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As of July 17, 2025, all WisPolitics subscriber products have moved to the State Affairs-WisPolitics platform. Archived subscriber products from From February 2017 through July 16, 2025 are available below or search here.  For content before 2017, you can search here.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Plaintiffs file new brief in redistricting case

The GOP advantage in Wisconsin’s Assembly map can’t be explained by “political geography” and instead was built to guarantee Republicans a majority even if they lost the statewide vote by significant margins, according to a new brief in the redistricting

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Subeck introduces bills to combat homelessness

One Dem lawmaker is circulating her own legislation to combat homelessness following the Assembly’s passage of four GOP bills last week. Rep. Lisa Subeck, the author of five bills she’s calling the “Housing First Package,” was a vocal critic of

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Walker urges lawmakers to approve self-insurance plan

Gov. Scott Walker is urging the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to approve his self-insurance plan to overhaul how the state provides health benefits to its employees. JFC members have expressed reservations over Walker’s plan to move state employees to a

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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;

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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

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DWD will drop automated phone system for initial UI claims

The state will drop its automated phone system to file initial unemployment claims May 24, DWD announced today. After that, those claims will have to be filed using a computer, tablet or smartphone. The agency said claimants can call help center staff to use the online process. If they’re unable

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Plaintiffs file new brief in redistricting case

The GOP advantage in Wisconsin’s Assembly map can’t be explained by “political geography” and instead was built to guarantee Republicans a majority even if they lost the statewide vote by significant margins, according to a new brief in the redistricting lawsuit. The Dem voters who originally sued to overturn the

Read More »

Subeck introduces bills to combat homelessness

One Dem lawmaker is circulating her own legislation to combat homelessness following the Assembly’s passage of four GOP bills last week. Rep. Lisa Subeck, the author of five bills she’s calling the “Housing First Package,” was a vocal critic of the Republican legislation; she’s previously said the GOP package doesn’t

Read More »

Walker urges lawmakers to approve self-insurance plan

Gov. Scott Walker is urging the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to approve his self-insurance plan to overhaul how the state provides health benefits to its employees. JFC members have expressed reservations over Walker’s plan to move state employees to a self-insured model and consolidate the number of companies the state

Read More »

MON News Summary: Walker on Assembly GOP transpo plan; reaction to House GOP health care bill

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 »