WED PM Update: JFC to kill Evers’ Medicaid expansion plan, pot proposal in first actions

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The Joint Finance Committee’s first actions on Gov. Tony Evers’ budget May 9 will be to pull out a host of his priorities, from expanding Medicaid to allowing illegal immigrants to get driver licenses. Typically, the JFC co-chairs have the Legislative Fiscal Bureau identify policy items that can be pulled from a guv’s budget. B… 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

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JFC to kill Evers’ Medicaid expansion plan, pot proposal in first actions

The Joint Finance Committee’s first actions on Gov. Tony Evers’ budget May 9 will be to pull out a host of his priorities, from expanding Medicaid to allowing illegal immigrants to get driver licenses. Typically, the JFC co-chairs have the Legislative Fiscal Bureau identify policy items that can be pulled from a guv’s budget. But in today’s memo, Co-chairs Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and John … 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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Rep. Nygren and Sen. Darling: Statement on budget process

Contact: Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) 1-608-266-5830 Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) 1-608-266-2343 Rep. Nygren and Sen. Darling: Statement on budget process Madison–State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) and Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance, released the following statement in regards to the budget process: “Last week the Finance Committee wrapped up its final public hearing on the Governor’s recommended budget. These hearings are a valuable component to the finance process and are important as we move into the voting process. The committee will take the next step in the process by having its first votes

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WisDOT: Reminds motorists to be watchful for Adopt-A-Highway crews

WisDOT Office of Public Affairs (608) 266-3581, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov Community volunteers remove tons of trash and recyclables while keeping roadsides looking clean and green for state residents and visitors Drivers are asked to keep a watchful eye out for Wisconsin Adopt-A-Highway volunteers as they work along state highways to collect a winter’s worth of accumulated trash. Last year, Wisconsin’s 2,734 Adopt-A-Highway groups collected 144 tons of trash and recyclables. “Adopt-A-Highway volunteers provide a valuable public service by removing litter to keep Wisconsin state highway roadsides clean and attractive,” said Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary-Designee Craig Thompson. “When drivers see crews out

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AG Kaul: Urges Congress to fund legal services corporation

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 other attorneys general in urging the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Committees on Appropriations to request funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in the Fiscal Year 2020 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. “Legal Action of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Judicare provide critical legal assistance to underserved populations in Wisconsin. The federal government should continue providing funding for these organizations,” said Attorney General Kaul. LSC is a nonprofit legal services organization established by Congress in 1974 to promote equal access to justice for all

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Sen. Shilling: Celebrates International Workers’ Day

Contact: Kate Constalie, kate.constalie@legis.wi.gov, 608-266-5490 LA CROSSE, WI – On International Workers’ Day Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) issued the following statement in recognition of the annual celebration of the achievements of workers: “As Wisconsinites, we take pride in our workers and our state’s history of recognizing their value to every corner of the state. Governor Evers is honoring that long-standing tradition by reversing the many changes made over the past eight years that weakened the state’s tradition of respecting and championing labor. “The governor’s budget proposal focuses on improving the lives of workers through raising wages, expanding

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Sen. Marklein, Rep. Tranel: Introduce Dairy Innovation Hub legislation to address dairy crisis

CONTACT: Sen. Howard Marklein, 608-266-0703 or Rep. Travis Tranel, 608-266-1107 Madison, WI – State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Representative Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) introduced Senate Bill (SB) 186 to establish a Dairy Innovation Hub at UW Madison, UW Platteville and UW River Falls today. “The dairy industry and agriculture is in crisis,” Marklein said. “Declining milk prices and financial hardship are a constant worry for our farmers. As a result, we are often asked to ‘do something’ about the ag-industry crisis! I believe the Dairy Innovation Hub bill has real potential to answer this call.” “Wisconsin has long been known

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Rep. Spreitzer: Town hall participants in Beloit voice support for Medicaid expansion

Contact: 608-237-9145 Attendees back Governor Evers’ Health Care Budget BELOIT – Last night, Representative Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), along with Representative Deb Kolste (D-Janesville) and Senator Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) hosted a town hall on Medicaid expansion. Attendees heard about the benefits of accepting these federal funds. This town hall is one in a series on Medicaid expansion across the state. “The support we heard at the town hall last night confirms what the Marquette Poll has already told us: Wisconsinites overwhelmingly support accepting the Medicaid expansion,” Rep. Spreitzer stated. “Expanding Medicaid is a no-brainer. It will give more people access to affordable

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Rep. Hebl: Reintroduces bill to protect workers from unfair scheduling practices

