WISCONSIN (MacIver Institute) -- Thanks for taking a few minutes away from your Cyber Monday shopping to check in. We at MacIver had a short Thanksgiving week, so instead of a full MacIver Monday newsletter we have three Spotlight stories to share today. The full newsletter returns next week.
Spotlight
1) A Federalism Fight Splits MAGA
Last week, Attorney General Josh Kaul signed a letter with several Republican attorneys general urging Congress not to preempt state regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). That move puts Kaul and some MAGA Republicans on the same side of a high-stakes constitutional fight: federal preemption versus state-level sovereignty. As AI surges toward becoming “the defining technology of our era,” the outcome could reshape the balance of state and federal power for years and set the stage for a showdown over who controls digital governance in America.
2) Conservatives Rip Wisconsin Supreme Court Redistricting Panel
Conservative lawmakers and Republicans cried foul last week after the Wisconsin Supreme Court appointed two Democrat-backed three-judge panels to decide challenges against the state’s congressional map. Of the six judges selected, five publicly endorsed liberal-leaning candidate Susan Crawford in this year’s Supreme Court election, while the sixth was appointed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. The court’s decision revives redistricting litigation ahead of the 2026 midterms, a move that could put two of Wisconsin's GOP House delegation at risk.
Here we are - its December again. One month until we start to learn how to write 2026 on checks again -- for those of us who still write checks! As we head into the new year, we do need to finish up a few things to close out 2025. Please consider a donation today, or tomorrow for Giving Tuesday. Your gift – great or small, is very appreciated and put to great use! Your donation is tax deductible.
Thanksgiving in Wisconsin Was More Expensive
Thanks to inflation, supply disruptions, and labor-cost pressures, the price of a traditional Thanksgiving meal in Wisconsin was up 6.7% this year to an average of $61.84 for a 10-person dinner. That made Wisconsin’s Thanksgiving meals more expensive than the national average — even more than meals on the West Coast, the U.S. region with the highest overall food prices. The sharp increase, driven largely by meat, poultry, fish, and egg prices, leaves Wisconsin families feeling the squeeze, particularly when they are also dealing with Gov. Evers 402-year tax increase and the state's uncompetitive income tax. It's not working!
BONUS: Michael Lucas on The Vicki McKenna Show
MacIver's Michael Lucas joined Vicki McKenna to discuss energy policy, the Public Service Commission’s recent rate hikes, how utilities make money, and how to fix the energy market. Give it a listen.
About MacIver Institute: The MacIver Institute is a Wisconsin-based think tank that promotes free markets, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government. Through research, analysis, and community engagement, we work to advance these principles and positively impact the lives of all Wisconsinites.
Last Update: Dec 01, 2025 3:10 pm CST
