On a residential Racine street some 15-plus years ago, then-Sen. George Petak (R-Racine) introduced himself to a potential voter and got the following response, "Didn't you just knock on my door a few months ago." It was a quick moment of levity in an on-going serious situation. In reality, it was around a year or so earlier when Petak was knocking on doors as he was re-elected handily to his 21st Senate District in 1994. But less than a year later, he voted twice against a .1% sales tax increase in Racine County and four others, only to change his vote at 5:30 in the morning, passing the measure, allowing the Milwaukee Brewers to stay in Wisconsin and leading to Petak becoming the first Wisconsin official in history to be recalled. The major players from 1995-96 are now watching what's happening in Wisconsin with the potential recall of 16 state senators (8 Republicans, 8 Democrats), reflecting on their own experiences and offering counsel to those in similar situations to theirs of the mid-1990's. The story of Petak and Elizabeth Erven, who led the campaign to successfully recall Petak, will be featured tonight and Sunday on Here and Now. Interestingly, they both view the emotion surrounding Gov. Walker's budget repair bill today as even greater than it was then which is telling as both described threats to themselves and their families during their situation. Maybe not surprisingly, Petak feels the Democratic senators who left the state have provided grounds to be recalled while Erven argues the stadium tax affected everyone but the budget repair bill is "class warfare," targeting Wisconsin's middle class and that those senators who support it shouldn't be in office. If they have other similarities as it relates to this, they both lamented the influx of out-of-state interests and so-called big money on both sides in this process. Further, neither expected much to get done in state government while election politics loomed as leadership on both sides likely won't want their challenged members taking challenging, contentious votes. As for their thoughts on what they went through 15 years ago, here's a sample of what they said. Petak: "I'm not sure I've recovered yet... I would not wish (a recall) on anyone frankly, Republican or Democrat. There is nothing more devastating or divisive than a recall election for state government in general but also for a community." Erven: "The more meetings I went to, the more anger I felt, the more threats I received. My children's lives were threatened. My car windows were broken several times and it was interesting because toward the end I thought what have I done to my family."

How does a bill become a law? The answer to that is in the Wisconsin Blue Book and the stuff of fourth (I think this is when we all learned it) grade classrooms. But boy that lesson has been turned on its head in the past several weeks in Wisconsin! Now I'm not taking sides here, but the budget repair bill – has so many lawyers attached to it in the courts right now that one veteran reporter (not me) compared this week's hearing over a restraining order to "a five-headed hydra." [Definition of HYDRA:: a many-headed serpent in Greek mythology] So, court resumes tomorrow (with all the attorneys) to determine whether the judge will issue a "preliminary injunction" against the bill over an alleged violation of the opening meetings laws. That injunction is more lasting than the temporary restraining order (3rd) now in place. Oh, and the Supreme Court is also deciding whether to take the case (more lawyers). Stay tuned.

Some of you may have seen Wisconsin Public Television's coverage of Governor Walker's State of the Budget Address on Tuesday. Behind the scenes it was anything but business as usual. The extremely tight security at the Wisconsin State Capitol presented extra challenges for the production crew trying to bring cameras, lighting equipment and other gear into the second floor Assembly Parlor where we set up our mini studio. Each entry required passing through 2-3 checkpoints of security.

30 minutes before the Governor's speech thousands of noisy, angry protesters converged on the police barricade just outside the Assembly windows. That is also the exact spot where our director, producer and technical support team are working to bring you the live broadcast from our production truck.

In one ear we heard chants of "This is what democracy looks like" in the other ear "standby in 3, 2, 1. The viewers at home only saw the quality production they are accustomed to getting from Wisconsin Public Television... despite that it was one of the more bizarre, challenging – and perhaps memorable live productions we may ever encounter.

***in the category of full disclosure the employees of Wisconsin Public Television are state employees.

Another busy week in the world of news and public affairs! Governor Scott Walker delivered his State of the State address. We're looking to the Budget Address for more specifics on spending cuts that get at the state budget deficit.

This week on "Here & Now" we talk with U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan who has just released his spending cut plan as chair of the House Budget Committee. We hear from Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen about his reaction to a federal judge's ruling this week that invalidated the Obama health care law and we hear the opposing viewpoint.

Also, we continue our interviews with candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This week, we talk with Joel Winnig. Finally, our singing commentator, Peter Leidy, puts the Super Bowl to song. "Here & Now," Friday night at 7:30 p.m. on Wisconsin Public Television.

I heard an interesting interpretation of President Obama's recently announced visit to Manitowoc following the State of the Union on Slate's "Political Gabfest" -- one of my favorite podcasts. Political analyst John Dickerson was saying that the President's appearance in Wisconsin could be called the first event of his reelection campaign and that it is in the Badger State is no coincidence.

Famously independent Wisconsin voters are the type he's going to need to attract if he wants another four years was Dickerson's contention. That said, it will be interesting to see what his speech is like.

This week on "Here & Now," we talk with Governor Scott Walker about his special session of the legislature where his bills designed to boost the business climate in Wisconsin are sailing through. We also interview U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy from Washington on the heels of his vote to repeal the healthcare reform law. And this week, we hear from a candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Marla Stephens, director of the appellate division for the state public defender's office.

I invite you to join me for "Here and Now" Friday at 7:30p on Wisconsin Public Television.

Governor Jim Doyle has until this Thursday to sign bills the legislature has passed into law, or those bills become law without his signature. His other alternative is to veto the bills. Included in the bills awaiting his pen, one that would allow for the sale of raw milk and one that regulates the payday lending industry in Wisconsin. The wait on the raw milk bill has allowed for more public rallying on the issue. In fact, a rally to urge the governor to sign the bill is set for noon today, 5/18, in Madison.

One piece of suspense is over. Wisconsin state Senate Majority Leader, Russ Decker, says he will not run for retiring Congressman Dave Obey's seat. On the other hand, state Senator Julie Lassa of Stevens Point has announced she will enter the race. A democrat would likely face Ashland County District Attorney, Sean Duffy, the republican front-runner. Dan Mielke of Rudolph is also running as a republican. Ken Driessen of Hayward has declared his candidacy as an independent.

This post script on last week's blog: the Milwaukee County Zoo reports its veterinarian will not be responding to the oil spill off the Gulf Coast, a spokesperson saying the zoo doesn't have enough staff to respond elsewhere.

Some big names in Wisconsin today. Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner are in Milwaukee. The pair will speak about financial reform on Wall Street and its effect on middle-class families. As the Veep and Sec. Geithner are in the state, a U.S. Senate panel is taking testimony on alleged malfeasance on the part of Wall Street giant, Goldman Sachs. On the reform front, Congressional measures include monitoring financial threats, a plan for too-big-to-fail firms and a consumer protection agency. Senate Republicans are opposed.