Stateline Stories

Wisconsin Supreme Court Retains Conservative Tilt

The Wisconsin high court’s perceived conservative tilt will remain after a justice was re-elected in Tuesday’s vote.

Balance of Power, Future of Key Issues at Stake in Wisconsin Court Race

Two years after one of the most contentious and bruising Supreme Court elections any state has ever seen, Wisconsin voters will return to the polls Tuesday to cast their votes in another judicial election.

Should Public Workers Have to Live Where They Work?

Municipal residency requirements have gradually become less common. State efforts to ban them can get ugly as cities fight to maintain their middle class population base.

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2013

MADISON, Wisconsin -- Jan. 15 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Scott Walker's (R) 2013 State of the State Address

Economic Development Agencies Face New Scrutiny

When Wisconsin partially privatized its Department of Commerce last year, the hope was to create a less bureaucratic job creation organization. Since then, though, the new entity has faced a series of setbacks.

Feds Slam Wisconsin Public-Private Partnership for Economic Development

Transferring control of Wisconsin’s economic development efforts from a state agency to a new public-private partnership was a focus of Governor Scott Walker’s campaign and one of the first things he accomplished when he took office.

Wisconsin Voter ID Law Unlikely to Apply in November

Wisconsinites this November won’t likely need to show photo identification at the polls. That’s because the state Supreme Court says it won’t immediately consider whether to reinstate a voter ID law blocked in a lower court.

Wisconsin Judge Strikes Down Collective Bargaining Restrictions

A county judge in Wisconsin has thrown out most of Governor Scott Walker’s law that severely restricts collective bargaining for public employees, throwing into question changes to contracts already negotiated under the year-old law.

Report: Cost of Walker Recall Effort Topped $80 Million

Wisconsin’s unprecedented 15 recall races for governor, lieutenant governor and state senate in 2011 and 2012, prompted a record amount of campaign spending, according to a report released Wednesday (July 25). Candidates, groups and committees spent a total of about $137.5 million on races, including about $84.5

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2011

MADISON, Wis. - Feb. 1 - Following is the text of Gov. Scott Walker's (R) 2011 state of the state address: Click here to access a video of the address. Speaker Fitzgerald, Speaker Pro Tem Kramer, President Ellis, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader Miller, Minority Leader Barca, Supreme Court Justice

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2010

MADISON, Wis. - Jan. 26 - Following is the text of Gov. Jim Doyle's (D) 2010 state of the state address: Speaker Sheridan, Speaker Pro Tem Staskunas, President Risser, Majority Leader Decker, Minority Leaders Fitzgerald and Fitzgerald, Constitutional Officers, Supreme Court Justices, tribal leaders, members of the

Other Elections Besides Walker Recall

Voters will also decide ballot measures, five state legislative primaries and a gubernatorial primary in Montana.

Infographic: Thirty Years of State Recalls

In all of U.S. history, only two state governors have been recalled from office. Today, Wisconsin’s Scott Walker seeks to avoid becoming the third.

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2009

MADISON, Wis. - Jan. 29 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jim Doyle's (D) 2009 state of the state address: Speaker Sheridan, Speaker Pro Tem Staskunas, President Risser, Majority Leader Decker, Minority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader Fitzgerald, Supreme Court Justices, Constitutional Officers, tribal le

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2008

MADISON, Wis. - Jan. 23 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jim Doyle's (D) 2008 state of the state address: Growing Wisconsin's Economy Speaker Huebsch, Speaker Pro Tem Gottlieb, President Risser, Majority Leader Decker, Constitutional Officers, Supreme Court Justices, tribal leaders, members of the Cabinet

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2007

MADISON, Wisc., Jan. 30 - Following is the transcript of Gov. Jim Doyle's 2007 State of the States Address. Click here to view the address. Speaker Huebsch, Speaker Pro Tem Gottlieb, President Risser, Majority Leader Robson, Lieutenant Governor Lawton, Constitutional Officers, Supreme Court Justices, members

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2006

MADISON, Wis., Jan. 17 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jim Doyle's 2006 state of the state address: Click here to access the governor's web page and view or hear the address. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Mr. Speaker Pro-Tempore, Members of the Legislature, Lieutenant Governor Lawton, Constitutional Of

