WisPolitics Capitol Chats
News & Politics
About
WisPolitics Capitol Chats provides political insights from political movers and shakers around Wisconsin in about 10 minutes. Quality interviews brought to you each week by the reporting team at WisPolitics.com.
Episodes
- Capitol Chats: Moore says Voting Rights Act ruling going 'all the way back to the 19th century'
U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore discusses the effects of a Supreme Court decision that limits a significant part of the Voting Rights Act, as well as debate surrounding immigration enforcement funding.
- Capitol Chats: Grothman defends GOP push for more ICE, Border Patrol funding
U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman discusses the Republican proposal for over $70 billion in additional funding for ICE and Border Patrol, addressing immigration enforcement reform and the timing of the legislation.
- Capitol Chats: August on maintaining Assembly GOP majority: 'the math is still on our side'
Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August expresses confidence in the Republican ability to maintain control of the Assembly, and discusses the departure of Speaker Robin Vos.
- Capitol Chats: Caledonia trustee and data center critic Balch says local officials are 'not doing enough homework'
Former technology executive and Caledonia trustee Prescott Balch states that local officials need to conduct more thorough research before agreeing to data center development deals with large tech firms.
- Capitol Chats: RightCount's Steineke says trust in elections a 'bipartisan problem'
Jim Steineke, Chair of RightCount Wisconsin, explains the organization's initiatives aimed at enhancing voter confidence through education on election administration. He asserts that trust in elections is a challenge shared across the poli…
- Capitol Chats: Public health consultant Moore says hemp 'is a consumer safety issue … not a cannabis issue'
On this week's "Capitol Chats," Melissa Moore talks about Wisconsin's "Wild West" of unregulated intoxicating hemp products ahead of a federal ban that could curtail their sale, and what policymakers need to consider if they are to craft r…
- Capitol Chats: Marquette Poll's Franklin says 'antipathy' toward Trump has fueled Dem turnout
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin discusses recent polling of the state Supreme Court race and says anti-Trump sentiment is a key factor pushing Dem voters to the polls.
- Capitol Chats: U.S. Rep. Pocan says 'we've just got to do what we all agree we need to do' to fund TSA
On this week's "Capitol Chats," U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Town of Vermont, weighs in on negotiations to fund the Department of Homeland Security, the Pentagon's $200 billion funding request to prosecute the war in Iran, and U.S. Immigration…
- Capitol Chats: Barnes says Public Service Commission should put the public over profit
In this week's "Capitol Chats" episode, Dem guv candidate Mandela Barnes discusses his vow to freeze utility rates if elected and criticizes utility companies for being "greedy" at Wisconsinites' expense.
- Capitol Chats: Lobbyist Scott says hemp industry 'is going to potentially collapse overnight'
On this week's "Capitol Chats," Phillip Scott of the Wisconsin Hemp Farmers and Manufacturers Association forecasts a grim future for Wisconsin's $700 million intoxicating hemp industry if lawmakers can't create a legal pathway for the can…
- Capitol Chats: Guv hopeful Brennan backs temporarily pausing data center projects to ensure guardrails
In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, former Department of Administration Secretary Joel Brennan discusses his Dem guv campaign and says if elected, he supports temporarily pausing data center projects until state leaders can agree on regu…
- Capitol Chats: U.S. Sen. Johnson says Democrats 'want to make it easy to cheat' in elections
In this week's "Capitol Chats" episode, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, discusses Tuesday's State of the Union address, Democrats' criticism of immigration enforcement, the Supreme Court striking down the Trump administration's tariffs a…
- Capitol Chats: Rep. Brill talks about the Legislature's drive for youth digital safety measures
On this week's "Capitol Chats" podcast, Rep. Lindee Brill, R-Sheboygan Falls, says protecting kids online will require a "multi-faceted" approach. She chairs the Speaker's Task Force on Protecting Kids, which has introduced bills touching…
- Capitol Chats: Former U.S. Attorney Vaudreuil argues Trump seeking to sow distrust in elections process
In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Keep Our Republic member and former U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil says President Donald Trump's call to "nationalize" elections doesn't pass constitutional muster. Vaudreuil also argues Trump is seeking…
- Capitol Chats: Clean Wisconsin's Barrilleaux says data centers need an 'all hands on deck' response
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Clean Wisconsin spokesperson Amy Barrilleaux discusses the explosion of data centers in the state and their implications for ratepayers and the environment.
