Common Cause Wisconsin executive director Jay Heck joined to talk about all things redistricting and voting, as the Wisconsin Supreme Court has made a decision in the process of map-making for the next decade. Heck has been working with the nonpartisan group for the past 27 years. 

Common Cause Wisconsin executive director Jay Heck joined to talk about all things redistricting and voting, as the Wisconsin Supreme Court has made a decision in the process of map-making for the next decade. Heck has been working with the nonpartisan group for the past 27 years.&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

Wisconsin Supreme Court makes initial decision on state map drawing

Wisconsin could bring in tens of millions of dollars a year from recreational marijuana, an issue dividing the two candidates for governor.

Adam Hoffer, director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation, was in studio to discuss the potential state revenue, how Wisconsin's gas tax compares with neighboring states, and what drivers would gain — and lose — if the tax were suspended.

Hoffer also weighs in on the debate over city taxes and spending with La Crosse facing a budget shortfall and the choices facing city leaders.

Plus, we look at the Brewers' $500 million stadium deal, why sports teams use the threat of relocation to seek public money, and how stadium developments can make money for team owners beyond the games themselves.

Hoffer also updates us on his quest to walk every road in the city, how many miles he's covered, and what he's observed along the way.

Conversation highlights:


Marijuana money: How much Wisconsin could collect from recreational marijuana, and why the final number depends on the tax rate and what gets legalized.


Gas tax holiday: Wisconsin's 32.9-cent-per-gallon tax and what happens to roads and bridges if it were suspended. .


The gas-price markup: Wisconsin's 9% minimum markup law and a proposal to suspend it to bring down prices at the pump.


The Brewers and public money: Whether taxpayers got a fair deal on the stadium funding package, why teams threaten to leave, and how surrounding real estate developments can create another revenue stream for owners.


La Crosse taxes: Hoffer's take on the city raising property taxes, as La Crosse faces a $681,000 2027 budget shortfall.

Wisconsin could bring in tens of millions of dollars a year from recreational marijuana, an issue dividing the two candidates for governor.
Adam Hoffer, director of excise tax policy at the Tax Foundation, was in studio to discuss the potential state revenue, how Wisconsin's gas tax compares with neighboring states, and what drivers would gain &mdash; and lose &mdash; if the tax were suspended.
Hoffer also weighs in on the debate over city taxes and spending with La Crosse facing a budget shortfall and the choices facing city leaders.
Plus, we look at the Brewers' $500 million stadium deal, why sports teams use the threat of relocation to seek public money, and how stadium developments can make money for team owners beyond the games themselves.
Hoffer also updates us on his quest to walk every road in the city, how many miles he's covered, and what he's observed along the way.
Conversation highlights:
<ul>
<li>
Marijuana money: How much Wisconsin could collect from recreational marijuana, and why the final number depends on the tax rate and what gets legalized.
</li>
<li>
Gas tax holiday: Wisconsin's 32.9-cent-per-gallon tax and what happens to roads and bridges if it were suspended. .
</li>
<li>
The gas-price markup: Wisconsin's 9% minimum markup law and a proposal to suspend it to bring down prices at the pump.
</li>
<li>
The Brewers and public money: Whether taxpayers got a fair deal on the stadium funding package, why teams threaten to leave, and how surrounding real estate developments can create another revenue stream for owners.
</li>
<li>
La Crosse taxes: Hoffer's take on the city raising property taxes, as La Crosse faces a $681,000 2027 budget shortfall.
</li>
</ul>

Marijuana taxes, gas prices and rehashing the Brewers’ $500 million taxpayer deal

Derrick Van Orden and Rebecca Cooke finally debated.

Did voters get the debate they deserved? It's the first one in the district for Van Orden since 2019.

William Garcia, Democratic Party chair of Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, stopped in studio to break down the matchup — from Van Orden’s attacks on Cooke to the fight over health care subsidies.

We also get into Wisconsin’s governor’s race, the state’s school funding problems and the money pouring into Republican Tom Tiffany’s campaign. 

Garcia argues that Wisconsin needs a new approach to funding public schools, while we look at how a campaign finance loophole has allowed three billionaires to funnel tens of millions of dollars toward Tiffany’s run for governor and other Republicans.

In this show:


The Cooke-Van Orden debate: Why the first debate between the candidates came with so little promotion, why Garcia wanted more debates and how he viewed their approaches to policy and personal attacks.


Van Orden’s health care vote: Garcia challenges Van Orden’s claim that he supported restoring Obamacare subsidies and explains the parliamentary maneuvering behind the vote.


Public school funding: Wisconsin’s two-thirds funding standard, declining state aid and David Crowley’s push to redesign the school funding formula.


Tiffany’s tax-cut plans: Who stands to benefit from the Republican governor candidate’s proposals — and what Wisconsin should do with its budget surplus.


Billionaire campaign cash: How a campaign finance loophole helped funnel tens of millions of dollars from three billionaires through the Republican Party to Tom Tiffany.


The data center debate: Why Garcia says Tiffany’s congressional voting record conflicts with his current position on data centers, and whether Wisconsin needs a statewide approach.


The cost of politics: How big-money campaign spending shapes elections and why Garcia says campaign finance reform requires Democrats to win more seats.


A legislator’s job: We also talk about what elected officials should be doing when the Legislature is out of session — and why public access to candidates matters.

