For more information, contact:                                                                                   Kenya Parker (608) 266-5813 MADISON — Representative LaKeshia Myers introduced legislation today aimed at ending the sale of cats and dogs by pet stores.  In pet stores, the dogs and cats that are in the display window, often come from puppy and kitten mills that are commercial breeding facilities.  In these facilities, animals can be mistreated and forced to live

CONTACT: Aaron Collins, 608-266-2254 Evers Administration makes fiscally responsible decision to pay down state debt Republicans accumulated MADISON – On Wednesday, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released updated revenue projections, showing general fund tax collections will be higher than projected by $753 million over the next three years. The Department of Revenue (DOR) noted yesterday that the increased projections can be principally attributed to one-time federal corporate tax policy changes. Due to these projections, Governor Evers announced his administration will be making an additional payment on state debt that would pay off $56 million with an estimated savings on future

CONTACT: Rep. Patrick Snyder (608) 266-0654 Rep. Snyder votes to protect homeless youth and the unborn; proclaims May as Motherhood Month Madison— The Wisconsin State Assembly convened on Wednesday to vote on several provisions including, among others, allowing minors to enter homeless facilities; four bills protecting infants and the unborn; and a Resolution to proclaim May as Motherhood Month in Wisconsin. Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 41, which Rep. Snyder was one of three primary, bipartisan authors of, recognizes the contributions of mothers to our state. Following passage of the bill, Rep. Snyder said: “Mothers play a critical role in molding our

For Immediate Release                                                           Contact: Sen. Hansen May 15, 2019                                                                                    608-266-5670 (Madison)—State Senator Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay) said Republicans continue to show the public whose side they’re on in a battle between Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and homeowners after a Senate Republicans again refused to vote to close the Dark Stores loophole. “Anyone following this issue knows that the longer it takes to close the Dark Stores loophole the higher homeowner’s property taxes will go,” said Hansen.  “But the Republicans in the Legislature continue to play games telling the public they support closing the loophole when they’re back home but voting against

CONTACT: Rep. Gae Magnafici                                                                          (608) 267-2365 MADISON – Rep. Gae Magnafici (R-Dresser) voted in favor of Assembly Bill 76 which would reduce the number of hours required for Certified Nursing Assistant certification from 120 hours to 75 hours. The bill would bring Wisconsin’s certification requirements in line with federal guidelines along with other midwest states including Minnesota, Michigan, and Iowa. “I am thrilled to vote in favor of Assembly Bill 76 today,” Magnafici said. “The long-term care facilities I’ve visited in northwest Wisconsin all say the same thing: they are struggling to find enough people to work at their

Contact: Meghan Sovey Meghan.Sovey@legis.wi.gov 608-266-8546 Democrats attempt bipartisan effort to support UW-EC science building project while area Republican Assemblyman play politics. MADISON – Today Senator Jeff Smith (D-Brunswick) and Representative Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) submitted a letter of support to Joint Finance Committee members advocating for the construction of the Science and Health Sciences building at UW-Eau Claire. The attached support letter was circulated to Republican and Democratic legislators involved in the UW-Eau Claire planning meetings. No Republican legislators signed onto the letter, but instead, sent a motion to Joint Finance members without Democratic outreach. Senator Smith and Representative Jodi Emerson offered

For more information, please contact: Rebekah Sweeney, 608-286-1001 or rsweeney@wischeesemakers.org MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) thanks members of the Wisconsin State Senate for their unanimous approval of Senate Bill 91, legislation which would create a nutrient pollution trading clearinghouse. “This legislation is the result of industry and environmental advocates’ collaboration to achieve their shared goal of improved water quality across the State of Wisconsin,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director. Introduced by Senator Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) with strong bipartisan sponsorship in both the Senate and Assembly, SB 91 establishes a statewide clearinghouse through which farmers could

