Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction argues it didn’t violate law with waterpark meeting • Wisconsin Examiner Andrew Hoyer-Booth, DPI legislative liaison, told lawmakers at the start of the hearing that it’s a “distraction” from DPI’s work.

A GOP-led committee that fancies itself as a state version of DOGE is scrutinizing the Department of Public Instruction's conference a couple of years ago. Democrats aren't impressed. @bspears.bsky.social has the details.

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Senate Democrats lay out affordability agenda, criticize GOP for suspending special session • Wisconsin Examiner Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein said her caucus is committed to working to improve affordability in the next legislative session.

Senate Democrats lay out affordability agenda, criticize GOP for suspending special session. @bspears.bsky.social has the story.

GOP Sen. Jesse James drops challenge against Democratic Sen. Jeff Smith • Wisconsin Examiner Sen. Jesse James is the the fifth Senate Republican to announce his retirement from office in 2024. Rep. Scott Allen is also retiring.

And more GOP retirements this week

wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/gop-s...

Lawmakers leave conversations with Evers on gerrymandering, tax relief, school funding open • Wisconsin Examiner GOP lawmakers left open a special session on gerrymandering Tuesday, saying they want to have further conversations with Evers.

in case you missed it, yesterday's special session on gerrymandering was left open by GOP lawmakers

wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/04/15/l...

Gov. Tony Evers signs sports betting, NIL and internet crimes bills into law • Wisconsin Examiner “This legislation is the beginning of a conversation, not the end of one,” Gov. Tony Evers said about the sports betting bill.

ICYMI: Gov. Tony Evers signs sports betting, NIL and internet crimes bills into law, citing his belief in tribal sovreignty. But he also includes a rare signing statement that expresses reservations and says "the real work begins" now. Via @bspears.bsky.social

Erika Colón, president of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Hispanic Nurses Association, said she knows at least two nurses who could come back to Wisconsin bc of the law:

“This will be able to bring two people back to the workforce here and to care for our communities that greatly need it."

UW Regents tell lawmakers about dissatisfaction with president they fired • Wisconsin Examiner Regent President Amy Bogost and Regent Timothy Nixon said President Jay Rothman had been told about the changes the regents wanted to see.

Regents' Prez says Rothman "knows that it was ongoing situations that we had many discussions with him about.” The info led lawmakers to put off vote on firing the regents. Via @bspears.bsky.social

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This is also where it's important to remember that referendums have to be approved by voters, so most school districts try to be deliberate before going to them and probably are taking into account when a recurring one was passed before going to voters again.

They'd just go again. A recurring referendum resets a school district's base since it's a permanent increase. So a school district that passes a recurring referendum could seek a nonrecurring or recurring one in the future, especially if like the previous one isn't keeping up with inflation.

Of course! And in case you're curious, Republican lawmakers actually tried getting rid of recurring referenda after the MKE referendum, though that wasn't successful wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/03/31/p...

Here's the list, you may have to zoom in.
Also, yes, recurring has been an option for schools. For example, MKE public schools' last referendum was recurring.

You can search more results here: sfs.dpi.wi.gov/wisfpr/Schoo...

Election day again Wisconsin!

UW Board of Regents to meet Tuesday to consider terminating Jay Rothman • Wisconsin Examiner Gov. Tony Evers, who previously sat on the Board, did not take a position Monday morning on whether Rothman should be ousted.

UW regents meet today to talk about ousting President Jay Rothman. Evers and state lawmakers react to their recent action putting him on notice that he could quit or be fired. Via @bspears.bsky.social

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UW Board of Regents to meet Tuesday to consider terminating Jay Rothman • Wisconsin Examiner Gov. Tony Evers, who previously sat on the Board, did not take a position Monday morning on whether Rothman should be ousted.

UW Board of Regents to meet Tuesday to consider terminating Jay Rothman wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/evers...

UW President Jay Rothman says Regents told him to resign or be fired without clear reasons • Wisconsin Examiner Rothman is refusing to go as he says he has not been given any clear reasons for the regents' loss of confidence in him.

UW President Jay Rothman says Regents told him to resign or be fired without clear reasons. Via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/04/02/u...

UW President Jay Rothman says Regents told him to resign or be fired without clear reasons • Wisconsin Examiner Rothman is refusing to go as he says he has not been given any clear reasons for the regents' loss of confidence in him.

ICYMI: UW President Jay Rothman says Regents told him to resign or be fired without clear reasons. @bspears.bsky.social has the backstory.

In case anyone is curious at all about what's happening on X, Azaelia Banks is currently recommending Wisconsin U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, the GOP candidate for guv, run for president

Gov. Tony Evers vetoes Wisconsin participation in federal school choice tax credit program • Wisconsin Examiner AB 602 directed Evers to have Wisconsin to join the federal school choice tax credit program, but he expressed several concerns.

Gov. Tony Evers vetoes Wisconsin's participation in a new federal school choice tax credit program via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/30/g...

Lots of American flags out today at Madison's protests, including some upside down ones, a sign of distress.

Indivisible Madison East estimates there were more than 10,000 people who got out for the third round of No Kings protests in Wisconsin's capital city.

Here's a shot of some protesters who were waiting for marchers by the state Capitol.

The Raging Grannies of Dane County were singing as marchers made it to the steps of the Capitol.

The crowd is currently headed down S Park St.

Madison protestors just started making their way to the state Capitol from Brittingham Park.

"One, two, three, four, we don't want your bloody war! Five six seven eight stop the killings, stop the hate!"

I’m in Viroqua this morning covering today’s No Kings protest for @wisconsinexaminer.com from the closely watched 3rd Congressional District where a few hundred people have lined a high traffic intersection downtown

I'm headed over to Brittingham Park to cover today's No Kings protest in Madison for @wisconsinexaminer.com. Before that though, over on X, Wisconsin Republicans are trying to use the day as an opportunity to criticize Gov. Evers and his use of the state's partial veto power.

Milwaukee senators call for traffic cameras to deter reckless driving, prevent deaths and injuries • Wisconsin Examiner Milwaukee lawmakers advocated Monday for a measure that allowing the city to use cameras to catch speeders and other traffic law violators.

Milwaukee senators call for traffic cameras to deter reckless driving, prevent deaths and injuries. Via @bspears.bsky.social

Evers vetoes GOP efforts to limit rulemaking, prohibit rights of nature ordinances • Wisconsin Examiner Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed Republican bills Friday that would have limited state agencies’ rulemaking abilities.

ICYMI: via @bspears.bsky.social Evers vetoes GOP efforts to limit rulemaking, prohibit rights of nature ordinances

Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu announces exit, joining other Republicans • Wisconsin Examiner Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu retirement marks the departure of yet another top leader in Wisconsin state politics.

Wisconsin Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu announces exit, joining other Republicans who won't seek reelection via @bspears.bsky.social wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/19/w...

'Gail’s Law' will now require additional breast cancer screening coverage for high-risk women • Wisconsin Examiner The law will require health insurance policies to provide coverage for additional screenings for women with dense breast tissue.

'Gail's Law' will now require additional breast cancer screening coverage for high-risk women in Wisconsin. @bspears.bsky.social covers the emotional bill signing wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/19/g...

With majority at stake this fall, WI Senate GOP’s divisions and departures mark last session day • Wisconsin Examiner A top GOP Senate leader brought bills to a vote without a majority of support from his caucus and one GOP Senator announced his retirement.

The potential for Republicans to lose the Senate majority in the next election cycle cast a shadow over the Wisconsin State Senate’s last regular day of work. @bspears.bsky.social reports wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/03/18/w...