TUE PM Update: JFC plans to reject Walker’s self-insurance proposal, votes to bring back WEDC loan program

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Scott Walker and DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel today knocked the Joint Finance Committee’s plans to reject the administration’s moves to self-insure state workers. Walker tweeted about the JFC co-chairs’ comments that they expect the committee will reject the contracts his administration reached as part of the self-insurance … 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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LFB: Some would pay more under Kooyenga tax plan

Some Wisconsinites would end up paying more in income taxes under Kooyenga’s plan compared to current law, according to a new analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Those paying more would fluctuate over the next dozen years as the state moved toward a 3.95 percent flat tax and eliminated some exemptions. Along the way, Wisconsin would move from four tax brackets that range from 3.95 percent t… 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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Midwest Environmental Advocates: DNR will provide emergency drinking water for families with contaminated wells

Contact: Sarah Geers, (608)251-5047 x 5 sgeers@midwestadvocates.org Stacy Harbaugh, (608)251-5047 x 1 sharbaugh@midwestadvocates.org Years of citizen pressure results in agency acting on existing power MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is taking steps to provide emergency drinking water to rural Wisconsin residents with drinking water wells that are contaminated with livestock manure. After several years of petitions, meetings and citizen pressure, the state agency has agreed to use an existing part of our state’s administrative code – Chapter NR 738 – to initiate procedures to provide drinking water to qualifying residents. “Brown water events” are not new to rural

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Sen. Erpenbach: Statement on the co-chairs rejection of Gov. Walker’s self-insurance scheme

Contact: Senator Jon Erpenbach, 608-266-6670 “I was pleased the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance have announced they reject Governor Walker’s high risk self-insurance scheme for the group insurance plan. The 250,000 people concerned about who will be their doctor and how this scheme would affect them can breathe a sigh of relief.” “Governor Walker responded to this news by claiming this plan would have saved taxpayers money. That assertion is uncertain at best. The Group Insurance Board had three different assessments of what a self-funded plan could mean for taxpayers. Only one consultant said taxpayers “may” save money. In

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U.S. Sen. Johnson: Meets with Wisconsin Hospital Association members

Contact: Ben Voelkel Paige Alwood WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) met with members of the Wisconsin Hospital Association Tuesday, including representatives from Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, Burnett Medical Center and Columbus Community Hospital, to discuss the future of healthcare for Wisconsinites. Senator Johnson is a member of the Senate working group that is engaged in addressing the failures of Obamacare.

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Milwaukee Ald. Johnson: What we need: A broad and holistic approach focused on prevention

Contact: Bill Arnold, (414)286.3285 warnol@milwaukee.gov Statement from Alderman Cavalier Johnson For years, the conversation around criminal justice has too often given way to harsher penalties. There’s this idea that if we as a society simply lock more people away, the criminal element will be erased from our neighborhoods. We don’t have to look very far to see the folly of that logic. Milwaukee, our city, the anchor of our greater community and the economic engine of our state, is home to the most incarcerated ZIP code in the United States. By that logic, 53206, a ZIP code where I spent the formative years

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Gov. Walker: Seeks applicants for coroner of Buffalo Co.

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker announced today he is seeking applicants for appointment as coroner in Buffalo County. The appointment will fill the vacancy created by the unexpected passing of Peter Samb. The new coroner will begin service upon appointment and will complete a term ending January 6, 2019. An applicant is not required to reside in Buffalo County at the time the appointment becomes effective. If you are interested in applying for the position, please submit the following: Online Application – found on Governor Walker’s website: www.walker.wi.gov. (On the right side, hover over “Contact” and

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Gov. Walker: Seeks applicants for sheriff of St. Croix Co.

