Wisconsin Radio Network

Wisconsin News and Sports

You are here: Home / Archives for Bob Hague

UW System bans TikTok on university issued devices

By

The University of Wisconsin System has banned TikTok. The Associated Press initially reported the move, and Media Relations Director Mark Pitsch confirmed to WRN that the UW System will be restricting the TikTok application on System-owned devices.

That follows an executive order from Governor Tony Evers which bans use of the popular video sharing app on state issued devices.

Numerous states and public universities have made the decision to ban the app owned by the Chinese firm ByteDance, amid security concerns.

Evers delivers State of the State address

By

Governor Tony Evers laid out his priorities for Wisconsin in his fifth State of the State address on Tuesday night. The Democratic governor noted that state government is in a great fiscal position, expected to end the current biennium with about a $6.5 billion surplus and over $1.7 billion in the rainy day fund.

WATCH: State of the State Address on WisconsinEye

Evers called for nearly $1.3 billion in new state spending on mental health initiatives, addressing PFAS contamination and supporting Wisconsin workers. Evers also called for a major increase in shared revenues to local governments to be funded with 20 percent of the sales tax. He rejected a Republican flat tax proposal, calling that a giveaway for the wealthiest in the state.

WATCH: Speaker Vos response on WisconsinEye

In the Republican response, Speaker Robin Vos pledged Wisconsin Republicans will not raise taxes and won’t pass a budget that doesn’t have significant tax reform.

Evers will deliver State of the State address on Tuesday

By

Governor Tony Evers will deliver the annual State of the State address Tuesday night. State government has a budget surplus that’s projected to hit $6.6 billion, so Evers is likely to talk about the need to increase state shared revenue to local governments.

That’s one area where the Democratic governor and Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature appear to be in agreement.

Evers is also likely to call for repeal of the state’s 1849 law which all but bans abortion, and for legalization of cannabis, both of which are opposed by Republicans.

The State of the State address is scheduled for 7:00 PM in the Assembly chambers of the Capitol in Madison. The Republican response will follow. Both may be seen at WisconsinEye, and Wisconsin Public Television, and will be carried live on Wisconsin Public Radio.

Brittany Zimmerman’s mom speaks after life sentence imposed on her killer

By

The man who murdered UW-Madison student Brittany Zimmermann in 2008 will spend the rest of his life in prison. Brittany’s mother, Jean Zimmerman, spoke after Friday’s sentencing of 56-year-old David Kahl.

“It’s extremely difficult to think about, that it’s taken this long to get to where we are today. If someone would have told me that I would be here 14 and a half, almost 15 years later; I’m not sure if I could have survived.” said Zimmerman.

Kahl, who was linked to the crime through a DNA match, pled guilty in October to first-degree intentional homicide. At his sentencing, Dane County Judge Chris Taylor denied Kahl the opportunity for extended supervision— at the recommendation of both the prosecution and Kahl’s defense attorney.

“What he did was unspeakable, and to not have the person responsible for that behind bars, it was unacceptable to us. So we were willing, and we did whatever we had to do,” Jean Zimmerman said.

Kahl offered apologies to the Zimmerman family for killing Brittany, who was 21-years-old at the time of her death. Jean Zimmerman said her daughter was working towards a career goal of working for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WEC commissioner Bob Spindell staying put despite calls for his dismissal

By

State Senate Democrats are calling for the removal of elections commissioner Bob Spindell, after revelations that Spindell bragged on Republican efforts to suppress Black and Hispanic voter turnout in Milwaukee last November.

Senator LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) spoke about that during a press conference at the Capitol on Wednesday. “He also said their presence on Black talk radio and negative Black radio commercials helped to decrease voter turnout.”

Senator Kelda Roys (D-Madison) said they want Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) to remove Spindell from the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

“I think it’s important for the press to try to get him on the record. I mean these comments have been out here since last week, and he did appoint Spindell.”

LeMahieu’s office did not have a response to share. Spindell, who has brushed off calls to resign, defended his remarks when speaking with WISN’s Matt Smith on Thursday. He said he “was proud that finally the Republican Party of Wisconsin and the Republican National Committee after all these years and pushing hard decided to finally put in the necessary resources to the City of Milwaukee.”

Responding to accusations of racism from Democrats, he said “I think they should take a look at my past experience over the many years in the black community. And I’ve said many times in open meetings that I will not stand for any suppression of the vote, especially in the black and Hispanic communities. Especially in Milwaukee.”

 

 

Dane County Board rejects voter referendum for new jail funding

By

In a 21-14 vote, the Dane County Board of Supervisors on Thursday rejected a proposed ballot referendum to fund a new Dane County Jail project.

The resolution called for an April referendum on covering a $13.5 million funding shortfall for the project, which is expected to cost around $175 million.

District 14 Supervisor Anthony Grey opposed it, saying a new and larger jail would perpetuate racial inequities in the jail population. “It’s my belief that if we can find a way that we can knock down the place where we are the worst in the nation, which is with the racial disparities for black folks, that would take us a long way toward lowering the overall under-roof population.”

