AGP Executive Report

Surveillance & Privacy: U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley expanded his AI-surveillance probe, sending letters to Axon, Motorola Solutions, and Verkada after starting with Flock Safety, demanding details on data collection and retention. Healthcare Costs: Trump announced $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Wisconsin, tied to federal exchange “user fees.” Reproductive Rights: Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin sued to block two abortion restrictions—requiring physicians only and a 24-hour waiting period—prompting sharp Republican condemnation. Elections & Voting Access: Wisconsin Elections Commission reported no increase in late mail-in ballots in its clerk survey, with 9% saying late ballots rose versus the spring primary. Higher Ed: UW system enrollment held above 163,000 in fall 2026, down about 1% overall, mostly from fewer international students; UW-Milwaukee welcomed its largest first-year class in 17 years. Local Government: Milwaukee leaders moved to repeal the 10 p.m. downtown food truck curfew after months of court fights, with the change aimed at ending the legal battle. Criminal Justice: Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey asked Gov. Tony Evers for commutations of their sentences. Public Safety: Jefferson County suspended Flock cameras after claiming data was released without permission.

Obamacare Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Wisconsin, will get $500 checks starting in October after Biden-era “user fees” allegedly drove up premiums. Midterm Cash Pitch: At the GOP midterm convention, Trump also renewed a promise of a $5,000 “dividend” to every adult if Republicans hold majorities—an offer already drawing skepticism in Wisconsin about cost and feasibility. Reproductive Rights Fight: Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin sued to overturn two abortion restrictions, arguing the Wisconsin Constitution protects a right to abortion. Jail Tablets in the Spotlight: Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball is pushing back on claims about inmate tablet policies, saying devices are on a closed network and not for internet access. Flock Camera Fallout: Jefferson County Sheriff Travis Maze suspended Flock Safety camera use after saying data was released without permission; the broader Wisconsin debate continues as privacy and oversight concerns spread. Data Centers vs. Voters: A new Wisconsin governor-race focus: data center energy costs and local control, with polling showing strong public concern. Energy Infrastructure: Dane County is urging more review and public input on a proposed 765-kV transmission line project. Agriculture & Culture: Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed a fall agricultural tourism season, while Menominee wild rice is rebounding after years of low production.

Mail Voting Fight: A federal appeals court upheld a block on Trump’s mail-voting executive order, with Wisconsin officials warning the USPS requirements are impossible to meet as ballots already go out. Reproductive Rights in Wisconsin: Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin says it will sue to overturn two state abortion restrictions, including a decades-old ban on nurses providing abortions and a 24-hour waiting requirement. Supreme Court Pressure on Voting Access: Sen. Tammy Baldwin joined a large bipartisan amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to stop USPS from restricting mail voting. Milwaukee Opioid Funding: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signed legislation approving $7.46 million in opioid settlement funds for eight prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. Property Taxes: Wisconsin’s gross property tax levies jumped 5.8% on December 2025 bills, the biggest increase in nearly two decades, driven largely by school district levies and state aid dynamics. Gubernatorial Debate Shakeup: The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation canceled a planned gubernatorial debate after both candidates declined invitations. Statewide Public Safety: Wisconsin State Patrol announced aerial enforcement this weekend in multiple counties, including Columbia, to encourage compliance. Local Politics: Former Dane County Board Supervisor April Kigeya launched a Madison mayoral bid, challenging incumbent Satya Rhodes-Conway. Healthcare Cash Push: Trump announced $500 Obamacare rebate checks for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, timed ahead of the midterms.

Midterm Convention Buzz: President Trump kicked off the GOP’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas with a headline-grabbing promise: $5,000 “dividends” to every American adult if Republicans keep the House and Senate—while major sections of seats stayed empty, raising questions about enthusiasm and cost. Wisconsin Politics & Cost of Living: In Wisconsin, Democrats are tying the economic squeeze to Trump-era choices, with Sen. Tammy Baldwin and 3rd District candidate Rebecca Cooke pointing to tariffs and higher farm input costs. State Government & Schools: Gov. Tony Evers continued his back-to-school tour in Superior and Wausau, arguing Wisconsin needs steadier school funding instead of constant local referendums. Local Public Safety: Milwaukee police identified a fatal hit-and-run victim and are seeking the suspect; separately, an Oregon man was arrested after fleeing police on a motorcycle at speeds over 120 mph. Healthcare & Growth: SSM Health opened a sustainable outpatient center in Verona, expanding access to primary and specialty care. Surveillance Cameras: More Wisconsin communities are reconsidering or suspending Flock Safety contracts amid privacy and data-sharing concerns.

