Cross, GOP lawmakers skeptical on several parts of Walker’s UW proposals

UW System President Ray Cross told lawmakers Gov. Scott Walker’s budget is “the best budget the UW System has seen in a decade.” But he indicated there’s several areas where he’d like changes, such as Walker’s performance-based funding formula, adding more capital budget projects and flexibilities for UW and a requirement that UW publicly report the teaching hours of individual faculty members. So… 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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Cross says he supports audit on UW campus foundations

UW System President Ray Cross told the Joint Finance Committee today he supports an audit lawmakers approved today reviewing UW System campuses and their respective private foundations. The Legislative Audit Committee today approved the audit, along with a separate one of State Fair Park. The audit follows a UW System lawsuit against a former UW-Oshkosh chancellor and former vice chancellor, alleg… 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: Weekly Radio Address: HARIBO a Great Fit in Wisconsin

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker released his Weekly Radio Address today titled “HARIBO a Great Fit in Wisconsin.” Hi, Scott Walker here. HARIBO just announced that they will open their first North American manufacturing facility right here in Wisconsin. The company’s $242 million investment is expected to create 400 good-paying jobs. This project will mark one of the largest investments in new operations by an overseas company in Wisconsin history. Over the past several months, HARIBO officials, state, local, and regional officials have all worked in cooperation to secure a site in Kenosha County that

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THU PM Update: Transpo funding battle heats up; Uihlein donates $2 million to PAC backing Nicholson for U.S. Senate

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said today his Senate GOP caucus doesn’t have the votes right now to pass a gas tax hike and downplayed the suggestion lawmakers could override a pledged veto by Gov. Scott Walker. Speaker Robin Vos, however, said all options remain on the table for his caucus when it comes to transportation fund… 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. Shankland: Democratic Weekly Radio Address: “We Need a Budget That Works for Everyone”

Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland, 608.267.9649 MADISON – Today Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) gave the Democratic Weekly Radio Address on the Wisconsin budget and the upcoming Joint Finance hearings: “We need a budget that creates opportunities for everyone to succeed. We need to invest in our shared success: affordable health care, good roads, better broadband, and great schools and universities,” said Rep. Shankland. “I encourage you to make your voice heard – Democrats are listening!” You can find the audio of this week’s address here and the video here. A written transcript of the address is below: “Hi, I’m Rep. Katrina Shankland with this week’s

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WisDOT: Last minute tips to obtain an ID to vote on Tuesday

Contact: Patricia Mayers, (608) 266-5599 patricia.mayers@dot.wi.gov Most Wisconsin voters already have some form of ID required to vote in Tuesday’s spring election. The most common forms of IDs are a Wisconsin driver license or ID. The Wisconsin Elections Commission website explains other acceptable IDs. There is no separate “voter ID.” Voters looking to get their first Wisconsin ID should visit DMV’s website (wisconsindmv.gov) for an overview. There are documentation requirements, such as a birth certificate, proof of identity and Wisconsin residency, necessary to obtain an official Wisconsin ID card. If all documentation is not readily available, the ID Petition Process (IDPP) can be used to obtain

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WISTAX: “Little-known” taxes generate billions for federal, state and local governments

Contact: 608.241.9789 wistax@wistax.org New WISTAX Report Highlights Taxes Consumers Don’t Notice MADISON—As Wisconsin’s weather starts to warm, thoughts turn to summer vacation. However, few residents realize they pay hundreds of dollars per person each year in “hidden” taxes, many tied to those vacations. “Uncovering “Hidden” Taxes,” a new report from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX), sheds light on many of these charges, including those on fishing and hunting equipment, driving, and hotels. The report also discusses a newer form of hidden taxes, those included on phone bills. Now in its 85th year, WISTAX is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to public policy

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Testimony Tailgate for Kids

* GREAT VISUALS * PARENTS * TEACHERS * ON-SITE INTERVIEWS * Testimony Tailgate for Kids: Advocates to converge at budget hearing Champions of neighborhood public schools, parents, grandparents, teachers planning huge presence at first Joint Finance Committee hearing Advocates for public schools will be out in full force at 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 3 across from Ullsvik Hall at UW-Platteville, when they host the Testimony Tailgate for Kids before the first Joint Finance Committee hearing. “Parents, educators and everyone who loves their neighborhood public schools are watching closely to see what the state budget does for students and public schools,” said Heather DuBois Bourenane.

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Gov. Walker: Final fiscal analysis shows Wisconsin ended last fiscal year with a $331 million surplus and improving GAAP balance

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – The Department of Administration released the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) today showing Wisconsin ended the 2016 fiscal year with a positive General Fund budgetary balance of $331 million. Since Governor Walker took office, Wisconsin has ended every year with a budgetary surplus. The most recent fiscal year surplus of $331 million is estimated to grow to $453 million by the close of fiscal year 2017. “We have ended every year with a surplus since I took office, and this latest report shows we continue to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Governor Walker said.

