Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty: Statement on State Budget

Contact: Cameron Sholty | WILL Communications Director cameron@will-law.org | 414-727-7416 | 262-409-9816 September 21, 2017 – Milwaukee, WI – The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), a law & policy center in Milwaukee, commends the legislature and Governor Walker for including education reform policies in the 2017-2019 state budget. The budget, signed into law today, includes a major expansion of the Special Needs Scholarship Program, i.e. the state’s special needs voucher program, by eliminating burdensome eligibility requirements. It also increases the eligibility of the statewide voucher program, the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, from 185% ($45,000 for family of four)

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Fitchburg free speech forum

Free Speech Isn’t Free If It Isn’t Protected: A Forum at the Fitchburg Community Center 5510 Lacey Road, Fitchburg. Sept. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. CONTACT: Dave Glomp, Public Relations Chairman, Republican Party of Dane County 608-235-6325 c. dave2847@charter.net Free speech has been challenged on college campuses and elsewhere nationwide, resulting in violent protests and personal attacks. What is the role of government to protect free speech? Who defines hate speech? Is there a need for safe spaces?  See attached flyer for more info on the scope of the discussion. This forum will help citizens frame and understand the national debate on

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THU PM Update: Walker signs budget; Evers delivers state of education address

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Scott Walker signed a nearly $76 billion two-year state budget today in Neenah as he touted the state’s investment in education — from the elementary level through tech colleges and the UW System. Addressing a gym at a Neenah elementary school before signing the document, Walker talked up a historic investment in K-12 educ… 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

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WisDems: Sen. Johnson shows he cannot answer basic vital questions on his own health-care bill

Contact: Melanie Conklin, 608-260-2409 MADISON — This morning on MSNBC, Senator Ron Johnson turned an interview into an alarming spectacle by revealing under direct questioning how little he knows about the devastating impact his Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson bill could have on the people in the state of Wisconsin and nationwide. After failing miserably to silence the anchors by talking over them with a rant against the Affordable Care Act, Johnson showed that he has no answers on the most basic and vital questions on this bill that he wants to ram through at top speed with little information on its impact. When

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DSCC: Launches new digital ads highlighting how Vukmir, Nicholson, and Hovde’s toxic health care plan fails the Jimmy Kimmel test

Contact: Lauren Passalacqua, David Bergstein – 202-545-3567 As Republicans like state senator Leah Vukmir, Kevin Nicholson, and Eric Hovde continue advancing their toxic health care agenda that spikes costs and slashes coverage, today the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is launching new Google search ads highlighting how the GOP’s plan fails “The Jimmy Kimmel Test” by gutting coverage for pre-existing conditions and making health care more expensive for Wisconsinites. The ads will reach targeted voters in Wisconsin who are utilizing Google search terms like “Jimmy Kimmel,” “The Jimmy Kimmel Test,” “health care,” and “repeal” that are skyrocketing amongst key demographics following

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Wisconsin Association of School Boards: Statement on state budget

Contact: John Ashley Phone: 608-257-2622 The state budget signed into law today significantly invests in our public school students and districts, one of the best investments we can make as a state. The substantial increases in per-pupil aid and other categorical aids are welcome and vitally important to our public school districts that serve the vast majority of students in Wisconsin and are tasked with preparing all of them for college and/or careers. I also applaud the mental health-related supports for students and school districts included in the state budget. These needs have been overlooked for too long. I am

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Milwaukee Ald. Pérez: FPC right to see reform process through for Police Department

I want to express my strong support for the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners in its stated intention of seeing through the review and reform process begun by the United States Department of Justice’s ‘Collaborative Reform Initiative Milwaukee Police Department Assessment Report”. Commission Chair Steven DeVougas has made clear that addressing the issues that prompted this report will be a priority for the Commission. He has further said that the Commission intends to undertake an open and collaborative process to complete the work that this unfinished effort has left undone. We all saw the hearing conducted by the Commission

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American Federation for Children: Gov. Walker and Legislature approve school choice expansion

Today, Governor Walker signed into law the 2017-19 state budget which includes several notable wins for parents ranging from increased eligibility for working class families, a major expansion for the Special Needs Scholarship Program, and more options for parents by making all public universities and colleges charter authorizers. The budget also included a substantial per student funding increase for all public, choice and charter schools. Statement from Justin Moralez of the American Federation for Children: “The American Federation for Children applauds the Legislature on their efforts to improve all our state’s schools and thanks the Governor for signing the budget.

