U.S. Rep. Steil: Statement on Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) issued a statement on Afghanistan. “My heart goes out to the families of the servicemembers who lost their lives in Kabul today. We can never forget those who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. Today is a dark day. It did not have to happen this way.  The fundamental misunderstanding of the situation on the ground in Afghanistan, a faulty plan for withdrawal, and poor strategic decision making in Washington put our troops in harm’s way. We desperately need competent leadership now to protect all Americans in Afghanistan. Our prayers are with the

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U.S. Rep. Fitzgerald: Statement on attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement on the terrorist attacks against U.S. service members in Kabul, Afghanistan: “Today is a dark day. Americans have watched in horror as footage of terrorist attacks at the Kabul airport emerge and we have waited in agony all day for information from our Commander-in-Chief. The truth is, we were promised a responsible withdrawal of our troops and personnel from Afghanistan. Today, we saw just how far the President missed the mark. We now find ourselves in an untenable situation where we need to either take back Bagram Airfield, or another

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THU PM Update: Vos plans $680K cap on election review, says he won’t approve Brandtjen subpoenas

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told WisPolitics.com he plans a $680,000 cap on how much former Justice Michael Gableman can spend in taxpayer money on a review of the 2020 election. The Rochester Republican also said for the first time publicly he won’t sign off on the subpoenas that Campaigns and Elections Chair Janel Brandtjen is… 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

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Sen. Nass: UW System has no Covid-19 mandate authority in administrative code UWS 18.11 – as Interim President Thompson stated

Today, Interim UW System President Tommy Thompson said during a Wispolitics interview that the campuses have the authority to implement Covid-19 mandates under existing UW System rules in the Wisconsin Administrative Code.  Interim President Thompson specifically cited UWS 18.11. UWS 18.11 is titled “Offenses against public peace and order” and contains specific prohibited practices that deal with: computer use, disorderly conduct, improper use of telephones, picketing, rallies, parades, demonstrations, assemblies, sound amplifying equipment, persons prohibited from entering university buildings/lands, selling, peddling, soliciting, and campaigning in residence halls. What you won’t see specifically addressed in UWS 18.11, is the authority, in the name of Covid-19,

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Vos plans $680K cap on election review, says he won’t approve Brandtjen subpoenas

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told WisPolitics.com he plans a $680,000 cap on how much former Justice Michael Gableman can spend in taxpayer money on a review of the 2020 election. The Rochester Republican also said for the first time publicly he won’t sign off on the subpoenas that Campaigns and Elections Chair Janel Brandtjen issued or provide any additional resources in the probe she has undertaken, saying his focus is on Gableman’s work. Vos previously signed a contract with Gableman paying the former justice $44,000 over a four-month period to lead the investigation, one of three probes GOP lawmakers have

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UW Health: Victim of scam callers

MADISON, Wis. – Reports have surfaced of scam phone calls made using a UW Health phone number. Late Wednesday, UW Health was notified that people were receiving calls in the Milwaukee and Oklahoma areas from a number that appeared to be from UW Health, with the caller asking for personal information, insurance information and Medicare information. Never give out personal information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, mother’s maiden names, passwords or other identifying information in response to unexpected calls or if you are at all suspicious, according to security experts. UW Health would never call and ask for

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The Amistad Project, Wisconsin Voter Alliance: Election reform group announces litigation to compel Racine to produce public records

Racine, Wisconsin/August 26, 2021 – The Amistad Project, the nation’s leading election integrity watchdog, along with the Wisconsin Voter Alliance announced today that it is filing an open records lawsuit against the City of Racine. They are joined in the litigation by media outlet HOT Government and State Representative Janel Brandtjen.   The groups were forced to seek relief through state court after the City of Racine failed to comply with public records requests since March. The records contain communications between city officials and private nonprofits and their operatives pertaining to the conduct of the 2020 elections.    “We’re optimistic

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DCCC: Derrick Van Orden – insurrectionist, sexual harasser and bully

In case you missed it, Derrick Van Orden’s divisive record is making headlines again — this time for his inappropriate behavior, terrorizing teenagers in the district he wants to represent. New reports detail that Van Orden was “irate” and “threatened” teenagers in Wisconsin after seeing a library display celebrating LGBTQ Pride month. Van Orden’s “shouting” and “aggressive” behavior even caused one teenager to tell her parents she “didn’t feel safe at work anymore.” “Derrick Van Orden is an insurrectionist, sexual harasser of female service members, and now a bully who will stoop as low as threatening the very people he’s

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Dept. of Natural Resources: 2021 Wisconsin wild rice harvest forecast shows varied outlook

