Supreme Court orders restoration of 82 lame-duck appointments Evers sought to rescind

A split state Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the immediate restoration of 82 appointments that Gov. Tony Evers sought to rescind after a Dane County judge overturned their confirmations from the December lame-duck session. The court ruled 4-3 the Dane County judge had improperly failed to stay his decision after overturning the confirmations and other acts during the extraordinary session. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, who has been critical of Evers’ moves on the appointments, hailed the decision. “Governor Evers’ actions targeted public servants who are dedicated to working on behalf of Wisconsin citizens,” said Fitzgerald, R-Juneau. “I’m glad to

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TUE PM Update: Evers calls Trump abortion claim ‘blasphemy;’ Steineke accuse guv of ‘knee-jerk reaction’

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers today charged the president’s suggestion that Wisconsin doctors “are executing babies is just a blasphemy” and called a GOP bill to require care for those who survive an abortion “nothing more than a distraction” from other priorities. But one of the Republican co-authors of the “born alive” bill challenged Ever… 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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WisDOT: Future of Wisconsin’s infrastructure, economy at stake

Contact: WisDOT Office of Public Affairs 608/266-3581, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov Madison – Craig Thompson, Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary-Designee is alerting Wisconsin citizens that the future of Wisconsin’s transportation system will be decided as legislators soon will engage in committee votes on Governor Tony Evers’ proposed state budget. “When legislators return next week to address the state budget, Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure and the future of the state’s economy is at stake,” said WisDOT Secretary-Designee Craig Thompson. “Governor Evers has proposed a common sense, two-year plan that addresses our most pressing needs and sets the stage to meet our transportation and transit concerns

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U.S. Rep. Sensenbrenner: Reintroduces bipartisan bill to help individuals with severe medical needs

Contact: Christopher Krepich, 202-225-5101 Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI-05) and Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) introduced H.R. 2408, the Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act. The bill creates a separate benefit category under Medicare to cover complex wheelchair and other adaptive equipment for people with severe medical needs. Rep. Sensenbrenner: “Individuals with significant medical conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries face unique physical and functional challenges. Many of these individuals rely on complex rehabilitation technology products to meet their medical needs and function on a daily basis. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation that would

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Gov. Evers: Reappoints Judge Timothy Van Akkeren to Ethics Commission

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov or 608-219-7443 MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today reappointed Judge Timothy Van Akkeren to serve on the Ethics Commission. Van Akkeren has served as a reserve judge since his retirement in 2016 as circuit court judge of the Sheboygan County Circuit Court. He previously worked for the U.S. Army Security Agency and has his undergraduate and law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Van Akkeren will serve a 5-year term on the Ethics Commission from May 2, 2019 – May 1, 2024. He was initially appointed to the position by former Gov. Scott Walker in January 2017.

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U.S. Rep. Kind: Bill expanding funding for public target ranges passes House, moves to President’s desk

Contact: Aaron White Phone: 202-225-5506 Aaron.White@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON – Monday evening, Rep. Ron Kind’s bipartisan bill, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act,unanimously passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives. Earlier this month, the Senate committed to automatically pass Rep. Kind’s bill and it will now move to the President’s desk for his signature. The Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act will give state fish and wildlife agencies more flexibility to build or expand shooting ranges. Shooting ranges provide hunters and gun owners a controlled and safe location to teach responsible gun ownership and hunting safety. “As an avid hunter who shoots trap

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U.S. Rep. Sensenbrenner: Bipartisan drug pricing bills clear House Committee unanimously

Contact: Christopher Krepich, 202-225-5101 Washington, D.C. – During today’s markup, the House Judiciary Committee passed two bills sponsored by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner [WI-05] aimed at lowering drug costs. The CREATES Act and Stop STALLING Act both passed out of the committee unanimously. Rep. Sensenbrenner: “I’m proud to be a leader in this bipartisan push to lower drug prices and bring relief to the American people. By holding accountable those who game the system, we can find market-based solutions that make prescription medicines more affordable. I thank Chairman Cicilline and Congressman Jeffries for joining me in this effort.” Background on the legislation courtesy of the House

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Protect Our Care: Sen. Tammy Baldwin hosts listening sessions with concerned Wisconsinites in three cities, commits to defending health care

Contact: Joe Zepecki jz@jzcomms.com Milwaukee — U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin hosted three health care listening sessions with concerned Wisconsinites across the state last weekend as Republicans continue their partisan attacks on health care. Senator Baldwin met with families in La Crosse, Milwaukee, and Green Bay, each eager to share about their own experiences and voice their concerns over how the Trump administration’s anti-health care agenda could leave them without access to the care they depend on. In La Crosse, Mariah Olson, who has undergone forty-three surgeries and requires more than fifty pills a day to manage her medical conditions, told

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WisDOT: Future of Wisconsin’s infrastructure, economy at stake

Contact: WisDOT Office of Public Affairs 608/266-3581, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov Madison – Craig Thompson, Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary-Designee is alerting Wisconsin citizens that the future of Wisconsin’s transportation system will be decided as legislators soon will engage in committee votes on Governor Tony Evers’ proposed state budget. “When legislators return next

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U.S. Rep. Sensenbrenner: Reintroduces bipartisan bill to help individuals with severe medical needs

Contact: Christopher Krepich, 202-225-5101 Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI-05) and Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) introduced H.R. 2408, the Ensuring Access to Quality Complex Rehabilitation Technology Act. The bill creates a separate benefit category under Medicare to cover complex wheelchair and other adaptive equipment for people with severe medical needs. Rep. Sensenbrenner: “Individuals with

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Gov. Evers: Reappoints Judge Timothy Van Akkeren to Ethics Commission

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov or 608-219-7443 MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today reappointed Judge Timothy Van Akkeren to serve on the Ethics Commission. Van Akkeren has served as a reserve judge since his retirement in 2016 as circuit court judge of the Sheboygan County Circuit Court. He previously worked for the U.S. Army Security

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U.S. Rep. Kind: Bill expanding funding for public target ranges passes House, moves to President’s desk

Contact: Aaron White Phone: 202-225-5506 Aaron.White@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON – Monday evening, Rep. Ron Kind’s bipartisan bill, the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act,unanimously passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives. Earlier this month, the Senate committed to automatically pass Rep. Kind’s bill and it will now move to the President’s desk for

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U.S. Rep. Sensenbrenner: Bipartisan drug pricing bills clear House Committee unanimously

Contact: Christopher Krepich, 202-225-5101 Washington, D.C. – During today’s markup, the House Judiciary Committee passed two bills sponsored by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner [WI-05] aimed at lowering drug costs. The CREATES Act and Stop STALLING Act both passed out of the committee unanimously. Rep. Sensenbrenner: “I’m proud to be a leader in this bipartisan push to

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Protect Our Care: Sen. Tammy Baldwin hosts listening sessions with concerned Wisconsinites in three cities, commits to defending health care

Contact: Joe Zepecki jz@jzcomms.com Milwaukee — U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin hosted three health care listening sessions with concerned Wisconsinites across the state last weekend as Republicans continue their partisan attacks on health care. Senator Baldwin met with families in La Crosse, Milwaukee, and Green Bay, each eager to share about

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