Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said the governor’s order today to reopen some 34 state parks and forests is meant to bring back “a little bit of normalcy” during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. GOP lawmakers also called the order good news. Gov. Tony

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — One of the Legislature’s top Republicans applauded Gov. Tony Evers’ move to roll back some restrictions on nonessential businesses. Still, Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, questioned why the guv had selected dog groomers, small engine repair shops and upholstery businesses, for

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The state’s largest business group is poised to propose a formula that would take into account factors such as local infection rates of COVID-19 and population density in determining whether a company could reopen, according to an overview obtained by WisPolitics.com. The

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The Legislature’s top Republicans urged DHS Secretary Andrea Palm to begin working with GOP lawmakers on an emergency rule to deal with COVID-19 while their lawsuit to force her to the table works its way through the state Supreme Court. Along with

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers today slammed GOP leaders today for suing to overturn his administration’s latest stay-at-home order, calling the lawsuit a nakedly political power grab that diminishes the threat COVID-19 poses to the health of Wisconsin residents. Evers said the suit’s message

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers today announced a three-phase plan to reopen Wisconsin businesses once the state gains a greater capacity to fight COVID-19 and sees a downward trajectory in cases over a 14-day period. But Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, and Assembly

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Though some have called for beginning to reopen the state’s economy, Gov. Tony Evers said today Wisconsin needs a dramatic uptick in testing capacity, among other things, before that step is taken. Instead, Evers’ administration extended a stay-at-home order for another month,

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Within hours of the Senate passing the bill unanimously, Gov. Tony Evers today signed a bipartisan COVID-19 bill even as he said there’s “much more work to be done.” After calling for the bill to speed up the signing process, Evers said

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The state Assembly, often deeply divided on big issues, today overwhelmingly backed legislation to help Wisconsin deal with the impact of COVID-19 as leaders praised the measure as an example of what can be done when lawmakers work together. The legislation, approved

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The AP has called Wisconsin’s presidential primaries for Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Check the WisPolitics.com Election Blog to follow developments as more results come in: https://www.wispolitics.com/category/election/ — The budget committee would have new powers to redirect money to help cover expenses

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The candidates and outside groups have already combined to spend nearly $8 million on this spring’s state Supreme Court race, according to a WisPolitics.com review. And that total is likely to zoom past $9 million if Dane County Judge Jill Karofsky and

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — GOP lawmakers want to give the Legislature’s budget committee sweeping powers to cut state spending and nix planned pay raíses for state employees as part of their counteroffer to Gov. Tony Evers in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. While Evers has advanced

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Voters at the polls in Milwaukee and Madison expressed frustration and trepidation about voting in person today amid the coronavirus pandemic, but largely appeared to be taking it in stride. Several voters interviewed by WisPolitics.com had requested absentee ballots but hadn’t received

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The fate of Wisconsin’s spring election hung in the balance late today as GOP lawmakers asked the conservative-dominated state Supreme Court to overturn Dem Gov. Tony Evers’ order to push back in-person voting until June amid a national COVID-19 pandemic. Republicans filed

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Wisconsin may not know until mid-April who won the presidential primary or a seat on the state Supreme Court after a federal judge pushed back until April 13 the deadline for absentee ballots to be received and counted in the spring election.

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers is seeking at least $388 million in state funds to address the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing money for health care providers, creating a reinsurance program to cut premiums, and providing grants for food assistance and meal delivery programs. Evers’

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Despite warnings that 60 percent of Wisconsin municipalities are short of necessary poll workers for April 7, the Elections Commission today couldn’t agree on possible guidance for a federal judge on whether the election should be delayed. Ahead of today’s meeting, staff

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Having already declared Gov. Tony Evers’ first proposal too expensive, Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said today he hopes to have the Senate meet virtually “in the next couple of weeks” to take up legislation addressing COVID-19. Meanwhile, Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Madison Dems quickly expressed an interest in running for Sen. Fred Risser’s Senate seat after the 92-year-old announced he won’t seek reelection after more than six decades in the Legislature. But Rep. Chris Taylor, who had been considered a top candidate to

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — The state Capitol will close to the public starting at 8 a.m. tomorrow as part of the Evers administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Administration said the building will reopen to the public if the Legislature or Wisconsin Supreme