Contact: Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu – (608) 266-2056 Contact: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos – (608) 266-3387 Madison…Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) introduced the new maps for Congressional, Assembly and Senate districts. (Senate Bill 621/Senate Bill 622) as part of the redistricting process in Wisconsin. The bill drafts, interactive maps, and legal analysis can be found here. Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau publishes updated information reflecting changes in the population since the previous census. This information is used by states to redraw local, legislative, and congressional districts so that each district has approximately

Media Contact: Mike Nichols, president: Mike@Badgerinstitute.org or (262) 389-8239 New staff and board members will increase institute’s reach and impact Oct. 20, 2021 – The Badger Institute today announced the hiring of longtime policy and communications professional Patrick McIlheran as its director of policy. McIlheran, who has served U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson for more than 10 years in different roles, will oversee the institute’s policy blueprint – a forward-looking “Mandate for Madison” – expected to be published in 2022. The hire reflects continuing growth taking place at the Badger Institute, a policy research and journalism organization working to help Wisconsin prosper through free markets, individual

[Madison, WI] – Following the U.S. Senate vote on the Freedom to “Cheat” Act, the Republican Party of Wisconsin released the following statement from Chairman Paul Farrow: “Wisconsinites want election integrity, not a federal takeover of our elections. While Tammy Baldwin confirmed her loyalty to coastal liberals with today’s Freedom to ‘Cheat’ vote, we thank Senator Johnson for standing up for election integrity and rejecting Democrats’ dishonest attempt to seize control and slant elections in their favor.” Background: Democrats claimed that their bill was about safeguarding democracy, but it was really a radical power grab over state-run elections. If passed,

This afternoon, the State Senate passed three pro-life bills: A Woman’s Right to Know Act (SB591), the Prenatal Diagnosis Information Act (SB592), and the Shield the Vulnerable Act (SB593). ‘The passage of these bills though the State Senate is a victory for the pro-life movement,” said Gracie Skogman, legislative director of Wisconsin Right to Life. Skogman continued, “These bills would increase transparency surrounding the chemical abortion process and equip women with potentially life-saving knowledge. They also affirm the value of all unborn children, regardless of disability, race, and gender. Finally, they would ensure that expectant mothers are given vital medical

The Freedom to Vote Act would expand access to the ballot while cracking down on voter suppression and sham audits that undermine our democratic processes. MADISON, Wis.—Following today’s news that Senator Ron Johnson voted to block the Freedom to Vote Act, a transformative piece of legislation that would empower voters and ensure free and fair federal elections, Opportunity Wisconsin program director Meghan Roh issued the following statement:  “While it’s no surprise that Senator Ron Johnson, a frequent peddler of election-related misinformation, voted to block this commonsense piece of legislation, it’s deeply concerning nonetheless. Wisconsinites deserve to be able to exercise

Madison, WI – Today, the Republican-controlled Senate passed several pieces of legislation which would limit access to safe, legal abortion, contraceptives, and reproductive freedom. After the session, Senate Democratic Leader Janet Bewley (D-Mason) released the following statement: “Today was another missed opportunity for Senate Republicans to pass legislation that actually helps the wellbeing of children and families in our state. We could have voted on meaningful policy for Wisconsin mothers and infants, such as the proposed Birth Equity Act. Instead, the Republican majority once again chose to play politics with the health of Wisconsin women. “These bills blatantly ignore science and give

WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) and 65 of their GOP colleagues submitted public comment to President Biden’s proposed rule that would illegally upend the process by which the U.S. government hears asylum claims.   This rule, if finalized, would lead to the dispersion of potentially hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens into the interior each year in violation of federal law, limit the ability of immigration courts to hear asylum claims, serve as a massive pull factor for

MADISON, Wis. – Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) is disappointed that representatives from the Department of Natural Resources declined an invitation to testify at a public hearing regarding his bill that calls for the rehabilitation of the beloved and historic observation tower at Potawatomi State Park in Door County. “Back in May, some of the top officials with the DNR told a group of us that they were committed to repairing the iconic tower,” Rep. Kitchens said. “Now, they are bringing up unfounded concerns that they didn’t have five months ago and are giving us mixed signals. My constituents drove

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that the Wisconsin State Building Commission approved approximately $124 million in key building projects across the state, including many projects that focus on safety improvements and deferred maintenance projects. “From updating elevators to fire doors, to approving two state grants to help expand psychiatric and behavioral health services in 29 counties, the projects approved by the Commission today are critical for the health and safety of our state employees, students, and Wisconsinites across the state,” said Gov. Evers. “I am glad this bipartisan commission moved forward on these important projects as we work

(Madison)… Earlier today, the State Building Commission voted unanimously to release funding for the expansion of mental health treatment beds in the Chippewa Valley. This measure was part of the State Budget the Legislature passed in June, but like all building related projects, also had to be formally approved by the Building Commission. “I am excited to see this project take another step forward today,” said Sen. Kathy Bernier (R-Lake Hallie). “As I have been saying for several years now, these new beds will play a critical role in addressing the mental health crisis facing our part of the state.”