Washington, DC—Today, Rep. Ron Kind cosponsored the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which would allow undergraduate borrowers repaying public or private loans to refinance those loans at an interest rate of 3.76 percent. Graduate and parent borrowers will also be able to refinance loans to competitive rates, reducing monthly payments and helping folks repay loans sooner.   “Folks are coming out of college with an average of $27,000 in student loan debt with interest rates higher than mortgages and car loans. Instead of putting their new paychecks back into the economy—buying cars or homes or shopping at local businesses—they are

MADISON – Today, Democrats joined Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul in supporting a bill that would create Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) in Wisconsin. Extreme risk laws provide families and law enforcement officers with a formal legal process to temporarily reduce an individual’s access to firearms if they pose a danger to themselves or others. Representative Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) released the following statement in support of this legislation: “Extreme risk laws help ensure that a temporary crisis does not turn into a permanent tragedy and with an overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites in favor of these policies I hope

FITCHBURG – Today, Governor Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul, and several legislative Democrats united in support of legislation introduced by Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) to create Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) in the state of Wisconsin. An ERPO enables law enforcement officers and members of a person’s family or household to petition a court to temporarily restrict the person’s access to firearms in a situation where they pose a danger to themselves or others. Representative Jimmy Anderson released the following statement about the proposal: “We are long overdue for common-sense measures like Extreme Risk Protection Orders. It is clear

(MADISON) – Today Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison) alongside Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Mt. Horeb) and Rep. Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) introduced the End-of-Life Options Act (LRB 1624-1). This medical aid-in-dying legislation, would allow mentally capable, terminally ill adults less than six months to live the ability to end life on their own terms. “This is the 11th time I’ve introduced this type of legislation since 1993, and only twice have we had a hearing. The last time in 2007,” said Risser. “As a longstanding champion of this issue I hope that this session the citizens of Wisconsin will again see the legislature

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today announced the award of $4.7 million for improvements to Appleton International Airport. The grants will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  “Appleton International Airport plays a critical role in supporting economic development in Northeast Wisconsin,” said Rep. Gallagher. “Past developments have allowed ATW to become one of the fastest growing airports in the country, and the funding secured today will allow them to continue to build on this momentum. This is big news for Northeast Wisconsin, and I look forward to finding more ways

MADISON – Today, Democrats joined Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul in supporting a bill authored by Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) that would create Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) in Wisconsin. Extreme risk laws, also known as ‘Red Flag’ laws, provide families and law enforcement officers with a formal legal process to temporarily reduce an individual’s access to firearms if they pose a danger to themselves or others. Despite overwhelming public support in Wisconsin, Republican leadership has indicated they do not think it is necessary to take action on this, or any measure to reduce the risk of

Rep. Scott Allen released the following statement regarding Gov. Evers’ proposed Extreme Risk Protection Order legislation: “If Democrats really cared about gun violence, they would object to prosecutors and liberal judges in Milwaukee and Dane Counties regularly dismissing weapons charges on felons.  Instead, Democrats continue to prey on the fear of Wisconsinites and propose potential infringements on constitutional safeguards.  The Constitution is here to restrain government. While this proposal may have some ideas of merit, we should approach any empowerment of government with great trepidation.  The Democrats enthusiasm for disarming law-abiding Americans provides sufficient cause for distrust. The vaguest suggestion

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin remains in the top ten states in the nation for the percentage of graduates with student loan debt, according to the 14th annual report on the burden of student loan debt on college graduates released today by The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS). State graduates also ran high nationally for the amount of their debt, with an average burden of nearly $32,000 for the class of 2018. “College graduates in Wisconsin continue to be hit hard by the $1.6 trillion student loan debt crisis. Nearly two out of three class of 2018 graduates are starting out

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced two major wins for Wisconsin dairy farmers and our agriculture economy through her Dairy Business Innovation Initiative which helps dairy businesses looking to get their start, grow their business, modernize their dairy plants and reach new markets. Baldwin’s Dairy Business Innovation Act was included in the 2018 Farm Bill that passed Congress and was signed into law by President Trump. The new federal funding for Wisconsin dairy is the result of Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan work to secure key investments to support dairy product innovation and address the oversupply of milk by providing resources to help dairy

As each new mass shooting hits the news, the shock and horror never fully dissipate. “We need to DO something now!” is a completely human, visceral response to these atrocities. Politicians, like Governor Evers, wish to appear as heroes run to the cameras to tout legally untested, popular “remedies” to mass shootings, even when the constitutionality of those ideas is unclear. However, these situations call for wise discernment and rational action rather than the emotions that threaten to overtake us. For this reason, I have been measured in my response to these crises as they occur around the nation. My

MADISON –Today, legislative Democrats joined Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul in support of legislation introduced by Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) that would create Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) in Wisconsin. ERPO laws provide families and law enforcement officers the tools they need to temporarily restrict an individual’s access to firearms if they pose a danger to themselves or others. Representative Jodi Emerson (D-Eau Claire) released the following statement in support: “It is long past time for our state to take common sense measures to prevent the scourge of gun violence. The vast majority of Wisconsinites, including most

Madison…Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos released the following statement: “It’s widely known that we believe this legislation poses threats to due process and the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. “Today in a partial answer to a reporter’s question Governor Evers revealed Democrats’ real agenda: taking away firearms that are lawfully owned, which is unacceptable. Wisconsin laws already say if you’re a felon, you lose your right to own a gun. With Governor Evers considering confiscating firearms from law-abiding citizens, it shows just how radical Democrats have become. “Last year, Republicans passed $100 million in school