Assembly approves bill on U.S. constitutional convention after lengthy debate

The state Assembly today approved a bill that would add Wisconsin to the list of states calling for a constitutional convention on a balanced budget amendment. The Assembly kicked off its session today with a moment of silence following today’s shooting at a House GOP baseball practice that left four wounded, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La. The chamber has several other bills on today’s agenda, including the REINS Act.  The chamber approved 54-41 the resolution calling for a constitutional convention after a lengthy debate, with seven Republicans joining Dems in voting against. Two other bills on today’s Assembly agenda also outline

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Senate passes last 2 special session bills to combat opioid abuse

The Senate signed off on two bills designed to combat the state’s heroin problem, including one that would add new protections from prosecution for those who overdose and are helped by good Samaritans, so long as they meet certain requirements. The state previously approved protections from prosecution for those who seek help for someone overdosing to encourage them to call for help.  Special session AB 3 would extend those protections for good Samaritans so their parole or probation is not revoked for providing aid to someone they believe have overdosed. For the person who overdosed to be immune from revocation,

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WED PM Update: Reaction to DC-area shooting; budget update; Senate, Assembly action

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan called for unity following a shooting that injured four people, including a top member of the House GOP leadership team. The shooting occurred this morning in suburban DC at a baseball practice for Republican lawmakers and aides, although no GOP members of the state congressional delegation were pres… 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

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Senate approves bipartisan choice bill

Schools in the choice program would have to begin doing background checks on prospective employees, but no longer face other administrative requirements under legislation the Senate approved 28-5. The legislation also would strengthen financial accountability measures — a priority for Dems — while expanding eligibility requirements — something sought by voucher advocates. But the bill opened the door to a debate on the merits of the choice program, not just the proposed changes. Sen. Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, urged her colleagues not to get bogged down in the past battles, noting the bill was negotiated by both choice advocates and the

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Voces de la Frontera: Grassroots coalition urges Gov. Walkers to appoint a “real people’s sheriff”

Contact: Sam Singleton-Freeman 414.469.9206 sfreeman@vdlf.org Milwaukee, Wisconsin – A coalition of Milwaukee grassroots organizations called the Coalition for a People’s Sheriff released an open letter (available here) Wednesday to Governor Walker outlining the qualities desired in a new Sheriff. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has said he is leaving his job to work in the Trump Administration, and Walker would appoint a new Sheriff. The letter urges Walker to appoint a Sheriff who will not deportations and the separation of immigrant families, provide for humane treatment of community members in the jail, and collaborate with Milwaukee’s diverse communities to truly work for public safety.

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Senate approves allowing home bakers to sell goods without a license

Those who sell homebaked or canned goods would no longer have to get a food processing license or other certifications from the state and local governments under legislation the Senate approved via voice vote. But the legislation’s prospects faced an uncertain future in the Assembly, where Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has introduced his own bill that would eliminate licensing and regulation requirements for all bakers. Both bills come after a circuit court judge this spring overturned a state ban on selling homemade baked goods. The bill would impose certain restrictions for those seeking to sell their goods without a license. That

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Ginseng would become state herb under bill Senate approves

Ginseng would become the state herb under legislation the Senate passed via voice today. It would join a growing list of official state items, following legislation this session to make cheese the official state dairy. Wisconsin also has a state wildlife animal (the white-tailed deer), dance (the polka), fruit (the cranberry) and even a fossil (the trilobite, an ancient relative of the crab, lobsters and shrimp).

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Senate passes last 2 special session bills to combat opioid abuse

The Senate signed off on two bills designed to combat the state’s heroin problem, including one that would add new protections from prosecution for those who overdose and are helped by good Samaritans, so long as they meet certain requirements. The state previously approved protections from prosecution for those who

Read More »

Senate approves bipartisan choice bill

Schools in the choice program would have to begin doing background checks on prospective employees, but no longer face other administrative requirements under legislation the Senate approved 28-5. The legislation also would strengthen financial accountability measures — a priority for Dems — while expanding eligibility requirements — something sought by

Read More »

Voces de la Frontera: Grassroots coalition urges Gov. Walkers to appoint a “real people’s sheriff”

Contact: Sam Singleton-Freeman 414.469.9206 sfreeman@vdlf.org Milwaukee, Wisconsin – A coalition of Milwaukee grassroots organizations called the Coalition for a People’s Sheriff released an open letter (available here) Wednesday to Governor Walker outlining the qualities desired in a new Sheriff. Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has said he is leaving his job to work in

Read More »

Senate approves allowing home bakers to sell goods without a license

Those who sell homebaked or canned goods would no longer have to get a food processing license or other certifications from the state and local governments under legislation the Senate approved via voice vote. But the legislation’s prospects faced an uncertain future in the Assembly, where Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has

Read More »

Ginseng would become state herb under bill Senate approves

Ginseng would become the state herb under legislation the Senate passed via voice today. It would join a growing list of official state items, following legislation this session to make cheese the official state dairy. Wisconsin also has a state wildlife animal (the white-tailed deer), dance (the polka), fruit (the

Read More »