1 00:00:19,860 --> 00:00:21,359 The Wisconsin Senate wraps up its 2 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:23,659 regular business for 2026. 3 00:00:23,660 --> 00:00:25,679 What passed, what didn't, 4 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,159 and what can we learn from the way 5 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:28,899 this Senate voted? 6 00:00:28,900 --> 00:00:31,219 This is Inside Wisconsin Politics. 7 00:00:31,220 --> 00:00:32,939 I'm WPR Capitol Bureau Chief Shawn 8 00:00:32,940 --> 00:00:35,079 Johnson, here with WPR Capital 9 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:37,319 Reporter Anya Van Wagtendonk, 10 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:39,719 WPR Political Reporter Rich Kramer, 11 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:41,719 and PBS Wisconsin Senior Political 12 00:00:41,720 --> 00:00:42,979 Reporter Zach Schultz. 13 00:01:27,710 --> 00:01:29,169 The Wisconsin Senate wraps up its 14 00:01:29,170 --> 00:01:31,489 regular business for 2026. 15 00:01:31,490 --> 00:01:33,409 What passed, what didn't, and what 16 00:01:33,410 --> 00:01:35,049 can we learn from the way this 17 00:01:35,050 --> 00:01:36,269 Senate voted? 18 00:01:36,270 --> 00:01:38,409 This is Inside Wisconsin Politics. 19 00:01:38,410 --> 00:01:40,149 I'm WPR Capital Bureau Chief Shawn 20 00:01:40,150 --> 00:01:42,289 Johnson, here with WPR Capitol 21 00:01:42,290 --> 00:01:44,689 Reporter Anya Van Wachtendonk, 22 00:01:44,690 --> 00:01:47,169 WPR Political Reporter Rich Kramer, 23 00:01:47,170 --> 00:01:49,269 and PBS Wisconsin Senior Political 24 00:01:49,270 --> 00:01:50,629 Reporter Zach Schultz. 25 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:00,440 Mm-hmm 26 00:02:15,500 --> 00:02:16,999 Can you make sure to give us a cue 27 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:18,499 that mics are closed at the end so 28 00:02:18,500 --> 00:02:20,719 that we can resume our 29 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:21,799 chit chat at the table and not look 30 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:22,800 super awkward in the close? 31 00:02:57,640 --> 00:02:59,219 The Wisconsin Senate wraps up its 32 00:02:59,220 --> 00:03:01,419 regular business for 2026. 33 00:03:01,420 --> 00:03:02,259 What passed? 34 00:03:02,260 --> 00:03:03,319 What didn't? 35 00:03:03,320 --> 00:03:04,779 And what can we learn from the way 36 00:03:04,780 --> 00:03:06,199 this Senate voted? 37 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:08,279 This is Inside Wisconsin Politics. 38 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:09,999 I'm WPR Capital Bureau Chief Shawn 39 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:11,839 Johnson, here with WPR 40 00:03:11,840 --> 00:03:13,059 Capitol Reporter Anya 41 00:03:13,060 --> 00:03:15,099 VanWaghtendonk, WPR Political 42 00:03:15,100 --> 00:03:17,019 Reporter Rich Kramer, and 43 00:03:17,020 --> 00:03:18,579 PBS Wisconsin Senior Political 44 00:03:18,580 --> 00:03:19,819 Reporter Zach Schultz. 45 00:03:22,940 --> 00:03:23,940 Hey everyone, 46 00:03:25,420 --> 00:03:27,799 thanks for joining us. 47 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:29,639 So we were all set to 48 00:03:29,640 --> 00:03:31,499 talk about how this session 49 00:03:31,500 --> 00:03:33,439 of the Wisconsin Senate was 50 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:35,819 different than previous sessions. 51 00:03:35,820 --> 00:03:37,659 And the Senate gave us lots to talk 52 00:03:37,660 --> 00:03:39,519 about including as we're getting 53 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,119 ready to record news that the Senate 54 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:43,379 Majority Leader Devin Lemahue is 55 00:03:43,380 --> 00:03:45,099 not going to seek reelection, which 56 00:03:45,100 --> 00:03:46,519 in the world of the state Capitol, 57 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:48,079 as you all know, that is a pretty 58 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:49,539 big deal. 59 00:03:49,540 --> 00:03:51,399 Zach. What can we take from 60 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:52,839 that given the way that the Senate 61 00:03:52,840 --> 00:03:55,179 has been acting this week and how 62 00:03:55,180 --> 00:03:56,669 big a deal is it in the Capitol? 63 00:03:56,670 --> 00:03:58,709 It certainly felt like a week of 64 00:03:58,710 --> 00:04:00,309 voting where people weren't worried 65 00:04:00,310 --> 00:04:02,369 about the next election or the next 66 00:04:02,370 --> 00:04:03,189 term. 67 00:04:03,190 --> 00:04:04,869 There were questions of whether that 68 00:04:04,870 --> 00:04:06,049 signaled Lemahue knew that his 69 00:04:06,050 --> 00:04:07,709 majority position was in stake as 70 00:04:07,710 --> 00:04:08,849 Republicans are worried about having 71 00:04:08,850 --> 00:04:10,309 the Dems flip the Senate. 72 00:04:10,310 --> 00:04:12,169 But I think the bigger picture to 73 00:04:12,170 --> 00:04:14,029 look here is, we're gonna have a 74 00:04:14,030 --> 00:04:15,489 new majority leader in the Senate, a 75 00:04:15,490 --> 00:04:16,869 new speaker in the Assembly, and a 76 00:04:16,870 --> 00:04:18,328 new governor. And the last time that 77 00:04:18,329 --> 00:04:20,148 happened was 2011 with 78 00:04:20,149 --> 00:04:22,149 Scott Walker and the 79 00:04:22,150 --> 00:04:23,489 Fitzs running the show. 80 00:04:23,490 --> 00:04:25,229 Big changes that time, we might see 81 00:04:25,230 --> 00:04:26,809 big changes next session, too. 82 00:04:26,810 --> 00:04:28,309 A wave election. 83 00:04:28,310 --> 00:04:30,389 And there's people, of course, every 84 00:04:30,390 --> 00:04:32,049 election is nationalized right now. 85 00:04:32,050 --> 00:04:33,029 And there've already been people talking 86 00:04:33,030 --> 00:04:34,409 about whether this would be a 87 00:04:34,410 --> 00:04:36,029 nationalized democratic election. 88 00:04:37,070 --> 00:04:39,169 Anya, you know that 89 00:04:39,170 --> 00:04:41,109 Capitol building and you know how 90 00:04:41,110 --> 00:04:43,909 much sway leaders carry. 