WED PM Update: Legislative leaders talk tolling, other transpo revenue uppers; Laning won’t seek re-election as Dem chair

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he has “become a bigger believer” in tolling as a solution to Wisconsin’s transportation challenges during. But the Juneau Republican warned during a panel discussion at the Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Exchange this morning he would not move forward with a tolling prop… 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 Password

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U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Calls on pharmaceutical companies to explain skyrocketing insulin prices 

Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov, 202-224-6225 Senators: “It is clear that these steep price increases are resulting in patients lacking access to the life-saving medications they need.” WASHINGTON, D.C. –  U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined her colleagues to call on executives at Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi— the three insulin manufacturers in the U.S.—demanding information about rising insulin costs and questioning the companies that recently decided to raise prices for the life-saving drug even further. “According to the World Health Organization, insulin is an essential medicine, meaning that access to

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Wisconsin Working Families Party: Endorses Judge Lisa Neubauer for Supreme Court

CONTACT: Rebecca Lynch 262-676-2587 Building a fairer system of justice for all Wisconsin residents MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Working Families Party is endorsing Wisconsin Court of Appeals Chief Judge Lisa Neubauer for Wisconsin Supreme Court, the state’s highest appellate branch. Wisconsin Working Families Party will provide people power to the campaign, mobilizing volunteers and members to put boots on the ground to educate voters, particularly in Milwaukee where the Wisconsin Working Families Party has endorsed a slate of five candidates for the MPS Board of Directors. Though the Wisconsin Supreme Court elections are non-partisan, lame-duck state legislative Republicans recently unsuccessfully tried

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Sen. Stroebel: Statement on death of Milwaukee police officer

Contact: Luke Fuller (608) 266-7513 Madison, WI – Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) released the following statement following the death of a Milwaukee Police Officer: I join my fellow Wisconsinites in mourning the loss of a Milwaukee Police Officer in the line of duty. Wisconsinites must remember and honor the commitment police officers make each day to keep our communities safe.

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Sen. Johnson: Statement on tragic loss of Milwaukee police officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: LaTonya Johnson, 608.266.2500 MADISON – The following is a statement from State Senator LaTonya Johnson on the tragic death of a 35-year-old member of the Tactical Enforcement Unit with the Milwaukee Police Department: “Today my heart, thoughts and prayers are with the Milwaukee Police Department as they mourn the loss of one of their own, for the third time in less than a year. Members of the Department called the loss ‘tragic and impactful’ and described the 17-year veteran of the agency as being ‘loved by all.’ “Very few of us are willing to risk our

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Voces de la Frontera Action: Endorses O’Halloran, Peterson, Herndon, Siemsen, and Taylor for Milwaukee School Board

Contact: Jasmine Gonzalez, 414-502-7493, jasmine@vdlf.org MILWAUKEE –Voces de la Frontera Action has endorsed five candidates for Milwaukee Public Schools’ Board of School Directors. The endorsed candidates are Bob Peterson (Member at Large), Marva Herndon (District 1), Erika Siemsen (District 2), Sequanna Taylor (District 3), and Megan O’Halloran (District 8). Megan O’Halloran will be running in the Board of School Directors spring primary on Tuesday, February 19th. The remaining candidates will be up for election during the general election on Tuesday, April 2nd. “We are proud to support these candidates for the MPS Board of School Directors,” said Voces de la

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U.S. Rep. Moore: Intros bill to stop Trump from using taxpayer dollars for the wall

Contact: Libbie Wilcox, 202-495-8879 Washington, DC — In response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address, Congresswoman Gwen Moore introduced H.R. 968, the No Taxpayer Funding for the Wall Act. In the wake of the bill’s introduction, Congresswoman Moore released the following statement: “Last night, President Trump used his bully pulpit to spread lies and instill fear in the hearts of the American public by painting immigrants and asylum seekers as criminals — murderers determined to take down the law-abiding residents of the United States. We must rise above these racist lies and see his words for what they

