JFC votes to end a type of domestic partnership for same-sex couples

The Joint Finance Committee today voted to prohibit people in the future from entering into a type of domestic partnerships available only to same-sex couples under state law. Republicans pitched it as a fairness issue, noting that specific arrangement and the benefits that come with it aren’t available to opposite-sex couples. But Democrats said if lawmakers wanted to be fair, they would extend t… 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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AG backs proposed constitutional amendment he says will increase victims’ rights

GOP lawmakers and AG Brad Schimel today touted a proposed constitutional amendment that they say would give victims more rights before the court. But opponents, including defense attorney Dean Strang, worried it would give crime victims a sense of “false hope.” Still, bill authors Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville, and Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, argued before the Senate and Assembly judiciary commi… 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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Bills curbing school districts’ ability to go to referendum criticized by school advocates

A series of bills that would put the brakes on the referendum process for school districts drew criticism from Dems and some school advocates today, who argued the legislation would hurt schools and students. The three bills, part of a package from Sen. Duey Stroebel called the “Referendum Reform Initiative,” look to “codify best practice” and “balance the incentives to go to referendum,” the Sauk… 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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State unemployment rate falls to 3.1 percent in May

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate fell to 3.1 percent in May, according to federal data released by the state Department of Workforce Development. This follows a rate of 3.2 percent in April, and marks the lowest it’s been since October 1999. It’s the second-lowest rate on record after the 3 percent rate the state saw in May through July of 1999, and is lower than the national unemployment rate, which… 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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THU PM Update: Gableman won’t seek re-election; JFC rejects Walker’s self-insurance plan

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Conservative Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman announced today he will not seek re-election next year, saying he is “more hopeful than ever in the triumph of the rule of law in Wisconsin.” Gableman’s statement did not explicitly address whether he will fill out the rest of his term, which ends in August 2018. But a spokesma… 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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Sen. Darling and Rep. Nygren: JFC rejects self-insurance proposal

Contact(s): State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) 608-266-5830 State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) 608-266-2343 Madison, Wisconsin – Thursday, State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), Co-Chairs of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, released the following statement regarding the Committee’s decision to reject the proposed move from Wisconsin’s fully-funded health care model to self-insurance: “Leading up to the budget, we have had serious concerns about the validity of projected savings from the proposed move to self-insurance. Data from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) shows that our concerns are founded and that savings would not be

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Speaker Ryan: Speaker Ryan issues statement on meeting with Ukrainian speaker

Contact(s): AshLee Strong, Doug Andres 202-225-0600 Washington D.C.—Today, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) met with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy, and the leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding reaffirming the U.S. Congress-Rada Parliamentary Exchange (CRPE). After the meeting, Speaker Ryan issued the following statement: “I was proud to join Speaker Parubiy to renew our interparliamentary ties with the Rada. This mutually beneficial program fosters closer political, economic, and security relations between our legislatures. Amid ongoing aggression from Russia, close coordination with the people and government of Ukraine is more important than ever. I appreciate Speaker Parubiy’s commitment to strengthening this

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WILL: Rick Esenberg issues statement on Justice Gableman’s decision not to seek re-election in 2018

Contact: Cameron Sholty, WILL Communications Director 414-727-7416 | 262-409-9816 cameron@will-law.org | Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Today, Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman announced that he would not seek reelection in 2018. Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices are elected in spring elections and serve ten year terms. Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty’s president and general counsel, Rick Esenberg, released the following statement: “Justice Gableman is a good man and has served the People of Wisconsin honorably. As is always the case with lawyers and judges, we didn’t always agree. Sometimes, he ruled in favor of our position and sometimes against. But the

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Sen. Sanders: Sen. Sanders issues statement on Iran and Russia sanctions

Contact: Sen. Sanders Washington D.C. – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Thursday after he voted against a bill that would impose new sanctions on Iran and Russia: “I am strongly supportive of the sanctions on Russia included in this bill. It is unacceptable for Russia to interfere in our elections here in the United States, or anywhere around the world. There must be consequences for such actions. I also have deep concerns about the policies and activities of the Iranian government, especially their support for the brutal Assad regime in Syria. I have voted for sanctions on Iran

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JFC votes to end a type of domestic partnership for same-sex couples

The Joint Finance Committee today voted to prohibit people in the future from entering into a type of domestic partnerships available only to same-sex couples under state law. Republicans pitched it as a fairness issue, noting that specific arrangement and the benefits that come with it aren’t available to opposite-sex couples. But

Read More »

State unemployment rate falls to 3.1 percent in May

Wisconsin’s unemployment rate fell to 3.1 percent in May, according to federal data released by the state Department of Workforce Development. This follows a rate of 3.2 percent in April, and marks the lowest it’s been since October 1999. It’s the second-lowest rate on record after the 3 percent rate

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Sen. Darling and Rep. Nygren: JFC rejects self-insurance proposal

Contact(s): State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) 608-266-5830 State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) 608-266-2343 Madison, Wisconsin – Thursday, State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), Co-Chairs of the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee, released the following statement regarding the Committee’s decision to reject the proposed move

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Speaker Ryan: Speaker Ryan issues statement on meeting with Ukrainian speaker

Contact(s): AshLee Strong, Doug Andres 202-225-0600 Washington D.C.—Today, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) met with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada Speaker Andriy Parubiy, and the leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding reaffirming the U.S. Congress-Rada Parliamentary Exchange (CRPE). After the meeting, Speaker Ryan issued the following statement: “I was proud to join Speaker

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WILL: Rick Esenberg issues statement on Justice Gableman’s decision not to seek re-election in 2018

Contact: Cameron Sholty, WILL Communications Director 414-727-7416 | 262-409-9816 cameron@will-law.org | Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Today, Wisconsin State Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman announced that he would not seek reelection in 2018. Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices are elected in spring elections and serve ten year terms. Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty’s

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