TUE PM Update: Milwaukee leaders optimistic over Evers’ sales tax proposal, Vos wants reforms before more state aid

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Milwaukee officials are expressing optimism about Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to call for dedicating 20 percent of future state sales tax collections to boost shared revenue by more than $576 million while also allowing local governments to levy a higher sales tax of their own. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochest… 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

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Four Fitchburg City Council members endorse Randy Udell for Fitchburg mayor

Fitchburg Alders Jay Allen, Shanon Strassman, Jim Wheeler, and Dave Herbst are endorsing Council President Randy Udell to be Fitchburg’s next Mayor. Former Mayor, former City Council President and current Alder Jay Allen, said “Fitchburg is a growing City.  Randy’s planning and financial skills, his knowledge of City government, and his ability to find common ground will be very important to make sure we grow responsibly. That is why he has my support to be our next Mayor.” “Randy has demonstrated effective leadership as Alder and Council President,” said Alder Dave Herbst. “He has carried out his duties with professionalism

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U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Talks healthcare progress with her State of the Union guest ahead of President Biden’s Address to the nation 

WISCONSIN — Hours before President Biden delivers his State of the Union Address – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined Protect Our Care to discuss how President Biden and Democrats in Congress have worked to pass historic health care measures, lower costs, and expand access to care across the country. This evening, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. During his speech, Biden is expected to herald passage of the Inflation Reduction Act last year, which is already lowering health care costs for Seniors on Medicare and consumers securing health insurance coverage

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Dorow campaign: Over 100 sheriffs, police chiefs, and district attorneys endorse Judge Dorow

Waukesha, Wis. (February 7, 2023) – Judge Jennifer Dorow’s campaign has impressively crossed the century mark in the number of law enforcement leaders who have endorsed her campaign. Today, Judge Dorow’s campaign announced she has received endorsement from 52 additional Wisconsin police chiefs giving her bipartisan endorsements from over 100 sheriffs, police chiefs, and district attorneys from across Wisconsin – far more than any other candidate in the race. Judge Dorow has clearly become ‘Law Enforcement’s Choice’ to be the next Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. “We all saw Judge Dorow’s commitment to the rule of law and protecting our constitutional rights during

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Sen. Wimberger: Statement on joint legislative audit hearing

MADISON — Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay) released the following statement after the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) hearing on February 7th: “The Department of Administration failed to provide the Audit Bureau with even the most basic documents and information used to make federal funding decisions. The public has a right to know how priorities for this funding were determined and why.” Last year, the JLAC directed an audit to determine how the Department of Administration directed the use of supplemental federal funds provided to the state in response to the public health emergency. The committee requested information relating to

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Rep. Tittl: Reintroduces All Copays Count Legislation to Put Patients First

Madison, WI – Today, State Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc) reintroduced a bill relating to the application of prescription drug payments for health coverage. The bill ensures Wisconsin health plans and pharmacy benefit managers count copay assistance towards patient cost-sharing requirements. Already 16 states and Puerto Rico have enacted this policy. “When people face a serious financial situation or deal with chronic disease, their primary concern is doing what they can to address that health concern to able to live as productively as possible,” said Rep. Tittl. “However, another major concern is often how to afford the necessary prescription medication.” “More than

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Rep. Haywood: Statement on Milwaukee police officer killed in the line of duty

MADISON, Wis. – Last night, a Milwaukee Police officer was killed during an attempt to arrest a suspect in an armed robbery in progress. The officer was a 37-year-old male with four years of service to the department. In response, Representative Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement: “It is with a heavy heart that I send condolences to the family and loved ones of the fallen officer, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, while trying to make Milwaukee a better and safer place to live.   “As a community we must take time to mourn and

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Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce: Launches quarterly speakers forum

Milwaukee, WI – February 8, 2023 — The Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) is launching a quarterly Speakers Forum on February 24, 2023, 8:15 a.m. =- 9:30 a.m., featuring experts in areas of business, economic development, government, etc. The Speakers Forum will be presented quarterly during the year on the second month of each quarter. Carol White, president & CEO of GBCC said, “We have consistently heard from our membership that a program like this would be welcomed. In the past, we would offer these randomly as topics came up. This year we are scheduling them into our annual

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Rep. Sortwell: Releases victims’ rights bill to the legislature

Madison – Representative Shae Sortwell (R-Gibson) released the following statement today regarding the circulation of his victims’ rights legislation, co-authored with Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville): “To ensure justice prevails in our court system, it is integral that all debts are paid back by the perpetrator of a felony to society, notably to their victim(s). Once that happens, usually certain rights are re-instituted back to the felon, including the right to vote.” “Although I support that premise, Wisconsin law currently does not require that all financial obligations be paid back until that right to vote is restored. I believe this undermines

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Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Sen. Melissa Agard: Call for a new round of clean car standards

(Madison, Wisconsin ) – Wisconsin elected leaders and health experts convened today to call on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to introduce a new round of vehicle pollution limits to protect Wisconsinites and save them money. The event was sponsored by Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, Senator Melissa Agard, Representative Lisa Subeck, and Kelly DeMarco of Wisconsin Health Professionals for Climate Action, held a press conference to call on the Biden Administration and Wisconsin’s federal elected officials to support a new round of stronger federal clean car standards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Advocates say this