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Rep. Shankland: Gov. Evers to close dark store loophole

Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland, (608) 267-9649 MADISON – This week, Governor Tony Evers announced he will include a provision to close the dark store loophole in the 2019-2021 biennial budget. The loophole allows big box retailers to base their tax assessments on their value as a vacant store rather than a store in operation. The dark store loophole saves national retail chains millions of dollars while shifting the property tax burden onto homeowners and small businesses. Representative Katrina Shankland (D-Stevens Point) released the following statement in response: “For years, local government leaders and homeowners have urged us to close the dark

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Rep. Steineke: Steineke, GOP legislators take stand against disturbing abortion laws

CONTACT: Rep. Jim Steineke (608) 266-2418 MADISON – Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke (R-Kaukauna) joined legislative Republicans this morning to make clear that legislation being considered in other states allowing for late-term abortions will not be welcome in Wisconsin. Following a news conference in the state capitol, Rep. Steineke released the following statement: “As not only a Republican, but as a father, I want to make it clear that any legislation allowing for late-term abortions has no place in our state. Seeing support in some legislatures for this type of legislation – and in some cases, becoming law – around

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Sen. Stroebel: Craig Thompson’s Transportation Task Force greenlights tax increase

Contact: Luke Fuller (608) 266-7513 Governor Evers’ handpicked advisors support his tax increase agenda Madison, WI – Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) released the following statement following the second and final meeting of Governor Evers’ Transportation Task Force Unfortunately, it’s not a surprise to learn that Governor Evers’ handpicked Transportation Task Force has decided to increase the gas tax by 17%. Governor Evers and Secretary Thompson have been focused on raising taxes since the beginning rather than considering any measures to control cost. The fact the task force is making this recommendation after meeting twice in less than a week is

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WisDems: DPW Chair Martha Laning makes announcement on chair’s race

Contact: Courtney Beyer, courtneyb@wisdems.org MADISON — Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning, who has served in the role since being elected in 2015, has offered the following statement on her decision not to seek re-election in the Party’s June leadership race: “Four years ago, I ran to become Chair because I knew that Wisconsin Democrats needed a strong party infrastructure, a robust and engaged grassroots network, and a clear vision for what it means to be a Democrat. Like so many people in our state, I was deeply concerned about how the policies of Scott Walker and Wisconsin Republicans

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U.S. Rep. Kind: Introduces bipartisan bill to increase access to retirement savings

Contact: Aaron White Phone: 202-225-5506 Aaron.White@mail.house.gov La Crosse – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind introduced the bipartisan Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act, a bill that will increase access to retirement savings through employer-provided retirement plans. The bill includes provisions to reduce costs for workers employed by small businesses by adding flexibility to the multiple employer plans, as well as steps to cut costs of pensions for rural electric cooperatives. The Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act was introduced with Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). According to the Economic Policy Institute, 55% of Americans have no meaningful retirement savings. Earlier today, Rep. Kind,

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Sen. Fitzgerald: Wisconsin Republicans stand up to protect the unborn

Contact: Alec Zimmerman (608)-266-5660 [Madison, WI] — Across the country, Democrat legislators are promoting new efforts to loosen late-term abortion restrictions. In Virginia, Democrats themselves are admitting that these plans could allow for the termination of a pregnancy up until birth. Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released the following statement on Republicans standing up to protect the unborn: “In a short matter of time, abortion activists have seemingly moved on from their message of ‘safe, legal, and rare’ to supporting a position that would drastically loosen restrictions on late-term abortions. With Democrats across the country making this push, Republicans in Wisconsin will fight back.

