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In this update:

• Administration Updates
• Election Updates
• Committee Schedule
• Upcoming Events

Administration Updates

Evers releases 2025-2027 capital budget

Governor Tony Evers (D) announced the capital budget is projected to generate over $7 billion in economic activity and 37,000 jobs statewide. He also recommended approximately $4.1 billion in investments in his 2025-27 Capital Budget for the renovation and renewal of the state’s existing infrastructure and to support major projects across Wisconsin, requiring $3.8 billion in new borrowing. The plan includes almost $1.6 billion in projects at Universities of Wisconsin campuses and $325 million at corrections institutions. “We can’t afford to kick the can down the road on key infrastructure projects across our state, most especially as the cost of building materials may only get more expensive with each day of delay due to potential tariff taxes and trade wars,” Gov. Evers said.

Joint Finance Committee co-Chairs Rep. Mark Born (R) and Sen. Howard Marklein (R) promised that Republican lawmakers will put together a “responsible Capital Budget that Wisconsin can afford” while balancing the state’s needs with sound fiscal responsibility.

Election Updates

State Supreme Court

SCOWIS debate

The candidates in the race for state Supreme Court debated for the first, and likely only time, on Wednesday at Marquette University Law School. Conservative candidate Judge Brad Schimel said the liberal-leaning court is carrying out a political agenda, and his opponent Judge Susan Crawford said Judge Schimel was paying “lip service to the principle of impartiality and open-mindedness.”

Topics covered in the debate include:

• Campaign spending
• Elon Musk
• Their sentences
• Abortion
• Act 10

Watch the debate here.

WMC SCOWIS poll

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce released polling for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The results showed Judges Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel tied at 47% among likely voters. They also found 45% of respondents have a favorable view of Judge Crawford and 43% have an unfavorable view. Judge Schimel was viewed favorably by 45% as well, but 46% had an unfavorable opinion. WMC had OnMessage Inc. conduct the survey of 600 likely voters March 9-10 using text-to-web interviews. The margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points.

Crawford launches new ad

Liberal state Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford released a new TV ad saying conservative candidate Brad Schimel waited to test thousands of rape kits, allowing a serial rapist to walk the streets of Wisconsin for 10 years. The narrator said Judge Schimel “waited years to test thousands of rape kits while the women he was sworn to protect paid a terrible price.”

Watch the ad here.

DPW releases new joint ad with Crawford

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin and state Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford launched a joint ad calling Elon Musk a power hungry billionaire who is unloading millions to buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The narrator says Musk is out of control and knows “MAGA politician Brad Schimel is for sale and will abolish the checks and balances that protect us.”

Watch the ad here.

State Superintendent

WMC releases DPI poll

Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s new poll found Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly with a slight edge on her opponent Brittany Kinser. The poll found 33% supported Superintendent Jill Underly, 30% backed Brittany Kinser, and 38% were undecided. WMC had OnMessage Inc. conduct the survey of 600 likely voters March 9-10 using text-to-web interviews. The margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points.

Kinser releases first ad

State Superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser released her first broadcast TV ad. She says she wants to “restore high standards and partner with parents” at the Department of Public Instruction. She highlights her background in special education and as a public school principal. The ad will run on broadcast and cable TV, connected TV, digital, and satellite platforms in the Milwaukee and Green Bay media markets.

Watch the ad here.

Committee Schedule

March 17th - March 21st

Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules

March 19, 2025, at 12:15pm

Upcoming Events

March 28th at 8:30am - Capitol Chats with Senator Jesse James (virtual)

April 4th at 8:30am - Capitol Chats with Senator Dora Drake (virtual)

ABOUT US

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

Government Relations Team

Our Team |  michaelbeststrategies.com

One South Pickney Street, Suite 700

Madison, WI 53703

Phone: 608-257-3501

Fax: 608-283-2275