WisconsinEye has resumed operations as legislative leaders signed off unanimously on providing the public affairs network $50,000.
The WisconsinEye website was live again yesterday after going dark Dec. 15. Network President Jon Henkes wrote in an email production for the month of February began yesterday. The network plans a full day of coverage today, including five legislative hearings.
In addition to the Joint Committee on Legislative Organization unanimously approving the $50,000, legislation is working its way through the Assembly to create an endowment that would fund future operations. An Assembly committee plans a public hearing and vote on the bill today.
Henkes demurred when asked how long the network could operate without AB 974 becoming law. Three donors have pledged $175,000 to WisconsinEye if the bill is signed into law, and Henkes said that would secure an additional two months of operating expenses.
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“Donor confidence will transition from doubt to a level of confidence necessary to earn their consideration,” he added.
AB 974 has a public hearing and exec planned tomorrow before the Assembly State Affairs Committee. So far, 49 members of the Assembly have signed on as co-sponsors. The bill doesn’t yet have a Senate co-author or companion legislation in that house.
A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, didn’t immediately return messages seeking comment on the legislation.
WisPolitics regularly collaborates with WisconsinEye on programming such as “Rewind.”
