By Tom Still
MADSON, Wis. – A source close to the toy industry has leaked a copy of Santa’s perks list for Wisconsin politicians, business leaders and other newsmakers. Here’s what the good boys and girls in Madison and Washington will reportedly find in their stocking this Christmas. But they better not pout and they better not cry if an alert district attorney asks why gifts were delivered down chimneys after midnight.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos – The Republican from Racine County received his present in November when, faced with new legislative maps that could have ended GOP rule in the Legislature’s lower house, he hustled his troops to a 54-45 edge. The only lump of coal under the speaker’s tree might be uncertainty surrounding the next state budget process. Will the troops reward his campaign fealty?
Gov. Tony Evers – Speaking of the state budget, the state will end its current two-year cycle with $4 billion in a one-time reserve. Santa’s gift to the Democratic governor is the ability to craft a 2025-27 plan so attractive that legislative Republicans won’t toss it in the waste bin right away. Santa has also noticed the governor is speaking out on potential Trump administration policies that could touch the state, such as immigrant deportation. Is a re-election run in 2026 possible?
The Milwaukee Brewers – With a new lease agreement formally approved, the Brewers will stay in Milwaukee through 2050 … a grand slam for fans throughout the state. Look for ballpark improvements over time and, if the right player trades keep happening, a World Series run even sooner. (By the way: The Brewers were 8-5 against the Chicago Cubs in 2024, which some fans find almost as important.)
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway – The progressive mayor borrowed a page from Trump’s MAGA playbook after the tragic shootings at Abundant Life Christian School by criticizing members of the news media for daring to ask who the victims were. “Absolutely none of y’all’s business,” she said. Santa gifts her a long Bus Rapid Transit ride to think that one over.
School districts throughout the state – It was nothing short of impressive how quickly law enforcement locked down the scene at Abundant Life following the Dec. 16 shooting. They were aided by a “critical incident map” of the school that pinpointed rooms, hallways, exits and more. Schools can apply through the Office of School Safety at the state Department of Justice to produce and distribute such maps, free of charge. Too many schools have yet to do so. Santa’s gift is to remind Wisconsin school administrators that, sadly, it’s a smart move.
Big companies taking notice of Wisconsin – Microsoft is building its data center in Racine County’s town of Mount Pleasant, Eli Lilly has announced a $3-billion expansion of a Kenosha County plant it bought from Nexus Pharmaceuticals, and AbbVie acquired Madison-based Nimble Therapeutics and will keep it in Wisconsin. Directly or indirectly, these moves reflect Wisconsin’s ability to launch and grow young tech companies. Santa hopes state policy-makers reinforce this trend by creating a public-private “fund of funds” large enough to help Wisconsin compete with Ohio and Michigan, two successful examples.
Bipartisan collaborators in the state Capitol – Partisan friction is what stirs headlines (the latest dust-up over a new engineering building being the latest example) but progress sometimes goes unseen. In the Legislature, the informal Tech Caucus has leaders such as Sen. Dan Feyen, R-Fond du Lac; Sen. Diane Hesselbein, D-Middleton; Rep. Shannon Zimmerman, R-River Falls; and Rep. “Tip” McGuire, D-Kenosha, to weigh ideas for economic development. Santa gifts them the ability to keep talking, even when others are mostly arguing.
For Wisconsin’s brewing industry: Tradition took a tumble this fall when Molson Coors closed Leinenkugel breweries in Milwaukee and Chippewa Falls. At least the “Leinie Lodge” and attached pilot brewery remain open. Other iconic breweries are fermenting expansion plans, such as New Glarus Brewery with its $55-million expansion. Santa’s present to owners Deb and Dan Carey is plenty of hardhats and shovels for worker elves.
For Wisconsin’s rising political stars: In an era when sharp personal attacks and partisanship can drive more good people away from politics than it attracts, it’s reassuring to know that some quality office-holders continue to be attracted to public service. That’s a gift to Wisconsin citizens. Happy holidays, everyone!
Still is president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. He can be reached at tstill@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com