Signing state budget

PFAS

Plastics

Farmers

Governors race, partisan primaries

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Tara Johnson in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk, discussing the state budget — including Prairie Springs — partisan primaries in the governor’s race, and issues like PFAS, farming and plastic waste.

Johnson (D-Shelby) is one of just a handful of Democrats who voted for the budget, which included all area Democrats — largely because the plan includes $194 million to build Phase 2 of UW-La Crosse’s Prairie Springs Science Center. Republicans had delayed that project for seven years, which initially was estimated to cost around $90 million.

After that, we discussed PFAS — forever chemicals — and then shifted to plastic waste. We also explored the growing problem of food deserts and how recent changes to SNAP programs — particularly the removal of support for initiatives that connected farmers with low-income consumers — are impacting both agriculture and access to healthy food.

Lastly, we hit on the governor’s race — whether Johnson plans to endorse a candidate — and how each party is approaching its primary. Democrats will likely have multiple candidates and the state party will not endorse in a primary. 

Meanwhile, US Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) said this week he wants GOP candidates to settle on a nominee internally, without an open primary. Regardless, the state Republican Party plans to endorse at its convention if there is a primary.

Wisconsin state Assembly Rep. Tara Johnson in the WIZM studio for La Crosse Talk, discussing the state budget &mdash; including Prairie Springs &mdash; partisan primaries in the governor&rsquo;s race, and issues like PFAS, farming and plastic waste.
Johnson (D-Shelby) is one of just a handful of Democrats who voted for the budget, which included all area Democrats &mdash; largely because the plan includes $194 million to build Phase 2 of UW-La Crosse&rsquo;s Prairie Springs Science Center. Republicans had delayed that project for seven years, which initially was estimated to cost around $90 million.
After that, we discussed PFAS &mdash; forever chemicals &mdash; and then shifted to plastic waste. We also explored the growing problem of food deserts and how recent changes to SNAP programs &mdash; particularly the removal of support for initiatives that connected farmers with low-income consumers &mdash; are impacting both agriculture and access to healthy food.
Lastly, we hit on the governor&rsquo;s race &mdash; whether Johnson plans to endorse a candidate &mdash; and how each party is approaching its primary.&nbsp;Democrats will likely have multiple candidates and the state party will not endorse in a primary.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, US Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) said this week he wants GOP candidates to settle on a nominee internally, without an open primary. Regardless, the state Republican Party plans to endorse at its convention if there is a primary.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.