It's a bit of a light committee week preview, but there was plenty of city business in La Crosse to discuss with Mac Kiel in studio. 

Kiel helped break down what was finally a public meeting on — basically — creating a city administrator position, plus major staff cuts hitting the public library and why council members might have to trim their own expense accounts. 

We also dove into the city's latest progress on homelessness and what looked to be a scramble to land a Chipotle on the south side. 

Episode Highlights:
City Manager Showdown: A special council session on professional city management leaned heavily toward hiring a city administrator, raising big questions about overall costs and the future role of the mayor.
Library Board Fallout: With all city departments ordered to slash 6% from their budgets, Kiel details the Library Board's painful vote to eliminate five full-time positions to erase about $430,000 from the 2027 budget.
Council Expense Cut: The biggest item for committee week is from F&P, where a self-imposed trim could not just drop council expense allowances but change the entire format.
Homelessness Targeted Strategy: A Pathways Home city-county update revealed homelessness is down by a third, but the immediate and long-term dilemmas are still clashing
Chipotle Express Postponed: A series of special meetings was called to fast-track a south-side Chipotle near Wendy's to hit strict filing deadlines, only for the session to get postponed anyway.

It's a bit of a light committee week preview, but there was plenty of city business in La Crosse to discuss with Mac Kiel in studio.&nbsp;
Kiel helped break down what was finally a public meeting on &mdash; basically &mdash; creating a city administrator position, plus major staff cuts hitting the public library and why council members might have to trim their own expense accounts.&nbsp;
We also dove into the city's latest progress on homelessness and what looked to be a scramble to land a Chipotle on the south side.&nbsp;
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">City Manager Showdown: A special council session on professional city management leaned heavily toward hiring a city administrator, raising big questions about overall costs and the future role of the mayor.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Library Board Fallout: With all city departments ordered to slash 6% from their budgets, Kiel details the Library Board's painful vote to eliminate five full-time positions to erase about $430,000 from the 2027 budget.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Council Expense Cut: The biggest item for committee week is from F&amp;P, where a self-imposed trim could not just drop council expense allowances but change the entire format.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Homelessness Targeted Strategy: A Pathways Home city-county update revealed homelessness is down by a third, but the immediate and long-term dilemmas are still clashing</li>
<li aria-level="1">Chipotle Express Postponed: A series of special meetings was called to fast-track a south-side Chipotle near Wendy's to hit strict filing deadlines, only for the session to get postponed anyway.</li>
</ul>

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

Mac Kiel on city administrator debate, library cuts, and council pay

Sarah Godlewski stopped in studio to talk about her vision for lowering everyday costs for Wisconsin residents.

The Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor outlined plans to ease pressure on local budgets — from fully funding public schools to help lower property taxes, to finding ways at the state level to combat gas prices.

Godlewski also went after D.C. gridlock, pointing directly at her Republican governor opponent, U.S. House Rep. Tom Tiffany. She argued that Tiffany, and Republicans who control Congress, have not just ignored cost-of-living issues like healthcare and fuel prices, but made things worse — putting the burden on state leaders to deliver practical solutions for residents.

She also discussed the oddity of Wisconsin’s primary system, where governor and lieutenant governor candidates run separately before joining forces for the general. Plus, Godlewski shared the story of being sworn in as Secretary of State in her Packers pajamas — though we didn't ask if she'll wear them again if she and Crowley win in November.

In this episode:
Lowering Local Costs: Godlewski’s state-level plans to lower property taxes and fuel prices.
Federal Inaction: Pointing to Tom Tiffany and D.C. gridlock on healthcare and fuel costs rising.
School Funding: Why she says funding public education at the state level is key to local tax relief.
Navigating the Ticket: Godlewski’s take on running in Wisconsin’s split primary, then aligning with David Crowley for November. 
The Pajama Swearing-In: The story behind her unconventional oath of office as Secretary of State.

Sarah Godlewski stopped in studio to talk about her vision for lowering everyday costs for Wisconsin residents.
The Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor outlined plans to ease pressure on local budgets &mdash; from fully funding public schools to help lower property taxes, to finding ways at the state level to combat gas prices.
Godlewski also went after D.C. gridlock, pointing directly at her Republican governor opponent, U.S. House Rep. Tom Tiffany. She argued that Tiffany, and Republicans who control Congress, have not just ignored cost-of-living issues like healthcare and fuel prices, but made things worse &mdash; putting the burden on state leaders to deliver practical solutions for residents.
She also discussed the oddity of Wisconsin&rsquo;s primary system, where governor and lieutenant governor candidates run separately before joining forces for the general. Plus, Godlewski shared the story of being sworn in as Secretary of State in her Packers pajamas &mdash; though we didn't ask if she'll wear them again if she and Crowley win in November.
In this episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Lowering Local Costs: Godlewski&rsquo;s state-level plans to lower property taxes and fuel prices.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Federal Inaction: Pointing to Tom Tiffany and D.C. gridlock on healthcare and fuel costs rising.</li>
<li aria-level="1">School Funding: Why she says funding public education at the state level is key to local tax relief.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Navigating the Ticket: Godlewski&rsquo;s take on running in Wisconsin&rsquo;s split primary, then aligning with David Crowley for November.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Pajama Swearing-In: The story behind her unconventional oath of office as Secretary of State.</li>
</ul>

Lt. Gov. candidate Godlewski calls out Tom Tiffany, outlines plans for high costs

He manages a $1.6 billion state fund with no staff and is the only Republican aside from Ron Johnson to win statewide office in the past decade. 

