Kapenga says top Senate Republican could lose post over sports betting, NIL bills

Right now on Upfront, decision time. If they feel the need to get out of town and not work. 48 hours until the state Senate's final scheduled floor day, the big bills on the line and the vote counts now underway. Online sports betting, NIL, and major tax relief negotiations between the governor and Republican leaders. This Sunday, the latest with Democratic minority leader Dianne Hesselbine and Republican Senator Chris Kainga. 2020 new controversy surrounding Milwaukee's absentee ballots, the Trump administration targeting several battleground states, and the renewed push to pass the Save America Act. Republican elections commissioner Don Millis is standing by, and it's Oscar Sunday, the new incentives to make more films right here in Wisconsin. This marked *** major milestone. For the film industry and for Milwaukee and for our state, the launch of Wisconsin's film office and millions in tax credits. Tourism secretary Anne Sayers with *** pitch to lure award-winning filmmakers. This is Upfront with Jaren Jordan and political director Matt Smith. Hi everyone, thanks for joining us. *** last minute flurry this weekend ahead of the expected final floor day in the state Senate this week. And as they say, it could sure be *** late night in the state Senate. *** lot of the schedule and some big questions about some key bills that passed the Assembly online sports betting, that NIL bill, just to name *** few, then the potential broad tax relief compromise between the governor and Republican leaders. Will there be *** breakthrough using some of the state's projected 2.5. billion dollars surplus. Talks we're told still underway. The governor this past week. This could happen also, you know, I know the legislators like to get out of town. I'd like to see them stick around. There's all sorts of work to do, so I personally don't have *** timeline, but if they feel the need to get out of town and not work, then we'll get it done before that, before they leave. With that, let's bring in Republican state senator Chris Kavia. Senator, like always, good to see you. Yes, thanks for having me. Let's start with these tax relief negotiations, I guess. Bring me inside where Senate Republicans are at this moment. Senate Republicans have been from the beginning advocating we want something really simple. We want to get the money back to the people who. Paid the taxes in, so we just proposed *** $1000 rebate per person, uh, per taxpayer. So that's what we want to stick with. Clearly the governor is trying to get us to negotiate with him, and he's on the other, uh, exact opposite side where he doesn't want to give any type of rebate. He wants to spend the money. So at this moment, no deal from Senate Republicans if rebate checks are not included. Uh, that is correct. Yeah, uh, the governor has said that he wants more in education funding and an increase in general school aid. If that were part of *** larger compromise, is, is that something that you or your fellow Republicans would support? I think it's something, again, when you have compromise, you have to move. Each, each side has to move to the middle. So if we see something that keeps our rebate checks in place. Uh, we would be open to having *** discussion about it, but I just don't know what that looks like unless the governor actually gives us something that we can work towards. There's some other high profile bills that passed the assembly now in the hands of the state Senate. Let's talk about the NIL bill for *** second. We had Chris McIntosh on the show last weekend. We saw the 3 Republicans vote no in joint finance, indicating that Democratic votes would likely be needed to pass. Do you know where you are yet on that, on that bill? I'm an absolute no. I, I don't believe in the bill. I don't think it's the right thing to do. Um, and, and I think *** large part of my caucus agrees with me. So when you saw that joint finance vote come out, that was very interesting because usually if *** bill's gonna make it to the floor, you've got to have Republican votes for it because we're in the majority. So when you've got 3 joint finance members coming out against it, I'm hoping that that's enough for the majority leader not to bring it to the floor. That's, that's the goal is I would love to not see it on the floor. Um, but we'll just have to see what the majority leader does. But he absolutely would have to go to Democrat votes to get it done because there's *** large part of the caucus that does not support it. Give me *** number when you say large part of the caucus. I don't know. I didn't do *** vote count on it, but I would say it's, it's more than 3 or 4. in, in, in terms of Senator Leahue bringing it to the floor, has he indicated that that is *** possibility? I think every bill that has been passed through the Assembly is. On the docket right now where, hey, this is *** possibility and the majority leader and the caucus have to determine where we're going to be out in each of them. So it, because it's been passed through, yes, it's absolutely *** possibility. I just hope it doesn't happen. Does this 17 vote rule still exist in the caucus? There's, so there's *** long precedent, so everybody knows there's *** long precedent where the majority likes to make sure that the majority votes on *** bill where we've got the 17. That is, uh, usually when you get to very large bills, maybe 1 or 2 *** session, but precedent has always been you've got to have that rule of 17, you know, if it's Republicans or Democrat votes. So I hope the majority leader doesn't go there. I think it's very dangerous for him if he does go there, so I just hope it doesn't happen. Politically dangerous. Absolutely, yeah. Historically, usually *** majority leader does not come back if he brings lots of, uh, if he breaks the rule of 17. So I hope the majority leader takes that into account as he looks at. There's also been *** lot of lobbying around uh the online sports betting bill. Uh, are Senate Republicans split on this? Absolutely they are split on this. Yeah, it's been ***, it's been an interesting discussion in caucus on it. Um, there, there are two sides to it, but, uh, I am definitely on the side of I don't think it's appropriate for us to be doing this. I think it's clear that what it does is it's, um, I've heard the word shameful, so I will use that in my comments where I think it's shameful that when you look at the money that's behind this. And you don't have *** coalescence of the Republican votes, that's very concerning for me. So I hope that it does not go to the floor. I do not think it's appropriate. You look at, hey, why are we doing this if there's not *** majority of Republicans who are supporting it. And I think if you look at the lobbying effort behind it, that gives you *** good part of the story, which is not, not, I don't think that's appropriate. I say you, so you're *** no on the bill 100%. How, how big is the split among Senate Republicans? I think it's again, it's larger than 3 or 4 from the last view. We haven't done hard vote counts on it, so I don't know the exact number, but I do sense if the majority leader would go there, he would, he would have to dip. Pretty heavy into the Democrat vote pool if they decide to vote for it. All right, *** fascinating 72 hours ahead. State Senator Chris Kabaca, Senator, hey, like always, thank you. Thanks for having me. With that, let's bring in the Democratic minority leader, State Senator Dianne Hesselbine. Senator, welcome back to the show. Good to see you as well. Thanks for having me on. I appreciate the opportunity. So let's start right there with tax relief negotiations. We're hearing from everyone that conversations are still ongoing. I'm just. the perspective right now from Senate Democrats on all of this. Well, we continue to be pleased that Governor Evers is pushing for more money into public schools, specifically for special education. During the state budget, we promised schools 42 to 45% special education funding, and unfortunately the receipts came in too low. So we're hoping we can make that promise *** reality. We're also hoping we can boost some general aides into our schools, and we'll see. Those conversations go. We just heard from Senator Kainga it's rebate checks or nothing. Essentially. The governor though isn't really hot on this idea of rebate checks. Where is the Democratic caucus broadly on rebate checks here? Well, we're still talking with the governor to see what kind of, you know, information that we can, you know, glean out of this and how this is going to look. But I think we did this years ago. Matt, correct me if I'm wrong, when Governor Walker was there and we did *** rebate check then. Um, I think more people are really interested in getting money to their public schools, and so that's what we keep talking about. Are you open at this point to *** number of different scenarios and even going beyond the session day on Tuesday if it takes you past that? Well, let's be honest, legislative Democrats want to work, and we want to work every single day for the people in the state of Wisconsin, and we should not be closing down our session on March 17th. We should be continuing to work. So whether that's April, May. June or anything else we can try to iron out, we should be continuing to meet and pass bills that really matter to the people of the state of Wisconsin. *** number of these high profile bills now in the Senate, online sports betting, the NIL bill dealing with the Badgers. We just heard S Seneca Kapica say that listen, there aren't enough Republican votes. We saw that in joint finance with 3 Republicans voting no. If this gets to the floor, will Democrats help carry the NIL bill across the finish line? We continue to have conversations about what might be on the calendar next week. We're not quite sure at this time. Wisconsin Democrats have been dedicated to really looking at what's going on in the state of Wisconsin, and really people are talking about rising costs and affordability. We've put out so many bills that address those key issues, whether that be healthy schools, helping with prescription drug costs, homestead tax credit. And now we're just seeing the last few weeks gasoline prices skyrocket. So we have real bills that will help people's lives, and that's what we're really concentrating on. We're really hoping we can get to some of those issues next week. We will continue to have conversations about the sports betting bill and NIL, and we'll keep you tuned on NI, yeah, on NIL. Where are you personally at this point on that bill? Well, I believe, you know, Badger sports are important in the state of Wisconsin, and they really are an economic driver for not just our region but the entire state. So we are continuing to have those conversations to see where our caucus is. And the online sports betting bill, as you mentioned, also there in the Senate. The governor has indicated that he would likely sign it. We heard from Senator Kainga say he has *** no on the bill. Where are Senate Democrats on the bill right now? I think *** lot of us are in favor of this right now. Sports betting is happening in the state of. Wisconsin, but it's happening with these companies from out of state, out of country, and I think it makes sense to have our Native American tribes be able to benefit from this. Yeah, there's, according to Senator Kainga, *** split between Senate Republicans. Do you think that this bill will actually pass? I think it has *** strong possibility. Senator, bring us behind the scenes *** little bit. When you have bills like this, like the NIL, like the sports betting, are you trying to convince Senator Lemahieu to get on the floor? There's some Republicans convincing him not to. What does this look like between now and Tuesday? Yes, it's just *** lot of conversations, *** lot of phone calls that I'm making with members, seeing what their thoughts are on it, what do they think. Of it there are certain people that are in favor and some people aren't. So just trying to figure out what people want to do. Broadly focused. What is your biggest goal to get accomplished Thursday? Is it just checking off what the assembly did, or are you looking at any new potential proposals or amendments that would then possibly have to go back to the assembly? Well, we are hoping to continue to push amendments that really help with affordability and the rising costs in the state of Wisconsin. We know that people, we've been listening to people actually since day one when we first started the session. About what healthy meals at schools could do. Free healthy meals for kids would have give kids free meals at lunchtime, but they would do better in school. And it would also help parents like $1500 with their grocery bills. That's real money. That would be an instant saving. So we're hoping that the Republicans will listen to us and actually get *** vote on that to move things forward. As they say, it could be *** long day and *** long night at the state capitol. Democratic minority Leader Dianne Hesselbine, Senator, hey, thank you so much. We appreciate it. Thank you. Appreciate the time. Coming up, 2020 back in focus. Milwaukee's ballots not yet destroyed. New concerns from election officials, plus the president's intensifying push to pass the Save Act. Elections commissioner Don Millis is standing by next. Welcome back. Election officials across Wisconsin saying they're on high alert this weekend after the FBI subpoenaed 2020 election records in Arizona, and they're issuing *** new warning targeting Milwaukee. The county's 2020 absentee ballots have not yet been destroyed, which is typical, but there is still ongoing litigation. Because of that, election officials say the FBI could determine how Milwaukee residents voted. State law requires *** number be placed on the absentee ballot. Matches *** number on the poll list next to the voter's name. All this as President Trump continues pushing the Senate to pass the Save America Act. No mail-in ballots, fake mail-in ballots. We have none of that. It's the most popular bill I've ever seen put before Congress. Don Millis is *** Republican member of the bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission. He joins us now. Don, thanks for being here. Good morning. We're going to get to the Save Act here in just *** second, but first, let's talk about these Milwaukee ballots. Help us wrap. Our mind around what's happening here. Are we currently in *** situation where anyone, if anyone, including the FBI, the state, the county, if they got access to these ballots, could they ultimately determine how voters voted? If you have access to the absentee ballots that were cast at *** central count location, Milwaukee uses *** central count location on each of those ballots, state law requires that the, the number, the voter's number that appears on the poll list. Has to be put on that ballot. So if you have the poll list and you have the ballots, you can identify how each of 176,000 Milwaukee voters voted in 2020. Have the ballots been destroyed even with these pending lawsuits? Well, I would think that it's possible, you know, they're having two lawsuits, one against the city, and then which has been resolved, and then one against the county. And if, if you're representing the county or the city, it seems to me your first obligation is to tell the judge, look at. Uh, the, the, the election deniers or conspirators who are trying to sue us and want all these, uh, all sorts of documents and all that, they may be entitled to certain documents, they shouldn't be entitled to these secret ballots. And it would, it seemed to me that they should have made an effort. The attorneys or the, the county should have made an effort to get *** court order to allowing them to dispose of these ballots as they are normally disposed of everywhere else in the state after 222 months after the 20. 20 election. My understanding, I don't have personal knowledge, is that those efforts have not been made. And, you know, my concern is if, if the uh county clerk can't stop uh some yahoo from uh Central Wisconsin who wants to look at these ballots, um, have access to them, how is the clerk gonna stop. The FBI with *** search warrant or the Department of Justice and to that, Don, we've heard more from clerks and officials across the country saying they're preparing for this what if if the FBI subpoenas records from 2020. Is the commission preparing for that? Is there any evidence the FBI is going to come into Wisconsin? We've seen no evidence of that. I know that the staff of the commission have regular communications with. Um, all sorts of security personnel at the state and federal level, including the FBI. We've seen nothing about that. Uh, you know, the thing is that since I've been on the commission, uh, it's going on 4 years now, uh, what we do often is just respond to what courts tell us. And *** search warrant is typically issued by an impartial magistrate. And so if that happens, You know, I guess someone will have to comply. Let's talk about the Save America Act quickly. There's been *** lot of tension in Washington this past week. The president now essentially wants to ban mail-in voting on top of some of the other provisions in the bill requiring voter ID, proof of citizenship. If this becomes law, what is the impact here in Wisconsin? Well, there could be lots of impacts. I mean, the Save Act that passed the House had just really two provisions. It was *** citizenship requirement and the voter ID requirement. We already complied with the voter ID requirement. The citizenship requirement would be. Uh, *** hurdle, that would be *** challenge. I know that in the Senate, there have been talk about adding other things into the Save Act, uh, that, you know, again, I think it would be hard for Wisconsin or other states to comply if it is enacted, if it's, if it passes the Senate, if it's signed by the President, and it survives *** court challenge, it would be ***, it'd be *** hurdle. It would be something that, you know, we'd have to try to comply with. Yes, do you know how quickly it could be implemented and how is the commission preparing? Well, I know that the staff, and I've had discussions with the staff, and I know that we've actually talked about how would we implement this if the SAVE Act was enacted. There are other implications for Wisconsin as well, not just those that are that are that everyone knows about. Don Millis of Wisconsin Elections commissioner. Don, like always, we appreciate your time. Thank you. Good. Have *** good day. Up next, it's Oscar Sunday, the new incentives to make award winning films right here in Wisconsin. Welcome back. It's Oscar Sunday right here on ABC, and now there's *** big time push to make more award winning films in Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers touring the state this past week promoting the launch of the state's new film office and the new $5 million *** year in film tax credits to produce movies and TV shows in Wisconsin. The new effort, part of the most recent state budget. With that, Anne Sayers is the state's tourism secretary, and she joins us now. Secretary, thanks so much for being here. Thanks for having me. So you said this past week that you've already seen some strong interest in this program. What does that interest look like at this point? Yeah, I have to say that Wisconsin is in really good shape here by finally having *** film office and the film tax credit. The announcement got *** lot of attention. We're seeing *** lot of interest, and folks will need to stay tuned because I think we will be seeing more of Wisconsin on our screens soon. I was going to say we Of the $5 million *** year as the starting point. What is the initial goal? I mean, are we talking about potential blockbusters being filmed here in Wisconsin, or are we going for smaller TV and film production? Yeah, well, there's no question that anytime we're filming in Wisconsin, we are meaning translating it into big bucks for Wisconsin. So anything we take on, whether it was the Top chef that we saw in the past, huge income for Wisconsin, and it's kind of the kind of thing that leads to more income down the road because people are doing what's called set jetting. It's 2/3 of global travelers who are actually deciding where to take vacations based on what they're inspired by seeing on the screen. So we have that going for us as well as the productions in-state. So we're looking to build this economy both with in-state productions and out of state. Advocates have long noted that Wisconsin was one of the few states that did not have this type of incentive. So with this program, with this incentive, have we caught up, or are we still behind other states? Yeah, it's kind of amazing to think that just *** couple of months ago we were one of 4 states that didn't have an office, one of 14 states that didn't have any tax credits. Now suddenly we can be competitive. When those productions are being made, we can keep our filmmakers in state and attract out of state filmmakers in *** way that we just didn't have the ability to be competitive only *** few months ago. Is there any specific region yet that that you're seeing may receive the most interest just in terms of locations across the state? I think so far the interest has been the variety actually. We have two great lakes with the Mississippi River, 10,000 inland lakes, these fairy tale forests, beautiful roads and farm towns and urban centers. We have so much to choose from that we see that production folks are thinking really big about how they can feature Wisconsin. And is that kind of your goal? As well to spread out the economic benefits, say, outside of just *** Milwaukee or Madison. Absolutely this should be *** statewide play for income going into the pockets of hotels and restaurants, catering services around the state, and we have so much to choose from. We didn't even touch on 4 seasons, 4 real seasons. We don't need to make fake snow here in Wisconsin. We'll just bring it, as we're seeing this weekend, Secretary, when you think long term about this, is there *** push potentially down? The road to try to get even more state funding beyond this initial $5 million *** year to expand. What's the long term goal of this project? Yeah, I think we've been set up here with enough to just show that it works, to show that we're going to make *** difference with $5 million for the state's going to turn into *** whole lot more, and I think down the road we'll be able to prove that more would make us even more competitive with our neighbors. Anne Sayers, the secretary of the Wisconsin Tourism Department. Thanks so much for your time. We appreciate it. Thanks for having me. Up next, countdown to debate night. All right, before we go, 10 days until debate night in Wisconsin. Our live primetime debate with the Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Judges Maria Lazar and Chris Taylor, March 25th at 7 p.m. from the Marquette Law School. First though, next Sunday we're grabbing coffee with the candidates. We have *** debate coming up. Yes, we do. How will you prepare? How are you going to prepare for *** debate? We'll bring you in. Inside the debate prep underway and *** preview of what you'll likely see on the debate stage next Sunday right here on Upfront and then our debate Wednesday night in prime time. For now that is our show today. All of our interviews are posted on the WISN12 YouTube page. Just subscribe and find the Upfront playlist. Thanks so much for your time today. We'll see you right back here next Sunday for Upfront.