WED PM Update: With $753 million boost to expected revenue, Evers, leggies propose options

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Flush with an unexpected boost of $753 million, Gov. Tony Evers today said he will use some of the money to pay down debt while calling on lawmakers to invest more in worker training and stash much of it away in the rainy day fund. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, however, suggested while keeping some of the money in re… 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 *

Read More »

Remaining abortion-related bills pass Assembly

The remaining GOP-backed abortion-related bills passed the state Assembly this afternoon without any Democratic support. The three bills’ passage came after the chamber voted to approve legislation to require care for those who survive an abortion. All of the bills passed with almost complete Republican support, though GOP Rep. Chuck Wichgers, of Muskego, joined Dems to oppose them. The GOP bills include measures to: bar Planned Parenthood from getting money under the Medical Assistance program; ban abortions on the basis of a fetus’ race, gender and other qualifiers; and require physicians to tell women considering taking an abortion-inducing drug the process could

Read More »

Dept. of Revenue: John Dickert appointed State and Local Finance Division administrator

CONTACT: Patty Mayers, Communications Director 608.266.2300 or DORCommunications@wisconsin.gov Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca announced today that John Dickert has been appointed to serve as State and Local Finance Division Administrator, effective May 20, 2019. “John’s background as the former three-term mayor of the City of Racine along with his experience in residential and commercial real estate provides him with a unique perspective for this position. His keen understanding of local government and the issues facing local government officials will help us to better serve their needs and, more importantly, their citizens. I look forward to having him as a

Read More »

‘Born alive’ bill passes Assembly on 62-35 vote

A GOP bill to require care for those who survive an abortion is heading to the state Senate after clearing a divided Assembly this afternoon. The “born alive” bill passed the body on a 62-35 vote. GOP Rep. Chuck Wichgers, of Muskego, joined all Dems in opposing it. The bill would outline care requirements for children born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion, as well as penalties for physicians who don’t adhere to the legislation. But under the bill, the mother of the child who is born alive couldn’t be prosecuted. Dems touted Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to accept federal Medicaid expansion

Read More »

WisPolitics Midday: May 15, 2019

In today’s WisPolitics Midday update: WI Supreme Court majority seemed skeptical of the allegation that “Lame Duck” session wasn’t constitutional. VP Mike Pence will be in Eau Claire tomorrow.

Read More »

Bill to overhaul state’s expungement process clears Assembly

A bipartisan bill to overhaul the state’s expungement process is heading to the state Senate after passing the Assembly this afternoon via voice vote. The legislation, from Reps. David Steffen and Evan Goyke and Sens. Alberta Darling and Fred Risser, would change who’s eligible for expungement and the timeline, but it wouldn’t broaden the offenses that could be wiped from an individual’s record. Under current law, expungement is only possible if an individual committed a crime — either a misdemeanor or Class H or I felony — before age 25. But the bill would remove that age limit and give

Read More »

State expected to have additional $2.9 billion to spend after revenue projections tick up

The state is projected to have nearly $2.9 billion in additional money to spend over the next two years after the Legislative Fiscal Bureau today upped its revenue estimates through mid-2021. The state was already expecting healthy revenue growth for the next budget compared to the current biennium. But today’s re-estimate from LFB adds $753 million more in projected general fund tax collections t… 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.

Read More »

Senate approves changes to water pollution credits system

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously backed changes to the state’s water pollution credits system. The bill, which next goes to the Assembly, would create a central clearinghouse from which facilities and farmers could buy and sell water pollution credits. Now, those that want to buy and sell credits can do it directly without a third party’s involvement. As under current law, those that purchase the credits under the bill would be allowed to exceed certain pollution limits. Under the bill, the Department of Administration would choose an independent third party to serve as the clearinghouse for the credits. The transactions

Read More »

Senate, Assembly approve ‘Marsy’s Law’ amendment

The Senate and Assembly have signed off on a constitutional amendment that would add more rights for crime victims. The measure will now head to voters for a statewide referendum in 2020. Co-author Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said the amendment “sends a message to victims across the state of Wisconsin that the Legislature stands with you. You are not a second-class citizen.” Many of the protections within the provision are already in place in state statutes, but would be elevated to the Constitution. Wanggaard said that would put victims on an equal footing as defendants. But Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison,

Read More »

One Wisconsin Institute: National wave legislator trying to take health care decisions away from women arrives in Wisconsin

MEDIA CONTACT Mike Browne, Deputy Director mike@OneWisconsinInstitute.org (608) 444-3483 Election to Legislature Doesn’t Give Power or Right to Made Decisions for Women and Families MADISON, Wis. — The following are the statements of One Wisconsin Institute Executive Director Analiese Eicher on actions of the Assembly Republican majority to make healthcare decisions for Wisconsin women and families: “Taking health care choices away from women and their families is the publicly stated, ultimate goal of many of the legislators pushing these new restrictions on abortion and health care providers. “In other states handfuls of legislators are enacting radical abortion bans with no exceptions for rape

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Joins Sen. Murray and Rep. Pocan to introduce Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-harassment Act to reduce bullying and harassment at colleges and universities across the country

Contact: Mairead Lynn: 202-224-5398 (Murray) John Kraus/Kasey Hampton (Baldwin) Ron Boehmer: 202-225-2906 (Pocan)  One in five college students are victims of cyberbullying, and LGBTQ students are nearly twice as likely to be harassed than their peers  Legislation would require colleges and universities to establish policies to prohibit harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, or religion  Bill is named after Tyler Clementi, a freshman college student who died by suicide after experiencing harassment and cyberbullying Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Joins effort requiring states to secure elections

Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov               202-224-6225 The Protecting American Votes and Elections Act Mandates Paper Ballots and Risk-Limiting Audits in All Federal Elections WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined her Senate colleagues, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), to introduce legislation that would protect American elections from foreign interference by mandating hand-marked paper ballots and setting new cybersecurity standards for all federal elections. The bill provides the strongest protection for American elections of any proposal currently before Congress. “American intelligence officials have made it clear that we face an ongoing threat to our elections from foreign adversaries and hackers. We

Read More »

Senate confirms Wolfe as Elections administrator

The Senate today unanimously confirmed Meagan Wolfe as Elections Commission administrator, making her the agency’s first permanent leader since it was created in 2016. The 32-0 vote confirms Wolfe for a term through July 1 as well as a second that ends June 30, 2023. Wolfe was first appointed in March 2018, after the Senate rejected the appointments of Mike Haas and Brian Bell as the administrators of the Elections and Ethics commissions, respectively. At the time, Senate Republicans cited the old Government Accountability Board’s handling of a John Doe probe and other concerns for the votes. The Elections Commission

Read More »

Milwaukee County Exec. Abele: Announces campaign co-chairs

Contact: Andy Suchorski andy@chrisabele.com Endorsements demonstrate strength, diversity of support for Abele’s re-election MILWAUKEE – Chris Abele’s campaign for Milwaukee County Executive released their first endorsements today, highlighting the campaign’s co-chairs who will be helping to re-elect Chris Abele in 2020. The initial co-chairs of the campaign are: Willie Hines, former Milwaukee Common Council President Bryan Kennedy, Mayor of Glendale Alex Lasry, Senior Vice President, Milwaukee Bucks* Mayhoua Moua, Founder, Moua Consulting* Patricia Ruiz-Cantu, Latino Caucus Chair, Democratic Party of Wisconsin* Sheldon Wasserman, County Board Supervisor “Chris Abele understands the importance of working with other elected and community leaders to

Read More »

Remaining abortion-related bills pass Assembly

The remaining GOP-backed abortion-related bills passed the state Assembly this afternoon without any Democratic support. The three bills’ passage came after the chamber voted to approve legislation to require care for those who survive an abortion. All of the bills passed with almost complete Republican support, though GOP Rep. Chuck Wichgers,

Read More »

‘Born alive’ bill passes Assembly on 62-35 vote

A GOP bill to require care for those who survive an abortion is heading to the state Senate after clearing a divided Assembly this afternoon. The “born alive” bill passed the body on a 62-35 vote. GOP Rep. Chuck Wichgers, of Muskego, joined all Dems in opposing it. The bill would outline care

Read More »

WisPolitics Midday: May 15, 2019

In today’s WisPolitics Midday update: WI Supreme Court majority seemed skeptical of the allegation that “Lame Duck” session wasn’t constitutional. VP Mike Pence will be in Eau Claire tomorrow.

Read More »

Bill to overhaul state’s expungement process clears Assembly

A bipartisan bill to overhaul the state’s expungement process is heading to the state Senate after passing the Assembly this afternoon via voice vote. The legislation, from Reps. David Steffen and Evan Goyke and Sens. Alberta Darling and Fred Risser, would change who’s eligible for expungement and the timeline, but

Read More »

Senate approves changes to water pollution credits system

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously backed changes to the state’s water pollution credits system. The bill, which next goes to the Assembly, would create a central clearinghouse from which facilities and farmers could buy and sell water pollution credits. Now, those that want to buy and sell credits can do

Read More »

Senate, Assembly approve ‘Marsy’s Law’ amendment

The Senate and Assembly have signed off on a constitutional amendment that would add more rights for crime victims. The measure will now head to voters for a statewide referendum in 2020. Co-author Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said the amendment “sends a message to victims across the state of Wisconsin

Read More »

One Wisconsin Institute: National wave legislator trying to take health care decisions away from women arrives in Wisconsin

MEDIA CONTACT Mike Browne, Deputy Director mike@OneWisconsinInstitute.org (608) 444-3483 Election to Legislature Doesn’t Give Power or Right to Made Decisions for Women and Families MADISON, Wis. — The following are the statements of One Wisconsin Institute Executive Director Analiese Eicher on actions of the Assembly Republican majority to make healthcare decisions for Wisconsin

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Joins Sen. Murray and Rep. Pocan to introduce Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-harassment Act to reduce bullying and harassment at colleges and universities across the country

Contact: Mairead Lynn: 202-224-5398 (Murray) John Kraus/Kasey Hampton (Baldwin) Ron Boehmer: 202-225-2906 (Pocan)  One in five college students are victims of cyberbullying, and LGBTQ students are nearly twice as likely to be harassed than their peers  Legislation would require colleges and universities to establish policies to prohibit harassment based on race,

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Joins effort requiring states to secure elections

Contact: press@baldwin.senate.gov               202-224-6225 The Protecting American Votes and Elections Act Mandates Paper Ballots and Risk-Limiting Audits in All Federal Elections WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today joined her Senate colleagues, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), to introduce legislation that would protect American elections from foreign interference by

Read More »

Senate confirms Wolfe as Elections administrator

The Senate today unanimously confirmed Meagan Wolfe as Elections Commission administrator, making her the agency’s first permanent leader since it was created in 2016. The 32-0 vote confirms Wolfe for a term through July 1 as well as a second that ends June 30, 2023. Wolfe was first appointed in

Read More »

Milwaukee County Exec. Abele: Announces campaign co-chairs

Contact: Andy Suchorski andy@chrisabele.com Endorsements demonstrate strength, diversity of support for Abele’s re-election MILWAUKEE – Chris Abele’s campaign for Milwaukee County Executive released their first endorsements today, highlighting the campaign’s co-chairs who will be helping to re-elect Chris Abele in 2020. The initial co-chairs of the campaign are: Willie Hines,

Read More »