Madison, WI – After joining her colleagues for a press conference in the Assembly Parlor, Representative Rozar issued the following statement regarding the proposal for shared revenue, introduced by Assembly Republican legislators, which will increase funding of local governments: “Today, after listening to local officials and constituents from around Wisconsin, we are excited to announce historic investments in local governments. I believe towns will be pleased with the increase in revenue under this proposal, as they are set to receive the largest increase among all municipalities. While the details are still being finalized, all municipalities will receive at least a 10%

WASHINGTON —Today, U.S Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure renewing their request for information on what safeguards CMS has in place to address improper payments in the Medicaid program. “We write to continue our investigation into the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the staggering rate of improper payments in the Medicaid program. As we noted in our April 13, 2022 letter, the reported improper payments rate of 15.62 percent is likely an underestimate. Some estimates

WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, U.S Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, along with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member of the Committee on the Budget, sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), requesting that office provide Congress unredacted records connected to the DOJ OIG’s review of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.  In response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, DOJ OIG produced 460 pages of heavily redacted documents to Citizens United.  These documents included transcripts of DOJ OIG’s interviews of former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former Federal Bureau of

Oshkosh, Wis. – Today, Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Secretary Kathy Blumenfeld met with Winnebago County leadership and toured several facilities made possible through a $10.3 million Neighborhood Investment Fund grant from Governor Evers for housing continuum services.   The Secretary met with Winnebago County Executive Jon Doemel, Day by Day Shelter executive director Molly Butz, Oshkosh Kids Foundation President Will Deppiesse and executive director Julie Dumke, during a tour of the upcoming warming shelter, and the community center at the Tiny House Village in Oshkosh. The two projects are part of six housing continuum proposals funded through the Neighborhood Investment Fund

Madison – The Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association (WCPA) released the following statement after the announcement by Assembly Republicans on legislation that includes a substantial investment in public safety initiatives. “The Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, as well as our members across the state greatly appreciate efforts to double the funding for law enforcement training and provide additional revenue to our local government partners. The proposal changes the training fund mechanism from an account that is insufficient to cover the costs, to this new funding source that will create a stable account for the future. The proposed bill will help our departments

(Waukesha, WI) The following is a statement from Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow regarding the State Assembly’s plan to solve Milwaukee’s pension crisis and fund local governments:  “Today, Assembly Republicans handed many Democrats exactly what they’ve wanted, a bailout of Milwaukee’s out of control pension fund in the form of sales tax increases for the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County. Unfortunately, their plan doesn’t give us what we needed; a solution to the problems created by an outdated state revenue formula and decades of unfunded state mandates. The new money provided under the proposal falls far short of what a

MADISON – Today, Assembly Republicans held a press conference to announce that they will soon have a plan to address shared revenue to local municipalities. Senator Agard released the following statement: “Republicans should be embarrassed by their announcement today. It is clear that they have no consensus on a plan to adequately fund our communities. Our local governments deserve better than the games Republicans are playing.  “In contrast to the GOP’s forthcoming ‘plan,’ legislative Democrats are united in support of Governor Evers’ budget proposal to send 20% of the state sales tax revenue back to local communities for shared revenue

Madison – Representative Barbara Dittrich (R – Oconomowoc) appeared at the rollout of the Assembly GOP’s historic plan to update Wisconsin’s shared revenue funding formula, which has been frozen since Governor Jim Doyle’s tenure. As part of the plan, 20% of the state sales tax revenues would be directed exclusively to local governments, $227 million in brand new funding would be provided for law enforcement, fire, EMS, public works, and transportation, thus doubling the state reimbursement for officer training costs, and repealing the personal property tax. The Assembly GOP plan creates a new Local Government Segregated Account totaling over $1.5 billion,

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined her colleagues in reintroducing legislation to protect abortion providers in states where abortion remains legal from Republicans’ attempts to restrict their practice and create uncertainty about their legal liability. The Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act would ensure that doctors can continue to safely provide legal abortion care and protect health care providers from being held liable for providing services to patients from other states. “Women in Wisconsin are living under an 1849 criminal abortion ban without the freedom to access essential health care in their home state and forcing them to travel

MADISON –Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) issued the following statement following the Assembly Republicans statewide press conferences announcing their local government funding plan:  “One of the things I have heard about the most as I’ve done listening sessions in my district, and our travels for the budget hearings this session, is the need for additional funding for local units of government,” said Kurtz. “Today, we laid out the framework for the largest increase in aid to local governments in a generation, including historical reforms and directing new funding to law enforcement, fire and EMS services.” “Every community in the state is

Milwaukee, Wis., April 27, 2023 – Milwaukee will be home to the Midwest’s first program designed specifically to treat mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI or concussions) in veterans and first responders. The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Neuroscience Institute is launching the BRAVE (Building Resilience through Action in Veterans and First Responders) program – an intensive, three-week, outpatient program customized to treat the unique needs of participants with mTBI – thanks to a $12.5 million gift from Avalon Action Alliance, a national organization focused on the mental wellness of veterans and first responders. “We’re grateful and excited to be the first

Madison – Representative Shae Sortwell (R-Gibson) released the following statement today following legislative press conferences this morning regarding shared revenue: “With Wisconsin having a notable surplus as we approach the 2023-2025 biennial budget, the Republican Legislature will be devoting twenty percent of state sales tax revenues to local governments, which is approximately $1.5 billion. $527 million will be new money dedicated to law enforcement, fire, EMS, public works, and transportation, while also encouraging cost savings and consolidation if local governments come together and provide services more efficiently.” “Every local government will see at least a 10% minimum increase in their

MILWAUKEE, WI – Mayor Cavalier Johnson welcomes the Viking Octantis, the first cruise ship to visit Port Milwaukee as part of the 2023 season. This passenger vessel is scheduled to dock in Milwaukee Harbor on May 4, 2023. The Viking Octantis’ arrival in Milwaukee will begin a 2023 summer season where 31 port calls by various cruise ships are planned, bringing an estimated 12,000 passengers to the city. Operated by Viking, the Viking Octantis can carry up to 378 passengers on voyages throughout the Great Lakes. This will be the second season where Viking will designate Milwaukee as an embarkation and debarkation port for the