
After 7 statewide hearings and countless hours of testimony, the bills generated by the Speaker's Task Force on Adoption came the the Assembly floor this week. As they got ready to vote, we caught up with two members who have been especially integral to the process. Rep. Snyder, a member of the Task Force and the Chair of last session's Task Force on Foster Care, joins Rep. Dittrich, Chair of the Adoption Task Force, to talk about how she came to this issue and explore ways to make sure Wisconsin gets better at helping children find stable homes.
Jan 17, 2020
23 min

Today, the Speaker's Task Force on Water Quality released a major report on its findings, along with an innovative, bipartisan package of bills aimed at ensuring clean water for future generations. Majority Leader Jim Steineke sits down with the Chairman of the Task Force, Todd Novak, to talk about how this unprecedented effort came together and what comes next.
Show Notes:
The Water Quality Task Force
Recommendations from all 14 hearings
The final Task Force report
Jan 8, 2020
9 min

As Santa reviews his naughty and nice list, Majority Leader Steinke sits down with Speaker Vos to talk about the year that was in Wisconsin politics.
Dec 20, 2019
13 min

Rep. Amy Loudenbeck leads the Assembly in bills passed so far this session. On this episode, she joins Speaker Vos to chat about where she gets bill ideas from, how technology is improving many facets of life in Wisconsin, and shed some light on Wisconsin's goat breeding community.
Dec 12, 2019
14 min

As we enter the Christmas holiday season, Speaker Vos sits down with Rep. Mark Born to talk about the importance of citizen engagement in the bill process, how Governor Evers ended up in Politifact, and how he went from "not quite Alex P. Keaton" to a legislator.
Show Notes:
Wisconsin Health News on NW Regional mental health bed expansion
Winnebago Mental Health Institute overcrowding
The Assembly passed the directory data bill unanimously
Politifact: "We rate Evers' claim False"
Dec 5, 2019
25 min

With Thanksgiving coming up next week and the Christmas season upon us, Rep. Tittl joins Speaker Vos to talk about National Bible Week, the kerfuffle over the Capitol Christmas Tree, and the importance of religion today.
Nov 22, 2019
13 min

Days after Democrats refused to take up a bill that would have stiffened penalties for 5th and 6th OWI offenses, the bill's author Rep. Jim Ott sits down with Speaker Vos to talk about Wisconsin's drinking culture and how he approaches the issue of drunk driving in our state.
Nov 15, 2019
15 min

This week, Rep. John Nygren released the next set of HOPE Agenda bills -- another package of bills designed to continue the fight against opioid addiction in Wisconsin. This week, he joins Rep. Jon Plumer, Chair of the Committee on Substance Abuse and Prevention, to talk about the history of the opioid epidemic, what steps Wisconsin has taken already, and what the next package will do.
Show Notes:
The Wall Street Journal's article highlighting heroin in Marinette
Dental care as a start to opioid addiction
PDMP FAQ
A decline in opioid overdose deaths
PEW Trusts on opioids in Wisconsin
Nov 8, 2019
24 min

As the Assembly goes to the floor next week to vote on a package of bills aimed at curbing the suicide epidemic in Wisconsin, Rep. Ballweg joins Majority Leader Steineke to discuss what she's learned as Chair of the Speaker's Task Force on Suicide Prevention.
If you're struggling, please talk to someone!
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is (800) 273-8255
There are many local hotlines in Wisconsin - please check here for someone near you
Show Notes:
Nevada's suicide prevention training dashboard
Details on the Gun Shop Project
Nov 1, 2019
17 min

As the campus left continues to use no-platforming as a tactic to shut down conservative speech on campus, Rep. Murphy joins Speaker Vos to talk about how Republicans are fighting to make sure everyone's voice is heard. They talk about the Wisconsin Idea, challenges to campus free speech, and where Wisconsin's Board of Regents are going.
Show Notes:
Controversial college group wins right to be active at Wichita State University
A Violent Attack on Free Speech at Middlebury
The Fire: 10 Worst Colleges for Free Speech in 2019
Fighting words: The campus free speech battle at UW often focuses on guest speakers - on Ben Shapiro's adventure in Madison
UW Board Of Regents To Vote On Proposed Punishments For Students Disrupting Free Speech
Student barred from handing out 'Jesus loves you' valentines wins case against Wisconsin college
Trump Signs Broad Executive Order
Oct 24, 2019
17 min
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