Bill that would tweak the state’s school choice programs passes without debate

A bill that would make sweeping technical changes to the state’s school choice programs passed the Assembly on a 67-30 vote — without any debate. That bill, which has gotten support from both School Choice of Wisconsin and the Department of Public Instruction, passed the Senate last week. It now heads to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk. The bill includes a number of non-fiscal policy items originally in Gov. Scott Walker’s K-12 education budget but removed by the Joint Finance Committee. One example: a provision that would require schools in the program to conduct employee background checks. Supporters have previously argued the bill

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Bill to limit candidates’ ability to request a recount passes Assembly

A bill that would limit which losing candidates can request a recount in Wisconsin passed the Assembly on a voice vote amidst arguments over Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.  Debate over the bill, from Rep. Ron Tusler, turned into fairly heated testimony about Stein, who under the bill would have been prevented from starting the recount she sought in the November election. And Dems further criticized the GOP effort, saying state candidates, and candidate backers, have the right to know their elections were “free and fair.” While Rep. Fred Kessler, D-Milwaukee, said he agreed it looked like Stein had

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WED PM Update: Budget talks continue; Assembly in session; two insurers exit Healthcare.gov marketplace

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — GOP legislative leaders are still at an impasse on the transportation budget, although they’re confident they will strike a deal soon on K-12 education. GOP leg leaders met yesterday as well as this afternoon. Still, Joint Finance Committee Co-chair John Nygren said it would be a “challenge” to wrap up the budget by the end of … 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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JFC not meeting tomorrow; GOP budget negotiations to continue

Joint Finance Committee Co-chair John Nygren today confirmed that the Joint Finance Committee will not meet tomorrow. Nygren, R-Marinette, had last week told JFC members to keep their calendars for tomorrow open. But he told reporters this afternoon that he instead expects top GOP leaders will continue holding budget talks as they try to reach deals on the budget’s big-ticket items, particularly e… 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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Rep. Krug: Educational bills unanimously pass State Assembly

Contact: Scott Krug (608)-266-0215 Madison, Wisconsin –Representative Scott Krug (R-Rome) is pleased to have the Financial Literacy bill and Technical Excellence Scholarship bill pass the State Assembly today. “As I said during the last campaign my top priority going into our next state budget was finding ways to increase support to our public schools. Currently the Governor, the State Senate, and the State Assembly all propose to significantly increase K-12 funding this session. I am pleased to see this and have worked to add legislative changes to our education opportunities as well”, said Rep. Scott Krug (R-Rome) Today, the State

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Rep. Billings: Rep. Billings issues statement on campus gag rule

Contact: Rep. Jill Billings (608) 266-5780 Madison, Wisconsin – AB 299, a bill that would suppress UW students’ right to free speech, has reached the floor of the Wisconsin State Assembly and is expected to pass today. Rep. Jill Billings, a vehement opponent of this legislation, released the following statement ahead of today’s vote: “This bill is a blatant overreach on the part of the state government,” Rep. Billings said. “The UW System already has recently updated policies in place to handle conduct they deem inappropriate, including disruptive students. None of us were elected to meddle in the inner workings

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Gov. Walker: Signs ten bills into law

Contact: Tom Evenson (608) 266-2839 Assembly Bill 25 – eliminates the requirement that minors ages 16-17 obtain a work or street trade permit. Under current law, minors are required to obtain a work permit issued by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Division of Equal Rights to be employed in permitted work, as set by state and federal laws. This bill replaces the term “child labor”… 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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JFC not meeting tomorrow; GOP budget negotiations to continue

Joint Finance Committee Co-chair John Nygren today confirmed that the Joint Finance Committee will not meet tomorrow. Nygren, R-Marinette, had last week told JFC members to keep their calendars for tomorrow open. But he told reporters this afternoon that he instead expects top GOP leaders will continue holding budget talks as

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Rep. Krug: Educational bills unanimously pass State Assembly

Contact: Scott Krug (608)-266-0215 Madison, Wisconsin –Representative Scott Krug (R-Rome) is pleased to have the Financial Literacy bill and Technical Excellence Scholarship bill pass the State Assembly today. “As I said during the last campaign my top priority going into our next state budget was finding ways to increase support

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Rep. Billings: Rep. Billings issues statement on campus gag rule

Contact: Rep. Jill Billings (608) 266-5780 Madison, Wisconsin – AB 299, a bill that would suppress UW students’ right to free speech, has reached the floor of the Wisconsin State Assembly and is expected to pass today. Rep. Jill Billings, a vehement opponent of this legislation, released the following statement

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Gov. Walker: Signs ten bills into law

Contact: Tom Evenson (608) 266-2839 Assembly Bill 25 – eliminates the requirement that minors ages 16-17 obtain a work or street trade permit. Under current law, minors are required to obtain a work permit issued by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Division of Equal Rights to be employed in

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