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In this update:
- Administration Updates
- Election Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
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Preview of Budget Address | |
On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7:00PM, Governor Tony Evers (D) will deliver his 2025 Budget Address. In his State of the State Address last month, Governor Evers previewed what will be in his 2025-2027 Executive Budget. He declared 2025 the “Year of the Kid” in Wisconsin and said he included historic investments in K-12 education, including re-introducing “Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids” and a $300 million investment in comprehensive mental health services in schools statewide.
Meanwhile, the governor also announced his budget will include a comprehensive plan to address crime and prevent gun violence. As part of that plan, the governor signed an executive order creating the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention and promised during his State of State Address that “My budget will include sustainable, ongoing funding to make the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention permanent so we can take a statewide approach to preventing crime and violence across our state.” He also highlighted an investment of $66 million to support services for crime victims.
Gov. Evers also said his executive budget will include key initiatives to lower the cost of childcare and reduce prescription drug prices. He announced, “Our state budget will—once again—include sustainable, ongoing funding to make our Child Care Counts Program permanent, including investing over $500 million aimed at lowering child care costs, supporting this critical industry, and investing in employer-sponsored child care.” Notably, the governor proposed investing $5.5 million in a grant program to support employers in implementing workforce solutions to address hiring and retention challenges caused by a lack of affordable, reliable childcare for employees. He also announced his budget will include over ten policies aimed at reducing prescription drug prices, setting price ceilings for prescriptions, and improving oversight of drug companies.
Watch the budget address on WisEye here.
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State Supreme Court candidates on ‘UpFront’ | |
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State Supreme Court candidates Brad Schimel and Susan Crawford were on WISN’s ‘UpFront’ to discuss their campaigns leading up to the election in April. Judge Brad Schimel discussed his campaign to restore a conservative majority to the state Supreme Court. In 2023, conservative Daniel Kelly lost to Justice Janet Protasiewicz by 11 points, losing the conservative majority. Judge Schimel said he is going to run an entirely different campaign. "You have to face the reality. You know, to a large degree, the conservative candidate in '23 was running a race from 30 years ago. It is different now."
Dane County Judge Susan Crawford also was featured on ‘UpFront’ to highlight her values in the race. Judge Crawford is running to maintain the liberal majority of the state Supreme Court. "I think it's important for voters to know who the candidates are," she said. "I have spent a lot of time talking about my record, my background as a prosecutor, as a lawyer representing people in court and standing up for their rights."
Other topics covered in each interview include:
- Act 10
- Trump administration
- Recusal rule
- Abortion
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SCOWIS candidates file finance reports | State Supreme Court candidates filed their campaign finance reports for the pre-primary period. Liberal candidate Judge Susan Crawford raised $4.4 million between January 1st and February 3rd, outraising her opponent Judge Brad Schimel who fundraised $2.7 million. In Judge Crawford’s latest contribution report, she raised $262,965 in donations of $1,000 or more. Of those donations, $122,965, or 46.8%, were from Wisconsin donors. Judge Schimel raised $168,872 in late contributions, and $143,862, or 85.2% came from Wisconsin donors. | |
Crawford releases new ads | |
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Liberal state Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford released three new ads this week. One TV ad responds to her opponent Brad Schimel’s ad, and the narrator says Judge Schimel wants to bring back the 1849 law banning abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest, gave plea deals to child molesters, and “let domestic abusers walk with no jail time.” The ad also claims he let 6,000 rape kits “sit untested for two years.”
Watch the ad here.
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Another ad says Judge Schimel is lying to you about abortion and will ban it if elected. The ad features him speaking on the 1849 statue, and he says in a clip, “There is not a constitutional right to abortion in our state.”
Watch the ad here
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The third ad released features a woman who says Judge Schimel supporting the 1849 law terrifies her. She says she had complications with her pregnancy, and doctors could not help her because of the ban. “The 1849 law that Brad Schimel supports almost killed me. Brad Schimel is too extreme for the Supreme Court,” she says.
Watch the ad here.
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Conservative state Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel launched two TV ads this week. One ad features Judge Schimel’s two adopted daughters Mackenzie and Hailey, and he says they are his “greatest blessing” and he’s grateful for the choice their birth mothers made. He said “But a judge’s job is to apply the law, not make the law. The people of Wisconsin, through referendum or their elected representatives, should decide the question of abortion.”
Watch the ad here.
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The other ad targets his opponent Susan Crawford for allowing a man who repeatedly raped a little girl to be released after two years in prison. The ad closes, “Now the pedophile lives blocks from a school and with Susan Crawford on the bench, your street could be next.”
Watch the ad here.
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DPI candidates file finance reports | The state Superintendent candidates reported their finances for the pre-primary period, and education consultant Brittany Kinser raised $301,316, nearly four times more than incumbent superintendent Dr. Jill Underly who raised $81,773. Of Dr. Underly’s total, $56,118 came from the state Democratic Party. Ms. Kinser’s donations came from GOP donors and people associated with school choice advocacy. Sauk Prairie Superintendent Jeff Wright raised $34,804. | |
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State superintendent candidate Jeff Wright released a TV ad targeting state Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly for “failing Wisconsin schools.” The narrator says, “Financial mismanagement, funding freezes and lower standards. Burning through money while classes grow and standards drop. Our kids deserve better, and our schools need an effective leader.” The narrator highlights Mr. Wright’s experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent.
Watch the ad here.
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February 17th - February 21st | |
Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
February 18, 2025, at 10:00AM
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February 18th at 11:30AM - State of Wisconsin Fiscal Update and 2025-2027 Budget Outlook with JFC Co-Chair Sen. Howard Marklein (virtual and in-person options available)
Register for the event here.
February 19th at 11:30AM - Meet the Cabinet: Public Service Commission Chair Summer Strand (virtual and in-person options available)
Register for the event here.
RSVP to Lauren Lubenow at lauren.lubenow@michaelbest.com if you'd like to attend any of these events
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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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