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Johnson: ‘really nice guy’ Kavanaugh deserves confirmation

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Senator Ron Johnson was effusive in his praise, after meeting with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The Wisconsin Republican was on Fox News Channel on Thursday, talking up President Donald Trump’s pick for the court. “He’s just such a nice person. I don’t see how anybody could oppose his nomination when you consider his incredible judicial record,” Johnson said.

Johnson said Democrats “have more than enough information to make a decision,” on Kavanaugh. “It’s Democrats who have turned these judicial nominations into the dog fight that these things have become now.”

Hearings for the nominee are scheduled to start the day after Labor Day. “This (Senate confirmation vote) should be 100 to zero,” Johnson said.

Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin is on record opposing Kavanaugh’s confirmation, saying he would “turn back the clock on a woman’s constitutional right and freedom to make her own health care choices.”

Roads an issue in governor’s race

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Barnes, Evers WRN image

Roads are shaping up as an issue in the race for governor. On WISN radio’s “Jay Webber Show,” Governor Scott Walker said Democrat Tony Evers wants to raise gas taxes to fund transportation projects. “If Tony Evers wants to talk about jacking up the tax on gas, a buck, I think people deserve to know that,” Walker said.

At an event in Madison with lieutenant governor candidate Mandela Barnes, Evers criticized Walker’s record on transportation, and implied he wouldn’t oppose a gas tax hike. “We know what doesn’t work. Everything’s on the table,” Evers said. “There is a reason that northern Wisconsin municipalities are scraping the asphalt off the road, because they can’t afford to fix it.”

“We gave local governments the largest increase that many of them have received in nearly 20 years,” in the last budget, Walker said on WISN. “They need to take that money and invest it in their roads and bridges.

Evers tops crowded Democratic field

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Democratic primary voters have picked Tony Evers to challenge Governor Scott Walker. Evers coasted to victory Tuesday night, with the Associated Press calling him the winner shortly after 9:00.

Evers, the state Superintendent of Public Instruction, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel “We’re going to win because we’re going to hold Scott Walker accountable for his reign of terror.”

He’ll face Walker in the November general election. State firefighters union chief Mahlon Mitchell finished second, former state Representative Kelda Roys thirds in the eight person field.

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It’s Primary Election Day in Wisconsin

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Primary elections are today in Wisconsin. Voters who choose to go to the polls will select one of eight Democrats who are running to oppose incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker in November.

They are state Senator Kathleen Vinehout of Alma, state schools Superintendent Tony Evers, political activist Mike McCabe, former state party leader Matt Flynn, Attorney Josh Pade, former state Representative Kelda Roys of Madison, state firefighter union leader Mahlon Mitchell, and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin.

Walker is being challenged in the GOP primary by Sun Prairie businessman Robert Meyer.

Two Democrats are running for lieutenant governor: former state Representative Mandela Barnes, and Sheboygan businessman Kurt Kober.  The winner will face incumbent Republican Rebecca Kleefisch.

There are also Democratic and Republican primaries for the constitutional offices of Treasurer and Secretary of State.

Voters will also decide which of two Republican candidates will face incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin in November. They are state Senator Leah Vukmir, and Pewaukee businessman Kevin Nicholson.

Another high profile primary election is in the 1st Congressional District. where voters will pick candidates who will contest the seat being vacated by House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Two Democrats, union iron worker Randy Bryce and Janesville teacher and school board member Cathy Myers, are looking to advance to November’s general election. On the Republican side, corporate attorney and UW Regent Bryan Steil faces several lesser-known candidates.

In northwestern Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, Balsam Lake attorney Margaret Engebretson and Marshfield physician Brian Ewert are running to oppose incumbent Republican Congressman Sean Duffy in November.

There are also numerous primary elections for state legislative districts, and local elected offices. You can find out more about the upcoming elections at myvote.wi.gov.

Walker: ‘of course’ I don’t want Harley boycott

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Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker made it clear Monday — he doesn’t want a boycott of Harley-Davidson. President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday that it was “great” that “many” Harley riders planned to boycott the Wisconsin-based company if it moves manufacturing overseas.

While there’s little evidence to support such a boycott actually occurring, Walker released a statement Sunday that he wants Harley to prosper in Wisconsin.

And Monday he tweeted that “of course” he doesn’t want a boycott — and one of the best ways for that to happen is to do what the President has called for — get to no tariffs as soon as possible.

Empty shoes highlight gun violence at Capitol

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WRN photo

At the Capitol Thursday, calls for action on gun violence. Riley Reed, a student intern with Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort, one of several people who spoke in front of hundreds of pairs of shoes arranged up the Capitol steps. “I see these shows and it compels me to do something,” she said.

Each pair of shoes represented a victim of gun violence, a “silent march” on the Capitol.