91 00:04:43,910 --> 00:04:45,689 How big of a deal is it to you that 92 00:04:45,690 --> 00:04:47,169 Devin Lemahue, the leader that 93 00:04:47,170 --> 00:04:48,429 you've covered in that Senate since 94 00:04:48,430 --> 00:04:49,989 you've been here, is stepping down? 95 00:04:49,990 --> 00:04:51,529 Yeah, I mean, like Zach said, the 96 00:04:51,530 --> 00:04:53,709 session, the voting session only 97 00:04:53,710 --> 00:04:55,529 a few days ago, was that two days 98 00:04:55,530 --> 00:04:56,789 ago? I've lost track of time this 99 00:04:56,790 --> 00:04:57,649 week. 100 00:04:57,650 --> 00:04:59,109 There were a few bills that came 101 00:04:59,110 --> 00:05:00,329 forward where there was a real 102 00:05:00,330 --> 00:05:02,009 question of whether Devin would let 103 00:05:02,010 --> 00:05:03,749 them get to the floor because he did 104 00:05:03,750 --> 00:05:04,809 not have Republican votes. 105 00:05:04,810 --> 00:05:06,189 And so there were kind of threats 106 00:05:06,190 --> 00:05:07,309 being floated about what that would 107 00:05:07,310 --> 00:05:08,929 mean for his leadership position. 108 00:05:08,930 --> 00:05:10,969 And those bills passed with 109 00:05:10,970 --> 00:05:12,729 necessary Democratic votes in order 110 00:05:12,730 --> 00:05:14,289 to pass. And so then him stepping 111 00:05:14,290 --> 00:05:15,689 down, it really is this kind of 112 00:05:15,690 --> 00:05:17,559 signal that he whatever kind 113 00:05:17,560 --> 00:05:18,759 of consequences might have come in 114 00:05:18,760 --> 00:05:20,119 the caucus, he doesn't have to worry 115 00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:20,939 about them anymore. 116 00:05:20,940 --> 00:05:22,179 And Rich, you were covering the 117 00:05:22,180 --> 00:05:24,239 session this week and that question 118 00:05:24,240 --> 00:05:25,979 of whether or not to get democratic 119 00:05:25,980 --> 00:05:27,859 votes is something that 120 00:05:27,860 --> 00:05:28,860 everyone was talking about. 121 00:05:29,980 --> 00:05:32,579 And Senator Lemme, you even had some 122 00:05:32,580 --> 00:05:34,319 kind of not so veiled threats thrown 123 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:36,639 out from a member of his own caucus. 124 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:38,060 Don't do that, basically. 125 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:41,419 How unusual was this session week 126 00:05:41,420 --> 00:05:43,839 in terms of bipartisanship, 127 00:05:43,840 --> 00:05:44,840 frankly? 128 00:05:46,150 --> 00:05:47,489 Pretty unusual. 129 00:05:47,490 --> 00:05:49,489 I mean, to me, as someone who's 130 00:05:49,490 --> 00:05:51,049 pretty new at covering state 131 00:05:51,050 --> 00:05:52,969 politics, it feels a little strange 132 00:05:52,970 --> 00:05:54,909 when getting 133 00:05:54,910 --> 00:05:56,549 Democratic votes on a Republican 134 00:05:56,550 --> 00:05:58,009 bill or Republican votes on a 135 00:05:58,010 --> 00:05:59,969 Democratic bill is a big deal. 136 00:05:59,970 --> 00:06:01,789 It seems like that would be 137 00:06:01,790 --> 00:06:03,769 normal, but that's 138 00:06:03,770 --> 00:06:05,209 not the case. 139 00:06:05,210 --> 00:06:07,209 And that was 140 00:06:07,210 --> 00:06:08,609 more of a sign of what you all have 141 00:06:08,610 --> 00:06:10,569 been talking about, that Things 142 00:06:10,570 --> 00:06:11,849 are changing there. 143 00:06:11,850 --> 00:06:13,529 It feels like things are changing in 144 00:06:13,530 --> 00:06:14,389 the Senate. 145 00:06:14,390 --> 00:06:15,949 They used to have a super majority 146 00:06:15,950 --> 00:06:17,849 not that long ago. 147 00:06:17,850 --> 00:06:19,609 Then we got new maps after the 148 00:06:19,610 --> 00:06:21,009 Wisconsin Supreme Court's liberal 149 00:06:21,010 --> 00:06:22,909 majority struck down, ones that were 150 00:06:22,910 --> 00:06:24,829 drawn by Republicans back in 151 00:06:24,830 --> 00:06:25,709 2011. 152 00:06:25,710 --> 00:06:26,989 And then we had an election under 153 00:06:26,990 --> 00:06:28,689 those maps. So that super majority 154 00:06:28,690 --> 00:06:31,309 went down to 18 Republican 155 00:06:31,310 --> 00:06:33,089 senators. 156 00:06:33,090 --> 00:06:35,149 And that threat goes to 157 00:06:35,150 --> 00:06:37,229 this thing called the rule of 158 00:06:37,230 --> 00:06:39,249 17. It's an informal rule. 159 00:06:39,250 --> 00:06:41,709 But the idea is that if 160 00:06:41,710 --> 00:06:44,069 you're in the majority, You pass 161 00:06:44,070 --> 00:06:46,549 bills with majority support. 162 00:06:46,550 --> 00:06:47,989 You don't even really consider them 163 00:06:47,990 --> 00:06:50,509 if you don't have those 17 votes. 164 00:06:50,510 --> 00:06:52,589 But we saw examples where 165 00:06:52,590 --> 00:06:54,489 Demond and Lemahue went ahead and 166 00:06:54,490 --> 00:06:55,849 passed them anyway with Democratic 167 00:06:55,850 --> 00:06:56,539 support. 168 00:06:56,540 --> 00:06:58,559 And that's a very informal 169 00:06:58,560 --> 00:07:00,319 rule as far as the workings of the 170 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:01,679 Capitol go. I mean, it's not in the 171 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:03,179 Senate rules, it's certainly not in 172 00:07:03,180 --> 00:07:05,039 law, but it is an 173 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:06,649 internal Republican caucus thing. 174 00:07:06,650 --> 00:07:09,049 Well, Sean, bring us back to 175 00:07:09,050 --> 00:07:10,809 Fitz, when Fitzgerald ran the 176 00:07:10,810 --> 00:07:12,649 Senate, his philosophy, 177 00:07:12,650 --> 00:07:14,149 I'm sure you recall, was you don't 178 00:07:14,150 --> 00:07:15,429 go to the floor unless you have the 179 00:07:15,430 --> 00:07:16,789 vote. So clearly Lemmy, following 180 00:07:16,790 --> 00:07:18,049 that pattern, knew what he was doing 181 00:07:18,050 --> 00:07:19,169 when he came to the floor with those 182 00:07:19,170 --> 00:07:19,509 bills. 