THU PM Update: Assembly committee signs off on reading, alcohol bills

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The Assembly State Affairs Committee today approved along party lines a bill to fundamentally change Wisconsin’s literacy program as Dems argued it takes tools away from teachers. Ahead of passing it 9-5, the committee amended the bill to soften a provision that would originally hold back third-graders who score in the… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password * Remember Me     Forgot Password

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Sumner campaign: Liz Sumner announces candidacy for Milwaukee County comptroller

MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee County Supervisor Liz Sumner today announced her candidacy for the office of Milwaukee County Comptroller, the county’s chief financial officer, in the April 2024 election. Sumner’s candidacy stands strong on a platform of fiscal responsibility, transparency, and collaboration. She is committed to ensuring the financial health of Milwaukee County, making it an even better place to live, work, and grow. “I’m excited to take this next step in serving our community,” said Sumner. “I believe my experience, both in public service and the private sector, along with my education background, uniquely equips me for the role

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Rep. Rettinger: Votes for historic school choice expansion in Shared Revenue Package

Madison – A freshman lawmaker voted in support of two historic investments in Wisconsin today. Representative Nik Rettinger (R-Mukwonago) voted yes on the Shared Revenue Modernization bill and the School Choice Program Improvements bill. Following passage of these two unprecedented compromises, Rep. Rettinger said: “The work done negotiating these long-awaited improvements to the state’s Shared Revenue program will ensure additional resources to communities across the state to support critical police, fire, and other first responder services we count on every day. In providing a pathway for the City & County of Milwaukee to deal with its pending bankruptcy and fiscal

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Rep. Plumer: Legislature passes historic support for communities and schools

MADISON, WI – The Assembly passed historic legislation yesterday during a busy floor session. Rep. Plumer released the following statement: “After months of negotiation, we delivered wins for local communities, families, law enforcement, and small businesses all over the state. We also delivered common sense conservative wins that will help move our state forward. I’m proud of what was accomplished with this shared revenue deal. Some of the provisions include:

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Dane County Farmers’ Market: Celebrates 50-plus years of operation with publication of ‘The Dane County Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Local Foods, Global Flavors’

MADISON, WI – The largest producer-only farmers market in the U.S., the Dane County Farmers’ Market (DCFM) celebrates 50-plus years of operation with the publication of The Dane County Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Local Foods, Global Flavors. Written by veteran Wisconsin-based author Terese Allen, the hardcover, full-color, perfect bound book will be released on July 8 from Little Creek Press (Mineral Point, WI). A public book launch is scheduled for Saturday, July 8 from 7 am to 12 noon at the DCFM, held that day at Breese Stevens Field, 917 E. Mifflin St., Madison, WI. Allen will be signing copies of the book

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Rep. Rozar: Assembly passes historic funding for local governments and schools

Madison, WI – Wednesday, Representative Rozar issued the following statement regarding the Assembly’s passage of Assembly Bill 245, also known as the “shared revenue” Bill, and Senate Bill 330, increasing funding for K-12 students. “I am grateful for the leadership shown by the Assembly and Senate in crafting the largest investment in local governments and schools in Wisconsin’s history. Every municipality outside of Milwaukee will receive at least a 20% increase in direct state aid, with additional funding being set aside for law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, and transportation. Additionally, AB 245 repeals the Personal Property Tax, lifting a burden on

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U.S. Rep. Moore: Applauds U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Indian Child Welfare Act

“The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) makes it clear that aiming to connect families with the resources they need to stay together and preserving cultural connections are essential to child welfare. It also reinforces tribal sovereignty, allowing tribes and parents to petition child welfare proceedings to be moved to a tribal court. That’s why I am so pleased the U.S. Supreme Court upheld this important legislation, which will protect the wellbeing of Native children and empower tribes. ICWA was crafted to address the disturbingly high displacement of Native American children from their communities and into state systems or adoption agencies,

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Sen. Nass: Calls on Senate Republican JFC members to support DEI cuts

Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) issued the following statement in support of Speaker Robin Vos’ call for a $32 million cut in funding to the UW System in response to their wasteful spending on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) staff and programming: “I support Speaker Vos’ efforts to end taxpayer funding of DEI indoctrination in the UW System.  I have made it known to the Senate Republican members of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) that they should not only support Vos’ proposal but look for ways to expand the level of cuts to wasteful spending in the UW System. The UW

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Rep. Vining: Votes against voucher bailout bill

MADISON–The Wisconsin State Assembly passed AB 305 yesterday, a bill that would entrench a two-tiered system of education in Wisconsin. In response to voting against AB 305, Rep. Vining (D-Wauwatosa) issued the following statement: “Every child in Wisconsin has a constitutional right to an adequately funded public education, and this bill attacks that right. AB 305 funnels public dollars away from our underfunded public schools and into unaccountable voucher schools that lack financial transparency, and are able to discriminate against children with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ families.  “Public schools are constitutionally protected institutions of common good, as well as economic engines

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Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service: Announces civic dialogue program, participation in nationwide initiative

WAUSAU, Wis. The Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIPPS) is excited to announce Let’s Talk, Marathon County, a program aimed at fostering constructive conversations among residents on a variety of public issues. Let’s Talk has been selected as one of 32 grantees for the Healing Starts Here initiative, a nationwide effort to address and understand divisive forces in communities and promote healing. This initiative is funded by New Pluralists, an organization committed to helping Americans recognize our shared humanity, embrace our differences, and solve challenges together. WIPPS was chosen from a pool of almost 800 applicants. Let’s Talk, Marathon County seeks to amplify

