Senate approves bipartisan choice bill

Schools in the choice program would have to begin doing background checks on prospective employees, but no longer face other administrative requirements under legislation the Senate approved 28-5. The legislation also would strengthen financial accountability measures — a priority for

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Senate approves making Veterans Day state holiday

The Senate approved by voice vote adding Veterans Day to the list of holidays where state agencies are closed, which would make Wisconsin the final state to formally recognize the holiday. But it rejected a Dem amendment that would have

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Senate approves new penalties for carjacking

The Senate approved 26-7 legislation to create a specific felony for carjacking and up the penalties for repeat offenses. SB 58 would carry fines of up to $50,000 and prison sentences of up to 15 years for carjacking. Repeat offenders,

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WEDC CEO Hogan says Foxconn awards are a ‘pay as you grow investment’

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary and CEO Mark Hogan this afternoon stressed the incentives that the state would award to Foxconn are a “pay as you grow investment.” “Foxconn will not receive any dollars from the state until they begin making the capital expenditures” and hiring employees, he told members of

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Bill on insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions passes Assembly

A bill that looks to guarantee insurance coverage for those with pre-existing conditions passed the Assembly early this morning. The legislation arose from a GOP substitute amendment on a Dem-backed bill that was not originally on the session agenda yesterday. Instead, unanimous support for a procedural move allowed it to be pulled

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GOP campus speech bill passes Assembly with new amendment

A GOP campus speech bill that would sanction students who interfere with a speaker on campus passed the Assembly tonight on a 61-36 vote, with some late-addition tweaks. The bill, backed by Speaker Robin Vos and Rep. Jesse Kremer, featured a new amendment that Kremer said he hoped would get Dems on

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Bill aimed at helping those with contaminated wells passes Assembly

The Assembly this afternoon passed a bill to increase grants to people with contaminated wells, over Dem objections that it doesn’t go far enough to address issues of groundwater pollution. Still, bill co-author Rep. Joel Kitchens said the bill wasn’t intended to address the “root cause” of the contaminated water.

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Assembly to take up bills on recount rules, campus speech today

The Assembly is set to take up one of the GOP campus speech bills when it’s in session this afternoon. It’s also scheduled to vote on AB 153, which would limit which losing candidates can request a recount in Wisconsin. The bill would have prevented Green Party presidential candidate Jill

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Assembly adjourns after passing bills backed by municipalities

The state Assembly today passed bills to ease some processes for local governments before adjourning for the evening. Among the bills the Assembly passed today was AB 229, which gives local governments more flexibility in how they invest their surpluses. The chamber also passed SB 94, which changes how city mayors are

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Vos says he might add Bakery Freedom Act to next week’s session

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said today he might add to next week’s session his bill to eliminate licensing requirements for Wisconsin bakers. Vos, R-Rochester, made the comments as the Assembly took a break from its session so the Rules Committee could finalize next Wednesday’s calendar, which includes a bill punishing UW

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Senate passes last 2 special session bills to combat opioid abuse

The Senate signed off on two bills designed to combat the state’s heroin problem, including one that would add new protections from prosecution for those who overdose and are helped by good Samaritans, so long as they meet certain requirements. The state previously approved protections from prosecution for those who

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Senate approves bipartisan choice bill

Schools in the choice program would have to begin doing background checks on prospective employees, but no longer face other administrative requirements under legislation the Senate approved 28-5. The legislation also would strengthen financial accountability measures — a priority for Dems — while expanding eligibility requirements — something sought by

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Senate approves allowing home bakers to sell goods without a license

Those who sell homebaked or canned goods would no longer have to get a food processing license or other certifications from the state and local governments under legislation the Senate approved via voice vote. But the legislation’s prospects faced an uncertain future in the Assembly, where Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has

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Ginseng would become state herb under bill Senate approves

Ginseng would become the state herb under legislation the Senate passed via voice today. It would join a growing list of official state items, following legislation this session to make cheese the official state dairy. Wisconsin also has a state wildlife animal (the white-tailed deer), dance (the polka), fruit (the

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Senate approves making Veterans Day state holiday

The Senate approved by voice vote adding Veterans Day to the list of holidays where state agencies are closed, which would make Wisconsin the final state to formally recognize the holiday. But it rejected a Dem amendment that would have mandated giving veterans at private employers a paid day off

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Senate approves placing restrictions on deer feeding bans

The Senate approved 20-13 placing a three-year limit on restrictions on feeding deer in counties after chronic wasting disease or bovine tuberculosis has been found. The Department of Natural Resources began imposing the feedings bans nearly 15 years ago after CWD was found in the state herd because it is

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Senate approves new penalties for carjacking

The Senate approved 26-7 legislation to create a specific felony for carjacking and up the penalties for repeat offenses. SB 58 would carry fines of up to $50,000 and prison sentences of up to 15 years for carjacking. Repeat offenders, meanwhile, of taking and driving a car would go up

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