Speakeasy Conversation No. 38 - Pastor Mark Clements
February 01, 2026 - 14:45
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Americans deserve elections that they can trust. After all, confidence in our voting system is the backbone of our Republic, yet today that confidence is at an all-time low.
Last year, I explained how our election system does not require proof of U.S. citizenship when individuals register to vote. Individuals simply check a box saying they are a citizen, and somehow that’s considered “good enough” to vote.
This is why states from Ohio to Virginia to Texas have discovered non-citizens on their voter rolls, with some even casting ballots.
This month, the Assembly held four floor sessions, advancing several key bills that will help keep Wisconsin moving forward. My bill, Assembly Bill 542, passed the Assembly with strong bipartisan support! AB 542 protects dental providers by safeguarding their contracts and ensuring transparency, while also protecting patients by strengthening accountability and preserving access to quality dental care.
During the January 22nd Assembly session, I was proud to honor Tyson Koput as a Hometown Hero!
The Ag Economic Outlook Forum was held at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Hosted by UW–Madison’s Renk Agribusiness Institute, this annual event brings together more than one hundred industry experts and leaders, including agricultural economists, farmers, implement dealers, and other industry insiders. It is one of my favorite events each year because it offers a clear, data-driven look at where the agriculture industry stands and where it may be headed.
The state Capitol was bustling with activity this week as 11 of my bills were up for public hearings.
The bulk of that legislation deals with preventing foreign adversaries from causing harm here in Wisconsin.
The Safeguard Wisconsin bills I provided testimony on were:
Senate Bill 648: outlawing state contracting with businesses that are tied to foreign adversaries
Birthrates are declining, the cost of living continues to rise, and milestones like higher education, homeownership, and retirement are becoming increasingly difficult to reach. That is why on Tuesday, Republicans introduced legislation that aims to give children a financial head start by establishing a long-term savings tool that grows with them from birth into adulthood.
There are nine months until the November 2026 elections but with so many declared Republican candidates we thought we had some kind of idea what the conservative options would be. Surprise! Changes have been happening and, especially with the August Primary, more are to come.
Coulee Conservatives from multiple counties gathered for a workshop recently to study the issues that matter most to voters. Here is the summary of their findings
Topic 1: Property Taxes
During a Senate Aging Committee meeting, Senator Ron Johnson pressed experts on the rising threat of financial scams targeting Americans, especially senior citizens. Senator Johnson focused on exposing how scammers operate and pushed witnesses to explain the most common tactics used to manipulate victims, including impersonation, romance, tech support, and investment scams driven by urgency and emotional pressure. Experts agreed the problem is growing rapidly and emphasized that stronger preventative measures are needed to stop scams before Americans suffer devastating losses.
Beginning at the start of 2026, the Trump Administration enacted new restrictions on what can be purchased using SNAP benefits. So far, 18 states have taken advantage of this new waiver program, allowing them to place restrictions on various unhealthy foods such as candy, sugary juices, prepared desserts, and sodas.
But not Wisconsin.
While there has been an effort in the state legislature to move toward pursuing a waiver for Wisconsin's Food Share program, it has (unsurprisingly) run into headwinds by Democrats. Courtney Graves has more in this week's Spotlight story.
Last week, lawmakers celebrated a huge win for religious freedom in our state. The state legislature, led by Representative Ron Tusler, passed a proposed constitutional amendment that prohibits the government from stopping public worship services even during a state of emergency issued by the national, state, or local authorities. Now, the people of Wisconsin will decide in the ballot box whether our state will ratify the constitutional amendment during the fall election.
