>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL
PRODUCTION. >> YOU'RE WATCHING HEAR AND NOW
2024 ELECTION COVERAGE. DEADLINES LOOM AS PARTIES RUSH
TO SUBMIT THEIR PROPOSED VOTING MAPS TO THE WISCONSIN SUPREME
COURT. AND THE STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA
PROPOSAL USHERS IN A NEW LEGISLATIVE SEASON.
I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG. TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," WE
HAR THE LATEST ON EXPECTED REMEDIAL VOTING MAPS AND HOW TO
GET THEM IN PLACE IN TIME FOR THE 2024 ELECTIONS.
PLUS, PREDICTIONS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION SEASON WITH
OUR POLITICAL PANELIST, BILL McCOSHEN AND SCOTT ROSS.
A REPORT ON SOLUTIONS FOR SURVIVING IN TODAY'S DAIRY
FARMING INDUSTRY AND REMEMBERING HERB KOHL.
IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR JANUARY 12.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
SCONSIN. JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WI
>> THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT ORDERED BOTH PARTIES IN THE
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS CASE
SUBMIT THEIR OWN REMEDIAL MAPS BY TODAY, ALONG WITH EVIDENCE TO
BACK WHY THEIRSELF COMPORTS WITH THE OPINION RULED ON BY THE
COURT LAST MONTH. THE LIBERAL SIDE WHICH BROUGHT
THE CASE BEFORE THE COURT CALLED IT A FANTASTIC DECISION, WHILE
THE SIDE DEFENDING THE STATE'S G.O.P.-DRAWN MAPS CALLED THE
CASE PREDECIDED. THE STATE'S HIGH COURT RULED
WISCONSIN'S LEGISLATIVE MAPS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL BECAUSE HALF OF
ALL DISTRICTS ARE NOT CONTIGUOUS, HAVING ISLANDS OF
TERRITORY NESTLED INSIDE AN ADJACENT DISTRICT.
IN A MOTION TO RECONSIDER, THE PARTIES BACKING THE
REPUBLICAN-DRAWN MAPS SAID THE ACCELERATED TIME LINE NEEDED TO
HAVE NEW REMEDIAL MAPS IN PLACE, QUOTE, FAILED TO GIVE THE
LEGISLATURE A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO REDISTRICT AND
APPLY THE COURT'S NEWFOUND CONTIGUITY RULES AND LEAVES
INSUFFICIENT TIME BEFORE THE 2024 ELECTION DEADLINES
COMMENCE. THEY ALSO ACCUSE T HE COURT OF
BEING LARGELY QUIET ON RESPOND DENT'S ARGUMENTS AND NOT GIVING
THEM' FULL AND FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO LITIGATE THIS CASE OR BE
HEARD ON PROPOSED REMEDIES. MARK GABER, ATTORNEY FOR THE
CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER, THE LEADING GROUP BRINGING THIS
LAWSUIT, PUSHES BACK ON THESE ARGUMENTS.
>> STATES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE THESE ANNEXATIONS THE SAME
WAY THAT WISCONSIN DOES AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM HAVING
THAT ARE FULLY CONTIGUOUS. THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT IS
NOT ORDERING A QUICKER SCHEDULE THAN WHAT WE SEE IN A NORMAL
REDISTRICTING CASE. THIS IS JUST THE WAY THEY ALL
ARE AND CERTAINLY THE PARTIES ARE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO
BRIEF ISSUES AND HAVE ARGUMENT AND SUBMIT MAPS.
THERE'S A PROCESS WITH INDEPENDENT EXPERTS AND SO IT'S
REALLY A ROBUST PROCESS THAT THE COURT PUTS IN PLACE.
THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT HAS DONE IS ADHERED TO THE LETTER OF
THE LAW AND SAID THAT WHEN IT IMPOSES A PLAN, A NEW MAP, IT'S
GOING TO BE DONE IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT PUT A THUMB ON THE
SCALE IN FAVOR OF CERTAIN WISCONSINITES OVER OTHER
WISCONSINITES. >> THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT
JUST REJECTED THE MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION.
FOR MORE ON THE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD, WE TURN TO BARRY
BURDEN, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT UW-MADISON AND
DIRECTOR OF THE ELECTIONS RESEARCH CENTER.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. >> GLAD TO BE WITH YOU.