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2005

MADISON, Wisconsin - Jan. 12 - Following is the text of Gov. Jim Doyle's 2005 state of the state address: Speaker Gard, Majority Leader Schultz, President Lasee, Speaker Pro Tem Freese, Members of the Legislature, Lieutenant Governor Lawton, Constitutional Officers, Supreme Court Justices, Members of the Cabi

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2004

MADISON, Wisconsin - Jan. 21 - Following is the text of Gov. Jim Doyle's 2004 State of the State Address: Speaker Gard, President Lasee, Lieutenant Governor Lawton, Supreme Court Justices, constitutional officers, members of the Cabinet, tribal leaders, distinguished members of the Legislature, and fellow citizen

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2003

MADISON, Wisconsin - Jan. 30 - Following is the full text of Gov. Jim Doyle's 2003 State of the State Address: Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Lieutenant Governor Lawton, Supreme Court justices, constitutional officers, members of the Cabinet, distinguished members of the Legislature and fellow citizens of Wisconsin:

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2002

MADISON, Wisconsin - March 5 - Following is the complete text of Gov. Scott McCallum's 2002 State of the State Address: Citizens, colleagues, guests and friends. Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished members of the Legislature, members of the Supreme Court, constitutional officers, cabinet members, Lieutenant Gov

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2001

MADISON, Wisconsin - Feb. 1 - Following is the full text of Gov. Scott McCallum's 2001 State of the State Address: Chief Justice Abrahamson, Governor Thompson, Governor Schreiber, Governor Dreyfus, Governor Earl, members of the Wisconsin Legislature, members of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, my wife Laurie, my childr

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2000

MADISON, Wisconsin - Jan. 26 - Following is the text of Gov. Tommy G. Thompson's 2000 State of the State Address: Speaker Jensen, President Risser, Members of the Legislature, Constitutional Officers, Honorable Justices of the Supreme Court, tribal leaders, members of the Cabinet, distinguished guests, ladies and g

Threats, Switches Mark Wisconsin Gunfight

When people imagine Wisconsin, they may think of beer, dairy farms and the pro football Green Bay Packers. But the bucolic Badger State was the scene this week of a bruising political battle over letting citizens carry concealed weapons.

Pro-Baseball Franchise Hit with Unusual State Audit

More than three dozen new professional sports stadiums and arenas opened in the United States in the last decade, many of them built with taxpayer money. Some taxpayers and the people who represent them seem satisfied with the bargain, but others are beginning to ask why some of the teams that benefited have provided so little to cheer about.

Drunken Driving Plea Tarnishes Wisconsin Attorney General

Wisconsin's first female attorney general is fighting for her political life after an arrest for drunken driving led not only to her embarrassment but also to the discovery she was misusing a state-owned car to commute to work. Democrat Peg Lautenschlager reimbursed taxpayers, paid fines and now gets rides to work because she lost her driver's license. She is trying to put the controversies behind her and says she has no plans to step down.

States Offer Tax Breaks to Spur Organ Donation

A new Wisconsin initiative to boost organ donations in the state by giving an income-tax deduction to living donors is gaining steam in statehouses across the country. Since January, Georgia lawmakers approved an identical bill, and similar measures have been introduced in 10 other states.

Welfare-To-Work Can Benefit Kids, Study Finds

A new report on an experimental welfare-to-work program released Tuesday (June 10) suggests that putting poor mothers to work can have a positive effect on the well-being of their children as long as their family receives adequate work supports and their income rises above the poverty level.

Wisconsin Legislator Relishes Road-Warrior Alter Ego

Wisconsin State Sen. Dave Zien is not the kind of legislator who revels in political deal-making in smoked-filled rooms. Zien, 53, who uses a means of transport known as a Hog for his 400 mile daily commute to and from the state capitol in Madison, is much more comfortable out on the open road.

Governor Vetoes Wisconsin Gun Bill

A bill allowing gun-owners to pack concealed weapons even into the state Legislature -- has sparked a political shootout in Wisconsin, with Republican proponents blazing away rhetorically at criminals, druggies and wackos, while Democrats return fire with equal passion. Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle put at least a temporary stop to this feuding Tuesday with a veto, backed by strong support from Wisconsins law enforcement community and the public at large.