Thursday’s action by the county board followed a Wednesday press conference by Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, in which they urged the board to approve putting the funding referendum before voters.

 

—

Bail and benefits questions will be on Wisconsin’s April statewide ballot

By

WRN photo

Wisconsin voters will be able to weigh in on a proposed constitutional amendment on bail reform as part of the April statewide ballot. In Assembly debate Thursday, Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) argued against the proposal, and for pretrial detention.

“I support pretrial detention.” Goyke said. “I support people that pose a public safety risk being held in custody. But when we make that decision and that measure solely about money, we allow a subgroup of people the opportunity to buy their way out of jail.”

The amendment’s author, Representative Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield), said pretrial detention has been on the books for decades in Wisconsin, but has never been used.

“Pretrial detention doesn’t work,” said Duchow. “It’s basically a mini trial before your trial. The victim has to come in and testify which can be traumatizing for a victim of violent crime. You have to have a whole little mini hearing. You have to have all your evidence. You have to have your DNA back. We don’t have the physical space to do it, nor do we have the finances to do it.”

Democrats argued that the proposed change will disproportionately impact low income Wisconsinites, while allowing those with the financial resources to pay higher bail amounts.

“If we’re serious about safety, there are other measures to do that,” said Representative Dora Drake (D-Milwaukee). She noted prosecutors and public defenders are understaffed and underfunded.

The measure will allow judges to consider past convictions of those charged with crimes, as well as “the need to protect the community from serious harm” and “prevent the intimidation of witnesses,” when setting bail. Judges are currently only allowed to set bail amounts to ensure an individual appears back in court.

Duchow said that will still leave judges and court commissioners with considerable discretion. “They’re gonna look back at their (defendants) past criminal convictions. They’re going to sort out the dangers to the community and then they’re going to set their bail. And if they want to set it for $10 they can do it, if they want to set it for 10 million. We are not handcuffing our judges.”

Ten Democrats voted to approve the amendment which passed 74-23, following state Senate approval on Tuesday. Passage by two consecutive legislative sessions is required before proposed constitutional amendments go to voters.

The Assembly also approved putting a nonbinding, advisory referendum on the ballot. Voters will be asked if childless, able bodied adults should be required to apply for work in order to receive state funded welfare benefits.

That’s something that’s already required under state law. “It is amazing to see the mental gymnastics that Wisconsin Republicans are actively pursuing to make sense of something that already is happening,” said Representative Christina Shelton (D-Green Bay.)

Republicans argue it’s not being enforced. This is something the state’s supposed to be doing,” said Representative Jon Plumer (R-Lodi). “It’s not the only instance in the state of Wisconsin where an agency is not following the letter of the law.”

It’s an advisory referendum, meaning no action is required if approved by voters.

Dane County Sheriff wants voters to have a say on new jail

By

The Dane County Board of Supervisors will consider a jail funding resolution Thursday night. At a Wednesday press conference, Sheriff Kalvin Barrett at a Tuesday press conference and three of his predecessors as sheriff urged the 37 member county board to put a $13.5 million jail consolidation funding question to the voters.

“I am embarrassed to see the conditions of our Dane County Jail,” Barrett said. Barrett invited opponents of a new jail to walk through the existing facility in the City-County Building, which dates from the 1950s. Former Sheriff Dave Mahoney said bad conditions inside that facility means some inmates are being sent elsewhere, including as far away as the Oneida County Jail in Rhinelander.

Opponents of a new jail have called for the county to first address racial disparities in its incarcerated population. Barrett said it’s important for Dane County voters to have a say.

“I too agree with the words of a member of our actual own Dane County Black Caucus, who said less than 10 months ago that it’s difficult to make a decision with 37 different individuals.”

Senate Republicans pass welfare referendum question

By

At the Capitol on Tuesday, state Senate Republicans passed a referendum question on welfare benefits, and rejected one from Democrats on abortion rights.

Minority Leader Melissa Agard of Madison noted that voters would be asked to weigh in on a law that already exists. “Advisory referendums are supposed to do just that: advise. So the people are going to advise lawmakers on something that is already the law in the state of Wisconsin. That only makes sense if you’re looking at the world through a cynical and political lens.”

Governor Tony Evers joined Agard and other Democrats in calling for the Senate to take up the abortion resolution. The Democratic measure to repeal Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion ban was rejected on a party line vote. Democrats call the referendum question requiring able-bodied child-less adults look for work in order to receive welfare benefits an attempt to gin up conservative turnout in the state Supreme Court election.

The state Assembly will need to pass the advisory referendum on welfare benefits in order for it to appear on the April statewide ballot.

State Senate approves bail reform constitutional amendment

By

The Wisconsin Senate has approved a bail reform amendment to the state Constitution. Tuesday’s bipartisan 23-9 vote moves the proposed  amendment closer to the April statewide ballot. The Assembly is scheduled to vote on the proposal on Thursday.

It allows judges to look at “the totality of the circumstances” when determining bail, according to authors Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Representative Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield). Currently, a judge can only consider flight risk when setting cash bail, and may only set other conditions of bail in light of potential serious bodily harm, meaning injury with a risk of death.