Campaign finance reports, competitive Assembly races and constitutional amendments

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Tom Tiffany is 100% tied to the most unpopular elected official in American history, and I don’t think Democrats and their allies want to let this get away from them by not properly prosecuting the case against Donald Trump and Tom Tiffany. And I do think that there has been a lack of advertising on the larger Democratic side attacking and tying Trump and Tiffany together.”

– Democratic strategist Scot Ross, responding to Tom Tiffany’s fundraising advantage

Midterm countdown

The first campaign finance reports since the August primary election were filed this week, showing that Republican Tom Tiffany has a massive fundraising advantage over Democrat David Crowley — almost entirely because of the financial support of three billionaires. Baylor Spears reports on Crowley’s slight polling advantage despite that disparity and how that will affect the sprint to the finish line over the next month.

Wisconsin’s ballots this fall will include questions on three proposed constitutional amendments — marking the 15th time Republicans have tried to amend the state Constitution during the two terms of Gov. Tony Evers. Henry Redman explains the amendments and what their authors and opponents say they’ll achieve.

For the first time in 16 years, Democrats have a shot at winning control of the state Assembly. Spears reports on the competitive districts that will decide the majority and how leadership in both parties is working to win the battleground races.

The Wisconsin Elections Commission held its last scheduled meeting before the midterms to discuss its election preparations and hear reports on alleged voter fraud. Redman reports on the meeting, which — as has often been the case for the divided body — included a partisan dispute over election conspiracy theories.

In a commentary, Editor-in-Chief Ruth Conniff writes that U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil campaign touting his bill restricting stock trades by members of Congress could draw unwanted attention to his own ethics history in a race that has drawn national attention as it becomes unexpectedly close.

Criminal Justice

A committee of the Milwaukee County board voted Tuesday to remove Flock license plate cameras from county park property. Isiah Holmes reports on the vote and how it fits into the broader effort against Flock in Wisconsin.

On Wednesday, a federal immigration judge ruled that Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, can be deported. Holmes reports on the hearing, during which the judge rejected some of the Department of Homeland Security’s allegations against Sarsour while also giving “extreme deference” to the Department of State argument that his pro-Palestine activism is harmful to U.S. foreign policy.

Wisconsin’s Good Samaritan law, which protects people from prosecution if they call 911 for someone having an overdose, doesn’t go far enough, advocates told Criminal Justice Project Fellow Frank Zufall at an event in Eau Claire this week.

Labor

After nurses at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital unionized earlier this year despite heavy opposition from the administration at SSM Health, the nurses at 10 SSM clinics in Dane County voted to unionize late last month, Redman reports.

The G20 ministerial meeting in Milwaukee this week brought leaders from around the world to the city. Anthony Pahnke of Family Farm Defenders writes in a commentary that the event gave Wisconsin’s working people a chance to speak up against the ways 30 years of trade policy, and the recent actions of the Trump administration, have hurt their livelihoods.

PLUS:

Evers announces last chance to apply for a pardon before next governor takes office

Former Tosa cop Mensah given $95,000 in PTSD claim

More from Washington:

Federal funds for local police enforcement accelerated Trump immigration crackdown

Here’s what’s driving the Gen Z gender gap

Trump launches campaign tour in GOP-friendly states ahead of midterms