WISCONSIN (MacIver Institute) -- With Memorial Day behind us and summer just around the corner, this week we highlight voter sentiment on the failed tax deal, ongoing problems with election administration, and the lasting impact of Act 10 on teacher unions.
Here’s this week’s MacIver Monday newsletter.
Spotlight
Vaccine Injury Deniers are the Real Extremists
Richard Moore argues that those who dismiss or downplay legitimate concerns about vaccine injuries — particularly those linked to the COVID-19 shots — are the true extremists in today’s public health debate. Drawing on a recent U.S. Senate report released by Sen. Ron Johnson, Moore details how federal health officials allegedly ignored or actively suppressed stronger safety signals identified by improved data-mining methods, prioritizing narrative protection over transparency and public safety.
Instead of treating early warning signals as calls for further investigation and informed consent, bureaucrats reportedly worked to bury inconvenient findings, even as internal documents showed awareness of risks like myocarditis and other serious adverse events. Moore contrasts this with earlier eras when scientists acted with greater caution — pulling vaccines like RotaShield at the first sign of trouble — and warns that shielding pharmaceutical companies and government agencies from scrutiny has eroded public trust.
True science demands openness to uncomfortable truths, not institutional defensiveness. MacIver believes Wisconsin families deserve honest accountability, not political protection of favored narratives.
Deep Dive
Limitations of the Marquette Surplus Poll
Michael Lucas takes a close look at the recent Marquette Law School Poll showing 80% of Wisconsin adults believed the Legislature should have passed the $1.8 billion tax-and-spending deal. While the topline number sounds overwhelming, Lucas explains how the poll’s wording and structure heavily favored positive responses by emphasizing rebates, tax cuts, and special education funding while downplaying long-term fiscal risks and future budget impacts.
True public sentiment is more complex than a single poll question, especially on complicated budget matters. MacIver continues to argue that responsible budgeting means living within our means and avoiding short-term spending that could lead to deficits down the road.
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Coming Soon
Act 10’s Legacy: Huge Drop in Wisconsin Teacher Union Membership
Benjamin Yount reports on new data from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute showing Wisconsin experienced the largest decline in teacher union membership since Act 10 was enacted in 2011. The law’s reforms gave teachers more freedom to choose whether to join or financially support unions, resulting in dramatic drops in membership and dues revenue.
This continued decline demonstrates the enduring success of Act 10 in empowering individual educators and reducing the political power of unions in Wisconsin schools. It remains a powerful example of how limiting collective bargaining can lead to more accountable and responsive public education systems. Read the full story here.
You Should Know
Hong Drops Another F-Bomb, Calls Tom Tiffany a “Traitor”
Democrat Governor frontrunner Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) used vulgar language and called Republican candidate Tom Tiffany a “fucking traitor” during a recent protest. This kind of inflammatory rhetoric from elected officials continues to highlight the growing divide in Wisconsin politics.
Quick Click
WEC: Two-Thirds of Election Clerks Had Mail Problems
Benjamin Yount covers the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s letter to the U.S. Postal Service detailing widespread mail delays that affected ballot delivery across the state, with many clerks reporting worse service than in previous elections.
For Your Commute
The MacIver Report was off this week.
Last Update: Jun 01, 2026 4:45 pm CDT
