The Assembly today approved four measures from the so-called Road to Sustainability package authored by Rep. Joe Sanfelippo: *AB 273 would offer ways for the DOT to source materials at lower cost. *AB 275 would require the DOT to up the number of design-build projects in its pipeline to ensure

The Assembly signed off on a bill modifying a law passed last session that restructured the state’s juvenile justice program. The bill, which received a joint public hearing last week, would push back the closure of the state’s troubled youth prisons and give counties more time to apply for grants

The Assembly today passed a pair of bills that stiffen penalties for drunken drivers. AB 15 and 17 would require those charged with first-offense OWI to appear in court and would implement a presumptive mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison for OWI homicide, respectively. Rep. Jim Ott, R-Mequon,

The Assembly today voted to ensure the sales tax created to pay for the Milwaukee Brewers stadium would end in 2020. The 0.1 percent sales tax on the five-county area — which includes Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha and Racine counties — has been in place in 1996. Under the bill

The Assembly approved by voice vote a bill that boosts a loan forgiveness program to incentivize more minorities to pursue a career in education. The bill, which boasted bipartisan support, would expand the program form Milwaukee to any school district in the state where at least 40 percent of the

The Assembly today approved a package of measures stemming from recommendations made last session by the Interagency Council on Homelessness. But the proposed funding for the measures, which comes out to roughly $3.8 million, can only be released at the discretion of the Joint Finance Committee. Assembly Majority Leader Jim

A bill that would set standards and fees for wireless providers when they seek to install 5G infrastructure was approved by voice vote in the Assembly today. The bill now heads to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk after the Senate voted 25-5 to pass it earlier this month. But the measure

The Senate today approved a bill that would set standards and fees for wireless providers when they seek to install 5G infrastructure after Dem Sen. Tim Carpenter temporarily blocked a final vote on the measure. The Milwaukee Dem brought forward a number of amendments to the bill, ranging from a

The state Senate today approved a measure that would make the insurance appeals process easier. The proposal addresses the so-called “step therapy” process, a cost-saving method employed by insurance companies that makes patients try a number of drugs recommended by the insurer before “stepping” up to cover the cost of

The remaining GOP-backed abortion-related bills passed the state Assembly this afternoon without any Democratic support. The three bills’ passage came after the chamber voted to approve legislation to require care for those who survive an abortion. All of the bills passed with almost complete Republican support, though GOP Rep. Chuck Wichgers,

A GOP bill to require care for those who survive an abortion is heading to the state Senate after clearing a divided Assembly this afternoon. The “born alive” bill passed the body on a 62-35 vote. GOP Rep. Chuck Wichgers, of Muskego, joined all Dems in opposing it. The bill would outline care

A bipartisan bill to overhaul the state’s expungement process is heading to the state Senate after passing the Assembly this afternoon via voice vote. The legislation, from Reps. David Steffen and Evan Goyke and Sens. Alberta Darling and Fred Risser, would change who’s eligible for expungement and the timeline, but

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously backed changes to the state’s water pollution credits system. The bill, which next goes to the Assembly, would create a central clearinghouse from which facilities and farmers could buy and sell water pollution credits. Now, those that want to buy and sell credits can do

The Senate and Assembly have signed off on a constitutional amendment that would add more rights for crime victims. The measure will now head to voters for a statewide referendum in 2020. Co-author Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, said the amendment “sends a message to victims across the state of Wisconsin

The Senate today unanimously confirmed Meagan Wolfe as Elections Commission administrator, making her the agency’s first permanent leader since it was created in 2016. The 32-0 vote confirms Wolfe for a term through July 1 as well as a second that ends June 30, 2023. Wolfe was first appointed in

The Assembly and Senate are each taking up a measure aiming to bolster crime victims’ rights during the chambers’ sessions today, the Legislature’s only floor period of the month. In addition to the proposed constitutional amendment, Marsy’s Law, the Assembly is also poised to take up four abortion-related bills. Those

Both houses of the Legislature approved legislation Tuesday that would replace offensive phrases in administrative rules such as “mentally retarded” with “intellectual disability.” Though it passed via voice vote in both chambers, the issue has become a point of contention between GOP lawmakers and Tony Evers after the guv announced