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One Wisconsin Now: Questions raised about Assembly speaker benefiting from state tax loophole

MEDIA CONTACT Mike Browne, Deputy Director mike@OneWisconsinNow.org (608) 444-3483 Is Tax Break Debate Personal for Robin Vos? MADISON, Wis. — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has drawn a legislative line in the sand over Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to responsibly and sustainably fund a middle class tax cut by closing a huge loophole being exploited by a small group of high end taxpayers. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Analiese Eicher questioned if Vos has a personal financial stake in the debate fueling his ferocious defense of the tax giveaway to owners of manufacturing businesses. “Robin Vos has staked out his position

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Evers campaign: Responds to DPW Chair Martha Laning’s decision to not seek re-election

Contact: Sean Elliott, Finance Director sean@tonyevers.com “Chair Laning’s leadership and vision were an important part of our success in November,” said Sean Elliott, Tony for Wisconsin’s finance director. “Martha’s drive and passion to see a better future for our state helped deliver historic victories for Wisconsin Democrats. Though Martha has led the Party through some of its most challenging moments, through all the obstacles, she has maintained a relentless optimism in Wisconsin Democrats’ ability to win and lead. “The robust Party infrastructure Martha has built will continue to support and deliver victories for Wisconsin Democrats for years to come. Martha

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WED PM Update: Legislative leaders talk tolling, other transpo revenue uppers; Laning won’t seek re-election as Dem chair

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he has “become a bigger believer” in tolling as a solution to Wisconsin’s transportation challenges during. But the Juneau Republican warned during a panel discussion at the Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Exchange this morning he would

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Calls on pharmaceutical companies to explain skyrocketing insulin prices 

Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov, 202-224-6225 Senators: “It is clear that these steep price increases are resulting in patients lacking access to the life-saving medications they need.” WASHINGTON, D.C. –  U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined her colleagues to call on executives

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Sen. Stroebel: Statement on death of Milwaukee police officer

Contact: Luke Fuller (608) 266-7513 Madison, WI – Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Cedarburg) released the following statement following the death of a Milwaukee Police Officer: I join my fellow Wisconsinites in mourning the loss of a Milwaukee Police Officer in the line of duty. Wisconsinites must remember and honor the commitment

Read More »

Sen. Johnson: Statement on tragic loss of Milwaukee police officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: LaTonya Johnson, 608.266.2500 MADISON – The following is a statement from State Senator LaTonya Johnson on the tragic death of a 35-year-old member of the Tactical Enforcement Unit with the Milwaukee Police Department: “Today my heart, thoughts and prayers are with the Milwaukee Police Department as

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Voces de la Frontera Action: Endorses O’Halloran, Peterson, Herndon, Siemsen, and Taylor for Milwaukee School Board

Contact: Jasmine Gonzalez, 414-502-7493, jasmine@vdlf.org MILWAUKEE –Voces de la Frontera Action has endorsed five candidates for Milwaukee Public Schools’ Board of School Directors. The endorsed candidates are Bob Peterson (Member at Large), Marva Herndon (District 1), Erika Siemsen (District 2), Sequanna Taylor (District 3), and Megan O’Halloran (District 8). Megan

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Rep. Shankland: Gov. Evers to close dark store loophole

Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland, (608) 267-9649 MADISON – This week, Governor Tony Evers announced he will include a provision to close the dark store loophole in the 2019-2021 biennial budget. The loophole allows big box retailers to base their tax assessments on their value as a vacant store rather than a

Read More »

WisDems: DPW Chair Martha Laning makes announcement on chair’s race

Contact: Courtney Beyer, courtneyb@wisdems.org MADISON — Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning, who has served in the role since being elected in 2015, has offered the following statement on her decision not to seek re-election in the Party’s June leadership race: “Four years ago, I ran to become Chair

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Sen. Fitzgerald: Wisconsin Republicans stand up to protect the unborn

Contact: Alec Zimmerman (608)-266-5660 [Madison, WI] — Across the country, Democrat legislators are promoting new efforts to loosen late-term abortion restrictions. In Virginia, Democrats themselves are admitting that these plans could allow for the termination of a pregnancy up until birth. Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released the following statement on Republicans standing up

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