La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat joined, talked about the protests, more of what the city is doing to adjust to the social inequality felt after those protests. Callers asked the mayor about what is open, which is odd, because everything's been open since mid-May. Kabat addressed the situation with his wife being pepper sprayed. And we briefly discussed the budget cuts.

La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat joined, talked about the protests, more of what the city is doing to adjust to the social inequality felt after those protests. Callers asked the mayor about what is open, which is odd, because everything's been open since mid-May. Kabat addressed the situation with his wife being pepper sprayed. And we briefly discussed the budget cuts.

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

La Crosse's mayor speaks briefly about his wife

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio discussing the future of the north side pool and the ramifications of the most powerful Republican in Wisconsin calling it quits. We also hit on the push to legalize sports betting and the politics of passing legislation in an election year with an open seat for governor.

We began the show with WIZM’s Brad Williams, who covered a Park Board meeting the night before, where they discussed the future of the North Side Community Pool, which needs $1 million in repairs — and now may not close for good. 

After that, we dive into the politics of Wisconsin state government in multiple ways, led by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announcing he would not run for reelection. Vos has led the Assembly the past 13 years and been in the Legislature for 22. 

Along with that announcement, we look at the rush of bills suddenly moving through the Assembly, including the expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage and Gale’s Law — two bills held up by Vos that basically passed unanimously after years of holdups.

We also break down the 'hub and spoke' sports betting proposal and the high-stakes standoff over Wisconsin's $2.5 billion budget surplus — specifically whether getting school funding / property tax relief would be part of retiring Gov. Tony Evers’ legacy.

UW-La Crosse political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, in studio discussing the future of the north side pool and the ramifications of the most powerful Republican in Wisconsin calling it quits. We also hit on the push to legalize sports betting and the politics of passing legislation in an election year with an open seat for governor.
We began the show with WIZM&rsquo;s Brad Williams, who covered a Park Board meeting the night before, where they discussed the future of the North Side Community Pool, which needs $1 million in repairs &mdash; and now may not close for good.&nbsp;
After that, we dive into the politics of Wisconsin state government in multiple ways, led by Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announcing he would not run for reelection. Vos has led the Assembly the past 13 years and been in the Legislature for 22.&nbsp;
Along with that announcement, we look at the rush of bills suddenly moving through the Assembly, including the expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage and Gale&rsquo;s Law &mdash; two bills held up by Vos that basically passed unanimously after years of holdups.
We also break down the 'hub and spoke' sports betting proposal and the high-stakes standoff over Wisconsin's $2.5 billion budget surplus &mdash; specifically whether getting school funding / property tax relief would be part of retiring Gov. Tony Evers&rsquo; legacy.

The north side pool is back? Plus, UW-L's Chergosky on politics of Vos retirement

City admin

He’s free of “The Mitch Reynolds’ Ordinance.”

After a year and a half of debate and study on creating a city administrator position, it failed in council last week, and La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey feels like he can finally move forward.

On the show, Washington-Spivey dubbed the plan “The Mitch Reynolds’ Ordinance" — it was first put out to council in September of 2024 and proceeded to get pushed back over and over until it finally landed on February’s agenda.

But the council essentially voted down the plan(s) — a position Washington-Spivey campaigned and won an election for mayor on, but also one that he admitted, a few months ago on WIZM, he hoped would fail.

We dove into where the city goes now, along with other things the mayor is doing to set a path for La Crosse’s future with strategic planning sessions, budget sessions and his fourth "Your City, Your 15" interviews.

We also discussed the expansion of the airport — and it was suggested to him that maybe they need a Culver's if airlines are going to keep coming there.

We began the show, though, recapping Gov. Tony Evers’ State of the State address. Washington-Spivey was an invited guest and got to go to what was jokingly called the “after party at the governor’s mansion.” So, of course, we had to ask him about the spread — the highlight of which was seafood and New Glarus.

Ultimately, though, a lot of the show focused on the city administrator issue, and what Washington-Spivey hopes to see going forward now that the council and government officials aren’t "hamstrung" by having to discuss the old ordinance.

He&rsquo;s free of &ldquo;The Mitch Reynolds&rsquo; Ordinance.&rdquo;
After a year and a half of debate and study on creating a city administrator position, it failed in council last week, and La Crosse Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey feels like he can finally move forward.
On the show, Washington-Spivey dubbed the plan &ldquo;The Mitch Reynolds&rsquo; Ordinance" &mdash; it was first put out to council in September of 2024 and proceeded to get pushed back over and over until it finally landed on February&rsquo;s agenda.
But the council essentially voted down the plan(s) &mdash; a position Washington-Spivey campaigned and won an election for mayor on, but also one that he admitted, a few months ago on WIZM, he hoped would fail.
We dove into where the city goes now, along with other things the mayor is doing to set a path for La Crosse&rsquo;s future with strategic planning sessions, budget sessions and his fourth "Your City, Your 15" interviews.
We also discussed the expansion of the airport &mdash; and it was suggested to him that maybe they need a Culver's if airlines are going to keep coming there.
We began the show, though, recapping Gov. Tony Evers&rsquo; State of the State address. Washington-Spivey was an invited guest and got to go to what was jokingly called the &ldquo;after party at the governor&rsquo;s mansion.&rdquo; So, of course, we had to ask him about the spread &mdash; the highlight of which was seafood and New Glarus.
Ultimately, though, a lot of the show focused on the city administrator issue, and what Washington-Spivey hopes to see going forward now that the council and government officials aren&rsquo;t "hamstrung" by having to discuss the old ordinance.

