WISCONSIN (MacIver Institute) -- This week's newsletter takes a hard look at persistent cracks in our election system, practical ways to finally get serious about cutting state spending, and the ongoing battle to protect parental rights and judicial integrity. It's all in this week’s roundup of independent, no-nonsense reporting from the MacIver Institute.
Spotlight
Wisconsin’s Election Problems Just Keep Getting Worse
Rep. Dave Maxey details a troubling pattern of election irregularities, including newly elected Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Chris Taylor reportedly filming campaign videos inside or near polling places on Election Day — a clear violation of state law prohibiting such activity within 100 feet. From self-attestation loopholes to inconsistent enforcement by the Wisconsin Elections Commission, these issues erode voter confidence and highlight the urgent need for stronger safeguards to ensure only legal votes count and elections remain secure and transparent.
Read Rep. Maxey's full article here.
Deep Dive
How to Cut State Spending, Really
Richard Moore lays out practical, structural reforms to genuinely rein in Wisconsin’s budget, including constitutional spending caps, mandatory sunsets on programs, restored legislative oversight of agency rulemaking, and limits on local government expansion. With billions in surplus and ongoing pressure for more spending, these common-sense tools would force real prioritization, reduce waste, and return power to taxpayers instead of the bureaucratic status quo.
Check out all of Richard's recommendations here.
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Coming Soon
UW Leadership Shakeup Continues
Following the Board of Regents’ unanimous vote to fire UW President Jay Rothman, questions remain about next steps, governance reforms, and accountability at our taxpayer-funded university system. Senate University Chair Rob Hutton is pressing for better explanations amid the fallout.
You Should Know
Lawmaker Calls for Investigation into Oconto Falls Sexual Misconduct Case
Benjamin Yount reports that Sen. Eric Wimberger is urging the Department of Public Instruction to keep its probe open into allegations of a long-running pattern of teacher grooming and abuse in Oconto Falls schools, underscoring the critical need for stronger oversight and transparency in how DPI handles educator misconduct cases.
Quick Click
Richard Moore warns about legislative efforts that could restrict therapists’ speech and strip oversight from elected lawmakers when it comes to counseling on gender and sexuality issues—another example of government substituting bureaucratic compliance for open debate and parental rights.
For Your Commute
MacIver CEO Annette Olson shares this week's MacIver News Minute highlighting Gov. Evers' shameful Good Friday veto of a bill to end his 400-year tax increase, another double digit rate increase for our energy bills, and failures at the Wisconsin Election Commission to implement the Only Citizens Vote amendment. A rough week all the way around.
Last Update: Apr 13, 2026 5:14 pm CDT
