WISCONSIN (MacIver Institute) -- It's Monday Tuesday and we are settling back into the week after Memorial Day Weekend. We hope you had a restful weekend and that you took some time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can live in freedom. At the MacIver Institute, we don't take that lightly -- we work every day to preserve and grow that great gift of freedom.
Spotlight
One Night in Madison, Five Years Ago
A Black Lives Matter protest around the Capitol on May 30 quickly transitioned into a months-long riot that simmered all summer. Through freedom of information requests, MacIver's Bill Osmulski acquired video from police and rioters that give a rarely-seen look at the violence and lawlessness that erupted. You have to watch the "One Night in Madison" below.
Deep Dive
The Very Real Problem of Left-Wing Violence
The shocking video of the 2020 Madison riot shows what happens when violence and lawlessness are allowed to grow unchecked. In recent weeks, we've had more examples of left-wing violence that seems to be growing.
Dan O'Donnell says that we have a major left-wing violence problem in this country. The left may pay lip service to the idea that such actions can never be condoned, but it is frequently considered to be warranted.
You Should Know
Two Maps Show Wisconsin's Leftward Slide
Donald Trump's win in November 2024 covered up some very troubling trends that have unfolded in Wisconsin over the last eight years. Forty-seven counties voted more Democrat in 2024 than in 2016, an alarming slide that is reflected, at least in part, in the avalanche of losses at the ballot box in the intervening years. The two maps below tell the story: Republicans improved their performance in some lightly-populated counties while large-, medium-, and some small counties trended toward Democrats.
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Coming Soon
No, the SNAP Bill is not Nanny
Two pieces of legislation are working their way through the state legislature under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) banner. And while some libertarians might have concerns about one limiting what can be bought using food stamp benefits, Richard Moore explains that conservatives and libertarians should support these reforms.
Give his argument a read here.
Quick Clicks
Wisconsin Libertarians Announce ROFR Opposition
The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin on Friday announced their opposition to the utility-backed right of first refusal proposal (ROFR), which would essentially give the state’s power companies a monopoly over more than $1 billion in soon-to-be power grid construction. They're the latest in a long line of groups that have publicly come out against the proposal. MacIver has been researching this legislation for more than a year, you can read more here.
Gov. Evers: Budget Meeting Can’t Just be About Cutting Taxes
Gov. Tony Evers said in an interview with WisEye that aired Tuesday that he and legislative Republicans are going to sit down, face to face, this week or next and finally talk about the new state budget. But Evers made one thing clear -- he doesn't want to limit the talks to tax cuts.
For Your Commute
Bill Osmulski and Michael Lucas attack the big issues of the week, including the One Big Beautiful Bill working its way through Congress, the latest on the state budget negotiations, Wisconsin's leftward slide, and more. Check it out below.
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.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, its employees, or any affiliated organization.
Last Update: May 28, 2025 9:53 am CDT
