WisPolitics.com

Concerns about school safety rocked Wisconsin last week. In both Waukesha and Oshkosh, authorities shot and wounded a student who brought a weapon to school. Threats were made in a number of other school districts. The events prompted Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to call for more mental health services and more police officers in the schools. Republican leaders welcomed Evers' proposals — after rejecting his call last month for a special session to take up gun control measures.

For this week's Capitol Notes, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of WisPolitics.com whether Evers and the Legislature will compromise. Ross says he's not sure.

As state Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, charts his campaign for the 5th Congressional District seat, the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, review the Republicans who may replace him as Senate majority leader if the GOP retains control of the chamber next fall.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

With the passing of former WEAC executive director Morris Andrews earlier this fall, the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss his career and legacy and chart the changing nature of labor unions.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

Results of the latest Marquette poll raised some eyebrows last week. It shows support for impeaching President Trump — and removing him from office — is slipping in Wisconsin. It also indicates that Trump holds a slight lead over the Democratic front-runners in the 2020 presidential race. Up until now, some national polls were showing at least three challengers beating Trump if the election were held today.

In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of WisPolitics.com what he makes of the results.

As the U.S. House of Representatives conducts its impeachment inquiry, the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, consider the political impact on U.S. Rep. Ron Kind's reelection chances in 2020.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

Last week saw a war of words at the State Capitol, at least on Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' part. Evers apparently was still reeling from the Republican-led Senate's failure to confirm Brad Pfaff as state Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary. Evers reportedly told state workers that Republicans are "amoral and stupid" for essentially firing Pfaff. Then, Evers reportedly referred to Republicans as "bastards." He later backpedaled on that comment, saying he doesn't really think Republicans are bastards, but rather, he was invoking a well-known saying.

In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of WisPolitics.com what he thinks of the state of relations at the Capitol right now.

With the GOP-controlled Legislature ignoring Gov. Tony Evers' special session call for gun control laws, the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, consider the political fallout.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

The Republican-controlled state Legislature last week essentially ignored Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' call for a special session to take up gun control measures, such as universal background checks and passage of a "red flag" law.

In each house, only one or two GOP members came to the floor, called the session to order and then immediately adjourned it. Republican leaders say neither house had the votes to pass, but Evers says they did this at their own peril because now they have to explain their actions to voters.

In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of WisPolitics.com whether he thinks the Republicans' actions will come back to haunt them.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, debate the politics behind the GOP Senate's historic rebuke of Gov. Tony Evers' ag secretary.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and Michael Best Strategies.

Democrats at the State Capitol introduced yet another marijuana bill last week. This one would decriminalize possession of smaller amounts of the drug — 28 grams or less. Democrats say decriminalization would decrease racial disparities in the criminal justice system.

This is the third bill regarding marijuana that's currently in the Legislature. The other would legalize recreational marijuana while another would legalize only medical marijuana. Like the others, as soon as Democrats introduced their latest bill, Republican state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald squelched it. He says he's long been opposed to decriminalization and doubts Republicans would support it.

In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of WisPolitics.com why Democrats continue to push the matter.