THU PM Update: $100 million freed up for roads; interview with new DSPS Secretary Gutierrez

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — State officials announced today that more than $100 million has been freed up for transportation projects across the state. But Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said the money doesn’t “come anywhere near to solving the long-term transportation funding crisis.” The funds include $38 million in additional projected revenues from the De… 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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WisDNR: Outdoor report summary for April 13, 2017

Contact: Paul Holtan, 608-267-7517 Charlie Nettesheim, 608-267-0541 Turkeys strutting timely for weekend youth hunt and first period spring hunt; CDAC meetings next week Complete DNR Outdoor Report (Reports from conservation wardens, wildlife and fisheries staff and property managers from around the state) Wisconsin experienced another roller coaster ride for the second week in April with temperatures last weekend in the 70s, followed by cold rain in the south and up to 7 inches of snow in the far north, and now temperatures again forecast to be in the high 60s this coming weekend. People took advantage of the warm weather last weekend with

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Roggensack re-elected as Supreme Court chief justice

Pat Roggensack was re-elected to a second term as state Supreme Court chief justice today, following a 2015 constitutional amendment that lets justices choose who fills the top post. Before the amendment, that spot went automatically to the longest serving member of the court. Currently, that’s Justice Shirley Abrahamson, who held the position from 1996 to 2015. But after the amendment’s passage, … 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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Cross, Blank want regents to have more control over performance-based funding

UW System President Ray Cross told lawmakers today to take a cautious approach as they consider Walker’s proposal to bring performance-based funding to the system. He said while he supported the idea, he wanted to make sure the model didn’t just reward campuses on outcomes. Some of the money, he said, also needs to be aimed at developing an “innovation fund” that would give money to campuses to l… 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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WisDOT: Manogue Road bridge replacement over I-39/90, near Janesville Rest Area, to start next week

Contact: Steven Theisen, (608) 884-1230 steven.theisen@dot.wi.gov Bridge closed from April 19 to late August 2017; alternate local routes required. Reconstruction work is scheduled to start Wednesday (April 19) on the Manogue Road bridge over Interstate 39/90, near the Janesville Rest Area in Rock County. The Manogue Road bridge is scheduled to be closed to all traffic starting Wednesday (April 19) and will reopen once completed in late August 2017 (weather-permitting). Alternate local routes are required during this project. In early May, the existing structure will be removed primarily during nighttime lane closures on I-39/90 between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday

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Team Ryan reports nearly $22.5 million in receipts

House Speaker Paul Ryan’s joint fundraising committee, Team Ryan, reported close to $22.5 million in receipts for the first three months of the year. The committee spent nearly $18.9 million and ended the quarter with $4.1 million in the bank. Donations from individuals accounted for $20.3 million of the fundraising haul, while PACs contributed just under $2.1 million. Outside of operating costs, spending included transfers of nearly $13.3 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee, $2.3 million to Ryan’s congressional campaign fund and just over $824,000 to Ryan’s leadership PAC, Prosperity Action. Activity for the first quarter of 2017 eclipsed

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DSPS’ Gutierrez ‘very excited’ to look at state licensing requirements

Laura Gutierrez, the new secretary of DSPS, tells WisPolitics.com the agency’s “very excited” to work with lawmakers on a comprehensive overview of the state’s licensing requirements, which is aimed at seeing whether some of those should still be in place or get tweaked. Walker proposed in his biennial budget establishing a council within the Department of Safety and Professional Services tasked w… 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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DHS to pay nearly $7 million to feds for FoodShare data errors

The state Department of Health Services will pay nearly $7 million to the federal government to settle allegations that it violated federal law by misreporting data on its food stamp program in past years. DHS spokeswoman Julie Lund said the agency reached the settlement “in response to processes put in place in 2009, under the previous administration.” The settlement centers on inaccurate data th… 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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Sen. Fitzgerald: Responds to dairy crisis

Contact: Scott Fitzgerald, 608-266-5660 Earlier this month, Grassland Dairy Products announced that the company would be terminating their contracts with 74 Wisconsin farms in 30 days’ time due to an ongoing trade dispute with Canada that would significantly reduce their processing capacity. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released the following statement urging Wisconsin farmers to contact the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Farm Center for assistance as the situation progresses: “I was shocked to hear that dozens of Wisconsin’s hard working dairy farmers could be forced out of business because of a trade dispute taking place