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Sen. Stroebel: Legislation to close the school funding gap passes the legislature with bipartisan support

Madison, WI – State Sen. Duey Stroebel (R – Cedarburg) issued the following statement in response to passage of Senate Bill 330, a bill he authored to establish better parity in the per pupil funding amounts for K-12 public, independent charter and choice schools in Wisconsin: “After several hours of floor debate, Senate Bill 330 passed both chambers of the legislature with bipartisan support. This historic investment makes sure every child is provided a quality education and has the chance to succeed no matter their zip code.” “In addition to the over $1 billion funding increase to public K-12 schools included

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U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Backs legislation to protect Americans’ right to contraception, safeguard 60 years of settled precedent

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, joined members of the U.S. House and Senate in reintroducing the Right to Contraception Act, legislation that would put into law Americans’ right to contraception, which the Supreme Court first recognized more than half a century ago in its Griswold v. Connecticut decision. Enshrining the right to contraception into federal law would reverse steps already taken by Republicans in states across the country to restrict access to contraceptives and ensure that any future attempt by the far-right majority on the Supreme Court to overturn Griswold would not endanger access to

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Sen. Testin: Supports historic investments in education, local government

Madison: Major legislation dealing with shared revenue and school funding passed both houses of the state legislature yesterday with bi-partisan support. These two bills allocate a portion of the state’s sales tax to local governments, increase funding for public schools, eliminate the personal property tax, and improve the resources available for choice and charter schools. Senator Patrick Testin (Stevens Point) supported both bills. “The passage of these bills will help make communities safer and schools stronger while eliminating a tax that hurts our small businesses,” noted Testin. “The legislature is showing its commitment to empowering parents with significant investments in both public and choice schools.”

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U.S. Reps. Gallagher, Huffman, Nunn: Introduce bipartisan bill to incentivize use of soil health cropping systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Zach Nunn (R-IA) today introduced the Naturally Offsetting Emissions by Managing and Implementing Tillage Strategies (NO EMITS) Act, a bill that would create incentives for producers to transition their farms to soil health cropping systems. These systems increase farm productivity and reduce net carbon emissions by optimizing the ability to sequester carbon use. “Soil health cropping systems help farmers reduce carbon emissions and increase efficiencies on their farms. It’s a win-win practice and the kind of cutting edge technology Northeast Wisconsin farmers have led the world in implementing. This bill will

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THU PM Update: Assembly committee signs off on reading, alcohol bills

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The Assembly State Affairs Committee today approved along party lines a bill to fundamentally change Wisconsin’s literacy program as Dems argued it takes tools away from teachers. Ahead of passing it 9-5, the committee amended the bill to soften a provision that

Read More »

Rep. Plumer: Legislature passes historic support for communities and schools

MADISON, WI – The Assembly passed historic legislation yesterday during a busy floor session. Rep. Plumer released the following statement: “After months of negotiation, we delivered wins for local communities, families, law enforcement, and small businesses all over the state. We also delivered common sense conservative wins that will help

Read More »

Dane County Farmers’ Market: Celebrates 50-plus years of operation with publication of ‘The Dane County Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Local Foods, Global Flavors’

MADISON, WI – The largest producer-only farmers market in the U.S., the Dane County Farmers’ Market (DCFM) celebrates 50-plus years of operation with the publication of The Dane County Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Local Foods, Global Flavors. Written by veteran Wisconsin-based author Terese Allen, the hardcover, full-color, perfect bound book will be released

Read More »

Sen. Nass: Calls on Senate Republican JFC members to support DEI cuts

Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) issued the following statement in support of Speaker Robin Vos’ call for a $32 million cut in funding to the UW System in response to their wasteful spending on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) staff and programming: “I support Speaker Vos’ efforts to end taxpayer funding

Read More »

Rep. Vining: Votes against voucher bailout bill

MADISON–The Wisconsin State Assembly passed AB 305 yesterday, a bill that would entrench a two-tiered system of education in Wisconsin. In response to voting against AB 305, Rep. Vining (D-Wauwatosa) issued the following statement: “Every child in Wisconsin has a constitutional right to an adequately funded public education, and this

Read More »

Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service: Announces civic dialogue program, participation in nationwide initiative

WAUSAU, Wis. The Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIPPS) is excited to announce Let’s Talk, Marathon County, a program aimed at fostering constructive conversations among residents on a variety of public issues. Let’s Talk has been selected as one of 32 grantees for the Healing Starts Here initiative, a nationwide effort to

Read More »

U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Backs legislation to protect Americans’ right to contraception, safeguard 60 years of settled precedent

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, joined members of the U.S. House and Senate in reintroducing the Right to Contraception Act, legislation that would put into law Americans’ right to contraception, which the Supreme Court first recognized more than half a century

Read More »

Sen. Testin: Supports historic investments in education, local government

Madison: Major legislation dealing with shared revenue and school funding passed both houses of the state legislature yesterday with bi-partisan support. These two bills allocate a portion of the state’s sales tax to local governments, increase funding for public schools, eliminate the personal property tax, and improve the resources available for choice and charter schools.

Read More »

U.S. Reps. Gallagher, Huffman, Nunn: Introduce bipartisan bill to incentivize use of soil health cropping systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Zach Nunn (R-IA) today introduced the Naturally Offsetting Emissions by Managing and Implementing Tillage Strategies (NO EMITS) Act, a bill that would create incentives for producers to transition their farms to soil health cropping systems. These systems increase farm productivity and

Read More »