(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ announcement that he plans to start an Office of Violence Prevention was met with plenty of Republican criticism that the office was redundant and a misuse of COVID-19 recovery funds.
Evers announced he planned to send $10 million to start the department and put more funding in his 2025-27 budget proposal but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said the funds could be better used if they were sent to the Department of Justice.
“Why do we need a “new office” when you could give $10m to WI DOJ/ @JoshKaulWI for grants to law enforcement?,” Vos wrote on social media. “He’s a liberal Democrat and they ALREADY give grants to law enforcement. Instead you will waste it on even more bureaucrats and DEI? We all know almost all of the money will never go to law enforcement…it’s just cover for another agenda.”
Vos’ comment was in response to Evers Communications Director Britt Cudaback claiming that the Republicans are “so out of touch and so deeply oppose anything @GovEvers does.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, said that the $10 million in federal funding was a misuse of COVID-19 recovery funds.
“In 2024, the Governor was still sitting on top of nearly $300 million Federal COVID-19 funds,” Tomczyk said in a statement. “Money meant for COVID will be paying for the expansion of government instead of flowing to the people. The Governor has deliberately and knowingly withheld federal dollars from the people of Wisconsin and has ignored input from the State Legislature.
“The Governor has sole discretion over his slush fund. He doles out money to whatever partisan group or cause sticks their hand out. I demand to know why we still have COVID money? Why was it not spent on the COVID response? And since it wasn’t spent on COVID response, why wasn’t it returned to the federal government? Where is the accountability for this money?”
Meanwhile, Democrats across the state voiced support for Evers’ initiative.
“The Governor’s proposal addresses what Wisconsinites have been demanding: a substantive and collaborative solution to gun violence,” said Rep. Ann Roe, D-Janesville. “This initiative protects rights while at the same time providing a path to end gun violence. This program will keep communities safe and is supported by gun owners, law enforcement, and public health officials.”

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s elected leaders are among the millions of baseball fans mourning the passing of Bob Uecker.
Uecker started his baseball career as a catcher for the Milwaukee Braves, and later spent 54 years calling Milwaukee Brewer baseball games on the radio. He died Thursday at the age of 90.
“Thanks for all the memories, Ueck. You sure will be missed,” Gov Tony Evers said on social media.
“For more than 50 years, Bob brought the magic of the ballpark to life for so many, and I am sure I speak for Brewer fans everywhere when I say we gladly would have had him for 50 more.,” Evers said in a statement. “He wasn’t just a comedian and a great announcer — Bob was a man of character and integrity. Throughout his career he made countless contributions to the history and culture of major league baseball, and he was active in giving back to our communities in our state. “
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Uecker. His presence extended beyond the broadcast booth; he was a symbol of Milwaukee’s spirit. His legacy will forever be intertwined with the Brewers and the city he loved so dearly.” Milwaukee Congresswoman Gwen Moore said on social media. “Rest in Peace, Mr. Baseball.”
“Summer won’t be the same without you, Mr. Baseball,” southern Wisconsin Congressman Bryan Steil added in a tweet of his own.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley echoed those same sentiments.
“Bob Uecker was a true Milwaukee icon. More than just the voice of the Milwaukee Brewers, Bob shared his heart, soul, and love of the game with Milwaukeeans for generations. For many, myself included, Bob has felt like an old friend,” Crowley said in a statement “Beyond the game, Bob was a pillar in our community. He left an indelible mark on Milwaukee through his charitable initiatives and gave back to our residents and fans with the same generosity that defined his career. On behalf of Milwaukee County, I extend my deepest condolences to Bob’s family, friends, colleagues, and the countless fans whose lives he touched. His legacy will echo forever in the hearts of the Milwaukee community.”
Uecker was far better known for his off the field life than his time in the major leagues.
In addition to calling baseball games on TV and radio, Uecker became world famous for his Miller Lite commercials, and his stint on the sitcom Mr. Belvidere. Uecker was also a frequent guest on Johnny Carson and other late-night shows.
He called his final game for the Brewers at the end of the last season.
His family says he passed away after a battle with cancer.
There were no immediate plans for a funeral or a public memorial.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation is sending $10 million in grants for maintenance and construction projects in ports at La Crosse, La Pointe, Marinette, Green Bay and Manitowoc.
The grants are part of the Harbor Assistance Program, created by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1979 to help harbor communities with maintaining ports.
“The ripple effects of these grants will be felt statewide as we continue investing to strengthen Wisconsin’s maritime economy,” said WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman. “Supporting all modes of transportation is imperative to improving infrastructure and quality of life for residents and businesses across our state.”
The grants include $3 million to Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette to dredge, repair dock walls, and install mooring bollards and fenders to maintain navigation and moor vessels, $2.3 million to Hanke Terminals in La Crosse to construct a commodity storage building used to expand import and export operations on the Mississippi River and $2 million for the Port of Green Bay and the Fox River Port Development Site to install a dock wall, dredge, fill behind a bulkhead, and regrade property to create a new transload facility at the mouth of the Fox River.
The projects also include $1.8 million for City Centre LLC, in Manitowoc – to construct a load-out pad on the Manitowoc River for assembling, testing, and shipping new portal jibs designed by Konecranes Inc. and $808,000 for the Town of La Pointe Harbor Commission and the Madeline Island Ferry to construct pile clusters, modify the ferry landing, and dredge harbors used by the ferry to transport people, vehicles, and goods from Bayfield to Madeline Island.
The grants came from applications from public or private harbor facilities for projects used for cargo transfer, shipbuilding, commercial fishing, vessel cruises or ferry service.
The projects must show an economic benefit over a 25-year period with selection based on economic impact, urgency and project type. The next round of grants are open until Aug. 1.

