THU PM Update: Roth refers three fetal tissue bills to Senate committee

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Senate President Roger Roth this week referred three fetal tissue bills to a Senate committee after months of delay. Roth, R-Appleton, had been postponing the bills’ introduction because he wanted the Senate GOP caucus to discuss the competing proposals and come to a consensus on which route to take. But that had drawn concerns … 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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Dems ask regents to reject resolution to punish students who violate others’ free speech

Two Dems asked UW regents tomorrow to reject a proposed campus speech policy, which mirrors a bill that passed the Assembly this year. Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, and Rep. Chris Taylor, D-Madison, held a news conference today joined by some UW students, saying the policy inhibits students’ ability to protest speakers. “It’s disappointing that the UW System Board of Regents are willing to co… 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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Dreamers, Dem lawmaker call on Congress to pass clean DREAM Act

State Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, joined “Dreamers” today in calling for passage of a clean DREAM Act that does not include border security measures such as a funding for a south border wall. They also made a last-minute appeal for those covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created under President Obama to apply by today’s deadline for reauthorization to remain in… 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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End Citizens United: Endorses Rep. Pocan for re-election

End Citizens United (ECU) today announced its latest round of House and Senate endorsements for the 2018 cycle led by Rep. Mark Pocan. Pocan is committed to fighting the corrosive and corrupting influence of money in politics. “Congressman Pocan is fighting against the rigged system in Washington, where too many politicians are in the pockets of special interests and write the rules to benefit their mega-donors. He will continue to fight for reform to end the outsized influence Big Money has on our democracy,” said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United. “We’re proud to back Congressman Pocan’s campaign, and

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Speaker Ryan: Issues statement

Contact: AshLee Strong, Doug Andres 202-225-0600 Washington, D.C.—House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) released the following statement today: “This afternoon I received a letter of resignation from Congressman Tim Murphy, effectiveOctober 21. It was Dr. Murphy’s decision to move on to the next chapter of his life, and I support it. We thank him for his many years of tireless work on mental health issues here in Congress and his service to the country as a naval reserve officer.”

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Townsend campaign: Townsend is a candidate for Dane County Judge

Contact: Melissa Mulliken, Campaign Director 608/206-1818 Marilyn Townsend, the Municipal Judge for Shorewood Hills and an attorney with 35 years of experience, is a candidate for Dane County Judge. Townsend has filed to run for Branch 1, the seat once held by Judge John Markson, who retired in June 2017. “I am running for Judge because I care deeply about fairness and equal justice in our courts. For my entire legal career – as an attorney handling civil rights and employment cases and as a municipal judge – I have focused on making sure everyone gets a fair shake.  I want

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WisDems: Vukmir says ending protections for Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions is good for Wisconsin families

Contact: Brad Bainum bradb@wisdems.org Madison, Wisconsin — At a Tuesday campaign event in Appleton, right-wing state Senator Leah Vukmir expressed supreme regret that Donald Trump and Speaker Paul Ryan were unable to pass the dangerous so-called “Graham-Cassidy” TrumpCare bill that would take healthcare access away from millions of Wisconsinites while putting every single woman, man, and child with a pre-existing condition at risk of being discriminated against by insurers. “It’s unconscionable that Vukmir and her GOP primary opponent, Kevin Nicholson, continue to stand by TrumpCare plans that would, at worst, take care away from 30 million Americans, and, at best, strip millions of their

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UW System: Board of Regents approves revisions to hiring process for UW System leadership positions

Contact: Stephanie Marquis, Director of Communications 608-263-1700 universityrelations@uwsa.edu Today, the UW System Board of Regents approved a resolution to streamline the hiring process by which the UW System president, chancellors, vice chancellors, and other UW System senior leaders are hired.  Regent Vice President Drew Petersen made recommendations to the Board to revise Regent Policy 6-4, which relates to the UW System’s hiring and selection protocol.  In addition to streamlining and expediting the hiring process, the updated policy also broadens applicant pools so leaders from the private sector may be considered as potential candidates, in addition to those with an academic background.

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WisGOP: Thanks to Gov. Walker’s leadership, Foxconn will transform Wisconsin’s economy

Contact: Alec Zimmerman (608) 257-4765 Madison, Wisconsin — Thanks to the leadership of Governor Scott Walker, tens of thousands of new jobs are heading to Wisconsin. Foxconn Technology Group’s $10 billion investment will transform Wisconsin’s economy, including over a billion dollars in supply chain activity that has the potential to impact the entire state. Yesterday, Foxconn announced the selection of its new location in Mount Pleasant. Watch highlights of coverage from the last several weeks, including Foxconn’s announcement, here. ###

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Rep. Taylor: UW Board of Regents should reject anti-free speech proposal

Contact: Rep. Chris Taylor, 608-266-5342 Sen. LaTonya Johnson, 608-266-2500 Madison, Wisconsin –Today, Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) held a press conference urging the UW Board of Regents to modify their “Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech” policy, which infringes on constitutionally protected free speech.  The legislators and UW Madison students highlighted their many concerns with the proposal, which will be voted on by the UW Board of Regents this Friday. This proposal reflects the misguided and constitutionally infirm provisions in AB 299, previously passed by the state Assembly earlier this year but not yet acted on by

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Rep. Zamarripa: DACA means hope for young immigrants

Contact: Justin Koestler (608) 267-7669 Madison – Today, Wisconsin Democratic Legislators held a press conference to get the word out on the renewal deadline and to discuss the Trump administration’s neglect of DREAMers. For nearly 1 million young people eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, including nearly 7,600 right here in Wisconsin, the United States is the only home they’ve ever known. Nazka Serrano has lived in Madison since her family moved here when she was 10 years old. She graduated from Monona Grove High School and Edgewood College and became a community organizer. She has been

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Rep. Sargent: Legislators announce bill banning firearm modifier possessed by Las Vegas shooter

Contact(s): Rep. Taylor, 608.266.5342 Rep. Melissa Sargent, 608.266.0960 Madison, Wisconsin – State Representatives Chris Taylor (D-Madison), Melissa Sargent (D-Madison), Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), and Terese Berceau (D-Madison) introduced LRB-4465 today to ban bump-fire stocks, or “bump stocks,” in Wisconsin, devices which were found affixed to firearms that might have been used in the recent Las Vegas mass shooting. “We simply cannot wait any longer to start addressing gun violence in Wisconsin,” said Taylor. “LRB-4465 is about keeping our communities safe, preventing future violence, and ensuring responsible gun use. Bump stocks present an unnecessary, added danger for which there’s absolutely no justification.” The legislation

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Sen. Darling and Reps. Ballweg and Rohrkaste: Bill reduces red tape and reforms family and medical leave

Contact: Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) 1-608-266-5830 Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) 1-608-266-8077 Representative Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) 1-608-266-5719 Madison- Taking time off to care for a loved one or for a medical condition can be confusing for both employees and employers. Lawmakers are trying to streamline those rules. On Thursday, Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and State Representatives Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) are authoring a bill which help clear up the confusion between the state and national versions of the law. Wisconsin is currently one of 13 states who has a state family and medical leave law that

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Rep. Grothman: Offices to remain open on Columbus Day

Contact: Bernadette Green, (202) 225-2476 (Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today announced that his Washington, D.C. and Fond du Lac offices will be open to serve constituents on Columbus Day, Mon., Oct. 9, 2017. If you would like to contact either of Congressman Grothman’s offices on Columbus Day, please call 202-225-2476 (Washington, D.C.) or 920-907-0624 (Fond du Lac). “I keep my offices open on most federal holidays because it’s simply not fair that your government isn’t working while hundreds of thousands of folks in the Sixth District are getting up and heading into work,” said Grothman. “If you

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Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services: Launches public statistics dashboard for enhanced prescription drug monitoring program

Contact: Nicole Anspach, 608-266-6795 DSPSNewsroom@wisconsin.gov Madison, WI – Today, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) launched the public statistics dashboard for the Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (WI ePDMP). The dashboard provides easy-to-use interactive data visualizations for controlled substance dispensing, ePDMP utilization, and law enforcement alerts. Statistics archives dating back to the program’s implementation in 2013 are also available on the dashboard. “Making this information readily available to the public is one more way to hold the state, prescribers, and law enforcement accountable in the fight against prescription drug abuse in Wisconsin,” said Governor Walker. Public

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THU PM Update: Roth refers three fetal tissue bills to Senate committee

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Senate President Roger Roth this week referred three fetal tissue bills to a Senate committee after months of delay. Roth, R-Appleton, had been postponing the bills’ introduction because he wanted the Senate GOP caucus to discuss the competing proposals and come to

Read More »

Dreamers, Dem lawmaker call on Congress to pass clean DREAM Act

State Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, joined “Dreamers” today in calling for passage of a clean DREAM Act that does not include border security measures such as a funding for a south border wall. They also made a last-minute appeal for those covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program

Read More »

End Citizens United: Endorses Rep. Pocan for re-election

End Citizens United (ECU) today announced its latest round of House and Senate endorsements for the 2018 cycle led by Rep. Mark Pocan. Pocan is committed to fighting the corrosive and corrupting influence of money in politics. “Congressman Pocan is fighting against the rigged system in Washington, where too many

Read More »

Speaker Ryan: Issues statement

Contact: AshLee Strong, Doug Andres 202-225-0600 Washington, D.C.—House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) released the following statement today: “This afternoon I received a letter of resignation from Congressman Tim Murphy, effectiveOctober 21. It was Dr. Murphy’s decision to move on to the next chapter of his life, and I support it. We

Read More »

Townsend campaign: Townsend is a candidate for Dane County Judge

Contact: Melissa Mulliken, Campaign Director 608/206-1818 Marilyn Townsend, the Municipal Judge for Shorewood Hills and an attorney with 35 years of experience, is a candidate for Dane County Judge. Townsend has filed to run for Branch 1, the seat once held by Judge John Markson, who retired in June 2017.

Read More »

WisDems: Vukmir says ending protections for Wisconsinites with pre-existing conditions is good for Wisconsin families

Contact: Brad Bainum bradb@wisdems.org Madison, Wisconsin — At a Tuesday campaign event in Appleton, right-wing state Senator Leah Vukmir expressed supreme regret that Donald Trump and Speaker Paul Ryan were unable to pass the dangerous so-called “Graham-Cassidy” TrumpCare bill that would take healthcare access away from millions of Wisconsinites while putting every

Read More »

UW System: Board of Regents approves revisions to hiring process for UW System leadership positions

Contact: Stephanie Marquis, Director of Communications 608-263-1700 universityrelations@uwsa.edu Today, the UW System Board of Regents approved a resolution to streamline the hiring process by which the UW System president, chancellors, vice chancellors, and other UW System senior leaders are hired.  Regent Vice President Drew Petersen made recommendations to the Board

Read More »

Rep. Taylor: UW Board of Regents should reject anti-free speech proposal

Contact: Rep. Chris Taylor, 608-266-5342 Sen. LaTonya Johnson, 608-266-2500 Madison, Wisconsin –Today, Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) held a press conference urging the UW Board of Regents to modify their “Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech” policy, which infringes on constitutionally protected free speech.  The legislators

Read More »

Rep. Zamarripa: DACA means hope for young immigrants

Contact: Justin Koestler (608) 267-7669 Madison – Today, Wisconsin Democratic Legislators held a press conference to get the word out on the renewal deadline and to discuss the Trump administration’s neglect of DREAMers. For nearly 1 million young people eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, including nearly

Read More »

Rep. Sargent: Legislators announce bill banning firearm modifier possessed by Las Vegas shooter

Contact(s): Rep. Taylor, 608.266.5342 Rep. Melissa Sargent, 608.266.0960 Madison, Wisconsin – State Representatives Chris Taylor (D-Madison), Melissa Sargent (D-Madison), Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), and Terese Berceau (D-Madison) introduced LRB-4465 today to ban bump-fire stocks, or “bump stocks,” in Wisconsin, devices which were found affixed to firearms that might have been used in the

Read More »

Sen. Darling and Reps. Ballweg and Rohrkaste: Bill reduces red tape and reforms family and medical leave

Contact: Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) 1-608-266-5830 Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) 1-608-266-8077 Representative Mike Rohrkaste (R-Neenah) 1-608-266-5719 Madison- Taking time off to care for a loved one or for a medical condition can be confusing for both employees and employers. Lawmakers are trying to streamline those rules. On Thursday, Senator

Read More »

Rep. Grothman: Offices to remain open on Columbus Day

Contact: Bernadette Green, (202) 225-2476 (Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today announced that his Washington, D.C. and Fond du Lac offices will be open to serve constituents on Columbus Day, Mon., Oct. 9, 2017. If you would like to contact either of Congressman Grothman’s offices on Columbus Day,

Read More »

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services: Launches public statistics dashboard for enhanced prescription drug monitoring program

Contact: Nicole Anspach, 608-266-6795 DSPSNewsroom@wisconsin.gov Madison, WI – Today, the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) launched the public statistics dashboard for the Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (WI ePDMP). The dashboard provides easy-to-use interactive data visualizations for controlled substance dispensing, ePDMP utilization, and law enforcement alerts.

Read More »