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— Gov. Tony Evers announced this morning he has sent a letter to a Senate committee chair asking for action on the workforce development bill he wanted lawmakers to take up during a special session.
Senate GOP leaders two weeks ago referred the guv’s special session bill to the Economic Development and Technical Colleges Committee, chaired by Dan Feyen, R-Fond du Lac. At the time, Feyen pledged quick action, saying some issues in the bill needed to be addressed quickly.
As of this morning, the committee didn’t have any public hearings listed on its upcoming calendar.
Evers asked Feyen in a letter his office released for a public hearing and exec session “without delay.”
The guv’s bill includes a series of proposals Republicans already rejected in the state budget process. That includes state money to cover subsidies for child care providers and funds to launch a paid leave program.
“Unfortunately, with each day of delay and inaction, the state is seeing the consequences of uncertainty and a lack of investment in this industry through multiple child care closures, throwing working families and their kids into chaos and destabilizing the workforce in our local communities,” Evers wrote.
— Assembly committees have hearings planned today on bills that would impact transgender Wisconsinites.
The Colleges and Universities Committee will begin taking public testimony this morning on AB 378, which would bar transgender athletes from playing on college teams designated for those who were born female.
The bill would require UW campuses and state technical colleges to designate their athletic teams as falling into one of three categories: for those who are males, those who are females and co-ed. Those who were male at birth would be prohibited from playing on a team or in a sport designated for women.
The Assembly Education Committee will take testimony on a bill that would impose a similar requirement for high school teams.
Similar bills failed to clear the Senate last session.
See the Colleges and Universities hearing notice:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748407
See the Education Committee notice:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748327
— The Assembly Health, Aging and Long-Term Care Committee will then have a hearing on legislation that would ban gender-affirming care for those under the age of 18.
See the hearing notice:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748415
— The Senate Health Committee today will exec on the nomination of Kirsten Johnson as Health Services secretary.
The committee is voting by paper ballots, which are due at 4 p.m.
See the hearing notice:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748610
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TOP HEADLINES
Senate Republicans vote to reject commissioner who backed disputed top elections official
… [chair Knodl’s committee on 3-2 party line rejected WEC Dem] Czarnezki, who [Evers] appointed … in May … [in hearing, GOP] grilled Czarnezki about his decision to abstain from the commission’s vote [on Wolfe] in June. … Knodl, accused Czarnezki of a “failure to act” and a “dereliction of duty.” GOP have stymied numerous Evers nominees, nixing 4 NR Board nominees last week. Czarnezki was a lawmaker for 12 years last century, held several local govt positions including Milwaukee Co. Clerk. His nomination heads to full Senate vote.
* Czarnezki: “Obviously, that’s [Wolfe vote is] the only thing they were concerned with. I’m not sure what comes next. We’ll see what happens. The vote is what the vote is, and we’ll take it from here.”
* Committee Dem Spreitzer: “They made their choice. They sided with conspiracy theorists.”
* Evers on X: “These people are volunteering the time and effort to do good things for the state of Wisconsin. And it’s really kind of stupid politics. … None of those people–none of those people–could be considered radical, crazy people. In fact, if they keep throwing people off, I think I’ll start bringing crazy, radical people there. Let them try.”
https://apnews.com/40e4d26122cc4a6302e36b3472996a60
Wisconsin Republicans vote against removing former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
… all House Democrats in attendance [including Moore, Pocan] and eight Republicans [Gaetz, Biggs, Buck, Burchett, Crane, V. Gonzalez, Good, Mace voted to remove McCarthy] … [Fitzgerald, Gallagher, Grothman, Steil, Tiffany, Van Orden] voted to protect McCarthy from removal. [4 Dem, 3 GOP did not vote: Dems Bush, Pelosi, Peltola, Sykes; GOP Carter (TX), Gooden, Luna]
* Van Orden in floor speech cited focus on border control, crime, “Today we will spend the people’s time so that someone can audition for a television show, or possibly the governorship of a state.”
