Sen. Erpenbach: JFC Democrats vote to improve veterans home at King, long term solution for Veterans Trust Fund

Contact: Senator Jon Erpenbach, 608-266-6670 Madison – State Senator Jon Erpenbach and his Democratic Colleagues on the state budget committee offered motions today in the committee to fully fund the Veterans Trust Fund for the future, make permanent facility and staffing improvements at veterans nursing homes, increase access to mental health treatment for veterans, and provide local grants to prevent veteran homelessness. “A state that supports their veteran community does not divert funds from our nursing homes when there are facility and staffing needs for our aging and ailing veterans. A long term solution for the viability of the Veterans Trust

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THU PM Update: JFC co-chairs consider removing transportation from budget, taking up as separate bill

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee today floated the possibility of breaking transportation off from the budget as their caucuses remain at odds over how to fund road work for the next two years. But the guv and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald oppose the idea, their offices said. A Fitzgerald spokeswoman added … 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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JFC approves state money to help buy new WisconsinEye cameras

The Assembly and Senate would provide a combined $412,600 in GPR over the next two years to help cover the costs of 21 new cameras in the Capitol for the public affairs network WisconsinEye, under a motion JFC approved. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, would provide $37,800 during 2017-19 to help offset the costs of two cameras. To receive the matching money, WisconsinEye management would have to sho… 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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County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin: Applauds Gov. Walker and the Wisconsin Legislative Joint Finance Committee

Contact: 1-844-WIS-CVSO (947-2876) pao@wicvso.org Today, the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted to approve Governor Walker’s Department of Veterans Affairs budget, which included changes to the department’s grants to counties and tribes for improvement of services. The JFC approved returning the grant to a block grant and removed barriers to use the grant dollars. The County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin applauds the Joint Finance Committee for listening to the concerns the association had and addressing them within the state’s budget. Changes to the grant during the 2015-2017 biennial budget made it a reimbursement program instead of a

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City of Milwaukee: City, county public safety agreement wins approval

Contact: Jonathan Fera, 414.286.5579 jfera@milwaukee.gov Mayor Barrett, County Executive Abele announce partnership to improve public safety MILWAUKEE – Under a new partnership adopted by Mayor Tom Barrett and County Executive Chris Abele, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) and Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will take an incremental step as part of an ongoing collaboration in improving public safety throughout local communities. This effort aims to reduce juvenile recidivism and improve outcomes for youth offenders through increased monitoring of high-risk individuals and stricter compliance with court imposed restrictions. The Milwaukee Common Council passed the resolution approving this partnership

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Wisconsin Counties Association: Applauds additional funding for income maintenance fraud program

Contact: Mark D. O’Connell, 866.404.2700 Commends Representatives Loudenbeck, Felzkowski, and Krug for Efforts The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) is applauding today’s unanimous vote by the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) to increase income maintenance (IM) fraud funding by $500,000 annually. The budget motion was promoted by Representatives Amy Loudenbeck, Mary Felzkowski, and Scott Krug. Currently county income maintenance consortia are required to operate a Fraud Prevention and Investigation Program (FPIP). The FPIP model “focuses on fraud prevention, using investigative staff dedicated to provide all investigation activities under a single funding source, utilizing local agency and/or private contracted investigators.” The action by

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Sen. Shilling: Dem proposal to end Veteran Home fund raids rejected by GOP budget committee

Contact: Tony Palese, tony.palese@legis.wi.gov 608-266-5490 MADISON, WI – Despite ongoing issues with staff shortages, facility maintenance and mismanagement at the state’s King Veteran Home, Republican lawmakers on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee rejected a Democratic proposal that would have prevented a $26 million funding raid. This move comes after a recent legislative audit report … 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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Senate committee approves two Vukmir crime bills

The last two bills in the GOP Victim Prevention Package passed the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee today, and each picked up some Dem support. The bills were originally scheduled to be taken up when the committee met on Tuesday and passed six other bills in the package, but the votes were pushed back to give committee members time to review each bill’s amendments. The bills from Sen. … 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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Ryan: Independent investigation on Russia not a ‘good idea’

House Speaker Paul Ryan today rebuffed renewed calls for an independent investigation into Russian interference with the November election following President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, and the reason I say that is we have three investigations going on right now,” Ryan told reporters following an announcement at InSinkErator in Racine. Some Democ… 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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Vos says he’s trying to solve ‘crisis on campus’ with speech bill

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said today the free speech bill he co-authored looks to solve the “crisis on campus” of protesters shutting down controversial speakers. Critics say the bill goes too far in protecting speakers with racist and hateful ideas, laying out harsh punishments for students who violate policies that they say are too vaguely outlined. “It privileges some people’s First Amendment … 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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JFC co-chairs float possibility of separate transpo budget

