For more information, contact: Michael Pyritz, WisDOT Communications Michael.pyritz@dot.wi.gov, (262) 521-5373 Position will work to eliminate inefficiencies, waste, fraud and abuse At Governor Walker’s direction, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will create an Office of Inspector General position with a primary role in the Department to review all programs and initiatives for inefficiencies, waste, fraud and abuse. The position will serve as an executive level advisor to the Secretary along with working with the executive leadership in the Department. The primary role of the Inspector General is to review WisDOT policy and practices looking for cost savings and efficiencies, then

CONTACT: (608) 266-8551 Madison – Today, Representative Kleefisch released the following statement on the appointment of former State Representative Dan Meyer as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: “Congratulations to Dan Meyer on his appointment as the next Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources,” said Representative Joel Kleefisch.  “Governor Walker hit a home run by appointing Dan to this post.  Dan Meyer has an extensive history and breadth of knowledge of Wisconsin’s amazing outdoor heritage.” “His lifelong experience as an avid outdoorsman, coupled with the years he spent as Vice-Chair of the Joint Finance Committee, give Dan the perfect

CONTACT  AshLee Strong, Doug Andres 202-225-0600 WASHINGTON—House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) issued the following statement following announced opposition from Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and hurricane tax relief suspension, which the House is scheduled to vote on later today: “It is a sad day when House Democrats will—in the name of politics—vote against disaster relief and air traffic safety measures. House Republicans have repeatedly stated our commitment to legislate a fix on DACA. However, these are two unrelated and bipartisan initiatives with broad support from both sides of the aisle. It’s shameful that politics will trump meaningful

CONTACT: press@wisdems.org; 608-260-2409 MADISON – A new Politico Magazine profile is helping Wisconsinites find out who Kevin Nicholson really is — a political opportunist who can’t be trusted. In the article, interviews with people who have known Kevin Nicholson for years confirm that he is running for himself, not Wisconsin: Nicholson’s Friends And Foes Testified To His “Deep-Seated Political Aspirations.” “After conversations with more than two dozen people who know Nicholson, I’ve concluded that there’s something to both of these narratives. Friend and foe alike testify in detail to his methodical preparation and deep-seated political aspirations, leaving no illusion that he finds himself running for

Contact: Ron Boehmer 202-225-2906 Latest ACA repeal bill would allow Governor to decide how much insurers can charge people with pre-existing conditions WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Ron Kind (WI-03) today wrote to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, asking him whether or not he would allow health insurers to discriminate against patients with pre-existing conditions, effectively blocking their access to affordable coverage. Under the latest version of the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson bill, states like Wisconsin could allow insurers to charge patients with pre-existing conditions premiums so high that health insurance would be out of reach for many. Additionally, states would be allowed to determine whether

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 Wisconn Valley Special Session bill creates new project position at DOA focusing on economic development MADISON – Governor Scott Walker today announced Matt Moroney will serve as the strategic economic initiatives director at the Department of Administration (DOA). Moroney currently serves as Governor Walker’s deputy chief of staff for operations. The Wisconn Valley Special Session bill created a new project position at DOA focusing on economic development in coordination with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. “Matt is a vital member of our team, and his business and executive management experience will strengthen our state’s economic development efforts,”

Contact: Rep.Bowen@legis.wi.gov, 608-266-7671 MADISON – Late last week, just after Governor Walker approved up to $3 billion in cash payments to a foreign company and a $76 billion state budget that once again failed to adequately fund our kids’ education, it was announced that Milwaukee Public Schools would need to cut nearly $20 million from this year’s budget. Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee), an MPS alum and member of the Assembly Education Committee, released the following statement: “It is unacceptable and un-American that while Republicans were able to find billions of taxpayer dollars to give away to a foreign company and slash taxes