Zenz
@therealzenz.bsky.social
Mostly Madison, WI development and political news. I live-tweet most Madison Plan Commission and Common Council meetings. Views are my own. Councilytics.com
It's Madison Budget Night(s)! Starting now!
www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/co...
Capital Budget (stuff we build/buy):
www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budg...
Operating Budget (mostly staff):
www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budg...
www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/co...
Capital Budget (stuff we build/buy):
www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budg...
Operating Budget (mostly staff):
www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budg...
2026 Capital Budget
AmendmentsFinance Committee AmendmentsExecutive Budget
www.cityofmadison.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:41 PM
It's Madison Budget Night(s)! Starting now!
www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/co...
Capital Budget (stuff we build/buy):
www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budg...
Operating Budget (mostly staff):
www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budg...
www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/co...
Capital Budget (stuff we build/buy):
www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budg...
Operating Budget (mostly staff):
www.cityofmadison.com/finance/budg...
In development news. Several State Street store fronts are about to open up as the THC products they are selling will soon be against federal law.
November 11, 2025 at 3:27 AM
In development news. Several State Street store fronts are about to open up as the THC products they are selling will soon be against federal law.
The purpose of secret party meetings is to figure out who is going to vote for things that are unpopular with the base. It is the norm. This is also why the filibuster is so popular. It prevents centrists from having to vote on things that are popular with their party but not in their state.
None can be primaried in the next cycle, Shaheen & Durbin retiring.
Hassan, Masto, Fetterman up for reelection in 2028.
Rosen, Kaine, King up for reelection in 2030.
Hassan, Masto, Fetterman up for reelection in 2028.
Rosen, Kaine, King up for reelection in 2030.
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The purpose of secret party meetings is to figure out who is going to vote for things that are unpopular with the base. It is the norm. This is also why the filibuster is so popular. It prevents centrists from having to vote on things that are popular with their party but not in their state.
Reposted by Zenz
This Sunday, November 9th at 1pm is our monthly meeting at Cargo Coffee East. This month we're discussing the Winter 2025 Housing Forward proposals (link below), which includes 4 units in TOD, Cottage Courts, and more!
www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/priori...
www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/priori...
Winter 2025 Proposals
www.cityofmadison.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:22 PM
This Sunday, November 9th at 1pm is our monthly meeting at Cargo Coffee East. This month we're discussing the Winter 2025 Housing Forward proposals (link below), which includes 4 units in TOD, Cottage Courts, and more!
www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/priori...
www.cityofmadison.com/mayor/priori...
Reposted by Zenz
Since we as a society cannot conceive of an urban building not reliant on cars, I propose a new type of building:
Put parking at street level and above, so cars can occupy their rightful place in our cities, and let people live underground
Put parking at street level and above, so cars can occupy their rightful place in our cities, and let people live underground
Monday at Madison Plan Commission a downtown 320 microunit unit apartment building downtown at 139 W Wilson St up for approval; staff is concerned that it may be too dense for the narrow lot and, without any parking, might mean too much loading/pickup activity.
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
November 8, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Since we as a society cannot conceive of an urban building not reliant on cars, I propose a new type of building:
Put parking at street level and above, so cars can occupy their rightful place in our cities, and let people live underground
Put parking at street level and above, so cars can occupy their rightful place in our cities, and let people live underground
Reposted by Zenz
Based on watching the video, these shots were taken well after a White House official started to push reporters out of the room, urging "cameras, we're done..."
Following orders from aides is a courtesy. Not doing so might result in losing a pass, but they don't have any real authority.
Following orders from aides is a courtesy. Not doing so might result in losing a pass, but they don't have any real authority.
I can't decide if I like Harnik or Caballero-Reynolds's angle better.
November 6, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Based on watching the video, these shots were taken well after a White House official started to push reporters out of the room, urging "cameras, we're done..."
Following orders from aides is a courtesy. Not doing so might result in losing a pass, but they don't have any real authority.
Following orders from aides is a courtesy. Not doing so might result in losing a pass, but they don't have any real authority.
Reposted by Zenz
All YIMBY ballot measures are currently winning in NYC by 10-point margins at least
November 5, 2025 at 2:12 AM
All YIMBY ballot measures are currently winning in NYC by 10-point margins at least
kind of a global warming sign
www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-11...
www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-11...
November 4, 2025 at 4:44 AM
kind of a global warming sign
www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-11...
www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-11...
YIMBYs should probably be frustrated by the fact that this likely would have been approved if it had a parking space for every unit, units twice the size, and rents priced accordingly.
Madison Plan Comm unanimously referred to future meeting 16 stry 320 unit microunit building at 139 W Wilson wth no parking. PC wants a management plan that addresses congestion in loading area, concerned about too much delivery/rideshare/move in activity, and possible blocking of public right away.
November 4, 2025 at 2:16 AM
YIMBYs should probably be frustrated by the fact that this likely would have been approved if it had a parking space for every unit, units twice the size, and rents priced accordingly.
Reposted by Zenz
On to conditional use for a 320 unit 16 story apartment building at 139 W Wilson. Staff is concerned about the density of the building on a narrow lot, and particularly space for pickup/drop off and service vehicles. Dev. provides scenario for service/garbage vehicles, and plans on staggered move in
November 4, 2025 at 12:38 AM
On to conditional use for a 320 unit 16 story apartment building at 139 W Wilson. Staff is concerned about the density of the building on a narrow lot, and particularly space for pickup/drop off and service vehicles. Dev. provides scenario for service/garbage vehicles, and plans on staggered move in
The big item at tonight's Madison Plan Commission will be the 320 units I mention below, but first they are talking about changing the name of southern Ruskin to Huxley with the new through connection by the Hartmeyer. Some addresses will change.
bsky.app/profile/ther...
bsky.app/profile/ther...
