Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — A staffer for Republican Barbara Dittrich has retired after a tweet from the lawmaker’s account slammed former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick while the Assembly debated his inclusion in a Black History Month resolution. The staffer, Keith Best, was previously involved in a

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Dem Sens. Lena Taylor and LaTonya Johnson — the only African-Americans in the Senate — ripped into their white GOP colleagues today, challenging their “audacity” in dictating who was acceptable to be honored in a February Black History Month resolution. Taylor, D-Milwaukee,

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers said today he expects his Transportation Stakeholder Task Force to recommend an increase to the gas tax. Evers said “there seems to be some consensus” among the 34-member task force, which has met twice since being commissioned Jan. 30.

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Some are reacting cautiously to Gov. Tony Evers’ announcement that he plans to include provisions in his budget to borrow $70 million to address water quality and $43.4 million for an effort to improve access to dental care. Wisconsin Conservation Voters said

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Assembly Speaker Robin Vos today said he “would definitely be open to” negotiating with Gov. Tony Evers about how to fund a middle-class tax cut. But the Rochester Republican continued to rule out a tax increase being part of the equation as

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said he has “become a bigger believer” in tolling as a solution to Wisconsin’s transportation challenges during. But the Juneau Republican warned during a panel discussion at the Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Exchange this morning he would

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers today said he didn’t think he could sign the GOP’s version of a middle-class income tax cut because Republicans had failed to provide a path to pay for it in future years. GOP leaders, meanwhile, said the version Evers

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Five unions and state Sen. Janet Bewley have filed a lawsuit against the lame-duck laws, arguing they violate the state Constitution’s separation of powers clause. The suit is one of several filed challenges to the December extraordinary session bills former Gov. Scott

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Foxconn and WEDC today both pushed back on a report by Nikkei that the Taiwanese manufacturer was suspending and scaling back its Wisconsin plant following negotiations with Gov. Tony Evers. Citing sources it didn’t identify, Nikkei reported Evers approached Foxconn to renegotiate

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers’ administration said it’s time for “an honest conversation” about the challenges facing the state after the Legislative Fiscal Bureau dropped revenue projections through mid-2021. But one of the GOP co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee pointed to the additional

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers this afternoon issued a state of emergency, directing all state offices to close tomorrow with limited exceptions for essential personnel. The order doesn’t impact the Capitol, which will remain open to the public. Evers’ order, coming ahead of wind

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — A legislative study committee is set to continue examining pretrial conditions for criminal defendants tomorrow, with debate likely centered on a proposed amendment to reduce the use of cash bail. The amendment, submitted by Rep. Evan Goyke, D-Milwaukee, would allow courts to

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — AG Josh Kaul today asked the Joint Finance Committee co-chairs for permission to pull out of a multi-state lawsuit challenging Obamacare after yesterday informing Gov. Tony Evers only the Legislature has the power to direct him to end the state’s participation. It

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Less than 24 hours after Tony Evers declared he had directed Josh Kaul to “withdraw” from a lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act, his office walked back the comments, insisting the guv didn’t direct the attorney general to take any action. In

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — GOP legislative leaders say they’re perplexed about Gov. Tony Evers’ planned call in his State of the State address for lawmakers to work on “fixing” the economy. In excerpts released ahead of the 7 p.m. address, Evers planned to there’s “more to

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Assembly Republicans today unveiled their version of a middle-class tax cut, to be paid for out of an expected $588 million surplus. But a spokeswoman for Gov. Tony Evers said the plan “falls short” of what he proposed because it would use

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Planned Parenthood is suing to overturn parts of a 2012 law that restricted women’s access to medication-induced abortions. The suit also seeks to overturn a provision in state law that only lets doctors perform an abortion. The suit, filed in federal court

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Gov. Tony Evers says his first budget will likely include a “first step” toward legalizing medical marijuana. The governor addressed board members of the Wisconsin Technology Council today at the Madison office of Exact Sciences. He was introduced by Exact Sciences CEO

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Wisconsin youth prisons are still relying on pepper spray and are keeping inmates in solitary confinement for weeks at a time, according to a report filed today by a court-ordered monitor. The new report shows that the staff at Lincoln Hills and

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Assembly Republicans delivered a 11-point letter to Gov. Tony Evers in a “show of bipartisanship” outlining areas where they can find common ground. Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, stressed trying to find consensus early in the legislative process pledging to “try at least