THU PM Update: Assembly passes PLA bill, treasurer elimination amendment; unemployment dips to 3.9 percent

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — A bill that would ban local governments from requiring that companies bidding on public projects enter into project labor agreements is heading to Gov. Scott Walker after a 64-35 party-line vote in the Assembly. Dems slammed the bill, saying it would hurt the middle class and reduce the quality of completed projects. Rep. Gary H… 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

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Rep. Rodriguez: Assembly designate Birth Defects Day in Wisconsin

Contact: Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, (608) 266-0610 MADISON – State Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) introduced Assembly Resolution 7, proclaiming March 3, 2017, Birth Defects Day in Wisconsin. The resolution passed the Assembly by unanimous consent. “Birth defects are costly, common and decrease the likelihood of healthy birth outcomes,” said Rodriguez. “This resolution is a great first step to raising awareness for this issue so that we can reduce the number of birth defects and increase healthy births.” According to the March of Dimes, birth defects are one of the leading causes of infant death accounting for 23 percent of all infant

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Rep. Barca: Statement on Project Labor Agreements

Contact: Colleen Flaherty, 608.266.5504 MADISON – The following is a statement from Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca on the GOP’s action against workers in Wisconsin: “Wisconsin has one of the most diminished middle classes in the country, and our economy is trailing behind our neighbors. Therefore it is startling that one of the first priorities for Assembly Republicans this session is to repeal Project Labor Agreements, an attack on Wisconsin workers, Wisconsin businesses and local control. Today they passed this bill to make it easier for less qualified, out-of-state workers to undercut workers in our own state on projects funded by taxpayer

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Rep. Brooks: Votes to remove government barriers

Contact: Rep. Rob Brooks, (608) 267-2369 Madison, WI—Today, State Representative Rob Brooks (R-Saukville) proudly stood up to government interference in the marketplace by supporting legislation that reforms the bidding process on public construction projects.  Assembly Bill 24 eliminates the requirement of a project labor agreement when selecting a construction firm. “Assembly Bill 24 is a straightforward, common-sense proposal that establishes neutrality in the government bidding process.  The bill stipulates that government can neither require nor prohibit the use of Project Labor Agreements as a condition to win a bid for public construction projects,” said Representative Rob Brooks. Since 2009, twenty states have made analogous

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Rep. Subeck: Assembly Republicans further drive down wages and send jobs out of state

Contact: Zach Madden, 608-266-7521(office), 920-627-5773 (cell) Bill prohibiting Project Labor Agreements puts corporate special interests ahead of local businesses and workers MADISON – Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) released the following statement regarding passage of Senate Bill 3, prohibiting state and local government from considering Project Labor Agreements in contracting decisions: “The Republican bill passed today drives down wages and pushes jobs out of Wisconsin. It is another giveaway by Wisconsin Republicans to big business and wealthy special interests at the expense of small businesses and middle class Wisconsinites. We have a responsibility to ensure we get the best value for our taxpayer dollars, and

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Rep. Sargent: GOP continues six-year war on Wisconsin workers

Contact: Britt Cudaback, 608-266-0960 britt.cudaback@legis.wi.gov GOP’s bill banning project labor agreements hurts hardworking Wisconsinites (MADISON) – Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) blasted Wisconsin Assembly Republicans today for passing AB24, which prohibits state and local government projects from requiring contract bidders to enter into project labor agreements. “I wish I could say I’m surprised, but after six years of waging war on Wisconsin workers, passing bills that hurt hardworking people in our state is the least surprising thing Wisconsin Republicans do anymore.” Project labor agreements are collective bargaining agreements establishing employment terms and conditions for specific projects, such as minimum wages, overtime rules,

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Rep. Crowley: Assembly GOP continues to vote against Wisconsin

Contact: Rep. Crowley, 608.266.5580 MADISON, WI – State Representative David Crowley (D-Milwaukee), Chair of the Milwaukee Legislative Caucus, issued the following statement in response to Assembly Republicans voting in favor of Assembly Bill 24. “Today, I am ashamed to sit in a legislative body that is charged with making life better for the people of Wisconsin but passes legislation that will take jobs away from Wisconsin families. Thanks to the last six years of legislation passed by this body, Wisconsin leads the nation in middle-class shrinkage and suffers from historically high rates of poverty. Restricting local governments from using project labor agreements

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WisDOT: Wisconsin DMV offers car buying tips

