Dane County Dem chair plans run for vacant DNC slot

The Dane County Dem chair tells WisPolitics.com he plans to run for a vacancy on the DNC this summer, while the head of the Young Democrats of Wisconsin said in an interview he’s weighing a bid. Dane County Chair Michael Basford and Young Democrats Chair Luke Fuszard could square off at the June state convention to fill the opening left by Jason Rae, who was elected secretary of the national party… 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

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Barca, Shilling lay out priorities for session

Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling today said the 17-year-olds who voted illegally across the state in the spring presidential primaries should not be prosecuted. Earlier this week, the state Elections Commission identified at least 60 cases of 17-year-olds voting illegally last spring, due to social media posts in the election run-up that told students if they turned 18 by the November gene… 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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Vets Affairs’ Zimmerman says he’s set ‘new tone’ at the agency

Daniel Zimmerman, whose appointment as Veterans Affairs secretary was approved unanimously, told a committee he set “a new tone” at the department on his first day. The agency has come under fire for reports on substandard care at its King Veterans Home, which is currently undergoing a state audit. But Zimmerman said he met with staff members there right away and noted he has “a particular affinit… 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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DOT’s Ross says state has ‘spending problem’ on roads, doesn’t need more funds

DOT Secretary Dave Ross today pushed back against an effort to bring in additional transportation dollars, saying the state has “a spending problem, not a revenue problem.” Ross spoke at a Senate Committee on Transportation and Veterans Affairs meeting today. The committee approved his appointment 3-2, with Dem Sens. Dave Hansen and Tim Carpenter voting against. The appointment now goes to the ful… 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. Barca: Democratic Weekly Radio Address: ‘Wisconsin Way Forward’

MADISON – Today Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) gave the Democratic Weekly Radio Address on the joint Democratic agenda: “We’re here today because we believe Wisconsin can do better. We believe in we can have an economy that works for everyone in our state,” said Rep. Barca. “Our Wisconsin Way Forward agenda included a range of innovative, significant ideas and proven solutions to create economic opportunities and help move Wisconsin forward.” You can find the video of this week’s address here. A written transcript of the address is below: “Hello, I’m Representative Peter Barca with this week’s Democratic radio address. “Today,

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THU PM Update: Flynn considering 2018 guv bid; Ross, Zimmerman, Wadhwa appointments head to full Senate

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Attorney Matt Flynn, who served as Dem state chair in the 1980s and ran unsuccessfully for Congress four times, tells WisPolitics.com he’s considering a bid for guv next year, saying Scott Walker has “corrupted government in Wisconsin.” Flynn, 69, ticked off a series of issues he has had with Walker’s policies. But he focused hi… 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 Co. Chairman Lipscomb: County executive admits his inability to manage county pension system

Contact: Brian Rothgery, Public Information Manager 414-278-4230 or brian.rothgery@milwaukeecountywi.gov MILWAUKEE – In response to County Executive Abele’s support of a proposal to transition the administration of Milwaukee County’s pension plan, known as the Employee’s Retirement System, to the State of Wisconsin, County Board Chairman Lipscomb released the following statement:   “Day to day management of the county pension office has been County Executive Abele’s responsibility for nearly six years. As the most powerful county executive in the state, Abele needs to accept accountability for the growing list of administrative errors on his watch and his failure to act before the hidden reports

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City of Milwaukee: First meeting tomorrow for City-County Heroin, Opioid and Cocaine Task Force

Ald. Michael J. Murphy, (414) 286-3763 The newly-created City-County Heroin, Opioid and Cocaine Task Force will meet for the first time tomorrow (Friday, March 17) at City Hall. According to task force member Alderman Michael J. Murphy, the meeting will take place at 1 p.m. in room 301-B at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St. The task force is charged with studying the problems of drug abuse in Milwaukee County and presenting policy recommendations to address the issue. “The stark data shows that drug overdose deaths continue to climb in our community, and that the deaths are impacting all groups and all areas,” Alderman Murphy said. “The important work of the

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Rep. Shankland: To hold budget office hours on Monday

Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland Office: (608) 267-9649 Location will be the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point STEVENS POINT – Representative Katrina Shankland (D–Stevens Point) is pleased to announce her upcoming budget office hours on Monday, March 20 at the Portage County Library branch in Stevens Point. Rep. Shankland hosts office hours every month around the 71st Assembly District to hear from her constituents. Members of the public are invited to join Rep. Shankland to share their questions and concerns about the 2017-19 State Budget and any matters facing state government. Monday, March 20 1:00-3:00 p.m. Portage County Public

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Madison Mayor Soglin: City of Madison involved in legal action on President Trump’s travel ban

MAYOR EMANUEL, MAYOR GARCETTI AND MAYOR DE BLASIO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP’S TRAVEL BAN City of Madison involved in the local government effort against second executive order Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Cities of Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City have filed a friend-of-the-court (amicus) brief in the federal district court in Seattle, where six states have challenged President Donald Trump’s second attempt at restricting travel into the United States from six majority-Muslim nations is being heard. “The revised travel ban is an

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JFC Co-Chairs Rep. Darling, Sen. Nygren:  Announce agency briefings

Contact: Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills): 1-608-266-5830 Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette): 1-608-266-2343 Madison – On Thursday, State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), the Co-Chairs of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, announced a series of agency briefings involving the 2017-19 State Budget: Tuesday, March 28th 9:00am Department of Administration -Budget Overview -DOA Budget Provisions (including Building Commission and Budget Management and Compensation Reserves) Department of Employee Trust Funds (including self-insured group health plans) Elections Commission Supreme Court (including the Circuit Courts, Court of Appeals, Judicial Council, and Judicial Commission) Department of Corrections Department of Safety and Professional