>> SO, AS WE'VE MENTIONED, THE DEADLINE FORCE SUBMITTING NEW
MAPS WAS TODAY. THERE ARE THE LEGISLATURE'S MAPS
AND THE GOVERNOR'S MAPS. WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
>> WELL, PARTIES WILL HAVE SUBMITTED THE MAPS AND THEN
THOSE PARTIES CAN OFFER RESPONSES TO THE MAPS FROM THE
OTHER SIDE OVER THE NEXT WEEK, SO THOSE REPLY BRIEFS WILL COME
IN IN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS AND THEN ESSENTIALLY ALL OF THAT
MATERIAL GETS HANDED TO THE TWO CONSULTANTS THAT THE COURT
DECIDED WOULD EVALUATE THE MATERIAL AND THEY HAVE UNTIL
FEBRUARY 1 TO DO THEIR WORK. >> SO AT WHAT POINT WOULD THE
GOVERNOR, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VETO THE
LEGISLATURE'S MAPS? >> YEAH, THAT'S A LITTLE UNCLEAR
TO ME. THE PARTIES IN THE CASE MAY
SUBMIT PROPOSALS TODAY, BUT IT SEEMS VERY UNLIKELY THAT THERE
WOULD BE A FULL LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. SO I THINK WE'LL JUS
T HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT GETS
SUBMITTED. MY GUESS IS THAT THE EXECUTIVE
BRANCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WILL HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS
AND WILL SUBMIT MAPS ESSENTIALLY SEPARATELY WITHOUT BOTHERING
WITHOUT MUCH OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
>> AND YET THIS IS ON A MAJOR FAST TRACK.
>> IT IS MOVING VERY QUICKLY. THE DECISION CAME DOWN ON
DECEMBER 2nd JUST BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS WEEKEND.
THE COURT HOPES AND THE WISCONSIN ELECTIONS COMMISSION
HOPES TO HAVE EVERYTHING DONE BY MID-MARCH SO THAT MAPS ARE IN
PLACE BEFORE THE AUGUST PRIMARIES LATER IN THE SUMMER.
SO IT IS MOVING AT A GOOD CLIP. >> IS IT EXPECTED, IN YOUR
MINDS, THAT THE COURT'S CONSULTANTS WILL ACTUALLY DRAW
THESE VOTING MAPS FROM SCRATCH IN THE END HERE?
>> I THINK THAT'S LIKELY, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF AMBIGUITY IN
THE COURT'S ORDER. IT SAID THAT THE CONSULTANTS
SHOULD EVALUATE THE MAPS THAT ARE PROPOSED BY THE PARTIES IN
TERMS OF WHETHER THEY MEET ALL OF THE TRADITIONAL CRITERIA PLUS
THE ADDITIONAL CRITERIA OF HAVING NO PARTISAN IMPACT.
THE COURT HAS NOT DEFINED WHAT THEY MEAN BY THAT.
I THINK THAT CONSULTANTS HAVE SOME GOOD CONCEPTS TO RELY ON
FROM WORK THEY'VE DONE IN OTHER STATES AND ACADEMIC WORK ON
MEASURING THE BIAS IN MAPS, BUT THEY WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH
STANDARDS ESSENTIALLY TO EVALUATE WHETHER THOSE CRITERIA
ARE MET. IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT ANY ONE
MAP WOULD MEET ALL OF THE CRITERIA IN A CLEAR BLACK AND
WHITE WAY AND SO THE CONSULTANTS WILL PROBABLY BE LED TO PRODUCE
SOME KIND OF MAPS OF THEIR OWN. >> SO AS TO THE CRITERIA, WHAT
WILL THE MAPS HAVE TO LOOK LIKE FOR THE COURT'S APPROVAL HERE?
>> WELL, THEY WILL MEET THE CRITERIA THAT THE MAPS HAVE MET
IN THE PAST. FOR EXAMPLE, HAVING EQUAL
POPULATIONS IN EACH DISTRICT COMPLYING WITH THE FEDERAL
VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO ENSURE THE VOTING RIGHTS OF RACIAL AND
ETHNIC MINORITIES, TRYING NOT TO SPLIT COUNTIES AND
MUNICIPALITIES UNNECESSARILY. THIS TIME AROUND, IT WILL ALSO
HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE AREN'T ANY SEPARATED PIECES OF
TERRITORY. ALL THE DISTRICTS NEED TO BE
CONTIGUOUS IN A KIND OF LITERAL FASHION ON THE MAP AND THEN THIS
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA THEY'VE ADDED OF NO PARTISAN IMPACT,
MEANING THE MAN LOOKS SORT OF NEUTRAL OR THE WAY AN
UNINTERESTED PARTY WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE MAPS.
