MADISON – February 27 – March 3 is Public Schools Week – a week to highlight and support the critical work of Wisconsin’s public schools. Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement: “Great public schools are the cornerstone of our communities and the foundation of a strong state. Our public schools, teachers, and administrators work diligently to ensure that every student is provided with a superb education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. Beyond academic success, teachers also work to ensure their students are welcomed, safe, and represented in the classroom. Our children and students

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is ending the frozen road declaration for southern Wisconsin Zone 4 as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 1 and enacting Class II road restrictions for Zones 4 and 5. As warmer weather continues, further Zones will be added depending on frost tube readings. WisDOT and county highway personnel monitor temperature forecasts, along with frost tubes – liquid-filled devices under pavement – to help determine when roads are adequately frozen to accommodate heavier loads or thawed to lift declarations. Class II roads include about 1,400 miles of state highways susceptible to damage from heavy trucks during the spring thaw

On March 1, the City of Madison will launch the Madison Customer Assistance Program (MadCAP). MadCAP is the first program in Wisconsin to offer a monthly credit, or discount, to low income residents on a municipal services bill. Those who enroll in MadCAP will receive adiscount to their Madison Municipal Services bill in the form of a credit that applies to all items on the bill, including water, sewer, resource recovery, landfill, an urban forestry services. “Working families are struggling to afford housing in Madison. One way we can help is to reduce the cost of household bills,” said Mayor

(JANESVILLE) – Today, Representative Sue Conley (D-Janesville), Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), and local leaders joined Governor Tony Evers as he announced a $15 million investment from his Capital Budget Proposal for the Woodman’s Sports and Convention Centerproject. “I was thrilled to join Governor Evers today as he made this announcement. The proposed Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center is projected to have an economic impact of $23 million annually, generate 228 new full and part-time jobs and over 400 construction jobs,” Rep.Conley stated. “The positive community and economic development impacts will be a valuable asset to the City of Janesville and

JANESVILLE – Today, State Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) joined Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, State Representative Sue Conley (D-Janesville), and local leaders to announce that the Governor’s 2023-2025 Capital Budget includes a $15 million investment to support the Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center project in Janesville. “I am proud to join Governor Evers today to announce this transformational investment in Janesville’s future,” said Senator Spreitzer. “This $15 million investment is critical to completing the Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center project, a central piece of the redevelopment of Uptown Janesville and the whole Milton Avenue corridor. From hosting conventions and events to

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) opened applications for $15 million in grant funding to support Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). HCBS help older adults or those who have disabilities live independently in their community. This is the second time Medicaid HCBS providers and agencies in Wisconsin are eligible to apply for between $25,000 to $1 million in grant funding. DHS will select projects that strengthen the HCBS system and support quality and innovation in the delivery of HCBS to older adults or those who have disabilities. “The projects we awarded in the first round are underway and already

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, one of the largest dairy co-ops in the country, welcomed the reintroduction of federal legislation that would address the misuse of dairy terms on the labels of imitation dairy products.  Today, Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, SusanCollins, R-Maine and Peter Welch, D-Vt.  reintroduced the DAIRY PRIDE Act, prohibiting the mislabeling of imitation-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants and algae from using dairy terms such as milk, yogurt or cheese. Existing regulations define “dairy products” as products manufactured for human consumption which are derived from the processing of milk, and includes

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov Governor’s historic capital budget investments saves taxpayers nearly $1 billion, supports estimated nearly $7 billion in economic activity and 45,000 jobs JANESVILLE — Gov. Tony Evers today released $3.8 billion in recommended investments in his 2023-25 Capital Budget for the renovation and renewal of the state’s existing infrastructure and to support major projects across the state in 28 counties. The announcement represents one of the strongest investments to date for Wisconsin’s facility infrastructure without the burden of 20 years of debt service for general obligation debt. At a four percent comparison interest rate, the governor’s proposal to fund $1.9 billion of the

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) opened applications for $15 million in grant funding to support Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). HCBS help older adults or those who have disabilities live independently in their community. This is the second time Medicaid HCBS providers and agencies in Wisconsin are eligible to apply for between $25,000 to $1 million in grant funding. DHS will select projects that strengthen the HCBS system and support quality and innovation in the delivery of HCBS to older adults or those who have disabilities. “The projects we awarded in the first round are underway and already

Work to improve WIS 69 between County D in Belleville and Paoli in Dane County, is scheduled to resume on Monday, March 6. Roadway improvements in 2023 include rehabilitating the existing pavement along 0.89 miles of WIS 69 between County D and Gehin Road in Belleville, reconstructing WIS 69 from Gehin Road to County PB in Paoli; realign the roadway in spot locations, improve vertical curves and clear zones, new signing, pavement marking, and guardrails. During construction of WIS 69 in 2023, through traffic between Belleville and Paoli will be closed and detoured via WIS 92, WIS 78 and US

MADISON – Governor Tony Evers’ 2023-25 biennium budget proposal works to make child care more accessible and affordable. The Governor’s proposal includes $340 million to provide a permanent investment in the Child Care Counts: COVID-19 Stabilization Payment Program, which was created with federal dollars during the pandemic to support Wisconsin’s early care and education community. To date, the program has sent monthly payments to over 3,300 providers in Wisconsin to stay open, recruit and retain qualified staff, and provide care to over 113,000 children statewide.  Today, Senator Agard (D-Madison) and Representative Ratcliff (D-Cottage Grove) held a press conference highlighting the Governor’s proposed investment

Corrine Hendrickson, owner and operator of Corrine’s Little Explorers Family Child Care in rural New Glarus, WI, recently had the opportunity to testify before the House Small Business Committee. As a member of Main Street Alliance for two years, Hendrickson shared her story of how she was able to achieve her American Dream and provide for her employees by utilizing federal rescue fund dollars. Federal rescue funds like the American Rescue Plan Act, Paycheck Protection Program, and Economic Injury Disaster Loans helped thousands of small businesses make it through the COVID pandemic and continue to support small businesses today. In