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In this update:
- Election Updates
- Administration Updates
- Legislative Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
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Michael Best Strategies extends our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a joyful, safe, and peaceful holiday season. We are grateful for the opportunity to work on your behalf and look forward to continuing our partnership in the new year.
Please note that our office will be closed December 24th and 25th, as well as January 1st. Unless there is breaking news, Capitol Insights will resume the week of January 5th.
| | Tollefson announces bid for 88th Assembly District | |
De Pere School Board Treasurer and accounting manager Brandy Tollefson launched her campaign to run as a Democrat for the 88th Assembly District, pledging to lower costs for families, strengthen public schools, and create safe, thriving communities.
“As a mom, I know budgets are tight,” Ms. Tollefson said. “I'm running to bring my experience to Madison and fight for better representation, affordable healthcare, and strong schools."
Ms. Tollefson enters the race with endorsements from State Senator Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay), State Representative Ryan Spaude (D-Ashwaubenon), fellow De Pere School Board members Colleen Nowak and Matt Petersen, and attorney Andrea Gage.
In 2024, Republican Benjamin Franklin narrowly won the 88th Assembly District race with 50.3% of the vote, edging out Democratic candidate Christy Welch, who received 49.6%.
| Tiffany campaign launches statewide digital ads on rising property taxes | |
Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany announced a new paid media campaign as property tax bills hit mailboxes statewide, blasting what he calls Gov. Tony Evers’ “400-year property tax hike”, a change upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
“Many of you are opening your property tax bills and feeling blindsided,” Congressman Tiffany said. “Wisconsin shouldn’t rank among the top ten states for highs property taxes. Making our state affordable starts with ensuring you’re never taxed out of your home. As governor, I’ll end Tony' Evers' property tax hike and lower your taxes.”
The campaign includes a digital and streaming ad titled “Don’t Fear the Mailman,” warning voters about rising tax bills and urging support for Congressman Tiffany’s plan to cut taxes.
| Hughes campaign on Tariffs | |
In a press release, Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Missy Hughes criticized tariffs and Republican inaction on health care after a new U.S. Commerce Department report showed unemployment rising to 4.6%, a four-year high, and wage growth slowing to 3.5%, the weakest since before the pandemic.
“Wisconsinites are getting hammered by job-crippling tariffs, shrinking wages, and soaring costs for groceries, utilities, and health care,” she states. “People shouldn’t have to choose between holiday celebrations and necessities like food or medical bills. As governor, I’ll build a Main Street Economy that works for every family and business.”
According to the press release from the Hughes campaign, tariffs have topped $200 billion with the costs largely passed to consumers. Meanwhile, Affordable Care Act subsidies expire at year’s end, with Republicans refusing to act, potentially driving up insurance costs for hundred of thousands of Wisconsinites.
| | State Building Commission approves $185 million in construction projects | |
Governor Tony Evers announced that the Wisconsin State Building Commission has approved $185 million for construction projects across the state.
“Closing Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake schools and getting our kids closer to home and the support systems they rely on has been our prerogative since Day One, and I’m thrilled to see our administration and members of this Commission take another important step in getting this done and done right,” said Gov. Evers. “In addition, today, members also improved various projects to support operations at our state agencies and university system, and I’m glad to see support for these projects move forward.”
Highlights of the approved projects include:
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New juvenile facility in Fitchburg: Wisconsin’s second Type 1 Juvenile Correctional Facility will provide smaller, more centrally located option for youth in Dane County, supporting the conversion of Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake to adult facilities.
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Phase IV of Milwaukee Readiness Center: Upgrades to the Department of Military Affairs facility include improvements to the Administration Wing and Drill Hill, plus a new artifact display showcasing military history.
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UW-Green Bay Repairs: Roof plaza deck waterproofing at the instructional Services Building as part of the 2025-27 Minor Facilities Renewal Program.
- 21 Maintenance Projects Across 13 Counties: These projects address critical infrastructure needs for multiple agencies. including DOC, DMA, DOA, DHS, DNR, Veterans Affairs, Historical Society, State Fair Park, and the UW System.
The State Building Commission is chaired by Governor Tony Evers and includes:
- Senator Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska)
- Senator Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk)
- Senator Andre Jacque (R- New Franken)
- Representative Jill Billings (D-La Crosse)
- Representative Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander)
- Representative Robert Wittke (R-Caledonia)
- Citizen Member Barb Worcester
Read the full press release here.
| | LeMahieu announces special committee, lays out top priorities to end session | |
Special Committee on Oversight of the Wisconsin Department of Justice
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) announced a special committee to review the state Department of Justice’s “operations, priorities and external influences.” The panel, chaired by Senate President Mary Felzkowski (R-Tomahwak), will issue recommendations by April 14.
Senator LeMahieu said the goal is to ensure DOJ “operates within it statutory authority and serves the public interest , not outside agendas". The move follows a lawsuit challenging AG Josh Kaul’s use of an NYU-funded attorney on environmental cases. A judge allowed the suit to proceed earlier this year.
DOJ spokesperson Riley Vetterkind called the committee “an obviously partisan stunt,” arguing lawmakers should focus on affordability, online safety for kids, and clean drinking water. Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein (D-Madison) labeled the effort “an unnecessary and partisan witch hunt.”
Year-end Interview
Meanwhile, in a year-end interview with WisPolitics, Senator LeMahieu said creating a state framework to regulate hemp THC products is his top priority to wrap up the current legislative session. He said he wants to ensure minors are unable to purchase hemp THC products and that responsible companies operating in the space are protected from the actions of bad actors. “You know, the concern is, potentially, if we do nothing, some of the good actors won't produce it anymore, and all we [will] have is bad actors in the state of Wisconsin, since it's illegal federally,” Sen. LeMahieu said. He also confirmed he has not yet spoken with Gov. Evers about any of the hemp bills that have been proposed this session.
Other topics discussed by Sen. LeMahieu during the interview include:
- Right of First Refusal (ROFR) legislation
- WisconsinEye funding
- Additional DHS employees to check eligibility for those on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- 2026 elections
| | Mandell says redistricting likely won’t impact 2026 midterms | |
Jeff Mandell, co-founder of Law Forward, says efforts to redraw Wisconsin’s congressional maps wont impact the 2026 midterms. “Our ultimate goal is fair maps,” Mr. Mandell told UpFront in an interview. “But it’s not realistic to expect them before 2026.”
Two lawsuits are pending before separate three-judge panels. Law Forward’s case, filed on behalf of Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy, isn’t expected to go to trial until April 2027. A date for the second case remains undecided.
Mr. Mandell argues the suit targets “anti-competitive gerrymandering,” not partisan gain. Meanwhile, Lucas Vebber of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) calls the claim a “repackages partisan gerrymander argument” already rejected by state and federal courts. He notes Wisconsin’s maps were adopted by the state Supreme Court and drawn by Gov. Tony Evers.
| | As of 12:00 pm Friday, there have been no committee meetings scheduled for next week. Committee and Agency meeting notices are frequently updated and can be found here (for the Legislature) and here (for the Administration). | | Stay tuned for upcoming events in the New Year! | | |
If you would like any additional information about the above topic, or if you would like to find time to discuss the above matter in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact your Michael Best Strategies contact.
Have a great day,
Wisconsin GR Team
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One South Pickney Street, Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-257-3501
Fax: 608-283-2275
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