WISCONSIN (MacIver Institute) -- We are well into county fair season all across Wisconsin, and who doesn't love the fair? Plenty of fun options to enjoy and always a surprise or two along the way. In a lot of ways, the MacIver Monday is the same -- but without all the animal smells or funnel cakes.
Spotlight
WEC: Madison Clerk’s “astonishing” Lack of Action Left Ballots Uncounted
The Wisconsin Elections Commission report regarding almost 200 absentee ballots that went uncounted by the City of Madison last fall doesn't pull any punches, saying it was a "profound failure" on behalf of the city's clerk.
"This profound failure undermines public confidence in elections. It is essential that every voter knows their properly-cast ballot will be counted," WEC said in its investigation into now-former clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl.
All told, 193 ballots cast in the City of Madison were not counted. Read more here.
Deep Dive
Progressive-era Bureaucratic Power Returns to Wisconsin
The effects of Wisconsin's liberal Supreme Court are starting to be felt across all aspects of state government. The recent ruling overturning critical legislative oversight of the bureaucratic state elevated the unelected bureaucracy over our elected representatives, writes MacIver's Richard Moore.
What will be the downstream effects? It virtually impossible for citizens and their elected officials to stop or police entrenched bureaucrats in Wisconsin. The court has given state agencies a free pass to go rogue.
Look, we know there's a lot of groups, organizations and candidates asking for your hard-earned money. The reality is the MacIver Institute has an unparalleled track record of putting in the work and getting results. Just take a look at the two stories above. But we're asking for your help not because of what we've done... but what we ARE GOING to do.
In the next year, we are committed to:
- Holding Gov. Evers and liberals accountable for their reckless spending
- Educating Wisconsinites on the threat of lawfare from Attorney General Josh Kaul and the liberal Supreme Court
- Leading election reform initiatives
Help us keep the success going by making a donation today!
You Should Know
Wisconsin Supreme Court Again Rules Against Legislature, for Evers Admin
The liberal-majority state supreme court last week ruled that the legislatures Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules overstepped its bounds when it twice blocked an administrative rule from the state's Department of Safety and Professional Services. The ruling casts a serious blow to key legislative oversight of rules coming out of the unelected bureaucracy. This is a BIG deal! We will keep tracking this issue.
Coming Soon
UW Regents Unanimously Approve Third Straight Tuition Increase
Tuition is going up this fall for students in the UW system. It's the third year in a row state schools are seeing tuition go up, this time by five percent at almost every campus. The tuition hikes come on top of the more than a billion dollar increase in funding for the university system in the latest state budget.
Quick Clicks
Gov Evers Defends new State Budget From Democratic Criticism
We at the MacIver Institute weren't the only ones upset with the state budget. So, too, were many Democrats -- but for very different reasons. Nearly 50 Democrats voted against the governor’s compromise budget last week, many saying the new spending plan doesn’t spend enough.
For Your Commute
This week's MacIver News Minute goes under the hood of the state budget to break down just exactly what kind of a "deal" the governor and legislative leaders hatched. A few key details: the budget increased spending by 15% -- the largest increase in at least 20 years. It drains a $4.4 billion surplus down to just $700 million while still borrowing $3.2 billion.
As Bill Osmulski says, if that's a conservative budget, what would a liberal budget would look like?
About MacIver Institute: The MacIver Institute is a Wisconsin-based think tank that promotes free markets, individual freedom, personal responsibility, and limited government. Through research, analysis, and community engagement, we work to advance these principles and positively impact the lives of all Wisconsinites.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, its employees, or any affiliated organization.
Last Update: Jul 14, 2025 12:59 pm CDT
