UW-L's Chergosky on Wisconsin leading Congress is dropping F bombs, lawmakers again using taxpayer money on funding sports and spring election fallout

·35 min·3 clips

Why are Wisconsin taxpayers funding Badgers player payments while the NCAA hoards billions?

The episode begins with a lighthearted discussion about the Milwaukee Brewers' City Connect jerseys featuring 'Wisco,' questioning if the term is widely recognized. Host Rick Solem and guest Dr. Anthony Chergosky then shift to serious political issues, starting with taxpayer funding for University of Wisconsin-Madison athletics. They detail a bill providing $14.6 million for facilities, signed by Governor Evers with a partial veto, and debate the ethics of using public money for athlete compensation while the NCAA profits. Chergosky hypothesizes that political support for the bill stems from Badgers fans in the legislature concerned about team performance. The show moves to the April election, analyzing Chris Taylor's 20-point victory for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and its implications for liberal control until 2030. They discuss low turnout and Democratic mobilization, with Chergosky noting it may not predict November outcomes. The conversation critiques the Wisconsin Republican Party's organizational weaknesses, citing Bill McCaution's argument that gerrymandering led to complacency. They examine campaign finance laws allowing unlimited donations, which now benefit Democrats, and Brad Schimel's call for repeal. The episode concludes with a New York Times story on congressmen using profanity on social media, highlighting Wisconsin representatives Mark Pocan and Derek Van Orden ranking second and third nationally. Chergosky and Solem reflect on the upcoming competitive congressional race in Wisconsin's 3rd district, involving Van Orden and likely Democratic candidate Rebecca Cook.

As heard by us

Wisconsin sports funding opens into NCAA money, NIL choices, and a toss-up House race.

A local-radio conversation uses Wisconsin college sports to look at the political incentives around a public funding fight. Political science professor Dr.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Want Wisconsin politics with a side of NIL money and Brewers jersey friction?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from La Crosse Talk PM WIZM