Derrick Van Orden and Rebecca Cooke finally debated.
Did voters get the debate they deserved? It's the first one in the district for Van Orden since 2019.
William Garcia, Democratic Party chair of Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, stopped in studio to break down the matchup &mdash; from Van Orden&rsquo;s attacks on Cooke to the fight over health care subsidies.
We also get into Wisconsin&rsquo;s governor&rsquo;s race, the state&rsquo;s school funding problems and the money pouring into Republican Tom Tiffany&rsquo;s campaign.&nbsp;
Garcia argues that Wisconsin needs a new approach to funding public schools, while we look at how a campaign finance loophole has allowed three billionaires to funnel tens of millions of dollars toward Tiffany&rsquo;s run for governor and other Republicans.
In this show:
<ul>
<li>
The Cooke-Van Orden debate: Why the first debate between the candidates came with so little promotion, why Garcia wanted more debates and how he viewed their approaches to policy and personal attacks.
</li>
<li>
Van Orden&rsquo;s health care vote: Garcia challenges Van Orden&rsquo;s claim that he supported restoring Obamacare subsidies and explains the parliamentary maneuvering behind the vote.
</li>
<li>
Public school funding: Wisconsin&rsquo;s two-thirds funding standard, declining state aid and David Crowley&rsquo;s push to redesign the school funding formula.
</li>
<li>
Tiffany&rsquo;s tax-cut plans: Who stands to benefit from the Republican governor candidate&rsquo;s proposals &mdash; and what Wisconsin should do with its budget surplus.
</li>
<li>
Billionaire campaign cash: How a campaign finance loophole helped funnel tens of millions of dollars from three billionaires through the Republican Party to Tom Tiffany.
</li>
<li>
The data center debate: Why Garcia says Tiffany&rsquo;s congressional voting record conflicts with his current position on data centers, and whether Wisconsin needs a statewide approach.
</li>
<li>
The cost of politics: How big-money campaign spending shapes elections and why Garcia says campaign finance reform requires Democrats to win more seats.
</li>
<li>
A legislator&rsquo;s job: We also talk about what elected officials should be doing when the Legislature is out of session &mdash; and why public access to candidates matters.
</li>
</ul>

William Garcia on Cooke-Van Orden debate, school funding and billionaire campaign cash

Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Jason and Chucky — we all know the names.

So who's next?

Jon Gelatt, co-owner of the Rivoli Theatre, in studio talking about the slashers, whether we're making new ones or just living off the life of Freddy Krueger — and the deaths of everyone he kills.

We also preview the fifth annual Schlocktoberfest, which expands to three days this year, with a Friday-night kickoff, Saturday's five-movie horror marathon and a Sunday collection of short films. Saturday's finale is a surprise but Gelatt reveals a few hints. You'll never guess the movie.

In this interview:


Freddy's got competition?: Are horror movies creating the next generation of iconic slashers, or are we stuck with the same old killers?


Killer clowns, robots and silver balls: What makes a great B-horror movie — and why do some of these ridiculous ideas work?


You picked your poison: Schlocktoberfest fans voted to choose four of the five movies in Saturday's marathon. The fifth is a secret.


One last movie in the dark: What's Gelatt willing to reveal about the secret screening — including a special to the Rivoli from the director.


Three-day Schlocktoberfest: If it gets too crazy, they'll have to pull it back like Oktoberfest La Crosse.

FRIDAY

7:30 p.m. — tapping of the Schlocky-Keg

8 p.m. - Chopping Mall (1986) R 77 min

SATURDAY

Noon — doors open

1 p.m. — Phantasm (1979) R 1hr 29min

3 p.m. — Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) PG-13 1hr 28min

5 p.m. — Slumber Party Massacre (1982) R 1hr 17min

7 p.m. — A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) R 1hr 36min

9 p.m. — Secret Show TBA

SUNDAY

12:30 p.m. — horror short films collection, exclusively curated by Terror Vision. 

Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Jason and Chucky &mdash; we all know the names.
So who's next?
Jon Gelatt, co-owner of the Rivoli Theatre, in studio talking about the slashers, whether we're making new ones or just living off the life of Freddy Krueger &mdash; and the deaths of everyone he kills.
We also preview the fifth annual Schlocktoberfest, which expands to three days this year, with a Friday-night kickoff, Saturday's five-movie horror marathon and a Sunday collection of short films. Saturday's finale is a surprise but Gelatt reveals a few hints. You'll never guess the movie.
In this interview:
<ul>
<li>
Freddy's got competition?: Are horror movies creating the next generation of iconic slashers, or are we stuck with the same old killers?
</li>
<li>
Killer clowns, robots and silver balls: What makes a great B-horror movie &mdash; and why do some of these ridiculous ideas work?
</li>
<li>
You picked your poison: Schlocktoberfest fans voted to choose four of the five movies in Saturday's marathon. The fifth is a secret.
</li>
<li>
One last movie in the dark: What's Gelatt willing to reveal about the secret screening &mdash; including a special to the Rivoli from the director.
</li>
<li>
Three-day Schlocktoberfest: If it gets too crazy, they'll have to pull it back like Oktoberfest La Crosse.
</li>
</ul>
FRIDAY
7:30 p.m. &mdash; tapping of the Schlocky-Keg
8 p.m. - Chopping Mall (1986) R 77 min
SATURDAY
Noon &mdash; doors open
1 p.m. &mdash; Phantasm (1979) R 1hr 29min
3 p.m. &mdash; Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) PG-13 1hr 28min
5 p.m. &mdash; Slumber Party Massacre (1982) R 1hr 17min
7 p.m. &mdash; A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987) R 1hr 36min
9 p.m. &mdash; Secret Show TBA
SUNDAY
12:30 p.m. &mdash; horror short films collection, exclusively curated by Terror Vision.&nbsp;

Wisconsin Supreme Court makes initial decision on state map drawing

In 1 playlist(s)

WIZM - La Crosse

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips