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In this update:
- MU Poll
- Election Updates
- Legislative Updates
- Federal Updates
- Committee Schedule
- Upcoming Events
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Marquette University Law School Poll release a new statewide poll on Wednesday. It found that 44% of registered voters approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance, while 54% disapprove—a net -10% rating. Governor Tony Evers (D) holds a net +2% approval, with 49% approving and 45% disapproving.
The poll also reported the favorability for all the announced gubernatorial candidates:
| | Taylor releases second ad | |
Liberal Supreme Court candidate Chris Taylor has launched her second TV ad, focusing on her past work with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The ad is part of her campaign’s ongoing TV and digital buy airing in the Madison, Milwaukee, La Crosse, Wausau, and Green Bay markets.
AdImpact reports $1.4 million in media buys from Judge Taylor’s campaign through Monday, compared to $142,000 for conservative candidate Maria Lazar.
The ad features a woman named Rebecca, who shares her experience of abuse by her former Sunday school teacher and says Judge Taylor was the first to advocate for her, working across parties and with law enforcement.
The campaign also released two 15-second ads: one highlighting Taylor’s career work on abortion rights and domestic violence issues, and another shorter version of Rebecca’s story.
| Rodriguez proposes online safety for children and phone-free schools | |
Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez released a proposal aimed at increasing online safety for children and establishing new requirements for technology platforms. The plan highlights concerns about addictive platform design, children’s data privacy, and online exploitation.
Lieutenant Governor Rodriguez expressed support for the Wisconsin Assembly’s recently passed school cell phone ban, noting its potential to reduce distractions and cyberbullying during the school day. She raised concerns, however, that other Assembly proposals place too much responsibility on parents, rather than on technology companies.
The plan includes several policy areas:
- Accountability for Technology Platforms:
- Enables parents to pursue legal action from when platforms contribute to addiction or expose minors to harmful content. It also increases expectations for companies to address safety risks posed by social media and AI tools.
- Cell Phone-Free Schools:
- Supports legislation creating phone-free learning environments.
- Restrictions on Addictive Features:
- Proposes limits on features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and certain notifications for users under 18.
- Limits on Data-Driven Advertising to Minors:
- Prohibits targeted advertising to children that relies on personal data or algorithmic profiling.
- Online Safety and Predatory Behavior Protections:
- Strengthens penalties for child exploitation and requires platforms to improve detection and reporting of harmful behavior.
- Transparency Measures:
- Requires platforms to disclose algorithmic practices, content-promotion systems, and data-collection methods, with independent audits to verify compliance.
- Creation of a State Office of Digital and Technology Policy:
- Establishes a new office to coordinate digital safety efforts, oversee emerging technologies, and support statewide online protection initiatives.
| Barnes completes statewide “Reject The Washington Way” tour | | |
Following President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes completed his statewide “Reject the Washington Way” tour, meeting with farmers, small business owners, and families across Wisconsin to highlight the real-world impacts of President Trump and Representative Tom Tiffany’s policies.
Former Lieutenant Governor Barnes traveled to Madison, Granton, Stevens Point, Catawba, Superior, Ashland, Bayfield, River Falls, Adams, and Milwaukee to share a blunt message: families across Wisconsin are shouldering the costs of the “Washington Way,” from rising prices to struggling family farms.
“We’re all feeling overwhelmed with out-of-control costs and the chaos and division that Donald Trump and Tom Tiffany have created. We have families who are choosing between groceries and rent. Our farmers are getting crushed by tariffs, as well as our small business owners, who continue to see their costs spiral,” said Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes in Superior
Throughout the tour, former Lieutenant Governor Barnes outlined pieces of his “Wisconsin Way” agenda aimed at making life more affordable, such as expanding BadgerCare on Day One, delivering a middle-class tax cut by closing loopholes for the ultra-wealthy, and ensuring every community has the resources to keep people safe.
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Hughes launches next phase of UNLOCK WISCONSIN | | |
Democratic candidate for governor Missy Hughes announced the next phase of her UNLOCK WISCONSIN agenda, outlining a plan to lower childcare costs and expand access statewide. Her proposal estimates that a typical Wisconsin family could save up to $20,000 per year under a cap limiting childcare expenses to 7% of household income.
Wisconsin faces significant childcare shortage, with tens of thousands of children on waitlists and many providers operating below capacity due to staffing challenges. The shortage is projected to cost the state $4.2-$6.4 billion over the next decade in lost wages, productivity, and tax revenue.
She said childcare is a critical economic issue affecting families, employers, and the state’s workforce, emphasizing that access to reliable, affordable childcare is essential for economic growth.
Her plan focuses on two major goals:
Lower costs for families
- Expand Wisconsin Shares eligibility to all families at or below median household income in Year One, and to families up to 200% of median income in Year Two.
- Cap childcare costs at 7% of income for participating families.
Strengthen the childcare workforce
- Recruit and train 10,000 childcare workers by the end of her first term.
- Increase wages and benefits, expand training programs, and support innovative regional pilot projects.
- Reduce provider costs through shared services, low-interest loans, and a sales-tax exemption on essential business expenses.
| | Sapik running for 25th SD | | |
Former Wisconsin State Representative Angie Sapik announced that she will run for the 25th State Senate seat.
