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JFC spars over funding for vets programs

The Joint Finance Committee jousted today over funding for Wisconsin veterans programs, particularly for the home in King, which has been the subject of several critical stories over conditions there. GOP Rep. Dale Kooyenga, the only veteran on the committee,

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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

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JFC spars over funding for vets programs

The Joint Finance Committee jousted today over funding for Wisconsin veterans programs, particularly for the home in King, which has been the subject of several critical stories over conditions there. GOP Rep. Dale Kooyenga, the only veteran on the committee, bristled at Dem complaints over how the programs are funded

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Committee shoots down Walker plan to exempt journeyman plumbers, electricians from exam after apprenticeship

The committee unanimously shot down Gov. Scott Walker’s plan to no longer require journeyman electricians, plumbers and automatic fire sprinkler system fitters, along with cosmetologists and barbers, to take an exam to become licensed if they have completed an apprenticeship. Walker’s plan originally included automatic fire sprinkler contractors as well.

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JFC nixes Walker’s plan to kill the stray voltage program

The committee rejected the guv’s proposal to eliminate the program that aids farmers who believe their dairy herds are being affected by stray voltage. The program, housed at the PSC and DATCP, is funded by nearly $1.1 million over the biennium in assessments on some electrical utilities and cooperatives. There

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JFC approves broadband expansion grants for a third time

The committee for a third time approved putting more money into broadband expansion grants. But JFC tweaked how it would impact a funding source going forward. A bill to expand the grants has already passed the committee twice and cleared both houses of the Legislature. The motion approved today largely

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LFB: State won’t see revenue bump beyond prior projections

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

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Fitzgerald doesn’t ‘see the momentum’ for Assembly GOP transpo plan

The tension between Republicans on transportation funding hit a new level today, with Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald saying he doesn’t “see the momentum” for the new Assembly Republican plan. Assembly Republicans, meanwhile, said the Senate should lay out its own proposal so lawmakers and the guv could “negotiate a

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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

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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

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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

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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;

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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

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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

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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

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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

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