Pam Reed is Riley’s mother, and a teacher. “It’s terrible, that I have to live in a world where I’m worried about my son or daughter not coming home each day,” she said. “I’m tired of nothing being done.”

Chase Terrier is Public Policy Coordinator for End Abuse Wisconsin. “I’m tired of endless violence. I’m tired of guns proloferating in our communities. I’m tired of making the same points and listing the same facts, time and time again.”

A pro-gun rights group is planning an event at the Capitol on Saturday.

Corrections election? Walker jumps on Dem plans to cut prison population

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Wisconsin’s partisan primary elections are one week away. Several Democrats running for governor want to drastically reduce the state’s prison population. Governor Scott Walker says he wants to reduce it the right way, by ensuring inmates have the tools to suceed upon release.

“But just cutting it in half is dangerous,” Walker said during a Tuesday press conference at headquarters of Milwaukee’s police union, where he warned Democrats would release violent offenders. He then tweeted on the subject, throughout the afternoon.


Scot Ross with the liberal activist group One Wisconsin Now notes Walker is lagging in polls. “He’s blowing that dog whistle loud and clear, and he’s trying to get every racist across the state to hear him.”


One of eight Democrats will face Walker in the November general election.

Wisconsin primaries are next Tuesday

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IMAGE: myvote.wi.gov

Primary elections are one week away in Wisconsin. Voters who choose to go to the polls next Tuesday will select one of eight Democrats who are running to oppose incumbent Republican Governor Scott Walker in November.

They are state Senator Kathleen Vinehout of Alma, state schools Superintendent Tony Evers, political activist Mike McCabe, former state party leader Matt Flynn, Attorney Josh Pade, former state Representative Kelda Roys of Madison, state firefighter union leader Mahlon Mitchell, and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin.

Walker is being challenged in the GOP primary by Sun Prairie businessman Robert Meyer.

Two Democrats are running for lieutenant governor: former state Representative Mandela Barnes, and Sheboygan businessman Kurt Kober.  The winner will face incumbent Republican Rebecca Kleefisch.

There are also Democratic and Republican primaries for the constitutional offices of Treasurer and Secretary of State.

Voters will also decide which of two Republican candidates will face incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin in November. They are state Senator Leah Vukmir, and Pewaukee businessman Kevin Nicholson.

Another high profile primary election is in the 1st Congressional District. where voters will pick candidates who will contest the seat being vacated by House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Two Democrats, union iron worker Randy Bryce and Janesville teacher and school board member Cathy Myers, are looking to advance to November’s general election. On the Republican side, corporate attorney and UW Regent Bryan Steil faces several lesser-known candidates.

In northwestern Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District, Balsam Lake attorney Margaret Engebretson and Marshfield physician Brian Ewert are running to oppose incumbent Republican Congressman Sean Duffy in November.

There are also numerous primary elections for state legislative districts, and local elected offices. You can find out more about the upcoming elections at myvote.wi.gov.

Containers will help law enforcement clean up meth labs

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The state gets some help from the feds, to clean up meth labs. Attorney General Brad Schimel announced Monday that six methamphetamine chemical storage containers will assist local law enforcement with meth lab clean up.

The containers provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will save local law enforcement time and money, and increase safety and security during cleanups.

According to a press release from Schimmel’s office, it’s estimated the containers will on average help reduce cleanup costs by approximately 90 percent. The Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) estimates from 2014 to 2015 meth lab cleanup costs exceeded 235-thousand dollars.

The containers will be placed in Barron, Brown, Dane, Eau Claire, Marathon, and Vernon counties.

Schimel, LaFollette berate Adamczyk over treatment of state employees (AUDIO)

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Attorney General Brad Schimel says Treasurer Matt Adamczyk has been “unreasonable and abusive” towards state staff. Adamczyk, Schimel and Secretary of State Doug LaFollete serve on the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands.

During the board’s most recent meeting, LaFollete rebuked Adamczyk for repeatedly questioning qualifications of several agency employees. “I am critical of the treasurer’s continual harassment of our staff,” LaFollette said. “There’s no rhyme or reason for that.”

Adamczyk persisted in criticizing the agency’s management of its trust fund investments – and Schimel had had enough. “Just because you don’t like a question doesn’t mean that I can’t ask it,” Adamczyk said. “I’m sorry, I’m on this board.”

“Matt, I gotta tell you, I’m counting the days that you’re not on this board,” Schimel said. “I’ve had enough. Doug is absolutely right. The string of demands you’ve made on people who work hard at this agency have been unreasonable and abusive.”

AUDIO: Adamczyk, Schimel :60

The board’s chief administrator, Jonathan Barry, said the employees’ resumes and work experience show that they are qualified to do their jobs.

Adamczyk is the only one of the three board members who is not seeking reelection, although he is running for the state Assembly seat being vacated by Representative Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield.)