skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Renewed Push for Nonpartisan Redistricting in WI

play audio
Play

Wednesday, May 19, 2021   

MADISON, Wis. - As Wisconsin faces the divisive issue of redistricting, supporters of taking politics out of the process are making another attempt at a new system.

At the State Capitol, a bill has been reintroduced that would task the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau with redrawing the state's political boundaries, which is done after each census count. The plan also calls for citizen input.

Devin Anderson, lead organizer for the group Wisconsin Voices, spoke at a rally this week in support of the measure. He said it's time to remove the opportunity for one party to create a landscape that leaves out Black voices.

"Demand the state allow communities of color to have the influence they deserve on a statewide level." he said.

Watchdogs have said that when state Republicans controlled redistricting after the 2010 census, they drew maps in secret that greatly benefited their party over the decade. The GOP still is in control this time, although Democratic Gov. Tony Evers could veto their maps, setting off court battles. Republican leaders remain opposed to the bill that has resurfaced, saying Wisconsin's Constitution calls for legislators to guide the process.

Even if the bill faces long odds, supporters have noted it does have bipartisan support. Its sponsor, Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire, told this week's crowd that gerrymandered maps have played a role in the divided government seen today.

"Wisconsin is weary from highly partisan politics," he said. "Every head-scratching vote, every policy for the public good, ignored by lawmakers, all stem from one issue - gerrymandering."

The plan is separate from Evers' People's Map Commission, which also faces GOP opposition. Supporters of enacting changes feel the public is on their side, with more counties passing advisory referendums asking for an independent process. Last fall, nearly a dozen appeared on ballots across Wisconsin.

---

Support for this reporting was provided by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021