(The Center Square) – The rate of state and local taxes that Wisconsin residents pay dropped again in 2024, down to 9.62% of their income.
In 2023, that number was 9.92%. The 2024 rate was the lowest on record in more than half a century, according to a new report from Wisconsin Policy Forum.
Overall, Wisconsin state and local governments collected $36.9 billion in taxes in 2024 compared to $36.2 billion in 2023, a 1.9% tax collection increase that was below the rate of inflation and half of the growth rate of personal income in the state.
“Each year, the Wisconsin Policy Forum examines every local and state tax paid, from the fees paid by dry cleaners ($369,050 in 2024) to gross local property taxes ($13.09 billion),” the group said. “To these fiscal year 2024 figures, we compare state personal income data from the prior calendar year, in this case 2023, to calculate tax burdens.”
Personal income in Wisconsin grew 5.2% in 2023, below the 5.9% growth nationally.
Combined local government taxes grew 2.7% in 2024 to $12.28 billion, according to the report. Local property tax collections grew 4.6% in 2024, the most since 2008.
Lawmakers took notice of the report.
“WI state & local tax burden has dropped to its lowest level since at least 1970,” Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, wrote on social media. “Assembly Republicans have consistently worked to lower the tax burden on hardworking Wisconsinites-we will continue to fight to keep the tax burden low!”
Wisconsin state tax collections grew to $24.65 billion in fiscal year 2024 from $24.27 billion in fiscal 2023, a 1.6% increase.
Corporate income tax collections fell 1.7% from $2.75 billion in 2023 to $2.70 billion in 2024.

