GOP bills would restrict Evers’, Kaul’s powers, limit in-person absentee voting

GOP lawmakers are considering sweeping new changes to state law that would restrict the powers of Gov.-elect Tony Evers and incoming Dem AG Josh Kaul. The proposals also include changes to in-person absentee voting and state tax law, as well as stripping the guv of the power to appoint the WEDC agency head. Still, it wasn’t clear all of the provisions in the bill drafts will make the final cut onc… 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

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FRI REPORT: GOP bills would restrict Evers’, Kaul’s powers, limit in-person absentee voting

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers TABLE OF CONTENTS Quotes of the week Political stock report GOP bills would restrict Evers’, Kaul’s powers, limit in-person absentee voting PSC Chair Roberts resigns, Nowak appointed to replace him Johnson letter: Courtney will run for re-election as state GOP chair on ‘interim basis’ More women to join Assembly’s ranks as female representation drops 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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Steil campaign: Bryan Steil to step down as UW regent

Media Contact: Andrew Iverson, Communications Director JANESVILLE, Wis. – Today, Congressman-Elect Bryan Steil released the following statement regarding his resignation from the Board of Regents for the University of Wisconsin System. Congressman-Elect Bryan Steil: “Serving on the UW Board of Regents has been an incredible honor, allowing me to give back to an institution that has given me so much. While my duties in Congress will not allow me to continue serving on the Board, I am more committed than ever to working to ensure future generations have access to the high quality, affordable education they need. I am excited

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‘Rewind’: Your week in review

On this week’s episode, WisPolitics.com’s JR Ross and WisconsinEye’s Steve Walters discuss spending from outside groups this election cycle, the future of the Kimberly-Clark incentive package and the upcoming lame-duck session.

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One Wisconsin Now: Vos Republicans: ‘Too many people voted’

CONTACT: Mike Browne, Deputy Director mike@OneWisconsinNow.org (608) 444-3483 MADISON, Wis. — Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Institute Executive Director, released the following statements and information on the reported attacks on early voting planned by Republicans in their lame duck legislative session. “Early voting is legal across Wisconsin. Early voting is popular across Wisconsin. The evidence is clear: more than 565,000 people early voted in the November 2018 election. Wisconsin Republicans have time and again tried to rig the rules on voting to give themselves an unfair partisan advantage. Now, after losing every statewide office on the ballot, they’re at it again.

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Gov. Walker: Seeks applicants for St. Croix County judicial vacancy

Contact: Amy Hasenberg, (608) 266-2839 MADISON – Governor Scott Walker announced today he is seeking applicants for appointment to the St. Croix County Circuit Court. The new appointee will replace outgoing St. Croix County Circuit Court Judge Eric Lundell, whose resignation is effective January 1, 2019.  The new appointee, should he or she choose to run, would be up for election in April 2020. To apply, please submit the following: Cover Letter Resume  Two Writing Samples Judicial Application: found on Governor Walker’s website:  www.walker.wi.gov. (Select “Menu” at the top right of the page, “Serve WI,” “Service Applications,” “Judicial Application.”) All application materials must

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Wisconsin SNAP: Waukesha judge orders Pewaukee priest to stand trial for felony child sex abuse

CONTACT: Peter Isely 414.429.7259 peterisely@gmail.com A Waukesha County judge this morning has determined that there is sufficient evidence for Fr. Charles Hanel to stand trial for felony sexual assault of a child.  Hanel was arrested in September for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl in the confessional.  The alleged assault took place at Queen of Apostles Church in Pewaukee where Hanel is pastor. Hanel, through his defense team, has been unusually aggressive in out of court statements concerning the case, challenging both the alleged victim and her account of the assault, along with suggesting that the case was being brought as a “referendum”

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WisPolitics Midday: Nov. 30, 2018

In today’s WisPolitics Midday update: Details begin to emerge for the upcoming lame-duck legislative session. The U.S. Senate passes Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson’s resolution condemning Russia for recent actions. … 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. Johnson: Presses Commerce for Tariff Exclusion Information

Contact: Ben Voelkel (202) 228-0071 WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter Friday to Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross seeking information about the length of the tariff exclusion process and the ability of domestic steel companies to meet demand. “As the Department processes exclusion requests, it should provide certainty and timely responses to American businesses,” Sen. Johnson wrote. “If the Department intends to deny exclusion requests based on steel company objections, it should also ensure that the steel companies have sufficient production capacity to meet the cumulative demand and quality requirements.” Full text

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Mid-West Energy Research Consortium: Statement from CEO Alan Perlstein on passing of Jeff Anthony

Contact: Joshua Morby 414.791.9120 jmorby@m-werc.or “It is with heartfelt sadness that I share the news that M-WERC Chief Operating Officer Jeff Anthony passed away Wednesday morning. For nearly four months, Jeff battled multiple health issues related to a blood infection that eventually spread to critical organs and proved fatal. “Jeff was a good person, a colleague who made a difference in everything he did, both here at M-WERC, at AWEA, and We Energies. He was intelligent, persistent, and a critical thinker who enjoyed leveraging process to get things done. He made all of our lives better and successful. “More importantly than

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Milwaukee County Transit: East-West Bus Rapid Transit Project receives milestone federal approval

Contact: Brendan Conway (414) 937-3250 Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is announcing an exciting and important milestone in the County’s planned Bus Rapid Transit Project (BRT). Milwaukee County and MCTS received notification on Thursday, November 29, 2018, that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) based on their review of the Environmental Assessment (EA) completed for the East-West BRT project. The document includes information about the selection of the preferred alternative, analysis of environmental topics and responses to public and agency comments, in compliance with the

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Congressional Progressive Caucus: Leaders call for no border wall funding, humane immigration system in government funding

Contact: Ron Boehmer, 202-225-2906 Vedant Patel, 202-379-6013 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement regarding ongoing discussions about Congress’ December 7th deadline to fund the government. “Congress cannot continue to stand by while President Trump relentlessly attacks immigrant communities. As negotiations continue over the FY19 DHS spending bill, we urge House and Senate Democratic leadership to hold strong in providing zero funding for Trump’s ill-conceived border wall, reducing funding for detention beds, and curbing inhumane border and interior enforcement. “Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have been unwavering in our

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Steil campaign: Bryan Steil to step down as UW regent

Media Contact: Andrew Iverson, Communications Director JANESVILLE, Wis. – Today, Congressman-Elect Bryan Steil released the following statement regarding his resignation from the Board of Regents for the University of Wisconsin System. Congressman-Elect Bryan Steil: “Serving on the UW Board of Regents has been an incredible honor, allowing me to give

Read More »

‘Rewind’: Your week in review

On this week’s episode, WisPolitics.com’s JR Ross and WisconsinEye’s Steve Walters discuss spending from outside groups this election cycle, the future of the Kimberly-Clark incentive package and the upcoming lame-duck session.

Read More »

One Wisconsin Now: Vos Republicans: ‘Too many people voted’

CONTACT: Mike Browne, Deputy Director mike@OneWisconsinNow.org (608) 444-3483 MADISON, Wis. — Scot Ross, One Wisconsin Institute Executive Director, released the following statements and information on the reported attacks on early voting planned by Republicans in their lame duck legislative session. “Early voting is legal across Wisconsin. Early voting is popular

Read More »

Gov. Walker: Seeks applicants for St. Croix County judicial vacancy

Contact: Amy Hasenberg, (608) 266-2839 MADISON – Governor Scott Walker announced today he is seeking applicants for appointment to the St. Croix County Circuit Court. The new appointee will replace outgoing St. Croix County Circuit Court Judge Eric Lundell, whose resignation is effective January 1, 2019.  The new appointee, should he

Read More »

WisPolitics Midday: Nov. 30, 2018

In today’s WisPolitics Midday update: Details begin to emerge for the upcoming lame-duck legislative session. The U.S. Senate passes Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson’s resolution condemning Russia for recent actions. … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Johnson: Presses Commerce for Tariff Exclusion Information

Contact: Ben Voelkel (202) 228-0071 WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter Friday to Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross seeking information about the length of the tariff exclusion process and the ability of domestic steel companies to meet demand. “As the

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Congressional Progressive Caucus: Leaders call for no border wall funding, humane immigration system in government funding

Contact: Ron Boehmer, 202-225-2906 Vedant Patel, 202-379-6013 WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement regarding ongoing discussions about Congress’ December 7th deadline to fund the government. “Congress cannot continue to stand by while President Trump relentlessly attacks immigrant communities. As

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