We’re so very proud of our recent WBA Foundation U.S. Senate debate, which many member stations aired on or after Oct. 18. There are countless hours put into these debates from the host station and many other supporting stations, including the ones who were represented on the question and data teams. Thank you! It’s a critical public service broadcasters should be very proud to offer our fellow Wisconsinites.
This year, the WBA Foundation debate was the only debate between the major party candidates in the U.S. Senate race.
These debates are now a 34-year tradition for the WBA Foundation. Starting with the 1990 debate between Governor Tommy Thompson and Tom Loftus, our WBA Foundation has hosted a debate in every gubernatorial and U.S. Senate race since then.
Debates have changed a lot in those three decades. I recently caught up with my predecessor, former WBA President & CEO (and WBA Hall of Famer) John Laabs, and we reminisced about those early debates. Each one certainly has a story (or a few) behind them.
You can check out all 34 years worth of debates on our Wisconsin Broadcasting Museum website.
While advocacy is always one of the most important activities we do on behalf of you, our valued members, we’re preparing for a particularly busy season of advocacy following the election.
Advocacy events coming up
Advocacy might be the most important service from your WBA, but it doesn’t happen without you. Your WBA can help educate and organize, but lawmakers on the state and federal level want to hear from YOU!
So, what can you do? The easiest thing you can do is invite your lawmakers to your station. Show them what you do and the important role you play in serving your community.
That said, you can do so much more (and your WBA can help).
Our State Legislative Day is scheduled for Jan. 22 in Madison. We will spend the morning getting you up-to-date on the important issues at the Capitol, and then we head over to the Capitol in the afternoon to meet with all Wisconsin lawmakers to talk about issues affecting broadcasters.
Last year we asked members to bring their young broadcasters along to see WBA advocacy in action, so we that we may start preparing the next generation for this important task. We continue that ask this year.
Young or old, if you’re interested in learning more, we’re happy to pair you with another broadcaster so you can see it in action, and perhaps the following year you can make your own calls.
Your WBA Executive Committee and Legislative Committee are also making plans to visit Washington DC in March to visit the Wisconsin Congressional delegation.
Your WBA is monitoring several issues on the state and federal level and will be most interested in how those issues evolve after the election.
Last but certainly not least, on behalf of your WBA Team, we hope you take time during this very busy season to spend time with family and friends. Take stock of all the great work you’ve done in 2024. Wisconsin broadcasters have a lot to be proud of and thankful for.
Michelle Vetterkind
WBA President and CEO
