Contact: Brian Rothgery, 414-278-4230 or brian.rothgery@milwaukeecountywi.gov MILWAUKEE – County Supervisor Jason Haas, Chair of the Committee on Parks, Energy and Environment, called on County Executive Chris Abele to renew his search for a Parks director today, and announced his support for Jim Sullivan to return to his role as director of the Department of Child Support Services. Sullivan did not earn sufficient votes to be confirmed today as head of the Milwaukee County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Culture. “I ask County Executive Abele to act quickly to submit Jim Sullivan’s appointment to his former position of Director of Child

Contact: Amy Hasenberg, (608) 266-2839 MADISON – Governor Scott Walker released the following statement today after the Assembly approved a $100 per child sales tax rebate and a sales tax holiday in August 2018. “Our reforms and our growing economy have led to a stronger than expected budget surplus, and we want to return it to the people who made it possible: the hardworking taxpayers of Wisconsin,” Governor Walker said. “Thanks to the Assembly for approving this tax relief, which is an important part of our Ambitious Agenda for 2018. I look forward to seeing a vote on this in

Contact: Representative Tyler August (608) 266-1190 Representative Amy Loudenbeck (608) 266-9967 Representative Cody Horlacher (608) 266-5715 MADISON…The understaffed Walworth County district attorney’s office will get much needed state support under a bill supported by Representatives Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva), Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) and Cody Horlacher (R- Mukwonago). Under the legislation that passed the State Assembly, the state will fund and allocate nearly 54 positions throughout the state to help alleviate critical staffing shortages in local district attorney’s offices. The additional position in Walworth County will cut the shortage almost in half. “Understaffing in our district attorney’s offices can have massive

CONTACT: Rep. Rob Brooks (608) 267-2369 Madison, WI—This week, the Wisconsin State Assembly approved a legislative package which significantly reforms and modernizes the state’s correctional system. Assembly Bill 953 establishes framework for smaller, regional Secure Residential Care Centers for Children and Youth (SRCCCYs) facilities to house youths currently residing at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lakes. In January, Governor Walker announced plans to repurpose Lincoln Hills and Copper Lakes by July 2020. Under the legislation, counties may establish SRCCCYs, partner with other counties to start SRCCCYs, or contract with another county or consortium to place juveniles under their supervision. The bill

Contact: Rep. Paul Tittl (608) 266-0315 Madison: Today, the full Assembly passed a bill to fund 53.75 additional assistant district attorney (ADA) positions in 40 counties throughout Wisconsin. Rep. Tittl (R-Manitowoc) voted in favor of an amendment to Senate Bill 54 that would add two ADA positions in Manitowoc County. “Assembly Republicans passed commonsense legislation today to address staff shortages and case backlogs plaguing counties across the state,” said Rep. Tittl. “This bill gives prosecutors additional resources to help them fight crime in our communities.” A 2014 Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau study found a serious statewide need for more ADAs.

Contact: Rep. Terry Katsma (608) 266-0656 Madison—Representative Terry Katsma (R–Oostburg) voted to address staffing shortages in district attorneys’ offices across the state. The measure funds 54 new assistant district attorney (ADA) positions in 40 Wisconsin counties with the greatest need; Sheboygan County would receive funding for two new full-time ADAs. A recent study from the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau calculated the workload in each county and to what extent, if any, each county is understaffed to meet the need. “I applaud this proposal that uses the criteria from the nonpartisan study to determine where to provide additional funding,” said Rep.

CONTACT: Rep. Patrick Snyder (608) 266-0654 MADISON… Today, the Wisconsin State Assembly passed Senate Bill 84, commonly referred to as Right to Try, with overwhelming bipartisan support. Representative Patrick Snyder (Schofield), Assembly author of the proposal, released the following statement after the vote: “Today’s vote means we are one step closer to becoming a Right to Try state,” said Snyder. “I am proud to see Wisconsin joining the 39 other states in giving patients with a life-threatening disease quicker access to potentially life-saving treatment options.” Right to Try gives patients with a life-threatening disease access to investigational drug or treatment

Contact: Rep. James Edming (608) 266-7506 MADISON – Today, Representative James Edming (R – Glen Flora) supported legislation that among other things increases funding for new positions in district attorney offices around the state. Under Senate Bill (SB) 54 as amended by the Assembly, funding is provided for an additional 53.75 assistant district attorney (ADA) positions in 40 counties including one position in both Marathon and Taylor counties. Funding for the new positions would begin on July 1, 2019. “The heroin and opioid epidemic has significantly increased caseloads around the state including in counties in the 87th Assembly District,” said

Contact: Rep. Tyler Vorpagel  (608) 266-8530 Madison-Today State Representative Tyler Vorpagel (R-Plymouth) issued the following statement regarding the passage of Senate Bill 54 relating to recommendation to revoke parole, probation, and extended supervision if a person is charged with a crime: “Today the State Assembly passed Senate Bill 54 (SB 54) with an amendment that funded an additional 53.75 Assistant District Attorneys (ADA) in 40 counties. These positions went to counties that have requested an increase in the past and are less than 79% staffed. “This amendment helps both Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties who will each receive two additional ADA’s.

Contact: Heide Keith Secretary, Janesville League of Women Voters Cell: 608.576.0676 JANESVILLE, WI – The Janesville League of Women Voters, along with Forward Janesville and JATV, will hold a 90-minute Candidate Forum on Thursday, March 1, 2018. The forum will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Hedberg Public Library Program Room located at 316 S. Main Street in Janesville, Wis. The all-volunteer local League of Women Voters of Janesville is a non-partisan organization which works to register voters, host candidate forums, study local, state, and national issues and to bring informative programs to the citizens of Janesville and northern Rock

Contact: Sam Singleton-Freeman,414-469-9206, sfreeman@vdlf.org MADISON, WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Assembly adjourned early Friday morning without passing an anti-immigrant bill, AB190/SB275, that would have allowed local employees to racially profile, interrogate, and detain community members for immigration status. The bill also would have mandated authorities turn immigrants over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This comes following months of pressure from immigrant community members and diverse supporters including farmers and religious leaders who urged lawmakers to reject the bill. “This victory is a testament to the strength and courage of Latinxs and immigrants in Wisocnsin,” said Chriistine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of