Supporters and opponents of three bills relating to the sale of fetal tissue and its use in medical studies debated the value and ethics of such research and whether restrictions in the bills would limit medical research in the state. The majority of discussion before the Senate Committee on Judiciary

One GOP lawmaker is circulating a bill to redesign the state license plate, reigniting the debate over the relevance of “America’s Dairyland.” The bill, from Rep. Scott Allen, R-Waukesha, would require the Department of Transportation to open an art contest for high school students to redesign the license plate, with

Dems blasted the new House GOP tax overhaul bill, saying the language “puts billionaires first.” The long-awaited plan cuts the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, lowers individual rates, increases the standard deduction and makes changes to what may be deducted from income. House Speaker Paul Ryan

Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz says he’s not sure whether the Assembly GOP effort to overhaul the state tax system would be a “real exercise.” Assembly Republicans yesterday announced they’re planning to look into a comprehensive overhaul of the state tax system and restructuring the Assembly Ways and Means Committee

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said today he said “nothing major” to Ohio Gov. John Kasich following reports this week the Rochester Republican swore at him over Kasich’s stance on partisan redistricting in Wisconsin. New York Magazine this week reported Vos confronted Kasich in a meeting with national statehouse leaders in

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The state Dem Party has declined to provide guv candidate Mike McCabe access to its membership list and voter file because he is not a member of the party. McCabe, who has not belonged to any political party, tried to buy the

GOP lawmakers today pushed legislation that would allow electric car manufacturer Tesla to sell directly to consumers in Wisconsin rather than through contract dealers. Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, said it would help open the Wisconsin market to the luxury vehicles. “We need to look at the way we do business

Gov. Scott Walker today touted his trade mission to Israel as a success, though he declined to name any businesses that may have reached deals while along for the trip. Walker told reporters on a conference call today he wanted to allow those businesses to make their own announcements in

Three GOP lawmakers sued for Twitter-blocking the liberal One Wisconsin Now had little initial comment. Rep. Jesse Kremer, R-Kewaskum, responded to media coverage of the suit with a tweet today, “Maybe they should put out useful tweets so they weren’t treated as email spammers on a forum for my constituents.”

The state Dem Party has declined to provide guv candidate Mike McCabe access to its membership list and voter file because he is not a member of the party. McCabe, who has not belonged to any political party, tried to buy the lists, but was turned down. He argued today

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz cited the ongoing review of a $3 billion incentive package for Foxconn in naming guv candidate and Rep. Dana Wachs to the WEDC Board, replacing Rep. Peter Barca, who broke with Dem colleagues to support the deal.

A bill that would lay out standards for law enforcement officials in handling and disseminating body camera footage passed an Assembly committee this afternoon. The bill has drawn fire from media and free speech advocates who worry the language is too restrictive and would deny the public access to important

Three GOP state senators who are uncommitted on the mining bill say they’re working on amendments, but declined to provide details. “We’re working on getting to a yes,” said Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon. Tiffany said the four GOP senators he has not received commitments from on the bill are: Olsen;

An Assembly committee signed off on a sulfide mining bill this morning, clearing the way for it to be taken up by the full Assembly on Thursday. The GOP-authored bill, as well as six amendments, all passed over Dem opposition. That includes amendments that would: require technology at a mining

The Department of Corrections has put the state’s youth prisons on lockdown as correctional officer trainees search for contraband. DOC spokesman Tristan Cook said the search, which comes on the heels of reports detailing various inmate assaults on staff, is a required task for trainees. Former guard Doug Curtis, who’s

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said before a GOP permitless carry bill could pass his chamber, a consensus would need to be reached between backers and those who think the current system works well. Vos, R-Rochester, told reporters this afternoon that the Senate has been working on some changes to the