Dems push family, medical leave legislation

Two Dems today laid out a family and medical leave package that they said would bring much-needed relief to middle class families. The bill, authored by Sen. Janis Ringhand and Rep. Sondy Pope, would set up a trust fund that employees pay into and then receive benefits from if they take family or medical leave. The trust fund would begin paying eligible beneficiaries in 2022. Ringhand said at a Ma… 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

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Walker says Congress should look to Wisconsin as it considers health care changes

Gov. Scott Walker said today if he were to offer advice on ways to improve the House GOP’s health care bill, it would be to look to the way Wisconsin expanded BadgerCare to cover those living in poverty. Walker told Milwaukee Rotarians during a Q&A session at their weekly meeting that despite declining the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, the state took a unique approach and c… 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. Sargent: DNR audit underlines consequences of starving state government

Contact: Britt Cudaback, britt.cudaback@legis.wi.gov, 608-266-0960 DNR underfunding, understaffing causing lack of enforcement, accountability (MADISON) – Today the Joint Legislative Audit Committee had a hearing about the results of the Legislative Audit Bureau’s (LAB) 2016 audit of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wastewater Permitting and Enforcement program. “This audit reveals the consequences of starving our state government,” said Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison), ranking Democratic member of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. “This is what happens when the Governor prioritizes pollution over sustainability and the Department Secretary not-so-surprisingly requests to cut twenty-five fewer employees over the last six years, pays her

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DNR’s Stepp tells audit committee agency has made ‘substantial progress’

Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp today said the state agency has been making “substantial progress” since a June 2016 audit raised questions about its management of a wastewater oversight program. That progress, she told the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, includes a plan to regularly assess permitted wastewater facilities, the reallocation of four positions to the agency’s… 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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Gov. Walker: Honors five for excellence in tourism industry

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Annual tourism conference concludes with awards celebration Madison – Governor Scott Walker presented five recipients with Governor’s Tourism Awards this evening for their outstanding contributions to the state’s hospitality and travel industry. The awards ceremony took place during the closing dinner of the 30th Annual Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism, which was held at the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee. “Wisconsin’s natural beauty and iconic attractions bring travelers to our state from near and far, but it’s the passion of individuals and organizations in the tourism industry that keeps them coming back year after

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Social media posts blamed for 17-year-olds illegally voting

— Elections Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen today blamed Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign for the spike in 17-year-olds voting illegally in the April 2016 primaries.  But he later softened his criticism during today’s commission meeting after agency staff said it didn’t fully investigate whether it was social media posts from Sanders or others that contributed to the issue. The commission s… 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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TUE PM Update: Social media posts blamed for 17-year-olds illegally voting

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Elections Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen today blamed Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign for the spike in 17-year-olds voting illegally in the April 2016 primaries. But he later softened his criticism during today’s commission meeting after agency staff said it didn’t fully investigate whether it was social media posts fro… 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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Milwaukee Public Schools “Day of Destiny”

MPS event helps young men of color find hope, opportunity Day of Destiny at North Division High School  MILWAUKEE (March 15, 2017) – Middle and high school students from the 53206 ZIP code and the Sherman Park neighborhood will take part in a special Day of Destiny program to take the first steps toward being in control of their futures. The event is March 15 and takes place at North Division High School, 1011 W. Center St., Milwaukee, WI 53206 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students will be matched with mentors and adults to create positive relationships to guide the young men through high school and

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Cooperative Network: Supports proposed agricultural producer protection legislation

Contact: Sara Schoenborn, 608-258-4391 sara.schoenborn@cooperativenetwork.coop MADISON, Wis. [March 14, 2017] – Cooperative Network strongly supports proposed legislation (SB 76 and AB 105) related to the replacement, reconstruction and transfer of approved high capacity wells, recommendation of special groundwater measures by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and metering requirements and grants for certain high capacity wells. “At the end of the day, producers with high capacity well permits are careful and conscientious caretakers of our water resources,” says Tom Liebe, Cooperative Network President and CEO. “Their livelihood depends on it and these bills recognize that fact.” The regulatory certainty aspect of these

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Sen. Shilling: Treat family like family

Contact: Tony Palese, 608-266-5490 tony.palese@legis.wi.gov Senate Dem Leader urges passage of paid family leave bill MADISON, WI – Caring for a newborn or an ailing relative is a stressful time for many families, especially since these situations often force workers to take unpaid leave for weeks or months at a time. While Wisconsin was a trailblazing state in the 1980’s when it became the first to pass a state Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), many are now looking to reform and improve the nearly 30-year-old statute. A new proposal unveiled by Wisconsin Democratic lawmakers dubbed the Family and Medical Leave Insurance

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Wisconsin Department of Corrections: Committed to openness and transparency

