WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04) and Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statements after Representative Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) and the Republican leadership adjourned the House of Representatives for the long weekend without a debt limit deal in place, risking default on the United States and a collapse of the US economy: “When Rep. Van Orden voted for the Default on America Act last month, he voted to force a draconian 22% cut on government programs and services, like Meals on Wheels, vital dairy subsidies, and housing vouchers for veterans, effectively kicking homeless veterans to the curb,” Rep. Pocan said. “When House Republicans released

The Land & Water Resources Department has received numerous calls over recent weeks from concerned lake property owners and boaters on low lake levels.  Currently, Yahara lake levels are near summer minimum and within DNR water level orders. Dane County’s long-term goal is to minimize flood risk through sediment removal in the Yahara River but this activity has not contributed to lower lake levels.  The lake levels are lower than normal this time of year due to dry weather and low amounts of snow melt in the spring.  Presently, all dams (Tenney, Babcock, and LaFollette) on the Yahara Chain of Lakes are

MILWAUKEE – Today, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution supporting mental health treatment and care in addition to recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Supervisor Kathleen Vincent, who authored the legislation, made the following statement:   “Mental health impacts all of us in some way and it is time to break down the stigma associated with mental illness,” said Supervisor Vincent. “I am grateful for the support I received from my doctor(s), friends, and support system at home. My journey has taught me the importance of mental health treatment and care, and I am committed to being an advocate and a positive example for those facing similar challenges.”  The resolution aims to promote mental health

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has joined U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and two of their colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to significantly enhance our nation’s ability to counter the security threats posed by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. The bill will renew and expand existing authorities, which are set to expire in September, that provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) with necessary tools to effectively counter dangerous UAS that pose a security threat. Federal law enforcement officials previously told the committee that current authorities are not sufficient to meet the current threat level

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman and Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball will be the featured guests for a special conversation, “An Ounce of Summer Prevention in Public Safety?” in an “On the Issues” program, Thursday, June 1, at 12:15 p.m. at Marquette Law School’s Eckstein Hall. Derek Mosley, director of the Law School’s Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education, will lead a conversation about public safety in the city and county. Norman and Ball will discuss reality versus perception, minimizing the increase in disorder that sometimes occurs in summer, and how Milwaukee fares compared with

MADISON, WI – Today, the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) completed four agencies, including the Department of Revenue (DOR), Employee Trust Funds (ETF), Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and Miscellaneous Appropriations. The Co-Chairs of the Committee, Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) and Representative Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) highlighted investments made by the committee:  After the committee meeting, the Co-Chairs made the following statement: “Today, we invested in a valuable public-private partnership that helps people across our state have access to their state government. When our residents have the tools they need to stay informed about how their government is working for

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin wrapped up the first week of her “Delivering for Our Veterans Tour” with a meeting with veterans and advocates in Racine to discuss the new health care and disability benefits for veterans who have been harmed by toxic exposure. Veterans are now eligible for these benefits because of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT) of 2022 that Senator Baldwin helped pass into law. “Traveling the state and hearing these veterans’ stories has been so powerful. It was great to hear the stories of veterans who are

MADISON – Today, the Assembly Committee on Education brought forth AB 232, a bill that directs school boards to provide instruction on Hmong Americans and Asian Americans.  Representative Francesca Hong (D – Madison), both a member of this committee and the bill’s author, is also the first Asian American legislator in Wisconsin’s state history.  Representative Hong (D – Madison): “Today’s public hearing marks a significant milestone in what has been many years of bipartisan effort to include instruction on Hmong Americans and Asian Americans in our education curriculum here in Wisconsin.  “Validating the cultural heritage of thousands of Asian American students

(Madison, WI) – The Joint Finance Committee today voted to create a matching grant for the creation of the Lt. Governor Margaret Farrow Endowment for WisconsinEye. The WisconsinEye Public Affairs Network is a non-profit communications network dedicated to providing citizens with access to the actions of our state government and to a range of civic and policy forums and events from across Wisconsin. The endowment grant will match those funds, up to $10 million, privately raised by WisconsinEye during the upcoming biennium. The grant ends at the close of the 2023-25 biennium, with the state funds only matching those raised

MILWAUKEE — The benefits of equine therapy for Veterans, as well as their families, will be on display during “Prissy & PJ’s Private Party,” an open house event for Milwaukee Urban Stables. Geared toward families, the free, fun event will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at Milwaukee Urban Stables, 143 E. Lincoln Ave. Milwaukee Urban Stables provides equine-assisted therapy and learning programs for the community. It recently launched programming for Veterans, offering group therapy sessions. In addition, a new program aimed at helping Veterans improve communication skills with their families will be starting soon. “We’re particularly

Wauwatosa, WI – The Wauwatosa School District proudly announces that its high school students have received prestigious Jerry Awards for their spring 2023 performances of Seussical and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Wauwatosa West) and Rock of Ages (Wauwatosa East).  The Wauwatosa West Theatre Program received several awards for its production of Seussical including:  Awards received for the production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella include:  The Wauwatosa East Theatre Program received several awards for its production Rock of Ages: Teen Edition, including: The program, named after Madison-area philanthropist and arts supporter Jerome Frautschi, honors excellence in high school musical theater within

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), today unveiled new dual-language signs for placement on state highways. The new signs indicate the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin’s Tribal boundaries and communities in both the Ojibwe and English languages. “Reversing the decline of our Ojibwe language has become one of Tribal Leadership’s most desired goals. The Tribe has been working diligently to revitalize our language through educational efforts, cultural ceremonies, historic preservation, and work assignments,” St. Croix Chairman William Reynolds said. “In the prioritization of dual