Many of the bills I work on here in Madison have a story behind them. Often, the ideas come from a constituent bringing an issue to my attention that needs legislative action. I wanted to use this column as a chance to tell the stories behind several bills I have been working on this session.
On Tuesday, Assembly Republicans authored and passed a comprehensive package of bills to increase the supply and lower the cost of housing with the goal of getting more first-time buyers into homes. This issue is important as Wisconsin is in the midst of a housing crisis: The price for a median home in Wisconsin in 2015 was $160,500. Today, the same home costs $338,000. If the 2015 home price was adjusted for inflation, it should be $222,492, which is a 38% increase. Instead, it has increased by more than 110%, making it nearly impossible for working class families to afford a median home.
A new report from the Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) exposes how unelected federal bureaucrats are quietly steering Wisconsin policy through informal “guidance documents.” These documents often carry the weight of regulation without ever going before the Legislature or the public.
What IRG found:
IRG identified 14 examples across five major state agencies—including the Departments of Natural Resources, Health Services, Agriculture, Transportation, and the Wisconsin Elections Commission—where Washington directives shaped Wisconsin policy.
Why it matters:
When she announced her run for Wisconsin Supreme Court, Judge Maria Lazar stressed that she is independent, non-partisan, and doesn’t belong to a political party. Yet WISN-TV and the Associated Press rushed to frame her through a partisan lens in their headines.
This week, Iowa's Senator Grassley said in a committee meeting, "When taken in context with widespread government weaponization against Trump and conservatives in the last decade, the conducts - arguably - is worse than Watergate." He was talking about the spying on of eight sitting senators. He was talking about Jack Smith's Arctic Frost operation and his FBI operatives. Records of the calls included the time of day, the date, where the senator was, where the recipient of the call was, or the originator of the call was.
I think it’s time we start asking some tough questions about accountability in county government.
A couple of years ago, the County Board approved $3 million in ARPA funds to help Couleecap and Catholic Charities buy homes for families facing homelessness. That program, called Thriving Families, had good intentions. But the Board made it clear at the time - no extra county funds would be used for rent guarantees or other ongoing expenses.
Summary
Solo Speakeasy Conversation watching the President's remarks at the 250th Navy Birthday celebration in Norfolk, VA.
Badgering is defined as a verb that means questioning repeatedly, telling repeatedly, scolding constantly, or sharply reminding constantly. Or, simply put, it is pestering. This is what “we the people” must do for the next thirteen months leading up to the November 2026 elections for Governor, LT Governor, State Senate, and State Representative. “We the people” need to question the candidates (both incumbents and challengers) and express our questions and concerns about the current state budget!
What a beautiful day in Phoenix. The historic event was filled with speakers, big with ideas, and full of energy. What I want to tell you about is a special human moment: not email threads, not the social-media back-and-forth, but real people, face-to-face, making real connections - the kind of conversations Charlie taught us to cherish.
Wis Politics reports that the state Supreme Court has ordered briefings in two lawsuits seeking to overturn Wisconsin’s congressional map, asking parties to weigh in on whether the justices should appoint circuit court judges to hear the challenges. The majority didn’t offer any rationale in its 6-1 ruling. Conservative Rebecca Bradley dissented, arguing the cases should be dismissed in light of a 2011 high court decision, writing, “No Wisconsin Circuit Court may review, much less overrule, a decision of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.”
As of 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2025, funding for many federal government operations has ceased. I voted to keep the government open and protect Wisconsinites, but Chuck Schumer and the Democrats have decided to hold the American people hostage to provide free healthcare to illegal immigrants.
3:33am
Journal from Iraq
Free Month
