Wisconsin Reporter
Encyclopedia
Wisconsin Reporter began operations in January 2011 and is an affiliate of Statehouse News Online
, a project of the non-profit news organization, Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Wisconsin Reporter is an online only publication focused on state and local government, claiming to serve its readers as a government watchdog. Currently, over a dozen news reporting organizations in Wisconsin utilize Wisconsin Reporter articles for their publications and broadcasts.
The publication also provides local coverage in the cities of Beloit
, Chippewa
, La Crosse
, Kenosha, Eau Claire
, Wausau and Stevens Point.
Kirsten Adshead, Investigative Reporter
Alissa Smith, Reporter
held the first of two recall elections of six Republican and two Democrat incumbent state legislators. The election gained national attention and Wisconsin Reporter's coverage was utilized by national news organizations.
$137 million budget repair bill, which included legislation requiring union workers to contribute more to their health care and pensions, as well as take aware their collective bargaining rights. When the results were released on February 24, 2011, it revealed that Wisconsin residents were evenly split on their support for the governor’s proposal and the union workers protesting the legislation. Controversy erupted over a finding that 71% of the public supported legislation requiring union workers to pay 5.8% of their salary toward the cost of their pensions plans and double their contributions for health care premiums to 12.6%. The results of this poll, especially the majority of Wisconsinites agreeing with legislation requiring workers to increase their contributions, came under great scrutiny by pro-union bloggers and political pundits.
Wisconsin Reporter and their sponsoring organization were being portrayed as unreliable sources by some new media and left-leaning political sources. These groups argued that the poll was unreliable because Franklin Center was founded by a “former Republican operative” and that the group had ties to openly pro-Walker organizations.
’s claim in a recent interview with the Heritage Foundation
of economic victory as “right-wing fantasy, a total lie.” Wisconsin Reporter included in the article U.S. Department of Labor statistics showing Wisconsin’s economy creating 9,500 jobs in June, and Illinois
lost 18,900 jobs the same month.
In the email, which was sent directly to Bureau Chief Matt Kittle, Zielinski said the publication is a “shill for the Republican Party and isn’t balanced in its news coverage.” Zielinski's email contained language that Wisconsin Reporter perceived as threatening.
The Wisconsin Reporter parent organization, Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity responded to the email with a statement condemning Zielinski's comments and demanded an apology from the Wisconsin Democratic Party for what was called "baseless threats."
Zielinski made good on his threat during an October 18, 2011 meeting in Madison, sponsored by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. At the training session, Wisconsin Reporter journalist Kirsten Adshead was asked to leave by an organizer who cited the organizations desire to keep the information out of the media. Adshead agreed to leave the meeting but asked to speak to the individual making the request. According to the Wisconsin Reporter article she was placed on the phone with Zielinski.
Statehouse News Online
Statehouse News Online, is a network of state-based news organizations that cover state-specific and local government. The organization website serves as a news aggregator for over forty news organizations that provide in-depth coverage of state legislation, budgets, local political interests and...
, a project of the non-profit news organization, Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Wisconsin Reporter is an online only publication focused on state and local government, claiming to serve its readers as a government watchdog. Currently, over a dozen news reporting organizations in Wisconsin utilize Wisconsin Reporter articles for their publications and broadcasts.
The publication also provides local coverage in the cities of Beloit
Beloit, Wisconsin
Beloit is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, Beloit had a population of 36,966. The greater Beloit area is home to more than 91,000 residents.-Claim to fame:...
, Chippewa
Chippewa, Wisconsin
Chippewa is a town in Ashland County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 433 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 125.5 square miles , of which, 124.4 square miles of it is land and 1.1 square miles ...
, La Crosse
La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse is a city in and the county seat of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The city lies alongside the Mississippi River.The 2011 Census Bureau estimates the city had a population of 52,485...
, Kenosha, Eau Claire
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire is a city located in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 65,883 as of the 2010 census, making it the largest municipality in the northwestern portion of the state, and the 9th largest in the state overall. It is the county seat of Eau Claire County,...
