JFC approves GOP K-12 education plan along party lines

The Joint Finance Committee voted 12-4 along party lines Monday to tweak Gov. Scott Walker’s K-12 education plan by adding a boost for low-spending school districts and increasing the income cutoff for students in the statewide voucher program. Dems slammed the proposal, saying the $639 million more the motion would put into K-12 education still left public schools short of where they were before … 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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MON PM Update: JFC debating K-12 education funding, approves $1 billion state building budget

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Joint Finance Committee members this afternoon bickered over K-12 funding with Republicans poised to remake parts of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal. A GOP motion before the panel would boost low-spending districts and raise the family income limits for the statewide voucher program as part of a $639 million K-12 package. The overa… 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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WisDOT: DMV’s interactive motor carrier start-up packet provides guidance for forms, links and tutorials

Contact: Jay Sween, section chief, Motor Carrier Services (608) 218-0569 jay.sween@dot.wi.gov The Motor Carrier Registration Unit of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has developed an interactive Motor Carrier Start-Up Packet to help new trucking companies comply with federal and state regulations. The packet, available as an interactive PDF online or download to print from wisconsindmv.gov/trucking, includes forms and links to web pages to help new operators get their businesses rolling. “Wisconsin’s businesses need an increasing number of truck drivers to move freight. This informative packet walks new motor carriers through the entire process to help get them

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JFC to meet Sept. 5 on transportation, taxes

The Joint Finance Committee is meeting Sept. 5 to take up transportation, taxes and the Special Needs Scholarship Program. Specific items on the agenda include local transportation aid and assistance, the state highway program, State Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Members will also take up the school levy tax credit, the lottery fund and various general fund tax provisions. See th… 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 Institute for Law & Liberty: Wisconsin’s largest legal and policy center continues to grow

Contact: Cameron Sholty, WILL Communications Director 414-727-7416 | 262-409-9816 cameron@will-law.org Milwaukee, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty has hired Natalie Goodnow, recent graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School and formerly at the American Enterprise Institute, as a Research Fellow to expand its public policy research capabilities. Natalie will join WILL’s policy team working on its portfolio of research including K12 education reform, economic freedom, and federalism. Originally from Minnesota, Natalie graduated in May, 2017 from Harvard Kennedy School with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy. While at the Kennedy School, she served as a managing editor for the Kennedy School Review.

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Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault: Condemns Arpaio pardon

Contact: Dominic Holt 608-257-1516, x 113 dominich @ wcasa.org Madison, Wisconsin – “The Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault condemns the president’s misguided pardon of Joe Arpaio, the disgraced former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona,” stated Pennie Meyers, WCASA executive director. “WCASA thanks Arizona’s U.S. senators and House Speaker Ryan for opposing this pardon,” stated Meyers. “On the heels of the violent extremism in Charlottesville, Arpaio’s pardon serves only to further embolden the racist, anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, and misogynist sectors of our country,” stated Meyers. In a case brought by Latinx residents, a court convicted Arpaio of criminal contempt for violating an earlier court ruling. That

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Foxconn expected to create ‘entirely new opportunities for students’

Foxconn building a high-tech manufacturing plant in southeastern Wisconsin will create “entirely new opportunities for students,” according to Michael Shiels, a dean at Waukesha County Technical College. The dean of the tech college’s School of Applied Technologies says the proposed project is “very exciting” for the entire state, but particularly for Wisconsin’s technical college programs, as it will provide opportunities to train members of the skilled workforce needed to run the facility. In his position, Shiels oversees the college’s programs in engineering, manufacturing, construction trades, apprenticeships, transportation and architecture — about 31 associate degrees and diplomas in total. He works

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JFC GOP K-12 plan calls for boosting low-spending districts, raising statewide voucher income caps

GOP lawmakers today are calling for boosting low-spending districts and raising the family income limits for the statewide voucher program as part of a $639 million K-12 package. The Joint Finance Committee also will consider placing new limits on when schools could go to voters via referendum to exceed state-imposed spending caps. The overall package would come in less than Gov. Scott Walker’s $6… 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: Watch for charity scams in aftermath of Hurricane Harvey

