Dems criticize Corrections as Litscher testifies at JFC

JFC Dems today hammered at the Department of Corrections, though they credited Secretary Jon Litscher for making significant progress on several issues. Litscher highlighted some of those improvements, particularly in improving staff training, verbal de-escalation of incidents and boosting psychological offerings at its two main youth facilities: Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake. The two are undergoi… 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: JFC members express skepticism of state self-insurance proposal

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel today defended the guv’s call to move state employees to a self-insurance model as Joint Finance Committee members raised concerns the projected savings will not materialize. Neitzel, who was first to testify before the committee as three days of agency briefings kick off, acknowledged some state empl… 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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National Federation of Independent Business: Seeks sound budgeting practices at federal level

Contact: Toni Angelini, 732-642-0815 toni.angelini@nfib.org MADISON (March 28, 2017): In a hearing today, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) encouraged lawmakers to support Senate and Assembly Joint Resolution 21, calling for a convention of the states for the purpose of enacting a balanced federal budget. “Small business owners in Wisconsin have no choice but to adhere to their budgets year after year but for some reason, Congress is under the impression that instead of budgeting, they can increase taxes or print more money. The time has come for lawmakers to learn to budget the same way our hard working members

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Budget BLOG

Roggensack asks JFC for help in boosting judicial pay

Chief Justice Pat Roggensack made a pitch today to the Joint Finance Committee to increase judicial pay, but nix the plan Gov. Scott Walker laid out to give judges a raise. She also urged lawmakers to reject his call to move the Judicial Commission under the Supreme Court’s purview and eliminate the Judicial Council. Gov. Scott Walker included $334,000 in his budget proposal to increase judicial 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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Tech Summit brings emerging and established companies to same table

Companies young and old gathered in Waukesha for the Wisconsin Technology Council’s Tech Summit, bringing diverse perspectives together with the goal of collaboratively solving problems in the technology sphere. Nearly 50 emerging companies met with more established names, including GE Healthcare, Rockwell Automation, Aurora Healthcare, Johnson Controls and Exact Sciences, at the GE Healthcare Institute Monday — interactions meant to benefit not just the new businesses, but the older ones too. Sujeet Chand, CTO for Rockwell Automation, says the company’s current vision is to connect data from production and manufacturing departments with supply chain and customer demand information, all to

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American Family Insurance installing nearly 4,500 rooftop solar panels

American Family Insurance is undertaking the largest solar panel rooftop installation ever in Wisconsin, putting in close to 4,500 solar panels at its national headquarters building in Madison. A Madison-based commercial solar developer, SunPeak, is partnering with American Family on the project, which is expected to finish up in two or three months. Once complete, the installation is estimated to produce 1.26 million kilowatts each year — enough to power about 122 homes for a single day. It would offset electricity use at the facility by up to 9 percent, saving around $191,000 in annual energy costs. The insurer recently

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Budget BLOG

JFC members express reservations to ETF about self-insurance plan

Lawmakers on both sides said they have deep reservations on Walker’s self-insurance proposal, questioning Department of Employee Trust Funds officials on whether the agency’s savings estimates will pan out. Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, noted a consultant had estimated that the state could lose $100 million in switching to self-insurance. Walker’s administration is projecting the state would sav… 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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WIS 136 (old US 12) public meeting

  Meeting to focus on final design improvements of WIS 136 (Old US 12) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Southwest Region in Madison is announcing a public involvement meeting to discuss final design concepts including construction staging for the improvement of WIS 136 (Old US 12) from Terrytown Road – WIS 159 in the City and Town of Baraboo and Village of West Baraboo in Sauk County. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sauk County West Square Building (B24/30 room), 505 Broadway Street, Baraboo, WI. WIS 136 (Old US 12)

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Sen. Marklein: Joint Finance Committee rejects stewardship land purchase