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More than 35 national & Wisconsin advocacy groups urge legislature to support bipartisan legislation: All Copays Count to put patients first

MADISON, WI, February 7, 2023 – Today, more than 35 national and Wisconsin-based advocacy organizations that make up the Wisconsin All Copays Count Coalition called on members of the Wisconsin State Legislature to cosponsor bipartisan All Copays Count legislation that would help Wisconsin patients access and adhere to their prescription medications. The All Copays Count legislation would ensure that commercial health plans and PBMs in Wisconsin count the value of copay assistance toward patient cost-sharing requirements while still allowing insurers to retain plan design flexibility. Additionally, this legislation would close the loophole that allows insurers to define prescription drugs as non-essential and therefore

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Gov. Evers: Announces plan to send 20 percent of state’s sales tax back to local communities

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered on the promise he made in his 2023 State of the State address announcing his 2023-25 proposed biennial budget will send 20 percent of the state’s sales tax revenue back to local communities for shared revenue. The proposal means more than half a billion dollars more per year in new resources for local communities to invest in key priorities like local health and human services, transportation, EMS, fire, and law enforcement services, and other challenges facing our communities such as PFAS and district attorney recruitment and retention—the largest increase in aid to municipalities and counties

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Sen. Andre Jacque: Bipartisan bill would help control medical costs

MADISON… Patients would receive protections from rising health care costs by ensuring that health plans count copay assistance toward a patient’s maximum out-of-pocket cost or annual deductible, under bipartisan legislation introduced today by a Northeast Wisconsin lawmaker. State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere), co-author of the “All Copays Count” measure with area Rep. Paul Tittl, said copay assistance programs often act as a lifeline to help patients afford specialty medications they need to treat serious health conditions.  Sixteen other states have already enacted such protections. “Just when patients think they’ve reached their out-of-pocket limit, insurers and benefit managers keep moving the

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Dept. of Natural Resources: 2023 sturgeon spearing season opens Feb. 11

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is preparing for the sturgeon spearing season opener on Feb. 11, giving spearers a chance to harvest Wisconsin’s largest and oldest fish species.  With one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America, the Winnebago System supports an annual spearing season that will run for a maximum of 16 days (Feb. 26) or until any of the predetermined harvest caps have been met. This year’s harvest caps have been set at:   WATERBODY   JUVENILE FEMALES   ADULT FEMALES   MALES   Upriver Lakes  70  79 246  Lake Winnebago  280  714  985  Winnebago System  350 

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Dept. of Health and Services: Monitoring increase in Toxic Shock Syndrome cases 

Since July 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has received five reports of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), with four cases associated with super absorbency tampon use by teenage females. No deaths have been reported. TSS is a serious illness caused by bacteria that can produce toxins. In a typical year, Wisconsin sees zero to one TSS cases. The last confirmed TSS case in the state was in 2011. “Toxic shock syndrome can progress rapidly leading to complications such as shock, organ failure, and death,” said State Health Officer Paula Tran. “It’s important for those who use tampons to

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Sen. Wimberger: Statement on joint legislative audit hearing

MADISON — Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay) released the following statement after the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) hearing on February 7th: “The Department of Administration failed to provide the Audit Bureau with even the most basic documents and information used to make federal funding decisions. The public has a

Read More »

Rep. Tittl: Reintroduces All Copays Count Legislation to Put Patients First

Madison, WI – Today, State Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc) reintroduced a bill relating to the application of prescription drug payments for health coverage. The bill ensures Wisconsin health plans and pharmacy benefit managers count copay assistance towards patient cost-sharing requirements. Already 16 states and Puerto Rico have enacted this policy. “When

Read More »

Rep. Sortwell: Releases victims’ rights bill to the legislature

Madison – Representative Shae Sortwell (R-Gibson) released the following statement today regarding the circulation of his victims’ rights legislation, co-authored with Senator Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville): “To ensure justice prevails in our court system, it is integral that all debts are paid back by the perpetrator of a felony to society,

Read More »

More than 35 national & Wisconsin advocacy groups urge legislature to support bipartisan legislation: All Copays Count to put patients first

MADISON, WI, February 7, 2023 – Today, more than 35 national and Wisconsin-based advocacy organizations that make up the Wisconsin All Copays Count Coalition called on members of the Wisconsin State Legislature to cosponsor bipartisan All Copays Count legislation that would help Wisconsin patients access and adhere to their prescription medications. The All

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Sen. Andre Jacque: Bipartisan bill would help control medical costs

MADISON… Patients would receive protections from rising health care costs by ensuring that health plans count copay assistance toward a patient’s maximum out-of-pocket cost or annual deductible, under bipartisan legislation introduced today by a Northeast Wisconsin lawmaker. State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere), co-author of the “All Copays Count” measure with

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Dept. of Natural Resources: 2023 sturgeon spearing season opens Feb. 11

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is preparing for the sturgeon spearing season opener on Feb. 11, giving spearers a chance to harvest Wisconsin’s largest and oldest fish species.  With one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in North America, the Winnebago System supports an annual spearing

Read More »