Contact: Rep. Terry Katsma (608) 266-0656 Madison – Rep. Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg) and the Wisconsin State Assembly passed a package of four bills in response to proposals from around the nation that would make late-term abortions legal up to the moment of birth. Among the provisions in this package are the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act, which requires a provider present at the time of a failed abortion to provide the same level of professional care to the surviving child as they would to any other child; and the Sex Selective, Genetic Disorder Abortion Ban which bans abortions from being performed solely due to the race,

Cecely Castillo (608) 251-0139                                                                                        Republicans Pass Extreme Policies While Denying Health Care Coverage MADISON – Statement from Sara Finger, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health (WAWH): “Women across our state are fed up with and appalled at how women’s health is being used as a political game piece. It is a grave act of misogyny that a body of mainly white male legislators believe they are entitled to dictate a woman’s personal healthcare decisions to score political points. Today during National Women’s Health Week, Assembly Republicans showcased their true priorities by passing a batch of anti-abortion bills

Contact: Rep. Timothy Ramthun (608) 266-9175 MADISON- State Representative Timothy Ramthun (R-Campbellsport) issued the following statement in response to the Assembly passing four pieces of pro-life legislation: “I am very proud the Assembly reaffirmed our shared commitment of protecting the pre-born today by passing crucial pro-life bills. These bills, four in total, had my full support and I was honored to vote in favor of them today,” Rep. Ramthun stated. “With Roe v. Wade still in place, any incremental progress we can make towards protecting the pre-born is necessary. These bills do just that.” He continued, “These bills will now head to

Media Contacts: Rick Hummell, Communications Specialist 608-224-5041, richard.hummell@wi.gov MADISON – Wisconsin ginseng growers have until June 10, 2019 to vote to elect two new members to the seven-member Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. Eligible growers may vote for two of the three growers nominated during the period that ended April 1, 2019 or they may write in alternative affected producers. The nominees whose names will appear on the ballot are: Keary Drath, Ogdensburg; Ronald Krautkramer, Athens; and Danny Krueger, Wausau. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will mail ballots to producers the week of May 15. Ballots must

Contact: Jodi Muerhoff (262) 308-1943, ForwardKenosha@gmail.com Kenosha, WI – Gov. Evers and Wisconsin Republicans are disagreeing about what should be included in Wisconsin’s budget. Forward Kenosha and the Kenosha Education Association are inviting constituents to come talk with your elected officials about what has happened so far in the budget process, what to anticipate and how they can get involved. The following elected officials have been invited to attend: Rep. Samantha Kerkman, Sen. Van Wanggaard, Rep. Tod Ohnstad, Sen. Bob Wirch, Rep. Tip McGuire. WHO: Forward Kenosha and the Kenosha Education Assoc. WHAT: Wisconsin Nonpartisan Budget Forum WHEN: Thursday, May

CONTACT: Lisa Subeck, 608-266-7521(office)  MADISON – Today, the State Assembly passed Assembly Bills 179, 180, 182, and 183 with no Democrats voting in support. State Representative Lisa Subeck (D-Madison) issued the following statement regarding today’s vote. “Assembly Republicans are pushing a divisive, inflammatory, anti-women’s health agenda that does nothing to address infant mortality or disparities in health care access. Instead of advancing these misleading, hyper-partisan bills, we can and should work together to improve health outcomes for children and families. Republicans should stop putting politics ahead of people and interfering with women’s health care decisions.  Their continued obstruction of Medicaid

Contact: Rep. Joan Ballweg                                                                                      (888) 534-0041 Madison…State Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) released the following statement in reaction to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s re-estimate of state revenue projections: “The recent state revenue projections show that federal tax code changes and Wisconsin Republicans’ reforms over the past eight years have led to a roaring state economy. “The additional nearly $150 million available for the next biennium on top of the $1.8 billion previously estimated will continue to grow the rainy day fund to historic amounts. This proves that we can fund priorities such as providing tax relief and paying down debts without