MADISON, Wis. – As wild rice harvesting begins in northern Wisconsin lakes, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced its 2021 wild rice harvest outlook. “Pockets of good production exist, although 2021 wild rice production is generally poor across much of northern Wisconsin,” said Jason Fleener, DNR Wetland Habitat Specialist. “Harvesters can find opportunities by scouting online and on-the-ground.” Harvest opportunities are much more limited in Vilas, Oneida and Forest counties, where most historic wild rice lakes and river stretches have produced little to no rice over the past decade. Conditions in the north-central and northwest counties are somewhat

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Van Orden campaign: Statement following bombing at Kabul airport

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI – As news of American and Afghan casualties breaks following the terrorist bombing at Hamid Karzai Airport this morning in the midst of evacuation operations, we are seeing an avoidable catastrophe continue to devolve into chaos. Derrick Van Orden released the following statement in response to the bombing: I have been unequivocal throughout this evacuation disaster that the situation on the ground would rapidly go from horrible to unthinkable. We are seeing this happen before our eyes today. At least 12 of our American sons, my brothers-in-arms, were killed in this blast and countless Afghans will

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Institute for Reforming Government: IRG, Justice Daniel Kelly launch oversight manual to help Legislature hold executive branch accountable

Manual lays out guidance for conducting investigations and hearings, including the use of subpoenas and other investigatory tools, to oversee the implementation of public policy by the executive branch and municipalities. Madison, Wis. — The Institute for Reforming Government today released a comprehensive, first of its kind oversight manual that prescribes best practices for the state legislature when conducting oversight of the executive branch and municipalities. Wisconsin is witnessing an alarming trend in executive and bureaucratic failures, as well as claims of power for which there is no support in our constitution or statutes.  In the last year alone, we have witnessed unprecedented

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Toney campaign: Winnebago County Sheriff Matz endorses candidate for AG

[OSHKOSH, WI…]  Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz has announced that he is endorsing Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney in his bid to be the next Attorney General. Sheriff Matz joins more than 60 law enforcement officials who’ve endorsed District Attorney Toney, the only frontline prosecutor in the race for attorney general. Sheriff Matz said District Attorney Toney was the one candidate to restore law and order in Wisconsin. “Wisconsin needs a strong attorney general who will work in partnership with local law enforcement to restore law and order to our streets and communities. Eric Toney’s record of

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U.S. Rep. Steil: Statement on Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) issued a statement on Afghanistan. “My heart goes out to the families of the servicemembers who lost their lives in Kabul today. We can never forget those who risk their lives every day to keep us safe. Today is a dark day. It did not have

Read More »

U.S. Rep. Fitzgerald: Statement on attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement on the terrorist attacks against U.S. service members in Kabul, Afghanistan: “Today is a dark day. Americans have watched in horror as footage of terrorist attacks at the Kabul airport emerge and we have waited in agony all day for

Read More »

Sen. Nass: UW System has no Covid-19 mandate authority in administrative code UWS 18.11 – as Interim President Thompson stated

Today, Interim UW System President Tommy Thompson said during a Wispolitics interview that the campuses have the authority to implement Covid-19 mandates under existing UW System rules in the Wisconsin Administrative Code.  Interim President Thompson specifically cited UWS 18.11. UWS 18.11 is titled “Offenses against public peace and order” and contains specific

Read More »

UW Health: Victim of scam callers

MADISON, Wis. – Reports have surfaced of scam phone calls made using a UW Health phone number. Late Wednesday, UW Health was notified that people were receiving calls in the Milwaukee and Oklahoma areas from a number that appeared to be from UW Health, with the caller asking for personal

Read More »

The Amistad Project, Wisconsin Voter Alliance: Election reform group announces litigation to compel Racine to produce public records

Racine, Wisconsin/August 26, 2021 – The Amistad Project, the nation’s leading election integrity watchdog, along with the Wisconsin Voter Alliance announced today that it is filing an open records lawsuit against the City of Racine. They are joined in the litigation by media outlet HOT Government and State Representative Janel

Read More »

DCCC: Derrick Van Orden – insurrectionist, sexual harasser and bully

In case you missed it, Derrick Van Orden’s divisive record is making headlines again — this time for his inappropriate behavior, terrorizing teenagers in the district he wants to represent. New reports detail that Van Orden was “irate” and “threatened” teenagers in Wisconsin after seeing a library display celebrating LGBTQ

Read More »

Van Orden campaign: Statement following bombing at Kabul airport

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WI – As news of American and Afghan casualties breaks following the terrorist bombing at Hamid Karzai Airport this morning in the midst of evacuation operations, we are seeing an avoidable catastrophe continue to devolve into chaos. Derrick Van Orden released the following statement in response to

Read More »

Institute for Reforming Government: IRG, Justice Daniel Kelly launch oversight manual to help Legislature hold executive branch accountable

Manual lays out guidance for conducting investigations and hearings, including the use of subpoenas and other investigatory tools, to oversee the implementation of public policy by the executive branch and municipalities. Madison, Wis. — The Institute for Reforming Government today released a comprehensive, first of its kind oversight manual that prescribes best practices

Read More »