Contact: Sen. Marklein, (608) 266-0703 Marklein seeks improved approach to negotiating stewardship purchases. MADISON – On Monday, March 27, 2017, the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) rejected a $346,045 Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant to fund half the cost of 102.5 acres of land in Dane County known as the Nelson tract.  The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had previously paid the current owner $207,000 for a conservation easement on the property. “I am not opposed to purchasing land for the stewardship program,” Marklein said. “But too often, the DNR appears to be acting as the realtor, rather than the buyer, by making offers

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Sen. Larson: Irresponsible Republican bill proposes arming teens

Contact: Sen. Larson, 608.266.7505 Madison, WI – Today, Senator Larson released the following statement in response response to the decision made by Republican legislators to blindly ignore public safety concerns by introducing legislation to put more handguns into the hands of teenagers; circumvent safety training for concealed carry; and open the door for more guns in school zones, school grounds, and even directly in our schools. “In the wake of recent, tragic shootings that devastated several Wisconsin communities, this bill is a slap in the face to our neighbors that are demanding real solutions to our state’s gun violence public health crisis. “Wisconsin

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Dems criticize Corrections as Litscher testifies at JFC

JFC Dems today hammered at the Department of Corrections, though they credited Secretary Jon Litscher for making significant progress on several issues. Litscher highlighted some of those improvements, particularly in improving staff training, verbal de-escalation of incidents and boosting psychological offerings at its two main youth facilities: Lincoln Hills and

Read More »
Budget BLOG

Roggensack asks JFC for help in boosting judicial pay

Chief Justice Pat Roggensack made a pitch today to the Joint Finance Committee to increase judicial pay, but nix the plan Gov. Scott Walker laid out to give judges a raise. She also urged lawmakers to reject his call to move the Judicial Commission under the Supreme Court’s purview and

Read More »

Tech Summit brings emerging and established companies to same table

Companies young and old gathered in Waukesha for the Wisconsin Technology Council’s Tech Summit, bringing diverse perspectives together with the goal of collaboratively solving problems in the technology sphere. Nearly 50 emerging companies met with more established names, including GE Healthcare, Rockwell Automation, Aurora Healthcare, Johnson Controls and Exact Sciences,

Read More »

American Family Insurance installing nearly 4,500 rooftop solar panels

American Family Insurance is undertaking the largest solar panel rooftop installation ever in Wisconsin, putting in close to 4,500 solar panels at its national headquarters building in Madison. A Madison-based commercial solar developer, SunPeak, is partnering with American Family on the project, which is expected to finish up in two

Read More »
Budget BLOG

JFC members express reservations to ETF about self-insurance plan

Lawmakers on both sides said they have deep reservations on Walker’s self-insurance proposal, questioning Department of Employee Trust Funds officials on whether the agency’s savings estimates will pan out. Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, noted a consultant had estimated that the state could lose $100 million in switching to self-insurance. Walker’s

Read More »

WIS 136 (old US 12) public meeting

  Meeting to focus on final design improvements of WIS 136 (Old US 12) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Southwest Region in Madison is announcing a public involvement meeting to discuss final design concepts including construction staging for the improvement of WIS 136 (Old US 12) from Terrytown Road

Read More »

Sen. Marklein: Joint Finance Committee rejects stewardship land purchase

Contact: Sen. Marklein, (608) 266-0703 Marklein seeks improved approach to negotiating stewardship purchases. MADISON – On Monday, March 27, 2017, the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) rejected a $346,045 Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant to fund half the cost of 102.5 acres of land in Dane County known as the Nelson tract.  The Department

Read More »

Sen. Larson: Irresponsible Republican bill proposes arming teens

Contact: Sen. Larson, 608.266.7505 Madison, WI – Today, Senator Larson released the following statement in response response to the decision made by Republican legislators to blindly ignore public safety concerns by introducing legislation to put more handguns into the hands of teenagers; circumvent safety training for concealed carry; and open the door for

Read More »