the incredibly expensive race for Wisconsin Supreme Court. And she didn’t just win, but won decisively, gaining 55% of the vote, a 10-point margin ahead of her opponent, Brad Schimel. It is a remarkable victory. 

In so many ways, this race became a referendum on Elon Musk, from his prominent position in the Trump administration to the tens of millions of dollars he put toward backing Brad Schimel in this race. 

And Wisconsin voters spoke decisively, rejecting Musk at this critical moment. All 72 counties in Wisconsin shifted to the left from last fall’s election. That includes Brown County, home to Green Bay, where Musk held a rally just days before the election, handing out million dollar checks. 

The sweeping results we’re seeing are going to send a powerful message that will resonate nationally. Wisconsin voters spoke loud and clear, saying we cannot be bought.

Find all of Dan’s work at The Recombobulation Area. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area’s podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and see more the Civic Media website.

I’m Dan Shafer, let’s recombobulate.

In the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court, so many issues are on the line, from reproductive rights to redistricting, to even just basic checks and balances.

For right-wing candidate Brad Schimel, though, one issue deserves more scrutiny, and that’s his record on opioid settlements. Here in Wisconsin, it seems like we all know someone who has been directly affected by the devastating opioid addiction epidemic.

As Wisconsin’s Attorney General, Schimel refused to join multi-state lawsuits taking on opioid manufacturers. We now know these settlements are having a major impact, as new research shows that overdose deaths are declining significantly in Wisconsin because of funding from these settlements.

You have to wonder if things might be unfolding differently, had Schimel been re-elected in 2018. His lack of action and indifference to accountability on this issue should be seen as a real problem as he seeks a seat on the state’s highest court.

Find all of Dan’s work at The Recombobulation Area. Subscribe to The Recombobulation Area’s podcast wherever you listen to podcast, and see more the Civic Media website.

I’m Dan Shafer, let’s recombobulate.

Folks, we’ve got to talk about Derrick Van Orden. The second term congressman representing Wisconsin’s Third District is at it again, dodging public meetings and making all kinds of unhinged comments. As many scramble and struggle to understand the chaos of what’s happening in Washington D.C., and how it’s impacting people here in Wisconsin, Van Orden has been as frustrating and disrespectful as ever.

In one instance, Van Orden took to social media to berate a veteran who had been fired from his job at the VA by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. And the veteran in question is simply someone who was just reaching out to his congressman, looking for answers. Van Orden’s office has also hastily canceled public meetings and he has made some especially wild accusations about people who have been attending these public events. Congressman Van Orden needs to stop this unhinged madness and more importantly, be more available and accountable to his constituents.

Find all of Dan’s work at The Recombobulation Area and on our website at civicmedia.us.

I’m Dan Shafer, let’s recombobulate.

Governor Tony Evers has released his budget, calling this the most pro-kid budget in state history. This is now the fourth time that Evers has put forth a budget proposal, and the three prior were all met with a similar fate. Republicans and the legislature rejected it entirely.

Again this year, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called the budget dead on arrival. To a certain extent, this is what we’ve come to expect from this era of divided government in Wisconsin. In previous years, Evers has eventually signed Republican author budgets and used his line item veto powers to make certain changes.

But could he play hardball this time around and threaten to veto the entire budget? Is there anything in this pro-kid budget that has to be there? Things like education funding or clean water protections or Medicaid expansion?

With everything going on in Washington, now might be the right time for Evers to fight for these proposals and fight for Wisconsinites in any way he can.

Find all of Dan’s work at The Recombobulation Area and on our website at civicmedia.us.

Believe it or not, it is once again time for Wisconsinites to head to the polls and vote. I know, we all have a bit of election fatigue after 2024, but the Spring Election Primary is coming up on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

One race that will be on every ballot for the Spring Primary is for State Superintendent. Incumbent Jill Underly is seeking another term, and two   candidates are challenging her — Jeff Wright, superintendent for Sauk Prairie Schools, and Brittany Kinser, an education consultant and former charter school executive. 

Kinser’s candidacy, in particular, is gaining steam. Her campaign reported raising more than $500,000, far more than what Underly or Wright have brought in. With that type of financial support, this could prove to be a more competitive race for state superintendent than what we’ve seen in quite some time. This is becoming a real race to watch.

Wisconsin Republicans prioritize a constitutional voter ID amendment, aiming to boost right-wing turnout for the April Supreme Court race. Democrats criticize focus shift from pressing issues like healthcare and gun violence.