Contact: DOC Communications, 608-240-5060 DOCMedia@wisconsin.gov MADISON—During the commemoration of Sunshine Week, which is occurring from March 12 – 18, Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Jon Litscher reaffirmed DOC’s commitment to open and transparent government, noting that significant enhancements to the public records process were implemented in 2016 and that, pursuant to Governor Walker’s recently-issued executive order, DOC will be identifying information about policies, procedures, and operations to post on DOC’s website. “We believe strongly that open and transparent government best serves the Department of Corrections as well as the media and members of the public,” said Secretary Jon Litscher. “One of my

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Wisconsin Departments of Justice and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: State settles with DIRECTV over billing and cancellation issues

Contact: Jerad Albracht, 608-224-5007 Bill Cosh, 608-224-5020 MADISON – The Wisconsin Departments of Justice and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection have reached a consent judgment with DIRECTV to resolve consumer complaints related to billing violations and inadequate cancellation disclosures. The settlement includes $292,500 in forfeitures and assessments and a $4.25 bill credit to eligible customers. The judgment requires DIRECTV to make changes in its communications with customers. The company must provide written notice to customers of price increases in television offerings that are subject to an early termination fee. DIRECTV must also note the effective date of the increase and the new

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Dems push family, medical leave legislation

Two Dems today laid out a family and medical leave package that they said would bring much-needed relief to middle class families. The bill, authored by Sen. Janis Ringhand and Rep. Sondy Pope, would set up a trust fund that employees pay into and then receive benefits from if they

Read More »

Rep. Sargent: DNR audit underlines consequences of starving state government

Contact: Britt Cudaback, britt.cudaback@legis.wi.gov, 608-266-0960 DNR underfunding, understaffing causing lack of enforcement, accountability (MADISON) – Today the Joint Legislative Audit Committee had a hearing about the results of the Legislative Audit Bureau’s (LAB) 2016 audit of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wastewater Permitting and Enforcement program. “This audit reveals

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Honors five for excellence in tourism industry

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Annual tourism conference concludes with awards celebration Madison – Governor Scott Walker presented five recipients with Governor’s Tourism Awards this evening for their outstanding contributions to the state’s hospitality and travel industry. The awards ceremony took place during the closing dinner of the 30th Annual

Read More »

Social media posts blamed for 17-year-olds illegally voting

— Elections Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen today blamed Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign for the spike in 17-year-olds voting illegally in the April 2016 primaries.  But he later softened his criticism during today’s commission meeting after agency staff said it didn’t fully investigate whether it was social media posts from Sanders

Read More »

TUE PM Update: Social media posts blamed for 17-year-olds illegally voting

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Elections Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen today blamed Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign for the spike in 17-year-olds voting illegally in the April 2016 primaries. But he later softened his criticism during today’s commission meeting after agency staff said it didn’t fully investigate whether

Read More »

Milwaukee Public Schools “Day of Destiny”

MPS event helps young men of color find hope, opportunity Day of Destiny at North Division High School  MILWAUKEE (March 15, 2017) – Middle and high school students from the 53206 ZIP code and the Sherman Park neighborhood will take part in a special Day of Destiny program to take the first

Read More »

Cooperative Network: Supports proposed agricultural producer protection legislation

Contact: Sara Schoenborn, 608-258-4391 sara.schoenborn@cooperativenetwork.coop MADISON, Wis. [March 14, 2017] – Cooperative Network strongly supports proposed legislation (SB 76 and AB 105) related to the replacement, reconstruction and transfer of approved high capacity wells, recommendation of special groundwater measures by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and metering requirements and grants for

Read More »

Sen. Shilling: Treat family like family

Contact: Tony Palese, 608-266-5490 tony.palese@legis.wi.gov Senate Dem Leader urges passage of paid family leave bill MADISON, WI – Caring for a newborn or an ailing relative is a stressful time for many families, especially since these situations often force workers to take unpaid leave for weeks or months at a time.

Read More »

Wisconsin Department of Corrections: Committed to openness and transparency

Contact: DOC Communications, 608-240-5060 DOCMedia@wisconsin.gov MADISON—During the commemoration of Sunshine Week, which is occurring from March 12 – 18, Department of Corrections (DOC) Secretary Jon Litscher reaffirmed DOC’s commitment to open and transparent government, noting that significant enhancements to the public records process were implemented in 2016 and that, pursuant to Governor

Read More »

Wisconsin Departments of Justice and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: State settles with DIRECTV over billing and cancellation issues

Contact: Jerad Albracht, 608-224-5007 Bill Cosh, 608-224-5020 MADISON – The Wisconsin Departments of Justice and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection have reached a consent judgment with DIRECTV to resolve consumer complaints related to billing violations and inadequate cancellation disclosures. The settlement includes $292,500 in forfeitures and assessments and a $4.25 bill credit

Read More »