Wispolitics Midday

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Allouez, says the U.S. will always been a trade partner with China since the country relies on American goods such as Wisconsin soybeans. Still, he argues America must reduce its reliance on Chinese manufacturing and production to insulate itself against a possible economic and demographic collapse that Gallagher says could lead Chinese leader Xi Jinping to make volatile moves.

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Dem AG Josh Kaul won't say if he plans to charge any of the 10 fake electors in Wisconsin as other AGs have brought similar cases in their states. He also talks about pushing for closure for survivors of clergy abuse and the future of his lawsuit to make the state's 1849 abortion ban unenforceable.

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, freshman Rep. Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove, talks about why she and Rep. Ryan Clancy, D-Milwaukee, formed the Transgender Parent and Non-Binary Advocacy Caucus. She also talks about the importance of expanding broadband access.

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski talks about how she plans to run her new office, specifically how she wants to help clerks and other election workers do their jobs. She also talks briefly about her role as chair of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.          

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, State Treasurer John Leiber warns the Town of Sanborn's property tax revenue issue could be just the beginning of revenue problems for municipalities that previously collected the taxes from tribal members. A recent federal court ruled tribal members don't have to pay property tax, which leaves Sanborn looking to fill a huge hole in its budget. Leiber also talks about the other work his office handles.

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, nonprofit owner Rebecca Cooke talks about her second bid for western's Wisconsin's 3rd CD -- this time to unseat U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien. The Eau Claire Dem also talks about finding shared values with voters across the aisle.

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, League of Wisconsin Municipalities Government Affairs Director Toni Herkert talks about how important the shared revenue deal that increases state aid to local governments by at least 20 percent is such an important measure. She also talks about why some municipalities got more than others, and why the Milwaukee-specific provisions are so contentious.    

On this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Department of Health Services Sec. Kirsten Johnson talks about the importance of expanding Medicaid coverage in Wisconsin, which would save Medicaid recipients money. She also said the state's abortion ban could make Wisconsin less attractive to medical students, arguing the lack of abortion access is a "travesty."    

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, talks about how Republicans' budget doesn't give Milwaukee the help it needs. She argues the state's most populous city is the economic driver, and other lawmakers should give Milwaukee the respect and resources it needs to keep boosting the rest of the state.

On this week's Capitol Chats podcast, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, argues the recent investigation that resulted in charges against Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, compromises the president. He also says several members of Biden's cabinet should be impeached.    

In this week's Capitol Chats, Wisconsin's newly elected DNC Representative Alex Lasry says he wants to help carry national Dems to victory on a wave of past success. The former Milwaukee Bucks exec. also talks about possible plans to retake CD3 and battle for CD1 before talking a little bit about how he likes living on Milwaukee's east side.      

On this week's Capitol Chats episode, Rep. Mark Spreitzer, D-Beloit, talks about proposed symbolic and substantive legislation aimed at improving the lives of LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites. He also talks about a possible deal being reached between Dems and Republicans on a conversion therapy ban, which has been a hotly contested issue in the Capitol.      

On this week's Capitol Chats episode, Clean Wisconsin Government Relations Director Erik Kanter talks about a proposal to spend $125 million on a state PFAS trust fund. Kanter says the money is important, but he's concerned with the proposal's restrictions on how the Department of Natural Resources can regulate PFAS contamination and cleanup efforts.    

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Department of Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dan Hereth talks about how his agency has been working to address a backlog of license approvals that arose during the pandemic. Hereth says DSPS has implemented several technology and process improvements to speed the process along and ensure those who need help get it.        

On this week's Capitol Chats episodes, Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, explains why the shared revenue proposal floating around the Capitol is so important for Milwaukee. He also expresses some of his frustration with policy and spending restrictions that specifically target Milwaukee in the Assembly's version of the shared revenue deal.    

League of Wisconsin Municipalities Executive Director Jerry Deschane says this session is turning out to be one of the most consequential for local governments in a generation. Several bills are circulating the Capitol to address shared revenue, workforce housing and PFAS "forever chemical" contamination.    

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, says he'll need to see a border security bill included in the debt limit increase for him to support it. He also talks about a possible Senate bid for next year's election.  

On this week's Capitol Chats episode, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Bond says many of DVA's budget requests focus on improving housing, medical, substance abuse and other veteran care. He also says he's conducting a survey at the troubled Union Grove home to address issues lawmakers have raised about the quality of care there.

In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Superintendent Jill Underly argues Joint Finance Committee Republicans should support public school funding proposals because they would help everyone. She also says a proposal to allow teachers with concealed carry permits to bring guns to school would not reduce gun violence; reducing guns in schools would.