Contact: Michael Domke, (608) 264-7000 michaell.domke@dot.wi.gov Brochures in print and online formats help consumers buy wisely With peak demand for vehicle sales occurring in spring and fall, dealers’ advertising and enticing discounts may tempt buyers. Before customers sign on the dotted line, Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reminds customers to do their homework. DMV offers a number of brochures and online resources to buy wisely. The consumer guides include: Odometer Tampering: Tips to spot fraud Sell It Right: Tips for selling your car Smart Buying: Tips for buying a car “Wisconsin DMV’s comprehensive online information and knowledgeable

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Bill affecting concealed carry license renewal passes Assembly 92-7

The Assembly passed a bill that would change the expiration dates on concealed carry licenses that are renewed on a 92-7 vote, sending the bill to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk. Under current law, a license is valid for five years after the date it’s issued. The bill would change that so a renewed license is valid for five years from the expiration date of the one it replaces. That change would ensure those who renew their licenses early aren’t penalized. The bill passed without discussion. Seven Dems voted against it.

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Project labor agreements bill passes Assembly, heads to Walker’s desk

A bill that would ban local governments from requiring that companies bidding on public projects enter into project labor agreements is heading to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk after a 64-35 vote in the Assembly. Dems slammed the bill at today’s session, saying it would hurt the middle class and reduce the quality of completed projects. That included Rep. Gary Hebl, who said lawmakers should be “looking for ways to help Wisconsin workers.” He also called the bill an “example again of Republicans limiting local control, despite their claims to support it.” Meanwhile, GOP Rep. Scott Allen countered that PLAs are “unfair” and ultimately “drive

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Rep. Rodriguez: Assembly designate Birth Defects Day in Wisconsin

Contact: Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, (608) 266-0610 MADISON – State Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) introduced Assembly Resolution 7, proclaiming March 3, 2017, Birth Defects Day in Wisconsin. The resolution passed the Assembly by unanimous consent. “Birth defects are costly, common and decrease the likelihood of healthy birth outcomes,” said Rodriguez. “This

Read More »

Rep. Barca: Statement on Project Labor Agreements

Contact: Colleen Flaherty, 608.266.5504 MADISON – The following is a statement from Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca on the GOP’s action against workers in Wisconsin: “Wisconsin has one of the most diminished middle classes in the country, and our economy is trailing behind our neighbors. Therefore it is startling that one of

Read More »

Rep. Brooks: Votes to remove government barriers

Contact: Rep. Rob Brooks, (608) 267-2369 Madison, WI—Today, State Representative Rob Brooks (R-Saukville) proudly stood up to government interference in the marketplace by supporting legislation that reforms the bidding process on public construction projects.  Assembly Bill 24 eliminates the requirement of a project labor agreement when selecting a construction firm. “Assembly Bill 24 is

Read More »

Rep. Subeck: Assembly Republicans further drive down wages and send jobs out of state

Contact: Zach Madden, 608-266-7521(office), 920-627-5773 (cell) Bill prohibiting Project Labor Agreements puts corporate special interests ahead of local businesses and workers MADISON – Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) released the following statement regarding passage of Senate Bill 3, prohibiting state and local government from considering Project Labor Agreements in contracting decisions: “The Republican bill passed

Read More »

Rep. Sargent: GOP continues six-year war on Wisconsin workers

Contact: Britt Cudaback, 608-266-0960 britt.cudaback@legis.wi.gov GOP’s bill banning project labor agreements hurts hardworking Wisconsinites (MADISON) – Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) blasted Wisconsin Assembly Republicans today for passing AB24, which prohibits state and local government projects from requiring contract bidders to enter into project labor agreements. “I wish I could say I’m

Read More »

Rep. Crowley: Assembly GOP continues to vote against Wisconsin

Contact: Rep. Crowley, 608.266.5580 MADISON, WI – State Representative David Crowley (D-Milwaukee), Chair of the Milwaukee Legislative Caucus, issued the following statement in response to Assembly Republicans voting in favor of Assembly Bill 24. “Today, I am ashamed to sit in a legislative body that is charged with making life better for

Read More »

WisDOT: Wisconsin DMV offers car buying tips

Contact: Michael Domke, (608) 264-7000 michaell.domke@dot.wi.gov Brochures in print and online formats help consumers buy wisely With peak demand for vehicle sales occurring in spring and fall, dealers’ advertising and enticing discounts may tempt buyers. Before customers sign on the dotted line, Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Read More »