Gubernatorial Debate Fight: Republican Tom Tiffany says he skipped the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association debate because “one debate will be sufficient,” a move that led WBA to cancel its Oct. 9 event; both campaigns are still set for an Oct. 21 debate at Marquette Law School, with other proposed dates still in play. Election Administration: Wisconsin clerks are sending absentee ballots as Trump’s mail-voting order remains tied up in court, with the Wisconsin Elections Commission saying the new federal rule isn’t in effect while the Supreme Court weighs an emergency request. Surveillance Tech Backlash: Sheboygan voted unanimously to end its Flock Safety contract after concerns about data management and sharing, joining a growing list of Wisconsin communities pausing or terminating Flock deals. State Policy & Courts: Wisconsin Supreme Court begins a new term with 22 cases, while a Wisconsin appeals court ruled a buyer can collect insurance proceeds after a Chetek property was destroyed before closing. Energy & Infrastructure: Gov. Tony Evers says Wisconsin will receive $25 million for 42 new fast EV charging stations after a federal funding fight, expanding charging access along major interstates. Local Governance: Madison Common Council rejected a $100,000 business stabilization plan tied to a July shooting, and also turned down extra funding for the independent police monitor.

Gubernatorial Debate Cancelled: The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation scrapped its Oct. 9 governor debate after both invitations weren’t accepted, setting up a separate debate on Oct. 21 without the WBA Foundation. Flock Cameras Backlash Spreads: Stevens Point moved to bag its Flock license plate readers, and Menasha voted to stop funding Flock while Neenah weighs termination; Waupaca County agencies also suspended use, as privacy and data-sharing concerns keep driving local pullbacks. Jail Tablets Become Campaign Fire: Milwaukee County inmate tablet access is now a governor’s race issue after reports of alleged witness/victim intimidation from jail devices, with Tom Tiffany pressing David Crowley for safeguards and accountability. Election Integrity & Voting-by-Mail Fight: Wisconsin election officials warned Trump’s mail-in ballot order is unworkable as court battles continue. Trade War Hits Wisconsin: Sen. Tammy Baldwin blasted retaliatory Canada tariffs targeting Wisconsin dairy and paper, arguing Trump’s trade chaos threatens jobs and rural economies. EV Charging Expansion: Wisconsin is set to add 42 new EV fast-charging stations using $25M in federal funding, with sites across the state. Courts & Criminal Justice: The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments on whether a 10-year-old homicide defendant should have easier paths to juvenile court.

Mail-in Voting Fight: Wisconsin Elections Commission says nearly 50,000 absentee ballots are already headed out as President Trump asks the U.S. Supreme Court to allow tighter mail-voting rules tied to USPS master lists and barcodes. EV Charging Buildout: Gov. Tony Evers and WisDOT announced $25M for 42 fast-charging sites statewide, including six in northeast Wisconsin, funded through the NEVI program. Trade War Hits Wisconsin Dairy: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs took effect Tuesday, with Wisconsin dairy among the targeted sectors as duties rise on hundreds of U.S. products. School Funding Courtroom Update: A Waukesha County judge ruled Milwaukee County’s diversion of money from the state school library fund is unconstitutional. Gubernatorial Debate Canceled: The WBA Foundation canceled its Oct. 9 televised governor’s debate after invitations weren’t both accepted; Tiffany vs. Crowley is still set for Oct. 21. State Government Personnel: ETF welcomed a new executive team, with Diana Felsmann stepping in as secretary. Fort McCoy Construction: The East Barracks Project handover is nearing completion, part of the installation’s ongoing barracks modernization. Local Justice/Privacy: A report highlights Waupaca County’s policy allowing deputies to drive squad vehicles home, including outside the county.

Wisconsin Governor Race: Labor Day set the tone for the final sprint to Election Day as David Crowley and Tom Tiffany sparred over Act 10, with unions arguing the law crushed bargaining power while Republicans defend it as taxpayer-sparing. Election Access: Formerly incarcerated Wisconsinites gathered to push “Unlock the Vote,” highlighting that people serving felony sentences can’t vote until they finish incarceration, probation, and parole. Criminal Justice Tech: Milwaukee County Supervisor Justin Bielinski urged Sheriff Denita Ball to stop using Flock license-plate readers, calling for warrant-level guardrails and pointing to growing local pullbacks. Data Centers: Wisconsin Rapids residents remain uneasy about a proposed data center after PNK Group’s webinar outreach, with a public hearing set for Sept. 16. Transmission Lines: Richland Center’s city council unanimously adopted a resolution raising concerns about the BECI 765-kV line, including calls for routing alternatives, a full environmental review, and aviation safety analysis. Attorney General Race: A Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling keeps the Meta settlement money decision in the next AG’s hands, with Josh Kaul promising youth mental health spending and Eric Toney yet to say how he’d use it. Trade Impact: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on $20B in U.S. goods took effect, with economists warning they could hit dairy and manufacturers in Wisconsin and other Midwestern states.

