Over lunch, La Follette Forum attendees participated in small, informal breakout discussions. Except for the online Gerrymanding session, lunch breakout discussions were only available in person.
Concurrent discussions
11:20 – 11:55 a.m.
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Inflation | Ballroom G
How does inflation affect households and businesses in Wisconsin?
Panelists:
- Mike Knetter, President and CEO, Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association
- Menzie Chinn, Professor of Public Affairs & Economics, UW–Madison
Climate change | Ballroom J
What challenges do climate change and energy issues pose for Wisconsin families and businesses?
Panelists:
- Randy Romanski, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
- Morgan Edwards, Assistant Professor of Public Affairs, UW–Madison
China & Taiwan | Ballroom I
Will China invade Taiwan and what are the possible outcomes?
Panelists:
- Andrew Kydd, Professor of Political Science, UW–Madison
- Jonathan Renshon, Associate Professor of Political Science, UW–Madison
U.S.-China economy | Ballroom H
How will the economic relationship between the U.S. and China evolve in the coming years?
Panelists:
- Jay Nash, President, Madison International Trade Association
- Tana Johnson, Associate Professor of Public Affairs & Political Science
Gerrymandering | Online Only
How does redistricting affect Wisconsin’s democracy?
Panelists:
- Chris Ford, Chair, The People’s Maps Commission
- Rob Yablon, Associate Professor of Law, UW Law School
Media | Ballroom F
What is the role of the media in a state marked by profound political divisions?
Panelists:
- Jessie Opoien, Capitol Bureau Chief, The Cap Times
- David Haynes, Ideas Lab Editor, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- Lewis Friedland, Professor Emeritus of Journalism & Mass Communication, UW–Madison
12:10 – 12:45
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Remote work | Ballroom G
How has the pandemic affected workers and employers, and what does the future hold for Wisconsin’s economic development?
Panelists:
- Missy Hughes, Secretary & CEO, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
- Jason Fields, President & CEO, Madison Region Economic Partnership
Poverty | Ballroom J
Have inequality and poverty exacerbated the effects of the pandemic on Wisconsin residents?
Panelists:
- Zach Brandon, Chamber President, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce
- Sarah Halpern-Meekin, Associate Professor of Public Affairs & of Human Development & Family Studies, UW–Madison
U.S.-China politics | Ballroom I
How do domestic politics in the U.S. and China affect each country’s approach to foreign policy?
Panelists:
- John Ohnesorge, Professor of Law, UW Law School
- Jon Pevehouse, Professor of Public Affairs & Political Science, UW–Madison
- Reed Lei, Assistant Professor of Public Affairs & Political Science, UW–Madison
Russia & Ukraine | Ballroom H
From the point of view of the West, what are the most important issues at stake in Russia’s war on Ukraine?
Panelists:
- Jessica Weeks, Professor of Political Science, UW–Madison
- Yoshiko Herrera, Professor of Political Science, UW–Madison
Race | Ballroom E
What are some important issues related to race, civic conversation, and censorship?
Panelists:
- Rachelle Winkle-Wagner, Professor of Education, UW–Madison
- Kevin Lawrence Henry Jr., Assistant Professor of Education, UW–Madison
Elections | Ballroom F
How can we foster competence and stability in the election system?
Panelists:
- Barry Burden, Professor of Political Science, UW–Madison
- Kevin Kennedy, Former Director & General Counsel, Wisconsin Government Accountability Board
- Maribeth Witzel-Behl, City Clerk, City of Madison