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Wisconsin Council on Children and Families: Putting our constitutional freedoms at risk

Contact: 608-284-0580, info@wccf.org The U.S. Constitution has served our nation well for over 200 years, but a growing national movement is trying to open the door to drastic changes to our government’s founding document. Lawmakers across the country are trying to amend our Constitution by calling for a constitutional convention. So what does that mean? It means that if enough states pass resolut… 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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WisDOT: Dates changed: Overnight closures of I-39/90, between Edgerton and Madison, scheduled for County AB bridge removal

Contact: Steven Theisen, (608) 884-1230 steven.theisen@dot.wi.gov Interstate traffic to use signed detour route: US 12/18 and WIS 73 Next week, crews will remove the existing County AB bridge, located at mile marker 144, over Interstate 39/90 near Madison. The bridge will be removed during the nighttime hours to safely and efficiently complete this phase of construction. Nighttime single lane closures on I-39/90 will start at 8 p.m. each night. For the safety of the traveling public and construction crews, one direction of I-39/90 will be closed to all traffic on the following nights: 11 p.m. Tuesday (April 18) to 5 a.m.

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Old World Creamery: Statement following U.S. District Court in Milwaukee ruling

Contact: Scott Stein, (920) 965-7750 (office), (920) 676-0711 (cell) SStein@LFpublicrelations.com         The following is a statement from Steve Knaus, managing partner of Old World Creamery of Sheboygan following today’s ruling in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee… “We are disappointed with today’s ruling. As I have said many times, ‘when times get tough, it’s important to raise your head higher and keep moving forward.’ We will move forward at this point and look at all options available.”  

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Wisconsin Supreme Court: Selects Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack to continue as Chief

Contact: Tom Sheehan, (608) 261-6640 Madison, Wis. (April 13, 2017) – Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices have elected Patience Drake Roggensack to serve a second two-year term as Chief Justice. “I am honored to have been elected to continue as Chief Justice. It is a privilege to serve the court system as the Chief Justice and to work with Wisconsin Court of Appeals and Circuit Court judges and their staff.  I will maintain my open-door policy to all who wish to discuss the administration of Wisconsin courts.” Chief Justice Roggensack is the first justice to be elected to serve as Chief Justice

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WisDNR: Outdoor report summary for April 13, 2017

Contact: Paul Holtan, 608-267-7517 Charlie Nettesheim, 608-267-0541 Turkeys strutting timely for weekend youth hunt and first period spring hunt; CDAC meetings next week Complete DNR Outdoor Report (Reports from conservation wardens, wildlife and fisheries staff and property managers from around the state) Wisconsin experienced another roller coaster ride for the second week in

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Roggensack re-elected as Supreme Court chief justice

Pat Roggensack was re-elected to a second term as state Supreme Court chief justice today, following a 2015 constitutional amendment that lets justices choose who fills the top post. Before the amendment, that spot went automatically to the longest serving member of the court. Currently, that’s Justice Shirley Abrahamson, who

Read More »

Team Ryan reports nearly $22.5 million in receipts

House Speaker Paul Ryan’s joint fundraising committee, Team Ryan, reported close to $22.5 million in receipts for the first three months of the year. The committee spent nearly $18.9 million and ended the quarter with $4.1 million in the bank. Donations from individuals accounted for $20.3 million of the fundraising

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DHS to pay nearly $7 million to feds for FoodShare data errors

The state Department of Health Services will pay nearly $7 million to the federal government to settle allegations that it violated federal law by misreporting data on its food stamp program in past years. DHS spokeswoman Julie Lund said the agency reached the settlement “in response to processes put in

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Sen. Fitzgerald: Responds to dairy crisis

Contact: Scott Fitzgerald, 608-266-5660 Earlier this month, Grassland Dairy Products announced that the company would be terminating their contracts with 74 Wisconsin farms in 30 days’ time due to an ongoing trade dispute with Canada that would significantly reduce their processing capacity. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released the following

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Old World Creamery: Statement following U.S. District Court in Milwaukee ruling

Contact: Scott Stein, (920) 965-7750 (office), (920) 676-0711 (cell) SStein@LFpublicrelations.com         The following is a statement from Steve Knaus, managing partner of Old World Creamery of Sheboygan following today’s ruling in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee… “We are disappointed with today’s ruling. As I have said many times, ‘when times get tough, it’s

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