SO MY GUESS IS THE DISTRICTS WILL LOOK SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT
THAN THE ONES WE HAVE TODAY. THEY WILL CERTAINLY SHAKE UP
WHERE INCUMBENTS END UP BECAUSE THAT'S NOT PART OF THE
CONSIDERATION FOR THE MAP-MAKERS. >> SO THROWN OUT
WAS THIS REQUIREMENT OF LEAST CHANGE FROM
THE LAST GO-AROUND. >> YEAH FELT THAT WAS A
MAJOR STATEMENT IN THE COURT'S OPINION THAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO
ESSENTIALLY REAFFIRM THE EXISTING BIASES IN THE MAP AND
THEY DEMANDED THAT THE MAPS BE DRAWN FROM SCRATCH IN A WAY THAT
IS POLITICALLY NEUTRAL, SO NOT ADVANTAGING ONE SIDE OR THE
OTHER AND ADOPTING A LEAST CHANGED APPROACH THEY VIEWED AS
ESSENTIALLY LOCKING IN EXISTING BIASES IN FAVOR OF REPUBLICANS.
>> WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION THAT THE REMEDIAL VOTING MAPS WILL,
IN FACT BE IN PLACE IN TIME FOR THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS?
>> I THINK IT CAN HAPPEN. THIS IS A NEW PROCESS FOR THE
STATE SUPREME COURT. THEY'VE NOT PRODUCED MAPS IN
THIS WAY BEFORE. IT'S AN ACCELERATED TIME
SCHEDULE SO IT NEEDS TO TO BE DONE WITHIN THE MONTH OF
FEBRUARY TO HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE IN EARLY MARCH.
I THINK IT'S VERY POSSIBLE FOR CONSULTANCE TO DO THAT.
I THINK IS THAT QUESTION OF HOW FAST THE COURT CAN ACT WHEN IT
GETS THE MAPS FROM CONSULTANTS, BUT GIVEN THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE
FAMILIARITY WITH ALL OF THE INTERESTED PARTIES HERE, I THINK
MAPS CAN COME TOGETHER PRETTY QUICKLY. >> IN THE END, HOW M
IGHT REMEDIAL MAPS CHANGE THE
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN WISCONSIN? >> I THINK THE NUM
BER ONE EFFECT WILL BE SHAKING UP INCUMBENTS.
DISTRICTS TODAY ARE DRAWN WITH INCUMBENTS IN MIND.
THEY ARE PLAYERS IN THE PROCESS AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE -- IN
THE STATE LEGISLATURE SO THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTEREST IN MIND.
THERE ARE SOME PARTS OF THE STATE WHERE ADDRESSES ARE VERY
CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER AND YET THE DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN DRAWN TO
ENSURE THAT THEY'RE IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, SO WE SHOULD EXPECT
OFTS PLACES WHERE INCUMBENTS GET THROWN INTO TOGETHER TO THE
SAME DISTRICTS OR FORCED TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS.
I THINK THE BAD IMPACT WILL BE BIGGER THAN THE PARTISAN IMPACTS
WHICH WILL BENEFIT DEMOCRATS, BUT PROBABLY NOT PUT BOTH
CHAMBERS IMMEDIATELY UP FOR GRABS FOR BOTH PARTIES.
>> ALL RIGHT. BARRY BURDEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR YOUR EXPERTISE. >> THANK YOU.
>> AND THEN THERE WERE TWO CANDIDATES LEFT TO GO UP AGAINST
DONALD TRUMP IN THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY, AS NIKKI
HALEY AND RON DeSANTIS DEBATED THIS WEEK AND TRUMP HELD HIS OWN
TOWN HALL. FOR SOME 2024 ELECTION SEASON
PREDICTIONS, WE TURN TO OUR POLITICAL PANEL, REPUBLICAN BILL
McCOSHEN AND DEMOCRAT SCOTT ROSS. THANK YOU FOR BEING WI
TH US, BOTH.
>> GREAT TO BE HERE. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
>> BILL, I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU AND ASK ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.
HE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE. WHAT IS THAT ALLURE ON THE PART
OF DONALD TRUMP EVEN AS HE FACES SO MANY CRIMINAL CHARGES?
>> HONESTLY, I THINK THE CRIMINAL CHARGES HAVE HELPED HIM
WITH HIS OWN BASE OVER THE COURSE OF 2023, HE GOT STRONGER,
NOT WEAKER. 12 MONTHS AGO, RON DeSANTIS
WAS WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE OF THEM AND TODAY, TRUMP IS UP BY