183 00:07:19,510 --> 00:07:21,049 He sounded a few times too, Senator 184 00:07:21,050 --> 00:07:22,589 Lemahue has. I mean, they did it 185 00:07:22,590 --> 00:07:24,529 with the big local government 186 00:07:24,530 --> 00:07:26,469 funding bill a couple of years ago. 187 00:07:26,470 --> 00:07:28,409 They needed Democrat support to get 188 00:07:28,410 --> 00:07:29,509 that through. 189 00:07:29,510 --> 00:07:31,369 There was the budget this 190 00:07:31,370 --> 00:07:33,129 last time, this very bipartisan deal 191 00:07:33,130 --> 00:07:35,149 between Speaker 192 00:07:35,150 --> 00:07:37,849 Voss and Governor 193 00:07:37,850 --> 00:07:39,869 Evers, and that needed Democratic 194 00:07:39,870 --> 00:07:40,669 votes. 195 00:07:40,670 --> 00:07:42,709 So I haven't seen Devin Lemahoe 196 00:07:42,710 --> 00:07:45,049 adhere to that rule 197 00:07:45,050 --> 00:07:47,009 in the way that Scott Fitzgerald did 198 00:07:47,010 --> 00:07:48,010 when Scott Fitzgerald. 199 00:07:49,290 --> 00:07:50,349 You know, was leader for a long 200 00:07:50,350 --> 00:07:51,469 time. He was more like, Scott 201 00:07:51,470 --> 00:07:53,009 Fitzgerald was more of like a, a 202 00:07:53,010 --> 00:07:54,149 Robin Voss kind of leader. 203 00:07:54,150 --> 00:07:56,169 Been there forever, kind of 204 00:07:56,170 --> 00:07:57,389 ruled with an iron fist in the 205 00:07:57,390 --> 00:07:58,269 Senate. 206 00:07:58,270 --> 00:07:59,449 Didn't get pushed around on too 207 00:07:59,450 --> 00:08:00,569 much. 208 00:08:00,570 --> 00:08:01,929 When he did go to Democrats for 209 00:08:01,930 --> 00:08:03,939 votes, it was sparingly. 210 00:08:03,940 --> 00:08:05,179 Well, and that rule is a lot easier 211 00:08:05,180 --> 00:08:06,659 to maintain if you have a lot of 212 00:08:06,660 --> 00:08:07,859 wiggle room, so if you have a 213 00:08:07,860 --> 00:08:09,719 supermajority, as Rich mentioned, 214 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:11,039 you can lose some of your members 215 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:12,319 and it's not a big deal. 216 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:13,439 But as the margins have gotten 217 00:08:13,440 --> 00:08:14,539 smaller and smaller, and now 218 00:08:14,540 --> 00:08:15,839 Democrats are talking about trying 219 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:17,339 to flip the Senate, and I think they 220 00:08:17,340 --> 00:08:18,519 stand a pretty good chance of doing 221 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:20,059 so, maybe they're also kind of 222 00:08:20,060 --> 00:08:21,139 seeing the writing on the wall that 223 00:08:21,140 --> 00:08:22,419 being a leader would be a whole lot 224 00:08:22,420 --> 00:08:24,359 harder if you had just a very slim 225 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:26,799 majority or no majority at all. 226 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:28,619 So let's unpack a couple of the 227 00:08:28,620 --> 00:08:30,139 bills where this did end up being a 228 00:08:30,140 --> 00:08:31,219 factor this week. 229 00:08:31,220 --> 00:08:33,158 You had this online sports 230 00:08:33,159 --> 00:08:34,658 betting bill. It would legalize 231 00:08:34,659 --> 00:08:36,580 online sports bettting in Wisconsin 232 00:08:37,819 --> 00:08:39,719 if the servers for 233 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,058 that betting are located on 234 00:08:42,059 --> 00:08:43,299 tribal lands. 235 00:08:44,300 --> 00:08:45,859 Rich, what were the arguments on 236 00:08:45,860 --> 00:08:47,179 that one in the Senate this week? 237 00:08:48,990 --> 00:08:51,189 Well, so, generally the Republican 238 00:08:51,190 --> 00:08:53,069 opposition argument was 239 00:08:53,070 --> 00:08:55,929 that we shouldn't be 240 00:08:55,930 --> 00:08:57,909 expanding legalized gambling 241 00:08:57,910 --> 00:08:58,789 in Wisconsin. 242 00:08:58,790 --> 00:09:00,169 It causes addiction, it hurts 243 00:09:00,170 --> 00:09:01,210 people, et cetera. 244 00:09:02,590 --> 00:09:04,789 That was the bulk of the GOP 245 00:09:04,790 --> 00:09:05,669 argument. 246 00:09:05,670 --> 00:09:07,669 Democrats were saying, 247 00:09:07,670 --> 00:09:09,549 well, it's already here, you know, 248 00:09:09,550 --> 00:09:11,229 sports betting online is happening 249 00:09:11,230 --> 00:09:12,989 on the margins, on the outside, on 250 00:09:12,990 --> 00:09:14,809 edges, and 251 00:09:14,810 --> 00:09:16,429 this way the state can have some 252 00:09:16,430 --> 00:09:17,939 regulations in place. 253 00:09:17,940 --> 00:09:20,239 And democrats like that 254 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:22,139 the tribes get to play a role 255 00:09:22,140 --> 00:09:23,759 in this and that the money is going 256 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:25,699 to tribes and also the state 257 00:09:25,700 --> 00:09:27,839 rather than major companies 258 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:29,039 like draft kings or 259 00:09:29,040 --> 00:09:30,040 fan dual. 260 00:09:32,180 --> 00:09:34,059 The details on this one are 261 00:09:34,060 --> 00:09:35,599 pretty significant, I think. 262 00:09:35,600 --> 00:09:37,559 I mean, if you've watched sporting 263 00:09:37,560 --> 00:09:39,459 events, you see ads 264 00:09:39,460 --> 00:09:41,579 for FanDuel or 265 00:09:41,580 --> 00:09:43,679 DraftKings just everywhere 266 00:09:43,680 --> 00:09:45,499 now, which you did not used to see 267 00:09:45,500 --> 00:09:46,860 in the very recent past. 268 00:09:47,940 --> 00:09:49,359 Those companies don't like this bill 269 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:51,319 though, because it would, 270 00:09:51,320 --> 00:09:52,499 an industry group said that they 271 00:09:52,500 --> 00:09:54,639 would have to 272 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:57,029 share 60% of their revenue. 273 00:09:57,030 --> 00:09:59,149 With the tribes and these companies 274 00:09:59,150 --> 00:10:00,409 are saying we just won't do business 275 00:10:00,410 --> 00:10:02,189 here in Wisconsin if you do it that 276 00:10:02,190 --> 00:10:03,629 way. 277 00:10:03,630 --> 00:10:05,069 That is not an argument that I heard 278 00:10:05,070 --> 00:10:07,009 opponents making against 279 00:10:07,010 --> 00:10:07,889 this though. 