Transmission Line Fight: Rep. Tony Kurtz urged MGS to reroute the proposed BECI 765-kV line using existing utility, highway/rail, or recreation corridors first, saying the current paths would hit generational farms and private property. Infrastructure Update: The Iowa 9 / WIS 82 Mississippi River Crossing at Lansing is now expected to open in early November, ahead of the prior spring 2027 target, with a ferry bridge service ending when the new span opens. Data Center Watch: Wisconsin Rapids will hold a Sept. 16 public hearing on a conditional use permit for a data center at the former Rapids mill site. Privacy vs. Policing: A report says Flock spent $102,000 lobbying in Wisconsin tied to license-plate reader grants, as cities weigh whether to change how law enforcement uses the cameras. State Budget Stakes: With Wisconsin’s projected surplus rising, Crowley and Tiffany are sharply split on what to do with it—property tax relief and spending priorities vs. returning it to taxpayers. Election Pressure: Midterm campaigns are in the home stretch as Labor Day events ramp up turnout efforts. Federal Mail-Vote Fight: Wisconsin’s AG Aaron Ford secured court orders blocking USPS mail-voting restrictions while litigation continues.

Mail Voting Fight: Nevada AG Aaron Ford won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS from imposing new vote-by-mail requirements as litigation continues over Trump-backed changes. Election Security & Enforcement: DOJ charged five people across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wisconsin tied to noncitizen voting, while Wisconsin also saw a separate case involving a Beloit man accused of illegal voting in 2022. Data Privacy Backlash: Wisconsin law enforcement agencies and communities continue dropping Flock license-plate cameras over data-sharing and privacy concerns, with Milwaukee also facing scrutiny over how the tech is used. Public Safety & Police Accountability: Madison Rep. Sheila Stubbs and Ben Crump renewed calls for body-worn cameras after a July officer-involved shooting, arguing cameras should be required statewide. Local Government Leadership: Park Falls selected Sgt. Robert Zoubek as its next police chief. Justice System Watch: Whitewater police say a major internet crimes against children investigation has identified about 4,000 victims. Labor & Rail: Reps. Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan joined a letter urging federal regulators to prioritize rail workers’ jobs and safety in the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger review.

Prison Capacity Debate: Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany says Wisconsin should expand prison capacity as the state hits record incarceration levels, arguing it could help close aging facilities without releasing violent offenders. Immigration & Due Process: A Milwaukee family says DHS/ICE falsely accused their father of threatening President Trump and is preparing to sue, after investigators later concluded he was framed. Election Integrity & Mail Voting: A new report says Trump’s mail-voting restrictions are colliding with court fights and practical limits, with Wisconsin already starting to mail ballots. Noncitizen Voting Case: A Mexican national in Beloit was charged in federal court for illegally voting in the 2022 midterms. Surveillance Cameras & Privacy: Wisconsin law enforcement continues scaling back Flock Safety use amid privacy and data-sharing concerns, with multiple counties and cities moving to deactivate or limit the tech. Cost of Living: Ground beef prices keep climbing, adding pressure to Wisconsin households as inflation bites. State Politics & Messaging: Democrats are pushing unity after a bruising primary, centering affordability as the November focus.

Wisconsin Governor Race: David Crowley won the Democratic primary for governor, setting up a general election against GOP Rep. Tom Tiffany, with business groups already warning about Crowley’s tax and health care plans. Election Threats: A new PBS Wisconsin segment highlights renewed federal pressure on election administration, including DHS “surges” tied to noncitizen voting claims and efforts to restrict mail voting—while Wisconsin officials say noncitizen voting is already illegal and rare. Flock Cameras Backlash: Wisconsin law enforcement and local governments keep pulling back on Flock Safety after privacy and data-sharing concerns; Fond du Lac County agencies ended fixed ALPR use, and Milwaukee is weighing further limits and transparency rules. Data Centers & Politics: The fight over data centers is heating up as Wisconsin candidates clash over local control, ratepayer costs, farmland impacts, and subsidies. Milwaukee Local Governance: Milwaukee officials are considering reversing the downtown 10 p.m. food truck curfew back to 1 a.m. after legal challenges. Labor & Health: Allina doctors at Unity and Mercy hospitals filed a strike notice after years without a contract. Sports & Community: Badgers-Irish at Lambeau Field draws major local attention, and Marquette athletes marked the one-year anniversary of a fatal lacrosse crash.

