Assembly passes homelessness bills but Dems say larger investments needed

The state Assembly today passed four GOP bills aimed at helping address homelessness, with two passing unanimously and several Dems opposing the other two. Dems said the package isn’t enough to solve the issue, while also saying past GOP policies such as changes in landlord-tenant laws have only exacerbated it. “I don’t like legislation that is feel-good, that has no teeth and will have no results,” said Rep. Gary Hebl, D-Sun Prairie. Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, acknowledged “there is more to do” but said the state needs to make sure it’s spending money effectively. He’s the co-author of

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TUE PM Update: Transportation funding debate; Senate, Assembly meet

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald today declined comment on the transportation package coming soon from GOP Rep. Dale Kooyenga. He also acknowledged Senate Republicans are focusing more on ways to free up GPR that could be used to cover transportation costs. WisPolitics.com reported Friday that Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, has … 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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Assembly OK’s bill giving lawmakers direct oversight of education plan

The state Assembly today passed a bill that would give lawmakers direct oversight on how the state plans to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, an education policy overhaul that Congress passed in 2015. The chamber passed the bill, AB 233, on a voice vote, though Dems said it was an unnecessary attack on the Department of Public Instruction. State Superintendent Tony Evers released a draft of the plan on Friday and is testifying at the Capitol tomorrow on it. Some GOP lawmakers say they need greater input in the process, but Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, who chairs

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JFC to take up WEDC, DOJ at May 9 exec session

The Joint Finance Committee will vote on WEDC’s budget along with the guv’s proposals for the Department of Justice and the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board when it meets May 9. The other areas on the agenda are: secretary of state, Military Affairs and the Legislature. The committee is scheduled to convene at 11 a.m. See the hearing notice…. 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. Loudenbeck: Bill heads to governor’s desk

Contact: Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, (608) 266-9967 Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wi.gov Madison – State Representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) issued the following statement after her bill, Assembly Bill 59 (AB 59) passed the Senate Floor, and now heads to Governor Walker to be signed into law. “AB 59 updates statutory references for emergency medical technicians and first responders and aligns Wisconsin terminology with federal language and current practices. I became aware of Wisconsin using a different set of terms when working on a bill related to mobile integrated health and community emergency medical services. I am very pleased this bill has cleared the last legislative hurdle.

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Rep. Loudenbeck: Teen employment act passes Assembly

Contact: Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, (608) 266-9967 Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wi.gov Madison – The Wisconsin State Assembly voted 64-34 to pass Assembly Bill 25 (AB 25) authored by Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton). AB 25 will remove one of the barriers to employment that unaccompanied and homeless teens face by lowering the age requirement for a work permit to under 16 years of age. AB 25 is the first of a series of initiatives Rep. Loudenbeck plans to work on this session to improve access to employment and other daily living supports for unaccompanied and homeless youth. “Unaccompanied and homeless youth are vulnerable to human trafficking,

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Rep. Edming: Backs broadband expansion bill

Contact: Rep. James Edming, (608) 266-7506 MADISON – Today, Representative James Edming (R-Glen Flora) backed legislation that will increase investment in broadband expansion efforts in underserved areas of Wisconsin. Assembly Bill (AB) 123 provides $15.5 million for the broadband expansion grant program and sets guidelines for the program to ensure that funding is going to the areas with the highest need. “No matter where I go around the 87th Assembly District, one of the issues I hear about most is the need for improved high-speed internet access,” said Rep. Edming.  “In today’s world, reliable high-speed internet access is a necessity for education,

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Sen. Fitzgerald: Senate advances HOPE bills, administrative rules changes

Contact: Scott Fitzgerald, (608)-266-5660 [Madison, WI]  Today the Wisconsin Senate met in both regular and special session to debate nearly twenty pieces of legislation. Among the bills on the day’s calendar were a number of proposals targeting opioid addiction and changes to the state’s administrative rules procedures. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released the following statement: “I was thrilled that the Senate had another productive, bipartisan session, during which we tackled a number of important issues facing the state of Wisconsin. With the nine special session bills advanced today, the Senate has taken several great strides towards helping to combat

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Sen. LeMahieu: REINS Act passes the Senate

Contact: Senator Devin LeMahieu, 608-266-2056 Madison – Today, the “REINS Act” (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) passed the State Senate. The Bill, Senate Bill 15, was authored by Senator LeMahieu and Representative Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee). In response, Senator Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) issued the following statement: “State agencies currently have the power to pass harmful regulations with little oversight from the legislature that can cost Wisconsin businesses and citizens tens of millions of dollars in compliance and lost revenue. The REINS Act improves transparency in the rule making process and gives the legislature more power to hold unelected bureaucrats

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TUE PM Update: Transportation funding debate; Senate, Assembly meet

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald today declined comment on the transportation package coming soon from GOP Rep. Dale Kooyenga. He also acknowledged Senate Republicans are focusing more on ways to free up GPR that could be used to cover transportation costs. WisPolitics.com

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JFC to take up WEDC, DOJ at May 9 exec session

The Joint Finance Committee will vote on WEDC’s budget along with the guv’s proposals for the Department of Justice and the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board when it meets May 9. The other areas on the agenda are: secretary of state, Military Affairs and the Legislature. The committee is

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Rep. Loudenbeck: Bill heads to governor’s desk

Contact: Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, (608) 266-9967 Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wi.gov Madison – State Representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) issued the following statement after her bill, Assembly Bill 59 (AB 59) passed the Senate Floor, and now heads to Governor Walker to be signed into law. “AB 59 updates statutory references for emergency medical technicians and

Read More »

Rep. Loudenbeck: Teen employment act passes Assembly

Contact: Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, (608) 266-9967 Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wi.gov Madison – The Wisconsin State Assembly voted 64-34 to pass Assembly Bill 25 (AB 25) authored by Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton). AB 25 will remove one of the barriers to employment that unaccompanied and homeless teens face by lowering the age requirement for a

Read More »

Rep. Edming: Backs broadband expansion bill

Contact: Rep. James Edming, (608) 266-7506 MADISON – Today, Representative James Edming (R-Glen Flora) backed legislation that will increase investment in broadband expansion efforts in underserved areas of Wisconsin. Assembly Bill (AB) 123 provides $15.5 million for the broadband expansion grant program and sets guidelines for the program to ensure that funding

Read More »

Sen. Fitzgerald: Senate advances HOPE bills, administrative rules changes

Contact: Scott Fitzgerald, (608)-266-5660 [Madison, WI]  Today the Wisconsin Senate met in both regular and special session to debate nearly twenty pieces of legislation. Among the bills on the day’s calendar were a number of proposals targeting opioid addiction and changes to the state’s administrative rules procedures. Senate Majority Leader

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Sen. LeMahieu: REINS Act passes the Senate

Contact: Senator Devin LeMahieu, 608-266-2056 Madison – Today, the “REINS Act” (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) passed the State Senate. The Bill, Senate Bill 15, was authored by Senator LeMahieu and Representative Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee). In response, Senator Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) issued the following statement: “State agencies currently

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