WED PM Update: Fitz: Republicans headed similar direction on schools, Dems slam $500 million boost as inadequate

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said Republicans are headed in a similar direction after his Assembly colleagues unveiled a $500 million plan for K-12 education. But Dem members of the Joint Finance Committee slammed the proposal as inadequate because it was well short of the additional $1.4 billion that Gov…. 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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DNC announces hires for national convention

Several people with Wisconsin connections have been appointed to positions with the Dems’ national convention in Milwaukee next summer. Teresa Vilmain, a longtime Dem operative who lives in Wisconsin, was announced today as a senior adviser. Meanwhile: *Liz Gilbert, a UW-Madison grad, will serve as the host committee executive director; *Shirley Ellis, a Milwaukee operative who’s worked with U.S. … 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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U.S. Rep. Sensenbrenner: Introduce SOFA Act to combat opioid epidemic with Senator Johnson

Contact: Christopher Krepich, 202-225-5101 Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI-05) and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) reintroduced companion versions of the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act. This legislation would help to curb the opioid epidemic by outlawing new fentanyl variants – known as analogues as they are discovered. Rep. Sensenbrenner: “Way too many Wisconsin families have been forever changed by a surge in overdose deaths stemming from fentanyl and its analogues. Congress must act as the opioid epidemic continues to grow. The SOFA Act will give law enforcement the necessary tools to fight back against the proliferation of

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U.S. Sen. Johnson: And colleagues introduce SOFA Act to combat opioid epidemic

Contact: Aaren Johnson (Johnson) James Arnold (Cotton) Ty Bofferding (Cassidy) Elizabeth Gregory (Blackburn) Brendan Conley (Ernst) Christopher Krepich (Sensenbrenner) WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), joined by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), introduced the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA) Act Wednesday, legislation to give law enforcement enhanced tools to combat the opioid epidemic and close a loophole in current law that makes it difficult to prosecute crimes involving some synthetic opioids. “Communities across Wisconsin and America have been devastated by the epidemic of opioid overdoses. The SOFA Act will

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Brad Pfaff: Dairy Task Force 2.0 highlights the need to build connections

The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.   Our state’s license plates proudly read “America’s Dairyland”. Football fans often wear foam cheese heads at Green Bay Packer games. Wisconsin is known for its dairy and cheese around the world, but are especially important to residents of our state. The 31 members of the Dairy Task Force 2.0 considered this topic and recommended several ways to strengthen connections between farmers and consumers, processors, rural communities, and residents in our state’s urban and suburban areas.   From the very beginning,

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DPI hearing on revisions to educator licensure rules

Contact: DPI Media Line, (608) 266-3559 MADISON — The Department of Public Instruction will conduct a hearing from 1:30 to 3 p.m. May 28 at department headquarters, GEF 3, Room P41, 125 South Webster Street, Madison, to receive public testimony on emergency and proposed permanent rules related to educator licensing. The department recently issued an overhaul of rules governing educator licensure based on revisions recommended through a stakeholder workgroup, which became effective August 1, 2018. Upon further review, the department has identified further points of clarification within the rule to ensure the department can administer educator licensing with maximum efficiency.

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Patrick Testin: The heroes next door

The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.   What words come to mind when you think about firefighters and paramedics? Strength, courage, and dedication of course – but there is another word that should be close behind – neighbor. Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel are the heroes next door; they are the first line of defense for rural communities and small towns.   According to recent statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration, 92.5% of Wisconsin’s fire departments are either entirely volunteer or mostly volunteer. A significant amount

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WisPolitics Midday: May 22, 2019

In today’s WisPolitics Midday update: Republican leaders open to providing more funding for special education. DOJ announces use for remaining money allocated to the Office of School Safety.

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Mayor Rhodes-Conway to Welcome Attendees at Madison’s First Transportation and Innovation Expo

Mayor Rhodes-Conway to Welcome Attendees at Madison’s First Transportation and Innovation Expo Date: Thursday, May 23 Time: 9:00 a.m. Location: Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will deliver opening remarks to participants and visitors to Madison’s first Transportation and Innovation Expo on Thursday morning. The City collaborated with Wisconsin Clean Cities and Alliant Energy to plan the event with the common goal of environmental sustainability in transportation. The centerpiece of the Expo will be the vehicle and equipment displays and booths. The City will display ten different types of late-model vehicles featuring alternative fuels such as electric,

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Wisconsin Criminal Justice Coalition hots Michigan’s Model for Cutting Crime, Closing Prisons and Curtailing Costs

Michigan’s Model for Cutting Crime, Closing Prisons and Curtailing Costs Wednesday, May 22, 1:30 p.m., in the Joint Finance Hearing Room (412 East) In March 2017, the Michigan Legislature passed and Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law a multi-bill criminal justice reform package that was the statutory culmination of several years of budgetary reforms and legislative oversight. The results were impressive: The consolidation and closure of 20 correctional facilities1 A 25% reduction in prison population2 $1.2 billion in savings/avoided costs3 A 9% reduction in violent crime4 Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s prison population continues to grow, costs are on the rise and there’s

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Fundraiser for Rep. Tony Kurtz with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson

Fundraiser for Rep. Tony Kurtz with very special guest U.S. Senator Ron Johnson Thursday May 30, 2019 5:00 – 7:00 PM The Cargill Room 332 Front Street South La Crosse, WI 54601 Host Levels: Gold – $1000 Silver – $500 Bronze $250 Suggested Donations is $50 per person Please make check payable to: Kurtz for Assembly W9648 Gehri Road Wonewoc, WI 53968 Please RSVP by calling (608) 520-0218 or email kurtzforassembly@gmail.com