Budget Plan Gives Wisconsin Big Political Issue

Wisconsin Gov. Scott McCallum has triggered an election year battle with his proposal to phase out a 90 year-old program of state aid to local governments to erase a $1.2 billion state budget deficit. The politically risky plan, fiercely opposed by many urban leaders and Democratic legislative leaders, would reduce the $1 billion per year "Shared Funding" program by more than one-third this year alone.

Wisconsin Leads In Extending Jobless Aid

Wisconsin, which pioneered financial aid for out-of-work citizens, is extending unemployment benefits for up to eight additional weeks to workers laid off on or after March 11th, 2001.

Wisconsin Govs Race One To Watch

Less than seven months before the November election, Wisconsin Gov. Scott McCallum has fielded a new team of top advisers in a bid to win a four-year term in the face of discouraging poll numbers and an image problem. But McCallum, who for 14 years played understudy to popular former Gov. Tommy Thompson, faces a difficult challenge.

Wisconsin State Senator Faces 18 Felony Charges

Just weeks ago Wisconsin State Senator and former Milwaukee assistant prosecutor Brian Burke (D-Milwaukee) was the front-runner for state attorney general. Instead of prosecuting criminals Burke now faces 18 felony counts of misconduct in office and evidence tampering for allegedly using state resources and state employees for partisan campaigning and trying to cover up his crimes.

Wisconsin Politics Gets Stranger and Stranger

Wisconsin politics gets stranger and stranger. In the latest bizarre twist, the Democratic majority leader of the state Senate has unmasked himself as the mastermind of a move that ended the gubernatorial campaign of a fellow Democratic state senator.

Wisconsin Corruption Charges a Political Bombshell

In a state that used to pride itself on clean, progressive state government it is a political bombshell. State Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala (D-Madison) and Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen (R-Waukesha) are both charged with felony misconduct in office, including allegations of extortion and conspiracy to violate campaign contribution laws.

America Under Fire: Wisconsin Gov. Scott McCallum

When they assumed office, none of the state governors could have anticipated the kinds of problems and challenges theyve faced since September 11. Stateline.org is publishing their reflections on their role in Americas war with Terrorism. In this installment, Wisconsin Gov. Scott McCallum gives his views.

Probe Clouds Wisconsin Legislature

An investigation is underway of Wisconsin's legislature that threatens to reach all the way to Republican Scott Jensen, the Assembly Speaker, and Democrat Chuck Chvala, the Senate Majority Leader. At issue are allegations that caucus staffers who answer to the legislative leaders illegally used state resources for partisan campaigning.

Green Bay Packers Seeking Legislative Touchdown

While most football fans focus on the clash of the St. Louis Rams and the Tennessee Titans in the NFL's Super Bowl XXXIV, Wisconsin "Cheeseheads" are debating the merits of an expensive public/private plan to renovate the home field of the legendary Green Bay Packers. Gov. Tommy Thompson is an enthusiastic supporter, but many lawmakers are taking a cautious approach to the proposed Lambeau Field makeover.

Wisconsin Welfare Success Eludes Hmong, Study Shows

The Hmong people of Southeast Asia were among America's most loyal allies in the Vietnam War. Forced from their homeland by the communist takeover, they fled in droves to U.S. resettlement centers in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California. Readjustment has not been easy for the Hmong -- and now a new study suggests that Wisconsin's welfare success could be another tragedy in the making for these displaced people.

Wisconsin's 'BadgerCare' Stumbles On Popularity, Rising Costs

Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson has built a name for Wisconsin on the issue of welfare reform. As he often notes, the Democratic administration of President Bill Clinton often has copied Wisconsin welfare reform ideas and policies. But Thompson's "BadgerCare" Program, which provides health insurance for the working poor, is having its problems. These stem from the program's popularity and rising costs.

Perrier Bid For Wisconsin Water Steams Environmentalists

The Perrier Group of North America is once again asking Wisconsin for permission to bottle pristine Badger State water. However, as state officials are discovering, Perrier, environmentalism and Wisconsin politics can make for a volatile mix.

Wisconsin Voters Enjoying the Limelight

It's been decades since Wisconsin has had a presidential primary fight that really meant something. The state's April primary now comes so late it amounts to a collective, "Us, too," in the quadrennial balloting to select the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees. Maybe that explains why Wisconsin residents are loving this general election season. George W. Bush, Al Gore, their running mates, members of their immediate families and surrogates are turning up in the state almost every day. This year, Wisconsin has symbolic importance far beyond it's winner-take-all 11 Electoral College votes.

