WisGOP urges Supreme Court to rule voters can’t get around voter ID for absentee ballot due to COVID-19 pandemic

Declaring “Wisconsin is in the midst of election chaos,” the state GOP late this afternoon asked the Supreme Court to rule county clerks don’t have the authority to allow all voters to escape the voter ID requirements for absentee voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The filing comes on the heels of four separate federal lawsuits seeking to change the rules for how the April 7 election is conducted, each arguing that the coronavirus outbreak demands changes in procedures to protect voters and poll workers. Still, the state GOP urged the state Supreme Court to make clear the guv’s stay-at-home

Read More »

Rewind: Your Week in Review for March 27

On this week’s episode of “Rewind,” WisPolitics.com’s JR Ross and WisconsinEye’s Steve Walters discuss developments over the past week in the COVID-19 pandemic and the retirement of state Sen. Fred Risser.

Read More »

FRI PM Update: Fitzgerald calls Evers’ plan for April 7 election a ‘complete fantasy’

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald called Gov. Tony Evers’ latest effort to stage the April 7 election amid the coronavirus outbreak a “complete fantasy.” Meanwhile, the Legislature’s two top Dems favored the move. Evers early today called on the Legislature to change state law on absentee ballots so all registered voters … 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

Read More »

Department of Revenue: Announces immediate help for small businesses on sales taxes and other steps to help taxpayers in response to COVID-19

Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR), like the IRS, automatically extended income tax payment and return due dates to July 15, 2020.  Today the department announces additional measures including immediate steps to help small businesses with sales tax payments due on March 31. Small businesses can immediately request an extension to file sales and use tax returns due March 31, 2020 until April 30, 2020 and due April 30, 2020 until June 1, 2020. Other elements related to this important sales tax change are as follows: DOR will not assess late filing fees or penalties if sales/use tax returns are filed by

Read More »

Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Extends pesticide applicator certifications to October 31

MADISON – In accordance with Governor Tony Evers’ Safer At Home order (Emergency Order #12) during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is extending pesticide applicator certifications until October 31. Private and commercial pesticide applicators with certifications that expire January 31-September 30 can continue to operate as a certified pesticide applicator until October 31. New pesticide applicators who are eligible, can submit a 30-Day temporary trainee registration form to work under the supervision of a certified applicator. For temporary trainee registrations received March 18-June 1, DATCP extended the 30-day limit until June 30.

Read More »

Rep. Neubauer: Stands with governor in calling for absentee ballots

MADISON – Today, Governor Evers called on the Legislature to approve a plan to send an absentee ballot to every registered voter ahead of the April 7, 2020 Spring Election and Presidential Primary. The Governor’s proposal would also ensure every ballot postmarked by April 7th, 2020 is counted. Rep. Greta Neubauer released the following statement in support: “The Legislature should convene immediately to implement policies that will allow us to achieve a complete and safe election. We need to provide avenues for every Wisconsin voter to safely participate in this election, and the Governor’s proposal to send an absentee ballot

Read More »

Rep. Hintz: Statement on election access and safety

MADISON – Assembly Democratic Leader Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement in support of Governor Evers’ call to increase election access and safety by sending every registered voter in Wisconsin an absentee ballot.  “Every decision and non-decision made during this global pandemic has consequences. It is important that lawmakers do everything possible to best preserve the foundations of who we are and what we must maintain to move forward and continue during this crisis.  “Our democracy is built on equal access to the ballot box. During this public health crisis, too many Wisconsinites will be faced with the

Read More »

U.S. Rep. Moore: Applauds the passage of families & workers-first coronavirus response package

“The coronavirus pandemic demands urgent action to bolster our health care response, support small businesses, working Americans and families, stabilize our economy and equip state, local and tribal governments with the resources to respond to this public health crisis. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act takes meaningful steps to address these needs. Unfortunately, more than 1,000 Americans including at least 12 Wisconsinites have lost their lives to the coronavirus so far. And with cases increasing in Wisconsin and elsewhere, now is not the time to let up. Testing is still not widely available and our frontline responders,

Read More »

Sen. Marklein: Urges voters to vote absentee

Madison, WI – Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) called on voters today to request their absentee ballots before the April 2, 2020 deadline to protect themselves, the poll workers and municipal staff on election day. “The spring election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th. That day is coming fast and your vote is very important!” Marklein said. “I am urging every voter to request an absentee ballot today. Join me and many others as we protect ourselves and the poll workers in our community by voting absentee.” “If you haven’t requested an absentee ballot before, you will have to upload

Read More »

Rep. Shankland: Strongly supports sending absentee ballots to every voter

STEVENS POINT – Rep. Katrina Shankland (D- Stevens Point) released the following statement today in support of Governor Tony Evers’ call to send every registered voter in Wisconsin an absentee ballot for the April 7 election: “Government’s number one job should always be protecting the public health and safety of our community members. Throughout this public health crisis, I have heard from local leaders, poll workers, community members, and clerks who are rightfully concerned about the upcoming election jeopardizing the public health. They have overwhelmingly expressed the need to make the April 7 election as safe as possible for folks

