An unconstitutional interpretation of the law has reduced nonprofit voices to a whisper Green Bay, WI – A Wisconsin nonprofit filed a federal lawsuit yesterday that aims to stop a massive expansion of the Federal Election Commission’s (FEC) donor disclosure mandates for nonprofit groups that advocate the election or defeat of candidates. Only those donors who specifically intend to fund campaign expenditures can be constitutionally required to be reported to the FEC, the complaint explains. Wisconsin Family Action (WFA) brought the lawsuit to secure its right to speak independently to the public about federal candidates in future elections. It has refrained from doing

The Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc. (GWAAR) thanks the legislature and Governor Evers for making free training available to prospective guardians to help them be better prepared to understand and carry out their new role and responsibilities.   The bill signed into law today establishes initial training requirements for guardians before they are appointed and calls for the development of free, web-based online guardian training modules.   “With this training, guardians will be better prepared for the complexities of the guardianship system and their associated responsibilities,” said Robert Kellerman, Executive Director of GWAAR, “Going forward, guardians will be

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced it will host a virtual Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Response Plan Committee meeting on Friday, Dec. 10 from 9-11 a.m. The DNR’s 15-year CWD Response Plan, in effect through 2025, helps guide the department’s approach to addressing CWD in Wisconsin. The plan was developed to fulfill its public trust responsibility to manage wildlife and ensure the health of Wisconsin’s wildlife populations. As part of the plan’s implementation, the department will review progress toward meeting its goals and objectives every five years. The committee is comprised of a group of stakeholders representing

Construction crews in 2021 made substantial improvements to the Madison Beltline (US 12/18) from I-39/90 to Whitney Way in Dane County. Work included pavement resurfacing, improved drainage and installation of a new median barrier wall. The project also paved the way for an innovative system branded in Wisconsin as the Flex Lane. Crews improved the inside median shoulders, between the Whitney Way exit and the I-39/90 interchange, for use as an additional travel lane during peak traffic periods. Construction on the Beltline is scheduled to pause for the winter with the exception of the installation and testing of the Lane

The Wisconsin Paper Council hailed the signing into law of Senate Bill 466, now 2021 Wisconsin Act 110, as a positive move for the Wisconsin’s paper, pulp, packaging, and forestry industries. Governor Tony Evers signed the measure into law at the State Capitol today in a private bill signing without members of the public or press. “On behalf of statewide membership, The Wisconsin Paper Council would like to thank Governor Tony Evers for signing Act 110 into law, and once again recognize the leadership of Senator Patrick Testin and Representative Nancy VanderMeer for spearheading this important Legislative initiative,” stated Scott

What is Universal Life Insurance? The insurance industry generally categorizes whole life and universal life insurance as “permanent” life insurance. A “permanent” policy is designed to provide coverage for your entire life if sufficient premiums are paid. This is unlike term life insurance, which provides coverage at a set rate for a set amount of time (for example, 20 years). Whole life insurance policies have level premiums and a set death benefit meaning you pay the same amount every year for a set amount of coverage. Universal life insurance offers “flexibility” meaning you may have the ability to adjust your

Door County, WI – Door County Land Trust is pleased to announce the permanent protection of one mile of stream bank along Stony Creek in southern Door County. This is the first time a conservation organization has purchased land within the 13-mile Stony Creek stream corridor, the largest stream system in southern Door County, for the purpose of permanent conservation. Protection of this Stony Creek watershed and stream corridor may improve fish spawning habitat and ultimately improve the water quality flowing into Lake Michigan. The 43-acre newly preserved property contains a high quality forest filled with native white cedar, black ash,

Madison… Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and Representative Warren Petryk (R-Town of Washington) authored a bill that provides a more reasonable financial penalty for towns and villages that do not submit their annual statement for general transportation aids on time. “Our local towns and villages do really well with the tight budgets they have to work with. We should be doing everything we can to support them, not burden them with harsh fines,” said Senator Joan Ballweg. ”There was a case in my district where a computer error, which was no fault of their own, resulted in a $9,000 loss from

WILL-supported legislation would have required districts to post classroom material online The News: Governor Tony Evers vetoed curriculum transparency legislation (SB 463/ AB 488), Friday, denying parents access to the classroom materials in our public schools. The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) supported the legislation to require all public schools to publicly provide access to the material taught in our public-school classrooms. The Quotes: WILL Director of Education Policy, Libby Sobic, said, “Governor Evers’ veto of the curriculum transparency legislation, authored by Sen. Stroebel and Rep. Behnke, denies parents access to taxpayer-funded classroom materials. By vetoing this important legislation, the Governor

DeForest, WI – The Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council praised Governor Evers veto of Senate Bill 125 – a bill that would have created a tax credit for tuition paid by an individual in an apprenticeship program.  While our union supports initiatives that support apprenticeship, and the state should play a role in encouraging apprenticeship in construction, this bill was a lopsided state subsidy.   “This bill would have benefited a very limited number of apprentices in the construction industry and a small number of employers,” said John Schmitt, President/Business Manager of the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council.  “Instead of encouraging greater participation

Madison… Senator Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) and Representative Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) authored a bill that makes several changes to state statute to ensure Wisconsin is able to maintain our critical emergency response teams. This legislation was signed into law as 2021 Act 104. The Division of Emergency Management within the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) contracts with local agencies to staff both Wisconsin’s Structural Collapse Team and the Regional Hazardous Materials Response Teams. Wisconsin’s Structural Collapse Team was created in 2009 and is comprised of 11 fire departments. The task force has been mobilized four times, including once in my district in

“Deciding who deserves to be born based on their inherited characteristics is discrimination. I’m disappointed that Governor Evers would once again veto a bill that prohibits targeting the unborn based on their race, gender, or disability. Wisconsin must affirm that every life has equal meaning and purpose.”