MON PM Update: Johnson says he’s still a ‘no’ on tax overhaul bill, hopeful for changes

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson says he’s still a “no” on the GOP tax overhaul bill ahead of a possible Senate floor vote on the plan later this week, although he’s optimistic his concerns will be addressed. Johnson, R-Oshkosh, made waves earlier this month when he became the first Senate Republican to say he’d vote against the plan beca… 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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Rep. Kitchens, Sen. Cowles: Clean Water Access Bill signed into law

MADISON– State Representative Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) and Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) released the following statement after 2017 Assembly Bill 226, the Clean Water Access Bill, was signed into law as 2017 Act 69: Representative Kitchens stated, “I am thrilled that the Clean Water Access Bill was signed into law earlier today by Governor Walker. This crucial piece of legislation will provide relief to families across Wisconsin and access to clean water, a basic right most of us take for granted. The water contamination issues plaguing Northeast Wisconsin have no simple fix, but this bill provides vital and immediate

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Gov. Walker: Highlights workforce development & broadband expansion initiatives at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 MADISON – Governor Scott Walker visited Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) in Rice Lake today to highlight the college’s new Broadband Academy and the 2017-19 budget’s workforce development initiatives and historic investment in broadband expansion. “Access to high speed internet connections is important for business, education, health care, and quality of life,” said Governor Walker. “Generations ago, electricity changed the way my grandparents farmed; today, access to high speed internet connections will have a similar impact on rural Wisconsin. That’s why our state budget includes an additional $35.5 million towards broadband expansion in Wisconsin. But we know

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Rep. Nygren: Milwaukee County receives $2.6 million to fight opioid crisis

Contact: Rep. John Nygren, (888) 534-0089 Madison–State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), Co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, released the following statement regarding $2.6 million in grants awarded to Milwaukee County to fight opioid crisis: “I was very pleased to see the announcement of $2.6 million in grants awarded to Milwaukee County for an increase access to drug treatment courts. On Monday, Milwaukee County received $505,000 from the state Department of Health and Human Services. These dollars will have an immediate impact. This funding will help move 75 individuals off the waiting list of the county Behavioral Health Division and place them

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Rep. Anderson: Gov. Walker needs to relegate white supremacist voices, not elevate them

Contact: Logan Vidal logan.vidal@legis.wisconsin.gov (608) 266-8570 Madison – Today Governor Walker has agreed to speak at a conservative Super PAC’s conference, Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit 2017. Governor Walker is the only elected official currently scheduled to speak at the event in West Palm Beach Florida in December. Joining Governor Walker are not just your run of the mill conservative media personalities, but a series of white nationalist speakers who traffic in racist memes including Sebastian Gorka, Ben Shapiro, Tomi Lahren, James O’Keefe, Charlie Kirk, and Jesse Watters among others to be named. In response Rep. Anderson released the following statement:

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USDA: Trump Administration appoints Frank Frassetto to serve as State Director for USDA Rural Development in Wisconsin

Contact: Jessica Mancel | (715) 345-7669 | jessica.mancel@wi.usda.gov STEVENS POINT, Wis., November 27, 2017 The Trump Administration recently appointed Frank Frassetto as the new State Director for USDA Rural Development in Wisconsin. Frassetto began his new role on November 27, 2017. Frassetto brings 30 years of public sector experience, previously served as the Wisconsin State Director at USDA Rural Development from 2001 to 2009, was the Administrator for Trade and Consumer Protection at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and resides in the rural town of Black Wolf and has served as Chairman since 1997. As State Director, Frassetto will use his leadership experience to oversee Rural

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Assembly staff to receive updated sexual harassment training

Assembly staff to receive updated sexual harassment training Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has ordered all staff to attend training tomorrow on the chamber’s procedures on reporting sexual harassment. Meanwhile, DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel sent agency heads an email asking them to review the state’s policies on allegations of harassment with their management and HR teams. Both emails, sent Wednesday… 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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Badger Institute: Occupational licensing reforms become law

Several regulations repealed, freeing barbers, cosmetologists and other professionals from onerous  requirements CONTACT: Badger Institute Vice President Michael Jahr, (262) 442-5208 ormichael@badgerinstitute.org Madison — Barbers, cosmetologists and other beauty professionals will now be able to practice their professions with fewer regulatory burdens after Gov. Scott Walker signed into law Monday reforms that will reduce some of the professions’ complicated and costly licensing requirements. The urgent need for reform was evidenced by research and reporting conducted this year by the Badger Institute. “Government’s love for licensure,” a special report published by the institute in April, found that licensing requirements for barbers, cosmetologists, manicurists, aestheticians and other

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Rep. Shankland: To hold office hours on Thursday

Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland                                                                                      Office: (608) 267-9649 Location will be Mission Coffee House in Plover STEVENS POINT – Representative Katrina Shankland (D–Stevens Point) is pleased to announce her upcoming office hours on Thursday, November 30 in Plover. Rep. Shankland hosts office hours every month around the 71st Assembly District to hear from her constituents. Members of the public are invited to

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WisDems: Gov. Walker to be featured at far right-wing gathering in December 

Contact: Melanie Conklin, 608-260-2409 MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker is a confirmed speaker for the controversial, far-right group Turning Point USA at its Student Action Summit in December, alongside noted conspiracy theorists, fake news propagators and white supremacists. Walker, who has spent much of his second term neglecting Wisconsin while making a bid for the national conservative 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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U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Joins bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force letter raising alarm over delay in finalizing critical Asian Carp study

Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov   (202) 224 – 6225 Senators express serious concerns over the timeline for implementing permanent measures to combat Asian carp WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH), co-Chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, in sending a letter to the acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works raising alarm over the delay in finalizing the Brandon Road Study, a critical action-plan for keeping Asian carp from reaching the Great Lakes. “It is imperative that the USACE meet the original timeline for completing the Chief’s Report by January 2019,” wrote

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Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty: Applauds passage of licensing reform bills

For more information, contact: Cameron Sholty | WILL Communications Director cameron@will-law.org | 414-727-7416 | 262-409-9816   But the legislature still must act on other bills November 27, 2017 – Milwaukee, WI – The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty applauds the passage and enactment of SB 108 and SB 109, two occupational licensing reform bills that will serve to ease the regulatory burdens on Wisconsin workers. SB 108 and 109 specifically reform Wisconsin’s cosmetology licenses in four specific ways: Eliminates a 4,000 hour practice requirement for cosmetologists, barbers, aestheticians, and manicurists who have a license in good standing in another state and replaces it with a one-hour class. Eliminates

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Sen. Cowles, Rep. Tusler: Bill to improve water infrastructure in state parks signed into law

 Contact: Senator Robert Cowles ~ (920) 660-0615, Representative Ron Tusler ~ (608) 266-5831 MADISON– Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) and Representative Ron Tusler (R-Harrison) released the following statements after 2017 Senate Bill 421, named the Parks Revitalization Act, was signed into law as 2017 Act 71: Senator Cowles stated, “The Parks Revitalization Act is designed to tackle the ongoing issue of degrading water infrastructure in some of our most visited parks. Good drinking water quality should not be in question, and the health and safety of our visitors should be protected. By addressing the critical water infrastructure projects identified by the DNR,

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Rep. Kitchens, Sen. Cowles: Clean Water Access Bill signed into law

MADISON– State Representative Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) and Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) released the following statement after 2017 Assembly Bill 226, the Clean Water Access Bill, was signed into law as 2017 Act 69: Representative Kitchens stated, “I am thrilled that the Clean Water Access Bill was signed into

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Highlights workforce development & broadband expansion initiatives at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839 MADISON – Governor Scott Walker visited Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) in Rice Lake today to highlight the college’s new Broadband Academy and the 2017-19 budget’s workforce development initiatives and historic investment in broadband expansion. “Access to high speed internet connections is important for business, education, health

Read More »

Rep. Nygren: Milwaukee County receives $2.6 million to fight opioid crisis

Contact: Rep. John Nygren, (888) 534-0089 Madison–State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette), Co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance, released the following statement regarding $2.6 million in grants awarded to Milwaukee County to fight opioid crisis: “I was very pleased to see the announcement of $2.6 million in grants awarded to Milwaukee

Read More »

USDA: Trump Administration appoints Frank Frassetto to serve as State Director for USDA Rural Development in Wisconsin

Contact: Jessica Mancel | (715) 345-7669 | jessica.mancel@wi.usda.gov STEVENS POINT, Wis., November 27, 2017 The Trump Administration recently appointed Frank Frassetto as the new State Director for USDA Rural Development in Wisconsin. Frassetto began his new role on November 27, 2017. Frassetto brings 30 years of public sector experience, previously served as the Wisconsin State Director

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Assembly staff to receive updated sexual harassment training

Assembly staff to receive updated sexual harassment training Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has ordered all staff to attend training tomorrow on the chamber’s procedures on reporting sexual harassment. Meanwhile, DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel sent agency heads an email asking them to review the state’s policies on allegations of harassment with

Read More »

Badger Institute: Occupational licensing reforms become law

Several regulations repealed, freeing barbers, cosmetologists and other professionals from onerous  requirements CONTACT: Badger Institute Vice President Michael Jahr, (262) 442-5208 ormichael@badgerinstitute.org Madison — Barbers, cosmetologists and other beauty professionals will now be able to practice their professions with fewer regulatory burdens after Gov. Scott Walker signed into law Monday reforms that will reduce some

Read More »

WisDems: Gov. Walker to be featured at far right-wing gathering in December 

Contact: Melanie Conklin, 608-260-2409 MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker is a confirmed speaker for the controversial, far-right group Turning Point USA at its Student Action Summit in December, alongside noted conspiracy theorists, fake news propagators and white supremacists. Walker, who has spent much of his second term neglecting Wisconsin while making a bid for the

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Joins bipartisan Great Lakes Task Force letter raising alarm over delay in finalizing critical Asian Carp study

Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov   (202) 224 – 6225 Senators express serious concerns over the timeline for implementing permanent measures to combat Asian carp WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH), co-Chairs of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, in sending a letter to the

Read More »

Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty: Applauds passage of licensing reform bills

For more information, contact: Cameron Sholty | WILL Communications Director cameron@will-law.org | 414-727-7416 | 262-409-9816   But the legislature still must act on other bills November 27, 2017 – Milwaukee, WI – The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty applauds the passage and enactment of SB 108 and SB 109, two occupational licensing reform bills that will serve to

Read More »