Update / March 9, 2026

WisEye Update 3-9-26Download

TO:

Governor Tony Evers; Assembly Speaker Rep. Robin Vos; Assembly Minority Leader Rep. Greta Neubauer; Senate Majority Leader Sen. Devin LeMahieu; Senate Minority Leader Sen. Dianne Hesselbein

ESSENTIAL MESSAGE

Both the Senate and Assembly have energetically expressed the need for continuing government transparency and citizen access to state proceedings in the form of live and archived coverage. WisconsinEye is grateful for this bipartisan messaging. It is the cornerstone of our mission.

URGENCY

The need is urgent. Private donors must have confidence that there is a long-term commitment from the state. That commitment needs to be finalized as soon as possible. Without it, March and April coverage is not imminent. It is likely that WisconsinEye will not be able to maintain its talented staff with a commitment to payroll.

ACTING ON THAT MESSAGE

WisconsinEye was able to quickly restore programming in February thanks to $50,000 provided jointly by the Senate and Assembly. This amount covered approximately one-half of budgeted operational expenses, and it allowed WisconsinEye to resume coverage for the month. It was a very busy and full programming effort: 102 events totaling 151 hours of programming.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH STATE SUPPORT?

Prospective donors – essential to the short- and long-term viability of the network –  are asking that question. Right now, WisconsinEye needs specific direction from the legislature. What we say today is that the Assembly has proposed one approach and the Senate another, and that both houses must come to an agreement ASAP. We clearly state the two necessary outcomes of the Legislature’s involvement:

ONE:  Achieve Immediate bipartisan funding (as in February) for March and continuing monthly to the point at which: (a) the Senate-proposed RPF process has concluded, or (b) earnings from the Assembly-proposed state investment account produce funding support.

TWO:  Passage of either the Senate or Assembly bill, or better, a negotiated hybrid, before the legislative calendar concludes for the year.

FEBRUARY SUPPORT RESULTED IN FULL-SCALE PRODUCTION:

  • Assembly Floor: 7 events
  • Senate Floor: 2
  • Senate, Assembly, and Joint committees: 50 
  • Supreme Court: 3 (produced by outside vendor & streamed live by WisEye, and archived at wiseye.org)
  • Other Events: 14 (WisPolitics, Wolf Advisory Task Force, Pardon Advisory Board, etc.)
  • News Conferences: 24
  • Rewind Show: 2

BOTTOM LINES

  1. We are grateful for public statements by elected officials of their commitment to government transparency.
  2. That sentiment needs to drive bipartisan state support for the long term.
  3. Immediate bridge funding, as in February, is needed for March and continuing as previously stated.
  4. Immediate passage of a long-term state funding plan is necessary to ensure network viability, build donor confidence, and raise private contributions.