University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Thursday, October 26, 2023
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UW-MADISON’S SELECTIVITY PROBLEM
FICKELL’S BIG TEST
In-state students pay the price.
The Ohio State game that serves as measuring point.
+ OPINION, PAGE 8
+ SPORTS, PAGE 5
Local leaders vote to Ron Johnson makes sur- increase Madison Public prise appearance during Market funding UW-Madison class By Ella Gletty-Syoenc STAFF WRITER
GABRIELLA HARTLAUB/THE DAILY CARDINAL
By Gabriella Hartlaub ARTS EDITOR
Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson joined University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin for a discussion with students about civil discourse during a class hosted by the La Follette School of Public Affairs. The discussion, moderated by La Follette School Director Susan Webb Yacke, came as a surprise to students in the class. Johnson and Mnookin spoke about a wide range of topics, including student debt, free speech and the COVID-19 vaccine. The pair came up with the idea for a student discussion when they met in Washington, D.C., and they hoped the discussion would set an example of civil discourse. “We’re not a naturally divided people,” Johnson said. Mnookin said UW-Madison must “walk a tight line” on free speech issues as a public university. She noted that she finds it “challenging” when people take what she called the “freedom of speech for me but not for thee” approach to the issue. “With reverse effects, how should we think about that?” Mnookin asked Johnson. Free speech has been a hotbutton issue on the UW-Madison campus. Last May, a video circulated of a white UW-Madison student saying racial slurs and violent remarks directed toward Black people, with students calling for the expulsion of the stu-
dent in the video. In a statement, Mnookin responded to the video and student demands from The Blk Pwr Coalition. She did not address all the student demands, but apologized for the pain caused by the video. Additionally, speakers such as Matt Walsh, a self-described “theocratic fascist,” have come to UW-Madison despite concerns over transphobic rhetoric. And antisemitic graffiti and chalkings on the first day of classes in fall 2022 created student unease. Johnson described a set of rules that every group on campus should follow when it comes to addressing speakers on campus. “No matter what the political persuasion, you end up protecting the speaker,” Johnson said. “It’s complex, but the real solution lies in everyone’s heart,” he added. A student asked Johnson why he didn’t vote for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed through the U.S. Senate in 2021, which included funding for climate change policies and environmental policies such as providing clean water for struggling communities. “What climate legislation would you vote on?” the student asked. “Since you’ve talked about being pro-life… I think having a livable future for everyone is something you would agree with.” Johnson responded by saying that he is not a climate change denier or a climate change “alarmist.” He said the U.S. is currently
overspending on ineffective climate change policies. Another student asked about disinformation, including claims made by Johnson that vaccines cause AIDS. “You’re spreading disinformation right there,” Johnson responded. “That’s not factually accurate.” Johnson has floated the baseless assertion that the COVID19 vaccine “may cause AIDS” on other occasions. In May 2022, Johnson did an interview with anti-vaccine advocate and attorney Todd Callendar on conservative streaming platform Rumble. Calendar asserted that the COVID-19 vaccine gave countless people AIDS. “Everything you say may be true,” Johnson replied to Callendar. Johnson then discussed his “great relationship” with the vaccine injury community, referencing those who claim that they have been injured by receiving vaccines of any kind. He told students doctors he has talked with are not listened to by the scientific community. He also mentioned that he believes doctors are being manipulated by false research into believing that the COVID vaccine works. “There is nothing I have said that has been proven false,” Johnson said. “The things that make people think I’m a conspiracy theorist, those have all been proven true.”
Madison’s long-awaited public market is back on track after local leaders approved plans to close a budget deficit that previously put the future of the project in doubt. The Dane County Board of Supervisors approved an additional $1 million on Thursday to fund the Madison Public Market project in a 30-3 vote. The approved increase in funding follows a 15-3 vote by the Madison Common Council to borrow $1.6 million for the project. The city’s funding, introduced by District 17 Ald. Sabrina Madison at the Oct. 3 Common Council meeting, will address the budget gap left after construction bids came in higher than expected in September. The project has been in talks for almost two decades and has faced multiple roadblocks relating to funding and location. The lowest construction bid came from Joe Daniels Construction of Madison at $15.2 million, about $1.6 million over the amount city officials originally approved for construction. With newly approved funding, the project will move forward as planned, with doors set to open in the summer of 2025. The Madison Public Market’s website estimates the project will generate $16 million in local sales each year. The project, located at the corner of East Johnson and First Streets in the current City Fleet Services building, promises to be “a vibrant, year-round public marketplace where new entrepreneurs and long-established Madison favorites will grow their businesses,” according to the Madison Public Market
project’s website. The market will open up retail and restaurant spaces for over 130 local businesses. “What I absolutely love about the market and where it’s going to be located is that it’s very walkable,” Ald. Madison said. “It is right on the bus rapid transit line. It’s really easy to get to.” The location will be served by 220 buses per day, is situated next to multiple city bike path routes and is within walking distance of 3,500 Madison residents, according to the project’s website. The project previously received an additional $4.5 million in funding in the 2023 city budget passed in November 2022. Dane County also provided $1.5 million from the 2023 county budget late last year. “It gives a place to shop, to eat, to gather, to bring our families,” Ald. Madison told The Daily Cardinal. Ald. Madison, who selected entrepreneurs for the public market as part of the Market Ready Advisory Committee, said she has been a “staunch supporter” of the project for years. Ald. Madison said the project provides a valuable opportunity to establish an inclusive environment for business owners and entrepreneurs of color, groups she said are underserved by city and county investments. The public market creates a permanent space for entrepreneurs of color to increase sales and grow their customer base, she added. “I’ve gotten to see right up front … how entrepreneurs of color have had a very low investment [from] our community,” Ald. Madison said. “It is only recently that we’re seeing this drive to really invest in entrepreneurs of color.”
WILL CHIZEK/THE DAILY CARDINAL
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”