20 OR 30 POINTS, DEPENDING ON THE POLL YOU'RE LOOKING AT.
SO WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR ON MONDAY NIGHT, FRED, IS
EXPECTATION. SO TRUMP IS UP O N THE DES MOINES
REGISTER POLL BY OVER 20 POINTS. HE RELEASED HIS OWN POLL THIS
WEEK THAT HAS HIM UP BY 30. I'M NOT SURE I WOULD HAVE DONE
THAT IF I WERE HIM BECAUSE IF HE COMES IN LESS THAN THAT, HE
DOESN'T MEET EXPECTATIONS. DESCENDADeSANTIS HAS TO WIN IOWO
EXCEED EXPECTATIONS. COMING IN A CLOSE SECOND IS
OKAY, BUT IT'S TOUGH TO FIGURE OUT THE CHESS BOARD FOR HIM WHAT
HIS NEXT MOVE IS AFTER THAT. FOR HAYLEY TO GET MOMENTUM, IF
SHE BEATS DeSANTIS AND TAKES SECOND, SHE MIGHT POTENTIALLY
WIN NEW HAMPSHIRE. >> SCOTT, WHAT DO YOU THINK
DONALD TRUMP'S ALLURE IS? >> HE IS UNSTOPPABLE WITHIN THE
REPUBLICANS. HE'S UP 50% OVER ALL THE
CHALLENGERS AND SO WHAT I THINK IS IT IS HE IS HOLDING THE PARTY
HOSTAGE. THEY HAVE READILY AC CEPTED THAT.
STOCKHOLM SYNDROME. THAT CAN WIN HIM A PRIMARY, BUT
IT AIN'T GOING TO WIN HIM IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE DEMOCRATS AND
INDEPENDENTS HAVE REJECTED HIM TIME AND TIME AGAIN,
PARTICULARLY IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATE OF WISCONSIN.
>> DO YOU THINK, BILL, THAT DONALD TRUMP WILL CARRY
WISCONSIN IN THE PRIMARY? >> IT'S HARD TO SAY.
HE DIDN'T WIN THE PRIMARY HERE IN' 16.
TED CRUZ DID. HE WON THE GENERAL BUT LOST HERE
IN 20. I DON'T KNOW THAT HE'S DONE
ENOUGH IN THE SUBURBAN AREAS TO BRING SUBURBAN WOMEN BACK TO HIS
COALITION. THERE'S WOK TO BE DONE.
PART OF THAT MIGHT BE WHO HE PICKS AS HIS RUNNING MATE IF
HE'S STILL THE NOMINEE. IF IT'S STILL A COMPETITIVE RACE
WHEN HE GETS TO WISCONSIN, MY MONEY WOULD BE ON HIS OPPONENT.
>> SCOTT, DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUNGER DEMS ARE DISENCHANTED
WITH JOE BIDEN? >> ABSOLUTELY NOT.
THEY KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH TRUMP BEING IN CHARGE OF THE
GOVERNMENT. ABORTION RIGHTS ARE GONE.
THERE'S AN ATTACK OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON LGBTQ PEOPLE.
PRESIDENT BIDEN IS THE ONLY PRESIDENT WHO HAS TRIED TO
REALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT.
THEY ALSO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO
HEALTHCARE AS A RESULT OF JOE BIDEN.
SO, NO, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY SORT OF -- I DON'T THINK --
THE ALTERNATIVE IS SO FAR WORSE AND I THINK THAT STUDENTS ARE
SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT AND I THINK IN PARTICULAR WE'RE GOING
TO SEE THAT IN THE THIRD C.D. WHERE THEY'VE GOT SIX CAMPUSES,
A BUNCH OF TWO-YEAR CAMPUSES. I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE
THING THAT TAKES NOT ONLY DERRICK VAN ORDEN DOWN, BUT ALSO
DONALD TRUMP. >> WHY DO YOU THINK, BILL, YOUNG
VOTERS STAND BETWEEN DONALD TRUMP AND JOE BIDEN?
>> I THINK THE WAR IN ISRAEL IS DIVIDING THEM.
RIGHT? YOU'VE GOT LAODICEA A LOT OF
PRO-PALESTINIAN VOTERS WHO WOULD SHOWING UP AT TAMMY BALDWIN
EVENTS, SHOWING UP AT OTHER EVENTS AND SHOWING UP AT JOE
BIDEN EVENTS. THAT'S GOING TO BE PROBLEMATIC
FOR HIM. I'M NOT SURE THERE WILL BE AS
MUCH ENERGY WITH YOUNG VOTERS IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR AS THERE
HAS BEEN IN AT LEAST LAST NOVEMBER'S ELECTION.
WE'LL SEE, BUT THEY'RE DISENFRANCHISED WITH WHERE THIS
ADMINISTRATION IS HEADING, WHICH COULD BE GOOD NEWS FOR
REPUBLICANS IF WE HAVE THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO ATTRACT THEM.
>> SCOTT, IS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TAMMY BALDWIN UNBEATABLE?
>> WOW. WELL, SHE HAS BEEN SO FAR,
THAT'S FOR SURE, AND THERE ISN'T A REAL CHALLENGER TO HER YET.