On the Record: Wisconsin DNR Secretary George Meyer

Logging. Breweries. Large dairy farms. These are a few of Wisconsins favorite things. Perched between two of the worlds largest bodies of fresh water, the Badger State has as long a tradition of capitalizing on its natural resources as it does of backing the kind of progressive politics that led then-Sen. Gaylord Nelson to inaugurate Earth Day in 1969. Stateline.org caught up with the man currently in charge of balancing these interests at the first annual meeting of the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors (ACRE), where he came to talk about the states role in protecting the environment.

Stadium Facelift Roils Wisconsin Politics

Green Bay Packer politics continue to reverberate in Wisconsin, where a GOP lawmaker was ousted Nov. 7 despite his support for renovating the stadium of the states most cherished sports team. This year, the push by pro football's Packers to renovate Lambeau Field played a role in a tumultuous election-year session of the Legislature, two citizen votes in the county around Green Bay, and now the defeat of GOP state Sen. Gary Drzewiecki. And the saga isnt over.

Wisconsin's Tommy Thompson - Eyeing New Horizons?

Wisconsin's capitol, the political preserve of Republican Gov. Tommy G. Thompson for 13 years, is getting reacquainted with political diversity. Other players are emerging from the political spell cast by the 57-year-old four-term governor, who has thrice enjoyed the magic of a 60 percent reelection margin. The result could be some interesting jockeying as Thompson tries to position himself for a change of scenery and others vie to succeed him.

Wisconsin Typical Of State Tobacco Settlement Debate

More than 440 bills dealing with how to allocate tobacco settlement funds have been introduced in the state legislatures since the $206 billion dollar settlement between 46 states and the five major tobacco companies was reached last November. With Congress moving to bar any federal claim to share in the settlement, it looks likely that states will have complete control of the money. In many, there is sharp debate on how to spend it. For a special report on how the debate is playing out in Wisconsin - click on

State Tuition Savings Plans Face Tough Competition From Wall Street

By the end of this year, 42 states are expected to have some form of prepaid college tuition plan. But with the stock market well above 10,000, many Americans are looking at a better return on their money. In Wisconsin, this is forcing adjustments in the college savings plan known as EdVest Wisconsin as Jeff Mayers of the Wisconsin State Journal explains in this special report. To read more, click on

Wisconsin Gives Electric Deregulation Debate Different Twist

Like many other states, Wisconsin is considering restructuring its electric utility system. But its debate has some different wrinkles. A deregulation plan pushed by Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson would likely mean higher electric bills for households and businesses in the short run. And as Jeff Mayers of the Wisconsin State Journal reports, this makes for some strange political bedfellows.

Privacy Issue Draws Intense Interest In Wisconsin

Both political parties in Wisconsin are eager to ease citizen worries about the invasion of privacy, a popular issue these days. Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson has a 14-member task force at work to develop a comprehensive plan for the security of personal information. Meanwhile, Democrats in the legislature are pushing an ambitious package of proposals to restrict the release of personal information.

Michigan, Wisconsin Return, Alaska Tackles Native Rights

Summer has officially come to an end for Michigan and Wisconsin lawmakers who began their fall legislative sessions this week. Also, Alaska started a special session on Wednesday so Gov. Tony Knowles could give lawmakers one last chance to pass a rural subsistence constitutional amendment and prevent a federal takeover of fish and game management in the state.

Wisconsin Budget Stalemate Goes On

Three months ago today (Friday), the Wisconsin Legislature should have been putting the finishing touches on a two-year, $41 billion state budget. But top legislators still are at it, and for the second budget cycle in a row the budget is delayed far past the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. There's no budget crisis, because unlike the federal government when lawmakers fail to act, Wisconsin government doesn't shut down. It continues to run at previously set budget levels, as the state discovered in 1997.

New York Senate Back At Work, Wisconsin Gets Budget

New York's state Senate returned to work after a two-month break, Wisconsin lawmakers approved a $41-billion budget three months late and squabbling between two powerful Massachusetts politicians is keeping that state without a budget well past its July 1 fiscal deadline.

