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

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,