* Pocan on X cited CR negotiations, “Kevin McCarthy has been untrustworthy since he was elected. I voted to vacate.”
https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-republicans-vote-against-removing-former-house-speaker-kevin-mccarthy
McCarthy will not run for speaker again after being removed 216-210
… “I leave the speakership with a sense of pride, accomplishment and yes, optimism,” he said. “I will not run for speaker again. I will have the conference pick someone else.” … “I do not regret negotiating,” McCarthy said. “Our government is designed to find compromise.” … [Financial Services chair McHenry] has been named speaker pro tempore, or interim speaker, until a new leader is elected. Whip Tom Emmer demurred, suggested Majority Leader Scalise, who is undergoing so-far successful treatment for multiple myeloma. Scalise had no announcement. Members expect to hold a candidate forum next Tuesday ahead of votes on a speaker, possibly as early as Wednesday. Instigator Gaetz said ouster “represents the ripping off of the band aid, and that’s what we need to do to get back on track.” Minority Leader Jeffries had said Dems would not save McCarthy, it would be up to Republicans to “break with extremists. … it is on them to join us to move the Congress and the country forward.” Dems Neal and Spanberger, Biden press sec. Jean-Pierre comment.
https://www.npr.org/2023/10/03/1203310040/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-news
Rep. Shankland joins race to unseat GOP US Rep. Van Orden
… hoping her decade-plus of experience in the Assembly will differentiate her from other Democratic candidates [Cooke, Johnson, Nytes]. “We need a candidate who is battle tested, who has a proven track record of not only winning elections but outperforming the top of the ticket in those elections,” Shankland told reporters. “In my last few campaigns, I’ve had people of all political ideologies endorsing me, because I’m known for working across the aisle to deliver results.” Reviews Shanklund’s career, Pfaff’s narrow loss to Van Orden after DCCC pullout, other CD3 Dem challengers, Van Orden’s support for Trump, presence at Jan. 6 insurrection, shouting at Capitol pages. NRCC predicted “chaotic race to the left … eventual nominee will limp out of this primary bruised and broken.” Cooke on Tuesday touted $400K raised in her first three months as a candidate.
https://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-representative-assembly-katrina-shankland-race-unseat-gop-derrick-van-orden
Milwaukee alders back bill to criminalize driving on suspended, revoked license
… Sen. Wanggaard [at hearing] used our story as an example of a loophole in state law. Driving without a license in Wisconsin comes with a municipal ticket no matter how many times the driver is caught. … authored legislation to turn that municipal court fine into a criminal offense. … driver caught at least twice operating on a revoked or suspended license would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor … at least four times would be considered a habitual traffic offender. … lose their driving privileges for at least five years. [and driving with suspended or revoked license is a felony]
* Wanggaard: “I think citing someone 36 times is a joke. … There is no reason to follow the law,” asked why no Dem co-sponsors, “When you’re out there and you’re enforcing the law, it doesn’t make any difference who the person is or whether the person is male or female or white, Black, Hispanic it makes no difference.”
* Sen. Roys called the bill “crazy,” pointed out that the number one reason drivers have their license suspended is failure to pay a municipal ticket, not necessarily for dangerous driving behavior, bill criminalizes poverty, “What we have here is a bill that punishes people who don’t have the money.”
* Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee predicted 100K/yr new criminal cases, which PD said would be unsustainable.
* Ald. Westmoreland said most alders support, “My message is we don’t want your money, we want compliance,” neutral on the increased penalties, “to what point do you criminalize somebody for driving while suspended, driving while revoked, but at the same time, people have to follow the law.”
https://www.tmj4.com/news/project-drive-safer/milwaukee-elected-leaders-back-republican-bill-to-criminalize-driving-on-suspended-revoked-license
Pro-Life Wisconsin files complaints with DSPS against doctors resuming abortions
… [GB Dr. Lyerly shared Sept. 28 DSPS complaint. Lyerly moved practice to MN after Dobbs] hasn’t yet started practicing in Wisconsin again, Lyerly — who has been floated as a potential challenger to U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher — indicated in a Washington Post report that she would be willing to do so “immediately” following Planned Parenthood’s announcement last month. Reviews DSPD complaint process, Schlipper ruling, “There is no such thing as an ‘1849 Abortion Ban’ in Wisconsin.”
* Pro-life WI’s Miller filed complaints against Lyerly, PPWI and medical director, Dr. King. … after calling the Dane and Milwaukee County sheriff’s offices and the Madison and Milwaukee police departments, “to no avail. … we had no other course of action … They’re publicly flouting the law; they’re breaking the law. … So, if nobody else will try to enforce the law, maybe the Medical Examining Board will enforce (the state’s 1849 abortion law). … I’m sure all of those medical malpractice insurance carriers would love to find out whether their doctors are actually following the law.”
* Lyerly: “We will not tolerate hostile, targeted political interference that harms our patients and their families and prevents physicians from providing essential, lifesaving health care. I am beyond ready to provide the full spectrum reproductive health care, including abortions, for my fellow Wisconsinites.”
* PPWI’s Velasquez: We will provide DSPS a response if requested to do so. Any complaints based on PPWI’s resumption of abortion services, and against the physicians providing that care, are frivolous and politically motivated.”