- Capitol Chats: Wimberger expects PFAS bills to make it to the finish line before session ends
In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Oconto, discusses recent bipartisan progress on legislation to combat PFAS contamination and says he expects the bills to make it to the finish line before the session ends.
- Capitol Chats: U.S. Rep. Moore says Minnesota residents 'want the place de-ICE'd'
On this week's Capitol Chats podcast, U.S. Rep Gwen Moore, D-Milwaukee, talks about her takeaways from a hearing on the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota, the Democratic effort to impeach Kristi Noem and Democrats' odds in the mid…
- Capitol Chats: Former WEDC Sec. Hughes aims to boost affordability if elected guv
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Dem Missy Hughes, former Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation secretary and CEO, says she will tackle affordability for Wisconsinites if elected to the East Wing.
- Capitol Chats: Rep. Sortwell says 'we have the potential' to lead nuclear power development in U.S.
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers, talks about his bill incentivizing nuclear development in Wisconsin and why he thinks the state is primed to lead the country in building new nuclear power plants.
- Capitol Chats: Roys says Wisconsin deserves a governor who will stand up to Trump
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, state Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, talks about why she's running for governor. Roys says the state deserves a leader who will "stand up for what's best for Wisconsinites, not what Trump and his Washingt…
- Capitol Chats: La Follette School's Yackee expects 'wild growth' for new undergraduate public policy major
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, La Follette School of Public Affairs Director Susan Webb Yackee discusses a newly unveiled undergraduate major in public policy.
- Capitol Chats: Guv candidate Hong has 'newfound sense of hope' following Mamdani victory
In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, talks about her campaign for governor and what fellow democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's New York City mayoral victory could mean for her candidacy in Wisconsin.
- Capitol Chats: U.S. Rep. Wied criticizes Dem approach to shutdown fight as 'political'
In this week's Capitol Chats podcast, U.S. Rep. Tony Wied weighs in on the ongoing government shutdown. The De Pere Republican also declines to directly say whether he supports extending enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act,…
- Capitol Chats: Law Forward's Poland discusses congressional redistricting in Wisconsin
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Law Forward Director of Litigation Doug Poland talks about lawsuits in the state related to congressional redistricting and how Law Forward's lawsuit differs from redistricting efforts in other states.
- Capitol Chats: Medical Society's Halverson says government 'getting in the way' of vaccine access
- Capitol Chats: GOP guv candidate Tiffany declines to say if he supports six-week abortion ban
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, guv candidate and U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, talks about his newly announced campaign and declines to say if he would support a six-week abortion ban after cosponsoring one in Congress.
- Capitol Chats: Milwaukee County Exec Crowley aims to be "governor for all of us" if elected to East Wing
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley talks about his campaign for governor and says he would be a governor for all, not just Milwaukee County. Crowley also touts his background as a state legislato…
- Capitol Chats: Rep. Brent Jacobson says Supreme Court flip to liberal control prompted Assembly bid
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Rep. Brent Jacobson, R-Mosinee, shares what motivated him to run for office and his key priorities in the Legislature.
- Capitol Chats: Secretary of State Godlewski says her experience makes her the best candidate for lieutenant governor
In this week's Capitol Chats, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski touts her ability to be "part of team" in her run for lieutenant governor.
- Capitol Chats: Marquette Law School Poll's Franklin says name ID a challenge for 2026 guv candidates
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin talks about the political environment in 2026 and challenges for gubernatorial candidates seeking to succeed Gov. Tony Evers.
- Capitol Chats: Lieutenant Gov. Sara Rodriguez would increase school funding as governor
In this week's Capitol Chats, Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez says child care funding was a win in the budget, but she would have liked more funding for schools.
- Capitol Chats: GOP governor candidate Bill Berrien says he'd focus on supporting working Wisconsinites
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, GOP governor candidate Bill Berrien, who is a Navy SEAL veteran and manufacturing business owner, says he is confident he can raise enough finances and get President Donald Trump's endorsement.
- Capitol Chats: Hesselbein says budget isn't 'perfect,' touts investments in education, child care
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, talks about her role in state budget negotiations and pros and cons of the document.