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UW-Madison: New health alliance brings together statewide partners

Contact: Anne Pankratz, 608-216-5637 apankratz2@wisc.edu Madison, Wis. — Across Wisconsin, opportunities to live a long, healthy life are not shared equally by all. Many of Wisconsin’s health outcomes lag behind national averages, and the state is home to some of the most extreme health disparities in the nation. To address these issues, Wisconsin local governments, state agencies, academic partners, and nonprofit groups have joined forces to create the Legacy Community Alliance for Health (LCAH). The alliance was awarded a $1 million Community Impact Grant from the Wisconsin Partnership Program at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Through the project, the

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Wisconsin Historical Society: Three Madison museums to launch 2017 SPARK! program schedules

Contact: Keri O’Keefe, 6082619597 keri.okeefe@wisconsinhistory.org Madison Children’s Museum, Wisconsin Historical Museum, and Wisconsin Veterans Museum provide creative engagement for people with dementia and their care partners Madison, Wis – Madison Children’s Museum, the Wisconsin Historical Museum, and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum are part of a network of museums across the state of Wisconsin and Minnesota that offer SPARK!, free cultural arts programming for adults with memory loss. SPARK! participants enjoy hands-on, creative experiences that stimulate conversation and shared memories. All three museums will start their 2017 SPARK! program schedules in March. There are currently about 116,000 people living with dementia in Wisconsin, and over

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Cross says he supports audit on UW campus foundations

UW System President Ray Cross told the Joint Finance Committee today he supports an audit lawmakers approved today reviewing UW System campuses and their respective private foundations. The Legislative Audit Committee today approved the audit, along with a separate one of State Fair Park. The audit follows a UW System

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Weekly Radio Address: HARIBO a Great Fit in Wisconsin

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker released his Weekly Radio Address today titled “HARIBO a Great Fit in Wisconsin.” Hi, Scott Walker here. HARIBO just announced that they will open their first North American manufacturing facility right here in Wisconsin. The company’s $242 million investment is

Read More »

WisDOT: Last minute tips to obtain an ID to vote on Tuesday

Contact: Patricia Mayers, (608) 266-5599 patricia.mayers@dot.wi.gov Most Wisconsin voters already have some form of ID required to vote in Tuesday’s spring election. The most common forms of IDs are a Wisconsin driver license or ID. The Wisconsin Elections Commission website explains other acceptable IDs. There is no separate “voter ID.” Voters looking to get their first

Read More »

WISTAX: “Little-known” taxes generate billions for federal, state and local governments

Contact: 608.241.9789 wistax@wistax.org New WISTAX Report Highlights Taxes Consumers Don’t Notice MADISON—As Wisconsin’s weather starts to warm, thoughts turn to summer vacation. However, few residents realize they pay hundreds of dollars per person each year in “hidden” taxes, many tied to those vacations. “Uncovering “Hidden” Taxes,” a new report from the

Read More »

Testimony Tailgate for Kids

* GREAT VISUALS * PARENTS * TEACHERS * ON-SITE INTERVIEWS * Testimony Tailgate for Kids: Advocates to converge at budget hearing Champions of neighborhood public schools, parents, grandparents, teachers planning huge presence at first Joint Finance Committee hearing Advocates for public schools will be out in full force at 8:30 a.m. Monday,

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Final fiscal analysis shows Wisconsin ended last fiscal year with a $331 million surplus and improving GAAP balance

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – The Department of Administration released the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) today showing Wisconsin ended the 2016 fiscal year with a positive General Fund budgetary balance of $331 million. Since Governor Walker took office, Wisconsin has ended every year with a budgetary surplus. The most

Read More »

UW-Madison: New health alliance brings together statewide partners

Contact: Anne Pankratz, 608-216-5637 apankratz2@wisc.edu Madison, Wis. — Across Wisconsin, opportunities to live a long, healthy life are not shared equally by all. Many of Wisconsin’s health outcomes lag behind national averages, and the state is home to some of the most extreme health disparities in the nation. To address these issues,

Read More »

Wisconsin Historical Society: Three Madison museums to launch 2017 SPARK! program schedules

Contact: Keri O’Keefe, 6082619597 keri.okeefe@wisconsinhistory.org Madison Children’s Museum, Wisconsin Historical Museum, and Wisconsin Veterans Museum provide creative engagement for people with dementia and their care partners Madison, Wis – Madison Children’s Museum, the Wisconsin Historical Museum, and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum are part of a network of museums across the state of Wisconsin and

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