John Leiber, Wisconsin's state treasurer, stopped in studio to help explain why an office called state treasurer is mostly tasked with buying tech for school libraries and overseeing tens of thousands of acres of timberland.

We also got into the politics of the position, like how his office might be different under Democrat David Crowley or Republican Tom Tiffany as governor and the role of the Legislature of his position — and why he has no help.

He is running for reelection this fall against Democratic challenger Yee Leng Xiong.

Episode Highlights:


Managing $1.6 Billion: Inside Leiber’s primary duty sitting on the board that oversees state trust funds, which delivered a record $73.5 million to local school libraries.


Logging for Public Schools: Turning 77,000 acres of state timberland into direct revenue for UW scholarships and forestry programs without clear-cutting.


The Zero-Staff Reality: What happens to a constitutional office stripped of staff when the only guy working there goes to the hospital for appendicitis surgery.


Crowley vs. Tiffany Scenarios: How Leiber envisions his role shifting depending on whether a Democrat or a Republican wins the governor’s mansion.


Saudi Arabia Childhood: Leiber shares what it was like living on a compound at age 13 during the Gulf War, where local tornado sirens still trigger memories of air raid alarms.


Trapped Cash and Typos: Why $900 million in unclaimed property sits with the state, including $144,000 meant for UW-Madison that got frozen over a clerical error.

He manages a $1.6 billion state fund with no staff and is the only Republican aside from Ron Johnson to win statewide office in the past decade.&nbsp;
John Leiber, Wisconsin's state treasurer, stopped in studio to help explain why an office called state treasurer is mostly tasked with buying tech for school libraries and overseeing tens of thousands of acres of timberland.
We also got into the politics of the position, like how his office might be different under Democrat David Crowley or Republican Tom Tiffany as governor and the role of the Legislature of his position &mdash; and why he has no help.
He is running for reelection this fall against Democratic challenger Yee Leng Xiong.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li>
Managing $1.6 Billion: Inside Leiber&rsquo;s primary duty sitting on the board that oversees state trust funds, which delivered a record $73.5 million to local school libraries.
</li>
<li>
Logging for Public Schools: Turning 77,000 acres of state timberland into direct revenue for UW scholarships and forestry programs without clear-cutting.
</li>
<li>
The Zero-Staff Reality: What happens to a constitutional office stripped of staff when the only guy working there goes to the hospital for appendicitis surgery.
</li>
<li>
Crowley vs. Tiffany Scenarios: How Leiber envisions his role shifting depending on whether a Democrat or a Republican wins the governor&rsquo;s mansion.
</li>
<li>
Saudi Arabia Childhood: Leiber shares what it was like living on a compound at age 13 during the Gulf War, where local tornado sirens still trigger memories of air raid alarms.
</li>
<li>
Trapped Cash and Typos: Why $900 million in unclaimed property sits with the state, including $144,000 meant for UW-Madison that got frozen over a clerical error.
</li>
</ul>

GOP State Treasurer John Leiber on Tech for Schools, 77K Acres of Timber, and Running a Zero-Staff Office

Jill Schams is getting her accordion ready as Oktoberfest nears. The Southern Bluffs music teacher and La Crosse Education Association president stopped by to debate whether the area is running low on squeeze boxes, what it takes to land a spot on the Oktoberfest Accordion Club float, and what happened when she blasted live polka in her classroom right as Superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel walked in.

Once the accordion talk settled down, Schams, the teachers’ union president, helped tackle some serious school policy — including the fight for universal free school meals, how local foundation grants fund classroom needs, the Lincoln Middle School final walkthrough, and why state budget surpluses aren't reaching local classrooms.

Episode Highlights:
Saving the Polka Tradition: Hunting down local accordion players, prepping for the Oktoberfest float, and surprising elementary kids (and the superintendent) with live polka.
School Lunch Realities: Why feeding every student should be a basic societal baseline rather than a mountain of bureaucratic paperwork.
Funding the Gap: Breaking down the heavy lifting local foundations like the La Crosse Public Education Foundation do to keep classroom grants alive.
State Budget Priorities: Why relying on short-term tax cuts and surplus funds fails to address fundamental, long-term public school funding needs.
Preserving School Memories: Taking a quick look back at Lincoln Middle School's final open house and finding ways to honor local school history before consolidation.

Jill Schams is getting her accordion ready as Oktoberfest nears. The Southern Bluffs music teacher and La Crosse Education Association president stopped by to debate whether the area is running low on squeeze boxes, what it takes to land a spot on the Oktoberfest Accordion Club float, and what happened when she blasted live polka in her classroom right as Superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel walked in.
Once the accordion talk settled down, Schams, the teachers&rsquo; union president, helped tackle some serious school policy &mdash; including the fight for universal free school meals, how local foundation grants fund classroom needs, the Lincoln Middle School final walkthrough, and why state budget surpluses aren't reaching local classrooms.
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Saving the Polka Tradition: Hunting down local accordion players, prepping for the Oktoberfest float, and surprising elementary kids (and the superintendent) with live polka.</li>
<li aria-level="1">School Lunch Realities: Why feeding every student should be a basic societal baseline rather than a mountain of bureaucratic paperwork.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Funding the Gap: Breaking down the heavy lifting local foundations like the La Crosse Public Education Foundation do to keep classroom grants alive.</li>
<li aria-level="1">State Budget Priorities: Why relying on short-term tax cuts and surplus funds fails to address fundamental, long-term public school funding needs.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Preserving School Memories: Taking a quick look back at Lincoln Middle School's final open house and finding ways to honor local school history before consolidation.</li>
</ul>

Mac Kiel on city administrator debate, library cuts, and council pay

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