Madison…Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) released a Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo that shows that the Budget Stabilization Fund balance is expected to nearly double with a projected transfer of $291 million. The fund, which is commonly referred to as the rainy day fund, has grown significantly in the last decade under Republican leadership. “Thanks to a great economy and good budgeting, we can continue to put money into the rainy day fund,” said Speaker Vos. “The WISCONSIN budget approved by the Joint Committee on Finance allows for the largest investment into the Budget Stabilization Fund in state history.” According to the

Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) has announced his opposition to the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) version of the 2019-21 biennial budget.  The state budget is scheduled for votes in the Assembly and Senate next week (June 25-27, 2019).    “I simply can’t deceive the taxpayers by voting for a budget that creates a significant structural deficit, generates the largest property tax hikes in a decade, contains unsustainable levels of excessive spending and authorizes an extremely offensive new vehicle miles-driven tax on motorists starting in 2023.  This is not a conservative budget by any reasonable analysis.  I will vote No,” Nass said.

Madison, WI – Representative Pat Snyder (R-Schofield) continued his support on Tuesday for initiatives to end and prevent homelessness in Wisconsin. Rep. Snyder assisted in authoring the legislative package that was heard on the Assembly Floor Tuesday afternoon called “A Hand for the Homeless”, which included eight bills to reduce and prevent homelessness. The set of bills follow last session’s first steps towards curbing homelessness, including the creation of the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH). The legislation in “A Hand for the Homeless” directly mirrors the recommendations made in the ICH’s statewide action plan, A Hand and a Home: Foundations for Success. “This legislative

MADISON – On this day in 1865, freedom from slavery became a reality for thousands of African-Americans living in Galveston, Texas. Although the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect two years prior during the midst of the Civil War, a few states including Texas did not adhere to the proclamation. On June 19, 1865, two months after the Civil War ended, Union General Gordon Granger led federal troops into Galveston, Texas to declare that all slaves were free. As part of the Juneteenth celebrations recognizing this event, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement: “Freedom is a

MADISON, WI – The  issued the following statement regarding Juneteenth Day 2019, a day of celebration and empowerment for African American communities around the world. “This year, we celebrate the 48th annual Northcott Neighborhood House Juneteenth Day Parade and Festival. Juneteenth Day is the oldest celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States and Milwaukee is home to one of the largest celebrations in the world. This event dates back to June 19th, 1865, when Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with the news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. “In Milwaukee, Juneteenth Day celebrations will take