Political speech, timestamped and in context

David Crowley: “People are fleeing this state to actually go get a product that they want, Enjoy.”

Featuring: David Crowley, Democratic | Milwaukee County Executive | Wisconsin

CANDIDATE CONVERSATIONS: Speaking with governor candidates Tom Tiffany and David Crowley

Published October 1, 2026

I believe that we have missed the boat and we need to legalize marijuana, meaning we are a donut hole. I mean, Michigan, Illinois, as you name Minnesota, People are fleeing this state to actually go get a product that they want, Enjoy. And this is missed opportunity here in the state of Wisconsin. Not just as it relates to revenue, but this is how we can build businesses. (15:43–15:49)

STATEMENT

Asserts that people are leaving Wisconsin to purchase marijuana in neighboring states.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from David Crowley in this video

“Our Wisconsin constitution says that we need to be funding our public schools to the tunes of 2/3.”
Asserts that the Wisconsin constitution mandates funding public schools at two-thirds.10:07-10:12
“The shared revenue formula is over 100 years old.”
Asserts that the shared revenue formula in Wisconsin is over 100 years old.14:21-14:24
“We need to increase that reimbursement rate [for special education] back to 90%.”
Asserts the need to increase special education reimbursement to 90%.10:48-10:52
“We can increase shared revenue.”
Asserts that increasing shared revenue can relieve financial pressure on local governments.11:37-11:39
“Courts are state mandated, jails are state mandated.”
Asserts that courts and jails are mandated by the state.12:43-12:47
“We were able to actually do a soft freeze on our pension which is going to save us millions of dollars into the future.”
Asserts that a soft freeze on pensions will save Milwaukee County millions of dollars in the future.14:37-14:44
“We need a government at the state level that's going to do the exact same thing, take a holistic view to make sure that we can provide the services People need.”
Asserts the need for state government to take a holistic view to provide necessary services.14:44-14:52
“I believe that we have missed the boat and we need to legalize marijuana, meaning we are a donut hole.”
Asserts that Wisconsin has missed economic opportunities by not legalizing marijuana.15:34-15:41
“This is missed opportunity here in the state of Wisconsin. Not just as it relates to revenue, but this is how we can build businesses.”
Asserts that not legalizing marijuana is a missed opportunity for revenue and business development in Wisconsin.15:49-15:55
“When you think about the tariffs, right. You think about the issues that this federal administration has caused our farmers right now.”
Asserts that federal tariffs have caused issues for Wisconsin farmers.16:12-16:19
“By legalizing marijuana, that will provide even greater opportunity across Wisconsin.”
Asserts that legalizing marijuana will provide economic opportunities across Wisconsin.16:20-16:25