Wisconsin
Wisconsin Republicans would keep upper hand in Legislature under maps proposed by Democratic voters
Republican majorities would shrink but the party would maintain an upper hand in the Wisconsin Legislature under new redistricting plans proposed by the Democratic voters who convinced the state Supreme Court to declare the state’s Republican-drawn legislative maps unconstitutional.
Seven sets of map proposals were submitted to the court Friday afternoon by parties to a redistricting lawsuit that has generated national attention.
In its Dec. 22 opinion, the Supreme Court’s liberal majority said remedial maps must comply with the Wisconsin Constitution’s requirements that voting districts be compact, include equal populations and have boundaries that physically connect. That last requirement, known as contiguity, was the justification the court’s 4-3 liberal majority used to strike down current Republican drawn maps.
The majority said it would also consider “partisan impact” to measure political fairness of new maps, telling parties that it would take care to avoid picking new maps that favor one political party over another.
The proposals submitted Friday mark the beginning of the court’s efforts to replace maps that have helped Republicans cement lopsided legislative majorities in a state that’s otherwise known for close elections.
Maps from Democrats who sued would maintain GOP majority
A brief filed by Democratic voters who brought the redistricting lawsuit claimed their proposed maps comply with all requirements, including political fairness.
An analysis they submitted to the court by a George Washington University political science professor suggests Republicans would win 52 percent of seats in the state Assembly, which works out to a GOP majority of around 52 of 99 seats. Republicans currently hold a 64-35 majority in the Assembly, leaving them just shy of a two-thirds supermajority.
In the state Senate, petitioners said, Republicans would also likely get a 52 percent majority, which works out to around 17 out of 33 seats. The GOP currently holds 22 seats, giving Republicans a supermajority.
A joint statement from law firms that represented Democratic voters called the submission of new maps “an important step for our clients and communities across the state whose voices have been silenced for the last 12 years” by the current GOP-drawn districts.
“Today’s filing is the next step to ensuring that all Wisconsinites – no matter where they reside in the state or which party they belong to politically – can get a fair shot to elect leaders who will best serve their communities,” read a written statement by Mark Gaber of the Campaign Legal Center.
Wisconsin Legislature’s new maps ignore court’s ‘partisan impact’ requirement
The Republican-controlled Legislature took a different approach entirely in its brief to the court submitted Friday.
While attorneys for Republicans said the Legislature’s new map proposals complied with the court’s order that voting districts have boundaries that physically connect, they made no changes to address partisan impact.
The Legislature’s brief argued the only way for the court to ensure political neutrality when choosing new maps “is to stay out of politics altogether.”
“The Legislature’s proposed remedy does so. It corrects all noncontiguities by moving less than 0.1% of Wisconsinites with no conceivable ‘partisan impact,’” the Legislature’s brief said. “This remedy ensures that the Court exercises only judicial power and spares the Court the burden of inventing new “neutrality” standards.”
The Legislature also argued Wisconsin’s constitution grants no authority to the court to determine whether maps are politically fair to parties. Therefore, it said, the overall makeup of districts in its proposed maps “should remain largely the same.”
Maps submitted by the Legislature and the Democratic voters, along with others from Democratic Governor Tony Evers and various parties who intervened in the redistricting case, will now be analyzed by two redistricting experts hired by the liberal majority.
University of California, Irvine Political Scientist Bernard Grofman and Carnegie Mellon University Political Scientist Jonathan Cervas have until Feb. 1 to issue a report on the map proposals. If the two determine maps from the parties don’t satisfy the court’s requirements, justices tasked them with drawing their own proposals.
How Aleksas Bieliauskas has grown in first season with Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard has high praise for Aleksas Bieliauskas about a month into the Lithuania native’s freshman season.
MADISON – One of Wisconsin men’s basketball’s departing transfers is headed to an SEC program with some connections to the Badgers.
Ex-UW forward Aleksas Bieliauskas has committed to South Carolina, he announced on April 17.
Bieliauskas left the Badgers after appearing in all 35 games as a freshman and making 28 starts. He averaged 4.9 points and 4.4 points in 20.2 minutes, and highlights of his freshman year included his five 3-pointers in UW’s upset over eventual national champion Michigan.
