Author: The Badger Project
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Maine capped super PAC donations. That type of law could affect Wisconsin a lot.
Politics is awash in cash from billionaires using Super PACs to blast political ads. Experts say a donation limit could have monumental effects in Wisconsin. First the Maine law must survive court challenges.
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Bill aims to strengthen direct healthcare model that cuts out insurance companies
Direct primary care uses a membership system rather than pay for service. Proponents say it fills a gap and provides a cheaper option for folks with high-deductible health insurance plans.
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Top Wisconsin lobbiers in 2024: construction, hospitals, WMC, farms
The Milwaukee Brewers, the Koch Network, Kwik Trip and Google also spent hundreds of thousands lobbying officials in Wisconsin last year.
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Economic Interests Statement for Susan Crawford, candidate for Supreme Court
The Dane County Circuit Court judge is the liberal candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The election is Tuesday, April 1.
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Economic Interests Statement for Brad Schimel, candidate for Wis Supreme Court
The Waukesha County circuit court judge is the conservative candidate for the state’s highest court. The election is Tuesday, April 1.
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Free online tax-filing system now open for people in Wisconsin, 24 other states
The IRS program, called Direct File, allows eligible folks to file their federal taxes directly with the IRS. Another program called WisTax allows the free filing of state taxes online also.
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‘You wouldn’t call your plumber to fix your teeth’ – Nonpolice response teams may cut crime, save cash, but data limited
Programs that manage stubborn problems like mental health and homelessness, with or without police, are spreading across Wisconsin, and the nation. Early results are promising, experts say.
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From record low, total number of police officers in Wisconsin ticks up 4%
The total number of law enforcement officers in the state has steadily decreased since the Wisconsin Department of Justice started tracking it in 2008. Efforts to reverse that trend may be working, experts say.
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Top donors to Brad Schimel, conservative candidate for Wis Supreme Court (so far)
Richard Uihlein and Tim Michels have each given Schimel the maximum $20,000. The Waukesha County judge and former AG has raised about $2 million so far in his campaign for the state’s high court.
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Top donors to Susan Crawford, liberal candidate for Wis Supreme Court (so far)
The left-leaning candidate has received a huge financial boost from the state party as Wisconsin Democrats continue their fundraising edge.
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The rock ‘n’ roll congressman priest from Wisconsin who was benched by the pope
Green Bay Priest Robert Cornell hobnobbed with famous musicians, then befriended – and tangled with – powerful politicians from both sides of the aisle in Washington D.C.
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Outside liberal orgs outspent GOP 10-1 for western Wis House seat. Dems still lost.
U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden outraised his Democratic challenger, Rebecca Cooke, but got swamped by advertising from Super PACs.
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Rep. Bryan Steil ran far ahead of Trump in his SE Wisconsin congressional district
Democrats had hoped to put the 1st Congressional District in play, but did not come close despite a strong candidate.
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Van Orden ran well behind Trump. Can he hold his western Wis district in 2026?
Trump won the 3rd Congressional District by 7+ points, while Van Orden won it by less than 3. In the House district in SE Wisconsin, Steil ran well ahead of Trump, perhaps putting it out of reach for Democrats.
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Alaska kept its Final-Four Voting reforms. Another push is planned in Wisconsin.
Proponents of Final-Four or Five Voting, which puts candidates from all parties on one “jungle primary” ballot and enacts ranked-choice voting in the general, argue it promotes political compromise and civility.
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Noticing more ads every election? Blame a legal loophole Wis politicians could close.
The ultrawealthy are using a loophole in Wisconsin law to flood our elections with cash and ads. Republicans in the state Legislature have refused to close it, so Democrats are now using it to their advantage.
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Trump increased his vote percentage in Wisconsin in each election
The Democratic candidate increased his vote totals by a greater amount than Trump in 2020, but the script flipped this year.
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Dems improved against Van Orden in ’24, have better chance in ’26, experts say
Rep. Derrick Van Orden defeated his challenger by about 2.8% this year, a tighter margin than in 2022. Democrats are likely to make his district a priority again in 2026, which projects to be a good year for them.