Hintz running for Assembly Dem leader as others ponder bid

State Rep. Gordon Hintz today formally launched his bid for Assembly minority leader, saying he would work to contrast core Dem values “with a Republican Party that has never been more unpopular than it is now.” While Hintz is the only candidate so far to announce plans to run for leader after Peter Barca stepped down, Reps. Jason Fields, of Milwaukee, and Katrina Shankland, of Stevens Point, told… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password *

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Draft Clarke super PAC paid for Trump inaugural tickets, raised little from Wisconsin

A super PAC Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke last month slammed as a “scam” in its efforts to push him into a U.S. Senate bid covered a key individual’s expenses for attending President Trump’s inaugural ball, according to a WisPolitics.com check of its FEC filing. The group, which billed itself as the “official draft campaign” for Clarke, reported pulling in $1.97 million over the first half… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Small-dollar donors outside Wisconsin help Bryce pull in large amounts in bid against Ryan

Ironworker Randy Bryce, who’s seeking the Dem nomination to challenge House Speaker Paul Ryan next year, collected just 11 percent of his initial donations from inside Wisconsin, a WisPolitics.com review shows. The review underscores that Bryce, like Ryan’s most recent serious challenger, has become a national vehicle for thousands of people around the country to voice their disdain for the speake… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Progressives, conservatives claim more people considering bids for elected office

When Cathy Myers recently joined the Dem field to challenge GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan, one progressive candidate recruitment program could take some pride. In fact, the groups that help recruit Dem candidates are reporting record numbers of people looking to run for office. They say that’s evidence of the enthusiasm that’s mobilizing Dems across the state. Republicans are also reporting increase… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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State could rake in $15 million from fees tacked onto debt collections over next two years

The state’s take from fees tacked onto what people owe state agencies, courts and the UW System could hit $15 million over the next two years, under a plan in the guv’s budget to expand debt collection. Debt collectors in the private sector are generally banned under the Wisconsin Consumer Act from collecting anything beyond the debts owed, instead retaining a portion of the repaid money. But the … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Sources: Potential K-12 deal would boost aid, reduce property taxes

GOP Joint Finance Committee members have discussed a K-12 package that would keep Gov. Scott Walker’s per pupil boost while meeting the guv’s insistence that property tax bills in 2018 be lower than they were in 2014, sources tell WisPolitics.com. The framework for an education deal also would create a path for low-spending school districts to increase their spending caps, a goal of Assembly Repub… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Districts that lose students to open enrollment concerned about aid boost

Suburban school districts are applauding an open enrollment aid boost in the Assembly GOP education plan, saying it would direct dollars to those actually teaching the transferring students. But rural districts and others that lose large numbers of students to other districts through open enrollment worry that giving up an additional $1,440 per student under the plan would hurt their ability to te… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Political donation, receipt history shows contrast between Burns, Dallet

A WisPolitics.com review of Supreme Court candidate Rebecca Dallet’s biggest donors show many of them have given to Democrats or liberal candidates, though several also gave money to Republicans and conservatives. Meanwhile, Tim Burns, a Madison attorney who’s made the case that he’s an unabashed progressive, has given more than $40,000 solely to Dems and liberal candidates since 2008. The two hav… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Kleefisch: Walker’s budget reflects residents’ desires

Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch has a message for fellow Republicans looking to raise the gas tax despite Gov. Scott Walker’s veto threat: Trust us, the voters aren’t interested. Kleefisch quickly ticks off stats about the number of listening sessions Walker did ahead of putting together this budget as well as the miles she drives in Wisconsin during a typical year — enough to complete the nearly 25,00… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Agreement on transportation, taxes needed to break budget stalemate

To break the state budget impasse, GOP lawmakers need three dominoes to fall. The most important for the general fund piece of the budget is an agreement on the benchmark they’ll use for the property taxes on the median-valued home in 2018. The most difficult, budget watchers say, will be transportation. With the Joint Finance Committee taking a hiatus this week and the close of the fiscal year ra… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Dem Party chair hopefuls differ on organizing approach, view of party’s shortcomings

The four candidates for state Democratic Party chair all have different views on how the party should be organized coming off of a crushing 2016 general election. While they differ on whether the state should employ a bottom-up versus top-down approach, or some kind of mix, they all agree that what was in place last fall didn’t work for Democrats. WisPolitics.com interviewed the candidates vying f… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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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, an attorney; and Bryan Kennedy, the mayor of Glendale and former AFT-Wisconsin … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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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 Assembly lines are now urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a three-judge panel’s … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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State GOP Chair Courtney: Republicans focused on beating Baldwin in 2018

Since becoming state GOP chair in 2011, Brad Courtney has seen Scott Walker become the first governor in U.S. history to fend off a recall, Republicans expand their majorities in both houses of the Legislature and his party’s nominee win Wisconsin’s electoral votes for the first time since 1984. But he’s got one piece of unfinished business — beating Tammy Baldwin. “We have one more Senate seat we… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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GOP attorneys, WILL urge U.S. Supreme Court to overturn redistricting decision

A dozen GOP attorneys general and the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty have filed briefs joining state Republican legislative leaders in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a decision throwing out the Assembly’s district map. The AGs, all but one of whom are from states with Legislatures controlled by Republicans, argued the three-judge panel’s decision that the Wisconsin… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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Hintz running for Assembly Dem leader as others ponder bid

State Rep. Gordon Hintz today formally launched his bid for Assembly minority leader, saying he would work to contrast core Dem values “with a Republican Party that has never been more unpopular than it is now.” While Hintz is the only candidate so far to announce plans to run for

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Political donation, receipt history shows contrast between Burns, Dallet

A WisPolitics.com review of Supreme Court candidate Rebecca Dallet’s biggest donors show many of them have given to Democrats or liberal candidates, though several also gave money to Republicans and conservatives. Meanwhile, Tim Burns, a Madison attorney who’s made the case that he’s an unabashed progressive, has given more than

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Kleefisch: Walker’s budget reflects residents’ desires

Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch has a message for fellow Republicans looking to raise the gas tax despite Gov. Scott Walker’s veto threat: Trust us, the voters aren’t interested. Kleefisch quickly ticks off stats about the number of listening sessions Walker did ahead of putting together this budget as well as

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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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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

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