The committee unanimously shot down Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to no longer require journeyman electricians, plumbers and automatic fire sprinkler system fitters, along with cosmetologists and barbers, to take an exam to become licensed if they have completed an apprenticeship. Walker’s plan originally included automatic fire sprinkler contractors as well.

The committee rejected 12-4 a Dem motion that would have authorized public water utilities to provide financial assistance to private property owners looking to replace water service lines that contain lead. The proposal is identical to standalone legislation now pending before both houses of the Legislature. But Rep. Katrina Shankland,

The committee rejected the guv’s proposal to eliminate the program that aids farmers who believe their dairy herds are being affected by stray voltage. The program, housed at the PSC and DATCP, is funded by nearly $1.1 million over the biennium in assessments on some electrical utilities and cooperatives. There

The committee for a third time approved putting more money into broadband expansion grants. But JFC tweaked how it would impact a funding source going forward. A bill to expand the grants has already passed the committee twice and cleared both houses of the Legislature. The motion approved today largely

The co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee today floated the possibility of breaking transportation off from the budget and putting it into a separate bill as their caucuses continue to be at odds over how to fund road work for the next two years. Co-chair John Nygren, R-Marinette, acknowledged that