LFB: Some would pay more under Kooyenga tax plan

Some Wisconsinites would end up paying more in income taxes under Kooyenga’s plan compared to current law, according to a new analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Those paying more would fluctuate over the next dozen years as the state

Read More »

GOP lawmakers release UW merit aid bill

High-achieving Wisconsin students would get $5,000 scholarships each year to attend UW System schools under a new bill two GOP lawmakers laid out today. The bill, which has UW System President Ray Cross’ support, would pay for those scholarships by

Read More »

Motion benefiting Marathon County prompts JFC dust up

The committee approved 14-2 requiring WEDC to provide a $100,000 grant in 2017-18 from existing funds to the Marathon County Economic Development Corp. for a revolving fund to support minority-owned businesses. To qualify, 30 percent of the business would have

Read More »

JFC approves bringing back WEDC loan program

The Joint Finance Committee signed off on Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to bring back WEDC’s loan program, but tweaked his proposal to give the agency more flexibility in how it funds the loans. Walker had proposed only allowing the agency

Read More »

TUE News Summary: Walker presses for support of self-insurance plan

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers **************************************** Thursday, May 18: WisPolitics.com luncheon: “Focus on UpLift MKE: Jobs and inner-city Milwaukee.” The luncheon at UW-Milwaukee’s Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee features a panel discussion with Milwaukee County Exec Chris

Read More »

DOR prepares analysis of Kooyenga transpo and tax plan

A Wisconsin driver who owns a typical sedan would pay $39 more in taxes on their fuel purchases annually, while the owner of an SUV would pay $54 more a year, under Rep. Dale Kooyenga’s transportation and tax plan. In addition, a married couple with one child and an income

Read More »

DOA, Elections, Ethics commissions on JFC agenda Tuesday

The Joint Finance Committee will start to work through the Department of Administration when it meets Tuesday. The committee, which next meets tomorrow, also will take up the Elections and Ethics commissions, the Department of Children and Families, and State Fair Park on Tuesday. It also will take up Care

Read More »

Nygren says LFB projections showing flat revenues is good news

Rep. John Nygren, R-Marinette, says the latest Fiscal Bureau projections showing flat revenues from earlier estimates is good news. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau today informed the Joint Finance co-chairs the state likely wouldn’t see additional revenues in the next few years beyond the growth LFB had projected in January. But

Read More »

WED News Summary: JFC votes to bring back WEDC loan program; reaction to Comey firing

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers **************************************** Thursday, May 18: WisPolitics.com luncheon: “Focus on UpLift MKE: Jobs and inner-city Milwaukee.” The luncheon at UW-Milwaukee’s Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee features a panel discussion with Milwaukee County Exec Chris Abele; DR. Eve Hall, leader of the Milwaukee Urban League;

Read More »

WED AM Update: Senate, Assembly in session; reaction to Comey firing

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers Advertisement The Madison Club From WisPolitics.com … — 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

Read More »

TUE PM Update: JFC plans to reject Walker’s self-insurance proposal, votes to bring back WEDC loan program

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Scott Walker and DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel today knocked the Joint Finance Committee’s plans to reject the administration’s moves to self-insure state workers. Walker tweeted about the JFC co-chairs’ comments that they expect the committee will reject the contracts his administration

Read More »

LFB: Some would pay more under Kooyenga tax plan

Some Wisconsinites would end up paying more in income taxes under Kooyenga’s plan compared to current law, according to a new analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Those paying more would fluctuate over the next dozen years as the state moved toward a 3.95 percent flat tax and eliminated some

Read More »

Dems push motions knocking Schimel on rape kits, swag

The committee shot down Dem amendments seeking to force AG Brad Schimel to spend more money to process sexual assault kits and to reduce the agency budget following a report by a liberal group on how much the Department of Justice spent on “swag.” Dems have been taking shots at

Read More »

Senate committee passes Vukmir, Sanfelippo crime bills

Six of eight bills in a GOP Victim Prevention Package passed the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee today, over concerns from Dem members. The bills, from Sen. Leah Vukmir, R-Brookfield, and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, R-New Berlin, are part of a package that looks to up some minimum sentences and

Read More »

LFB releases analysis of Kooyenga transpo and tax plan

Some Wisconsinites would end up paying more in income taxes under Kooyenga’s plan compared to current law, according to a new analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Those paying more would fluctuate over the next dozen years as the state moved toward a 3.95 percent flat tax and eliminated some

Read More »

JFC co-chairs applaud Kooyenga for offering transpo plan

The JFC co-chairs also applauded Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, for putting forward a transportation plan, and Nygren said he was disappointed in the guv’s response. Over the weekend, Walker knocked the proposal as a gas tax hike. It would lower the excise tax, add the state sales tax to fuel

Read More »

GOP lawmakers release UW merit aid bill

High-achieving Wisconsin students would get $5,000 scholarships each year to attend UW System schools under a new bill two GOP lawmakers laid out today. The bill, which has UW System President Ray Cross’ support, would pay for those scholarships by selling off the remaining lands held by the state’s oldest

Read More »

JFC plans to reject self-insurance contracts, DOA defends plan

Gov. Scott Walker and DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel today knocked the Joint Finance Committee’s plans to reject the administration’s moves to self-insure state workers. Walker tweeted about the JFC co-chairs’ comments that they expect the committee will reject the contracts his administration reached as part of the self-insurance plan. “Wrong

Read More »

Motion benefiting Marathon County prompts JFC dust up

The committee approved 14-2 requiring WEDC to provide a $100,000 grant in 2017-18 from existing funds to the Marathon County Economic Development Corp. for a revolving fund to support minority-owned businesses. To qualify, 30 percent of the business would have to be owned by a person who is a member

Read More »

JFC approves bringing back WEDC loan program

The Joint Finance Committee signed off on Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to bring back WEDC’s loan program, but tweaked his proposal to give the agency more flexibility in how it funds the loans. Walker had proposed only allowing the agency to issue loans that are funded with the repayment of

Read More »

TUE News Summary: Walker presses for support of self-insurance plan

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers **************************************** Thursday, May 18: WisPolitics.com luncheon: “Focus on UpLift MKE: Jobs and inner-city Milwaukee.” The luncheon at UW-Milwaukee’s Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee features a panel discussion with Milwaukee County Exec Chris Abele; DR. Eve Hall, leader of the Milwaukee Urban League;

Read More »

TUE AM Update: JFC to consider bringing back WEDC loan program

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers Advertisement The Madison Club From WisPolitics.com … — The Joint Finance Committee today is scheduled to consider Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to bring back WEDC’s loan program, which would be revamped so it’s funded by repayments of other loans. The loan program drew fire following a

Read More »