Contact: Bill Cosh, Communications Director 608-224-5020 Madison, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is urging consumers to do their research before sending money to a charity claiming to help those affected by Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey. “Scammers see tragedies as a way to line their pockets at the expense of well-meaning citizens,” said Frank Frassetto, Division Administrator for Trade and Consumer Protection. “Give generously to a charity if you are inclined, but always research an organization before sending money.” Fake charity schemes will use any available means of soliciting “donations” — they may make

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JFC approves $1 billion building program

The Joint Finance Committee today unanimously approved a $1 billion building budget, expanding Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal by more than $200 million as lawmakers seek to fund an expanded engineering program at UW-Platteville, among other things. Co-chair Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, said the engineering building at Platteville has long been on lawmakers’ radar. But the effort to land a $10 bil… 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. Marklein: UW-Platteville building projects approved in JFC Building Commission plan

Contact: Sen. Marklein 608-266-0703 Madison, Wisconsin –  State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) thanked his fellow members of the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) today for adding two projects at the University of Wisconsin Platteville as a part of the Building Commission portion of the State Budget. The JFC added the new Sesquicentennial Hall (Engineering) project and the Boebel Hall addition and renovation to be enumerated as a part of the state’s overall building program for university facilities. The committee approved $55 million for Sesquicentennial Hall and $24 million for the Boebel Hall project. The projects were not originally recommended by

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JFC approves GOP K-12 education plan along party lines

The Joint Finance Committee voted 12-4 along party lines Monday to tweak Gov. Scott Walker’s K-12 education plan by adding a boost for low-spending school districts and increasing the income cutoff for students in the statewide voucher program. Dems slammed the proposal, saying the $639 million more the motion would

Read More »

WisDOT: DMV’s interactive motor carrier start-up packet provides guidance for forms, links and tutorials

Contact: Jay Sween, section chief, Motor Carrier Services (608) 218-0569 jay.sween@dot.wi.gov The Motor Carrier Registration Unit of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has developed an interactive Motor Carrier Start-Up Packet to help new trucking companies comply with federal and state regulations. The packet, available as an

Read More »

JFC to meet Sept. 5 on transportation, taxes

The Joint Finance Committee is meeting Sept. 5 to take up transportation, taxes and the Special Needs Scholarship Program. Specific items on the agenda include local transportation aid and assistance, the state highway program, State Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Members will also take up the school levy

Read More »

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty: Wisconsin’s largest legal and policy center continues to grow

Contact: Cameron Sholty, WILL Communications Director 414-727-7416 | 262-409-9816 cameron@will-law.org Milwaukee, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty has hired Natalie Goodnow, recent graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School and formerly at the American Enterprise Institute, as a Research Fellow to expand its public policy research capabilities. Natalie will join WILL’s policy

Read More »

Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault: Condemns Arpaio pardon

Contact: Dominic Holt 608-257-1516, x 113 dominich @ wcasa.org Madison, Wisconsin – “The Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault condemns the president’s misguided pardon of Joe Arpaio, the disgraced former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona,” stated Pennie Meyers, WCASA executive director. “WCASA thanks Arizona’s U.S. senators and House Speaker Ryan for opposing this pardon,” stated

Read More »

Foxconn expected to create ‘entirely new opportunities for students’

Foxconn building a high-tech manufacturing plant in southeastern Wisconsin will create “entirely new opportunities for students,” according to Michael Shiels, a dean at Waukesha County Technical College. The dean of the tech college’s School of Applied Technologies says the proposed project is “very exciting” for the entire state, but particularly

Read More »

Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Watch for charity scams in aftermath of Hurricane Harvey

Contact: Bill Cosh, Communications Director 608-224-5020 Madison, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is urging consumers to do their research before sending money to a charity claiming to help those affected by Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey. “Scammers see tragedies as a way to line

Read More »

JFC approves $1 billion building program

The Joint Finance Committee today unanimously approved a $1 billion building budget, expanding Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal by more than $200 million as lawmakers seek to fund an expanded engineering program at UW-Platteville, among other things. Co-chair Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, said the engineering building at Platteville has long been

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