Former Sens. Cullen, Petak pass away

Former state Sens. Tim Cullen, who crossed party lines to serve in a Republican administration, and George Petak, whose change of heart paved the way for a new baseball stadium in Milwaukee, have died. 

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Evers appoints Hyun DNR secretary

Gov. Tony Evers announced today he appointed Karen Hyun, the chief of staff of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as DNR secretary, filling a position that has been vacant for more than a year. Evers praised Hyun’s “extensive science

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Vos announces new committee to find efficiencies, shrink state government

But Vos argued the Government Oversight Accountability and Transparency Committee would provide a unique opportunity to examine state spending because so much of the focus with the current budget process is on “how much should the increase in the programs be. Very rarely do they have the time and the opportunity to delve into the details of how you know x, y, z, could be done.” The GOAT Committee, for short, will be chaired by Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie.

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Senate GOP leaders fire chief clerk

Senate GOP leaders have fired Chief Clerk Linsay Hale after 10 months on the job, with Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu only saying she didn’t have enough support in his caucus to continue in the role. Hale, the first woman to

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LeMahieu says Senate GOP will focus income tax cut efforts on second-highest bracket

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu noted Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has raised the prospect of again trying to cut taxes on retirement income. But LeMahieu said he wants broader tax relief that cuts across ages. The majority leader also said he likely won’t bring up his proposal from this session to move the state to a flat tax and believes there’s no appetite in his caucus to try pumping additional state money into various local aids in an attempt to drive down property taxes.

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Hesselbein says Dems already expressing interest in ’26 Senate bids

Dems went into the 2023-25 session in a super-minority with just 11 members in the chamber. But they will walk in the door January with that GOP edge narrowed to 18-15 and the opportunity to flip the chamber in 2026 with four competitive races on the ballot. Three are now in Republican hands and the fourth is represented by Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire.

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Former Sens. Cullen, Petak pass away

Former state Sens. Tim Cullen, who crossed party lines to serve in a Republican administration, and George Petak, whose change of heart paved the way for a new baseball stadium in Milwaukee, have died. 

Read More »

Evers appoints Hyun DNR secretary

Gov. Tony Evers announced today he appointed Karen Hyun, the chief of staff of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as DNR secretary, filling a position that has been vacant for more than a year. Evers praised Hyun’s “extensive science background and expertise working in fish and wildlife, shoreline restoration,

Read More »

Neubauer reappoints Andraca, McGuire to Finance Committee

Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, D-Racine, today announced she is reappointing Reps. Deb Andraca and Tip McGuire to the Joint Finance Committee. It is the second full session that McGuire, D-Kenosha, will serve on the budget committee. Andraca, D-Whitefish Bay, was first appointed to the committee in August 2023, replacing

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Vos announces new committee to find efficiencies, shrink state government

But Vos argued the Government Oversight Accountability and Transparency Committee would provide a unique opportunity to examine state spending because so much of the focus with the current budget process is on “how much should the increase in the programs be. Very rarely do they have the time and the opportunity to delve into the details of how you know x, y, z, could be done.” The GOAT Committee, for short, will be chaired by Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie.

Read More »

Senate GOP leaders fire chief clerk

Senate GOP leaders have fired Chief Clerk Linsay Hale after 10 months on the job, with Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu only saying she didn’t have enough support in his caucus to continue in the role. Hale, the first woman to serve as Senate chief clerk, was appointed to the position

Read More »

LeMahieu says Senate GOP will focus income tax cut efforts on second-highest bracket

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu noted Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has raised the prospect of again trying to cut taxes on retirement income. But LeMahieu said he wants broader tax relief that cuts across ages. The majority leader also said he likely won’t bring up his proposal from this session to move the state to a flat tax and believes there’s no appetite in his caucus to try pumping additional state money into various local aids in an attempt to drive down property taxes.

Read More »

Hesselbein says Dems already expressing interest in ’26 Senate bids

Dems went into the 2023-25 session in a super-minority with just 11 members in the chamber. But they will walk in the door January with that GOP edge narrowed to 18-15 and the opportunity to flip the chamber in 2026 with four competitive races on the ballot. Three are now in Republican hands and the fourth is represented by Sen. Jeff Smith, D-Eau Claire.

Read More »