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Sen. LaTonya Johnson’s birthday fundraiser

Please join us for Senator LaTonya Johnson’s birthday fundraiser! Tuesday, June 4th 5:00-7:00pm Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee Sponsorship Levels: $1000, $500, $250, $100 Suggested Contribution: $100 To RSVP, contact Joyce at joyce@gstrategiesllc.com

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U.S. Rep. Pocan: Pocan and Schakowsky lead more than 70 members of Congress in calling on Boeing to release information on anti-union activity

Contact: Ron Boehmer 202-225-2906 WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) today led more than 70 Members of Congress in requesting information from Boeing regarding reports of retaliation against six union organizers at the company’s South Carolina facility late last year. According to the reports, it appears that Boeing may have wielded their authority as a “self-regulator” to improperly dismiss three inspection employees. Workers at the plant voted overwhelmingly in favor of forming a union with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) on May 31, 2018. However, Boeing has refused to allow

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Rep Pope: Time for Republicans to level the playing field for special education

Rep. Sondy Pope 608-266-3520 MADISON, Wis. – Tomorrow, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) will hold an executive session on the Department of Public Instruction budget. A major piece of this budget is to increase the district reimbursement rate for special education to 60% from the current rate of 25% by the end of the biennium. According to recent media reports, JFC Republicans are expected to reject this increase. Representative Sondy Pope (D-Mt. Horeb), ranking member of the Committee on Education responded: “Over the last decade Republicans held special education funding flat while district costs have steadily risen. Administrators, educators, and

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DNCC and Milwaukee host committee: Announce new hires to the Milwaukee Convention

Today, the Democratic National Committee is proud to announce new hires to the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC): Debra Alligood White as DNCC Chief of Staff, who will oversee day-to-day operations of the convention team; Jorge Neri as DNCC Director of Public Engagement; and Teresa Vilmain as a DNCC Senior Advisor. Additionally, the Convention Host Committee announced key members of its senior leadership team: Liz Gilbert as Host Committee Executive Director, Shirley Ellis as Senior Advisor to the Host Committee, Martha Love as Senior Advisor to the Host Committee, Marcus Switzer as Host Committee Finance Director, and Alex Lasry as

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DNC announces hires for national convention

Several people with Wisconsin connections have been appointed to positions with the Dems’ national convention in Milwaukee next summer. Teresa Vilmain, a longtime Dem operative who lives in Wisconsin, was announced today as a senior adviser. Meanwhile: *Liz Gilbert, a UW-Madison grad, will serve as the host committee executive director;

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U.S. Sen. Johnson: And colleagues introduce SOFA Act to combat opioid epidemic

Contact: Aaren Johnson (Johnson) James Arnold (Cotton) Ty Bofferding (Cassidy) Elizabeth Gregory (Blackburn) Brendan Conley (Ernst) Christopher Krepich (Sensenbrenner) WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), joined by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), introduced the Stopping Overdoses of Fentanyl Analogues (SOFA)

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DPI hearing on revisions to educator licensure rules

Contact: DPI Media Line, (608) 266-3559 MADISON — The Department of Public Instruction will conduct a hearing from 1:30 to 3 p.m. May 28 at department headquarters, GEF 3, Room P41, 125 South Webster Street, Madison, to receive public testimony on emergency and proposed permanent rules related to educator licensing.

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Patrick Testin: The heroes next door

The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.   What words come to mind when you think about firefighters and paramedics? Strength, courage, and dedication of course – but there is another word that should be close behind –

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WisPolitics Midday: May 22, 2019

In today’s WisPolitics Midday update: Republican leaders open to providing more funding for special education. DOJ announces use for remaining money allocated to the Office of School Safety.

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Mayor Rhodes-Conway to Welcome Attendees at Madison’s First Transportation and Innovation Expo

Mayor Rhodes-Conway to Welcome Attendees at Madison’s First Transportation and Innovation Expo Date: Thursday, May 23 Time: 9:00 a.m. Location: Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will deliver opening remarks to participants and visitors to Madison’s first Transportation and Innovation Expo on Thursday morning. The City collaborated

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Fundraiser for Rep. Tony Kurtz with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson

Fundraiser for Rep. Tony Kurtz with very special guest U.S. Senator Ron Johnson Thursday May 30, 2019 5:00 – 7:00 PM The Cargill Room 332 Front Street South La Crosse, WI 54601 Host Levels: Gold – $1000 Silver – $500 Bronze $250 Suggested Donations is $50 per person Please make

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Sen. LaTonya Johnson’s birthday fundraiser

Please join us for Senator LaTonya Johnson’s birthday fundraiser! Tuesday, June 4th 5:00-7:00pm Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee Sponsorship Levels: $1000, $500, $250, $100 Suggested Contribution: $100 To RSVP, contact Joyce at joyce@gstrategiesllc.com

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U.S. Rep. Pocan: Pocan and Schakowsky lead more than 70 members of Congress in calling on Boeing to release information on anti-union activity

Contact: Ron Boehmer 202-225-2906 WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) today led more than 70 Members of Congress in requesting information from Boeing regarding reports of retaliation against six union organizers at the company’s South Carolina facility late last year. According to the reports,

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