Read More »

Dept. of Military Affairs: Wisconsin National Guard continues to support state’s COVID-19 response

Approximately 350 Citizen Soldiers and Airmen from the Wisconsin National Guard serving on state active duty continue to support the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since Gov. Tony Evers declared a public health emergency March 12, the Wisconsin National Guard has completed a number of missions to support the state and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. On March 25, Wisconsin National Guard troops transported a load of donated personal protective equipment (PPE) to a warehouse facility for the state’s use. Approximately 15 troops remain on hand to assist with PPE handling and warehousing operations. A team of six

Read More »

Sen. Fitzgerald: Rejects Evers’ idea as fantasy

[Madison, WI] — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released the following statement on Friday: “Governor Evers just proposed procuring, printing, verifying, and mandating the mailing of millions of ballots within ten days. Even he knows that’s not logistically feasible. The clerks of this state should know this is a complete fantasy. The Legislature on both sides of the aisle has to know this is ridiculous. In pitching this idea, the governor is lying directly to Wisconsinites about this even being remotely possible. Acting like this is doable is a hoax. “Record numbers of absentee ballots have already been sent out. All registered

Read More »

Sen. Fitzgerald: Rejects Evers’ idea as fantasy

Contact: Alec Zimmerman (608) 266-5660 [Madison, WI] — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released the following statement on Friday: “Governor Evers just proposed procuring, printing, verifying, and mandating the mailing of millions of ballots within ten days. Even he knows that’s not logistically feasible. The clerks of this state should know this is a complete fantasy. The Legislature on both sides of the aisle has to know this is ridiculous. In pitching this idea, the governor is lying directly to Wisconsinites about this even being remotely possible. Acting like this is doable is a hoax. “Record numbers of absentee ballots have already

Read More »

Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty: Statement from Rick Esenberg, president & general counsel

Statement from Rick Esenberg, President & General Counsel, WILL:   “Governor Evers’ proposal to send a ballot in the mail to every registered voter might make sense if the Wisconsin Elections Commission kept the voter rolls clean and up to date, but we know that it does not.  We know that commissioners have purposely left over 200,000 names on the rolls of voters who have moved from the addresses in question.  Mailing ballots to those addresses would put those 200,000 ballots in the hands of individuals not entitled to them. “Further, Governor Evers’ proposal to send a ballot in the

Read More »

U.S. Rep. Gallagher: Now it’s time to defeat this disease without defeating ourselves

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 748, the CARES Act, which provides more than $2 trillion in economic relief to combat the Coronavirus outbreak. “The coronavirus poses an unprecedented challenge to our health and our way of life, and requires immediate action and coordination across the state, local, and federal levels. What we face is first and foremost a public health crisis, and our primary goal must be to get this disease under control. Until we do so, there’s no amount of federal dollars that will allow us to keep our

Read More »

Rewind: Your Week in Review for March 27

On this week’s episode of “Rewind,” WisPolitics.com’s JR Ross and WisconsinEye’s Steve Walters discuss developments over the past week in the COVID-19 pandemic and the retirement of state Sen. Fred Risser.

Read More »

Department of Revenue: Announces immediate help for small businesses on sales taxes and other steps to help taxpayers in response to COVID-19

Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR), like the IRS, automatically extended income tax payment and return due dates to July 15, 2020.  Today the department announces additional measures including immediate steps to help small businesses with sales tax payments due on March 31. Small businesses can immediately request an extension

Read More »

Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection: Extends pesticide applicator certifications to October 31

MADISON – In accordance with Governor Tony Evers’ Safer At Home order (Emergency Order #12) during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is extending pesticide applicator certifications until October 31. Private and commercial pesticide applicators with certifications that expire January 31-September

Read More »

Rep. Hintz: Statement on election access and safety

MADISON – Assembly Democratic Leader Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statement in support of Governor Evers’ call to increase election access and safety by sending every registered voter in Wisconsin an absentee ballot.  “Every decision and non-decision made during this global pandemic has consequences. It is important that

Read More »

Sen. Marklein: Urges voters to vote absentee

Madison, WI – Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) called on voters today to request their absentee ballots before the April 2, 2020 deadline to protect themselves, the poll workers and municipal staff on election day. “The spring election is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th. That day is coming fast and

Read More »

Sen. Fitzgerald: Rejects Evers’ idea as fantasy

[Madison, WI] — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released the following statement on Friday: “Governor Evers just proposed procuring, printing, verifying, and mandating the mailing of millions of ballots within ten days. Even he knows that’s not logistically feasible. The clerks of this state should know this is a complete fantasy. The

Read More »

Sen. Fitzgerald: Rejects Evers’ idea as fantasy

Contact: Alec Zimmerman (608) 266-5660 [Madison, WI] — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald released the following statement on Friday: “Governor Evers just proposed procuring, printing, verifying, and mandating the mailing of millions of ballots within ten days. Even he knows that’s not logistically feasible. The clerks of this state should know this

Read More »