(The Center Square) – Leaders in Eau Claire want to know how to deal with western Wisconsin police departments that are dropping homeless people off in the city.
Both the city and county wrote a letter to Wisconsin’s attorney general this week asking for advice.
“The practice of transporting people experiencing homelessness to Eau Claire, absent a warm hand-off to services, is harmful and not in the best interest of the person facing hardship,” the city said in the six-page letter.
Eau Claire’s city attorney and the county’s corporation counsel both signed the letter.
They are asking Attorney General Josh Kaul for “advice on how best to offer the needed services in a manner that is meeting obligations to serve and protect our residents while avoiding civil and criminal liability for law enforcement officers that may attach for action taken outside his or her territorial jurisdiction.”
City attorney Stephen Nick added in the letter that Eau Claire is seeing a spike in crime because of the homeless drop-offs.
“Oftentimes these individuals commit crimes immediately after arriving, which victimizes Eau Claire residents,” the letter states. “Our Police Officers have been injured when the transported person becomes resistive and combative.”
The letter specifically names the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office, Menomonie Police Department and Durand Police Department.
Eau Claire’s letter also cites three cases dating back to mid-October when out-of-town police departments brought homeless people to Eau Claire.
Two of those people, the letter says, had not committed any crimes, but all of them “had contact” with Eau Claire police after they were dropped-off.
“These are not transports to the county jail or a receiving medical or mental health facility but often only to the edge of a sidewalk, Kwik Trip or such location without choice, treatment, care or notice. Those who may soon encounter these individuals in need of care have no background on which to offer assistance or protection,” the letter adds. “In these cases, it also includes unwitting motel or convenience store clerks, wholly unprepared for the needs of this person who a law enforcement officer sworn to serve and protect just dropped off at their doorstep.”
Eau Claire and the county are asking for four answers from the AG’s office, including whether “law enforcement officers have legal authority to make unrequested, non-consensual, custodial transport of unhoused or other individuals who have created no crime to other jurisdictions?”
And “which county is financially responsible for costs incurred when services must be provided.”

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin voters will decide if there should be a state constitution requirement to produce valid photo identification for future elections.
The Wisconsin State Assembly voted to approve the resolution, passed a week earlier by the Senate. The measure will be on the April 1 ballot.
“Voter ID has been state law for over 10 years, and we cannot afford the chance for activist Supreme Court justices to strip away election integrity in Wisconsin,” said Rep. Alex Dallman, R-Markesan.
The measure passed 54-45. All Democrats voted against Senate Joint Resolution 2.
“Voter ID is a common-sense measure to protect the integrity of our elections, promote confidence in the electoral process, and, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll, is supported by 81% of Americans,” said Rep. Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac. “IDs are already required to purchase alcohol or cigarettes, open a bank account, get married, donate blood, and apply for FoodShare, Medicaid, BadgerCare, and Social Security.”
O’Connor said IDs are easy and free to obtain through the Department of Transportation website or the ID hotline at 844-588-1069.
Democrats voting against the measure said that it will disenfranchise Wisconsin voters.
“The only real purpose AJR1/SJR2 would serve is to make it more difficult for eligible citizens to exercise their fundamental right to vote,” said Rep. Renuka Mayadev, D-Madison. “Studies consistently show that people of color, people with disabilities, and people of modest means are less likely to have the government-issued ID that this law would require. This action is a naked attempt to suppress Wisconsin voters. The Wisconsin Constitution is there to protect the right to vote, not to deny it as this proposal will do.”

