Columbia County Progress: Forward Momentum from the CoCo Dems
Have you discovered Columbia County Progress? It’s the podcast series produced by the Democratic Party of Columbia County where we listen, learn, and look ahead together. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with community members, local leaders, elected officials, and candidates about the real issues facing our county—from health care access to job creation, from school funding to the environment, and more. With a curious and solutions-focused approach, Columbia County Progress explores the challenges before us and the paths forward that can strengthen our county and help move Wisconsin forward.
Three recent episodes introduce listeners to the range and purpose of the podcast:
Conversation with Senator Sarah Keyeski: Host Jim Haessly (CoCo Dems Chair) talks with Wisconsin State Senator Sarah Keyeski, who represents the 14th Senate District. Senator Keyeski explains how the state legislature works and discusses her top priorities, including public school funding, the unique challenges facing rural Wisconsin, and the concerns and opportunities connected to data centers. Her conversation is candid, practical, and hopeful about the possibility of future change.
The Fight for Wisconsin Public Schools: Wisconsin’s public schools bear the burden as districts rely on repeated referendums to bolster budgets while facing program cuts, a steady loss of experienced teachers, and struggles to meet the needs of today’s students. In this episode, Jim Haessly speaks with Dr. Julie Underwood, former Dean of the UW–Madison School of Education, and Heather DuBois Bourenane, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Public Education Network, about the broken state funding formula and the political choices affecting children in every district.
Moving Wisconsin Forward in the Assembly: Representatives Karen DeSanto of the 40th Assembly District and Maureen McCarville of the 42nd Assembly District join Jim for a lively discussion about the recently completed legislative session, future priorities, mental health, support for veterans, workers’ rights, rural economic development, and the opportunities—and obstacles—of finding bipartisan solutions in Madison.
Together, these episodes show why local conversations matter. Columbia County Progress offers residents a place to hear directly from leaders, understand the issues, and consider how we can build a more responsive, fair, and thriving future. To listen and learn more, click this link to access Columbia County Progress. You can access the podcast from this website by going to the menu at the top of the page, clicking “News & Events” then “Podcast.”