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Milwaukee Ald. Murphy: ‘Cause no harm’ not part of the thinking in ‘Right to Carry’ proposal

Proposed state legislation in Madison that would make it easier for individuals to carry deadly concealed weapons is probably one of the worst bills I have seen in years. The proposal – allowing concealed weapons to be carried without obtaining a permit and on school property under certain conditions – even includes a provision that removes the prohibition on possession of electric weapons like Tasers, which currently require a concealed license permit. The bill was passed by the Wisconsin Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday and could come up for a vote by the full Senate next month.

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Pocan knocks GOP health care bill under Senate consideration

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan today railed against the health care bill being considered by the GOP-run Senate, saying it puts at risk coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. Pocan, D-Town of Vermont, said at a news conference in Madison the bill repeals the Affordable Care Act but “does not provide a meaningful replacement.” He said although there’s no Congressional Budget Office score yet, it wo… 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 that would punish people who participate in riots draws concerns from GOP, Dem lawmakers

Lawmakers of both parties today raised concerns over a set of bills that punish people who participate in riots, saying they could lead to peaceful protesters being charged with a felony by attending a protest that turns violent. Rep. John Spiros, R-Marshfield, said he’ll work with lawmakers to tighten up the language. But the goal, he said, is ensuring that Wisconsin establishes a definition 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.

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Waukesha County Dept. of Emergency Management: Businesses encouraged to make emergency preparedness plans

Contact: Kathy Schwei 262-548-7580 kschwei@waukeshacounty.gov Waukesha, Wisconsin – Waukesha County Emergency Management Coordinator Kathy Schwei is asking county businesses to act this month by taking preparedness measures. National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security to encourage Americans to do simple things to prepare themselves in the event of a disaster or emergency. “Members of the private sector are important emergency preparedness partners,” said Schwei. “Having emergency preparedness plans in place ensures that they can continue operations and can protect their employees during times of crisis.” The five steps businesses should follow in developing

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Evers says if gov, he would call on leggies to override veto of plan to boost low-spending districts

State Superintendent Tony Evers later says he would “absolutely” call on the Legislature to override a veto of the Assembly GOP plan to boost low-spending school districts, saying it’s the “biggest one for schools.” The provision for low-spending districts, now capped at $9,100 per student, would have boosted their revenue limit to $9,300 in 2017-18 and $9,400 in 2018-19. The limit on what they sp… 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 and Liberty: Statement on State Budget

Contact: Cameron Sholty | WILL Communications Director cameron@will-law.org | 414-727-7416 | 262-409-9816 September 21, 2017 – Milwaukee, WI – The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), a law & policy center in Milwaukee, commends the legislature and Governor Walker for including education reform policies in the 2017-2019 state budget.

Read More »

Fitchburg free speech forum

Free Speech Isn’t Free If It Isn’t Protected: A Forum at the Fitchburg Community Center 5510 Lacey Road, Fitchburg. Sept. 27, 7-8:30 p.m. CONTACT: Dave Glomp, Public Relations Chairman, Republican Party of Dane County 608-235-6325 c. dave2847@charter.net Free speech has been challenged on college campuses and elsewhere nationwide, resulting in

Read More »

DSCC: Launches new digital ads highlighting how Vukmir, Nicholson, and Hovde’s toxic health care plan fails the Jimmy Kimmel test

Contact: Lauren Passalacqua, David Bergstein – 202-545-3567 As Republicans like state senator Leah Vukmir, Kevin Nicholson, and Eric Hovde continue advancing their toxic health care agenda that spikes costs and slashes coverage, today the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is launching new Google search ads highlighting how the GOP’s plan fails

Read More »

Wisconsin Association of School Boards: Statement on state budget

Contact: John Ashley Phone: 608-257-2622 The state budget signed into law today significantly invests in our public school students and districts, one of the best investments we can make as a state. The substantial increases in per-pupil aid and other categorical aids are welcome and vitally important to our public

Read More »

Pocan knocks GOP health care bill under Senate consideration

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan today railed against the health care bill being considered by the GOP-run Senate, saying it puts at risk coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. Pocan, D-Town of Vermont, said at a news conference in Madison the bill repeals the Affordable Care Act but “does not provide

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Waukesha County Dept. of Emergency Management: Businesses encouraged to make emergency preparedness plans

Contact: Kathy Schwei 262-548-7580 kschwei@waukeshacounty.gov Waukesha, Wisconsin – Waukesha County Emergency Management Coordinator Kathy Schwei is asking county businesses to act this month by taking preparedness measures. National Preparedness Month is a nationwide effort sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security to encourage Americans to do simple things to prepare

Read More »