MON PM Update: Walker again takes to Twitter to hit GOP lawmakers on taxes

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Scott Walker again took to Twitter today to promote the lower taxes proposed in his budget, touting his “reform dividend” as evidence that “now is NOT the time to raise taxes on the hard-working people of WI.” And he repeated his Twitter pledge to veto the entire budget if it results in a property tax increase, issuing a 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. Username or E-mail Password *

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Schimel asks SCOTUS for stay in redistricting case

Attorney General Brad Schimel is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stay a lower court’s ruling in a redistricting case that would force the state to redraw its maps, arguing the “stay is vital to avoiding any unnecessary and significant burdens.” A split three-judge panel last year struck down the state Assembly district maps, ruling the GOP-drawn maps from 2011 are an unconstitutional partisan ger… 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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Dems seize on new prevailing wage study

Barca and state Dems today seized on a new study showing a jump in public works contracts to out-of-state companies since changes to prevailing wage laws took effect this year. But a key group that supports repealing prevailing wage laws called the study a flawed analysis. Last session, the Legislature removed prevailing wage requirements from local projects — a provision that took effect this Jan… 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 surprised by Walker’s ‘edicts’ on Twitter about budget

Gov. Scott Walker again took to Twitter today to promote the lower taxes proposed in his budget, touting his “reform dividend” as evidence that “now is NOT the time to raise taxes on the hard-working people of WI.” And he repeated his Twitter pledge to veto the entire budget if it results in a property tax increase, issuing a warning to some GOP lawmakers who have considered eliminating Walker’s p… 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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WisDems: Gov. Scott Walker ignores Democrats plea for special session to spur new jobs & economic growth

Contact: Brandon Weathersby, 608-260-2409, brandonw@wisdems.org MADISON — At no point in the last thirty years have more residents in our state lived in poverty. After six years of being sold the idea that tax giveaways for those at the top will turn our state’s economy around, families are working harder than ever before but still can’t seem to get ahead. The state’s problem with job creation was punctuated as the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, one of the country’s leading entrepreneurship advocacy and research organizations, ranked Wisconsin dead-last in start-up activity. It’s not the first time, nor the second time, but the third time in

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Rep. Ohnstad: Statement on Speaker Ryan’s secret telephone ‘town hall’ meeting

Contact: Rep. Ohnstad, 608-266-0455 MADISON – Representative Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha) released the following statement in response to Speaker Paul Ryan holding a secret telephone ‘town hall’ meeting. “It is truly unfortunate Speaker Ryan, by his actions, shows he is not listening to his constituents. People of his district have again been short changed when Speaker Ryan decided to hold a secret telephone town hall meeting. I think Speaker Ryan forgets, or more aptly, ignores that he serves at the pleasure of his constituents. He should be accountable to them. He gives lip service to a town hall meeting by hand

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Wisconsin Public Transportation Association: Thanks JFC for statewide transit capital assistance program

Brian Engelking (262)719-9599 MADISON – The Wisconsin Public Transportation Association (WIPTA) thanks the Joint Finance on Committee for its action to create a Statewide Transit Capital Assistance Program. The program, funded with $32 million in Volkswagen settlement dollars, will help offset a significant shortfall in federal transit capital funding. “Transit systems from across the state have been struggling to do more with less; spending precious dollars to maintain buses that should have been off the road years ago. This program will help address desperate needs in many local transit systems where half our ridership is connecting workers to jobs,” said

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Gov. Walker: Visits Galesville Elementary School to highlight historic K-12 investments included in budget proposal

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Galesville – Governor Scott Walker traveled to Galesville this afternoon to discuss the historic K-12 school investments included in his biennial budget proposal with Galesville Elementary School students, teachers, and administrators. The governor’s proposal lifts K-12 investment to $11.5 billion over two years, an all-time high, including $649 million in new state aids for all K-12 schools in the state. “One of the things we heard time and time again last year as we held listening sessions throughout the state is that we need to strengthen our schools,” Governor Walker said. “This is just common

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Rep. Taylor: Wisconsin GOP once again outsourcing jobs and cutting wages

