The Insiders

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, preview the Republican Party of Wisconsin's upcoming state convention and discuss challenges facing the party going into the midterms.   Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss whether state school funding or lowering property taxes is the more dominant political issue. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisPolitics.com Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss Governor Evers' vetoes and bipartisan bill signings for the recent legislative session. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at the UW Board of Regents' removal of Jay Rothman as Universities of Wisconsin president. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center for Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the large margin of victory for liberal Judge Chris Taylor over conservative Judge Maria Lazar in Tuesday's Supreme Court election. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center for Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at the affordability issue and how it will play in the upcoming midterm elections in Wisconsin. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at support for candidates in recent polls during these early stages of the race for Wisconsin governor. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election in April and how that race has changed in recent years. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss whether Gov. Tony Evers and GOP legislative leaders will come to an agreement on proposals to use the state's $2.5 billion budget surplus for property tax relief and school aid. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center for Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at upcoming Wisconsin elections and the impact of President Donald Trump's endorsement of candidates. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center for Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at federal immigration enforcement actions in other states and consider whether Wisconsin is next. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss how the 2026 legislative elections will shape plans to spend Wisconsin's $2.5 billion budget surplus. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at the political uproar over data centers and legislation for siting them in Wisconsin. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, consider what Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will do in his final year in office. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, consider how a transmission line bill dubbed "right of first refusal" lost support in the Wisconsin Legislature. The bill would have given utilities with existing infrastructure in Wisconsin the first crack at building transmission lines.  Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, consider the Wisconsin's GOP-controlled Legislature's possible agenda for the 2026 election year. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss property tax increases facing property owners and how Wisconsin legislators could address the issue. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the big issues they see impacting Wisconsin politics in 2026. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, take a look back on the political winners and losers in Wisconsin in 2025. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, take up the federal ban on hemp products containing THC and its effect on a multi-million dollar industry in Wisconsin. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at court cases seeking the redrawing of Wisconsin's Congressional district boundaries. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, consider cases the Wisconsin Supreme Court plans to address and other issues it may take up. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, take an early look at the race for the Wisconsin attorney general. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the recent bipartisan Legislative Audit Committee vote to audit the Department of Public Instruction following a series of issues involving the department. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the impact of the recent Democratic victories nationally on Wisconsin's race for governor in 2026. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, share differing views on a series of issues involving Milwaukee Democratic state Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez, who has left the Wisconsin Assembly Dem caucus. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss legislation to allow clerks to process absentee ballots the day before election day. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at the candidates running in the spring Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, take a look at the Democrats running for Wisconsin governor and those who may yet join the race. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, gauge the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on Wisconsin. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss recent Supreme Court decisions that affect how the Legislature reviews rules and how the administration spends budgeted funds. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, take up Congressional redistricting and whether Wisconsin will follow Texas, California and Missouri to create new partisan districts. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, consider the candidates vying for Wisconsin's open governorship in 2026. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at recent political violence and suggest some ways to end it. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss takeaways from the latest Marquette University Law School poll. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at several recent opinions issued by the Wisconsin Supreme Court as its 2024-25 session ends. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

As Joint Finance begins its final push on the Wisconsin state budget with the fiscal year ending June 30, the WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss when--and if--it will cross the finish line and whether Republicans can win any Dem votes. The Joint Finance Committee was scheduled to meet June 27 for an executive session that includes more than 50 topics, all of the remaining areas Joint Finance has yet to take up.  Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at potential GOP gubernatorial candidates to run in 2026 as Gov. Tony Evers considers whether to seek a third term. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the FBI's arrest of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who is facing felony charges over accusations she helped an undocumented immigrant attempt to evade arrest by federal immigration officials.  Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, take up U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson's demand for deeper cuts in the House version of the federal reconciliation bill. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the recent meetings between Gov. Tony Evers and GOP legislators as lawmakers craft Wisconsin's biennial budget amid looming federal cuts. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss legislation deadlocked in committee that would give utilities doing business in Wisconsin the right of first refusal for transmission line projects as utilities and transmission line companies lobby in support. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at the budget-making process in Wisconsin as legislators remake Gov. Tony Evers' budget proposal. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, talk about the role Elon Musk played in the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, take up a recent audit of Universities of Wisconsin diversity, equity and inclusion programs that found a failure to track spending on the initiatives, among other problems. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, discuss the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that upheld the governor's line-item veto authority after Gov. Tony Evers edited the '23-'25 state budget to extend a two-year school funding increase by 400 years.  Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, take a look at the docket for the Wisconsin Supreme Court's 2024-25 session, which ends in June. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, consider the effect of the recent Supreme Court election on Wisconsin elections in 2026. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, look at the factors that led to Judge Susan Crawford's victory in the race for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.

The WisOpinion Insiders, Chvala and Jensen, take up the race to lead the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction between incumbent Jill Underly and education consultant Brittany Kinser.  Sponsored by the Wisconsin Counties Association and the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership.