Speaker Ryan: On supplemental disaster relief funding request

CONTACT AshLee Strong, Doug Andres 202-225-0600 WASHINGTON—House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) released the following statement after Congress received the Trump administration’s request for supplemental disaster relief funding in the wake of recent hurricanes: “This has been the worst hurricane season in recent memory. The devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria has disrupted millions of American lives, most recently in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. We have sent aid from FEMA’s disaster relief accounts, but more is clearly needed, and this funding request will help meet that need. Congress will continue to work with the Trump administration to

Read More »

Rep. Pocan: Leads House Democrats in rejecting the Ryan-McConnell Tax Plan

Contact: Ron Boehmer 202-225-2906 WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today joined members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and advocates to call on Congress to reject the Ryan-McConnell tax plan. Republicans have finally unveiled their long-awaited tax framework, but rather than putting forward a plan for tax reform, it’s another GOP multi-trillion dollar giveaway to the wealthiest at the expense of the middle class and working Americans. Democrats in Congress are standing firm in demanding real job-creating, wage-raising tax reform with not one penny in tax breaks for the wealthiest one percent and corporations who haven’t paid their

Read More »

Rep. Pocan: Statement regarding reports that Russian-linked Facebook ads targeted Wisconsin

Contact: Ron Boehmer 202-225-2906 WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today released the following statement regarding news that Russian-linked Facebook ads targeted Wisconsin during the 2016 Election. “Russia’s interference with our national elections hit home when we found out that Russian backed interest groups bought ads in specifically targeted to Wisconsin. These ads underscore the lengths to which Russia went to meddle in our electoral process and going forward, we must work to strengthen and protect our democratic institutions from these attacks. We must also continue to support Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation to get to

Read More »

Sen. Marklein: Marklein Bill to waive fee for EMS license plates heard today

CONTACT: Sen. Howard Marklein, 608-266-0703 MADISON – State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) testified with Boscobel Volunteer Fireman and First Responder, Brent Brown, before the Senate Committee on Transportation & Veterans Affairs. Senate Bill (SB) 360 waives the special registration license plate fee for fire fighter, rescue squad, emergency medical technician (EMTs) and first responder license plates. “Brent sent me an email last spring to ask if we could consider waiving the fee for special license plates that some emergency medical service (EMS) members select for their personal vehicles,” Marklein said. “Unlike other specialty license plates, that raise funds and

Read More »

Sen. Marklein: Marklein Bill for children working at family-owned businesses heard today

CONTACT: Sen. Howard Marklein, 608-266-0703 MADISON – State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) testified with Curtis Eberle, owner of the Mixing Bowl Bakery in Sauk City, before the Senate Committee on Labor & Regulatory Reform today to support a bill that would align laws related to children working in their family’s business with agriculture. Senate Bill (SB) 420 would allow a minor to be employed without a child labor permit if they are working at a business owned by their parents, guardians or grandparents. Current child work permit exemptions already exist for: agricultural work; domestic employment, work in or around

Read More »

WED PM Update: Officials pay tribute to Rep. Gannon; Foxconn selects Mount Pleasant for manufacturing campus

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Electeds from both sides of the aisle are paying tribute to Bob Gannon after the GOP lawmaker passed away yesterday. He was 58. “Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife, Kris, and their children as we mourn the loss of a devoted husband, father, friend, and public servant,” Gov. Scott Walker said. “Bob’s energy and passion wil… 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

Read More »

Evers votes against regents resolution to pull in top UW System officials from outside academia

State schools Superintendent Tony Evers today voted against a resolution aimed at finding more candidates from outside of academia for top UW System roles. Evers, who’s on the Board of Regents and is running for governor as a Dem, said the resolution the regents approved is a “solution seeking a problem.” The regents today kicked off two days of meetings at UW-Stout, where they’ll meet again tomor… 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.

Read More »

Law enforcement officials back body cams bill, free speech advocates share concerns

Law enforcement officers today lined up in support of a bill laying out standards for handling video from body cameras, saying it would protect privacy while encouraging more departments to use the technology. But media and free speech advocates worried the bill’s language is too restrictive and called on lawmakers to retool it to make footage more readily available. Under Rep. Jesse Kremer’s bill… 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.

Read More »

Dems, gun control advocates push for stricter gun laws following Las Vegas shooting

Three Madison Dems joined gun control advocates today to push for stricter firearm laws following the Las Vegas shooting on Sunday night. They also touted two Dem bills currently awaiting public hearings that look to reinstate a 48-hour firearm purchase waiting period that the Legislature nixed in 2015 and another that would require background checks to be completed prior to the selling or transfe… 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.

