WisPolitics Capitol Chats

Today's Midday podcast covers what six Dems looking to take U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's seat had to say about providing health care for all Americans and addressing the student debt issue. Johnson also made headlines this week when he held a news conference on severe adverse side effects from various COVID-19 vaccines.

Today's Midday podcast covers four police policy overhaul bills signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers that primarily deal with police use of force and transparency. Eight other bills dealing with police policies, including no-knock warrants, are past the Assembly and headed to the Senate.

Today's Midday podcast covers various aspects of immigration reform as lawmakers in Congress battle over what to do with those already in the country, looking to get in and those waiting to see if they're allowed in at all. While some paint the issue as a partisan matter, others say it isn't that simple.

Today's Midday podcast covers the push to eliminate the extra $300 checks for unemployed people from the federal government. U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Allouez, introduced a bill to repurpose funds use for the extra UI benefits for a program he says should incentivize people to come back to work.

Today's Midday podcast covers a variety of roles Wisconsin National Guard soldiers filled throughout the pandemic. From administering more COVID-19 tests than any other National Guard unit to fighting forest fires in California, thousands of troops helped the nation recover.

Today's Midday podcast covers student vaccination requirements for Marquette University and the UW System. Marquette students will be required to get vaccinated by August, but UW System President Tommy Thompson says state university students will not be required to get vaccinated.

Today's Midday podcast covers Gov. Tony Evers' announcement he will run for a second term using many of the same campaign pillars that won him the 2018 election. Several potential Republican candidates could put up a fight as former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch has been eyeing the seat for a while.

Today's Midday podcast covers the fight over whether to end or continue the extra $300 per week enhanced unemployment benefits from the federal government. Republicans and business owners say the extra money is contributing to the workforce shortage while Dems say there is no evidence to support that.

Today's Midday podcast covers Joint Finance Committee proposals to spend taxpayer dollars on many of the same areas Evers called for in his budget, but they differ in how much money they spend and where that money comes from.

Today's Midday podcast covers Democratic U.S. Senate candidates who want to take control of Johnson's seat as he nears the end of his second term. At least five Dems have announced bids for the seat, but Johnson hasn't said whether or not he will run again in 2022.