- Capitol Chats: Sen. Chris Kapenga 'disappointed' in the result of budget negotiations
In this week's Capitol Chats, Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, explained why he voted against the state budget, and his frustration with the negotiation process.
- Capitol Chats: Sen. Roys shares why she voted against the state budget
- Capitol Chats: Former GOP Sen. Schultz talks 'normalization of hateful rhetoric and violence' in politics
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, former Republican state Sen. Dale Schultz talks about political violence and rhetoric and possible solutions following the shootings of Minnesota lawmakers.
- Capitol Chats: Freshman Rep. Phelps wants the Legislature to prioritize school funding
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Rep. Christian Phelps, D-Eau Claire, says the 60% special education reimbursement Gov. Tony Evers is proposing should be a minimum, instead of the current 30% rate.
- Capitol Chats: Freshman Rep. Tucker says veteran background has made him a better state rep
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, freshman Rep. Duke Tucker, R-Grantsburg, talks about his motivations for seeking public office, his priorities in the Assembly, and how his background as a veteran has made him a better elected officia…
- Capitol Chats: State Medicaid director says 'big beautiful bill' will cost Wisconsin
In this week's Capitol Chats, Wisconsin Medicaid Director Bill Hanna says the reconciliation bill will cost the state $8 million in Medicaid-related costs in the first year of implementation.
- Capitol Chats: Josh Schoemann discusses his candidacy for governor
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Washington County Executive and a Republican gubernatorial candidate Josh Schoemann says "disappointed" is a mild way to describe how he feels about Gov. Tony Evers work, and he'd like to make changes…
- Capitol Chats: Freshman Rep. Piwowarczyk wants strict immigration enforcement in Wisconsin
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Rep. Jim Piwowarczyk, R-Hubertus, talks about a bill he co-authored that would require local sheriffs to comply with federal immigration enforcement policies, at the risk of losing state funding.
- Capitol Chats: Revenue Secretary Casey says evaluating tariffs' impact on revenue 'very difficult'
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Department of Revenue Secretary David Casey talks about the challenges of measuring tariffs' impact, the agency's budget priorities and more.
- Capitol Chats: Eric Fulcomer says college financial aid "threatened" by federal cuts
In this week's Capitol Chats, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities President Eric Fulcomer expresses concerns with the impact of federal funding cuts on college grants, and says he hopes the state budget can suppo…
- Capitol Chats: DNR Secretary Hyun talks budget priorities, Senate confirmation
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Department of Natural Resources Secretary Karen Hyun talks about her top priorities for the state budget and the prospects for her confirmation by the state Senate.
- Capitol Chats: Scott Walker discusses spring election, future of state GOP
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, former Gov. Scott Walker says the Republican Party needs to work on its grassroots organizing following the spring election. He also says he won't be running for governor next year, and isn't endorsing…
- Capitol Chats: LFB Director Lang says evaluating tariffs' impact will be 'critical' to state budget
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, longtime Legislative Fiscal Bureau Director Bob Lang discusses the bureau's role in the budget process and says accurately evaluating the impact of tariffs on revenue estimates will be "critical."
- Capitol Chats: Marquette Law School poll director talks high voter turnout, issues that drove spring election results
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin says Elon Musk's involvement in the state Supreme Court race "doesn't look like it reshaped voting patterns in the state very much at all," but says…
- Capitol Chats: Rep. Cruz says public education at a "concerning crossroads" in Wisconsin
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, Rep. Angelina Cruz, D-Racine, says public education is at a "concerning crossroads." The former teacher and union leader is a freshman in the Assembly and serves on the Education Committee.
- Capitol Chats: Freshman Rep. Brill is focused on addressing addiction in Wisconsin
Rep. Lindee Brill, R-Sheboygan Falls, who is the vice-chair of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention Committee, says in a new Capitol Chats episode that addressing addiction in the state is important to her because of how many p…
- Capitol Chats: U.S. Sen. Baldwin says Dems will "fight back" to prevent Medicaid cuts
In this week's Capitol Chats episode, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, criticizes cuts to federal funding and tariffs under the Trump administration. Baldwin also says Dems will fight to prevent cuts to Medicaid.