Former Representative Sapik currently serves on the Douglas County Board, where she sits on the Health and Public Safety Committees. She previously represented Wisconsin’s 73rd Assembly District, choosing not to seek re-election after new legislative maps were signed into law in 2024.
Former Representative Sapik is seeking to succeed State Senator Romaine Quinn, who currently holds the 25th district seat. Senator Quinn will be running for the 23rd Senate District under the newly drawn legislative maps. Also running for the seat as a Republican is former State Rep. Erik Severson, who previously served two terms in the Assembly from 2010 to 2015.
| Wicklund running for 33rd AD | | |
Steve Wicklund, Village President of Union Grove and Chair of the Racine County Intergovernmental Cooperation Council, announced that he will run as a Republican candidate for the 33rd Assembly District.
Mr. Wicklund said he views his candidacy as a response to a moment of transition in local leadership.
He has served as Village President with a focus on fiscal management, planned growth, and transparent local government. In his role chairing the Intergovernmental Cooperation Council, he works with leaders across Racine County to support local collaboration and maintain community decision-making authority.
Mr. Wicklund said his campaign will center on issues he describes as priorities for the district, including economic growth, responsible budgeting, public safety, and protecting individual freedoms.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos is currently the representative for Wisconsin’s 33rd Assembly District and recently announced he will retire at the end of his term in 2026. He was first elected to the Assembly in 2004 and reelected since.
| | Vos says more work needed on tax relief plan | |
In an interview with WISN ‘UpFront’ Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Republican legislative leaders and Governor Tony Evers are continuing to work toward a tax relief plan using the state’s $2.5 billion projected surplus. Speaker Vos said the Assembly will likely return for a special or extraordinary session to finalize an agreement.
“I think everyone, we are all saying the same thing, that we want tax relief, Senate Republicans, Assembly Republicans, and the governor. So now we just have to define what that looks like. Compromise is hard …. It’s slow. It’s cumbersome. People want a quick answer. I think we’ll find an answer.”
Speaker Vos also announced he will not seek reelection after experiencing a mild heart attack, noting he has received hundreds of messages from colleagues and former officials. He said he hopes Representative Tyler August (R-Walworth) will succeed him as speaker if Republicans retain control.
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Vice President JD Vance visited Plover, using a stop at Pointe Precision to promote Trump Administration policies and voice strong support for U.S. Representative Derrick Van Orden, whom he urged attendees to reelect this fall.
Speaking in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District, Vice President Vance repeatedly praised Van Orden’s work in Congress and pointed to proposals involving taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security. Representative Van Orden also highlighted tax provisions in his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
A number of Wisconsin Republicans joined the visit including, U.S. Representatives Bryan Steil, Glenn Grothman, and Tom Tiffany, along with state GOP and local officials.
Vice President Vance also was critical of Governor Tony Evers and state official for declining federal requests for voter data and food assistance records, saying the state should cooperate more fully.
Senator Tammy Baldwin responds to Vice President Vance’s stop in Wisconsin: “We heard Tuesday night that the president is going to double down on his disastrous tariff policies. These have devastated families and farmers alike. The tariffs are squeezing farmers who are already operating on thin margins and have led to a squeeze at the grocery store. And at the State of the Union the president called for overturning the ACA and his agenda will terminate Wisconsinites health care to benefit corporations. Western Wisconsin who has a representative who has been in lock-step with this administration. Congressman Derrick Van Orden has backed these policies at every single turn. Even as farmers’ and seniors raise concerns about rising costs and shrinking services. They deserve independent leadership and not a rubber stamp. So we welcome the Vice-President to the state so they can see the damage this administration is causing.”
Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski responds to Vice President Vance’s stop in Wisconsin: “We saw how Derrick Van Orden supported the Big Ugly Bill. Rural hospitals are being shut down and we saw a veterans home close that Derrick Van Orden could have fought for. Why are veterans being treated like an afterthought? Western Wisconsinites are asking where is he? With these tariffs, with farmers on the chopping block, health care being taken away and hospitals being shut down—where is he? He’s nowhere to be found other than helping corporations and billionaires at the expense of his constituents. Western Wisconsin knows he’s not a leader and wants an independent voice who will represent them, not act as a rubber stamp for an agenda that is fueling the affordability crisis.”
Watch the full remarks here.
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The following meetings have been noticed as of 2:00 pm Friday. Committee and Agency meeting notices are frequently updated and can be found here (for the Legislature) and here (for the Administration).
Monday, March 2
Senate Committee on Transportation and Local Government
Executive Session at 12:00 PM
Senate Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry
Public Hearing at 3:00 PM
Tuesday, March 3
Senate Committee on Education
Public Hearing at 9:00 AM
Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety
Executive Session at 10:00 AM
Senate Committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development
Public Hearing at 10:30 AM
Wednesday, March 4
Senate Committee on Utilities, Technology, and Tourism
Public Hearing at 11:00 AM
Thursday, March 5
No meetings currently scheduled.
Friday, March 6
No meetings currently scheduled.
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Monday, March 2nd - Meet the WI Supreme Court Candidate - Chris Taylor
Monday, March 9th - Meet the Gubernatorial Candidate - Joel Brennan
Friday, March 6th - Capitol Chats with Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner (virtual)
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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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