Read More »

Dept. of Workforce Development: Gov. Walker proclaims October as Disability Employment Awareness Month

CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722 On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/news.htm On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce On Twitter: @WIWorkforce Throughout October, DWD and workforce officials will recognize workers with disabilities and their employers MADISON – Governor Scott Walker has proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to recognize the contributions that individuals with disabilities make to Wisconsin’s economy and highlight this vital segment of Wisconsin’s workforce.  Throughout the month, Department of Workforce Development (DWD) officials and workforce partners throughout the state will recognize individuals with disabilities who work across Wisconsin and the employers who have recognized the value that they bring to their workforce.  “Over past six federal fiscal years,

Read More »

Two bills combatting homelessness clear Senate committee

A Senate committee today signed off unanimously on two bills combatting homelessness that the Assembly approved earlier this year. The two bills would create an Interagency Council on Homelessness and let WHEDA pilot a program that lets the agency prioritize chronically homeless individuals on its wait list to get housing vouchers. The Assembly this year also approved two other bills that were par… 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.

Read More »

Pocan reminds Dem guv candidates of ‘common goal’ to defeat Walker in tweet

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, sent a message to the Dem guv field via Twitter today after two candidates exchanged knocks via tweets yesterday. Pocan’s tweet read, “Our common goal = defeat @ScottWalker. Let’s keep eye on that. I will. @DanaJWachs @Tony4WI @VinehoutK @McDenimRebel @andygronik @kurtjkober” The tweet was directed at state Rep. Dana Wachs, state Superintendent Tony Evers, state Se… 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.

Read More »

Senate committee passes GOP sulfide mining bill on party-line vote

A bill that would end the so-called moratorium on sulfide mining in the state cleared a Senate committee this afternoon on a 3-2 party-line vote. Members also signed off on a series of GOP amendments on mostly party-line votes seeking to address various concerns posed during the public hearing on the GOP bill last month. Among the six amendments the committee approved are two that deal with concer… 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.

Read More »

DOT asks the feds to rescind approval of I-94 east-west corridor expansion

The state Department of Transportation is asking the feds to rescind its decision approving an expansion of an I-94 east-west corridor in Milwaukee County, essentially shutting down any chance of moving the project forward in the short term. DOT wrote a letter to the Federal Highway Administration asking that it rescind its “record of decision” signing off on the expansion, which Gov. Scott Walker… 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.

Read More »

Speaker Ryan: On supplemental disaster relief funding request

CONTACT AshLee Strong, Doug Andres 202-225-0600 WASHINGTON—House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) released the following statement after Congress received the Trump administration’s request for supplemental disaster relief funding in the wake of recent hurricanes: “This has been the worst hurricane season in recent memory. The devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma,

Read More »

Rep. Pocan: Leads House Democrats in rejecting the Ryan-McConnell Tax Plan

Contact: Ron Boehmer 202-225-2906 WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today joined members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and advocates to call on Congress to reject the Ryan-McConnell tax plan. Republicans have finally unveiled their long-awaited tax framework, but rather than putting forward a plan for tax reform,

Read More »

Sen. Marklein: Marklein Bill to waive fee for EMS license plates heard today

CONTACT: Sen. Howard Marklein, 608-266-0703 MADISON – State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) testified with Boscobel Volunteer Fireman and First Responder, Brent Brown, before the Senate Committee on Transportation & Veterans Affairs. Senate Bill (SB) 360 waives the special registration license plate fee for fire fighter, rescue squad, emergency medical

Read More »

Dept. of Workforce Development: Gov. Walker proclaims October as Disability Employment Awareness Month

CONTACT: DWD Communications, 608-266-2722 On the Web: http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/news.htm On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WIWorkforce On Twitter: @WIWorkforce Throughout October, DWD and workforce officials will recognize workers with disabilities and their employers MADISON – Governor Scott Walker has proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month to recognize the contributions that individuals with disabilities make to Wisconsin’s economy and highlight

Read More »

Two bills combatting homelessness clear Senate committee

A Senate committee today signed off unanimously on two bills combatting homelessness that the Assembly approved earlier this year. The two bills would create an Interagency Council on Homelessness and let WHEDA pilot a program that lets the agency prioritize chronically homeless individuals on its wait list to get housing

Read More »