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

Members of the state Legislature paid tribute to former Sen. Mike Ellis on Tuesday as they voted to name a highway interchange in Winnebago County after the former GOP state senator. Sen. Rob Cowles, who was one of Ellis’ closest friends in the Senate during their time serving together, reminded

Both the Assembly and Senate are in session today, the same day of the annual State of the Tribes address. Chairman Tehassi Hill of the Oneida Nation will deliver remarks to the Legislature this afternoon. Meanwhile, both chambers will convene for their only floor period of the month, where they’re

GOP legislative leaders Thursday sent the Republican version of the middle-class tax cut to Tony Evers, moving up the timeline for the guv to act on the bill. The action triggers a window of seven days, not including Sundays, for Evers to sign the bill, veto it or allow it

The GOP tax cut plan is heading to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk after Senate Republicans voted to advance it over Dems’ objections tonight. The bill, which would increase the standard deduction on a sliding scale, passed the Assembly yesterday on a party-line vote. But Evers in a statement after the

Dem Sens. Lena Taylor and LaTonya Johnson — the only African-Americans serving in the Senate — ripped into their white GOP colleagues today, questioning their audacity to dictate who was acceptable to honor on a resolution proclaiming February Black History Month. Taylor, D-Milwaukee, accused her GOP colleagues of believing they

The Assembly unanimously passed an amended version of a resolution honoring Black History Month after lawmakers clashed over competing versions earlier this afternoon. The differing resolutions were not originally brought up for a floor vote after some in the Republican caucus expressed disapproval of former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin

A Republican tax cut plan is on its way to the Senate after it cleared the Assembly this afternoon 61-33. The party-line vote came after Gov. Tony Evers earlier today said he was “hopeful” that he could find common ground and compromise with Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, on a middle-class tax

The Assembly clashed over two competing version of resolutions honoring Black History Month shortly after gaveling in for its second floor session of the year. Neither of the differing resolutions were brought up for a floor vote after some in the Republican caucus expressed disapproval of former San Francisco 49ers

The Assembly today passed a bill that would provide state protections to those with pre-existing conditions after adding an amendment GOP authors said “mirrors” the Affordable Care Act’s protections to bar annual and lifetime caps. Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz slammed the legislation, which cleared 76-19 on a bipartisan vote