Wisconsin's Gov Thompson Vows To Reshape Budget Tax Package

Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson signed the 1999-2001 state budget today, but a power struggle over the Badger State budget is not yet over. Thompson has some firm ideas about how he wants the budget's tax cut features to work, and he's used his line-item power to get what he wants. The four-term governor has cast thousands of vetoes, and has yet to suffer an override. So he's likely to prevail in the fiscal test of wills.

Stalemate on Crime Law A Problem For Wisconsin

Tough new criminal sentencing regulations go into effect in Wisconsin soon, and some experts fear the result could be miscarriages of justice and severe prison overcrowding because the legislature hasn't tailored the criminal code to fit the new rules.

Wisconsin Legislative Outlook: Skirmishing Over Substance

Wisconsin was the second to last state in the Union to pass a budget this year because of partisan wrangling (Massachusetts brought up the rear), and the state's lawmakers and lobbyists say the acrimonious climate in Madison that caused the lonmg budget stalemate is likely to spill over into year 2000. Because of this, few people expect much in the way of legislative accomplishments in the next twelve months.

Wis. AG Election a Race to the Bottom

One of the nation's nastiest races for state office this year isn't being fought over the governor's mansion. In Wisconsin, a four-way contest for attorney general has degenerated into name-calling and negative attack ads in the final days before the state's Sept. 12 primary. Thirty states will elect attorneys general this year.

Wisconsin Recall Campaign Turns on Job Creation Issue

Scott Walker promised to be the job-creation governor. Two years later, he’s struggling to prove he deserves the label.

Govs Enjoy Quirky Veto Power

Ever hear of the "Frankenstein" veto? How about the "Vanna White" veto? Every state governor has the power to overrule actions by his or her legislature through a "veto" - the word is Latin for "I forbid" - but some governors can do more than simply say no.

Primaries Set Gov Races in Wisc., N.C.

Voters Tuesday (May 8) formally picked candidates for governors' races in four states while North Carolina voters approved a ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage in the state.

Recall of Wisconsin Governor Gets National Attention

For the first time in Wisconsin state history, voters will have the chance to recall their governor. The race has drawn millions of dollars from outside the state and is seen to have national implications.

Wisconsin State of the State Address 2012

MADISON, Wis. - Jan. 25 - Following is the text of Gov. Scott Walker's (R) 2012 state of the state address: Speaker Fitzgerald, Speaker Pro Tem Kramer, President Ellis, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader Miller, Minority Leader Barca, members of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Constitutional Offi

Bans on BPA Gain Traction

TODAY'S TAKE: Wisconsin on Wednesday (March 3) became the third state after Connecticut and Minnesota to ban the manufacture of baby bottles and "sippy cups" containing the chemical BPA, or Bisphenol A. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have cited concerns over the chemical, including possible effects on the development of fetuses, babies and young children. At least nine other states are considering similar legislation, with Maryland poised to become the next to adopt a ban.

High-Speed Rail Faces High-Speed Demise in Midwest

TODAY'S TAKE: Republicans who won the governorships of Ohio and Wisconsin last week are leaving no doubt that they intend to kill high-speed rail projects that have already been pledged billions in federal stimulus dollars.

Wisconsin Budget Proposal Hits State Workers

TODAY'S TAKE: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker proposed a budget on Friday (February 11) that puts an end to most collective bargaining rights for public worker unions and, according to the governor's own estimates, will cost the average state employee thousands of dollars a year.

Is Wisconsin Standoff Winding Down?

TODAY'S TAKE: Democrats who have fled Wisconsin to strip Republicans of a quorum on controversial labor legislation say they will return to Madison soon. The move would hand the GOP a short-term victory on collective bargaining rights, though Democrats say they will come out ahead in public opinion.

Wisconsin Teachers Seek Last-Minute Contracts

EDUCATION BEAT: Wisconsin teachers want to lock in new contracts before anti-union legislation takes effect ... Pennsylvania governor calls for $1.5 billion in education cuts ... Michigan grants emergency financial managers broad powers, and other education news.

Wisconsin Judicial Race Is Test for GOP

TODAY'S TAKE: Wisconsin voters go to the polls today (April 5) to select a state Supreme Court justice. Many see the election as a referendum on the state's Republican majorities after the bitter fight over collective bargaining.

Which Side Won in Wisconsin Recall Elections?

TODAY'S TAKE: After historic recall elections in Wisconsin on Tuesday (August 10), Democrats and Republicans are trying to frame the results on their terms.

