In what appears to be a targeted leak aimed at Gov. Walker, the Guardian US published sealed Wisconsin court documents from the controversial John Doe investigation. It has been reported that over six million records were seized in the politically driven investigation. The leak involved 1,350 records. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and other GOP leaders […]
Department of Transportation Budget Ignites Funding Debate
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 11:52am By Hamilton
As anticipated, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) agency budget request includes no increases to taxes or fees to increase transportation revenues, fulfilling Gov. Walker’s directive to the agency. Walker and Assembly Republicans have been publicly at odds over the agency budget request, with Walker stating he is “willing to consider any specific alternatives from Assembly […]
AG Schimel Files Complaint Against New DOL Overtime Rule
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 11:50am By Hamilton
On Sept. 20, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel joined a bipartisan coalition of states in filing a federal complaint against the U.S. Department of Labor’s new overtime rule. The complaint cites federal overreach by DOL and asks the court to prevent implementation of the rule before it is scheduled to take effect on Dec. 1. […]
DNR Requests Budget Decrease but Adds CAFO Staff
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 11:48am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) formally submitted their agency budget request to Governor Walker on September 15, 2016. Overall, DNR’s all funds budget for the 2017-19 biennium is 2.1 percent less than the 2016-17 fiscal year base doubled. This amounts to about $23.4 million less funding over the biennium. DNR’s all funds budget […]
Department of Justice Submits Budget Request
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 11:47am By Hamilton
Attorney General Brad Schimel submitted the Department of Justice (DOJ) 2017-19 budget request to Governor Walker on September 15, 2016. Including all funding sources, DOJ’s request is a 6.2 percent increase over the base fiscal year (2016-17) doubled. This increase amounts to $6.6 million in new general purpose revenue (GPR) over the biennium. The largest […]
Governor Announces Task Force on Opioid Abuse
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 9:58am By Hamilton
On Sept. 22, Governor Walker announced creation of a Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse, to be co-chaired by Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Rep. John Nygren (R – Marinette). In doing so, Governor Walker ordered the Wisconsin State Health Officer to issue an advisory regarding the serious public health problem that has been created […]
EPA will Inspect Wisconsin DNR records
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 9:22am By Hamilton
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will send federal regulators to Madison to inspect Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) records in October. EPA personnel will investigate DNR files in response to an October 2015 petition by Midwest Environmental Advocates and a group of Wisconsin citizens. The petition claims that DNR officials have not adequately implemented […]
Assembly Republicans Release Legislative Agenda
Date Sun, Sep. 25, 2016 - 8:59pm By Hamilton
In early September, Assembly Republicans released their plans for the 2017-2018 session in their Forward Agenda. While the November election is still weeks away, the Assembly majority outlined their main goals for next session and beyond. Their policies include simplifying the tax code, addressing the transportation budget shortfall, giving laptops to high school freshman and […]
Walker Administration Shuffles Staff
Date Sun, Sep. 25, 2016 - 8:54pm By Hamilton
The Department of Administration (DOA) announced on Sept. 20 that Waylon Hurlburt will be the new state budget director. Hurlburt will replace Michael Heifetz, who is transitioning to the Department of Health Services (DHS) as state Medicaid director. Hurlburt and Heifetz will begin their new positions Oct. 3. Hurlburt joins DOA from the governor’s office. […]
Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler Announces “Likely” Run for Second Term
Date Sun, Sep. 25, 2016 - 8:47pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler announced she will “likely” run for re-election in April 2017. The conservative justice already claims endorsements of 48 sheriffs and 30 district attorneys. Among others, her steering committee will include former Gov. Tommy Thompson, former Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow, and former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice John Wilcox. Her Sept. […]