Walker creates committee on automated vehicles

Walker announced today he has signed an executive order creating a committee to advise him on the testing and operation of automated vehicles. The Steering Committee on Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment will be chaired by DOT Secretary

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GOP lawmakers introduce bill to combat child neglect

Two GOP lawmakers introduced legislation today that aims to provide prosecutors with “additional tools to fight child neglect,” according to the bill authors. The legislation comes from Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, and Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, and has gained the

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Clarke says he’s leaving post to take Trump DHS job

Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke, who announced in a radio interview today he’s leaving his post to join the Trump administration, said he has several people in mind to replace him. A Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman did not confirm Clarke’s

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Audit finds WEDC improved operations, issues remain

A new state audit found while WEDC has significantly improved its operations, the number of jobs created or retained by economic development job programs can’t be determined. The audit, released today by the Legislative Audit Bureau, also pointed out WEDC’s

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Three file to run against Laning at DPW convention

Three challengers have filed to run against Dem Party Chair Martha Laning at next month’s convention. Meanwhile, five candidates are running for the DNC spot left open by Jason Rae’s election as secretary of the national party. Those challenging Laning

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Bill would require periodic reviews of administrative rules

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke says his new bill aimed at setting up periodic reviews of administrative rules would help lawmakers avoid the “logistical nightmare” of conducting those reviews all at once. Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said Republicans have learned that trying

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GOP bill would require UW to boost three-year degree options

Two GOP lawmakers are circulating a bill that would bring back Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to require the UW System to lay out more three-year degree options for its students. Under the bill, from Sen. Dan Feyen and Rep. Joel Kitchens, the UW System would have to submit three-year graduation

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Walker creates committee on automated vehicles

Walker announced today he has signed an executive order creating a committee to advise him on the testing and operation of automated vehicles. The Steering Committee on Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment will be chaired by DOT Secretary Dave Ross, or his designee. Others who will serve on

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GOP lawmakers introduce bill to combat child neglect

Two GOP lawmakers introduced legislation today that aims to provide prosecutors with “additional tools to fight child neglect,” according to the bill authors. The legislation comes from Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Green Bay, and Cody Horlacher, R-Mukwonago, and has gained the backing of Attorney General Brad Schimel, who says the bill

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Bill punishes adults for allowing underage drinking on property

A bill targeted at adults who let underage people drink alcohol on their property might be too broad, according to an expert and lobbyist who testified on the legislation today. Still, others before the Assembly Committee on State Affairs this afternoon spoke highly of the bill,from GOP Rep. André Jacque

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Ryan warns against ‘rushing to judgment’ on Russia investigation

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, suggested some of the leaks that have hit President Trump were politically motivated and said he expects former FBI Director James Comey to testify before Congress. Ryan pledged Congress will be “responsible, sober and focus only on gathering the facts” in its oversight role with

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AFP digital ad backs Walker plan to nix state property tax

Americans for Prosperity’s new digital ad says “some legislators won’t budge” on Gov. Scott Walker’s call to eliminate the state property tax. “They should stand with Governor Walker and put more money back in your pocket,” the narrator says. In the ad, the narrator says Wisconsin has one of the

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Clarke says he’s leaving post to take Trump DHS job

Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke, who announced in a radio interview today he’s leaving his post to join the Trump administration, said he has several people in mind to replace him. A Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman did not confirm Clarke’s appointment. Clarke told conservative talk show host Vicki McKenna while

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Audit finds WEDC improved operations, issues remain

A new state audit found while WEDC has significantly improved its operations, the number of jobs created or retained by economic development job programs can’t be determined. The audit, released today by the Legislative Audit Bureau, also pointed out WEDC’s uncollectible loan balance has grown by millions of dollars over

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Three file to run against Laning at DPW convention

Three challengers have filed to run against Dem Party Chair Martha Laning at next month’s convention. Meanwhile, five candidates are running for the DNC spot left open by Jason Rae’s election as secretary of the national party. Those challenging Laning are: Joe Donovan, a former Waukesha County businessman; Eric Finch,

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Dems slam bills boosting penalties for juvenile offenders

Dems today slammed two bills that would add tougher penalties for some state juvenile offenders, saying those individuals need more treatment instead of being incarcerated for longer periods of time. But Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, R-New Berlin, said Dems are neglecting to think of crime victims who “feel like they’re prisoners

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Kurtz won’t seek rematch with Kind in 2018

Tony Kurtz, who took 43.4 percent of the vote in 2014 as he lost to Ron Kind, said he has decided against seeking a rematch with the La Crosse Dem in 2018, in part because of what he sees as a poor political climate for Republicans next year. Kurtz, an

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MON PM Update: Bill would require periodic reviews of administrative rules

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke says his new bill aimed at setting up periodic reviews of administrative rules would help lawmakers avoid the “logistical nightmare” of conducting those reviews all at once. Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said Republicans have learned that trying to “review

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Elections Commission raises concerns over budget cuts

Two members of the Elections Commission are urging the Joint Finance Committee to maintain funding for 22 agency positions that have been covered with federal aid, rather than keeping 16 as Gov. Scott Walker wants. Chair Mark Thomsen, a Dem appointee, and Steve King, a GOP appointee, wrote in today’s

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Bill would require periodic reviews of administrative rules

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke says his new bill aimed at setting up periodic reviews of administrative rules would help lawmakers avoid the “logistical nightmare” of conducting those reviews all at once. Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said Republicans have learned that trying to “review all 1,100 pages of administrative rules at one

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FRI PM Update: Attorneys hired by GOP leaders for redistricting lawsuit have charged $41K so far; GOP convention overview

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … SUBSCRIBERS: There will be no REPORT this afternoon due to the GOP state convention. Instead, subscribers are receiving a PM Update. Please follow developments from the convention this weekend at the WisPolitics.com convention blog: https://www.wispolitics.com/category/gop-convos/ — The attorneys hired by GOP leaders t…

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