MADISON, WIS – This week, employers, economic development organizations and other key leaders from across Wisconsin sent a letter to the co-chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance in support of significant funding for child care in the state budget. “Wisconsin families need access to high-quality, affordable child care to participate in the workforce, and our businesses need a stable workforce to operate efficiently and grow,” the letter states. “As such, the above- named employers, organizations, and leaders in Wisconsin’s business and economic development community are writing today to request your support for a strong state investment in child

MADISON, WI – Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) members today applauded the announcement of 2023 Wisconsin Dairy Processor Grant awards, and called on lawmakers to boost funding for this impactful program. “As Wisconsin dairy processors expand their capacity and modernize facilities, create new value-added products, and launch new endeavors, they are creating family-supporting job opportunities, strengthening the market for farmers’ milk, and boosting the largely rural communities in which they operate,” said Rebekah Sweeney, WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy.  “It’s a win-win for Wisconsin, and we appreciate the support of lawmakers now considering a funding increase.” On Thursday, the state’s

As the state’s leading free-market advocates, we encourage you to co-sponsor LRB-2922, the “Know Your Healthcare Costs Act,” introduced by Senator Mary Felzkowski and Representative Rob Brooks.   Healthcare costs are a major concern for many Wisconsinites. A recent survey found that 73% of Wisconsinites believe their out-of-pocket costs are unaffordable, with 46% reporting that they delayed care due to financial concerns. Their concerns are not unfounded. According to research from the Rand Corporation, Wisconsin’s hospital costs are 4th highest in the nation. Too many families live in fear of the stream of bills that will inevitably follow even the most minor procedure. This has

MILWAUKEE — Dr. Paul Nolette, associate professor and chair of political science at Marquette University, has been named the next director of the university’s Les Aspin Center for Government. Nolette, who joined the Political Science Department in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences in 2011, will begin in his new role on June 1. A nationally sought-after expert on state attorneys general and contemporary American politics, Nolette will lead the center, which provides academic and internship programming focused on the public policy making process through offerings in Washington, D.C., and Milwaukee. “The Les Aspin Center for Government is one of Marquette’s

Madison- Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) released the following statement related to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau releasing the revised tax collection numbers. The new estimates are lower by 1.16% which is $755.1 million less than the January 25th report. “The news today is unsurprising. Financial mismanagement in Washington has negatively impacted the national economy. However, Wisconsin is still in a historically strong financial position. The Joint Finance Committee is working to craft a budget that will prudently invest in core priorities and set our state up for success, regardless of national headwinds.”

Madison, WI – The Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC), Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) issued the following statement in response to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s (LFB’s) announcement that tax collections will be lower than the January 25 report by $755.1 million, or -1.16%. “The LFB’s re-estimate confirms that the legislature is on the right track as we craft a cautious budget that funds our priorities, addresses our obligations and prepares for the future. The re-estimates reflect the current economic environment we are in and the reality we face over the next three years.

Madison, WI — State Representative Alex Dallman (R-Green Lake) re-introduced his bill, AB 255, which creates a rural pharmacy practice grant program administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board. The Rural Pharmacy Incentive Program would incentivize graduates from Wisconsin’s three Schools of Pharmacy to serve in rural communities. This bill would create a small pilot grant program administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board for graduates to offset the cost of higher education with a commitment to practice in rural communities over three years. Currently, the average amount of debt that a student accrues from a School of Pharmacy is approximately

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced today that 12 programs in Wisconsin will receive more than $13 million in funding through grants and education awards from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. The funding comes from the Senator Baldwin-supported American Rescue Plan and the Fiscal Year 2023 federal budget. These grants awarded through the FY2023 AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competition will support 598 AmeriCorps members who will collaborate with organizations across the state on public service projects. Their efforts will address a variety of issues including supporting runaway and homeless youths, offering tutoring and career services, expanding access

MILWAUKEE, WI – Dan Kapanke, a former member of the Wisconsin Senate Republican caucus and member of the Home Crew Coalition, penned a column for the Wisconsin State Journal on the importance of the Milwaukee Brewers to Wisconsin’s economy and taxpayers.  Read the full column here or find excerpts below:  Keeping the Brewers is well worth some state investmentDan KapankeWisconsin State JournalMay 12, 2023 Wisconsin has a proud baseball tradition. Big names such as Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer pitched in the Northwoods League for the La Crosse Loggers. Appleton is home to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the High-A minor

Washington, DC — Over the weekend, President Biden committed to protecting health care for millions of Americans as Republicans are seeking to rip away coverage for as many as 21 million people who rely on Medicaid through their extreme “Default on America Act.”  President Biden told reporters Medicaid is off the table while the White House confirmed “he will not accept proposals that take away peoples’ health coverage.” The President reinforced this commitment today. A record 92 million people in America are covered by Medicaid – mostly seniors, children, and people with disabilities – but the GOP is seeking serious

As part of our ongoing commitment to implement practices that are highly protective of our region’s precious water and soil resources, the Kinnard Farms family is excited about the opportunity to move forward with the installation of state-of-the-art manure management technology. The installation of this technology, the first such in Wisconsin, is a game changer. It will transform liquid manure into three separate and pathogen-free products: clean water, dry organic fertilizer and an organic ammonia fertilizer. The technology will remove most of the truck traffic from our local roads and greatly reduce the need for long-term storage of liquid manure

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking the public to avoid burning due to critical fire danger across northern Wisconsin. A fire weather watch is in effect and the DNR and partners at the National Weather Service (NWS) are closely monitoring the situation. The sandy pines areas of northern Wisconsin are always the slowest to green up. Additionally tree growth in this part of the state is at a volatile stage. Combined with very low humidity and the potential for winds, fires could spread out of control rapidly at this time. Areas with VERY HIGH fire