Publications
April 22, 2019 : Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Former Governor Tommy G. Thompson gave an interview discussing the need for a transportation deal in Wisconsin and discussed the upcoming (and free) Thompson Center Future of Transportation in WI conference. Tickets available here.
“Tommy Thompson: GOP, Democrats should Start Transportation Discussions Now”
April 4, 2019 : WisPolitics.com
Thompson Center Director Ryan Owens has written a review of the April 2 WI Supreme Court election and what can be learned from how it unfolded.
“Lessons and Thoughts on Tuesday’s Election”
March 16, 2019 : Wisconsin State Journal
Thompson Center Director Ryan Owens wrote on the benefits of educating Wisconsin’s prison population with the knowledge and skills they need to acquire a job upon release, and consequently reduce prison recidivism rates in the state.
“Turn a Wisconsin Prison into a School”
Dr. Owens also outlines a plan for how such an effort would work, and describes the possible cost-savings and other benefits that could result.
March 6, 2019 : UW Green Bay News
The University of Wisconsin Green Bay news wrote about an upcoming event the Thompson Center is sponsoring. Karl Rove and David Axelrod will be conducting a Point-Counterpoint conversation at the UW-Green Bay campus on April 3, 2019.
February 1, 2019 : Wisconsin State Journal
The Wisconsin State Journal wrote an article about an event the Thompson Center is cosponsoring :
November 28, 2018 : WisPolitics.com
Thompson Center Director Ryan Owens has written an article identifying how Wisconsin’s political leaders can deliver substantial results for the state on three key issues: criminal justice, transportation, and energy reforms.
Wisconsin’s Leaders Should Work Together on Three Issues
August 23rd, 2018 : Isthmus Paper
Former Governor Tommy G. Thompson has given an in-depth interview with the Isthmus paper titled “The man from Elroy : New book reveals what makes Tommy Thompson tick?” In the article the governor discussed his personal history and his reflections on his time in office. Also featured is the governor’s daughter, the well accoladed Kelli Thompson, and her own experiences growing up being taught by the governor.
August 14th, 2018 : USA Today
USA Today has published an article written by four state governors on the need for bi-partisan criminal justice reform to improve lives and the workforce:
Bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Improves Lives and Workforce Safety
The authoring governors are Matt Bevin-Kentucky, John Bel Edwards-Louisiana, Mary Fallin-Oklahoma, and Ralph Northham-Virginia
May 18th, 2018 – The White House
The White House has taken up the bipartisan issue of criminal justice reform:
Council of Economic Advisors Report
President’s Opening Statement at Criminal Justice Reform Conference
April 20th, 2018 – Journal Sentinel
Governor Thompson discusses Wisconsin’s labor shortage and how prison reform can help:
November 22nd, 2018 – Journal Sentinel
An article by Thompson Center Director Ryan Owens published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, published immediately following the inaugural Thompson Center leadership conference: Leadership Across the Branches.
Message from the Director
April 3, 2019
Dear Thompson Center friends.
I wanted to let you know that I am teaching a summer online course on the United States Supreme Court (political science 414). The course examines the justices, the process litigants must wade through to get their cases heard, how the separation of powers influences the Court, and how justices bargain and accommodate one another in their private conferences and when they write opinions. We study all of this and more! It’s a fun class to teach and you will learn a LOT about the Court. Please consider enrolling through the following link:
The Supreme Court as a Political Institution
Thanks!
Ryan
Interviews and Clips of Note
April 24, 2019
Wisconsin Eye: Newsmakers – Gov. Evers First 100 Days
Madison Political Science Professor Barry Burden, University of Wisconsin-Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs Professor Emeritus Dennis Dresang, and University of Wisconsin-Madison Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership Director Ryan Owens to discuss Governor Tony Evers first 100 days in office.
April 4, 2019
ABC 2 news and Fox News 11 featured clips discussing a Thompson Center event featuring Karl Rove and David Axelrod
March 3, 2019 : (ABC) WKOW 27
Link to interview videos here!
Summaries written by WKOW 27
Clip 1:
“Former governor Tommy Thompson and UW Political Science Professor Ryan Owens discuss an upcoming criminal justice reform conference in Madison on March 7th. Owens is hopeful this year the legislature will consider boosting job training skills in prisons to help inmates gain employment upon release. Evers budget did not address this in his two-year spending plan.”
Clip 2
“Thompson is supportive of Gov. Evers budget proposals surrounds criminal justice like raising the age from 17 to 18 for an offender to be considered adults for most crimes. Thompson won’t take a stance on Evers idea to legalize medical marijuana but is open to exploring his idea to decriminalize small amounts.”
December 12, 2018 : Wisconsin Eye
Wisconsin Eye recorded the Tommy Thompson Center “Effective Public Leadership” conference. Below is a short clip from two of the conferences panelists on effective legislating and bipartisanship in divided government.
October 13th, 2018 : Wisconsin Eye
Former Governor Tommy Thompson held an interview with the Wisconsin Eye. In it he discussed his idea for a pilot program to reduce the number of incarcerated individuals in Wisconsin while simultaneously addressing skilled labor shortages.
October 9th, 2018 : Wisconsin Eye
Former Governor Thompson held an interview with the Wisconsin Eye discussing the Wisconsin highway system and the transportation accomplishments achieved while he was in office.