Sample Questions

Here are sample questions, but feel free to explain in your own words.  You’ll only be given time for a sentence or two, so make them count! See tips for asking questions here.

Make sure you ask a specific, yes-or-no question. Politicians usually answer the question they hoped they were asked instead of the question they were asked. Asking a specific question that requires a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer will make it harder for them to pivot to a different topic.

Sample Questions

1. Data Centers
   There have been a number of proposals for new data centers in Wisconsin. These use so much energy and water that if they are built, it could make it difficult or impossible to meet our climate goals. If the utilities continue to power the data centers with new fossil fuels and charge their customers to build, all Wisconsinites could see their energy bills go up. What will you do to ensure that data centers are powered by clean energy with all of the costs, including the infrastructure, fully paid for by Big Tech.
   
   

2. Fossil Fuels and Clean Energy
   The science is very clear that we need to move away from fossil fuels and switch to a carbon-free energy system. However, Wisconsin is not on path to do this and is falling behind our neighboring states. While Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois have carbon-free electricity requirements, numerous gas plants have been permitted in the past few years. While Governor Whitmer has ordered the Line 5 pipeline to be shutdown, the Department of Natural Resources permitted the extension of Line 5, despite the Bad River and other Ojibwe Tribes opposing it. What will you do to ensure we move away from fossil fuels and transition to 100% clean energy?
   
   

3. Utility Oversight
   Most of the utilities in Wisconsin have been extending the life of their coal plants, and investing in new fossil fuel plants, like gas plants, while consistently increasing electricity rates, despite it being clear that energy efficiency and clean energy is the least expensive forms of energy. What will you do to require more oversight on the utilities and require they go to 100% clean energy and make electricity rates affordable?
   
   

4. Protecting Wisconsin's Wolves
   Wolves are a keystone species; they play a key role in having a healthy environment. Wolves improve forest health and wildlife health, especially because of the role they play in helping to control the deer population. 2011 Wisconsin Act 169 requires that the Department of Natural Resources hold a wolf hunt if they are not on the Endangered Species List, regardless of the science, capacity of the DNR, public input, and Tribal authority. The current law takes the science and tribal input out of the decision and leaves it up to the federal government. What will you do to amend the law to put the decision about hunting wolves within the DNR, where decisions will be based on science, public input, and Tribal co-management?
   
   

5. Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
   The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is one of the most popular and successful programs in Wisconsin! This program has conserved more than 650,000 acres. Approximately 99% of Wisconsinites live within five miles of a property that has received Knowles-Nelson Stewardship investments. What will you do to ensure that the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program is refunded without changes to the program?
   
   

6. Regional Transit Authorities
   For the nearly ⅓ of Wisconsin residents who do not drive, investments in public transit connect them to jobs, healthcare, and opportunities. Right now, transit systems are not able to raise money to fund their systems and rely on state funding (which has been depleting) or local funding that has to compete with other local needs.  Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) would allow for transit systems to raise dedicated funding. What will you do to pass legislation that would enable communities to create Regional Transit Authorities?
   
   

7. Factory Farm Pollution
   Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), sometimes known as factory farms, can cause damaging pollution in the communities they’re located in. For example, manure from these farms is often excessively spread on fields, resulting in runoff and water contamination. What will you do to protect Wisconsinites from the impacts of CAFOs, like nitrate pollution?
   
   

8. Mining Protections
   Under the Walker Administration, the laws that protected Wisconsin from mining pollution were weakened. Now, a mining company is proposing a gold mine in the middle of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, under these weakened laws. What will you do to ensure our natural resources are protected from mining pollution, including acid and toxic metals and contaminants that pollute rivers and groundwater for hundreds of years?
   
   

9. Clean Drinking Water Protections
   Roughly one-third of Wisconsinites rely on groundwater from private wells for their drinking water, but thousands of families remain unaware of the potential contamination in their water. There are dangerous health concerns related to water contamination from pollutants like nitrate, PFAS, lead, and arsenic. What will you do to ensure legislation passes protecting private well owners’ right to know about contamination in their drinking water?