280 00:10:07,890 --> 00:10:09,389 We heard very strong arguments 281 00:10:09,390 --> 00:10:11,589 against Anya from 282 00:10:11,590 --> 00:10:12,829 social conservatives when it comes 283 00:10:12,830 --> 00:10:13,639 to gambling. 284 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:15,299 Yeah, so there's the argument that, 285 00:10:15,300 --> 00:10:16,999 again, there's kind of a social 286 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:18,059 problem with gambling. 287 00:10:18,060 --> 00:10:19,759 But then also, there is a real kind 288 00:10:19,760 --> 00:10:21,839 of messy legal situation 289 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:23,379 here, where it's a mix of state, 290 00:10:23,380 --> 00:10:25,399 federal, and tribal law, all of 291 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:27,359 which is at play, 292 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:28,559 and then some of which has not been 293 00:10:28,560 --> 00:10:29,739 tested. And so one of the pushbacks 294 00:10:29,740 --> 00:10:30,899 from, for example, the Wisconsin 295 00:10:30,900 --> 00:10:32,259 Institute for Law and Liberty, the 296 00:10:32,260 --> 00:10:34,399 conservative law firm, is that 297 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:36,359 this creates an unconstitutional 298 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:38,539 kind of ethnic monopoly, 299 00:10:38,540 --> 00:10:40,359 giving the tribes the monopoly, even 300 00:10:40,360 --> 00:10:42,129 though the compacts that the tribe 301 00:10:42,130 --> 00:10:43,589 says that they are in charge of 302 00:10:43,590 --> 00:10:44,589 gambling in the state. 303 00:10:44,590 --> 00:10:46,309 And so those arguments are kind of 304 00:10:46,310 --> 00:10:47,349 at play. And so I think we're going 305 00:10:47,350 --> 00:10:49,009 to see quite a bit of legal 306 00:10:49,010 --> 00:10:51,029 push-pull over how to 307 00:10:51,030 --> 00:10:51,759 implement this. 308 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:52,959 Well, it's still not even clear if 309 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:54,259 Governor Evers is going to sign this 310 00:10:54,260 --> 00:10:55,479 bill. That's right. His statements 311 00:10:55,480 --> 00:10:57,519 just yesterday said he wants all 312 00:10:57,520 --> 00:10:59,099 the tribes on board and that so far 313 00:10:59,100 --> 00:11:00,059 that is not the case. 314 00:11:00,060 --> 00:11:02,079 There are some tribes that are 315 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:02,999 out ahead of the rest of them when 316 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:04,439 it comes to casino profits and 317 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:06,279 revenues. And there are some some of 318 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:07,839 the ones in northern Wisconsin where 319 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:09,419 they have casinos but they're not 320 00:11:09,420 --> 00:11:10,739 that profitable and not nearly to 321 00:11:10,740 --> 00:11:12,399 the scale that the rest of them are. 322 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:14,159 So it may take the tribes working 323 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:15,439 together to actually get Governor 324 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:16,719 Ebers to sign off on this. 325 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:18,819 So all of this may go for 326 00:11:18,820 --> 00:11:20,479 a bill that gets vetoed saying we 327 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,139 need to work on it for next year. 328 00:11:22,140 --> 00:11:23,599 And, you know, we're focused on the 329 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:24,799 Senate here and how they were acting 330 00:11:24,800 --> 00:11:26,839 different with this, you know 2026 331 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:28,759 election on the rise. 332 00:11:28,760 --> 00:11:30,759 And Tony Evers is absolutely acting 333 00:11:30,760 --> 00:11:32,739 different now because he knows he's 334 00:11:32,740 --> 00:11:34,019 not gonna run again. So he can 335 00:11:34,020 --> 00:11:35,979 basically look at every bill and 336 00:11:35,980 --> 00:11:37,839 say, is this really what I want? 337 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:39,799 If not, let it go, 338 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:41,799 veto, move on. 339 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:43,079 You know, keeping on that sports 340 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:44,679 theme, we had another big bill this 341 00:11:44,680 --> 00:11:46,879 week with name, image and likeness 342 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:47,880 or NIL. 343 00:11:49,250 --> 00:11:50,529 Tell us about that. You're a huge 344 00:11:50,530 --> 00:11:51,789 sports fan, I know. 345 00:11:51,790 --> 00:11:53,170 I just, I care so d- 346 00:11:53,171 --> 00:11:54,029 I just, I care so deeply about college 347 00:11:54,030 --> 00:11:54,949 sports. 348 00:11:54,950 --> 00:11:56,809 I care deeply about political 349 00:11:56,810 --> 00:11:58,949 policy as it affects college 350 00:11:58,950 --> 00:12:00,549 sports, and so I got to learn all 351 00:12:00,550 --> 00:12:02,669 about this. So NIL deals, this 352 00:12:02,670 --> 00:12:04,809 comes out of a 2021 sort 353 00:12:04,810 --> 00:12:06,509 of change in how college athletes 354 00:12:06,510 --> 00:12:07,649 are treated. They're no longer 355 00:12:07,650 --> 00:12:09,349 amateurs. They can get paid for 356 00:12:09,350 --> 00:12:11,189 their work, and they can kind of 357 00:12:11,190 --> 00:12:13,369 wrangle these deals according to how 358 00:12:13,370 --> 00:12:14,549 popular their sport is and how good 359 00:12:14,550 --> 00:12:15,589 they are at their sports. 