Comedian Charlie Berens joined and joked about La Crosse possibly getting the "Taj Mahal" of Kwik Trips. Also asked him about a couple other city and state issues, like the Fish Labs building in Riverside Park being converted into a wedding venue. We then talk to Kwik Trip about what's actually happening with the "Taj Mahal" KT. Around all that, discussed La Crosse Police being sued and Wisconsin Republicans holding hearings with Ted Nugent on hunting cranes.

Comedian Charlie Berens joined and joked about La Crosse possibly getting the "Taj Mahal" of Kwik Trips. Also asked him about a couple other city and state issues, like the Fish Labs building in Riverside Park being converted into a wedding venue. We then talk to Kwik Trip about what's actually happening with the "Taj Mahal" KT. Around all that, discussed La Crosse Police being sued and Wisconsin Republicans holding hearings with Ted Nugent on hunting cranes.

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area.  Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

WIZM - La Crosse

Comedian Charlie Berens on Kwik Trip, Riverside Park Fish Lab

La Crosse is facing a choice: raise property taxes or use city reserves to cover a $681,000 budget shortfall. 

Mac Kiel stopped in studio Friday to break down the trade-offs, what budget cuts could mean for city services and why the decision isn't as simple as it might seem.

We also discussed the city administrator proposal being back for a potential third vote, and that opposition to La Crosse's Flock cameras raises questions about the city's contract and who has access to the data.
Raise taxes or use reserves? The Board of Estimates recommended one of two options to close the budget gap. Kiel explains the arguments for each and what taxpayers should consider.
What do the budget cuts mean for city services? Departments have already made cuts, including staffing reductions. Could residents eventually see slower snowplowing, fewer services or other changes?
City administrator is back: What might change the outcome this time, and what questions remain, and could the mayor offer something else?
City services declining: Kiel looks at the limits on local revenue, state shared revenue and why decisions in Madison have consequences for city budgets.
What's next for Flock cameras? The city has an $8,000 line item for the camera system next year, but questions remain about contract termination costs, data access and whether the city has alternatives.

Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for providing the public with what is happening with city government. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.

La Crosse is facing a choice: raise property taxes or use city reserves to cover a $681,000 budget shortfall.&nbsp;
Mac Kiel stopped in studio Friday to break down the trade-offs, what budget cuts could mean for city services and why the decision isn't as simple as it might seem.
We also discussed the city administrator proposal being back for a potential third vote, and that opposition to La Crosse's Flock cameras raises questions about the city's contract and who has access to the data.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Raise taxes or use reserves? The Board of Estimates recommended one of two options to close the budget gap. Kiel explains the arguments for each and what taxpayers should consider.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What do the budget cuts mean for city services? Departments have already made cuts, including staffing reductions. Could residents eventually see slower snowplowing, fewer services or other changes?</li>
<li aria-level="1">City administrator is back: What might change the outcome this time, and what questions remain, and could the mayor offer something else?</li>
<li aria-level="1">City services declining: Kiel looks at the limits on local revenue, state shared revenue and why decisions in Madison have consequences for city budgets.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What's next for Flock cameras? The city has an $8,000 line item for the camera system next year, but questions remain about contract termination costs, data access and whether the city has alternatives.</li>
</ul>
Kiel is a former La Crosse City Council member, who is an advocate for<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MacKielforCityCouncil"> providing the public with what is happening with city government</a>. She also serves on some city boards and works with the unsheltered population.

Mac Kiel on La Crosse's budget decision, another city administrator proposal

Three donors are funding most of the campaign for Tom Tiffany’s run for Wisconsin governor.

Wisconsin state Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) stopped in studio and talked about getting big money out of our elections.

We also discussed the timing of a bill to eliminate tax breaks for data center construction, given that the Legislature hasn’t been in session since March — even though Republicans, who control the Legislature, could call lawmakers back to pass it.

We opened the show talking about the Brewers, how the Legislature helped fund stadium upgrades as part of a shared revenue deal with municipalities, and why La Crosse and other local governments could use a new deal as costs rise without enough state funding to keep up.

Billings is running for reelection in District 95 and again facing Republican Cedric Schnitzler.
Can Wisconsin rein in campaign spending? Billings backs a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow limits on campaign spending. What would it take to get it passed?
Data center subsidies under fire: Republicans are proposing to eliminate tax breaks for data centers after previously approving them. Billings explains why she opposed the subsidies and questions whether anything will happen before the election.
Why are property taxes going up? Billings says Wisconsin needs to change its school funding formula. Could the state's budget surplus help?
Local budgets under pressure: La Crosse is considering using reserve funds to cover a budget shortfall. Billings talks about the challenges facing cities and smaller communities across Wisconsin.
Keeping young people here: Billings points to UW-La Crosse and Viterbo as part of the solution. What else could Wisconsin do to attract and retain workers?
What could lawmakers tackle next? With the Legislature out of session, we talk about a possible lame-duck session and Billings' priorities if she's re-elected.

