by Dan Rossmiller | Jun 13, 2022 | Election, Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
Every two years, after nomination papers are filed and the field of candidates is set, the WASB government relations team tries to identify and recognize all the current and former school board members who are running for the state Senate and state Assembly. These candidates bring with them a working knowledge of the issues and challenges facing school boards and can be valuable contacts for you and your boards.
This year, we have identified a bumper crop of nearly twenty current and former school board members seeking election to the Legislature and the Governor’s seat. If we may have missed any candidates with a background of school board service that you are aware of, please let us know so that we may properly recognize their candidacy.
This year’s group of candidates includes the following: (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Jun 6, 2022 | Election, Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
Following the June 1 deadline for filing nomination papers, the field of candidates for the governor’s race and Wisconsin Legislature (as well as other statewide offices) is set, barring any unexpected glitches or challenges to nomination papers. Despite a substantial number of unopposed incumbent state legislators (see below), a near-record thirty lawmakers did not seek re-election. This guarantees that the Legislature will have many new faces sworn in in January.
This an ideal time for school leaders to begin building relationships with those likely to be members of the new crop of lawmakers as well as incumbents, especially those in seats where those incumbents are certain or highly likely to be re-elected. In areas where there are contested legislative races, the Capitol Watch column in June-July issue of the Wisconsin School News provides tips for school leaders on how to host a candidate forum. You can access that column here. (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Apr 7, 2022 | Election, Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
Preliminary (unofficial) results reported to the DPI indicate that 65 of the 81 school referendums on the April 5 ballot were approved by voters of the districts where those questions were presented. That translates to a passage rate of slightly more than 80 percent.
Referendums asking voters to approve borrowing for school construction or renovation passed at a lower rate (71 percent) than the overall passage rate, as 25 of 35 were approved. Overall, 10 of the 16 referendum questions turned down by voters asked for approval to issue debt. (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Mar 28, 2022 | Election, Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
A total of 81 local school referenda are scheduled to be voted on at the April 5 ballot. Of the 81 scheduled referendum:
- 35 are to Issue Debt, totaling $1.1 billion if all are approved
- 8 are to exceed revenue limits on a Recurring basis, totaling $13.5 million if all are approved
- 38 are to exceed revenue limits on a Non-Recurring basis totaling $193 million if all are approved.
Here is a breakdown by district (in alphabetical order): (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Mar 23, 2022 | Election, Federal Issue, Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
The U.S. Supreme Court today (3/23) summarily reversed the decision of the Wisconsin State Supreme Court handed down earlier this month which adopted legislative redistricting maps submitted by Governor Evers. In a somewhat technical decision, the U.S. high court sided with arguments raised by state Republicans and remanded the case back to the Wisconsin Supreme Court for further proceedings not inconsistent with its order.
This means legislative district boundaries for districts on the November 2022 ballot remain unsettled at this time, even though state statutes provide that nomination papers for those offices may be circulated as soon as April 15. However, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s adoption of Congressional maps submitted by Governor Evers, so district lines for those races appear to be set, barring any further developments. (more…)
by Chris Kulow | Apr 7, 2021 | Election, Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
Jill Underly, District Administrator from the Pecatonica Area School District, will be the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction after garnering nearly 58% of the vote. Underly defeated Deb Kerr, former District Administrator from the Brown Deer School District.
In special elections for vacant state legislative seats, state Rep. John Jagler (R-Watertown) won the 13th Senate District seat vacated by Congressman Scott Fitzgerald and GOP candidate Elijah Behnke won the 89th Assembly District seat resigned by former Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette).