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker announced today he is seeking applicants for appointment as sheriff in St. Croix County. The appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sheriff John Shilts. The new sheriff will begin serving July 14th and will complete a term ending January 7, 2019. An applicant is not required to reside in St. Croix County at the time the appointment becomes effective. If you are interested in applying for the position, please submit the following: Online Application – found on Governor Walker’s website: www.walker.wi.gov. (On the right side, hover over

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Gov. Walker: Visits Medford Area Senior High School to highlight the historic K-12 investments included in his budget proposal

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Medford – Governor Scott Walker traveled to Medford Area Senior High School today to discuss the historic K-12 investments included in his biennial budget proposal with students, teachers, and staff. The governor’s proposal lifts K-12 investment to $11.5 billion over two years, an all-time high, and includes $649 million in new state aids for all K-12 schools in the state. “We are putting more money into public education than ever before, including a more than half billion dollar increase in per pupil aid for public education,” Governor Walker said. “And thanks to our Act 10

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Wisconsin Economic Development Association: Applauds Joint Finance Committee on support for critical economic development program

Contact: Brian Doudna, 608-215-2562 bdoudna@weda.org Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) applauds the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee for supporting the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and its efforts to expand economic development opportunities throughout Wisconsin. The Committee today acted to reestablish WEDC’s capital lending program to provide needed capital to new and expanding businesses in Wisconsin. “On behalf of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association, I would like to express our gratitude to the Joint Finance Committee for retaining Governor Walker’s proposal to restore WEDC’s capital lending authority,” said WEDA President Ed White. “The program is a key

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U.S. Rep. Pocan: Announces 2017 Congressional Art Competition winners, thanks judges

Contact: Melanie Conklin, 608-258-9800 MADISON, WI — U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) announced the winners of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition on Monday evening at an event at the Goodman South Madison Library with the student artists, the panel of judges, teachers and other community members. This year’s competition featured 39 pieces of art, from eight different high schools from throughout the Second Congressional District. The Grand Prize winning submission was “Dreaming of Climate Change” a colored pencil drawing by Coral Cramer-Carlson from La Follette High School. She will be flown to Washington, D.C. for a reception in June honoring her

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TUE PM Update: JFC plans to reject Walker’s self-insurance proposal, votes to bring back WEDC loan program

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Scott Walker and DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel today knocked the Joint Finance Committee’s plans to reject the administration’s moves to self-insure state workers. Walker tweeted about the JFC co-chairs’ comments that they expect the committee will reject the contracts his administration

Read More »

LFB: Some would pay more under Kooyenga tax plan

Some Wisconsinites would end up paying more in income taxes under Kooyenga’s plan compared to current law, according to a new analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Those paying more would fluctuate over the next dozen years as the state moved toward a 3.95 percent flat tax and eliminated some

Read More »

Midwest Environmental Advocates: DNR will provide emergency drinking water for families with contaminated wells

Contact: Sarah Geers, (608)251-5047 x 5 sgeers@midwestadvocates.org Stacy Harbaugh, (608)251-5047 x 1 sharbaugh@midwestadvocates.org Years of citizen pressure results in agency acting on existing power MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is taking steps to provide emergency drinking water to rural Wisconsin residents with drinking water wells that are contaminated

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Johnson: Meets with Wisconsin Hospital Association members

Contact: Ben Voelkel Paige Alwood WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) met with members of the Wisconsin Hospital Association Tuesday, including representatives from Memorial Medical Center in Ashland, Burnett Medical Center and Columbus Community Hospital, to discuss the future of healthcare for Wisconsinites. Senator Johnson is a member of

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Seeks applicants for coroner of Buffalo Co.

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker announced today he is seeking applicants for appointment as coroner in Buffalo County. The appointment will fill the vacancy created by the unexpected passing of Peter Samb. The new coroner will begin service upon appointment and will complete a term

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Seeks applicants for sheriff of St. Croix Co.

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Madison – Governor Scott Walker announced today he is seeking applicants for appointment as sheriff in St. Croix County. The appointment will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Sheriff John Shilts. The new sheriff will begin serving July 14th and will complete a

Read More »

Wisconsin Economic Development Association: Applauds Joint Finance Committee on support for critical economic development program

Contact: Brian Doudna, 608-215-2562 bdoudna@weda.org Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) applauds the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee for supporting the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and its efforts to expand economic development opportunities throughout Wisconsin. The Committee today acted to reestablish WEDC’s capital lending program to provide

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