The News: Today, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) issued two significant policy updates: its response to Governor Evers’ 2023-25 Budget and improvements to the School Data Dashboard.  Background: Last Wednesday night, Governor Tony Evers delivered his 2023-25 state budget address. Overall, the governor’s proposal represented a leftward lurch in policy, replete with massive new spending and symbolic proposals that would check the box for various interest groups while doing real harm to Wisconsin families. WILL’s policy brief highlights these key provisions in the budget proposal, and shines a light on the areas where legislators and Wisconsinites need to pay attention. Here are some key takeaways: Last

Madison, Wis. — On February 15, the Joint Committee on Finance held a meeting to consider Arrowhead Park Trail’s stewardship request and approved the project. “Grand Chute worked tirelessly to get this proposal pushed through. I applaud their hard work and I was happy to help raise this issue with my colleagues,” said Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton). The Joint Committee on Finance reviews certain stewardship projects and works with various parties if objections are raised to come to a negotiated outcome. The project’s $400,000 grant will come from a sub-program “Acquisition and Development of Local Parks” for Arrowhead Park’s trail

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly today released the following statement on the passing and legacy of University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Emerita Rebecca Blank: “I was saddened to hear of Chancellor Blank’s passing, and my heart goes out to her family, friends, and colleagues. As a leader and public servant, she had many gifts and talents, and we were lucky to have her here in Wisconsin. She loved this state, and her passion for higher education and public education as a way to create a better life for every one of us was unparalleled. We see that passion and dedication in

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages the public to report any black bear den locations they find across Wisconsin in order to help with an ongoing study on black bear reproduction. The Black Bear Litter and Diet Survey will begin its second year of data collection in March and is looking for more dens statewide to include in the study. The study will generate new estimates of black bear reproductive rates within each bear management zone, and these estimates will improve the accuracy of the population models used to manage bears in the state. Additionally, researchers are investigating

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) opened applications today for a third cohort of Dream Up! grants. This round of applications will offer $2.5 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the opportunity for nine Wisconsin communities to evaluate, plan, sustain, and expand child care in their area. “Seeing communities from the first two cohorts of the Dream Up! grant come together to support child care at the local level has been exciting,” said DCF Secretary Emilie Amundson. “This third round of funding will allow for even more areas of Wisconsin to do the same, boosting

MADISON, Wis. — In 2020, Wisconsinites turned out in record numbers across zip codes and demographics to demand change. This Presidents’ Day, we are celebrating the myriad of changes that President Biden has brought across our local communities in the nearly three years since. The work being done by the Biden-Harris Administration to tackle serious issues right here in Wisconsin has been a breath of fresh air, making huge accomplishments in the face of global crises and daily threats to some of our most fundamental freedoms. “The Biden-Harris administration is breaking down long-standing barriers in vital sectors like our infrastructure, economy,

Wisconsin’s Spring primary is Tuesday (February 21, 2023) and voters who don’t already have a Wisconsin driver license, ID or other form of identification needed to vote may still get a Wisconsin ID from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The Wisconsin Elections Commission website explains the options for IDs to show at the polls. There is no separate “voter ID” and a federally compliant REAL ID card is not required for voting purposes. There are documentation requirements, such as a birth certificate, proof of identity and Wisconsin residency, to obtain an official Wisconsin ID card. If all documentation

Tuesday, February 21, is Election Day in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition urges voters with disabilities to cast a ballot and participate in our democracy. The Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW) Voter Hotline is available to answer your voting questions. Contact the Hotline at 844-DIS-VOTE/ 844-347-8683 or info@disabilityvote.org. On Election Day, staff from DRW and Centers for Independent Living will conduct polling place accessibility reviews on behalf of the Wisconsin Election Commission. Absentee VotingBallots must arrive by 8 PM on Election Day for them to count. If you have not yet mailed your ballot, check with your clerk about where