Dan Shafer

Recognizing this, the Wisconsin State Legislature is working on a fix to help fund these important local needs.

lol jk, they're introducing a bill making it harder for local governments to pass a wheel tax...

Many local governments across Wisconsin have, in recent years, been turning to a "wheel tax" to fund road construction or other transportation services at the local level.

It's yet another indicator that the state is not adequately funding local government. (1/2)

good morning, fellow parents

Be bold in your vision and actions.
Speak plainly and tell the truth.
Show up in real, authentic ways.
Get to know folks.
And fight like hell for them.

It’s really not that complicated.

Democrats' complacency is not cutting it. We need to crawl underneath and fix what’s broken. "I’m proud to be a Democrat. But I’m also furious. Furious at the complacency, the calculation, and the careerism that treats politics like a game...while people’s lives hang in the balance."

NEW from @emtseffos.bsky.social: "I’m proud to be a Democrat. But I’m also furious. Furious at the complacency, the calculation, and the careerism that treats politics like a game...while people’s lives hang in the balance."

Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/democrats-...

INTERVIEW: Legendary broadcaster Jane Matenaer reflects on 40-plus years in radio The host of Civic Media's "Matenaer On Air," who has spent over four decades on the air in Milwaukee, is retiring next month. She reflects on her career in this sit-down conversation with Dan Shafer.

VIDEO INTERVIEW: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/interview-...

Jane says farewell “I hope you find some joy in the days ahead, and you have the chance to share it." Legendary broadcaster Jane Matenaer is retiring. A special feature story on her remarkable career in radio.

FEATURE STORY: www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/jane-says-...

NEW: @jmatenaer.bsky.social is retiring next month, so we sat down to reflect on her remarkable 40+ year career in radio — from her first time behind a mic, to the "Packarena," to hosting her own show on @civicmedia.us and much more.

Feature story and video links below. Let's recombobulate.

Not many candidates have declared for the Assembly yet, but several have for the Senate and many are good candidates. If Dems can win two of the three districts won by Harris last year (and hold the Eau Claire seat), they'd flip the chamber.

Realignment (more reliable every-election voters shifting Dem) + typical thermostatic public opinion + midterm historical trends = advantageous election cycle for Dems

Milwaukee County Dems are going to have to do a lot better this time around. Losing *both* the Donovan and Rodriguez seats was brutal.

Incumbency is a stronger factor in legislative races, though (I think @jdjmke.bsky.social put it at a +4 advantage). I'd still put the Assembly as Toss-up at best.

Is the Wisconsin State Senate a Lean D or Likely D?

Considering the Democratic overperformance basically everywhere last night, you have to think the potential of a Democratic trifecta in Wisconsin in 2026 has become just a bit more likely.

Civic Media Today: Virginia company doubles land request for Dane County data center Company behind Madison area data center seeks additional land, seniors push for better nursing Wisconsin home care, hunters urged to donate deer. Plus: Patriotic Millionaires visit “Matenaer On Air.”

Here's today's edition of Civic Media Today: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

bsky.app/profile/civi...

BIG NEWS: After 44 years behind the microphone, @jmatenaer.bsky.social, host of @civicmedia.us's "Matenaer On Air, is announcing today that she is retiring next month.

"I am so proud to finish up my career at this incredible network."

Heads up, folks: Big announcement today on “Matenaer On Air” … be sure to tune in on @civicmedia.us!

@jmatenaer.bsky.social @iamgregbach.bsky.social

I think the kids have reached an age where the morning of daylight savings time changes are no longer an immediate family crisis. Hallelujah!

Barnes ‘22 Revisited As Mandela Barnes flirts with another statewide campaign, it's worth reassessing his last one, which was both overrated and underrated at the same time.

NEW: With Mandela Barnes flirting with another statewide run, it’s time for a reassessment of his last one, which was both overrated and underrated at the same time.

BARNES ‘22 REVISITED:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/barnes-22-...

Josh Schoemann has no endorsements and is polling in the single digits after campaigning for six months in the Republican primary. What even is this campaign? www.therecombobulationarea.news/i/177588248/...

7 takeaways from the October 2025 Marquette poll We'll have to keep waiting for any meaningful data on the Democratic primary in the race for governor, but there's a whole lot here to break down.

NEW: Here's my breakdown of the new Marquette poll 👇

- No meaningful info in the Dem primary results
- Where is the Josh Schoemann campaign even going?
- Inflation and tariff concerns
- An unpopular state legislature
+much more!

Let's recombobulate:
www.therecombobulationarea.news/p/7-takeaway...

George W Bush also had 4x as much career WAR as his dad

Civic Media Today - Oct. 27, 2025 Federal programs that are used by thousands of residents are in jeopardy as the federal government shutdown continues. Plus: Listen to all-new episodes of our weekend programming.

Here's the Oct. 27 edition of Civic Media Today

Dems are sounding alarms on SNAP and ACA, as the shutdown is about to extend into its fifth week.

Plus: Find all of @civicmedia.us's weekend programming rounded up here for you to listen to:
civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...

That’s right

I forgot to let y'all know I was going to be on from 9:30-11 on "Matenaer On Air" today with @jmatenaer.bsky.social and @iamgregbach.bsky.social, BUT you're in luck, you can watch the livestream of the show: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQOm...

Or find the podcast here: civicmedia.us/shows/matena...

I'll be joining @pattivasquez.bsky.social coming up in a few minutes on @wcpt820am.bsky.social / @heartlandsignal.bsky.social to catch up on all things Wisconsin politics. Tune in!

Civic Media Today - Oct. 23, 2025 Public hearing on medical marijuana legalization, Capitol investigations into sexual misconduct in schools, additional SNAP funding requests, and more on what’s moving Wisconsin today.

Here is the Oct. 23 edition of Civic Media Today👇

Wisconsin's FoodShare program will be out of funds by Nov. 1 due to the shutdown, and DPI is called to answer tough questions.

Plus: I wrote about the latest effort to legalize medical marijuana in WI: civicmediatoday.substack.com/p/civic-medi...