Progressives, conservatives claim more people considering bids for elected office

When Cathy Myers recently joined the Dem field to challenge GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan, one progressive candidate recruitment program could take some pride. In fact, the groups that help recruit Dem candidates are reporting record numbers of people looking to run for office. They say that’s evidence of the enthusiasm that’s mobilizing Dems across the state. Republicans are also reporting increase… 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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Emails show early concerns, last-minute changes to UW-Madison Thompson Center

The professor who envisioned the Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership threatened at the last minute to drop out of the project over concerns the board overseeing it would have too much power, according to emails obtained by WisPolitics.com. Among other things, UW-Madison officials and Ryan Owens, the political scientist who originally pitched the idea, asked Assembly Speaker Robin Vos to … 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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Fitz office: Heavy truck fee ‘probably dead’ in Senate after five members express opposition

Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald believes five of his GOP members coming out against a proposal to raise fees on heavy trucks means it’s “probably dead” in the Senate, a spokeswoman said today. But Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, the GOP Joint Finance Committee member who proposed the idea, said she appreciated the “courtesy” of Gov. Scott Walker and other legislative colleagues for reserving judgment on 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.

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Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Equip yourself with consumer knowledge at Farm Technology Days

Contact: Jerad Albracht, Senior Communications Specialist, 608-224-5007 Bill Cosh, Communications Director, 608-224-5020 MADISON – Heading to the 2017 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days event in Kewaunee County? We’ll see you there! The Bureau of Consumer Protection will have a booth in the Family Living Tent to answer your consumer questions and help you find resources to resolve issues you may be facing. If you stop in to check out the entertainment on the tent stage, take a look for us and be ready to walk away informed! “Farm Technology Days is a great way to share consumer information with a large

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FRI REPORT: Fitz office: Heavy truck fee ‘probably dead’ in Senate after five members express opposition

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers TABLE OF CONTENTS Quotes of the week Political stock report Fitz office: Heavy truck fee ‘probably dead’ in Senate after five members express opposition Emails show early concerns, last-minute changes to UW-Madison Thompson Center Progressives, conservatives claim more people considering bids for elected office Week ahead Political TV Names in the news L… 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. Shilling: GOP poised to miss state budget deadline

Contact: Tony Palese tony.palese@legis.wi.gov 608-266-5490 MADISON – Wisconsin schools and communities are facing an uncertain future as Republicans in the State Capitol have been unable to reach a budget deal by the July 1st deadline. Despite having total control of the statehouse, Republican infighting has derailed budget talks for the past several weeks. “After six years of Republican control, communities are facing more uncertainty than ever before,” said Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “School boards don’t know what their budgets will be, engineers can’t get to work planning road projects and families are left wondering when this mess will get

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Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services: Electronic health records system to enhance quality of care at state facilities

Contact: Jennifer Miller/Elizabeth Goodsitt (608) 266-1683 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced the selection of Cerner as the supplier of its electronic health records system for its seven care and treatment facilities, which serve people living with psychiatric disorders and intellectual disabilities. “This is an investment in more coordinated, efficient services,” said DHS Secretary Linda Seemeyer. “This system is designed to enhance the health and safety of patients and residents and improve staff productivity. A state-of-the-art electronic health records system also will help us attract and retain staff.” The 10-year, $33 million contract calls for the implementation

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Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District: Pumping Station 15 project takes community, conservation goals into account with new public restrooms, AIS boat wash station and bike repair area

Contact: Jennifer Hurlebaus, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District project engineer, JenH@madsewer.org, 608-222-1201 ext. 248 Jennifer Sereno, communications, Jennifer.Sereno@madsewer.org, 608-770-8084 MADISON, WIS. – New public restrooms, an aquatic invasive species boat wash station and bike repair area will open to the public at Marshall Park on Saturday, July 1 as part of a larger project by Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District to upgrade the district’s Pumping Station 15. The $4.3 million project reflects the district’s ongoing efforts to meet infrastructure needs of the communities it serves while putting conservation practices in action. Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species and encouraging clean modes