Rep. Gary Hebl, (608) 266-7678 (MADISON) – Today Gary Hebl (D-Sun Prairie) began circulating a bill aimed at protecting Wisconsin workers from unfair scheduling practices. The bill, LRB-0153, will ensure consistent and reliable work schedules for workers by requiring employers to consider employee requests to change their schedules as well as provide schedules two weeks in advance. Hebl says this will allow workers to plan ahead and make arrangements for life’s other responsibilities, such as child care, other jobs, or educational needs. “We are trying to take a proactive approach to make sure that Wisconsin workers are treated fairly,” Hebl

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Gov. Evers: Announces staff appointments for governor’s office in Milwaukee

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov or 608-219-7443 MILWAUKEE — Gov. Tony Evers today announced staff appointments for the governor’s office in Milwaukee. Dr. Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams will serve as the Milwaukee Director, Edwin Huertas will serve as the Milwaukee Deputy Director, and Revelle Williams will serve as the Milwaukee Constituent Services Manager. “These folks are really talented, and I am excited to announce they’ll be leading our team in Milwaukee,” said Gov. Evers. “Our state’s success is tied to Milwaukee’s success, so it’s critically important that we work to rebuild the relationship between Milwaukee and our state, and that starts with these exceptional folks

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U.S. Rep. Gallagher: Joins U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi to introduce SAFE TO DRIVE Act

Contact: Jordan Dunn WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) yesterday introduced the States Afforded Funding Extensions To Oppose Driving Recklessly In Vehicular Engagements (SAFE TO DRIVE). This bill would reallocate already appropriated funds to create two grants that help states acquire funding to combat distracted driving. Distracted driving – driving while also trying to text, call, clean, eat, or undertake any other activity – killed nearly 4,000 people and injured over 400,000 in 2016. Click HERE for bill text. “It’s no surprise that our increasing reliance on cell phones has led to increased rates

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U.S. Rep. Gallagher: Introduces bicameral resolution condemning terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday

Contact: Jordan Dunn WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today introduced H.Res.336, a bicameral resolution condemning the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced a companion resolution in the U.S. Senate. The attacks, perpetrated by an Islamist terrorist group with links to ISIS, killed more than 250 people and injured more than 500 others. The resolution calls the bombings an attack on “the basic human liberty of freedom of religion,” and calls on the Government of Sri Lanka and all governments to protect and preserve religious liberty. Click HERE for bill text. “The Easter attacks against Christians

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Rep. Nygren and Sen. Darling: Statement on budget process

Contact: Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) 1-608-266-5830 Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) 1-608-266-2343 Rep. Nygren and Sen. Darling: Statement on budget process Madison–State Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) and Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills), Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance, released the following statement in regards to the budget process: “Last

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WisDOT: Reminds motorists to be watchful for Adopt-A-Highway crews

WisDOT Office of Public Affairs (608) 266-3581, opa.exec@dot.wi.gov Community volunteers remove tons of trash and recyclables while keeping roadsides looking clean and green for state residents and visitors Drivers are asked to keep a watchful eye out for Wisconsin Adopt-A-Highway volunteers as they work along state highways to collect a winter’s

Read More »

AG Kaul: Urges Congress to fund legal services corporation

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 other attorneys general in urging the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Committees on Appropriations to request funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in the Fiscal Year 2020 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

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Sen. Shilling: Celebrates International Workers’ Day

Contact: Kate Constalie, kate.constalie@legis.wi.gov, 608-266-5490 LA CROSSE, WI – On International Workers’ Day Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) issued the following statement in recognition of the annual celebration of the achievements of workers: “As Wisconsinites, we take pride in our workers and our state’s history of recognizing their

Read More »

Gov. Evers: Announces staff appointments for governor’s office in Milwaukee

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov or 608-219-7443 MILWAUKEE — Gov. Tony Evers today announced staff appointments for the governor’s office in Milwaukee. Dr. Shandowlyon Hendricks-Williams will serve as the Milwaukee Director, Edwin Huertas will serve as the Milwaukee Deputy Director, and Revelle Williams will serve as the Milwaukee Constituent Services Manager. “These folks

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U.S. Rep. Gallagher: Joins U.S. Rep. Krishnamoorthi to introduce SAFE TO DRIVE Act

Contact: Jordan Dunn WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08) and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) yesterday introduced the States Afforded Funding Extensions To Oppose Driving Recklessly In Vehicular Engagements (SAFE TO DRIVE). This bill would reallocate already appropriated funds to create two grants that help states acquire funding to combat

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