For the last few months, Gov. Tony Evers has said repeatedly that he would make a decision about whether or not to run for a third term after the state budget process is completed. In a recent opinion column at The Recombobulation Area, I made the argument that the decision the  Evers should make should […]

Jun 13, 2025

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In discussions over the so-called “big beautiful bill” backed by Donald Trump that’s making its way through Congress, none other than Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson has emerged as the most prominent Republican critic of the bill, saying at a recent Milwaukee Press Club event that it is “not even close to adequate.” Johnson has said […]

May 30, 2025

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I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate. We are in a rare moment right now in Wisconsin politics. Why, you ask? Well, it’s because we are not actively in the middle of a campaign cycle. It’s been more than six weeks now since any of us have seen a campaign ad. It’s been pretty nice, hasn’t it? […]

Guest: Dan Shafer

May 16, 2025

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I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate. The biggest thing that happens in Wisconsin’s state government every two years is the state budget, and last week at the state capitol, Republican lawmakers took a step forward in the process, by voting out more than 600 measures from Governor Tony Evers’ proposal. This is now the fourth budget proposal […]

Guest: Dan Shafer

May 9, 2025

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I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate.  There’s been a whole lot happening in the political universe these past few months. Much of it has been rather discombobulating, you might say. From the first 100 days of the Trump administration to the high-stakes race for Wisconsin Supreme Court and everything else that went into the Spring Election […]

Guest: Dan Shafer

May 2, 2025

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I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate.  On April 22 in the Wisconsin State Senate, something happened that you don’t see too often — a high profile bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Republican-controlled chamber voted 32-1 to extend Medicaid coverage for new moms from 60 days to 12 months. Wisconsin is one of only two […]

Guest: Dan Shafer

Apr 25, 2025

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I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate.  In recent months, Milwaukee health officials have uncovered significant lead hazards in city schools, mostly due to lead-based paint. Several schools have been closed as the problem has been found to be more widespread. In late March, city officials formally requested help from the CDC  , but in doing so, […]

Guest: Dan Shafer

Apr 15, 2025

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I’m Dan Shafer. Let’s recombobulate.  In the April 1 Spring Election, Susan Crawford won the incredibly expensive race for Wisconsin Supreme Court. And she didn’t just win, but won decisively, gaining 55% of the vote, a 10-point margin ahead of her opponent, Brad Schimel. It is a remarkable victory.  In so many ways, this race […]

Guest: Dan Shafer

Apr 2, 2025

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I’m Dan Shafer, let’s recombobulate. In the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court, so many issues are on the line, from reproductive rights to redistricting, to even just basic checks and balances. For right-wing candidate Brad Schimel, though, one issue deserves more scrutiny, and that’s his record on opioid settlements. Here in Wisconsin, it seems like […]

Guest: Dan Shafer

Mar 27, 2025

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I’m Dan Shafer, let’s recombobulate. Folks, we’ve got to talk about Derrick Van Orden. The second term congressman representing Wisconsin’s Third District is at it again, dodging public meetings and making all kinds of unhinged comments. As many scramble and struggle to understand the chaos of what’s happening in Washington D.C., and how it’s impacting […]

Guest: Dan Shafer

Mar 10, 2025

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