MADISON, WI- The Wisconsin State Assembly has passed several of Representative Jim Piwowarczyk’s bills:
“I’m proud to see my bills pass the Assembly today because they’re focused on strengthening trust in our institutions and making government more accountable to the people of Wisconsin. Whether it’s making sure higher education resources go to students who truly need the help, giving more of a voice to the instructors who are actually in the classroom, modernizing how we oversee lottery drawings to increase transparency, or setting clear standards so state agencies know what’s working and what needs improvement. These reforms reflect a common-sense approach to accountability. None of this is flashy, but it matters. It’s about fairness, transparency, and making sure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly.” Said Representative Piwowarczyk.
Summary of the legislation:
Assembly Bill 669 updates Wisconsin’s higher education programs by focusing resources on students who face genuine barriers to success. By shifting eligibility from race-based criteria to a definition of “disadvantaged” that includes economic, familial, geographic, physical, and personal hardship, this bill ensures that assistance is directed to students based on individual need rather than group identity.
Assembly Bill 757 aims to make the UW system more responsive to student and workforce needs. The instructors who teach the most in the Universities of Wisconsin System are currently blocked from having power. That means they have no say over how budgets are distributed, which classes are offered, which skills are taught, and who is hired or fired. Also, they can’t be deans.
Assembly Bill 907 automates systems that keep detailed records and video of every lottery drawing. This actually makes things more transparent and reliable than just having someone watch in person. The new rules would still make sure drawings are random, open to the public, and recorded on video and audio.
Assembly Bill 908 establishes criteria to measure and hold state agencies accountable, so they know what’s working and what needs improvement. This bill doesn’t mean hiring new staff; current employees can handle the workload.
