Capitol Notes

For this edition of Capitol Notes, we look ahead to the big Wisconsin political stories of 2018. JR Ross, of wispolitics.com, predicts Foxconn will top the headlines in this new year. The state provided $3 billion in incentives for the Taiwanese company to locate here.

For our Capitol Notes conversation today -- we examine the year in politics. One of the biggest Wisconsin stories of 2017 was Foxconn, and the state's $3 billion incentives package for the Taiwanese company to locate here.

The year is winding down, and so is activity at the State Capitol. Lawmakers will cease much of their work there in the next couple months, before turning their attention to the fall elections.

A lot of people are wondering about House Speaker Paul Ryan's future, after reports surfaced last week that he may leave Congress next year. In this week's "Capitol Notes" conversation, Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of wispolitics.com what he thinks of the scuttlebutt. He says there are some logical explanations as to why Ryan might be eyeing the exits, but there are also reasons to question the r...

Sexual harassment claims became public last week, regarding Democratic state Rep. Josh Zepnick. Two women allege Zepnick kissed them against their will. In this week's Capitol Notes conversation, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of wispolitics.com whether he expects to learn about more harassment complaints in Madison.

Leaders in the state Assembly -- from both parties -- stated last week that they won't release records related to claims of sexual harassment within the chamber, in order to protect victims' privacy. WUWM's Marti Mikkelson asked JR Ross of wispolitics.com how the decision might sit with constituents.

The 2018 governor's race continues to take shape. Democrats are still entering -- or considering getting into -- the race. And, Republican incumbent Scott Walker has officially launched his re-election bid. For a look at where things stand today, WUWM's Marti Mikkelson checked in with JR Ross of wispolitics.com.

Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson broke with fellow Republican lawmakers last week. He announced he would not vote for the tax package that many in the GOP are eager to approve. This isn't the first time Johnson has separated himself from the pack.

The state agency tasked with overseeing the huge Foxconn incentives package is expected to vote on it this week. Under the deal, brokered by Gov. Walker's team, the state will give the Taiwanese electronics giant $3 billion -- and ease environmental regulations -- to help Foxconn build a massive LCD screen plant in Racine County.

Wisconsin's troubled juvenile prison, Lincoln Hills, keeps making headlines. Investigations into the state-run facility in northern Wisconsin began over two years ago, over claims that the teenage inmates were being mistreated.

The race for governor is more than a year away. But, the field of Democratic hopefuls seems to grow just about every week. More than a half-dozen have entered the race – or are seriously considering making the move.

Gov. Scott Walker had been expecting Foxconn officials to sign a deal with the state any day now. The Taiwanese company plans to build a huge LCD screen manufacturing plant in southeastern Wisconsin, with the help of $3 billion in state incentives. But late last week, the board that will oversee the deal, delayed voting on it.

Gov. Scott Walker signed two huge pieces of legislation into law last week -- the state budget and the Foxconn deal. The state would give the Taiwanese electronics giant $3 billion to build a huge LCD manufacturing plant in southeastern Wisconsin.

Gov. Scott Walker will sign the huge Foxconn incentives package in Racine County today. It will help the Taiwanese electronics giant build a massive plant, to manufacture LCD screens in southeastern Wisconsin. Lawmakers in Madison put the final touches on the deal -- and the overdue state budget -- last week.