, Wausau and Stevens Point.
Personnel
M.D. Kittle, Bureau ChiefKirsten Adshead, Investigative Reporter
Alissa Smith, Reporter
Wisconsin Recall Elections
On August 9, 2011, the state of WisconsinWisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
held the first of two recall elections of six Republican and two Democrat incumbent state legislators. The election gained national attention and Wisconsin Reporter's coverage was utilized by national news organizations.
Governor Walker Poll
On February 21, 2011, Wisconsin Reporter, sponsored a poll to determine public opinion about Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker'sScott Walker
Scott Walker may refer to:*Scott Walker , Governor of Wisconsin, and former county executive of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin*Scott Walker , boxer...
$137 million budget repair bill, which included legislation requiring union workers to contribute more to their health care and pensions, as well as take aware their collective bargaining rights. When the results were released on February 24, 2011, it revealed that Wisconsin residents were evenly split on their support for the governor’s proposal and the union workers protesting the legislation. Controversy erupted over a finding that 71% of the public supported legislation requiring union workers to pay 5.8% of their salary toward the cost of their pensions plans and double their contributions for health care premiums to 12.6%. The results of this poll, especially the majority of Wisconsinites agreeing with legislation requiring workers to increase their contributions, came under great scrutiny by pro-union bloggers and political pundits.
Wisconsin Reporter and their sponsoring organization were being portrayed as unreliable sources by some new media and left-leaning political sources. These groups argued that the poll was unreliable because Franklin Center was founded by a “former Republican operative” and that the group had ties to openly pro-Walker organizations.
Wisconsin Democratic Party Controversy
On August 5, 2011, Wisconsin Democratic Party spokesman Graeme Zielinski sent an email to Wisconsin Reporter, to express his disapproval of an article published by the organization. The controversy began when Zielinski was quoted in an article saying that Wisconsin’s neighbor to the south, Illinois, was outpacing Wisconsin’s economy. He referred to Gov. Scott WalkerScott Walker
Scott Walker may refer to:*Scott Walker , Governor of Wisconsin, and former county executive of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin*Scott Walker , boxer...
’s claim in a recent interview with the Heritage Foundation
Heritage Foundation
The Heritage Foundation is a conservative American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Heritage's stated mission is to "formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong...
of economic victory as “right-wing fantasy, a total lie.” Wisconsin Reporter included in the article U.S. Department of Labor statistics showing Wisconsin’s economy creating 9,500 jobs in June, and Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
lost 18,900 jobs the same month.
In the email, which was sent directly to Bureau Chief Matt Kittle, Zielinski said the publication is a “shill for the Republican Party and isn’t balanced in its news coverage.” Zielinski's email contained language that Wisconsin Reporter perceived as threatening.
What happens next is that I contact the publishers and editors of the papers that publish you as ‘unbiased,’ and let them know our deep concern about the obvious bias that permeates your entire operation. Then, we let our activists know which papers publish you, and they write the publisher and editor. Then, we contact the Capitol press pool and let them know about our concerns about your credentialing. And we continue on until you actually admit to the truth of your operation. What is the truth of the operation?
The Wisconsin Reporter parent organization, Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity responded to the email with a statement condemning Zielinski's comments and demanded an apology from the Wisconsin Democratic Party for what was called "baseless threats."
Zielinski made good on his threat during an October 18, 2011 meeting in Madison, sponsored by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. At the training session, Wisconsin Reporter journalist Kirsten Adshead was asked to leave by an organizer who cited the organizations desire to keep the information out of the media. Adshead agreed to leave the meeting but asked to speak to the individual making the request. According to the Wisconsin Reporter article she was placed on the phone with Zielinski.
Zielinski called the reporter unprofessional, accused her of sneaking into a party function and then threatened to discuss the incident Wednesday with the statehouse press corps, of which Wisconsin Reporter is a member.
“Get out,” Zielinski shouted. “Don’t come to our party functions anymore.”
He then hung up the phone.