David Crowley on getting Gov. Evers' endorsement and his reaction to La Crosse's budget situation

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in studio, following his dramatic re-entry into the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor. Crowley breaks down the whirlwind timeline of stepping back into the race, after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out. That includes his post-late-night decision with his wife and how it came about getting the endorsement from Gov. Tony Evers — and if the governor used any of his key phrases during that phone call. Crowley also addressed recent reporting regarding a decade-old shared Twitter handle, disavowing crude posts made under the account and emphasizing his record of public service. We did reel the conversation in, turning to La Crosse’s $8 million budget shortfall for next year and a proposal to hire a city administrator. That discussion highlighted Wisconsin’s broken shared revenue system — noting how state lawmakers rushed to approve $500 million for the Milwaukee Brewers stadium, while local schools and municipalities face deficits — and examined how Crowley would address the funding gap. We also got Crowley's clear thoughts on AI data centers — the giant one operational now and what regulations he wants to see for them in the future. We began, though, with the recent police killing in Madison and potential reform policies. Topics covered in this show: Re-Entering the Primary: The full story behind jumping back into the race, dealing with campaign chaos, and receiving Gov. Tony Evers' endorsement. The Twitter Controversy: Addressing the "Dirt McGirk" handle, explaining the shared account access, and condemning the offensive posts. Contrasting Against Tom Tiffany: Calling out "MAGA" Tom Tiffany’s 100% alignment with Donald Trump, reproductive rights, and setting up the general election matchup. Public Safety & Madison Shooting: Balancing initial reactions with official investigations, state funding for body cameras, and investing in community violence interrupters. Shared Revenue & Budget Surplus: Why local municipalities like La Crosse are struggling with budget shortfalls, and how the state surplus should ease local property taxes. Regulating Data Centers: Requiring tech companies to pay for 100% of their clean energy infrastructure and subsidizing ratepayer costs. Milwaukee Bucks Landscape: Local fallout after Giannis Antetokounmpo's departure and rebuilding around hometown star Tyler Herro. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.