IT'S BECAUSE OF HER RECORD. IT'S HER RECORD OF
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, BIPARTISAN AGREEMENTS ON THINGS LIKE, YOU
KNOW, MANUFACTURING, BUY IN AMERICA. SHE IS A LEADER ON R
EPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS, WHICH IS GOING TO BE
HUGE FOR HER IN A SENATE RACE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE'S PAIRED
AGAINST POSSIBLY THE MOST ANTICHOICE CANDIDATE THAT WE'LL
EVER SEE IF WE GOT HOVDE OR CLARK.
REPUBLICANS ARE IN DISARRAY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY
TO GO UP AGAINST A SITTING SENATOR. >> DO YOU THINK THAT
TAMMY BALDWIN IS FORMIDABLE, BILL?
>> NO QUESTION HE'S FORMIDABLE. SHE'S TOUGH.
ANYONE WHO THINKS OTHERWISE ON OUR SIDE ISN'T LOOKING AT HER
ELECTORAL HISTORY. SHE WORKS HARD, SHE DOES
PHENOMENAL ON CONSTITUENT SERVICES.
I THINK HE HAS TWO VULNERABILITIES. NUMBER ONE
IS JOE BIDEN AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.
IS SHE RUN AHEAD OF JOE BIDEN IF SHE NEEDS TO?
MAYBE. RON JOHNSON RAN UP AHEAD OF
TRUMP IN 2016, BUT IT'S RARE FOR A U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE TO RUN
AHEAD OF TOP THEIR TICKET. SHE MAY NEED TO DO THAT IN ORDER
TO WIN. SECONDLY, I THINK THE BORDER IS
A REAL ISSUE FOR DEMOCRATS AT LARGE. IF THEY DON'T SOLVE TH
AT BETWEEN NOW AND OCTOBER, FOR EXAMPLE, I
THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A STRONG VULNERABILITY FOR HER.
>> WHAT ABOUT THAT ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION? >> I THINK THAT
IT IS A RED HERRING THAT'S DESIGNED TO
DIVIDE PEOPLE, WHITE PEOPLE AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR.
IT'S SOMETHING THE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE FOR DECADES AND
DECADES. WHILE I DO AGREE WITH WHAT BILL
SAID, SENATOR BALDWIN HAS BEEN AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET BEFORE,
SHE WON BY 11 POINTS IN 2018 AND GOVERNOR EVERS HAD WON BY JUST
ONE POINT, SO I THINK SHE HAS AN ENTIRE POSSIBILITY OF BEING THE
LEAD OF THE TICKET. THE PROBLEM IS THAT -- THE THING
WE HAVE TO DO IS REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN 2016.
HILLARY CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN GAVE UP IN WISCONSIN, THEY GAVE UP ON
MICHIGAN, THEY DID A HALF-HEARTED JOB IN
PENNSYLVANIA. THAT AIN'T EVE R GOING TO HAPPEN
AGAIN. DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE
RESOURCES AND I THINK IT WILL BE A GOOD DEMOCRATIC VICTORY IN
NOVEMBER. >> SO I WANT TO --
>> WELL, THE THING TO REMEMBER IS ONLY ONE INCUMBENT IN AMERICA
BOSSE IN 2020, THE GOVERNOR OF NEVADA. LEADING A STATEWIDE
INCUMBENT -- BEATING THEM IS VERY DIFFICULT,
REGARDLESS OF PARTY. >> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE
RECALL EFFORT AGAINST ROBIN VOS LAUNCHED THIS WEEK FOR HIS
OPPOSITION OF DONALD TRUMP AND FAILING TO IMPEACH MEAGAN WOLFE.
WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT THE SCHISM IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
IN THIS STATE? >> I THINK IT'S A SMALL FACTION
IN THE 63rd ACCEPTABLE ASSEMBLYS DISTRICT WHO DISLIKED THE
SPEAKER FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. IT'S DESTRUCTIVE.
ANYONE WHO IS WATCHING THIS PROGRAM WHO LIVES IN THAT
DISTRICT SHOULD NOT SIGN THOSE RECALL PAPERS.
REPUBLICANS SHOULDN'T BE FIGHTING REPUBLICANS.
THEY SHOULD HAVE THEIR AIM FOCUSED AT DEMOCRATS.
THEY'RE GOING TO BE RUNNING ON NEW MAPS THIS FALL.
THERE'S A PRESIDENTIAL RACE. IT WILL BE COMPETITIVE
CONGRESSIONAL RACE. WE DON'T NEED TO BE WASTING
RESOURCES FIGHTING OUR OWN TEAM BEFORE THEN.
>> SCOTT, 30 SECONDS LEFT. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE VOS
RECALL EFFORT? >> I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY WOULD REJECT A THRICE MARRIED REAL ESTATE GUY
WHO IS IN COURT ALL THE TIME. SO IT'S SHOCKING TO ME.