Flock Cameras Backlash: Wisconsin’s U.S. senators, Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, are raising bipartisan privacy concerns about Flock automated license plate readers, calling for stronger safeguards on who can access data and how it’s used, with talk of a “Flock Off Act” to restrict federal funding. Local Law Enforcement Pullbacks: The controversy keeps spreading as more Wisconsin agencies suspend or cancel Flock use after reports that the company collected traffic data for years and repackaged it for sale, with Racine County and Fond du Lac among those citing lost trust. AI Child Porn Ruling: A federal appeals decision on Wisconsin’s AI child sexual abuse law is being watched closely by attorneys, who say it could be used to challenge the state statute even though it isn’t automatically struck down. Data Center Politics: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley is facing fresh political heat over data centers, with critics citing polling that says costs outweigh benefits and warning about electricity price impacts. Immigration Case in Milwaukee: A Milwaukee family says DHS falsely accused their father of threatening Trump and plans to sue for $5.5 million, arguing the threat letter was fabricated. Milwaukee Health Strategy: Milwaukee is looking to Baltimore’s “Healthy Babies” model to cut infant mortality and narrow the Black-white gap, focusing on prenatal care and accountability. Community Spotlight: The Town of Phelps held a ribbon cutting for a new community center and library funded by a $4.25 million Evers administration grant.

Mail Voting Fight: A federal judge extended a preliminary injunction blocking USPS from enforcing Trump-backed mail-ballot rules for the 2026 midterms, saying the requirements likely exceed USPS authority and could cause “significant disenfranchisement” as states scramble to comply. Election Integrity in Wisconsin: Federal prosecutors charged a Mexican citizen living in Beloit with illegally voting in the 2022 election, with up to a year in prison if convicted. Flock Backlash in Northeast Wisconsin: Fond du Lac County and several cities suspended Flock Safety license-plate reader use after concerns that search data from their systems was accessed elsewhere, adding to a growing Wisconsin trend of agencies pausing or ending contracts. Local Public Safety & Privacy: Milwaukee leaders moved to repeal a blocked 10 p.m. Water Street food truck curfew after a judge stopped it from taking effect, with debate shifting to understaffed police resources. Immigration Enforcement: ICE detention numbers in Wisconsin hit new highs this summer, with more than 2,100 people detained since January 2025, according to recent reporting. Energy & Local Control: Brillion officials face proposed large-scale natural gas power plants, with developers citing growing electricity demand and local leaders warning the town has limited say.

Wisconsin Elections & Courts: Wisconsin election officials warned the Trump mail-ballot rule is “virtually impossible” to follow, as the Supreme Court weighs another emergency fight just as ballots start going out. AG Race: Incumbent Josh Kaul and challenger Eric Toney sparred over crime trends, with Kaul citing a violent-crime jump in Toney’s Fond du Lac County while Toney’s camp argues local reporting shifts matter. Milwaukee Public Safety & Privacy: A Milwaukee County judge overturned a trespassing citation tied to public beach access, citing the public trust doctrine. Surveillance Cameras: The Flock camera debate keeps heating up in Milwaukee, with residents pushing for limits or removal and officials adjusting policies. State Budget & Workforce: Wisconsin technical colleges are asking for $168M in the next two-year budget to expand dual enrollment, adult education, and address workforce shortages. Local Infrastructure: Waukesha and Jefferson counties celebrated a new trail link connecting Oconomowoc and Watertown, expanding the Lake Country Trail system. Federal Money & Politics: Elon Musk’s America PAC disclosed about $800,000 in midterm spending, including support for Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden.

Flock Cameras Backlash: Milwaukee’s Fire & Police Commission heard dozens of public comments as residents pressed privacy and oversight concerns about Flock license-plate surveillance, with the debate spilling into the governor’s race and local contract fights. Mail Voting in Court: As statewide mail voting begins, the Trump administration again asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause parts of a mail-ballot restrictions order, while election officials warn about operational uncertainty and rejected-ballot risk. Midterm Money: Elon Musk’s America PAC disclosed early spending of about $800,000 to boost GOP candidates in close races, with Texas a major target. Data Centers vs. Farmland: Republican governor candidate Tom Tiffany doubled down on opposing data centers without safeguards, arguing subsidies should end and communities should have more control—an issue Democrats and Republicans are both trying to own. Election Integrity Probe: DHS opened a coordinated voter fraud investigation across nine states, including Wisconsin, targeting alleged noncitizen voting and raising fresh controversy among Democrats. Local Governance & Courts: A Milwaukee County judge reversed a Shorewood shoreline access ruling, a decision that could shape how Wisconsin courts interpret public rights along Lake Michigan. Public Safety: Milwaukee police issued alerts for two missing 17-year-old girls last seen near 100th and Capitol Drive; separately, a beltline crash highlighted ongoing traffic-safety concerns.