360 00:12:15,590 --> 00:12:16,909 And so what that has led to is 361 00:12:16,910 --> 00:12:18,549 athletes being able to transfer 362 00:12:18,550 --> 00:12:20,449 schools in search of more lucrative 363 00:12:20,450 --> 00:12:22,329 deals. In a way that as I 364 00:12:22,330 --> 00:12:23,489 understand it, as someone who does 365 00:12:23,490 --> 00:12:24,749 not follow the Badgers terribly 366 00:12:24,750 --> 00:12:26,849 closely, has not been great for 367 00:12:26,850 --> 00:12:28,829 Badgers football in particular, and 368 00:12:28,830 --> 00:12:30,089 I might be getting some knowing 369 00:12:30,090 --> 00:12:31,669 glances from the actual football 370 00:12:31,670 --> 00:12:33,489 fans among us, but so 371 00:12:33,490 --> 00:12:35,349 what this bill would do is 372 00:12:35,350 --> 00:12:37,129 put 14 and a half million dollars 373 00:12:37,130 --> 00:12:39,049 towards UW-Madison for athletic 374 00:12:39,050 --> 00:12:41,069 facilities fees in order for the 375 00:12:41,070 --> 00:12:42,869 school to have a pot of money to 376 00:12:42,870 --> 00:12:44,009 make these deals with players. 377 00:12:44,010 --> 00:12:45,129 So the idea is that they'd be able 378 00:12:45,130 --> 00:12:47,009 to bring in top football 379 00:12:47,010 --> 00:12:49,129 and basketball talent in 380 00:12:49,130 --> 00:12:49,999 particular. 381 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:51,279 This passed out of the assembly 382 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:52,959 almost unanimously. 383 00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:54,279 And then it became this big open 384 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:55,219 question at the Senate because it 385 00:12:55,220 --> 00:12:57,159 was a Lemahue bill, but then he 386 00:12:57,160 --> 00:12:58,479 was losing a ton of support within 387 00:12:58,480 --> 00:12:59,319 his caucus. 388 00:12:59,320 --> 00:13:00,919 And so the question up until it, 389 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:02,399 basically the day of the floor vote 390 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:04,419 was will he spike his own bill 391 00:13:04,420 --> 00:13:06,419 in order to maintain the 392 00:13:06,420 --> 00:13:08,199 rule of 17, or will he go to 393 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:08,999 Democrats for support? 394 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:10,819 And there was some pretty dramatic 395 00:13:10,820 --> 00:13:12,579 stuff on the floor that happened. 396 00:13:12,580 --> 00:13:14,159 It passed very narrowly, but it 397 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:15,340 passed because of Democrats. 398 00:13:17,189 --> 00:13:19,069 Rich, that was a very close 399 00:13:19,070 --> 00:13:21,329 one on the Senate, as I recall, 400 00:13:21,330 --> 00:13:22,749 like just a one-move margin. 401 00:13:22,750 --> 00:13:24,489 So you talk about needing Democratic 402 00:13:24,490 --> 00:13:26,669 votes in every sense of the world, 403 00:13:26,670 --> 00:13:28,669 you know, Devin Lemahue needed that. 404 00:13:28,670 --> 00:13:29,670 What was that one like? 405 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:34,419 It was a voice phone essentially. 406 00:13:34,420 --> 00:13:36,259 I should say it wasn't a voice for 407 00:13:36,260 --> 00:13:38,039 it was a roll call vote But there 408 00:13:38,040 --> 00:13:39,939 wasn't lot of debate or any 409 00:13:39,940 --> 00:13:41,739 that I remember in the Senate But 410 00:13:41,740 --> 00:13:43,839 just kind of looking pulling 411 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:45,319 back a little bit. I wanted to say 412 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:47,079 that it's interesting to see 413 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,999 Republicans any Republicans 414 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,899 Send more money to UW Madison 415 00:13:51,900 --> 00:13:53,999 just basically overall 416 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:55,939 They have been 417 00:13:55,940 --> 00:13:58,279 pretty distrustful of the university 418 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:00,219 on all kinds of 419 00:14:00,220 --> 00:14:03,079 fronts. So to see as many, 420 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:05,419 you know, send them more money as 421 00:14:05,420 --> 00:14:06,420 there were. 422 00:14:07,819 --> 00:14:09,279 What's interesting about this bill 423 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:11,219 and the way that it works is that 424 00:14:11,220 --> 00:14:13,119 it allows for that money to 425 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:14,499 be transferred. And the university 426 00:14:14,500 --> 00:14:16,259 sold it as, we're already getting 427 00:14:16,260 --> 00:14:17,699 money for basketball and football 428 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:19,059 players. But freeing up this money 429 00:14:19,060 --> 00:14:20,699 allows us to share it with our 430 00:14:20,700 --> 00:14:21,919 Olympian sports. 431 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:23,799 So the swimmers, the rowers, 432 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:25,399 volleyball, very successful women's 433 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:26,639 hockey programs, saying we may have 434 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:28,099 to shutter some of those if we don't 435 00:14:28,100 --> 00:14:29,679 have that flexibility for a little 436 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:30,779 more money. 437 00:14:30,780 --> 00:14:32,959 But what it does is it solidifies 438 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:34,919 the lack of transparency for 439 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:36,109 all these contracts. 440 00:14:36,110 --> 00:14:37,649 I interviewed UW Athletic Director 441 00:14:37,650 --> 00:14:39,269 Chris McIntosh a couple months ago 442 00:14:39,270 --> 00:14:41,189 and I asked him about, you know, 443 00:14:41,190 --> 00:14:43,009 why don't we see more of what these 444 00:14:43,010 --> 00:14:44,069 people are getting paid? 445 00:14:44,070 --> 00:14:45,469 They are now professionals. 