WPR Politics
114 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 89 ratings"WPR Politics" is a weekly podcast about the ins and outs of Wisconsin's political news. Host John K. Wilson and WPR reporters clue listeners into stories they may have missed and tell them what's actually interesting about stories they've already heard a thousand times.
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Episodes
Are We Rolling Again?
June 07, 2019 22:40It's been a couple of years since the last time the WPRPP crew climbed in the car and hit the road to talk about transportation spending in Wisconsin. Time has passed but road funding is still a complicated and fraught issue in state politics. This week, the Legislature's budget committee took up the governor's transportation budget proposal and the Republican majority passed a substantially different plan. While a sizable chunk of money remains, it's not coming the way the Democratic adminis...
Where's The Beef? (At The State Capitol)
May 31, 2019 22:25Canadian rapper Drake and Milwaukee Bucks fans aren't the only ones engaged in a recent Wisconsin-related feud. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders have been throwing barbs back and forth in a way that transcends regular political sniping. Things seem to have risen to the level of a good, old-fashioned beef. And there could be budgetary implications, not to mention hurt feelings.
Three Tier And Down
May 24, 2019 21:40When Bandit (Burt Reynolds) and Snowman (Jerry Reed) set off on a 28-hour trip to Texarkana, TX for a truckload of beer in the 1977 movie "Smokey and the Bandit," they did it because people said it couldn't be done. Forty-two years later, their adventure set the stage for another challenge. This week on the podcast, we talk about alcohol regulations in Wisconsin -- and keep it fun -- in less than 28 minutes.
Sending Out Signs
May 17, 2019 22:00This week in Wisconsin state politics: sending signs. The state Supreme Court heard arguments in a case challenging the Legislature's lame-duck session and justices, while saying nothing overt, gave signs about how they might rule. Meanwhile Assembly Republicans passed a slate of anti-abortion bills signaling to their base that they're acting on a core conservative issue. And there was action in the state budget committee... [insert something about signs there too!]
Wow In Reverse
May 03, 2019 21:45Back in March, Gov. Tony Evers released a state budget proposal that was full of stuff Democrats loved and Republicans did not — if there was one word to describe both groups' reactions it might be, "Wow." This week, the GOP co-chairs of the Legislature's budget released a memo saying they plan to strip out a whole bunch of the governor's proposals. It's almost like the "wow budget" in reverse.
Parsin' With That Fine-Tooth
April 26, 2019 20:45Like any week, there was a fair bit of politics news in Wisconsin over the past seven days. But we're not focusing on most of it. No, there was a sliver of Foxconn news this week that is interesting and nuanced enough that it warrants some dedicated parsing with the finest-toothed of combs.
100 Days (And 101, And 102...)
April 19, 2019 22:30The 100-day benchmark in political reporting is completely arbitrary. It's not really based on anything substantive. But it get's rolled out when every new politician takes office. So who is the WPR Politics Podcast to not follow suit when Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers hits the big hundo? And to not wildly prognosticate about what the next 100 days might bring?
The Quintessential Show About Power Struggles
April 12, 2019 20:20Gubernatorial appointees left hanging, appeals court decisions, lawsuit withdrawals and a fresh round of polling — way more interesting than dragons, armies of zombies, ancient prophecies and struggles for glory and power, right? Alright, fine! Everyone seems to be talking about a certain TV show this week, so if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
All About That Base
April 05, 2019 20:50While the results of Wisconsin's Supreme Court race weren't conclusive Tuesday, one thing is clear: base voters on both the left and the right made a difference. Liberals came out in traditional left-leaning areas for Judge Lisa Neubauer and conservatives showed up at the polls to support Judge Brian Hagedorn in a way that the didn't in the state's last Supreme Court election. Also: Some body positive jams from a great American poet.
Week Of Whiplash
March 29, 2019 21:50Are you or a loved one suffering from debilitating confusion about Wisconsin's lame-duck lawsuits? Have appeals and injunctions left you feeling rattled? You may have a case of news whiplash. The WPR Politics Podcast is here to get you the information you need.
We've Only Just Begun
March 22, 2019 21:15While it may seem like two big political stories this week marked the end of the road for major proposals and law changes, they're really just the beginning. The WPR Politics Podcast is here to share that journey with you, from commission votes to final rulings.
Choosing The One
March 15, 2019 21:45This week Houston and Miami must be experiencing a touch of heartbreak while Milwaukee is feeling the love after being chosen to host the 2020 Democratic National Convention. But will the city be able to absorb the influx of political visitors? What does it mean that Wisconsin was chosen for such a high-profile event? And will Colton's and Cassie's romance really last now that the cameras are off? ... Wait what?
About That Thing We Said VII: Cleaning Out The Garage
March 08, 2019 21:45The old WPR Politics Podcast garage is stuffed to the gills, which means it's a perfect time for our periodic look back at stories that have changed, developed or turned out differently than we guessed. Let's play another round of About That Thing We Said!
A "Wow" Budget
March 02, 2019 02:00For Democrats, Gov. Tony Evers' first budget checked off a long list of priorities. For Republicans, it assaulted accomplishments they hold dear. You could sum up reactions from both sides with one word: "Wow." You could also sum it up with this week's WPR Politics Podcast.