Joe Zepecki
Who’s Against Cancer Screenings? (Hour 1)
Right-wing judges and justices aren’t resting in their efforts to undo progress that’s been made for Americans in areas like health care. Wisconsin residents are in danger of losing a key benefit of the Affordable Care Act because a Texas judge has removed free access to essential preventative services like cancer screenings. Joe Zepecki helped the group Protect Our Care with an event Wednesday and gives us some background.
Study in Contrasts: Tom Tiffany & Gwen Moore (Hour 1)
Republican Congressmen Tom Tiffany used his time in a Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday to pepper the director of the FBI with a rehashing of conspiracy theories and excuses for the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. By contrast, Democratic US Rep. Gwen Moore has been helping constituents understand the benefits of Medicare finally being allowed to negotiate bulk pricing with Big Pharma.
People Trust Tony Evers (Hour 1)
A new public opinion poll from the Marquette University Law School shows a large uptick in job approval for Gov. Tony Evers. In our weekly review of political headlines, Joe Zepecki says it’s a matter of trust, especially as more self-described independents see how Evers’ actions compare with the Republicans running the Legislature.
Take the Win (Hour 1)
Democratic strategist Joe Zepecki has a simple message for progressives unhappy with the school funding agreement between Gov. Tony Evers and legislative Republicans: Take the win. There are many ways the next state budget could be far worse for schools had they not helped Evers win reelection. Instead, long-overdue extra help is coming to public education and local governments.
Petty Peeves Trump Actual Work (Hour 1)
As we review the week’s events at the state capitol, Joe Zepecki will review the petty peeves that seem to dominate Republican activity: cutting budgets for UW diversity efforts, restricting funds for streetcars, micromanaging school district decisions. We’ll try to find any evidence of big-picture ideas, solutions, or actual legislative work.
Shortcuts, Not Solutions (Hour 1)
When Republicans in the Legislature start rejecting ideas favored by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, you know it’s a group of GOP lawmakers who’ve lost the ability to govern and are simply content saying no to everything. We’ll talk to Joe Zepecki about this week’s headlines, and we’ll ask what happens at the state party conventions as Democrats gather this weekend in Green Bay.
Dems in Array (Hour 1)
It’s a well-worn punchline in political circles: “Dems in Disarray!” scream the headlines at the slightest sign that Democrats aren’t marching in lockstep. But compare progressives to what Republicans are going through on two fronts—the public backlash for repealing abortion rights and the internal turmoil over the debt ceiling deal. We’ll visit with Joe Zepecki about the GOP’s attempts to gloss over their differences on both topics.
Florida Man: Ron ‘DiSaster’ (Hour 1)
In the presidential campaign Hall of Shame you’ll find Jeb! Bush muttering, “Please clap.” There’s Scott Walker’s 71-day mark for shortest flameout. Now you can add Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis disastrous rollout on Twitter. We also mark the passing of singing legend Tina Turner. And Joe Zepecki reviews the progress—if you could call it that—being made by Republicans working on a new state budget.
The Call Is Coming from Inside the House (Hour 1)
Republican Congressman Bryan Steil chairs a committee with the stated mission of boosting election confidence and rooting out the things that erode that confidence. If that includes fake electors—and it should—then part of the problem is literally inside the committee room with a new “junior staffer” who took part in actual voter fraud, not the fake claims that undermine our elections. We’ll cover that and more in a conversation with Joe Zepecki.
“May the 4th” and Darth Johnson (Hour 1)
America is being brought to the brink of recession. A default on the nation’s debt could lead to an estimated 8 million job cuts. Who are Republicans turning to for leadership when the times demand calm responsibility? A Wisconsin senator who has never been on the right side of keeping America from defaulting. And, of course, the obligatory “May the 4th” Star Wars discussion about the “right” order to watch the movies and shows.
