TUE PM Update: Assembly Republicans considering two tax breaks to aid farmers

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Speaker Robin Vos said Assembly Republicans are considering two tax breaks for farmers as they look for a more “robust” boost for the ag industry than what Gov. Tony Evers has proposed. Vos, R-Rochester, said Assembly Republicans were looking at a combination of bills they’ve already introduced, new proposals and some of what E… 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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State Dem Party chair calls for new leadership at DNC host committee following bullying, harassment complaints

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler called for new leadership to be put in place in the wake of complaints of bullying and harassment raised by Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee staff. In a letter to staff, the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Board of Directors announced it has engaged a third party to investigate concerns employees have raised. It also announced that Host Committee President Liz Gilbert will not be in the office or in contact with staff “in the interest of ensuring a fair and impartial investigation process.” Additionally, Adam Alonso, the committee’s chief of staff, has been placed

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WisPolitics Midday – February 4, 2020

In today’s WisPolitics Midday, brought to you by Spectrum: Public Policy Polling, a Dem polling firm, finds half of WI voters think President Trump undermines healthcare. US Sen Baldwin taking a Cadott dairy farmer as her guest to the SOTU.

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DBA applauds GOP announcement of agriculture plan for Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. — The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s largest dairy lobbying group, applauded an announcement today by Republican state lawmakers that they are pursuing a plan to address the short- and long-term needs of agriculture in the state. DBA President Tom Crave made the following comments: “Our dairy farmers, who are the foundation of the state’s economy and rural communities, continue to experience a host of challenges, from commodity prices and customer trends to extreme weather. “We appreciate that Republican leaders in the Legislature understand the importance of addressing this adversity, supporting key existing legislation and putting forth new proposals to strengthen agriculture at this

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Sen. Erpenbach, Reps. Taylor, Stubbs introduce bill to limit manufacturing credit and increase special education funding

MADISON – Today, Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) and Representatives Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) circulated a proposal to limit the manufacturing portion of the Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit. The bill would make it so that an individual claiming the credit for manufacturing income can only claim it on the first $300,000 of qualified income. This change would release an estimated $295.4 million in new revenue that the state must then re-invest into special education for public schools. Currently, over 82% of the tax credit is going to millionaires, and fewer jobs have been created while the credit

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WCMA applauds Republican plans to boost dairy industry

MADISON – The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) applauded announcements from Assembly Republicans today, supporting major investments in the state’s dairy industry, which are designed to provide immediate relief for farmers and long-term growth for processors. “Throughout this session, state lawmakers have proven their clear commitment to seeing Wisconsin’s dairy industry through the challenges of trade volatility, a severe labor shortage, poor weather, and a drop in milk consumption.  Today, we applaud Assembly Republicans who are doubling down for dairy, targeting state investments in export initiatives and processor grants,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director.  “As we increase specialty cheese

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Claims of harassment, bullying lead to investigation into DNC host committee work environment

Democratic National Convention CEO Joe Solmonese says concerns over bullying and harassment raised by Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee staff that have spawned an investigation “present an unacceptable and upsetting environment.” “The Democratic party is firm in our belief that every person deserves to feel safe and respected at their place of work and we will always take seriously claims of bullying and workplace harassment,” Solmonese said in a statement. “The claims made by employees of the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee present an unacceptable and upsetting environment.” In a letter to staff, the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee Board of Directors announced

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Rep. Vos: Statement on agricultural priorities

Madison…Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) released the following statement regarding the Assembly Republican’s agricultural priorities for the remainder of the legislative session, which will include new legislation including tax credits and bills already working their way through the process. “Our goal is to provide short-term and long-term relief. Wisconsin farmers need help now but we also need to lay a foundation for future success. “I’m proud of what Assembly Republicans have done for farmers, with farmers’ input. These priorities will build on our efforts from previous years and this session to ensure the agricultural industry continues to prosper and grow in

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Rep. Myers: Regarding Governor Evers’ signing of act 84

MADISON – Today, Governor Tony Evers signed Act 84 into law which authorizes the state superintendent of public instruction to approve a teacher preparatory program if the program requires students to complete the equivalent of the student teaching required under current law.  This law allows flexibility in teacher education candidates being able to complete their semester-long student teaching requirement. Prior to Act 84 being signed, education candidates were required to complete student teaching that consisted of full days for a full semester (eighteen weeks) at a cooperating elementary or secondary school.  The law did not make any exception for paraprofessionals

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Rep. Allen: Statement on Black History Month