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Wisconsin DNR: Storm damage causes trail closures in southern Wisconsin

Contact: Paul Holtan, DNR office of communications, 608-267-7517 Lake Kegonsa State Park – 608-873-9695 Wyalusing State Park – 608-996-2261 Sugar River and Badger state trails – 608-527-2910 MADISON – A storm with heavy rain and high winds that moved through southwestern and south central Wisconsin Wednesday night resulted in significant tree and flood damage on both the Sugar River and Badger sta… 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. Shankland: Awarded 2017 Wisconsin VFW Legislator of the Year

Contact: Michael L “Gunner” Furgal (608) 325-2670 MADISON – Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) has been named the 2017 Legislator of the Year by the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The award was presented at the annual Wisconsin VFW Convention in Oshkosh. “I am honored to accept the Legislator of the Year award and am humbled for this recognition,” said Rep. Shankland. “VFW’s mission ‘No one does more for veterans’ is resoundingly true. I want to thank the VFW for all they do for our veterans.” “Since she was elected in 2012, Representative Shankland has been a passionate advocate

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Dane County Land and Water Resources Dept.: Volunteers participating in Dane County Invasive Species Landing Blitz on Saturday, July 1

Contact: Susan Sandford (608) 224-3617 The Fourth of July weekend is one of Wisconsin’s busiest boating holidays of the year with many people traveling to enjoy Madison and other Wisconsin waterways.  However, they may not be traveling alone and not even know it.  Whether they come in ballast water, on the hulls of recreation boats or from the water of an angler’s bait bucket, many non-native species such as zebra mussels and Eurasian water milfoil have found their way into Wisconsin’s waterways. These non native, invasive species can spread rapidly, crowd out native organisms, and pose a serious ecological and

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Rep. Loudenbeck: Statement on transportation user fee

Contact: Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wi.gov (608) 266-9967 Madison, WI –Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) released the following statement regarding the heavy truck user fee concept she proposed: “I feel a sense of urgency with regards to finding a solution as I represent a significant portion of the I-39/90 corridor which could be drastically impacted depending on the outcome of the transportation budget. I believe we need additional revenue in the segregated transportation fund to meet current infrastructure needs in Wisconsin. I know additional revenue is only part of the solution and support reforms within the DOT, prioritizing projects, and reducing our reliance on debt.

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Rep. Genrich: Legislators to announce introduction of “BadgerCare for All”

Contact: (608) 266-0616 On Wednesday, July 5, Representatives Eric Genrich, fellow legislators, and Citizen Action of Wisconsin will introduce new legislation allowing Wisconsinites to buy in to BadgerCare, creating a public option on the insurance exchange. This legislation will increase consumer choice and improve healthcare affordability for individuals and small businesses. The Affordable Care Act represents a tremendous step forward for all Americans who seek comprehensive health insurance coverage. This legislation builds on that achievement by creating a state-based public option to improve the quality and affordability of the insurance available to citizens in the small business and individual markets.

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Wisconsin Dept. of Administration: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra to celebrate state capitol’s 100th anniversary

Contact: Steven Michels, (608) 267-7874 Madison – The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Wisconsin State Capitol during the Red, White & Boom Concerts on the Square performance on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 beginning at 7 p.m. Opening remarks will be given by Centennial Commission Co-Chair Senator Roger Roth to highlight the Capitol’s 100th Anniversary.  During the concert, a flyover will be conducted by Madison’s 115th Fighter Wing and at sunset the dome of the Capitol will be illuminated red, white and blue. Additionally, the Wisconsin Historical Society museum store will be extending their hours

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Wisconsin Elections Commission: Statement on federal request for Wisconsin voter information