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/10/04/wisconsin-anti-abortion-group-targets-doctors-state-licenses/71044172007/
Brewers owner Mark Attanasio says he hopes deal can extend lease until 2050
… Attanasio and [Brewer pres.] Schlesinger … are optimistic a deal can pass and be signed by Gov. Tony Evers.
* Attanasio before Nat’l League wild-card Game 1 [which Brewers lost 6-3]: “I’ve never considered going anywhere else. Right now our lease runs until 2030, and I think we’re – whatever inning it is, it’s toward the late innings of making sure we’ll be here until 2050, and that’s our sole focus.”
* Schlesinger: “As much as I would like to accelerate things, I think I’ve realized in this process that you can’t rush politics. The word consensus is usually not a word used in Madison these days, but I’m hearing really good talks and discussions from people. They want to objectively make this work. … the objective to keep us here long-term and have this ballpark funded and have our landlord, the stadium district, have enough funds to meet its obligations.”
https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2023/10/03/brewers-owner-attanasio-wants-new-deal-to-keep-team-in-milwaukee/71050526007/
UW-Madison conference interrupted by profanity, people exposing themselves
… over a livestream of a UW-Madison conference Saturday on “Black Conservatism: The Past, Present and Future.” Put on by the university’s Center for the Study of Liberal Democracy … broadcast from the Fluno Center … Organizer and UW-Madison [prof] Owens said 40 to 50 people attended the event in person … Video of the conference posted online features someone yelling profanities and the reactions of some of the panelists, including shock and laughter, as [2-3] people exposed themselves. … “This is just repugnant behavior and it shouldn’t exist,” Owens said. “Whatever these people’s motives are we can’t have a culture that tolerates this kind of stuff.” … [UW’s] Lucas said the university “condemns any disruption” Lt. Jesberger said UWPD is investigating , “coordinating with the UW-Madison Division of Information Technology, as well as other campus partners, and any possible charges would be determined once the investigation is complete.”
https://madison.com/6c66c0b0-6219-11ee-952d-f34aa3387691.html
Milwaukee tops New Orleans, NYC in Condé Nast survey of top places to visit
… Milwaukee as the No. 3 big U.S. city to visit, bested only by San Diego at No. 2 and Chicago at No. 1. … on the responses of more than 520,000 readers who rated their travel experiences across the globe. … Brew City is cited by Condé Nast Traveler for having “many (if not all) of the same qualities that make other cities on this list buzz–and then some.” The city has a “surprisingly eco-diverse location” that makes it “a hotbed of locavore cuisine.” Award-winning restaurants and revitalized neighborhoods like the Third Ward also contribute to the city’s attraction, the publication said. VISIT Milwaukee’s Williams-Smith said Tourism data showed Milwaukee area set an all-time tourism record $6.02B economic impact in 2022, “Milwaukee is a major player in tourism and consistently draw major events to our community — and as the Condé Nast Traveler Awards show, more and more people across the country and around the world are taking note.”
https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2023/10/03/conde-nast-traveler-readers-choice.html
TODAY’S CALENDAR
https://www.wispolitics.com/events/list/
– 9 a.m.: Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities public hearing on AB 372, relating to funding for the Farm and Industry Short Course program at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and AB 378, relating to designating University of Wisconsin and technical college sports and athletic teams based on the sex of the participants.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748407
– 10 a.m.: Assembly Committee on Education public hearing on AB 377, relating to designating athletic sports and teams operated or sponsored by public schools or private schools participating in a parental choice program based on the sex of the participants.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748327
– 10 a.m.: PSC open meeting.
https://www.wispolitics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/231004PSC.pdf
– 10:29 a.m.: Senate Committee on Health executive session on SB 373, relating to selling and fitting over-the-counter hearing aids.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748612
– 10:30 p.m.: Senate Committee on Health public hearing on SB 328, relating to price transparency in hospitals and providing a penalty; SB 440, relating to creation of a cremation permit application form; SB 447, relating to ready-to-use glucagon rescue therapies in schools; SB 257, relating to patients’ and residents’ rights to visitors in a health care facility, restricting visitation, and liability for the actions of visitors; and a series of appointments.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748269
– 11 a.m.: Assembly Committee on Tourism executive session on AB 124, relating to the definition of public zoos and aquariums for purposes of captive wildlife regulations.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1747608
– 12 p.m.: Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy public hearing on SB 316, relating to aquatic plant management plans and permit exemptions, and four appointments.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748689
– 12 p.m.: Assembly Committee on Health, Aging and Long-Term Care public hearing on AB 465, relating to prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for individuals under 18 years of age.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748415
– 1 p.m.: Speaker’s Task Force on Truancy informational hearing.
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1748297
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