Big news for those with a sweet tooth, and the Onalaska Mayor, Kim Smith, along with UW-L political science professor, Dr. Anthony Chergosky, join La Crosse Talk to talk about the Crumbl Cookie finally about to open. We also hit on some Wisconsin GOP legislation to force businesses to accept cash and hit on the state budget.

In terms of Crumbl’s opening, we had Smith call in for just a couple of minutes, but the mayor will be back in studio next week. Along with explaining the fascination some have with the cookie company, we also talk about other development in that area by the Valley View Mall — with a Raising Canes, Panda Express and a few car washes coming soon.

In politics, Chergosky discusses legislation Wisconsin Republicans have to force businesses to accept cash, but have carved out big events in Wisconsin to be exempt — like the state fair. 

We also break down the state’s budget process, and how the stories coming out now are what Republicans have pulled out of Gov. Tony Evers’ budget — like legalizing recreational marijuana and state funding for childcare. We also talked about how the state handles public comments for the budget, and how that could be better handled.

One other topic we hit on was US Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) saying the quiet part out loud — very loud — in regards to making cuts to Medicaid. While rallies are happening all over the country, in part to tell the government not to make Medicaid cuts, Republicans have argued they won’t be making those cuts. Johnson, though, is saying the opposite and arguing that those cuts need to be made because of the national debt.