WisPolitics Capitol Chats

Today's Midday podcast covers Gov. Tony Evers' vetoing a bill that would have given the state Legislature oversight over federal pandemic relief funds, warning it would've allowed a single lawmaker to delay by weeks getting the money to those who need it.

Today's Midday podcast covers a Waukesha businessman who co-founded the non-partisan group Democracy Found and why he thinks ranked-choice voting in Wisconsin could help restore a "functional democracy."

Today's Midday podcast covers Association President and CEO Kristine Hillmer speaking as a panelist on the latest WisBusiness.com virtual luncheon "Hospitality industry stirs after year of COVID." The lunch hour event featured Wisconsin's eatery and alehouse leaders a year after the economy shut down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today's Midday podcast covers approval of a new Ho-Chunk casino in Beloit. Ho-Chunk Nation Vice President Karena Thundercloud said it was "almost surreal" to hear Gov. Tony Evers had signed off on the tribe's proposal for a Beloit casino after dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic upending daily life for more than a year.

Today's Midday podcast covers Assembly approved bills that would stop the state from requiring residents get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus and its mutations, ban health officials from prohibiting public gatherings in places of religious worship, prohibit employers from requiring workers to get vaccinated and require Gov. Tony Evers to submit a plan to the Legislature for when state employees will return to work in their offices.

Today's Midday podcast covers Gov. Tony Evers saying better data on COVID-19 infections and deaths in nursing homes would not have changed precautions or vaccine rollout plans.

Today's Midday podcast covers concerns from GOP congressmen over the delay in COVID-19 infection and death statistics from Wisconsin nursing homes, comparing the state's nursing home situation to New York's. Those congressmen also voiced concerns about nursing home residents receiving their second vaccine dose in a reasonable amount of time.

Today's Midday podcast covers' a DC Wrap interview with UW-Milwaukee political science Prof. Mordecai Lee where he talks about the divide within the GOP between those who support Donald Trump and those who oppose him likely dominating congressional politics in Wisconsin.

Today's Midday podcast covers the Assembly's voice vote on allowing bars and restaurants to sell mixed drinks in to-go cups to be consumed off the premises.

Today's Midday podcast covers Wisconsin in 2020 shattering the record for most firearm background checks, an indicator the year of the COVID-19 pandemic also marked a huge year for gun sales.