446 00:14:45,470 --> 00:14:46,669 They are contracts that are signed 447 00:14:46,670 --> 00:14:48,889 between the university and 448 00:14:48,890 --> 00:14:49,949 their agents. 449 00:14:49,950 --> 00:14:51,489 And he said, well we can't because 450 00:14:51,490 --> 00:14:52,889 if our competitors know what we're 451 00:14:52,890 --> 00:14:54,969 paying our potential quarterback or 452 00:14:54,970 --> 00:14:56,409 our point guard, then they can come 453 00:14:56,410 --> 00:14:57,489 in and offer them more and steal 454 00:14:57,490 --> 00:14:58,609 them away from us. 455 00:14:58,610 --> 00:15:00,349 The question becomes, there were 456 00:15:00,350 --> 00:15:01,929 some Dems who raised this during the 457 00:15:01,930 --> 00:15:04,069 debate, is What happens if this 458 00:15:04,070 --> 00:15:05,489 lack of transparency for the open 459 00:15:05,490 --> 00:15:06,929 records gets applied to coaches 460 00:15:06,930 --> 00:15:08,069 contracts? 461 00:15:08,070 --> 00:15:09,349 What happens that there's other 462 00:15:09,350 --> 00:15:11,049 deals for outside support that all 463 00:15:11,050 --> 00:15:12,689 of a sudden get hidden under this 464 00:15:12,690 --> 00:15:14,109 idea of, well, we're 465 00:15:14,110 --> 00:15:15,129 anti-competitive. We can't let 466 00:15:15,130 --> 00:15:16,829 anyone know how much we're paying 467 00:15:16,830 --> 00:15:17,849 anyone. 468 00:15:17,850 --> 00:15:19,729 And there's a lot of concerns out 469 00:15:19,730 --> 00:15:21,129 there. And we saw, I think, Senator 470 00:15:21,130 --> 00:15:22,829 Hesselbein, the minority leader of 471 00:15:22,830 --> 00:15:24,509 the Dems, say, if the Dem's have 472 00:15:24,510 --> 00:15:25,629 power next year, they would 473 00:15:25,630 --> 00:15:26,829 definitely come back and revisit 474 00:15:26,830 --> 00:15:28,069 that particular angle. 475 00:15:28,070 --> 00:15:29,289 So it's definitely something to 476 00:15:29,290 --> 00:15:31,359 watch for, how it's applied. 477 00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:32,539 I think most people are supportive 478 00:15:32,540 --> 00:15:34,039 of athletes getting paid for the 479 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:35,459 work that they're doing, but there's 480 00:15:35,460 --> 00:15:36,499 a question of where's this money 481 00:15:36,500 --> 00:15:38,059 coming from and what does the public 482 00:15:38,060 --> 00:15:39,679 know about this since it is public 483 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:41,459 support and full disclosure, we're 484 00:15:41,460 --> 00:15:42,460 also UW employees. 485 00:15:45,280 --> 00:15:46,999 And our salaries are public, and 486 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:48,059 that is an open record. 487 00:15:48,060 --> 00:15:49,769 Are we getting an A.L.? 488 00:15:49,770 --> 00:15:50,669 I'm waiting for mine. 489 00:15:50,670 --> 00:15:51,670 Yeah, me too. 490 00:15:52,710 --> 00:15:54,669 So the Senate adjourned 491 00:15:54,670 --> 00:15:56,289 this week. 492 00:15:56,290 --> 00:15:58,549 This assembly has been done forever 493 00:15:58,550 --> 00:16:00,429 now, a month ago, which feels a long 494 00:16:00,430 --> 00:16:01,989 time in legislative politics. 495 00:16:01,990 --> 00:16:03,749 They like to do this under Speaker 496 00:16:03,750 --> 00:16:05,689 Voss, or Speaker Vos likes to do. 497 00:16:05,690 --> 00:16:07,509 Get done first, set 498 00:16:07,510 --> 00:16:09,389 the agenda, make everybody kind 499 00:16:09,390 --> 00:16:11,549 of go on your timeline. 500 00:16:11,550 --> 00:16:12,849 And so then everything that they 501 00:16:12,850 --> 00:16:14,429 pass is either going to get passed 502 00:16:14,430 --> 00:16:16,529 in the Senate in that form, or 503 00:16:16,530 --> 00:16:17,459 it's dead. 504 00:16:17,460 --> 00:16:19,239 And one of the bills that did die 505 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:21,219 was this Republican data 506 00:16:21,220 --> 00:16:22,819 center bill would regulate data 507 00:16:22,820 --> 00:16:24,119 centers. 508 00:16:24,120 --> 00:16:25,959 Speaker Voss very hopefully had 509 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:27,839 a forum on the last day of Senate 510 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:29,819 session where he had some 511 00:16:29,820 --> 00:16:31,739 opinions about the Senate not 512 00:16:31,740 --> 00:16:33,359 taking up his data center. 513 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:34,929 Bill, Anya, what did he have to say? 514 00:16:34,930 --> 00:16:36,349 Yeah, I mean, this was basically the 515 00:16:36,350 --> 00:16:38,229 closest that the legislature came to 516 00:16:38,230 --> 00:16:40,289 having any type of regulatory bill 517 00:16:40,290 --> 00:16:41,729 for data centers, which, of course, 518 00:16:41,730 --> 00:16:43,249 are kind of exploding across the 519 00:16:43,250 --> 00:16:45,669 state. And the fact that it did 520 00:16:45,670 --> 00:16:46,889 not reach the floor of the Senate 521 00:16:46,890 --> 00:16:48,629 means that this session has passed 522 00:16:48,630 --> 00:16:50,369 without basically any guardrails, 523 00:16:50,370 --> 00:16:51,629 any new guardrail coming on. 524 00:16:51,630 --> 00:16:53,729 But this was a Republican bill. 525 00:16:53,730 --> 00:16:54,869 Voss championed it. And it 526 00:16:54,870 --> 00:16:56,709 essentially put certain guardrailes, 527 00:16:56,710 --> 00:16:58,409 especially around energy use of data 528 00:16:58,410 --> 00:16:59,589 centers. So for example, they would 529 00:16:59,590 --> 00:17:01,589 have to recycle the water that they 530 00:17:01,590 --> 00:17:03,489 use. If they wanted to use renewable 531 00:17:03,490 --> 00:17:04,909 energy sources, they would have to 532 00:17:04,910 --> 00:17:06,868 site those on the properties of 533 00:17:06,869 --> 00:17:07,889 the data centers so you couldn't 534 00:17:07,890 --> 00:17:09,868 rely on community solar 535 00:17:09,869 --> 00:17:11,088 panels or whatever. 