Walker: Analysis ‘very clearly shows’ self-insurance proposal would help taxpayers

Gov. Scott Walker today downplayed concerns from lawmakers who’ve been skeptical of his proposal to self-insure state employees, calling the expected savings an “incredible amount” that would be re-invested in public schools. Walker’s office says the proposal would save $60 million over the next biennium, half of which would go toward a funding increase for K-12. The state’s Group Insurance Board,… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password * Remember Me     Forgot Password

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TUE PM Update: Walker defends self-insurance proposal; GOP bill would raise bar to request recounts

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Scott Walker today downplayed concerns from lawmakers who’ve been skeptical of his proposal to self-insure state employees, calling the expected savings an “incredible amount” that would be re-invested in public schools. Walker told reporters that lawmakers would have to replace the expected two-year savings of $60 million … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Rep. Edming: Attends Rural Wisconsin Initiative announcement

Contact: Rep. James Edming, (608) 266-7506 Bill to Increase Investment in Rural Broadband Released MADISON – Representative James Edming (R-Glen Flora) issued the following statement regarding today’s Rural Wisconsin Initiative press conference. “I was pleased to join my colleagues today for the announcement of the next phase in the Rural Wisconsin Initiative (RWI).  I am happy that the first RWI bill this session is legislation to increase support for rural broadband expansion efforts. “The need for reliable, high-speed internet access is one of the primary concerns I hear around the 87thAssembly District.   The lack of high-speed internet access hurts economic growth, limits educational

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Rep. Novak: Supports bill to increase funding for rural broadband

Contact: Rep. Todd Novak, (608) 266-7502 MADISON – Rep. Novak (Dodgeville) has co-sponsored LRB 2042, a collaborative rural broadband expansion bill authored by Senator Howard Marklein (Spring Green). This legislation is a product of the efforts of both the 2016 Study Committee on Rural Broadband and a 2016 proposal by Governor Scott Walker. “This bill is the first step towards addressing the issues we are facing with broadband access by making changes in the current fiscal year. These reforms will lay the groundwork upon which we can expand during and after the passage of the budget.” The proposed legislation allocates an

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Rep. Tusler: Rural Wisconsin Initiative unveil broadband bill

Contact: Representative Ron Tusler, (608) 266-5831 Group Promotes Education, Workforce Development, Healthcare Priorities Madison, WI – Representative Ron Tusler (R-Harrison) and the Rural Wisconsin Initiative unveiled legislation at a press conference today to expand broadband access and the Technology for Educational Achievement (TEACH) program in rural Wisconsin. “This broadband expansion will help students get schoolwork done at home and rural businesses promote their products and services,” said Rep. Tusler. The proposal allocates $15.5 million to the Rural Broadband Expansion Grant Program in 2017 and removes caps on the total annual value of grants that may be distributed. The TEACH Program, which provides

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Walker praises planned House vote on drug testing for unemployment benefits

Walker today lauded GOP U.S. House members for scheduling a vote to undo a rule restricting states’ ability to drug test unemployment insurance claimants. “Over and over again, employers are telling us of their dramatic needs for people who are ready to work and able to pass a drug test,” Walker said. “This scheduled vote by the House of Representatives is an important first step to advancing bold welfare reform in Wisconsin and across our nation.” Walker’s statement comes after Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced the House would use the Congressional Review Act to overturn the Obama administration rule. While

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U.S. Rep. Duffy: Statement on removal of Obama-era regulation

Contact: Mark Bednar, 202-738-0744 Joint Resolution disapproves of burdensome SEC rule WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sean Duffy (R-WI) today released the following statement after President Trump signed H.J. Res. 41 into law. Passed by Congress under the Congressional Review Act, the legislation repeals burdensome Dodd-Frank regulations on energy producers. “President Obama’s burdensome Dodd-Frank financial rules have held our economy back since the bill was passed. That’s why it’s encouraging that we are able to partner with President Trump to stop a rule that could have cost companies over $590 million. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress and President

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WisGOP: Sen. Baldwin breaks her word, will not give Gorsuch fair hearing

Contact: Alec Zimmerman, (608) 257-4765   [Madison, WI]—As some members of the U.S. Senate have begun to give Judge Neil Gorsuch a fair review, Senator Tammy Baldwin has made it clear she will not. Less than 48 hours after the announcement of the judge’s nomination, Senator Baldwin broke her word to Wisconsin voters and said she would not support Gorsuch before even reviewing his record.  Highlighted in The Federalist, Senator Baldwin’s obstruction shows just how out of touch she is with Wisconsinites who voted for change in Washington last November. Read the full article below or online here. Sen. Tammy Baldwin Refuses to