IT'S TERRIBLE FOR DEMOCRACY. VOS HASN'T DONE ANYTHING THAT'S
RECALLABLE AND THE CHALLENGE WILL BE SWATTED AWAY LIKE BILL
SAYS. BUT, AGAIN, DIVISION ON THE
REPUBLICAN SIDE. >> ALL RIGHT.
WE LEAVE IT THERE. THANKS VERY MUCH, BILL
McCOSHEN, SCOTT ROSS. >> THANK YOU.
>> IN AGRICULTURE NEWS, A SMALL
BUT GROWING NUMBER OF WISCONSIN DAIRY FARMERS ARE EMBRACING
ROBOTIC MILKERS AMID DIFFICULTIES MAIN TAKING A
WORKFORCE, ONGOING MARKET SWINGS AND UNCERTAINTIES OVER AN
UPDATED FARM BILL. "HERE AND NOW" REPORTER ADITI
DEBNATH HAS MORE ON WHAT THIS TECHNOLOGY MEANS FOR THE FUTURE
OF WISCONSIN DAIRY FARMS. >> IT HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING
EVER SINCE. >> THIS DECEMBER MARKED FIVE
YEARS SINCE THE HINCHLEY FAMILY MOVED THEIR HERD OF NEARLY 300
COWS TO A NEW BARN WITH ROBOTIC MILKING MACHINES.
>> SO IT'S BEEN LIFE-CHANGING BECAUSE BEING ABLE TO GO IN AND
JUST CHECK ON WHAT COWS WE NEED TO FOCUS ON AND NOT HAVE TO
FOCUS ON EVERY SINGLE COW HAS BEEN SO BENEFICIAL TO MY
PHYSICAL HEALTH, BUT ALSO MY MENTAL HEALTH.
>> IN ADDITION TO A FEW PART-TIME STUDENT EMPLOYEES, THE
HINCHLEYS HAVE JUST ONE FULL-TIME STAFFER SINCE
AUTOMATING PROCESSES LIKE MILKING AND FEEDING.
>> TYPICALLY, WE END UP WITH HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE STUDENTS
BECAUSE WE ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO MADISON, BUT THERE HAS BEEN
TIMES WHEN IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT. >> HOPEFULLY, SHE'S GOING TO BE
AN AMAZING MILK GIRL. >> NO LONGER TIED TO MILKING
COWS TWICE A DAY HERSELF, BOTH SHE AND HER COWS ARE HAPPIER
WITH THE ROBOTIC MILKERS OPERATING 24 HOURS A DAY.
>> IT'S NOT NECESSARILY SOMETHING YOU WOULD HAVE TO DO
IN ORDER TO STAY IN THE DAIRY BUSINESS. >> MADISON PROFE
SSOR OF ANIMAL AND DAIRY SCIENCES, CHUCK
NICHOLSON, SAYS ONLY ABOUT 8% OF WISCONSIN'S DAIRY FARMERS HAVE
IMPLEMENTED THE NEW TECHNOLOGY. TYPICALLY FAMILY FARMS THAT WANT
TO SAVE ON LABOR COSTS. >> THE LABOR SHORTAGE IS
DEFINITELY A KEY MOTIVATING FACTOR.
>> THE HIGH TECH COLLARS FITTED TO EACH COW SEND ABOUT 130
DIFFERENT DATA POINTS ABOUT EACH ANIMAL DIRECTLY TO HINCHLEY'S
SMART PHONE. >> THERE ARE OTHER BENEFITS THAT
FARMS GET FROM ADOPTING THESE ROBOTIC MILKING SYSTEMS, BETTER
MILK PRODUCTION, BETTER ANIMAL HEALTH, IMPROVED MILK QUALITY.
>> Reporter: WHILE MANY WISCONSIN FARMERS ARE
CONSIDERING THE IMPACT A.I. MAY HAVE ON THEIR DAIRY PRODUCTION,
NICHOLSON SAYS 75% OF WISCONSIN FARMERS SAID THEY HAVE NOT AND
WILL NOT IMPLEMENT ROBOTICS ON THEIR FARM.
>> I TOLD THE PEOPLE THAT WERE DESIGNING IT AND STUFF THAT I
DON'T WANT ANY MOVING PARTS. YOU'RE ALWAYS HERE THIS TIME OF
YEAR. YOU KNOW THAT? >> Reporter: JOHN ROSENOW
MANAGES A 600-COW HERD. >> IT'S OUR KITCHEN WINDOW.
WHEN WE WERE HIRING PEOPLE, I HAD TO SEE THE PARKING LOT, AND
SEE WHO WOULDN'T SHOW UP AND THEN I HAD TO COVER FOR HIM.
