Darling: JFC will take up UW System budget on Thursday

The Joint Finance Committee recessed for today and plans to take up the UW System portion of the biennial budget on Thursday, according to Co-chair Alberta Darling. The committee had pushed off today’s scheduled votes on UW, as Republicans continue to disagree over whether they’ll sign off on Walker’s proposed tuition cut for UW System in-state undergrads. Darling said the committee plans to vote … 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

Read More »

JFC approves Walker plan to ease ‘benefit cliff’ with childcare subsidies

The Joint Finance Committee today unanimously approved Walker’s call to ease the “benefit cliff” that families face with the state’s childcare subsidy program. Now, families earning up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $37,777 for a family of three, are eligible for the subsidy. Once eligible, they can remain in the program until they reach 200 percent of the FPL for two consec… 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.

Read More »

JFC approves sanctions on those in W-2 with habitually truant kids

The Joint Finance Committee approved 12-4 Walker’s plan to sanction parents in W-2 programs whose children are habitually absent from school. Currently, W-2 participants can be sanctioned if they fail to enroll their child in school. According to the Legislative Reference Bureau, there has been one such sanction issued since 2011. The committee approved the proposal on a party-line vote, while als… 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.

Read More »

JFC approves DCF drug testing expansion, screening changes

The Joint Finance Committee today signed off on Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to expand drug testing and use a more stringent screen in the W-2 program. The state already screens and tests non-custodial parents in the program, as well as those who have been convicted of a drug-related felony. The guv’s proposal would expand that to custodial parents. Also, the state could start screening a parent 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.

Read More »

JFC tweaks Walker TANF proposal

The committee rejected Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to create a public campaign to encourage young people to graduate high school, maintain a full-time job and then wait to have children until they’re married and older than 21. Walker had proposed $500,000 annually in federal money for the “success sequence” campaign. The committee action was one of several taken to tweak Walker’s plan for money f… 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.

Read More »

Sen. Hansen: GOP Joint Finance Committee rejection of student loan refinancing

Contact: Sen. Hansen 608-266-5670 “While I support efforts to make higher education more affordable not one proposal from the Governor or the Republican side of the aisle does a single thing to lower student loan payments for the nearly 1 million Wisconsin residents who are struggling with student loan debt.  The action by the Republican majority of the Joint finance Committee had an opportunity to change that today but failed by rejecting a sensible student loan refinancing plan. “Yet, when it comes to providing more loans and tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy there is no limit to lengths

Read More »

TUE PM Update: Senate, Assembly GOP at odds over UW tuition, JFC delays action

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — GOP tensions over the state budget continued to spill into the open today as JFC Co-chair John Nygren accused Senate Republicans of allowing a handful of members to “railroad” the process. Fellow Co-chair Alberta Darling acknowledged her Senate GOP colleagues are not on the same page yet on the guv’s proposed tuition cut for the… 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.

Read More »

JFC votes to keep grants to provide legal services to domestic violence, sex abuse victims

The committee unanimously rejected Gov. Scott Walker’s call to end $500,000 annually in federal money for grants of up to $75,000 to programs that provide legal services for low-income families related to domestic violence, sexual abuse, restraining orders, and injunctions. The money was sunsetted in the 2015-17 budget for June 30. The guv’s budget would allocated money to continue the grants. But… 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.

Read More »

Welfare experts highlight Thompson’s legacy

Two welfare experts today touted Tommy Thompson’s past initiatives, saying the state is “still following” the path on welfare the former guv laid out two decades ago. “We are building off of what Tommy put in place,” Department of Children and Families Secretary Eloise Anderson told a Tommy@30 symposium this morning that looked at Thompson’s approach to welfare, schools and more during his 14-year… 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.

Read More »

Sen. Shilling: Dem student loan relief plan rejected by GOP

Contact: Tony Palese, tony.palese@legis.wi.gov, 608-266-5490 State budget committee fails to address growing student loan debt crisis MADISON, WI – With nearly one million Wisconsin residents owing a combined $19 billion in student loan debt, Democratic lawmakers continue to push for solutions to lower interest rates and target relief to students and families. On Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee introduced a comprehensive plan that would allow individuals to refinance student loans at lower interest rates and expand tax credits for families with student loan debt. “It’s no secret that Wisconsin’s economy has struggled over the last six

Read More »

GOP leaders announce Thompson Center at UW-Madison

Wisconsin Republicans today announced plans for a center at UW-Madison named after former Gov. Tommy Thompson, whose tenure was highlighted at an all-day symposium at the Capitol. They said the center would foster research into public policy and bring speakers to System campuses from diverse viewpoints. Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has been pushing for more conservative voices on campus and 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.

Read More »

Senate, Assembly GOP at odds over UW tuition

GOP tensions over the state budget continued to spill into the open today as JFC Co-chair John Nygren accused Senate Republicans of allowing a handful of members to “railroad” the process. Fellow Co-chair Alberta Darling acknowledged her Senate GOP colleagues are not on the same page yet on the guv’s proposed tuition cut for the UW System. But she said it’s just a reflection of the diversity in he… 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.

