Monday, August 10: Schools in the campaign spotlight, Madison officials battle over police shooting investigation, massive military spending increase, Senate confirms Blanche but declines to pass voting restrictions demanded by Trump
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I don’t know how much longer people can get away with, like, sprinkling some crumbs on special ed and doing nothing else in a budget and saying that was a historic increase.”
– State Rep. Christian Phelps (D-Eau Claire), describing advocates’ concerns about public school funding
Former DOA Secretary Joel Brennan, who is running in the Democratic primary for governor, speaks with State Superintendent Jill Underly at the Wisconsin Public Education Network summit in Superior. Underly told the Wisconsin Examiner that school voucher programs are a “drain on our public education system,” but cannot be shut down overnight. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner)
Public school advocates have been pleading for more money for schools from the state with little success for years. Now they see an opening for change with the election of a new governor and candidates who will determine which party controls of the state Senate and Assembly. Baylor Spears examines the candidates’ divergent positions on public school funding and private school vouchers.
While Madison attempts to respond to the police killing of Corey Ruiz on July 22, a dispute has emerged within city government over the authority of the city’s independent police monitor to subpoena materials related to the incident from the police department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Henry Redman reports.
Congress is considering a hike of hundreds of billions in dollars in defense spending, which would represent a surge in military funding not seen since World War II. Whatever the exact level of spending ultimately flows to military installations and defense contractors, some states will likely benefit far more than others, a States Newsroom analysis of federal defense data shows. Sam Gauntt has the story.
In a rare overnight session that began Friday, U.S. senators trudged through a slew of measures, confirmed President Donald Trump’s nomination of Todd Blanche as attorney general and then departed the nation’s capital without passing restrictions on voting Trump had demanded. The chamber is not expected to return to regular session until after Labor Day. Shauneen Miranda reports from Washington.
PLUS:
ICYMI
Madison’s east side responded to the police shooting of Corey Ruiz with a vigil Thursday evening. (Photo by Henry Redman/Wisconsin Examiner)
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