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WisconsinWatch.org - Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism

WisconsinWatch.org (https://www.wisconsinwatch.org/type-of-work/opinion/)

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Opinion

Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.

Publication of letters to the editor, guest columns and other opinion material does not imply endorsement by the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. Authors are solely responsible for the facts and views expressed in opinion material published by the Center.

Letters to the Editor

Wisconsin Watch’s ‘new look’

By Dave Gorak / Midwest Coalition to Reduce Immigration | June 10, 2019

Your May piece by Natalie Yahr about illegals detained at our border reinforces the growing argument that our media is doing this country no favors by continuing to cover the immigration issue from just one perspective, i.e. “us vs. them.”

Your Right to Know

Your Right to Know: Bill would block scrutiny of lottery winners

By Dee J. Hall (Wisconsin Watch) | June 4, 2019

When University of Wisconsin-Madison student journalist Peter Coutu investigated frequent lottery winners in Wisconsin in 2018, he uncovered a pattern: The owners and clerks of stores that sell lottery tickets seemed to have more luck than normal.

Your Right to Know

Your Right to Know: Body cam bill balances privacy, openness

By Kyle Geissler | April 30, 2019

When so much about politics is partisan, one might expect a topic like police body cameras to be contentious, particularly as it relates to public access to recordings.

Your Right to Know

Your Right to Know: Don’t purge records of expunged cases

By April Barker | April 2, 2019

Wisconsin legislators are looking to reform current law governing the expungement of criminal records. Among other things, SB-39 would allow those convicted of crimes for which the maximum term of imprisonment is six years or less (including some felonies) to ask a judge to expunge their convictions even if they fail to do so at the time of sentencing, as is currently required. It would also allow those older than age 25 at the time of an offense to request expungement, and expressly provide that an expunged record cannot be considered a conviction for purposes of employment. The standard under present law would be carried forward, which lets judges grant expungement if they determine “that the person will benefit and society will not be harmed.”
The rationale for the bill, which has broad bipartisan support, is to give those who have made minor mistakes a fresh start, including supposedly enhanced employment opportunities. It is one of several current proposals to expand the availability of expungement.

Your Right to Know

Your Right to Know: Wisconsin lawmakers embrace secrecy, fast-tracking

By Dee J. Hall (Wisconsin Watch) | December 5, 2018

Many people in Wisconsin feel state government is moving in the wrong direction, away from the citizenry and toward the interests of politicians and their financial backers.

Letters to the Editor

This should be on the front page of national papers

By Robert C. Wodrich | November 8, 2018

This letter was written in response to the Center’s Sept. 30, 2018 report titled: Voter ID linked to lower turnout in Wisconsin, other states; students, people of color, elderly most affected.

Your Right to Know

Your Right to Know: Racine case shows folly of official secrecy

By Steve Lovejoy | October 31, 2018

Secrecy in government, compounded by court-ordered secrecy, gives rise to speculation and rumor. That never serves the public interest.

Letters to the Editor

This is such a great story. I trust its veracity.

By Katie Green | October 23, 2018

This letter was written in response to the Center’s Oct. 16, 2018 collaborative report with HuffPost titled: As Trump disparages immigrants, Midwest dairy farmers build bridges to Mexico

Letters to the Editor

Thank you for a wonderful story that lifted my spirits today

By Jody Gemmell | October 17, 2018

This letter was written in response to the Center’s Oct. 16, 2018 collaborative report with HuffPost titled: As Trump disparages immigrants, Midwest dairy farmers build bridges to Mexico.

Opinion

Why we analyzed the speed of bills in the Wisconsin Legislature and what we learned

By Dee J. Hall (Wisconsin Watch) | August 19, 2018

This column is a companion to our story revealing that the length of time bills were deliberated dropped significantly soon after Gov. Scott Walker and Republican legislators took control in 2011. In this piece Center managing editor Dee J. Hall explains the origins and methodology of the analysis.

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