The co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee today floated the possibility of breaking transportation off from the budget as their caucuses remain at odds over how to fund road work for the next two years. But the guv and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald oppose the idea, their offices said. A Fitzgerald spokeswoman added transportation and the rest of the budget are so intertwined that “ext… 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: Overnight closure of I-39/90 northbound, between Janesville and Edgerton, rescheduled for Monday night (May 15)

Contact: Steven Theisen, (608) 884-1230 steven.theisen@dot.wi.gov Interstate traffic to use signed detour route: US 14 and US 51  On Monday night (May 15), crews will finish removing the Manogue Road bridge over Interstate 39/90 north of Janesville. For the safety of the traveling public and construction crews, I-39/90 northbound will be completely closed to all traffic, between Janesville and Edgerton. 10 p.m. Monday (May 15) to 5 a.m. Tuesday (May 16) – I-39/90 northbound (westbound) is closed to all traffic between US 14 in Janesville and US 51 near Edgerton. Northbound Interstate traffic will be diverted off I-39/90 at Janesville Exit

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Reps. Subeck, Zamarripa: Call for a public hearing on AB 273

Contact: Rep. Lisa Subeck, 608-266-7521 Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, 608-266-7669 MADISON – Today, State Representatives Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) and JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) sent a letter to Representative Rob Hutton, Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight, requesting that the committee schedule a public hearing on AB 273. The bill would prohibit the State of Wisconsin from investing in companies that enter into a contract to build President Trump’s proposed border wall. “Immigrants play a vital role in our great state’s economy.  Without immigrants, agriculture, hospitality, and numerous other industries would be crippled,” said Rep. Zamarripa. “President Trump’s border

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JFC approves state money to help buy new WisconsinEye cameras

The Assembly and Senate would provide a combined $412,600 in GPR over the next two years to help cover the costs of 21 new cameras in the Capitol for the public affairs network WisconsinEye, under a motion JFC approved. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, would provide $37,800 during 2017-19 to help

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County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin: Applauds Gov. Walker and the Wisconsin Legislative Joint Finance Committee

Contact: 1-844-WIS-CVSO (947-2876) pao@wicvso.org Today, the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) voted to approve Governor Walker’s Department of Veterans Affairs budget, which included changes to the department’s grants to counties and tribes for improvement of services. The JFC approved returning the grant to a block grant and removed barriers

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City of Milwaukee: City, county public safety agreement wins approval

Contact: Jonathan Fera, 414.286.5579 jfera@milwaukee.gov Mayor Barrett, County Executive Abele announce partnership to improve public safety MILWAUKEE – Under a new partnership adopted by Mayor Tom Barrett and County Executive Chris Abele, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) and Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will take an incremental

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Wisconsin Counties Association: Applauds additional funding for income maintenance fraud program

Contact: Mark D. O’Connell, 866.404.2700 Commends Representatives Loudenbeck, Felzkowski, and Krug for Efforts The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) is applauding today’s unanimous vote by the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) to increase income maintenance (IM) fraud funding by $500,000 annually. The budget motion was promoted by Representatives Amy Loudenbeck, Mary Felzkowski,

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Sen. Shilling: Dem proposal to end Veteran Home fund raids rejected by GOP budget committee

Contact: Tony Palese, tony.palese@legis.wi.gov 608-266-5490 MADISON, WI – Despite ongoing issues with staff shortages, facility maintenance and mismanagement at the state’s King Veteran Home, Republican lawmakers on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee rejected a Democratic proposal that would have prevented a $26 million funding raid. This move comes after a

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Senate committee approves two Vukmir crime bills

The last two bills in the GOP Victim Prevention Package passed the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee today, and each picked up some Dem support. The bills were originally scheduled to be taken up when the committee met on Tuesday and passed six other bills in the package, but

Read More »

Ryan: Independent investigation on Russia not a ‘good idea’

House Speaker Paul Ryan today rebuffed renewed calls for an independent investigation into Russian interference with the November election following President Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, and the reason I say that is we have three investigations going on right now,”

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JFC co-chairs float possibility of separate transpo budget

The co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee today floated the possibility of breaking transportation off from the budget as their caucuses remain at odds over how to fund road work for the next two years. But the guv and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald oppose the idea, their offices said.

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Reps. Subeck, Zamarripa: Call for a public hearing on AB 273

Contact: Rep. Lisa Subeck, 608-266-7521 Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, 608-266-7669 MADISON – Today, State Representatives Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) and JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) sent a letter to Representative Rob Hutton, Chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Government Accountability and Oversight, requesting that the committee schedule a public hearing on AB 273. The

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