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Milwaukee Riverkeeper: Joins 130 environmental groups to oppose deep cuts to environmental funding in FY18 budget proposal

Abby Kuranz Communications Specialist Cell: (262) 672-8857 President’s proposed budget cuts to environment threaten health of Milwaukee River Basin MILWAUKEE – Today, the president released a proposed budget that includes a 100% budget cut for Geat Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding, a popular and beneficial bi-partisan program that accelerates efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes. The proposed cut is even deeper than the expected 97% devastating cut announced earlier this week, which would have reduced funding from $300 million per year to $10 million per year. Milwaukee Riverkeeper has joined over 130 environmental groups in signing a letter to the

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State Bar of Wisconsin: Urges restoration of LSC funding

Contact: Kristen Durst State Bar of Wisconsin (608) 250-6025 kdurst@wisbar.org Madison, WI –  President Donald Trump’s proposed 2018 federal budget eliminates funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a move that would have profoundly negative effects on our most vulnerable citizens and our justice system in Wisconsin.   The LSC provides funding to Legal Action of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Judicare, two organizations that help provide free legal information, advice, and representation to low income individuals who have civil legal problems in Wisconsin. Together, these two programs received $5.2 million from LSC, to support their work removing barriers to employment, obtaining child support orders, preventing homelessness,

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Gov. Walker: Weekly Radio Address: Wisconsin tourism is a big deal

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker released his Weekly Radio Address today titled “Wisconsin Tourism is a Big Deal.” Hi, Scott Walker here. Wisconsin’s tourism industry is a really big deal. Last year, it had more than a $19 billion – that’s right, billion with a ‘b’ – more than a $19 billion impact on our economy, a 30 percent increase from five years ago. It’s also a major employer, supporting more than 190,000 jobs throughout the state. Visitors to Wisconsin spent $1.5 billion in state and local revenue last year. What does this mean for

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Rep. Considine: Reintroduces bill to build sustainable hemp industry in Wisconsin

CONTACT: Rep. Considine (608) 356-9695 Madison – Today, Rep. Dave Considine (D-Baraboo) reintroduced AB 147, legislation to allow for the production of industrial hemp in Wisconsin. AB 147 would create a state registration process for hemp production through the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Considine first introduced a bill to allow industrial hemp production in 2015, but it never received a public hearing. Wisconsin used to be a leader in North America’s hemp industry. Our state’s hemp production thrived throughout World War II, but now there’s a great deal of confusion about hemp and marijuana. They are

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Dane County Dem chair plans run for vacant DNC slot

The Dane County Dem chair tells WisPolitics.com he plans to run for a vacancy on the DNC this summer, while the head of the Young Democrats of Wisconsin said in an interview he’s weighing a bid. Dane County Chair Michael Basford and Young Democrats Chair Luke Fuszard could square off

Read More »

Barca, Shilling lay out priorities for session

Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling today said the 17-year-olds who voted illegally across the state in the spring presidential primaries should not be prosecuted. Earlier this week, the state Elections Commission identified at least 60 cases of 17-year-olds voting illegally last spring, due to social media posts in the election

Read More »

Milwaukee Co. Chairman Lipscomb: County executive admits his inability to manage county pension system

Contact: Brian Rothgery, Public Information Manager 414-278-4230 or brian.rothgery@milwaukeecountywi.gov MILWAUKEE – In response to County Executive Abele’s support of a proposal to transition the administration of Milwaukee County’s pension plan, known as the Employee’s Retirement System, to the State of Wisconsin, County Board Chairman Lipscomb released the following statement:   “Day to

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Rep. Shankland: To hold budget office hours on Monday

Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland Office: (608) 267-9649 Location will be the Portage County Public Library in Stevens Point STEVENS POINT – Representative Katrina Shankland (D–Stevens Point) is pleased to announce her upcoming budget office hours on Monday, March 20 at the Portage County Library branch in Stevens Point. Rep. Shankland

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JFC Co-Chairs Rep. Darling, Sen. Nygren:  Announce agency briefings

Contact: Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills): 1-608-266-5830 Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette): 1-608-266-2343 Madison – On Thursday, State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), the Co-Chairs of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, announced a series of agency briefings involving the 2017-19 State Budget: Tuesday, March 28th 9:00am Department

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Milwaukee Riverkeeper: Joins 130 environmental groups to oppose deep cuts to environmental funding in FY18 budget proposal

Abby Kuranz Communications Specialist Cell: (262) 672-8857 President’s proposed budget cuts to environment threaten health of Milwaukee River Basin MILWAUKEE – Today, the president released a proposed budget that includes a 100% budget cut for Geat Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding, a popular and beneficial bi-partisan program that accelerates efforts to

Read More »

State Bar of Wisconsin: Urges restoration of LSC funding

Contact: Kristen Durst State Bar of Wisconsin (608) 250-6025 kdurst@wisbar.org Madison, WI –  President Donald Trump’s proposed 2018 federal budget eliminates funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a move that would have profoundly negative effects on our most vulnerable citizens and our justice system in Wisconsin.   The LSC provides funding

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Weekly Radio Address: Wisconsin tourism is a big deal

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker released his Weekly Radio Address today titled “Wisconsin Tourism is a Big Deal.” Hi, Scott Walker here. Wisconsin’s tourism industry is a really big deal. Last year, it had more than a $19 billion – that’s right, billion with a

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