Fitzgerald says Assembly GOP K-12 plan a non-starter

Speaker Robin Vos vowed today his caucus would not rubber stamp Scott Walker’s budget, while the guv and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald dismissed the Assembly GOP’s K-12 proposal as a non-starter. Backed by members of his caucus, Vos touted the $580 million Assembly GOP plan as a fairer approach than Walker’s proposal. The Rochester Republican said it would put more money into the classro… 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  

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Dem proposes overhaul of state’s campaign finance laws

Sen. Chris Larson today decried GOP-led changes to the state’s campaign finance laws while pushing for an overhaul that would make those rules stricter. “We were once admired for our tough campaign finance laws that protected both the public voice and the integrity of our political process,” the Milwaukee Dem said at a news conference. “Those laws have eroded.” Among Larson’s proposals is returnin… 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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Halbrooks replaces Lautenschlager as Ethics Commission chair

The Ethics Commission today unanimously elected David Halbrooks to serve as chair, following former chair Peg Lautenschlager’s resignation in April. Halbrooks, former chair of the State Elections Board, was appointed to the commission by Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca last year. His term will run through June 30, 2018, according to commission spokesman Brian Bell. Meanwhile, Katie McCallum, … 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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Wisconsin ranks 33rd for private sector job growth

Wisconsin’s private sector job growth last year was below the national average, putting it at 33rd in the country, according to the latest quarterly data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics The state added 11,548 jobs in 2016, a 0.5 percent increase from the year before. The national average was 1.3 percent. Both the state and federal data show a significant decline in job growth, with Wisconsin s… 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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DHS asks Trump admin for permission to drug screen more Medicaid recipients

The state Department of Health Services today asked the Trump administration for permission to add drug screenings, premiums and time limits for childless adults on Medicaid. DHS today submitted its request with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, whose leadership has said they’d like to give states more flexibility on those issues. If approved, Wisconsin would be the first state to scr… 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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Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters: Conservationists to welcome acclaimed activist, honor Simpson Street Free Press

Contact: Ryan Billingham, Communications Director, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters 608-208-1129 (office) 608-213-6972(mobile or text) ryan@conservationvoters.org Madison, Wisconsin – On Thursday, June 8, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters will celebrate its 15th Anniversary and host one of the most inspiring conservation events of the year, featuring Reverend Lennox Yearwood, President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus. Called one of our country’s “New Green Heroes” by Rolling Stone and named as one of the Top 10 Change Makers in the green movement by Huffington Post, Reverend “The Rev” Yearwood’s innovative climate and clean energy work has garnered the Hip Hop Caucus

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WED PM Update: GOP lawmakers remain split over K-12 funding; Walker lays out conditions on tolling

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Two of the Senate’s top Republicans told WisPolitics.com today they’re open to providing a boost to low-spending school districts, but by using state aid rather than property tax dollars as their Assembly counterparts have proposed. Meanwhile, Gov. Scott Walker today laid out terms any tolling would have to meet before he’d sign… 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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WTC: An eight-directional compass from Eau Claire wins 2017 Gov.’s Business Plan Contest

Contact(s): Angela Schlobohm or Tom Still 608-442-7557 Madison, Wisconsin – An Eau Claire startup that developed a product to maintain or regain a firefighter’s orientation during a fire took home the grand prize in the 14th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. Jeff Dykes, a firefighter captain, has patents pending in five countries for “Northern Star Fire,” an eight-directional electronic compass that firefighters place inside their breathing apparatus to help find their way inside burning structures. The small compass, which Dykes displayed while presenting Tuesday at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference, is designed to help firefighters safely navigate in smoke-filled buildings. “Jeff

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Fitzgerald says Assembly GOP K-12 plan a non-starter

Speaker Robin Vos vowed today his caucus would not rubber stamp Scott Walker’s budget, while the guv and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald dismissed the Assembly GOP’s K-12 proposal as a non-starter. Backed by members of his caucus, Vos touted the $580 million Assembly GOP plan as a fairer approach

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Dem proposes overhaul of state’s campaign finance laws

Sen. Chris Larson today decried GOP-led changes to the state’s campaign finance laws while pushing for an overhaul that would make those rules stricter. “We were once admired for our tough campaign finance laws that protected both the public voice and the integrity of our political process,” the Milwaukee Dem

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Halbrooks replaces Lautenschlager as Ethics Commission chair

The Ethics Commission today unanimously elected David Halbrooks to serve as chair, following former chair Peg Lautenschlager’s resignation in April. Halbrooks, former chair of the State Elections Board, was appointed to the commission by Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca last year. His term will run through June 30, 2018, according

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Wisconsin ranks 33rd for private sector job growth

Wisconsin’s private sector job growth last year was below the national average, putting it at 33rd in the country, according to the latest quarterly data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics The state added 11,548 jobs in 2016, a 0.5 percent increase from the year before. The national average was

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Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters: Conservationists to welcome acclaimed activist, honor Simpson Street Free Press

Contact: Ryan Billingham, Communications Director, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters 608-208-1129 (office) 608-213-6972(mobile or text) ryan@conservationvoters.org Madison, Wisconsin – On Thursday, June 8, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters will celebrate its 15th Anniversary and host one of the most inspiring conservation events of the year, featuring Reverend Lennox Yearwood, President and

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