The state Assembly today approved a bill that would add Wisconsin to the list of states calling for a constitutional convention on a balanced budget amendment. The Assembly kicked off its session today with a moment of silence following today’s shooting at a House GOP baseball practice that left four wounded,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Both the Senate and Assembly are in session today, with the Senate planning to send the last of the special session bills looking to combat opioid abuse to the guv’s desk. Meanwhile, the Assembly is scheduled to take up the REINS Act, which passed the Senate on a party-line vote

The Assembly has adjourned after passing several bills making changes to state public assistance programs. That included a bill, AB 240, that adds W-2 participants whose kids are habitually truant from school to a list of those who can face sanctions from the Department of Children and Families. Rep. Joe Sanfelippo,

The state Assembly today approved 61-35 a bill that would set up a pilot program adding work requirements for those who get federal housing vouchers. The bill would only affect able-bodied adults whose housing vouchers are managed by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. WHEDA manages about 2,800 of the

The state Assembly today passed a bill requiring juvenile correctional officers to report any child abuse they see while on the job, sending the bill to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk. The bipartisan bill follows lawsuits and a federal investigation into allegations of mistreatment at the state’s Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake

A bill that would eliminate the requirement that minors aged 16 or 17 obtain a child work permit passed the Senate today on a 20-12 party-line vote, sending it to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk. But Dems protested the bill would have negative effects on students and prioritizes labor and industries over children. Sen. LaTonya

A bill that would require DOT to account for inflation in future road project cost estimates passed the Senate today on a voice vote. The DOT bill, from the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, were first recommended by the Legislative Audit Bureau following its January 2017 report on the state highway program. Sen.

The Senate plans to take up a child labor permits bill today, while the Assembly’s considering a bill that would allow delivery robots to travel on sidewalks. The Assembly’s also looking to take up a bill that passed the Senate in March that would require juvenile correctional officers to report

The Assembly this evening passed two bills to curb opioid abuse, the last of the 11 total special session bills to make their way through the chamber. The Assembly already passed nine of the special session bills, all of which were taken up and passed by the Senate today. The legislation is based on

A bill that would loosen regulations of high-capacity wells passed a divided Assembly on a 62-35 vote, over a little more than two hours of Dem protests. The state Senate last month signed off on the bill 19-13, under which DNR would not review the impact of existing wells when

The state Assembly today passed four GOP bills aimed at helping address homelessness, with two passing unanimously and several Dems opposing the other two. Dems said the package isn’t enough to solve the issue, while also saying past GOP policies such as changes in landlord-tenant laws have only exacerbated it.

The state Assembly today passed a bill that would give lawmakers direct oversight on how the state plans to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, an education policy overhaul that Congress passed in 2015. The chamber passed the bill, AB 233, on a voice vote, though Dems said

Businesses could start to use self-driving delivery devices under legislation the Senate approved via voice vote today. The delivery devices would operate on sidewalks and crosswalks; would weigh less than 80 pounds without cargo; and could travel at a maximum of 10 mph. Sen. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland, reminded her colleagues