MADISON — Joint Legislative Audit Co-Chairs Senator Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay) and Representative Robert Wittke (R-Racine) released the following statement in response to the April 20th public hearing on the Department of Corrections (DOC) Community Corrections Program. “We remain concerned that the DOC has implemented a far-reaching program, whose policies have the force of law, without following the statutorily-required rulemaking process. Victims, communities and stakeholders deserve transparency from the department on how they have chosen to implement this program, and they deserve to have confidence DOC’s mechanisms have been thoroughly vetted and are in their best interest. “Additionally, the committee is

MADISON, Wis. — Today, the GOP-led state legislature devoted time to Republican-authored bills and proposals that would make it harder for Wisconsinites to access affordable healthcare, would revoke essential benefits from Wisconsinites who have lost their jobs, and would support a tax scheme that delivers massive benefits to the highest incomes at the expense of the rest of us. “Rather than trying to take resources away from Wisconsinites, legislative Republicans could instead be focused on making sure people across Wisconsin have the resources they need to support their families,” said Chris Walloch, executive director of A Better Wisconsin Together. “That includes things like

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today joined a multistate coalition in submitting comments urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to strengthen its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, or “Green Guides,” which states like Wisconsin use to hold marketers accountable and protect consumers. In a letter sent today to FTC Chair Lina Khan, Attorney General Kaul joined 15 attorneys general in calling for updates to the federal Green Guides to bolster consumer protection laws against advertising that overstates environmental benefits, often called “greenwashing.” “When companies claim that products are environmentally friendly, those products should actually have

Today, County Executive Joe Parisi joined Dane County Extension staff and volunteers to cut the ribbon on the organization’s educational greenhouse at the Dane County Extension Teaching Garden. As the Dane County area eases into spring, Dane County Extension is already putting the 18 ft. by 36 ft. greenhouse to use by starting seedlings to advance educational opportunities within the community. “By opening this greenhouse, our community members will gain hands-on experience in growing seedlings and connecting to nature,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “We’re also excited to have organizations use the new space to advance their own agriculture

MADISON – Today, a resolution proclaiming May 2023 to be Jewish American Heritage Month in Wisconsin passed the Assembly. Authored by Representative Lisa Subeck, one of two Jewish-American legislators in the state and a board member of the National Association of Jewish Legislators, the resolution passed unanimously and had a bipartisan list of co-sponsors. Rep. Subeck presented the resolution to Rabbi Andrea Steinberger of University of Wisconsin Madison Hillel, the second-oldest Hillel branch in the nation. “The impact of Jewish Americans on Wisconsin’s history cannot be overstated,” said Rep. Subeck, “From U.S. Senators to famous magicians, renowned actors to Prime

Representatives from tribal nation, state, and local agencies, as well as children and caregivers, are in Wausau today and tomorrow for the Wisconsin Children’s System of Care Summit, an event organized by the Department of Health Services (DHS) designed to advance the state’s network of services and supports for children with or at risk of a mental health, substance use, or other challenge and their families. “For our state to be strong, children and families must be valued, understood, and supported in their communities,” said DHS Secretary-designee Kirsten Johnson. “This means building a system of care for children and families

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) led Republicans in Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation in demanding answers from the HHS, NIH, and CDC about a recently unveiled biosafety lab incident at UW-Madison. The incident, which potentially exposed individuals to a genetically engineered virus, raises serious questions about the requirements that the HHS, NIH, and CDC have in place and the basic processes for oversight and transparency at labs that engaged in risky gain-of-function research.  The letter, which was also signed by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Reps. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI),

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) led Republicans in Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation in demanding answers from the HHS, NIH, and CDC about a recently unveiled biosafety lab incident at UW-Madison. The incident, which potentially exposed individuals to a genetically engineered virus, raises serious questions about the requirements that the HHS, NIH, and CDC have in place and the basic processes for oversight and transparency at labs that engaged in risky gain-of-function research. The letter, which was also signed by Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Reps. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), demands answers

MADISON, Wis. – Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) and Minority Leader Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) released the following statement: “Last week Speaker Vos and Minority Leader Neubauer brought their leadership teams together for a bipartisan leadership retreat, facilitated by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The meeting was an opportunity to discuss our differing perspectives, consider challenges facing the institution, and begin cultivating a path to find common ground. It was a productive endeavor, and we look forward to continuing these conversations in the months to come. “We want to extend our gratitude to Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center in