536 00:17:11,089 --> 00:17:12,709 And the data center would have to be 537 00:17:12,710 --> 00:17:14,809 responsible for any upgrades to 538 00:17:14,810 --> 00:17:16,088 the energy grid. 539 00:17:16,089 --> 00:17:18,789 So it was just this kind of intro 540 00:17:18,790 --> 00:17:20,729 attempt at regulating 541 00:17:20,730 --> 00:17:22,429 this. It was primarily a Republican 542 00:17:22,430 --> 00:17:23,989 bill. It had a few Democratic votes 543 00:17:23,990 --> 00:17:25,709 in the assembly, but most Democrats 544 00:17:25,710 --> 00:17:26,669 said this is rushed. 545 00:17:26,670 --> 00:17:27,729 We need to be sort of more 546 00:17:27,730 --> 00:17:28,769 thoughtful about how we are 547 00:17:28,770 --> 00:17:30,519 regulating data centers. 548 00:17:30,520 --> 00:17:31,519 And then the Senate didn't even 549 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:32,939 bring it to the floor. 550 00:17:32,940 --> 00:17:34,799 But Voss talked about that 551 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:37,019 really being, as he thought, 552 00:17:37,020 --> 00:17:38,779 an issue for Senate Republicans, 553 00:17:38,780 --> 00:17:40,359 that if they don't kind of lead on 554 00:17:40,360 --> 00:17:42,019 this issue, that it might cost them 555 00:17:42,020 --> 00:17:43,459 votes in November. 556 00:17:43,460 --> 00:17:45,579 Yeah, it's rare to hear 557 00:17:45,580 --> 00:17:47,419 a speaker come out against 558 00:17:47,420 --> 00:17:49,159 a majority leader from his own party 559 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:51,369 the week that he's still in session 560 00:17:51,370 --> 00:17:53,839 with that kind of criticism. 561 00:17:53,840 --> 00:17:55,739 I think sort of the 562 00:17:55,740 --> 00:17:57,599 secret was sort of out on 563 00:17:57,600 --> 00:17:58,539 Tuesday. 564 00:17:58,540 --> 00:18:00,439 I mean, we didn't know, know that 565 00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:02,199 Devin Lemonhue was not going to seek 566 00:18:02,200 --> 00:18:04,219 reelection, but there was talk about 567 00:18:04,220 --> 00:18:06,099 it. There was speculation about it, 568 00:18:06,100 --> 00:18:07,219 people are looking at the Senate 569 00:18:07,220 --> 00:18:09,919 math and they're thinking about it 570 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:12,159 Well it changes a lot when 571 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:13,159 No one has to worry about 572 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:14,639 re-election next year. 573 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:16,459 Evers, Vos, and Lemahue can all 574 00:18:16,460 --> 00:18:18,259 speak in ways that we have not heard 575 00:18:18,260 --> 00:18:19,679 or we have not heard them speak 576 00:18:19,680 --> 00:18:21,139 publicly. We've heard them off the 577 00:18:21,140 --> 00:18:22,859 record or heard from their staffers. 578 00:18:22,860 --> 00:18:24,299 But I think this bill in particular 579 00:18:24,300 --> 00:18:26,219 still has the next 580 00:18:26,220 --> 00:18:27,739 election cycle written all over it 581 00:18:27,740 --> 00:18:29,739 as Vos pointed out because it's 582 00:18:29,740 --> 00:18:31,339 a major issue in the gubernatorial 583 00:18:31,340 --> 00:18:32,559 campaign. There are different 584 00:18:32,560 --> 00:18:33,659 Democrats running for governor. 585 00:18:33,660 --> 00:18:35,479 They've talked about freezes and 586 00:18:35,480 --> 00:18:37,399 the PSC and rate commissions and 587 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:38,419 how data centers work. 588 00:18:38,420 --> 00:18:39,819 I asked all the candidates about 589 00:18:39,820 --> 00:18:40,979 this when I interviewed them all in 590 00:18:40,980 --> 00:18:43,449 December. And there were a lot of 591 00:18:43,450 --> 00:18:44,909 like dainty footsteps about how to 592 00:18:44,910 --> 00:18:45,949 approach this, because they knew it 593 00:18:45,950 --> 00:18:47,469 was a hot button issue, but they 594 00:18:47,470 --> 00:18:48,969 were still trying to figure out how 595 00:18:48,970 --> 00:18:50,369 far could they go, where would the 596 00:18:50,370 --> 00:18:51,609 public be ahead of them? 597 00:18:51,610 --> 00:18:53,029 And they're still figuring this out 598 00:18:53,030 --> 00:18:54,909 because right now it doesn't fall on 599 00:18:54,910 --> 00:18:56,789 a clear Republican-Democratic 600 00:18:56,790 --> 00:18:58,649 divide, which is why I think the 601 00:18:58,650 --> 00:18:59,549 Senate didn't really know what to do 602 00:18:59,550 --> 00:19:00,809 with it. I think if Lemahue had a 603 00:19:00,810 --> 00:19:02,269 strong point of view, he would have 604 00:19:02,270 --> 00:19:03,409 brought up the floor and let Democrats 605 00:19:03,410 --> 00:19:04,809 help pass it if he thought that was 606 00:19:04,810 --> 00:19:06,469 the way to go, but there's not a 607 00:19:06,470 --> 00:19:07,889 clear advantage at this time. 608 00:19:07,890 --> 00:19:09,549 And Tom Tiffany as governor is 609 00:19:09,550 --> 00:19:11,189 clearly campaigning on this issue as 610 00:19:11,190 --> 00:19:12,829 well. So this is definitely one for 611 00:19:12,830 --> 00:19:13,830 the fall. 612 00:19:15,380 --> 00:19:16,859 Yeah, I just wanted to follow up on 613 00:19:16,860 --> 00:19:18,279 what Zach said. 614 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:19,699 The recent Marquette University 615 00:19:19,700 --> 00:19:21,499 polling shows, of course, people are 616 00:19:21,500 --> 00:19:23,299 very opposed to data centers. 617 00:19:23,300 --> 00:19:25,139 But even pollster Charles Franklin 618 00:19:25,140 --> 00:19:27,479 said it doesn't appear that 619 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:29,059 the political parties have picked 620 00:19:29,060 --> 00:19:30,619 their lane on it, really. 621 00:19:30,620 --> 00:19:31,980 So it's kind of. 622 00:19:33,770 --> 00:19:35,929 Okay, so this was the last regular 623 00:19:35,930 --> 00:19:37,129 session day. 624 00:19:37,130 --> 00:19:38,989 They adjourned pursuant to SJR 625 00:19:38,990 --> 00:19:41,029 1. That's how you know it's real. 626 00:19:41,030 --> 00:19:42,849 But they could, in theory, 627 00:19:42,850 --> 00:19:44,449 come back on a couple topics. 