MADISON – Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) – the combined state chamber of commerce and manufacturers’ association – presented Sen. André Jacque with a Working for Wisconsin Award. Sen. Jacque was honored for his work during the most recent legislative session. The Working for Wisconsin Award recognizes legislators who supported specific pro-growth policies and earned a high rating on WMC’s biennial legislative scorecard. “Wisconsin is fortunate to have so many legislative leaders who consistently vote to improve our state’s business climate,” said WMC President & CEO Kurt R. Bauer. “When legislators actively work to improve our state’s tax, regulatory and legal climate,

Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs has been selected as part of the 2022 class of legislators nationwide to participate in Policymakers for Peace, a network made up of leaders of color from across the country committed to championing solutions that end the cycle of violence in underserved communities. Initially launched in 2020 by the Community Justice Action Fund, Policymakers for Peace works to support the passage and implementation of key policies at the state and local levels that tackle gun violence using an equity lens. The initiative seeks to build and support a national, nonpartisan network of state and local policymakers of

MILWAUKEE — Marquette Theatre will open its two Second Stage Series productions, “The Wolves” and “From White Plains,” from Friday, Nov. 18, to Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Evan P. and Marion Helfaer Theatre, 525 N. 13th St. The Second Stage Series was first launched in the 2021-22 season, presenting two shows in rotation. These shows are stripped-down with intimate seating and are designed to put the acting in the spotlight. “The Wolves” This Pulitzer Prize-finalist features an all-female cast. “The Wolves” explores the world of high school soccer players in suburban America. As they warm-up before games, the girls

Love is love, and Americans should have the right to marry the person they love.  Today’s bipartisan vote brings the United States one step closer to protecting that right in law. The Respect for Marriage Act will ensure that LGBTQI+ couples and interracial couples are respected and protected equally under federal law, and provide more certainty to these families since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs. I want to thank the Members of Congress whose leadership has sent a strong message that Republicans and Democrats can work together to secure the fundamental right of Americans to marry the person they love. I

“The Supreme Court has proven time and time again that they will defy the will of the people without issue, and NextGen America commends the work of the Senate for taking this huge step forward to defending our most basic freedoms and codifying same-sex marriage into law.  “Last Tuesday, young voters turned out at historic levels to propel Democrats in the Senate to victory, trusting in these leaders to build a better future and protect our most basic civil liberties. And today, Senate Democrats showed up for young voters and their vision for the future. Young people in this country

MADISON – The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) announced that Robert Stafslien is the new leader of the Single Family Lending team. In this role, Stafslien will utilize his lengthy mortgage lending experience to carry out WHEDA’s mission and vision through the development of new products, strategic planning, and legislative interaction emphasizing the importance of safe, secure homes for all Wisconsinites. Prior to joining WHEDA, Stafslien served as a sales manager for U.S. Bank where he was a liaison to retail branches in Madison and Milwaukee for the residential mortgage market. He also spent four years in service to

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement on the Senate vote, 62-37, to advance the Respect for Marriage Act. “Today, we took a step forward in our fight to give millions of loving couples the certainty, dignity, and respect that they need and deserve. A bipartisan coalition of Senators stood with the overwhelming majority of Americans who support marriage equality. We came together to move the Respect for Marriage Act forward and give the millions of Americans in same-sex and interracial marriages the certainty that they will continue to enjoy the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities afforded to

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin spoke on the Senate floor in support of her Respect for Marriage Act and the need to provide millions of loving couples in same-sex and interracial marriages the certainty that they will continue to enjoy the freedoms, rights, and responsibilities afforded to all other marriages. A video of the speech can be downloaded here. An online version of this release is available here.

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released the following statement after voting against the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the Respect for Marriage Act. “The Respect for Marriage Act is unnecessary as the Obergefell decision is settled law and has no chance of being overturned. The Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization made clear no other right would be affected by its ruling. The Democrats have used this to create a state of fear over a settled issue in order to further divide Americans for their political benefit. The substitute amendment did not provide

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced his appointment of Jessica Hedinger to serve as Washburn County Register of Deeds. The appointment fills a vacancy created by the retirement of Renee M. Bell, effective Oct. 1, 2022. Hedinger will serve for the remainder of the unexpired term that ends on Jan. 5, 2025. “Jessica Hedinger has the experience and prior knowledge to be successful as register of deeds for Washburn County,” said Gov. Evers. “She will lead the office and serve the people of Washburn County well in this role.” A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Hedinger currently serves as a

Madison – State Representative Janel Brandtjen responds to the Assembly GOP’s letter removing her from caucus. “A short, three-sentence letter from Republican Caucus Chair Rep Summerfield was delivered to my office, stating that due to ‘continual issues from the past,’ I was being barred from participating in future closed caucuses. There was no specification as to what these ‘continual issues’ were, and neither Rep Summerfield, nor any other caucus leaders, had the integrity to discuss this with me either in person, privately, or in caucus last week. I’m assuming this is in regards to my role as Chairperson of the

MADISON, Wis. – The UW Health Transplant Center is one of the few transplant centers in the country that has transplanted more than 12,000 kidneys. This milestone shows the center’s incredible expertise and leadership in kidney transplantation according to Dr. Dixon Kaufman, medical director, UW Health Transplant Center, and professor of surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. “When you think about the size of our program compared to some on the west coast or the east coast, it’s especially impressive to say we are one of the first in the nation to reach this number of

MADISON – Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement thanking outgoing members, Senator Janet Bewley (D-Mason), Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point), and Senator Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) for their years of service to Wisconsin: “It has been an honor serving with Senator Bewley, Senator Erpenbach, and Senator Ringhand. Taken together, they gave just shy of fifty years of service to our state. Their knowledge, experiences, and grit will be deeply missed by the caucus, their districts, and the people of Wisconsin.” “Senator Janet Bewley has served Northern Wisconsin for 12 years. She was motivated by her constituents in the 25th Senate

A group of concerned citizens has initiated efforts to promote the inclusion of Political groups and Politicians in Wisconsin’s Do-Not-Call Registry. We are hoping that in the 2023 Spring session the State Legislature will pick up where they left off in their 2014 bipartisan pursuit of this much-needed legislation. People are tired of being afraid to answer an unrecognized number and having their lives interrupted by constant and incessant phone calls and texts. This happens in great part because of the legislature’s inaction and presumed privilege. Sen. Andre Jacque will sponsor a bill similar to 2014’s SB 97 which addressed