(The Center Square) – Just days after announcing record fundraising hauls, the spending has begun in Wisconsin’s race for Supreme Court.
Conservative Judge Brad Schimel announced his campaign is buying more than $1 million in ads.
“The seven-figure, statewide buy comes after the campaign raised a historic $2.2 million since Judge Schimel’s entrance into the race – a testament to the grassroots support and momentum behind Schimel’s campaign. In the past six months alone, the campaign raised $1.5 million – more than five times the amount of the previous conservative candidate during this period,” Schimel’s campaign said in a statement.
The new ad, titled Schimel for Justice, will air on TV in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Wausau and La Crosse.
It went up on YouTube Tuesday.
“I’m Brad Schimel, and justice is my life’s work,” Schimel said in the ad. “Justice. For me, it’s not a title. It’s my mission statement.”
Schimel’s $1.1 million ad buy is in addition to the $1.6 million in ads that Americans For Prosperity announced last week.
Those ads are set to run on places like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Liberal Judge Susan Crawford’s campaign has not yet announced any ad buys of their own.
Crawford reported a $2.8 million fundraising total for 2024.
A Better Wisconsin is running ads, saying it spent “mid-six-figures” on issue ads targeting Schimel.
A Better Wisonisn’s ad on abortion accuses Schimel of wanting “to take Wisconsin back to the 1800s.”
The ads are just the beginning of what could be a very expensive four-month race for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
The last race, in 2023, cost more than $50 million.
Some court watchers say there’s a potential for this race to get close to $100 million.
Schimel and Crawford are running to replace longtime liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order to create the Wisconsin Office of Violence Prevention on Tuesday morning.
Evers said he will send $10 million in federal funding to start the office and then include the office in his 2025-27 budget proposal.
The office is intended to connect both state and local government efforts to prevent violence through things like safe storage, gun buybacks, expand mental health access and award grants to support violence and gun violence initiatives.
Evers said the proposal comes after a student at Madison’s Abundant Life Christian School shot and killed a teacher and fellow student while sending six others to the hospital in mid-December.
“As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid and an educator woke up and went to school that morning and never came home. That should never happen. Not to any kid, not to any educator, not to any person or family – not in this state or anywhere else in this country,” Evers said at a Madison press conference.
The office will do similar work to local offices of violence prevention in Racine and Green Bay.
It will coordinate efforts between law enforcement departments, create statewide public education campaigns, identify potential statewide law proposals and support local violence prevention efforts.
It will provide grants to school districts, firearm dealers, law enforcement agencies, non-profits, and government agencies for violence prevention.
Local agencies will be able to apply for the grants for eligible expenses and initiatives aimed at interrupting, reducing, and preventing violence and promoting community safety.

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is sending more than $14 million in grants to Wisconsin to expand access to clean energy systems and increase biofuel availability.
The largest two grant recipients were $5 million to JT Petroleum for infrastructure to expand the sale and use of renewable fuels including adding 79 E15 fuel dispensers, 23 B20 dispensers, 19 ethanol storage tanks, and 15 biodiesel storage tanks at 19 fueling stations located in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Wisconsin.
RSD Enterprises will receive $3.9 million for similar infrastructure that will go to installing 36 E15 dispensers, 18 B20 dispensers, seven ethanol storage tanks, and seven biodiesel storage tanks at seven fueling stations in Wisconsin and Michigan.
Overall, 42 projects in 27 Wisconsin counties will be receiving grant funds.
“The dozens of awards I’m announcing today will help lower energy costs and provide a historic opportunity for farmers and rural businesses to invest in clean energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements,” said USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa. “Many of these investments are made possible with help from President Biden’s historic Inflation Reduction Act and will create more energy independence, save businesses money on their bottom-line and strengthen economic development in rural communities.”
The federal funding for the grants came from the Inflation Reduction Act. Overall, $120 million in grants for 516 projects in 39 states were awarded.
Rosewood Dairy in Algoma will receive $500,000 for more energy efficient lighting, expected to save 60% of the dairy’s energy use.
GRO Alliance in Cuba City will receive a $438,500 grant for a roof-mounted solar array expected to save the company $45,118 per year by replacing 609,696 kilowatt hours of use.
Many of the grants were awarded to smaller operations for solar arrays or energy efficient grain dryers across the state.