Three donors are funding most of the campaign for Tom Tiffany&rsquo;s run for Wisconsin governor.
Wisconsin state Rep. Jill Billings (D-La Crosse) stopped in studio and talked about getting big money out of our elections.
We also discussed the timing of a bill to eliminate tax breaks for data center construction, given that the Legislature hasn&rsquo;t been in session since March &mdash; even though Republicans, who control the Legislature, could call lawmakers back to pass it.
We opened the show talking about the Brewers, how the Legislature helped fund stadium upgrades as part of a shared revenue deal with municipalities, and why La Crosse and other local governments could use a new deal as costs rise without enough state funding to keep up.
Billings is running for reelection in District 95 and again facing Republican Cedric Schnitzler.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Can Wisconsin rein in campaign spending? Billings backs a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow limits on campaign spending. What would it take to get it passed?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Data center subsidies under fire: Republicans are proposing to eliminate tax breaks for data centers after previously approving them. Billings explains why she opposed the subsidies and questions whether anything will happen before the election.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why are property taxes going up? Billings says Wisconsin needs to change its school funding formula. Could the state's budget surplus help?</li>
<li aria-level="1">Local budgets under pressure: La Crosse is considering using reserve funds to cover a budget shortfall. Billings talks about the challenges facing cities and smaller communities across Wisconsin.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keeping young people here: Billings points to UW-La Crosse and Viterbo as part of the solution. What else could Wisconsin do to attract and retain workers?</li>
<li aria-level="1">What could lawmakers tackle next? With the Legislature out of session, we talk about a possible lame-duck session and Billings' priorities if she's re-elected.</li>
</ul>

Jill Billings on big money in politics, data center tax breaks and school funding

Donald Trump drew a packed crowd to the La Crosse Center back in 2024. 

Will Trump return to campaign for Republican governor candidate Tom Tiffany? 

On the Rick Solem Show this week, Tiffany, a U.S. House Rep. in Wisconsin's 7th District, was asked about bringing Trump back to La Crosse to campaign with him and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien).

Tiffany somewhat avoided the idea, noting the president makes his own decisions and is focused on congressional races. Tiffany explains why he's keeping his attention on what a governor can do — and lays out his priorities if he wins the November election.

Some of those topics included public school accountability — but would voucher schools be a part of that? He also was asked about an aging deer hunting population and the Wisconsin DNR’s need for funding. Plus, what to do with the state’s $3 billion budget surplus.

We started the show, however, with Tiffany recounting his plane crashing in Lake Wausau — the last time he left La Crosse.

Conversation highlights: 
Will Trump campaign in La Crosse again? Tiffany responds to the question of whether the president could return to the area, where his campaign rally drew a packed crowd and a line to the opposite side of Riverside Park.
What would Tiffany do with Wisconsin's $3 billion surplus? He explains his approach to tax relief and what he wants to change for middle-class taxpayers.
Holding schools accountable? Tiffany weighs in on public school funding, property taxes and whether voucher schools should face the same expectations.
People are leaving Wisconsin — except Dane County? Tiffany is asked how to keep people in Wisconsin, and what Dane County is doing right that could be copied by other parts of the state.
DNR funding? Tiffany’s response to combating an aging deer hunter population and strapped DNR is killing more wolves.
Reliving the plane crash: Tiffany recounts his plane crashing the last time he left La Crosse and a certain photo he wanted of his bloody face
Struggling budgets, like La Crosse? With La Crosse facing budget cuts, Tiffany explains what he thinks the state should do about shared revenue for local governments and schools.

Donald Trump drew a packed crowd to the La Crosse Center back in 2024.&nbsp;
Will Trump return to campaign for Republican governor candidate Tom Tiffany?&nbsp;
On the Rick Solem Show this week, Tiffany, a U.S. House Rep. in Wisconsin's 7th District, was asked about bringing Trump back to La Crosse to campaign with him and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Prairie du Chien).
Tiffany somewhat avoided the idea, noting the president makes his own decisions and is focused on congressional races. Tiffany explains why he's keeping his attention on what a governor can do &mdash; and lays out his priorities if he wins the November election.
Some of those topics included public school accountability &mdash; but would voucher schools be a part of that? He also was asked about an aging deer hunting population and the Wisconsin DNR&rsquo;s need for funding. Plus, what to do with the state&rsquo;s $3 billion budget surplus.
We started the show, however, with Tiffany recounting his plane crashing in Lake Wausau &mdash; the last time he left La Crosse.
Conversation highlights:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Will Trump campaign in La Crosse again? Tiffany responds to the question of whether the president could return to the area, where his campaign rally drew a packed crowd and a line to the opposite side of Riverside Park.</li>
<li aria-level="1">What would Tiffany do with Wisconsin's $3 billion surplus? He explains his approach to tax relief and what he wants to change for middle-class taxpayers.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Holding schools accountable? Tiffany weighs in on public school funding, property taxes and whether voucher schools should face the same expectations.</li>
<li aria-level="1">People are leaving Wisconsin &mdash; except Dane County? Tiffany is asked how to keep people in Wisconsin, and what Dane County is doing right that could be copied by other parts of the state.</li>
<li aria-level="1">DNR funding? Tiffany&rsquo;s response to combating an aging deer hunter population and strapped DNR is killing more wolves.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Reliving the plane crash: Tiffany recounts his plane crashing the last time he left La Crosse and a certain photo he wanted of his bloody face</li>
<li aria-level="1">Struggling budgets, like La Crosse? With La Crosse facing budget cuts, Tiffany explains what he thinks the state should do about shared revenue for local governments and schools.</li>
</ul>

Comedian Charlie Berens on Kwik Trip, Riverside Park Fish Lab

In 1 playlist(s)

WIZM - La Crosse

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips