The Madison Docket

The questions for the Saturday Board at the Dane County Farmers' Market, Capitol Square, Madison.

Each of these is a real decision taken in the Wisconsin State Capitol between 2014 and 2024. On the day, visitors are given only the issue card: the question as a stranger would put it, with no names, parties or outcome. They work out an answer on the board, and afterwards we compare it with what the Capitol actually did.

The background brief for each issue — what the Capitol decided, who was in power, how the public was consulted, and what has happened since — is published here after that issue has been run, together with the report on the day. Until then, only the card is public.

A factory incentive deal

"A famous company will build a huge factory here — but only if the state pays it billions in incentives it could spend on other things. What should the state do?"

Run. Report · Background brief

Federal health-care funding

"The federal government offers to pay 90% of the cost of covering more low-income people's health care, but accepting changes who runs coverage and some worry the promise won't hold. Should the state take the deal?"

Not yet run.

Union fees

"If a union negotiates the contract everyone at a workplace benefits from, should workers be required to help pay for that negotiation, or free to opt out entirely?"

Not yet run.

Powers of an incoming governor

"One party loses the governorship in November. Before the winner takes office in January, the outgoing majority can pass laws moving some of the governor's powers to the legislature. What, if anything, should it do?"

Not yet run.

Funding local services

"Cities and towns say state funding hasn't kept up and services are at risk. The state has a surplus. How should money for local police, fire, and roads be raised and divided?"

Not yet run.

Teaching children to read

"Too many of our third-graders can't read well. Schools disagree about teaching methods, and fixing it costs money someone must control. What should the state do?"

Not yet run.

The opioid crisis

"Opioid overdoses are killing people in every county — someone's coworker, someone's kid. What should the state actually do about it?"

Not yet run.

A stadium repair bill

"The publicly owned ballpark needs half a billion dollars of repairs, and the team might leave without a deal. What should be done, and who should pay?"

Not yet run.

Drawing election districts

"Every ten years someone must redraw the election-district lines. Whoever draws them gains an advantage. Who should hold the pen, and what rules should bind them?"

Not yet run.