>> HE HIRED HIS FIRST IMMIGRANT EMPLOYEE NEARLY 25 YEARS AGO.
>> SINCE WE'VE HIRED MEXICANS, I NEVER HAVE TO DO THAT ANYMORE.
I COULD LIVE IN TOWN, BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS COME ON TIME AND
THEY'RE HERE ON TIME. >> Reporter: ROSENOW FOUNDED
THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PUENTES WHICH BRIDGES THE GAP
BETWEEN FARMERS AND THEIR IMMIGRANT EMPLOYEES BY SENDING
THEM BOTH TO MEET THE EMPLOYEES' FAMILIES IN MEXICO.
HE SAYS HE'S NEVER CONSIDERED ROBOTICS BECAUSE OF HIS
COMMITMENT TO HIS HUMAN RESOURCES.
>> I LIKE SEEING -- IN MEXICO, THE DIFFERENT HOMES AND STUFF
THAT THEY'VE BUILT AND THEY'VE EDUCATED THEIR CHILDREN, THEY'RE
GETTING HEALTHCARE, THINGS THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO GET BEFORE.
WHEN I LOOK AT BOTH SIDES, THE BUSINESS SIDE AND THE
HUMANITARIAN SIDE, IT LEANS REAL STRONGLY TO THE HUMAN SIDE OF
IT. >> Reporter: ROSENOW T HAT SAYS
THE SALESMAN THAT HAVE PITCHED HIM THEIR TECHNOLOGY ARE CLEVER.
THEY CAPITALIZE ON OLD FARMERS AND CONVINCE THEM THAT THEY'RE
OUT OF TOUCH. >> A LOT OF IT IS, WHEN THIS
FIRST STARTED, I WOULD FEEL BAD, AM I AN OLD FUDDY DUDDY?
YOU QUESTION YOURSELF. >> Reporter: ROSENOW'S HERD
WOULD REQUIRE ABOUT EIGHT AUTOMATED MILKERS AT ABOUT A
HALF MILLION DOLLARS A PIECE AS WELL AS A NEW BARN.
HE SAYS MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT ALSO REQUIRES MORE EXPENSIVE AND
SPECIALIZED LABOR TO DO THE REPAIRS. >> DOESN'T MATTER IF
IT'S NEW OR OLD OR WHATEVER.
IT'S GOING TO BREAK. >> Reporter: AND WITH THE
VOLATILE NATURE OF THE DAIRY ECONOMY, HE SAYS OLD EQUIPMENT
THAT YOU CAN FIX IS BETTER THAN NEW EQUIPMENT YOU CAN'T, LIKE
THIS FRONT END LOADER. >> IT ONLY COST YOU ARE $25,000
40 YEARS AGO AND SIMILAR TO THAT NOW, I'D BE LOOKING AT 200,000
AND THEN WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIX IT.
WE'D HAVE TO HAVE THE DEALER FIX IT.
>> NICHOLSON SAYS THAT FOR THE PAST NINE MONTHS IN PARTICULAR,
ALL DAIRY FARMERS HAVE BEEN LOSING MONEY.
>> THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE'RE IN ARE REALLY UNUSUAL RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: THAT'S BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN
20 YEARS, THE U.S.D.A. IS HEARING PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE
SYSTEM THAT DETERMINES HOW MILK IS PRICED.
NICHOLSON SAYS THE SYSTEM, CALLED THE FEDERAL MILK
MARKETING ORDERS, DOESN'T HAVE A MECHANISM TO ADAPT TO ECONOMIC
OR TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES OVER TIME. >> THERE IS A LENGTHY
AND SOMETIMES EXCRUCIATING PROCESS
TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. >> Reporter: ON WISCONSIN
FARMS, HOWEVER, PRODUCERS CAN'T AFFORD TO FOLLOW THE LENGTHY
DISCUSSIONS TAKING PLACE IN WASHINGTON. >> WE DON'T KNOW
WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET.
WE HAVE NO IDEA WITH COMMODITIES THAT WE ARE PRODUCING, WE'RE IN
A GLOBAL SCALE. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON
WITH CHINA UNTIL IT HAPPENS. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH BRAZIL IS
PRODUCING. ALL OF THAT AFFECTS OUR BOTTOM
LINE. >> Reporter: AND SO WHETHER BY
MACHINE OR BY HAND, WISCONSIN FARMERS PRESS ON MILKING THEIR
HERDS. FOR "HERE AND NOW," I'M ADITI
DEBNATH. >> TODAY, PEOPLE PACKED THE
FISERV FORUM ARENA IN MILWAUKEE TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND
CONTRIBUTIONS OF FORMER U.S. SENATOR AND PHILANTHROPY PITTS
HERB KOHL WHO PASSED AWAY TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS.