Wisconsin Allows Concealed Guns in Capitol

TODAY'S TAKE: The Wisconsin Capitol, home to some of the fiercest political protests in the nation earlier this year, will open its doors to people carrying concealed guns, after majority Republicans changed the building's rules.

Wisconsin Recall Effort Quiets Legislature, Energizes Voters

TODAY'S TAKE: Opponents of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker are expected to deliver petitions with more than 700,000 signatures on Tuesday (January 17) supporting his recall The effort is likely to divert voters' attention this year away from legislative business and toward the campaign trail.

In Wisconsin, Assessing a New Labor Law’s Impact

RACINE, Wisconsin - A year after union protests swept Wisconsin's Capitol, labor and management are still grappling with the collective bargaining law that prompted the backlash. Leaders of local governments and schools enjoy having more options to balance their budgets, but state funding cuts often outweigh the benefits.

Wisconsin Pension Plan Among Most Secure

Pension benefits are a major issue in Wisconsin's current legislative stalemate. In fact, though, Wisconsin is one state where they aren't much of a problem.

A New Pay System for Wisconsin State Workers

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Wisconsin's new compensation plan for state employees, the first in decades to be drafted without significant worker participation, freezes pay and creates a controversial new method of rewarding employee performance.

Recall Elections in Wisconsin Test Support for Republican Program

In the six months since Republicans took control of Wisconsin's state government, they have passed dozens of laws that read like a conservative wish list. Starting Tuesday, some of the state's voters will get an early opportunity to pass judgment on what they've seen.

Wisconsin Unions Allow Bargaining Status to Lapse

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Unions protested this spring when Wisconsin passed a new law restricting collective bargaining rights. Now, the major unions representing the bulk of state workers are deciding not to get certified to bargain for what they're still allowed to under the law.

Wisconsin Dems Flee, Union Discord Grows

TODAY'S TAKE: The battle in Wisconsin over the rights of public employee unions reached a standoff Thursday, as Democrats blocked further action by absenting themselves. The showdown prompted tens of thousands of protesters to swarm the Wisconsin Capitol.

After Union Protests, Next Steps in Wisconsin

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Avoiding a vote on a controversial right-to-work bill, Indiana Democrats flee the state ... A barrage of amendments for Walker's budget bill ... Questionable doctor's notes in Wisconsin, and other government management news.

Summary of the Wisconsin State of the State Address

It's been a difficult year for Wisconsin, but Gov. Jim Doyle (D) struck an upbeat tone during his Jan. 26 state of the state address. Despite budget cuts, furloughs and pay and hiring freezes, Doyle warned that more cuts were on the horizon, although he vowed to continue "protecting education, health care and public safety and protecting the middle class against tax increases."

The Not-So-Fast Track for High-Speed Rail

The last time intercity passenger trains served Madison, Wisconsin's capital city, students at the University of Wisconsin campus there were protesting the Vietnam War. The trains stopped running when Amtrak took over passenger service around the country in 1971. But last month, the federal government announced it would give the state $810 million in stimulus money to return passenger trains to Wisconsin's second-biggest city for the first time in more than four decades.The $8 billion in federal stimulus money billed as "high-speed rail" funding that will pay for the Wisconsin improvements is going to 31 states to improve service on trains of all speeds. But as even the straightforward case of Wisconsin shows, the path for states to actually build high-speed rail promises to be long, costly and, in some cases, politically contentious.

The Ever-growing Sex Offender Registry

Under separate state Supreme Court decisions issued days apart in Georgia and Wisconsin last month, two men who did not commit sex crimes must register as sex offenders. Their offense - a crime known as "false imprisonment" - was deemed to warrant inclusion on public registries even if there was nothing sexual about it.The cases reflect a growing debate in the courts and in legislatures. As states crack down on sex offenders, including less serious and even non-sex offenders in online registries, does the value of such registries diminish?

How Wisconsin Made Big Medicaid Cuts With Little Controversy

When lawmakers needed huge health care savings to balance the budget, they turned the decision-making over to a panel of stakeholders. The strategy could be a model for other states looking to squeeze money out of their Medicaid programs.