Contact: Rep. Chris Taylor, 608-266-5342 Gutting fair wages through prevailing wage repeal hurts Wisconsin workers MADISON – Earlier today, the Wisconsin Contractor Coalition announced their review of Wisconsin’s prevailing wage laws that demonstrates the overwhelming negative impacts that the GOP’s initial repeal has had on Wisconsin’s economy and workers.  Since the initial prevailing wage repeal in the beginning of January 2016, there has been a 53 percent increase in contracts being awarded and outsourced to out-of-state companies.  The Wisconsin GOP is now seriously considering expanding this prevailing wage repeal to state projects.  Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) released the following statement:

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Rep. Subeck: Poverty report highlights need for well-paying jobs; critical role of safety net programs in reducing poverty

Contact: Zach Madden, 608-266-7521(office) 608-620-3884 (cell) MADISON – Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) issued the following statement regarding the annual Wisconsin Poverty Report issued today by WISCAP and the UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty. “The report released today highlights the critical role safety net programs like FoodShare, affordable housing programs, and Energy Assistance play in keeping people – especially families with children, the elderly, and disabled individuals – out of poverty. Far too many Wisconsinites go to work every day but still struggle to feed their children and keep a roof over their families’ heads. This is why Republican cuts

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Speaker Ryan to Join Axios News Shapers

Wednesday, May 24, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) will join Axios’ Mike Allen for a live one-on-one interview for their News Shapers series. The event will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will be livestreamed on speaker.gov/live. Details: Speaker Ryan’s Axios News Shapers Interview Wednesday, May 24, at 8:15 a.m. ET All media interested in attending the event should contact Molly Mitchell at molly@axios.com. Media must be credentialed and RSVP to gain entry to the event. Contact:   AshLee Strong, Doug Andres 202-225-0600

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Schimel asks SCOTUS for stay in redistricting case

Attorney General Brad Schimel is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stay a lower court’s ruling in a redistricting case that would force the state to redraw its maps, arguing the “stay is vital to avoiding any unnecessary and significant burdens.” A split three-judge panel last year struck down the

Read More »

Dems seize on new prevailing wage study

Barca and state Dems today seized on a new study showing a jump in public works contracts to out-of-state companies since changes to prevailing wage laws took effect this year. But a key group that supports repealing prevailing wage laws called the study a flawed analysis. Last session, the Legislature

Read More »

Wisconsin Public Transportation Association: Thanks JFC for statewide transit capital assistance program

Brian Engelking (262)719-9599 MADISON – The Wisconsin Public Transportation Association (WIPTA) thanks the Joint Finance on Committee for its action to create a Statewide Transit Capital Assistance Program. The program, funded with $32 million in Volkswagen settlement dollars, will help offset a significant shortfall in federal transit capital funding. “Transit

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Visits Galesville Elementary School to highlight historic K-12 investments included in budget proposal

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Galesville – Governor Scott Walker traveled to Galesville this afternoon to discuss the historic K-12 school investments included in his biennial budget proposal with Galesville Elementary School students, teachers, and administrators. The governor’s proposal lifts K-12 investment to $11.5 billion over two years, an all-time

Read More »

Rep. Taylor: Wisconsin GOP once again outsourcing jobs and cutting wages

Contact: Rep. Chris Taylor, 608-266-5342 Gutting fair wages through prevailing wage repeal hurts Wisconsin workers MADISON – Earlier today, the Wisconsin Contractor Coalition announced their review of Wisconsin’s prevailing wage laws that demonstrates the overwhelming negative impacts that the GOP’s initial repeal has had on Wisconsin’s economy and workers.  Since

Read More »

Rep. Subeck: Poverty report highlights need for well-paying jobs; critical role of safety net programs in reducing poverty

Contact: Zach Madden, 608-266-7521(office) 608-620-3884 (cell) MADISON – Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) issued the following statement regarding the annual Wisconsin Poverty Report issued today by WISCAP and the UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty. “The report released today highlights the critical role safety net programs like FoodShare, affordable housing programs,

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Speaker Ryan to Join Axios News Shapers

Wednesday, May 24, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) will join Axios’ Mike Allen for a live one-on-one interview for their News Shapers series. The event will begin at 8:15 a.m. and will be livestreamed on speaker.gov/live. Details: Speaker Ryan’s Axios News Shapers Interview Wednesday, May 24, at 8:15 a.m. ET

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