Morning Update

Prepping for the primary

Happy (almost) primary!

In this newsletter

Image via Flickr user Phil Roeder

Gooooood morning, Madison!

It's almost primary day. Are you prepared?

Let's go over what you need to know.

Check your registration. Are you registered to vote? If you've moved recently, you'll need to register at your new address. You can check your registration status here. If you're not registered, you can do it at the polls on Tuesday! Just be sure to bring proof of residency.

Got your ID? You’ll have to show an original copy of an acceptable photo ID to vote. Accepted options include state-issued driver's license or identification card, passport, and military ID.

See what’s on your ballot. Your ballot and election information are based on where you live, check out what yours will look like.

Know the candidates.

Happy (almost) primary!

— Hayley

⚖️ A closer look at the Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates.

Tomorrow's primary will decide which two candidates will be on the ballot for state Supreme Court Justice in the April election. The outcome of the race is expected to affect abortion access, electoral voting maps, and more which is why The New York Times labeled it “2023’s biggest, most unusual race.” While the race is technically non-partisan, the four candidates fall clearly on either end of the political spectrum.
Jennifer Dorow is currently a Waukesha County circuit court judge. She was appointed Gov. Scott Walker in 2011. In an interview with PBS Wisconsin, Dorow described herself as a "judicial conservative." Dorow has stayed away from making specific comments on Wisconsin's abortion laws but said she will "honor the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court."
Daniel Kelly served on the Wisconsin Supreme Court from 2016-2020 when he was appointed by then-Gov. Scott Walker to fill a vacancy. He ran for re-election in 2020 and lost, but is running again as a "constitutional conservative." He is endorsed by multiple anti-abortion organizations.
Everett Mitchell is currently a Dane County circuit court judge. He's considered one of the liberals in the race and has been endorsed by former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. He has called the Dobbs ruling one of the U.S. Supreme Court’s worst decisions.
Janet Protasiewicz is a Milwaukee County judge and another liberal candidate in the race. Protasiewicz has said the U.S. Supreme Court made a mistake when it overturned Roe v. Wade.
Dig deeper: Spring 2023 Primary Candidate Guide (WORT)

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💰 How Gov. Tony Evers wants to spend the state’s money.

Family leave: Evers’ proposed two-year budget outlined plans to use $243 million in one-time seed money to launch a new family leave program for private- and public-sector employees. The program would be funded by payroll contributions and the governor said it could pay for itself by 2026.
School funding: Evers called for a $2.6 billion investment in K-12 education over the next two years. This money would fund special education and mental health initiatives, provide breakfast and lunch for all students, and help boost literacy rates among students.
Tax cuts: The governor proposed a 10% income tax cut for individuals making less than $100,000 and married couples or joint-filers making at or below $150,000.
Other notable proposals: $290 million for renovations to the Brewers stadium, legal weed, sending 20% of state sales tax collections to local governments, and a $305 million boost to the UW System.
Yes, but: The budget now heads to the Republican-controlled State Legislature, where leaders have already said they plan to scrap Evers' entire proposal and draft their own.

📚 Gearing up for Wisconsin Book Festival season.

The Wisconsin Book Festival kicked off its spring season on Sunday. The schedule features local literary talents alongside national voices at various events around Madison.
The next Wisconsin Book Festival event is an in-person discussion with Evelyn Alsultany, an expert on the history of representations of Arabs and Muslims in U.S. media and author of "Broken."

💔 RIP Becky Blank.

Former UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank died of cancer over the weekend. She was 67.
Blank served as chancellor of the state's flagship university from 2013-2022. She stepped down last May last to assume the presidency of Northwestern University, but returned to Madison for treatment instead of assuming the role.
Chief among Blank's accomplishments during her time at UW was the creation of Bucky’s Tuition Promise, which guarantees scholarships and grants for students whose household income is $65,000 or less.
Blank is also remembered as an accomplished economist who served in various roles in the George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and Obama administrations. "Whether in government or academia, she devoted her career to reducing inequality and increasing opportunities for others, and made everyone around her better," former President Barack Obama said of Blank.
Related: UW-Madison creates endowed professorship named for former Chancellor Rebecca Blank (Wisconsin State Journal)