SPECIAL PROJECTS JOURNALIST MURV SEYMORE HAS MORE.
>> SINCE HIS PASSING, THE FLAG AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND OTHER
BUILDINGS FLY AT HALF-STAFF IN MEMORY OF HERB KOHL.
>> THE BUCKS SUGGESTED HONORING HER W STATUE OUTSIDE THE ARENA.
MY UNCLE DECLINED SAYING I'M JUST NOT A STATUE KIND OF GUY.
>> FROM INSIDE THE ARENA HE HELPED FUND, ENTER THE STREET
THAT SHARES HIS NAME, HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE.
>> SAYING GOOD-BYE TO HERB AFTER MORE THAN 80 YEARS OF SAYING
HELLO AND SO MANY MORE WELCOMING AND POSITIVE WORDS WAS REALLY
DIFFICULT. >> IT'S FITTING THE TRIBUTE TO
COALE IS OPEN TO ALL OF MILWAUKEE AND WISCONSIN, THE
CITY WHERE HE GREW UP AND THE STATE HE SERVED.
PEOPLE PROUDLY REMEMBER THE FOUR-TIME U.S. SENATOR WITH THE
LEGENDARY SLOGAN, NOBODY'S SENATOR BUT YOURS.
FOLLOWING HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS IN THE 1970s, COALE AND HIS
BROTHER LED THE BOOMING GROWTH OF COALE'S GROCERY STORES WHICH
BEGAN IN MILWAUKEE AND GREW INTO A BRAND OF OVER 1,100 DEPARTMENT
STORES IN EVERY STATE BUT HAWAII. HE'S BEEN A FAMILI
AR FACE HERE ON OUR POLITICAL PROGRAMMING.
>> TONIGHT, WE'LL INTERVIEW SUSAN ENGELEITER AND HERB KOHL.
>> NEVER HEARD AND WITH NO KIDS, THE FORMER LEADER OF THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF WISCONSIN NEVER LOST AN ELECTION, NEVER
TOOK CONTRIBUTIONS FROM POLITICAL COMMITTEES OR SPECIAL
INTEREST GROUPS. >> I SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFE
HELPING TO ENHANCE THE ECONOMY OF WISCONSIN.
>> ONE OF HIS BIGGEST INTERESTS, BUYING AND SAVING THE MILWAUKEE
BUCKS IN IS THE 85 WORTH AT THE TIME AN UNHEARD OF $18 MILLION.
HE SOLD THE PEOPLE IN 2014 FOR $550 MILLION, DONATING $100
MILLION OF IT TOWARD BUILDING A NEW ARENA TO HELP ONCE AGAIN
KEEP THE TEAM FROM EVER LEAVING HIS HOMETOWN.
>> YOU DID IT WITHOUT THE TENS AND ONES.
>> HIS SPIRIT TO GIVE LIVES ON. HIS TIME, HIS EFFORTS, HIS
MILLIONS OF TOWARD FUNDING TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND VARIOUS
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT PLACES LIKE THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.
HE PUT HIS FOOT DOWN AND FORCED MORE FUNDING FOR ENFORCEMENT TO
FIGHT DRUG TRAFFICKERS AND JUVENILE JUSTICE.
HE LED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FORCING SAFETY LOCKS TO BE SOLD
WITH GUNS. HE HELPED LOWER THE PRICE OF
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND PASSED LAWS FOR BETTER BACKGROUND
CHECKS AT NURSING HOMES TO BETTER PROTECT SENIORS.
IN WASHINGTON, HE PROUDLY FOUGHT FOR FARMERS, ESPECIALLY
WISCONSIN FARMERS. >> HAVING SAFETY NETS THAT GO TO
PRODUCERS SO THAT WHEN TIMES REALLY GET BAD, THROUGH NO FAULT
OF THEIR OWN, THEY'RE NOT ALL FORCED TO GO UNDER.
>> AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN IN MADISON, HIS ALMA
MATER, COALE'S $25 MILLION DONATION HELPED BUILD THE
76-MILLION-DOLLAR KOHL CENTER, AND THE LARGEST DONATION EVER,
HERB KOHL SMILES DOING WHAT HE MIGHT HAVE LO LOVED DOING MOST:
GIVING. REPORTING FOR HEAR AND NOW, I'M
MURV SEYMORE. >> HERB KOHL WAS 88.
FOR MORE ON THIS AND OTHER ISSUES FACING WISCONSIN, VISIT
OUR WEBSITE AT PBSWISCONSIN.ORG AND THEN CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.
THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR TONIGHT. I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.
HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.
>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR
SCONSIN. JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WI