Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Archives for Bob Hague

Kind gets another challenger in Wisconsin’s 3rd CD

By

Another Republican is in the running, to oppose La Crosse Congressman Ron Kind in November. John Garske spent 20 years in the U.S. Army and now has a business assisting veterans transition to the private sector.

In a phone interview with WisPolitics, Garske said he was inspired to run by “this impeachment fiasco and sham” as well as career politicians who have impeded progress in Congress.

Several other Republicans are also running for a chance to challenge Kind, who was unopposed four years ago, when President Donald Trump carried the western Wisconsin 3rd Congressional District by more than four points.

Kind was reelected to a 12th term in the 3rd CD in 2018 with 59.7 percent of the vote.

‘A partisan operation’ – Vos derides Evers’ approach on youth vaping

By

Governor Tony Evers recently proposed a series of measures to combat youth vaping in Wisconsin, and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Burlington) on Tuesday said the governor’s approach has been partisan.

“He reached out to no one, spoke to no one, worked only with Democrats, and they’re introducing partisan bills,” Vos said. “What was the purpose of that, if you actually wanted to get something across the finish line, as opposed to just kind of posing for holy pictures and then never actually doing the hard work.”

Vos said Republicans are also working on the youth vaping issue. It’s a topic the governor is expected to touch on, in tonight’s State of the State address. “Certainly working in a bipartisan fashion would give him a better chance of success than a partisan operation,” Vos said.

Evers to deliver 2nd State of the State address

By

Governor Tony Evers WRN image

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is scheduled to deliver his second State of the State address on Tuesday. The Democratic governor’s remarks to a joint session of the Republican controlled legislature come at a time of contentious relations between Evers and GOP leaders.

Assembly Speaker Robin Voss (R-Burlington) said there are plenty of positive developments in the state which Evers could talk about.

“I hope he doesn’t choose to make it a partisan exercise, where he focuses on things that make political points, but don actually help to bridge the divide,” Vos said.

Evers will lay out his priorities for the state in the Assembly chambers, beginning at 7:00. State Senate President Roger Roth will deliver the Republican response. Both can be seen on Wisconsin Public Television and WisconsinEye.

State Senate ‘tinkers around the edges’ of dark store loophole

By

The Wisconsin state Senate has passed a bill dealing with – but not closing – the dark store loophole. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) says the measure – making the tax assessment appeal process easier – was one of three bills to come out of a study committee.

“This is a complicated, tedious issue,” Fitzgerald said.

The loophole allows big-box retailers to have their property assessments based on those of vacant competitors. Democrats like Dave Hansen of Green Bay are impatient.

“How many sessions is it going to take to get this passed, before we start looking out for the residential taxpayers of this state?”

Senator Janis Ringhand, (D-Evansville) who served on that study committee, said none of the bills that came out of it, including the one passed on Tuesday, actually close the loophole.

Firefighting foam bill begins efforts to address PFAS

By

A bill addressing concerns over dangerous Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances  (PFAS) chemicals is ready for the governor’s signature. Those chemicals are used in a variety of applications, and when used in firefighting foam, they can contaminate ground and surface waters

Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) said PFAS contamination is “the number one issue” his office is dealing with. The bill prohibits use of the foam other than for testing or actual firefighting, as needed

Nygren acknowledges that more work needs to be done, to address the thousands of other PFAS chemicals and compounds currently in use.

Senator Mark Miller won’t seek reelection

By

A long time Madison area lawmaker is calling it a career. State Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona) made the announcement on the Senate floor on Tuesday, that he won’t seek reelection to the seat he’s held since 2004.


Miller becomes the second state Senate Democrat to announce his retirement. Senator Dave Hansen of Green Bay made the announcement last week.

Vice President Mike Pence coming to Madison

By

Vice President Mike Pence is coming to Madison next week. It’s seemingly another sign of Wisconsin’s importance in the presidential election.

The White House announced that Pence is scheduled to deliver remarks in the Capitol rotunda next Tuesday, as part of a National School Choice Week event.

Pence’s visit to the state’s liberal stronghold will take place two weeks after President Donald Trump staged a “Keep America Great” campaign rally in downtown Milwaukee.

Snowmobile safety is a focus this week

By

A reminder for safe snowmobiling. Captain April Dombrowski, DNR Recreational Safety Section Chief, says smart, sober operation is the lesson of International Snowmobile Safety Week. “It’s really about practicing that zero alcohol,” she said. “It’s a personal choice to refrain from drinking any alcoholic beverage, until you’re done operating any motorized vehicle for the day.”

Staying sober makes it easier to know what you – and your snowmobile – are safely capable of. “Riding within your capabilities, riding at safe speeds for the users’ capability, and the machine’s capability.” The DNR recorded 16 fatal snowmobile accidents in 2019. Eleven occurred on public trails and roads, four were on frozen waterways.

Honoring Martin Luther King at the Capitol

By

Martin Luther King’s legacy will be honored today across Wisconsin, including at the Capitol, where the annual “Tribute and Ceremony” honoring the civil rights leader will take place in the rotunda, beginning at noon.

“The program in words and music centers on how we might rise together to foster a more inclusive, celebratory, and welcoming world view of others who are different as a pathway to reducing human hatred here at home and around the world.”

It’s free and open to the public.

Evers proposes effort to stop vaping by kids

By

Governor Tony Evers is proposing a major effort to oppose vaping by kids. School districts around Wisconsin are reporting vaping is a problem not just in high schools, but in middle schools as well.

In addition to directing state agencies to do more on the issue, the Democratic governor also wants the Republican-controlled legislature to pass a package of bills. That would include a measure to ban vaping and vapor products on K-12 campuses.

Also expect Evers to talk about youth vaping during his State of the State address on Wednesday.