In 2010, Republicans nationwide swept Democrats out of state houses, and Wisconsin’s state Assembly was no different. Wisconsin Assembly Republicans went from the minority to a commanding majority in one fell swoop following the 2010 elections, picking up 15 seats across the state. A majority that, while ushered in by a wave, has expanded over […]
Marquette Law Poll: Trump Loses Ground on Clinton, Feingold Lead Narrows
Date Fri, Oct. 21, 2016 - 10:14am By Hamilton
The latest Marquette University (MU) Law School Poll was released on Oct. 12, 2016. The results showed Hillary Clinton’s lead increasing over Donald Trump, while Russ Feingold’s lead over Sen. Ron Johnson narrowed. Gov. Scott Walker and President Obama’s job approval ratings remained largely the same. Presidential Election In a head-to-head matchup, 46 percent of […]
State Senator Rick Gudex Passes Away at 48
Date Fri, Oct. 21, 2016 - 10:13am By Hamilton
Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac), the 48-year-old Republican representative of the 18th Senate District of Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. The Fond du Lac County sheriff’s office announced that their preliminary investigation found the cause of death to be from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Elected officials across the aisle and throughout all […]
Walker Announces Budget Increase for Local Roads
Date Fri, Oct. 21, 2016 - 10:12am By Hamilton
On Oct. 13, 2016, Gov. Scott Walker announced his plan to increase local road funding by 8.5 percent in his 2017-2019 budget for the local road improvement program and general transportation aids. Walker’s release stated his budget would invest an additional $14.6 million in to general transportation aids. Combined with the nearly $9 million increase […]
State Ends the 2016 Fiscal Year with $313.8 Million Balance
Date Fri, Oct. 21, 2016 - 10:11am By Hamilton
On Oct. 17, the Department of Administration (DOA) released the Annual Fiscal Report for fiscal year (FY) 2016. The report shows the state ended the FY 2016 with a balance of $313.8 million. This is $76.2 million less than the $390 million balance assumed in the budget. According to the report, in 2016 general purpose […]
Legislative Study Committees Update
Date Fri, Oct. 21, 2016 - 10:10am By Hamilton
Each interim summer, the Wisconsin Legislative Council provides legal and policy support to the study committees established by the Joint Legislative Council. This year, there are seven legislative study committees, which are comprised of legislators and public members. The 2016 committees include: Study Committee on Access to Civil Legal Services Study Committee on Preservation of […]
Study Committee on Reducing Recidivism and Removing Impediments to Ex-Offender Employment
Date Fri, Oct. 21, 2016 - 10:09am By Hamilton
Chaired by Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Rob Hutton (R-Brookfield), the Study Committee on Reducing Recidivism and Removing Impediments to Ex-Offender Employment has convened multiple times over the last several months, with the most recent meeting held on Oct. 19. The committee focused on evidence-based strategies to decrease recidivism, examined earned-time credit systems, and […]
Study Committee on Rural Broadband
Date Fri, Oct. 21, 2016 - 10:08am By Hamilton
The Legislative Study Committee on Rural Broadband was created in response to the lack of broadband access throughout parts of Wisconsin. This lack of access has become a priority for legislators because people who live in areas with little or no broadband lose valuable opportunities related to the delivery of goods, services and education. With […]
Marquette Law Poll: Presidential race unchanged, Feingold lead increases, Walker disapproval rises
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 12:00pm By Hamilton
The latest Marquette University (MU) Law School Poll was released on Sept. 21, 2016. The results showed the presidential race largely unchanged, while Russ Feingold’s edge on Sen. Ron Johnson increased and Gov. Scott Walker’s disapproval rating rose. Presidential Election In a head-to-head matchup, 44 percent of likely voters backed Hillary Clinton, while 42 percent […]
DHS Requests Includes $452 Million More for Medicaid
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 11:56am By Hamilton
Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Linda Seemeyer submitted her agency’s budget request to Governor Walker on September 15, 2016. The request asks for a total of $455.5 million in additional general purpose revenue (GPR). In her cover letter, Secretary Seemeyer points out that the funding increases in the budget request are limited to standard […]