November 4, 2025 at 12:09 AM
The big item at tonight's Madison Plan Commission will be the 320 units I mention below, but first they are talking about changing the name of southern Ruskin to Huxley with the new through connection by the Hartmeyer. Some addresses will change.
bsky.app/profile/ther...
bsky.app/profile/ther...
Monday at Madison Plan Commission a downtown 320 microunit unit apartment building downtown at 139 W Wilson St up for approval; staff is concerned that it may be too dense for the narrow lot and, without any parking, might mean too much loading/pickup activity.
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
November 3, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Monday at Madison Plan Commission a downtown 320 microunit unit apartment building downtown at 139 W Wilson St up for approval; staff is concerned that it may be too dense for the narrow lot and, without any parking, might mean too much loading/pickup activity.
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
madison.legistar.com/LegislationD...
In his 1989 address to a joint session of congress, George H W Bush said that he thought Puerto Rico should be a state.
November 2, 2025 at 9:42 PM
In his 1989 address to a joint session of congress, George H W Bush said that he thought Puerto Rico should be a state.
October 29, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Reposted by Zenz
I see people digging One Battle After Another for being too basic with 'the bad guys are racist' but, like, COME ON
October 28, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I see people digging One Battle After Another for being too basic with 'the bad guys are racist' but, like, COME ON
Madison Common Council sure has changed. Tonight sidewalks on Sycamore received objections by neighbors saying they didn't want sidewalks and worried about (4) trees being cut down.But Council unanimously approved, noting that sidewalks were necessary, not paid by homeowners, and part of city plans.
October 29, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Madison Common Council sure has changed. Tonight sidewalks on Sycamore received objections by neighbors saying they didn't want sidewalks and worried about (4) trees being cut down.But Council unanimously approved, noting that sidewalks were necessary, not paid by homeowners, and part of city plans.
Reposted by Zenz
YOU should come out to Bunny Day today at the Dane County Humane Society, from noon-4pm. There will be a bunch of adoptable bunnies to meet, talks, vegan snacks, and a bunny themed store. Proceeds got to support the WI House Rabbit Society. www.facebook.com/events/86132...
Bunny Day at Dane County Humane Society
Event in Madison, WI by Sharon Mueller on Sunday, October 26 2025
www.facebook.com
October 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
YOU should come out to Bunny Day today at the Dane County Humane Society, from noon-4pm. There will be a bunch of adoptable bunnies to meet, talks, vegan snacks, and a bunny themed store. Proceeds got to support the WI House Rabbit Society. www.facebook.com/events/86132...
That's what a shakedown looks like.
Another list of companies to boycott and people to call out!
These are the donors for Trump's ballroom. 😐
These are the donors for Trump's ballroom. 😐
October 26, 2025 at 4:16 AM
That's what a shakedown looks like.
Shit, am I going to have to watch Mount Horeb Plan Commission meetings now too?
www.wmtv15news.com/2025/10/23/m...
www.wmtv15news.com/2025/10/23/m...
Mount Horeb meeting determines fate of controversial new building proposal
Nearly 200 Mount Horeb residents gathered to listen and make public comments at Wednesday night’s planning commission hearing.
www.wmtv15news.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Shit, am I going to have to watch Mount Horeb Plan Commission meetings now too?
www.wmtv15news.com/2025/10/23/m...
www.wmtv15news.com/2025/10/23/m...
Reposted by Zenz
A not insignificant number of people knew the demolition was coming, including people at the White House Historical Association, and did nothing to stop it.
I see that @whitehousehistory.bsky.social put out a statement yesterday stating that they were able to complete a “comprehensive digital scanning project” to document the East Wing, and that the historic artifacts have been preserved and stored.
October 23, 2025 at 9:55 PM
A not insignificant number of people knew the demolition was coming, including people at the White House Historical Association, and did nothing to stop it.
Reposted by Zenz
The ADU Design Competition Open House is 5-7 tonight! It's at:
StartingBlock Madison
821 E Washington Ave, 2nd floor
madisonhousingweek.com/october-23rd...
StartingBlock Madison
821 E Washington Ave, 2nd floor
madisonhousingweek.com/october-23rd...
October 23rd: ADU Design Competition Public Open House - Madison Housing Week – Presented by the Madison Housing Coalition
Madison Housing Week – Presented by the Madison Housing Coalition
madisonhousingweek.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:59 PM
The ADU Design Competition Open House is 5-7 tonight! It's at:
StartingBlock Madison
821 E Washington Ave, 2nd floor
madisonhousingweek.com/october-23rd...
StartingBlock Madison
821 E Washington Ave, 2nd floor
madisonhousingweek.com/october-23rd...
"How do we trust this village knowing that we have this liar among are midst"
That's how tonight's Shorewood Hills Trustees' budget meeting public comment started... Madison really deserves a public civility award by comparison.
That's how tonight's Shorewood Hills Trustees' budget meeting public comment started... Madison really deserves a public civility award by comparison.
October 22, 2025 at 12:19 AM
"How do we trust this village knowing that we have this liar among are midst"
That's how tonight's Shorewood Hills Trustees' budget meeting public comment started... Madison really deserves a public civility award by comparison.
That's how tonight's Shorewood Hills Trustees' budget meeting public comment started... Madison really deserves a public civility award by comparison.
Reposted by Zenz
Looting the treasury
Breaking News: President Trump wants $230 million from the Justice Department for investigating him, people familiar with the matter say. Any settlement might ultimately be approved by senior department officials who defended him or those in his orbit. nyti.ms/4hmIi5X
October 21, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Looting the treasury