Read More »

Dept. of Workforce Development: Business closing & mass layoff (WARN) notice: Colony Brands, Inc.

Colony Brands, Inc. – Colony Brands, Inc. will be closing their Madison Fulfillment Center, 3650 Milwaukee Street, in Madison, Wisconsin, on or about July 31, 2018. This closing will affect approximately 16 full-time employees and 87 temporary employees. The South Central Workforce Development Board Rapid Response Team will contact the company to offer Rapid Response Services. Contact: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722 Workforce Development Dislocated Worker Services Summary The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Dislocated Worker Program provides transition assistance to workers and companies affected by permanent worker layoffs. The Program’s local Rapid Response Teams help companies and worker representatives develop

Read More »

Circus World: Thank you Wisconsin! State supports Circus World – Wisconsin’s National Treasure

Contact: Dave Saloutos Circus World Museum E-Mail: dsaloutos@circusworldbaraboo.org Baraboo, Wis. – From the birthplace of the Ringling Brothers; Circus World whole-heartedly applauds Governor Walker and the Joint Finance Committee with their announcement of support for the 64-acre state-owned site and world-class collections. As Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ceases their touring operat… 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.

Read More »

Sen. Nass: Continues fight to cut UW System tuition, lower property taxes and block transportation tax increases

Contact: Sen. Steve Nass (608) 266-2635 Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) issued the following statement reiterating his intent to fight for middle class families in Wisconsin by standing with Governor Scott Walker in cutting UW System tuition by 5%, lowering property taxes by eliminating the state property tax (Forestry Property Tax) and opposing transportation tax increases: “Governor Walker prioritized the economic plight of middle class families in the 2017-19 biennial budget.  It has never been a Republican principle to raise taxes or increase tuition on families just because bureaucrats and special interests are demanding it.  A bad budget is worse than

Read More »

Darling: JFC will take up UW System budget on Thursday

The Joint Finance Committee recessed for today and plans to take up the UW System portion of the biennial budget on Thursday, according to Co-chair Alberta Darling. The committee had pushed off today’s scheduled votes on UW, as Republicans continue to disagree over whether they’ll sign off on Walker’s proposed tuition cut for

Read More »

JFC approves sanctions on those in W-2 with habitually truant kids

The Joint Finance Committee approved 12-4 Walker’s plan to sanction parents in W-2 programs whose children are habitually absent from school. Currently, W-2 participants can be sanctioned if they fail to enroll their child in school. According to the Legislative Reference Bureau, there has been one such sanction issued since

Read More »

JFC approves DCF drug testing expansion, screening changes

The Joint Finance Committee today signed off on Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to expand drug testing and use a more stringent screen in the W-2 program. The state already screens and tests non-custodial parents in the program, as well as those who have been convicted of a drug-related felony. The

Read More »

JFC tweaks Walker TANF proposal

The committee rejected Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to create a public campaign to encourage young people to graduate high school, maintain a full-time job and then wait to have children until they’re married and older than 21. Walker had proposed $500,000 annually in federal money for the “success sequence” campaign.

Read More »

Welfare experts highlight Thompson’s legacy

Two welfare experts today touted Tommy Thompson’s past initiatives, saying the state is “still following” the path on welfare the former guv laid out two decades ago. “We are building off of what Tommy put in place,” Department of Children and Families Secretary Eloise Anderson told a Tommy@30 symposium this

Read More »

Sen. Shilling: Dem student loan relief plan rejected by GOP

Contact: Tony Palese, tony.palese@legis.wi.gov, 608-266-5490 State budget committee fails to address growing student loan debt crisis MADISON, WI – With nearly one million Wisconsin residents owing a combined $19 billion in student loan debt, Democratic lawmakers continue to push for solutions to lower interest rates and target relief to students

Read More »

GOP leaders announce Thompson Center at UW-Madison

Wisconsin Republicans today announced plans for a center at UW-Madison named after former Gov. Tommy Thompson, whose tenure was highlighted at an all-day symposium at the Capitol. They said the center would foster research into public policy and bring speakers to System campuses from diverse viewpoints. Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester,

Read More »

Senate, Assembly GOP at odds over UW tuition

GOP tensions over the state budget continued to spill into the open today as JFC Co-chair John Nygren accused Senate Republicans of allowing a handful of members to “railroad” the process. Fellow Co-chair Alberta Darling acknowledged her Senate GOP colleagues are not on the same page yet on the guv’s

Read More »

Circus World: Thank you Wisconsin! State supports Circus World – Wisconsin’s National Treasure

Contact: Dave Saloutos Circus World Museum E-Mail: dsaloutos@circusworldbaraboo.org Baraboo, Wis. – From the birthplace of the Ringling Brothers; Circus World whole-heartedly applauds Governor Walker and the Joint Finance Committee with their announcement of support for the 64-acre state-owned site and world-class collections. As Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey ceases their touring

Read More »