WisPolitics.com

The Republican-controlled state Assembly has passed a slew of tough-on-crime bills. One would allow extended supervision to be revoked, for someone who commits a felony while on release. Another would expand the list of crimes that could land a child in a youth prison.

Republicans say the bills are necessary in order to keep communities safe. But Democrats have blasted the plan, arguing that many states instead have taken steps to reduce the prison population. And, it's likely that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers will veto the measures.

In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of WisPolitics.com why the GOP pushed so hard for the bills.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala & Jensen, analyze big races in Tuesday's elections, including the 7th Congressional District GOP primary and races that will narrow the field for state Supreme Court and Milwaukee mayor.

Sponsored by Michael Best Strategies and the Wisconsin Counties Association.

Gov. Tony Evers wants the Republican-controlled Legislature to spend a chunk of a state budget surplus on the public schools. He's calling for a special session on the topic to begin this week. Republican leaders immediately dismissed the idea, saying they want to put surplus money toward a tax cut instead. Evers says the GOP could do both — cut taxes and spend more on schools.

In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, JR Ross of WisPolitics.com tells WUWM's Marti Mikkelson that it's hard to say how this will play out.

With the announcement of Dem state Sen. Dave Hansen's plan to retire, the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, consider its effect on state GOP plans to win the seat and gain a veto-proof legislative majority.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

Republican Vice President Mike Pence apparently went where no other sitting Vice President has gone — he held a rally inside the Wisconsin State Capitol last week. He touted private school voucher programs as an alternative to public education at the rally. U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos appeared with him.

President Trump narrowly won Wisconsin in 2016. In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, JR Ross of WisPolitics.com tells WUWM's Marti Mikkelson there are several reasons why Pence chose the liberal stronghold of Madison to bring his message.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, offer their views on the major news stories coming in 2020.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

Gov. Tony Evers is calling lawmakers into special session to pass a package of bills designed to help struggling farmers and rural communities. The idea drew mixed reviews from Republican leaders after the Democratic governor announced it in his State of the State address. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he's "all ears" on the plan and seems open to a special session. But, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos appears wary, saying Evers has ignored rural Wisconsin until now.

Evers wants the special session to begin on Tuesday. In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked Jeff Mayers of WisPolitics.com what he thinks the special session will look like.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Jensen & Chvala, debate what to do with a projected $450 million surplus.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

The voter purge case took some more turns last week. An Ozaukee County judge again ordered the Wisconsin Elections Commission to immediately drop more than 200,000 names from the voter rolls. It's suspected that those voters may have moved and haven't re-registered. Then, an appeals court sided with the commission and again put the purge on hold while lawsuits continue. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided not to take the case for the time being.

In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti MIkkelson asked JR Ross of WisPolitics.com what it all means for the 2020 elections.

With lawmakers back, the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at the election-year agenda for the Legislature.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.