(The Center Square) – The top Republican in the Wisconsin Senate is promising to strip out any policy in the governor’s new budget.
Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu was a guest on UpFront over the weekend. He said Gov. Tony Evers’ ideas, like a citizen referendum proposal, are DOA in the legislature.
“It’s not a policy vision for the governor,” LeMahieu said.
LeMahieu said Republicans are focused on cutting taxes in the new session. He said the governor is focused on spending more.
LeMahieu didn’t say how much money Republicans at the Capitol are looking to spend. Instead, he said Evers is looking to spend too much.
“A lot of the requests, in education, K-12 is way too much. He said $4 billion was almost too much for him in education, so we’ll see what he puts in there,” LeMahieu added.
The governor has also endorsed the University of Wisconsin’s $855 million budget request.
LeMahieu said the legislature will “not fully fund” that request.
“Outside of Madison and maybe one or two other campuses, enrollment is declining,” LeMahieu said. “I’m not sure why it makes sense to continue to put more money into a system that’s in decline.”
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has said he intends to pass a tax cut first, then deal with the governor and the rest of the budget.
LeMahieu said he’s planning to do the same.
“I think it’s important to get a commitment from the governor to cut taxes first before we pass the budget,” LeMahieu added. “We’ll work with the Assembly, but it might be a Senate bill, there might be an Assembly bill, and we’ll work together to maybe do both or combine.”
LeMahieu is less sure what will happen with ideas like an early-count law for absentee ballots or a medical marijuana program. Both of those ideas have support in the Assembly but are not as popular in the Senate.
Senate Republicans killed the last attempt at early count legislation because some senators saw it as an opportunity for election fraud.
LeMahieu opposed the latest medical marijuana pitch because he doesn’t like the idea of state-owned marijuana dispensaries.
“I think there are members of our caucus who are supportive of medical marijuana,” he said. “The challenge with the bill in the Assembly introduced last time was state-run dispensaries. I think from our caucus standpoint, my standpoint, is just having a certain number of dispensaries run, growing the size of government doesn’t seem to be the best way to do it.”
Evers has promised to deliver his state budget next month. Lawmakers then have until the end of June to approve a new budget for the next two years.

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin governor declared an energy emergency
“due to persistent challenges caused by severe regional winter weather and its impact on the distribution of residential heating fuel, including heating oil and propane.”
Wisconsin is not suffering under a winter storm, but Illinois, Indiana and a line of states from Missouri to Virginia were hit by a winter storm last week. And another winter storm is currently freezing parts of the south.
Wisconsin is seeing the impacts in long wait times at fuel depots and delays for truckers bringing things into the state.
“From coast to coast in the U.S., Winter Storm Blair has impacted residents and industries alike. This has increased demand for heating fuel and caused strain on delivering essential products across our state, including fuel for home heating, which is critical for the health and safety of folks during the Wisconsin winter,” Evers said in a statement. “Getting residential heating fuel like propane and heating oil moving now to those who need it will help Wisconsinites remain safe as we continue to face cool and freezing temperatures in the coming months.”
The order means truckers who are hauling loads of fuel oil or propane, or other necessities are exempt from some of Wisconsin’s hours-of-service restriction. That means drivers can work longer hours to make up for the delays at fuel depots.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission’s Office of Energy Innovation is reporting “challenges such as long lines at terminals and having to drive further distances to collect needed products.”
“Executive Order #253 will provide a 30-day waiver of certain state and federal hours-of-service restrictions, allowing suppliers to get caught up from weather-related delays,” the governor’s office announced.

(The Center Square) – Nearly $39 million in federal funding will be going to Amtrak’s Borealis Service, which runs through Wisconsin on the route between Chicago and St. Paul, Minnesota.
The eight Wisconsin stops on the line include Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Dells and La Crosse. Amtrak opened the line in May with trips from St. Paul at midday and from Chicago in the late morning.
Ridership included more than 100,000 riders in the first 22 weeks of service. The full list of stops includes Sturtevant, Milwaukee, Columbus, Portage, the Wisconsin Dells, Tomah and La Crosse.
Leaders say that it fills schedule gaps from the Amtrak Empire Builder trains.
The funding will support the rest of the second year of service along with years three through six with the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois also funding the line.
“This investment doubles down on the success of Amtrak’s Borealis Service, reducing wear and tear on our roads, attracting new visitors, and bringing new business to our state,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin.
The funding comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program.
The program is setup to assist with operating costs for eligible projects that will establish service on new routes, restore service on routes that formerly had intercity passenger operations and enhance service on existing routes.
There was $102 billion in rail funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $250 million for the R&E Program.