Some Democrats Running for Governor Embrace Obama, Others Ignore Him

TODAY'S TAKE: President Obama this week headlined events to raise money for the gubernatorial bids of fellow Democrats Ohio Governor Ted Strickland and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. But the enthusiastic welcome he received in Ohio and Wisconsin stands in contrast to the reception he got in Texas and Georgia, where Democratic gubernatorial nominees stayed far away from the president.

Will Upsets Continue in Tuesday's Primary?

Tuesday is the last big primary day before November, when voters will choose 37 governors. The big question in the primaries is whether Tea Party candidates will upset any frontrunners, as recently happened in Colorado and Florida.

Republicans Fight Wisconsin High-Speed Rail

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin has long been seen as a model state for construction of a regional rapid rail system in the Midwest. The Obama administration has favored the idea with generous subsidies. But two of the three major contenders for Wisconsin's governorship don't want any part of it.

Wisconsin Lawmakers Battle Over Union Contracts

TRANSITION WATCH: Democrats in Wisconsin look to approve lame-duck labor deals, Arizona contemplates its immigration encore, and other news of the historic shift in power in the states.

States Use Driver's Education to Boost Organ Donation

Virginia is one of a handful of states that use drivers education as a vehicle to boost organ donation. At least eight others -- Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin have adopted similar policies in the past few years.

Is Health Care Ruling a Game-Changer?

TODAY'S TAKE: Partisan state politicians either cheered or denounced a federal judge's ruling Monday (December 13) that a key provision of the Obama administration's new health care law is unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Virginia's governor urged his peers to support an idea to fast-track the case directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, and critics of Massachusetts' broad-based health care program saw a new opportunity to challenge it.

Terror Insurance: A New, Risky Business

Book lovers understand that the J. Willard Marriott Library and its three million-volume collection at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City are, in a sense, priceless.

Study Finds Details Lacking in Economic Development Deals

TODAY'S TAKE: Governors are placing a premium on economic development, moving aggressively to lure more private-sector jobs to their states. The public, however, often is kept in the dark about the state tax breaks, grants and other incentives that are often at the center of such deals, according to a new study.

Gay Activists Hopeful in Colo., S.D., Wis.

After a series of stinging judicial defeats for same-sex marriage this summer, both sides of the issue are looking to November's elections as a test of how far public attitudes have changed toward gay couples.

Voter ID Rulings Vex Administrators Ahead of Election Day

Recent court rulings and ongoing lawsuits have prompted widespread concerns about whether election laws can work smoothly next Tuesday.

High-Risk Health Care Plans Fail to Draw Crowd

The Obama administration is offering subsidized health insurance to people who have serious medical conditions-but the customers aren't coming.

Weekly Wrap: Recession Setting Records in Wisconsin, Oregon

Sales tax revenue drops for the first time in Wisconsin. Demand for food stamps and food boxes sets records in Oregon. Cigar-smoking Pennsylvania lawmakers reject tobacco tax increase.

Gubernatorial Candidates, Ohio - Wyoming

For a comprehensive list of gubernatorial candidates in Ohio through Wyoming.

Are 'Charter Universities' the Future of State-Funded Higher Ed?

With more budget cuts on the horizon, many flagship universities are warming to a new bargain with state government: In exchange for less state funding, they would get more say in running day-to-day operations as well as the ability to impose some tuition increases.

N.C. Governor Race Overshadowed

With all the talk about the recall election of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, another governor’s race that will get decided this month has been largely overlooked.

Legislative Scorecard: Three States Still Budget-Less

Lawmakers in New York, Massachusetts and Wisconsin have yet to hammer out budgets for the new fiscal year, which has already begun in all three states. New York's budget is four months late, but that's become the norm in Albany. In Massachusetts, Democrats control both houses of the legislature and they still can't reach an agreement. In Wisconsin, lawmakers have left town on summer vacation and no one knows when they'll return. For more information, click on

N.J. Lawmaker to Replacement Refs: ‘Keep Out’

New Jersey’s Senate president plans to introduce legislation that would ban the use of replacement officials in professional sporting events played on state soil.

New Faces Replace Washington-Bound Governors

Aficionados of state politics, think quickly: Who are Rick Perry, Donald DiFrancesco and Scott McCallum? The question may sound like a quiz show stumper, but soon the answer may not be so trivial. They either are, or are in line to be, the nations newest state chief executives from Texas, New Jersey and Wisconsin, respectively.