Free of "The Mitch Reynolds Ordinance" — La Crosse Mayor Washington-Spivey on moving forward from city admin

Rick preview/recaps Crowley interview

Crowley enters, asked about city administrator

Housing

Pulling away from other democratic canddiates

Handling GOP ending work for 2026 in Feb.

Data centers

Crowley on Tom Tiffany

Before we get into it with David Crowley, since the interview was recorded a day prior to going live on air, I start things off with a a bit of a recap / preview of our conversation, and throw a little theory of mine out there on how AI data centers going up all over the place is likened to the 2013 Tom Cruise movie, Oblivion.

As for Crowley, he stops in the studio and we discuss everything from housing challenges and budget management to Wisconsin and data centers, plus how he sets himself apart in a crowded field of candidates running for Wisconsin governor.

But, since he’s the Milwaukee County Executive, and the city of La Crosse has been in a two-year debate on hiring an administrator, we selfishly started right there — on his job and his thoughts on how that position might fit in a city like La Crosse.

From there, we got into Republicans in the state Legislature deciding to end work for the year on Feb. 19 — and what Crowley might do in this situation if he was governor right now. Would he publicly call out the early adjournment or would he be more like Giannis Antetokounmpo, and handle the situation mostly behind closed doors?

We also brought up what seems like the word of the year: affordability. Crowley talks about how a state can manage costs vs. how the feds might handle things. That got us into how housing density can reduce the property tax burden and fuel economic development.

We also spent a lot of time on data centers. Crowley balances the conversation here, defending the environment and the need for transparency while highlighting the potential for these companies to pay their way by upgrading the state's power grid and expanding broadband. The conversation digs into whether those trade-offs are worth it, especially considering the noise, the drain on resources, and the fact that these massive buildings provide very few jobs once they’re actually running.

Lastly, since he’s one of seven major Democratic candidates, along with the lone Republican running for governor, Crowley is asked what sets himself apart. He points to his "receipts" in Madison — specifically the passage of Act 12 — to show he has the executive experience to actually negotiate with a Republican Legislature. We finish the conversation by looking to the general election and his potential opponent, US House Rep. Tom Tiffany, whom Crowley characterizes as a "lapdog" for national interests.

Before we get into it with David Crowley, since the interview was recorded a day prior to going live on air, I start things off with a a bit of a recap / preview of our conversation, and throw a little theory of mine out there on how AI data centers going up all over the place is likened to the 2013 Tom Cruise movie, Oblivion.
As for Crowley, he stops in the studio and we discuss everything from&nbsp;housing challenges and budget management to Wisconsin and data centers, plus how he sets himself apart in a crowded field of candidates running for Wisconsin governor.
But, since he&rsquo;s the Milwaukee County Executive, and the city of La Crosse has been in a two-year debate on hiring an administrator, we selfishly started right there &mdash; on his job and his thoughts on how that position might fit in a city like La Crosse.
From there, we got into Republicans in the state Legislature deciding to end work for the year on Feb. 19 &mdash; and what Crowley might do in this situation if he was governor right now. Would he publicly call out the early adjournment or would he be more like Giannis Antetokounmpo, and handle the situation mostly behind closed doors?
We also brought up what seems like the word of the year: affordability. Crowley talks about how a state can manage costs vs. how the feds might handle things. That got us into how housing density can reduce the property tax burden and fuel economic development.
We also spent a lot of time on data centers. Crowley balances the conversation here, defending the environment and the need for transparency while highlighting the&nbsp;potential for these companies to pay their way by upgrading the state's power grid and expanding broadband. The conversation digs into whether those trade-offs are worth it, especially considering the noise, the drain on resources, and the fact that these massive buildings provide very few jobs once they&rsquo;re actually running.
Lastly, since he&rsquo;s one of seven major Democratic candidates, along with the lone Republican running for governor, Crowley is asked what sets himself apart. He points to his "receipts" in Madison &mdash; specifically the passage of Act 12 &mdash; to show he has the executive experience to actually negotiate with a Republican Legislature. We finish the conversation by looking to the general election and his potential opponent, US House Rep. Tom Tiffany, whom Crowley characterizes as a "lapdog" for national interests.

La Crosse's mayor speaks briefly about his wife

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