While part of the national talking point since the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis has hovered around defunding the police, in La Crosse it could be the exact opposite. Part of potential plans for the city, a $36 million police/fire center. La Crosse city council members Doug Happel and Jessica Olson both joined to discuss Thursday's vote. Before that, talked a bit about the mayor's wife being changed after getting pepper sprayed. 

While part of the national talking point since the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis has hovered around defunding the police, in La Crosse it could be the exact opposite. Part of potential plans for the city, a $36 million police/fire center. La Crosse city council members Doug Happel and Jessica Olson both joined to discuss Thursday's vote. Before that, talked a bit about the mayor's wife being changed after getting pepper sprayed.&nbsp;

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

FUNDING the police?

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio, discussing the end of the Wisconsin state Legislature's work for the year that essentially got the second-highest ranking Republican to quit — but it wasn't over banning milkshakes from legislation.

Before we got into that though, WIZM's Brad Williams joined to discuss how the farmers market is coming back to Cameron Park — just on a different day — and how the prospect of having an indoor pool between the city and the school district is going.

After that, we got into how "Big Milkshake" created its own exemption in a state bill that bans poor people from buying candy or soda with food stamps in Wisconsin, but they can still have their ice cream. It's a ban that will cost millions of dollars in added administrative costs, and another $5-6 million to create such a database.

We also discussed how the second-highest ranking Republican is retiring now due to two sports bills he allowed Democrats to help pass — one that essentially gives the Wisconsin Badgers $14.6 million in taxpayer money to pay players, while the other allows sports betting throughout the state. 

Chergosky explains the Wisconsin Senate's "Rule of 17" which means only Republicans (or who controls the state Seante but it's been Republicans over 15 years) should have the votes to pass bills. Since the two sports bills needed Democrats, Devin Lemahieu is now retiring from the Legislature because he allowed the bills to be voted on.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky in studio, discussing the end of the Wisconsin state Legislature's work for the year that essentially got the second-highest ranking Republican to quit &mdash; but it wasn't over banning milkshakes from legislation.
Before we got into that though, WIZM's Brad Williams joined to discuss how the farmers market is coming back to Cameron Park &mdash; just on a different day &mdash; and how the prospect of having an indoor pool between the city and the school district is going.
After that, we got into how "Big Milkshake" created its own exemption in a state bill that bans poor people from buying candy or soda with food stamps in Wisconsin, but they can still have their ice cream. It's a ban that will cost millions of dollars in added administrative costs, and another $5-6 million to create such a database.
We also discussed how the second-highest ranking Republican is retiring now due to two sports bills he allowed Democrats to help pass &mdash; one that essentially gives the Wisconsin Badgers $14.6 million in taxpayer money to pay players, while the other allows sports betting throughout the state.&nbsp;
Chergosky explains the Wisconsin Senate's "Rule of 17" which means only Republicans (or who controls the state Seante but it's been Republicans over 15 years) should have the votes to pass bills. Since the two sports bills needed Democrats, Devin Lemahieu is now retiring from the Legislature because he allowed the bills to be voted on.

UW-L political scientist Chergosky on how "Big Milkshake" still has sway over Wisconsin's state Legislature

La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey in the WIZM studio discussing the Kmart lot and development in La Crosse, advocating for the city in Madison — as well as other stakeholders here — plus the city-school relationship with elementary buildings coming offline and the idea of creating an indoor pool facility.

We also discussed how Washington-Spivey has changed strategic planning sessions and where a city administrator role could fit into everything that’s going on.

We began the show, though, discussing the mayor’s “Our city, Your 15” initiatives, where he talks one on one with residents for 15 minutes about whatever topics, issues or ideas they have with the city. 

In terms of development, the mayor was asked if he’ll be the one that finally gets to take the wrecking ball to the Kmart. 

We also talked about billionaire Diane Hendricks buying the Charmant and if Washington-Spivey had reached out to her. She could have other plans for the city — like what she’s doing in her hometown of Beloit. 

We also discussed the public market idea, as well as a Cowboy Jacks restaurant coming to River Point and Hollandberry Pannekoeken opening last weekend.

La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey in the WIZM studio discussing the Kmart lot and development in La Crosse, advocating for the city in Madison &mdash; as well as other stakeholders here &mdash; plus the city-school relationship with elementary buildings coming offline and the idea of creating an indoor pool facility.
We also discussed how Washington-Spivey has changed strategic planning sessions and where a city administrator role could fit into everything that&rsquo;s going on.
We began the show, though, discussing the mayor&rsquo;s &ldquo;Our city, Your 15&rdquo; initiatives, where he talks one on one with residents for 15 minutes about whatever topics, issues or ideas they have with the city.&nbsp;
In terms of development, the mayor was asked if he&rsquo;ll be the one that finally gets to take the wrecking ball to the Kmart.&nbsp;
We also talked about billionaire Diane Hendricks buying the Charmant and if Washington-Spivey had reached out to her. She could have other plans for the city &mdash; like what she&rsquo;s doing in her hometown of Beloit.&nbsp;
We also discussed the public market idea, as well as a Cowboy Jacks restaurant coming to River Point and Hollandberry Pannekoeken opening last weekend.

La Crosse Mayor Washington-Spivey on Kmart demo, public market, an indoor pool and city admin

La Crosse School Board candidate Scott Neumeister Q&A with Rick Solem.

La Crosse School Board candidate Scott Neumeister Q&amp;A with Rick Solem.

FUNDING the police?

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