628 00:19:44,450 --> 00:19:45,329 They're still talking about a 629 00:19:45,330 --> 00:19:47,249 property tax and education special 630 00:19:47,250 --> 00:19:49,089 session, talk about a 631 00:19:49,090 --> 00:19:50,909 gerrymandering session. 632 00:19:50,910 --> 00:19:52,829 Real quick, are these things 633 00:19:52,830 --> 00:19:53,789 gonna happen? 634 00:19:53,790 --> 00:19:54,759 Zach, you go first. 635 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:56,719 The only reason there's still a 636 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:57,859 prayer that any of this could happen 637 00:19:57,860 --> 00:19:59,519 is because everyone's leaving and 638 00:19:59,520 --> 00:20:01,299 it's legacy time for all three of 639 00:20:01,300 --> 00:20:02,300 those people. 640 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:07,158 Predict the future for us. 641 00:20:07,159 --> 00:20:08,549 Okay, Anya, how about you? 642 00:20:08,550 --> 00:20:09,769 Well, there will be a special 643 00:20:09,770 --> 00:20:11,629 session on gerrymandering no matter 644 00:20:11,630 --> 00:20:13,609 what the question is whether will 645 00:20:13,610 --> 00:20:15,209 they gavel in and gavel out in a few 646 00:20:15,210 --> 00:20:16,589 seconds or will they actually take 647 00:20:16,590 --> 00:20:18,249 up some kind of a bill? 648 00:20:18,250 --> 00:20:20,129 Okay, I'm gonna say definitely gavel 649 00:20:20,130 --> 00:20:21,709 in, gavel out on gerrymandering. 650 00:20:21,710 --> 00:20:24,369 That's my firm take on that one. 651 00:20:24,370 --> 00:20:26,869 And we can replay this later. 652 00:20:26,870 --> 00:20:27,949 Absolutely, put some money on it 653 00:20:27,950 --> 00:20:29,729 maybe. I think it's an unusual 654 00:20:29,730 --> 00:20:31,709 enough, a bipartisan enough 655 00:20:31,710 --> 00:20:33,869 session on the other stuff 656 00:20:33,870 --> 00:20:35,849 with property taxes 657 00:20:35,850 --> 00:20:37,849 and education funding that they may 658 00:20:37,850 --> 00:20:40,029 have real incentives to 659 00:20:40,030 --> 00:20:41,329 reach a deal and not have to be 660 00:20:41,330 --> 00:20:42,969 talking to voters about why didn't 661 00:20:42,970 --> 00:20:44,469 you address these issues? 662 00:20:44,470 --> 00:20:45,749 So maybe that's enough to get them 663 00:20:45,750 --> 00:20:46,750 all there. 664 00:20:47,670 --> 00:20:49,549 Thanks all for joining us 665 00:20:49,550 --> 00:20:51,529 on this, our first episode of 666 00:20:51,530 --> 00:20:53,529 Inside Wisconsin Politics. 667 00:20:53,530 --> 00:20:54,569 Be sure to follow us on 668 00:20:54,570 --> 00:20:57,269 pbswisconsin.org, wpr.org 669 00:20:57,270 --> 00:20:59,229 YouTube, or wherever you 670 00:20:59,230 --> 00:21:00,230 get your podcasts. 671 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:23,930 Thank you. 672 00:22:40,610 --> 00:22:42,060 Thank you. 673 00:24:32,610 --> 00:24:33,670 We could do a couple ticks of hang. 674 00:24:35,120 --> 00:24:36,120 Hey, sure. 675 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:39,800 Yeah, you got it. 676 00:24:43,330 --> 00:24:45,129 For the table. 677 00:24:45,130 --> 00:24:45,979 You see this? 678 00:24:45,980 --> 00:24:47,699 Oh yeah, I like it. 679 00:24:47,700 --> 00:24:48,700 I took a picture earlier. 680 00:24:50,120 --> 00:24:51,120 Oh shit. 681 00:24:53,730 --> 00:24:54,730 Don't you mean, oh shoot? 682 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:18,379 The Wisconsin Senate wraps up its 683 00:26:18,380 --> 00:26:20,559 regular business for 2026. 684 00:26:20,560 --> 00:26:22,599 What passed, what didn't, 685 00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:24,059 and what can we learn from the way 686 00:26:24,060 --> 00:26:25,679 this Senate voted? 687 00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:27,779 This is Inside Wisconsin Politics. 688 00:26:27,780 --> 00:26:29,479 I'm WPR Capital Bureau Chief, Sean 689 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:31,299 Johnson, here with WPR 690 00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:32,699 Capitol Reporter, Anya Van 691 00:26:32,700 --> 00:26:34,759 Wagtendonk, WPR Political 692 00:26:34,760 --> 00:26:36,659 Reporter, Rich Kramer, and 693 00:26:36,660 --> 00:26:38,399 PBS Wisconsin Senior Political 694 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:40,119 Reporter Zach Schultz. 695 00:26:40,120 --> 00:26:41,120 Hey everyone. 696 00:27:29,260 --> 00:27:30,759 The Wisconsin Senate wraps up its 697 00:27:30,760 --> 00:27:32,959 regular business for 2026. 698 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:33,919 What passed? 699 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:34,979 What didn't? 700 00:27:34,980 --> 00:27:36,699 And what can we learn from the way 701 00:27:36,700 --> 00:27:38,039 this Senate voted? 702 00:27:38,040 --> 00:27:40,059 This is Inside Wisconsin Politics, 703 00:27:40,060 --> 00:27:41,859 I'm WPR Capital Bureau Chief Shawn 704 00:27:41,860 --> 00:27:44,019 Johnson, here with WPR Capitol 705 00:27:44,020 --> 00:27:46,519 Reporter Anya Van Wagtendonk, 706 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:48,599 WPR Political Reporter Rich Kramer, 707 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:50,459 and PBS Wisconsin Senior 708 00:27:50,460 --> 00:27:52,439 Political Reporter Zach Schultz. 709 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:53,440 Hey everyone. 710 00:27:55,950 --> 00:27:58,009 So how about Devon Lemmehue? 711 00:27:58,010 --> 00:27:58,869 Batman. 712 00:27:58,870 --> 00:28:00,369 I think he retired. 713 00:28:00,370 --> 00:28:01,370 Oh, man. 714 00:28:03,010 --> 00:28:04,989 So soggy 715 00:28:04,990 --> 00:28:05,959 looking. 716 00:28:05,960 --> 00:28:06,960 We're still rolling. 717 00:28:10,890 --> 00:28:11,890 With or without goatee. 718 00:28:17,170 --> 00:28:18,749 Glad the map's in focus, even if 719 00:28:18,750 --> 00:28:19,750 he's not.