Wisconsin legislators have held their caucus leadership elections for the 2017-18 legislative session. In the Senate, Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R – Juneau) was again selected to be Senate Majority Leader. Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D – La Crosse) was re-elected as Senate Minority Leader, even with the ongoing recount in […]
State Agency Budget Requests Exceed Expected Revenue by $693 Million
Date Thu, Dec. 1, 2016 - 8:16pm By Hamilton
On Nov. 21, the Department of Administration (DOA) released a report on agency budget requests and revenue estimates for the 2017-19 biennium. As in previous years, these budget requests exceed the revenue projections for FY 2017-19. DOA Secretary Scott Neitzel notes this “imbalance” in the opening letter of the report, stating as in the past, […]
Update on Med 24, the Telemedicine Rule
Date Thu, Dec. 1, 2016 - 8:14pm By Hamilton
In the fall of 2015 the Medical Examining Board (MEB) submitted an order to create Med Chapter 24 related to telemedicine to provide greater clarity for physicians with regards to the practice of telemedicine in Wisconsin. In November, the MEB held a public hearing on the redrafted rule. The amended draft received written support from […]
DNR Announces Realignment
Date Thu, Dec. 1, 2016 - 8:13pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced on Wednesday plans to reorganize its staff and resources to provide better oversight of the department. According to the press release, the realignment will not reduce environmental standards or the number of jobs at the DNR, but will change job descriptions, reporting structure and division assignments for […]
Sen. Shilling Faces Recount in District 32
Date Thu, Dec. 1, 2016 - 8:10pm By Hamilton
The recount of the District 32 Senate race began Monday. After the Nov. 8 election results showed that Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) finished just 56 votes ahead of her challenger, former Republican Sen. Dan Kapanke requested the recount. The recount is expected to last up to six days. So far, unofficial results […]
Presidential Recount Begins Across Wisconsin
Date Thu, Dec. 1, 2016 - 8:09pm By Hamilton
A recount of presidential election ballots began Thursday across Wisconsin. The recount, initiated and funded by Green Party candidate Jill Stein’s campaign, will be the first presidential recount in Wisconsin since 2004. The recount will cost approximately $3.5 million and is set to be completed by Monday, Dec. 12. While Hillary Clinton’s campaign did not […]
Trump Wins Wisconsin, State Senate and Assembly Republicans Maintain Majorities
Date Wed, Nov. 9, 2016 - 11:47am By Hamilton
Presidential Results Donald Trump swept key swing states and won Wisconsin, 48 percent to 47 percent. He is the first Republican to carry the state since Ronald Reagan in 1984. Trump received a total of 276 electoral votes, while Hillary Clinton picked up 218. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson won no states, but picked up 3.6 […]
Tidbits Crystal Ball–What to Watch for on Election Night in Wisconsin
Date Fri, Nov. 4, 2016 - 10:04am By Hamilton
Clinton versus Trump As this race drags us all to its final destination on Nov. 8 (assuming there is not a long, drawn out recount) we have been exposed to more head-to-head presidential polls than ever before. These polls have consistently had Clinton in the lead. Her “Real Clear Politics” advantage is +5.4 percent, her […]
Marquette Law Poll: Clinton Leads Trump by Six Points, Johnson-Feingold Race Tightens
Date Fri, Nov. 4, 2016 - 9:55am By Hamilton
The latest Marquette University (MU) Law School Poll was released on Nov. 2. The results showed Clinton retaining a six-point lead over Trump and the Senate race tightening while Gov. Walker and President Obama’s approval ratings remained the same. This will be the final Marquette poll before the election on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Presidential […]