Contact: Reid Magney (608) 267-7887 MADISON, WI – Michael Haas, administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), issued the following statement today regarding the request by the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity for states to provide voter registration and history files: “By law, most of the information in Wisconsin’s voter registration system is public and is available for purchase, and is commonly purchased by political parties, candidates, researchers and other organizations.  A voter’s name, address and voting history are public, and this information has already been provided to campaigns and other requestors who have paid for it.  Wisconsin does

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Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Equip yourself with consumer knowledge at Farm Technology Days

Contact: Jerad Albracht, Senior Communications Specialist, 608-224-5007 Bill Cosh, Communications Director, 608-224-5020 MADISON – Heading to the 2017 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days event in Kewaunee County? We’ll see you there! The Bureau of Consumer Protection will have a booth in the Family Living Tent to answer your consumer questions and

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FRI REPORT: Fitz office: Heavy truck fee ‘probably dead’ in Senate after five members express opposition

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers TABLE OF CONTENTS Quotes of the week Political stock report Fitz office: Heavy truck fee ‘probably dead’ in Senate after five members express opposition Emails show early concerns, last-minute changes to UW-Madison Thompson Center Progressives, conservatives claim more people considering bids for elected office Week ahead

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Sen. Shilling: GOP poised to miss state budget deadline

Contact: Tony Palese tony.palese@legis.wi.gov 608-266-5490 MADISON – Wisconsin schools and communities are facing an uncertain future as Republicans in the State Capitol have been unable to reach a budget deal by the July 1st deadline. Despite having total control of the statehouse, Republican infighting has derailed budget talks for the

Read More »

Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services: Electronic health records system to enhance quality of care at state facilities

Contact: Jennifer Miller/Elizabeth Goodsitt (608) 266-1683 The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced the selection of Cerner as the supplier of its electronic health records system for its seven care and treatment facilities, which serve people living with psychiatric disorders and intellectual disabilities. “This is an investment in

Read More »

Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District: Pumping Station 15 project takes community, conservation goals into account with new public restrooms, AIS boat wash station and bike repair area

Contact: Jennifer Hurlebaus, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District project engineer, JenH@madsewer.org, 608-222-1201 ext. 248 Jennifer Sereno, communications, Jennifer.Sereno@madsewer.org, 608-770-8084 MADISON, WIS. – New public restrooms, an aquatic invasive species boat wash station and bike repair area will open to the public at Marshall Park on Saturday, July 1 as part of

Read More »

Wisconsin DNR: Storm damage causes trail closures in southern Wisconsin

Contact: Paul Holtan, DNR office of communications, 608-267-7517 Lake Kegonsa State Park – 608-873-9695 Wyalusing State Park – 608-996-2261 Sugar River and Badger state trails – 608-527-2910 MADISON – A storm with heavy rain and high winds that moved through southwestern and south central Wisconsin Wednesday night resulted in significant

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Rep. Shankland: Awarded 2017 Wisconsin VFW Legislator of the Year

Contact: Michael L “Gunner” Furgal (608) 325-2670 MADISON – Rep. Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) has been named the 2017 Legislator of the Year by the Wisconsin Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). The award was presented at the annual Wisconsin VFW Convention in Oshkosh. “I am honored to accept the Legislator

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Rep. Loudenbeck: Statement on transportation user fee

Contact: Rep.Loudenbeck@legis.wi.gov (608) 266-9967 Madison, WI –Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) released the following statement regarding the heavy truck user fee concept she proposed: “I feel a sense of urgency with regards to finding a solution as I represent a significant portion of the I-39/90 corridor which could be drastically impacted

Read More »

Rep. Genrich: Legislators to announce introduction of “BadgerCare for All”

Contact: (608) 266-0616 On Wednesday, July 5, Representatives Eric Genrich, fellow legislators, and Citizen Action of Wisconsin will introduce new legislation allowing Wisconsinites to buy in to BadgerCare, creating a public option on the insurance exchange. This legislation will increase consumer choice and improve healthcare affordability for individuals and small

Read More »