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream was that we will look at character in judging others and not at skin color.  He did so much more than lead a movement for civil rights; he cast a vision for us to aspire to. Carter G. Woodson, the creator of Negro History Week, the precurser to Black History Month, taught us a lot about what he called “the mis-education of the negro,” whereby blacks were conditioned to seek out a second rate position in society.  He became known as the father of black history due to his extensive writing on the history

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Rep. Hebl: Gov. Evers’ “People’s Maps Commission” is a great step to help restore faith in democracy

On Monday, January 27, Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order establishing a nonpartisan redistricting commission (known as the People’s Maps Commission) that will be tasked with drawing fair Assembly and State Senate district boundaries after the next census. I commend the governor for this action. It is vital that the citizens of the United States trust in democracy.  To establish trust, citizens need to be able to hold their elected officials accountable to ensure their voices are heard. With the current district lines, often called some of the most gerrymandered in the whole country, one party has locked themselves

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Rep. Zamarripa: Statement on living wage for Wisconsin workers

Milwaukee—Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement on today’s press conference concerning legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour: “Last week, Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers (MASH) announced a historic agreement in the Fiserv Forum agreeing to a $15 minimum wage for their workers. The road to this victory started well before construction ever began on the new Bucks arena. Democrats worked closely with the Bucks’ new ownership to put together a ‘community benefits agreement’ that included a commitment to ‘$15 and a union’ for end-use workers at the new arena. End-use workers are the

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Rep. Sargent: Raising up Wisconsin

MADISON – Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) released the following statement announcing LRB-3342/1 to raise the minimum wage in Wisconsin: “Today I was proud to stand with many of my Legislative colleagues, and most importantly workers of Wisconsin, to introduce legislation to raise the wage in Wisconsin. LRB-3342/1 would increase the state minimum wage for our hardworking friends and neighbors to $15 per hour over a five-year period. After this five-year period, the state would be required to adjust the minimum wage annually to inflation, ensuring that a continued living wage is established for workers across the state. Here in Wisconsin,

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WisPolitics Midday – February 4, 2020

In today’s WisPolitics Midday, brought to you by Spectrum: Public Policy Polling, a Dem polling firm, finds half of WI voters think President Trump undermines healthcare. US Sen Baldwin taking a Cadott dairy farmer as her guest to the SOTU.

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DBA applauds GOP announcement of agriculture plan for Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. — The Dairy Business Association, Wisconsin’s largest dairy lobbying group, applauded an announcement today by Republican state lawmakers that they are pursuing a plan to address the short- and long-term needs of agriculture in the state. DBA President Tom Crave made the following comments: “Our dairy farmers, who are

Read More »

WCMA applauds Republican plans to boost dairy industry

MADISON – The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) applauded announcements from Assembly Republicans today, supporting major investments in the state’s dairy industry, which are designed to provide immediate relief for farmers and long-term growth for processors. “Throughout this session, state lawmakers have proven their clear commitment to seeing Wisconsin’s dairy

Read More »

Rep. Vos: Statement on agricultural priorities

Madison…Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) released the following statement regarding the Assembly Republican’s agricultural priorities for the remainder of the legislative session, which will include new legislation including tax credits and bills already working their way through the process. “Our goal is to provide short-term and long-term relief. Wisconsin farmers need

Read More »

Rep. Myers: Regarding Governor Evers’ signing of act 84

MADISON – Today, Governor Tony Evers signed Act 84 into law which authorizes the state superintendent of public instruction to approve a teacher preparatory program if the program requires students to complete the equivalent of the student teaching required under current law.  This law allows flexibility in teacher education candidates

Read More »

Rep. Allen: Statement on Black History Month

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream was that we will look at character in judging others and not at skin color.  He did so much more than lead a movement for civil rights; he cast a vision for us to aspire to. Carter G. Woodson, the creator of Negro History

Read More »

Rep. Zamarripa: Statement on living wage for Wisconsin workers

Milwaukee—Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement on today’s press conference concerning legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour: “Last week, Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality Workers (MASH) announced a historic agreement in the Fiserv Forum agreeing to a $15 minimum wage for their workers. The

Read More »

Rep. Sargent: Raising up Wisconsin

MADISON – Representative Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) released the following statement announcing LRB-3342/1 to raise the minimum wage in Wisconsin: “Today I was proud to stand with many of my Legislative colleagues, and most importantly workers of Wisconsin, to introduce legislation to raise the wage in Wisconsin. LRB-3342/1 would increase the

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