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Gov. Walker: Highlights historic investment in K-12 education, rural schools at Prairie View Elementary School in De Soto

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 De Soto – Governor Scott Walker visited Prairie View Elementary School in the De Soto Area School District today to highlight the significant investments in K-12 education and rural schools included in his Executive Budget proposal. The Governor’s plan lifts total K-12 investment to $11.5 billion over two years, an all-time high, and further includes $649 million in new state aids for all of Wisconsin’s K-12 schools. “As I traveled throughout Wisconsin last year as part of my listening sessions, I heard frequently from parents, teachers, school administrators, and community leaders that we need to strengthen our investments

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UW-Madison: Wisconsin Partnership Program announces funding opportunity

Contact: Anne Pankratz, 608-216-5637 apankratz2@wisc.edu Community Impact Grant Application Available Now Madison, Wis.  — The Wisconsin Partnership Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is seeking applicants for its 2017 Community Impact Grants program. The Community Impact Grants provide up to $1 million over five years to support large-scale, evidence-based, collaborative health initiatives aimed at improving health, health equity and well-being.  For more information on the program, including a description of past awards, eligibility, and to review the Request for Partnership (RfP), visit the Wisconsin Partnership Program website. The Wisconsin Partnership Program represents a far-reaching commitment by the UW School of

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Wisconsin Elections Commission: Spring Primary is February 21

Contact: Reid Magney, 608-267-7887 MADISON, WI – On Tuesday, February 21, all Wisconsin voters will have the opportunity to vote in a three-way primary for Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Other races on the ballot include primaries for circuit court judge in Manitowoc, Polk and Trempealeau counties, as well as for other local officials. For information about what is on your ballot, visit https://MyVote.wi.gov. Historically, the Spring Primary is Wisconsin’s lowest-turnout election. In the last two decades, there have been three Spring Primaries for Superintendent of Public Instruction, in 2001, 2005 and 2009.  For those primaries, the average turnout has been 5.9 percent of

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Rep. Edming: Attends Rural Wisconsin Initiative announcement

Contact: Rep. James Edming, (608) 266-7506 Bill to Increase Investment in Rural Broadband Released MADISON – Representative James Edming (R-Glen Flora) issued the following statement regarding today’s Rural Wisconsin Initiative press conference. “I was pleased to join my colleagues today for the announcement of the next phase in the Rural Wisconsin Initiative (RWI). 

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Rep. Novak: Supports bill to increase funding for rural broadband

Contact: Rep. Todd Novak, (608) 266-7502 MADISON – Rep. Novak (Dodgeville) has co-sponsored LRB 2042, a collaborative rural broadband expansion bill authored by Senator Howard Marklein (Spring Green). This legislation is a product of the efforts of both the 2016 Study Committee on Rural Broadband and a 2016 proposal by Governor

Read More »

Rep. Tusler: Rural Wisconsin Initiative unveil broadband bill

Contact: Representative Ron Tusler, (608) 266-5831 Group Promotes Education, Workforce Development, Healthcare Priorities Madison, WI – Representative Ron Tusler (R-Harrison) and the Rural Wisconsin Initiative unveiled legislation at a press conference today to expand broadband access and the Technology for Educational Achievement (TEACH) program in rural Wisconsin. “This broadband expansion will help

Read More »

U.S. Rep. Duffy: Statement on removal of Obama-era regulation

Contact: Mark Bednar, 202-738-0744 Joint Resolution disapproves of burdensome SEC rule WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Sean Duffy (R-WI) today released the following statement after President Trump signed H.J. Res. 41 into law. Passed by Congress under the Congressional Review Act, the legislation repeals burdensome Dodd-Frank regulations on energy producers. “President Obama’s burdensome

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Highlights historic investment in K-12 education, rural schools at Prairie View Elementary School in De Soto

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 De Soto – Governor Scott Walker visited Prairie View Elementary School in the De Soto Area School District today to highlight the significant investments in K-12 education and rural schools included in his Executive Budget proposal. The Governor’s plan lifts total K-12 investment to $11.5 billion over two

Read More »

UW-Madison: Wisconsin Partnership Program announces funding opportunity

Contact: Anne Pankratz, 608-216-5637 apankratz2@wisc.edu Community Impact Grant Application Available Now Madison, Wis.  — The Wisconsin Partnership Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is seeking applicants for its 2017 Community Impact Grants program. The Community Impact Grants provide up to $1 million over five years to support

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Wisconsin Elections Commission: Spring Primary is February 21

Contact: Reid Magney, 608-267-7887 MADISON, WI – On Tuesday, February 21, all Wisconsin voters will have the opportunity to vote in a three-way primary for Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Other races on the ballot include primaries for circuit court judge in Manitowoc, Polk and Trempealeau counties, as well as for other local

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