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Walker touts new unemployment rate of 3.2 percent

Gov. Scott Walker today lauded the dropping of the state’s unemployment rate last month to 3.2 percent as “further evidence we are continuing to move Wisconsin forward.” This is down 0.2 percent from March’s unemployment rate, and marks the lowest

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JFC tweaks Walker’s homestead tax credit proposal

The state would restrict access to the homestead tax credit, but impact fewer people than the guv’s version, under a motion the Finance Committee approved 12-4. Co-chair John Nygren, R-Marinette, said Republicans generally want to those who need it, but

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THU News Summary: Clarke to DHS; special counsel in Russia probe

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers Access the mobile version of the News Summary: https://www.wispolitics.com/2017/thu-news-summary-clarke-to-dhs-special-council-in-russia-probe/ STORY TOPICS – White house – State government – Local government – Agribusiness – Demographics – Economic development – Education – Elections – Environment – Labor –

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JFC to take up Medicaid May 25

The Joint Finance Committee will take up Health Services May 25, including the Medicaid and FoodShare programs. Gov. Scott Walker has proposed a pilot program requiring parents of school-aged children to work at least 80 hours a month to continue

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Walker creates committee on automated vehicles

Walker announced today he has signed an executive order creating a committee to advise him on the testing and operation of automated vehicles. The Steering Committee on Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment will be chaired by DOT Secretary

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GOP lawmakers introduce bill to combat child neglect

Two GOP lawmakers introduced legislation today that aims to provide prosecutors with “additional tools to fight child neglect,” according to the bill authors. The legislation comes from Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, and Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, and has gained the

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Walker touts new unemployment rate of 3.2 percent

Gov. Scott Walker today lauded the dropping of the state’s unemployment rate last month to 3.2 percent as “further evidence we are continuing to move Wisconsin forward.” This is down 0.2 percent from March’s unemployment rate, and marks the lowest level of unemployment since February 2000, according to federal data

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GOP bill would require UW to boost three-year degree options

Two GOP lawmakers are circulating a bill that would bring back Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to require the UW System to lay out more three-year degree options for its students. Under the bill, from Sen. Dan Feyen and Rep. Joel Kitchens, the UW System would have to submit three-year graduation

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JFC tweaks Walker’s homestead tax credit proposal

The state would restrict access to the homestead tax credit, but impact fewer people than the guv’s version, under a motion the Finance Committee approved 12-4. Co-chair John Nygren, R-Marinette, said Republicans generally want to those who need it, but by giving them a hand up, not a hand out.

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JFC approves plan for state to take over Circus World Museum

The state would take over operations of the the Circus World Museum under a proposal the Joint Finance Committee approved unanimously today. The state already owns the facilities, artifacts and site. Under the guv’s plan, it would take the next step and take over management from the private foundation that

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JFC rejects Walker plan to eliminate Labor and Industry Review Commission

The Joint Finance Committee scrapped — for now — Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to eliminate the Labor and Industry Review Commission, which handles unemployment, worker’s comp and civil rights cases. But the committee voted to delete 7.8 vacant vacant positions at LIRC. The three-member, quasi-judicial commission now reviews administrative decisions

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JFC votes to keep current WTCS performance funding model in place

The Joint Finance Committee today rejected Walker’s plan to tweak the performance funding formula at the Wisconsin Technical College System. WTCS has had its system in place since 2014-15 but Walker’s proposal would’ve made significant changes to how its formula works. WTCS leaders had asked lawmakers to reject that proposal, saying

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JFC votes down Dem motion to re-open WEDC part of budget

The Joint Finance Committee today rejected a Dem move to re-open the WEDC part of the biennial budget after yesterday’s audit. The audit flagged several improvements that WEDC has made over the past two years but also highlighted concerns that the agency still can’t fully keep track of the number

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THU News Summary: Clarke to DHS; special counsel in Russia probe

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers Access the mobile version of the News Summary: https://www.wispolitics.com/2017/thu-news-summary-clarke-to-dhs-special-council-in-russia-probe/ STORY TOPICS – White house – State government – Local government – Agribusiness – Demographics – Economic development – Education – Elections – Environment – Labor – Law and order – Military – Non-profits – Regul… Please

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JFC to take up Medicaid May 25

The Joint Finance Committee will take up Health Services May 25, including the Medicaid and FoodShare programs. Gov. Scott Walker has proposed a pilot program requiring parents of school-aged children to work at least 80 hours a month to continue receiving food stamps. The committee also is slated to take

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THU AM Update: Schimel to appeal ‘cocaine mom’ law decision

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers Advertisement The Madison Club From WisPolitics.com … — AG Brad Schimel says he plans to appeal a decision from a federal judge striking down a law that let state officials detain pregnant women who abuse alcohol and drugs. U.S. District Judge James Peterson ruled last month

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Walker creates committee on automated vehicles

Walker announced today he has signed an executive order creating a committee to advise him on the testing and operation of automated vehicles. The Steering Committee on Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment will be chaired by DOT Secretary Dave Ross, or his designee. Others who will serve on

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GOP lawmakers introduce bill to combat child neglect

Two GOP lawmakers introduced legislation today that aims to provide prosecutors with “additional tools to fight child neglect,” according to the bill authors. The legislation comes from Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, and Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, and has gained the backing of Attorney General Brad Schimel, who says the bill

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Bill punishes adults for allowing underage drinking on property

A bill targeted at adults who let underage people drink alcohol on their property might be too broad, according to an expert and lobbyist who testified on the legislation today. Still, others before the Assembly Committee on State Affairs this afternoon spoke highly of the bill,from GOP Rep. André Jacque

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Ryan warns against ‘rushing to judgment’ on Russia investigation

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, suggested some of the leaks that have hit President Trump were politically motivated and said he expects former FBI Director James Comey to testify before Congress. Ryan pledged Congress will be “responsible, sober and focus only on gathering the facts” in its oversight role with

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AFP digital ad backs Walker plan to nix state property tax

Americans for Prosperity’s new digital ad says “some legislators won’t budge” on Gov. Scott Walker’s call to eliminate the state property tax. “They should stand with Governor Walker and put more money back in your pocket,” the narrator says. In the ad, the narrator says Wisconsin has one of the

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