Republicans shortly before 5 p.m. passed the substitute amendment to the Foxconn bill on an 8-5 party line vote. The substitute amendment would add $20 million for a worker training program and require that the final contract with Foxconn encourage the Taiwanese company to hire Wisconsin workers “when practically possible.”

Most of the remaining Dem amendments to the Foxconn bill were rejected on party-line votes this afternoon ahead of committee members ultimately taking up the $3 billion incentive package for the Taiwanese company. The Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy shot down almost two dozen Dem proposals in just

The Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy this afternoon shot down a series of Dem amendments to the Foxconn bill, including one that would have revoked the Taiwanese company’s tax credit eligibility if 70 percent of its workforce isn’t made up of Wisconsin residents The committee’s executive session, which kicked

The state would provide $20 million in new money to develop a plan to meet the possible job demands of a new Foxconn plant while requiring WEDC to promote Wisconsin workers “when practically possible,” under a substitute amendment released today. According to a summary of the changes from the speaker’s

The Assembly is now looking at Tuesday for a committee exec on the Foxconn bill with a floor vote to follow Aug. 17, Majority Leader Jim Steineke says. Jobs and the Economy Chair Adam Neylon, R-Pewaukee, had been looking at an exec on the bill tomorrow, though he said earlier

UW System President Ray Cross today hailed the opportunity that the Foxconn development would have on the state, though he said UW would need money to turn out even more engineers than it does today. Cross told lawmakers at today’s Assembly public hearing that Foxconn would be a “magnet” for

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Mark Hogan said a decision on a site for Foxconn is “imminent,” with an announcement likely coming within the next few weeks. Hogan, taking questions from members of the Assembly Committee on Jobs and the Economy, also said the Taiwanese technology company is ready to

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

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

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

A bill that would make sweeping technical changes to the state’s school choice programs passed the Assembly on a 67-30 vote — without any debate. That bill, which has gotten support from both School Choice of Wisconsin and the Department of Public Instruction, passed the Senate last week. It now

A bill that would limit which losing candidates can request a recount in Wisconsin passed the Assembly on a voice vote amidst arguments over Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.  Debate over the bill, from Rep. Ron Tusler, turned into fairly heated testimony about Stein, who under the bill would

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.

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

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

The state Assembly today approved a bill adding more scrutiny to administrative rules that have an economic impact estimate of at least $10 million over a two-year period. The Assembly’s approval, on a 62-34 vote, sends the REINS Act to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk for his signature. The state Senate

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

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