On June 19, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will review the legal challenge to the Republicans’ redistricting map. By 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court also granted Attorney General Brad Schimel’s request to stay the lower court’s order requiring a timely redrawing of the Assembly district map. The redistricting case, Gill v. Whitford, was brought […]
Timeline: Special Session on Opioid Abuse
Date Fri, Jun. 23, 2017 - 10:08am By Hamilton
Updated 7-17-17 As Gov. Scott Walker signs the 2017 Special Session on Opioid Abuse bills today, take a look back at the recent history of opioid abuse prevention and education legislation in Wisconsin. Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) has chaired the effort to combat Wisconsin’s opioid epidemic with his Heroin, Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) agenda […]
UPDATED: Signed Into Law: Delivery Drones, Dental Hygienists, Law Enforcement Dog Bites
Date Fri, Jun. 23, 2017 - 10:03am By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker signed ten bills into law at the state capitol on Wednesday, June 21. Walker signed several bills passed by the legislature in the June 14 floor session, as well as some previous proposals from the legislature this session. The bills included: AB 25, which eliminates work permits for 16- and 17-year olds […]
Justice Gableman Will Not Seek Reelection
Date Fri, Jun. 23, 2017 - 9:56am By Hamilton
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman announced last week that he will not seek reelection to the state’s highest court. His seat is up in April 2018. Former Michael Best attorney Michael Screnock, now a sitting Sauk County Circuit Court judge, announced that he will run for the Gableman spot. Gov. Scott Walker appointed Screnock […]
Bills of Note: Marsy’s Law
Date Fri, Jun. 23, 2017 - 9:52am By Hamilton
On June 15, the Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety and the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety held a joint hearing on a bill that would elevate victims’ rights under Wisconsin law. AJR 47/SJR 53, authored by Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) and Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), proposes a Wisconsin constitutional amendment […]
Bills of Note: FoodShare Reform
Date Fri, Jun. 23, 2017 - 9:47am By Hamilton
Rep. André Jacque (R-DePere) and Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) recently authored bills (AB 263/SB 174) that aim to reduce fraud in the state’s FoodShare program for low-income households. The companion bills create optional incentive programs for counties to receive reward payments for identifying fraud. In addition, the legislation allows for the removal of benefits […]
DHS Submits Medicaid Waiver
Date Fri, Jun. 9, 2017 - 11:43am By Hamilton
The Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted the “BadgerCare Reform Demonstration Waiver” to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Wednesday for review. The waiver essentially amends the Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver and would primarily make changes to the BadgerCare childless adult (CLA) population in the state’s Medicaid program. The changes include substance […]
JFC Meets May 31, Postpones This Week’s Meetings
Date Fri, Jun. 9, 2017 - 11:03am By Hamilton
This week, the budget process came to halt, as the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) remains at an impasse on education, transportation and property taxes. After the long Memorial Day weekend, JFC met only once last week on Wednesday, May 31. As the Assembly and Senate tried to smooth over their differences on the remaining items, […]
Assembly Republicans Release K-12 Budget Plan
Date Fri, Jun. 9, 2017 - 10:46am By Hamilton
On Tuesday, June 6, Assembly Republicans released their own K-12 funding plan for the 2017-19 state budget. The proposal increases general school aids and lowers property taxes, but not to the same level as Governor Walker’s plan. The governor has said he would veto a budget that increases property taxes above 2014 levels. Sen. Majority […]
JFC to Vote on Self-Insurance Contracts Next Week
Date Fri, Jun. 9, 2017 - 9:20am By Hamilton
As expected, the Joint Finance Committee objected to the Department of Employee Trust Funds’ signed contracts to self-insure the state employee’s health plan. JFC’s passive review of the contracts required an objection, otherwise the state would be able to move forward. The three-year contracts include contracts with a statewide/nationwide vendor and four regional vendors. The […]