Dem state Rep. Josh Zepnick says he is “disappointed and disturbed” by Minority Leader Gordon Hintz pulling him off five legislative committees following allegations he kissed two women without their consent in 2011 and 2015. Zepnick, D-Milwaukee, said he has been facing anonymous allegations and again said he will not

Rep. Josh Zepnick, who has resisted calls to resign after he was accused of kissing two women without their consent, has been stripped of his committee assignments. A spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said Dems have not yet named replacements for Zepnick’s spots on five committees. Asked if

The Assembly signed off on a bill that would let Wisconsin farmers grow industrial hemp, sending it to the guv’s desk. The bill passed on a 92-0 vote last night, two days after the Senate unanimously voted to approve it. Under the bill, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer

The state would overhaul its licenses for barbers, cosmetologists and hair salons under legislation that cleared the Assembly and is now headed to the guv. Dems though worried the bills would lower state standards, hurt the industry and undercut patrons’ safety, with Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee, saying the legislation was

Those towing waterskiers would no longer need a second person in the boat acting as a spotter so long as the boat is equipped with a rear-view mirror under legislation the Assembly approved and sent to the guv. The bill passed on a 63-29 vote, with four Dems breaking ranks

The Assembly approved allowing municipalities to provide assistance to those replacing private lead service lines, but covering less of the costs than the Senate had approved. Under the bill, which passed on a voice vote, a municipality would have to approve a resolution asking the Public Service Commission for permission

Victims could prevent the release of footage from the body cameras some police officers wear under legislation the Assembly approved on a voice vote Thursday. The legislation also would set a series of statewide standards for how the footage is handled, and several Dems said they support that concept. But

The Assembly signed off today 81-10 on a constitutional amendment that would add additional protections for crime victims. Known as “Marsy’s Law,” the amendment has now cleared both houses of the Legislature, the first step before it could be added to the constitution. It would have to pass both houses

The state would drop its requirement that a child be at least 10 years old to participate in a hunting mentorship program under legislation the Senate approved Tuesday. AB 455 would also allow hunters and mentors to have more than one weapon between them while hunting. The chamber passed it

Wisconsin today became the 28th state to call for a constitutional convention to propose a balanced budget amendment, leaving the push six short of the states needed to open up the process of changing the U.S. Constitution. The resolutions and bill calling for the convention and laying out rules for

Losing candidates would face a higher bar to seek a recount under legislation the Senate approved today that would have prevented Green Party presidential contender Jill Stein from forcing one in 2016. Currently, any candidates can petition for a recount regardless of how much they trail the winner. Stein finished

The Senate unanimously approved legislation today that would open the door to Wisconsin farmers again growing industrial hemp. SB 119 would require the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to issue licenses to allow the growing and processing of industrial hemp. Those applying for a permit would have to

The state Senate approved five bills today that backers said would help crack down on violent offenders and protect those who have been victimized by criminals undeterred by past punishments. Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Wauwatosa and sponsor of the bills approved today, said there has been decreased accountability in the criminal

Both houses of the Legislature this afternoon OK’d two bills that backers say look to protect personal property rights and reduce regulatory burdens surrounding owning a home. The legislation, dubbed the “Homeowners’ Bill of Rights,” passed on separate voice votes in the Assembly. One bill cleared the Senate on a

Shortly after gaveling in this afternoon, the Assembly signed off on a FoodShare bill that looks to promote healthy eating. The bill, which has gained bipartisan cosponsors, passed on a 92-1 vote, with only Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, voting against it. The legislation would create a healthy eating incentive pilot

The state Senate voted 29-4 Tuesday to enshrine in the Wisconsin Constitution additional rights for crime victims such as being treated with dignity, respect, courtesy, sensitivity and fairness in criminal proceedings and to have “reasonable protections” from the accused during proceedings. Backers argued it would ensure victims have rights that

The state Senate voted 22-11 to confirm Dave Ross as Transportation secretary with Dems using the vote to knock the guv’s approach to transportation. Gov. Scott Walker refused to consider a gas tax hike or registration fee increase to fund roads in the 2017-19 budget, and Dems complained that stance