Good morning, and welcome to Wednesday.
- With his presidential campaign announcement less than a week away, The New York Times has a new piece up on Gov. Scott Walker being his own political strategist.
- The Wisconsin State Senate passed a $73 billion two-year budget just before midnight last night. Find much, much more on the debate at WisPolitics’ Budget Blog.
- Why did the Senate pass the budget before the Assembly? A report from Mary Spicuzza at the Journal Sentinel says it’s because State Sen. Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) refused to delay a family vacation to Mexico.
- Under a new GOP-backed budget provision, payday lenders could sell insurance and provide financial advice. Yep, payday lenders.
- Wisconsin native Steven Hyden interviewed Wisconsin native Justin Vernon at Grantland.