He’ll join a program with plenty of Wisconsin ties. South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris was an assistant coach at Wisconsin from 2010-17 on Bo Ryan and Greg Gard’s staffs. South Carolina assistant coach Tanner Bronson and director of video services Roman DiPasquale also are UW alumni.
Bieliauskas is the second of UW’s four departing transfers to commit to a new school. Reserve forward Jack Robison committed to North Dakota State on April 15. Starting guard John Blackwell and reserve forward Riccardo Greppi have not announced their next schools yet.
There are several events happening across the area this weekend, including festivals, sports, and art exhibits.
Art in Bloom transforms the Milwaukee Art Museum with floral installations inspired by artwork in the museum. The annual event runs through Sunday, and timed tickets are needed.
It is the opening weekend of the 18th annual Milwaukee Film Festival. Screenings are taking place at the Downer and Oriental theaters. Several local films are being screened along with national and international films.
WATCH: Art in Bloom, Milwaukee Film Festival and more. What are you doing this weekend?
Wisconsin Weekend in a Minute
Wee Whiskey Fest returns to Lake Geneva with a full weekend of tastings, entertainment, and events. Saturday’s Grand Tasting features more than 150 premium bourbons and whiskies, with more festivities happening all weekend long.
At the Milwaukee Admirals game tonight, it is Fair Deal Friday. Fans who grab an Admirals ticket will get a free Fair ticket. It is also Fan Appreciation Night with plenty of giveaways, and the first 2,500 fans will get a one-of-a-kind Admirals and Brewers t-shirt.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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(WLUK) — Many roads remain closed as Northeast Wisconsin continues to deal with the effects of heavy rain and flooding.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation released this list of road closures Thursday for state highways in the area:
Highway 147 is closed at Church Street in Mishicot due to flooding.
- A detour route is posted using County V, WIS 42 and County VV.
Highway 54 is closed in both directions from near N. Maple Street/Highway 47 in Black Creek to Hooyman Road/County M west of Shiocton due to flooding on roadway.
- Alternate route for southbound: Take Highway 47 to County S to County M.
- Reverse for northbound.
Highway 76 is closed in both directions from East Avenue in Shiocton to Oak Crest Drive in Stephensville due to flooding on roadway.
- No detour is available with all other county roadways flooded in this area as well. Planned to be closed indefinitely.
Highway 76 is closed in both directions from County D in Bear Creek to Highway 54 in Shiocton because of flooding on roadway.
- No detour is available with all other county roadways flooded in this area as well. Planned to be closed indefinitely.
Highway 54 is closed in both directions from Gorges Road in Northport to Jeanne Street in New London due to flooding on roadway. NOTE: Highway 45 north and south of New London is closed for an ongoing construction project.
- Alternate Route for eastbound traffic: Traffic will exit Highway 54 at Highway 110/22, north on Highway 110/22 to County BB, east on County BB to County B, north on County B to Highway 22, east on Highway 22 to US 45, north on US 45 to Highway 22, North on Highway 22 to Highway 156, East on Highway 156 to Highway 47, south on Highway 47 back to Highway 54.
- Reverse for westbound.
Highway 187 from Highway 156 in Shawano County to Highway 54 in Outagamie County is closed in both directions due to flooding.
- Alternate route for southbound: Highway 156 to Highway 47 to Highway 54.
- Reverse for northbound.
Highway 110 is closed in both directions south of Manawa from County B in Manawa to County BB due to flooding on roadway.
- Alternate route for northbound: Northbound traffic will exit WIS 110 at County BB, east on County BB to County B, north on County B back to Highway 110.
- Reverse for southbound.
If you can safely take a photo or video of conditions where you are, share it with us here:
The DOT also gave these tips for safe driving during flood conditions:
- Please make sure you have the flooding tab clicked on the 511 map to view all locations of flooding.
- Never attempt to cross a water-covered road. Just 12 inches of moving water can sweep a vehicle off the road.
- Do not ignore barricades or road closure signs.
Flash flooding can occur suddenly anywhere in the area.
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- Always check current road conditions before traveling:
- Visit the 511 Wisconsin website for the latest weather and road alerts.
- Motorists should plan extra time for travel, use designated alternate routes, and exercise extreme caution in low-lying areas. Conditions may change rapidly.
- For the latest updates, monitor the 511 Wisconsin website. Stay safe and drive smart when in doubt, turn around and find another way.
- For real-time information, please check the 511 Wisconsin website or call 511.
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