Monday, May 1 The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) held its first executive session on May 1 on Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2017-19 state budget. As with previous years, JFC typically takes up the less controversial, smaller budget items first and saves the big items – transportation, education and Medicaid – for last. Kicking off their […]
JFC Takes First Executive Action on 2017-19 State Budget
Date Fri, May. 12, 2017 - 10:13am By Hamilton
Bills of Note: REINS Act
Date Fri, May. 12, 2017 - 9:51am By Hamilton
On May 2, the Senate voted 19-14 to pass the REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) Act. The bill (SB 15/AB 42) was reintroduced this session by Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) and Rep. Adam Neylon (R-Pewaukee) after passing the Assembly last session, but stalling in the Senate. The version passed by the […]
Floor Report: May 2 & 10
Date Fri, May. 12, 2017 - 9:21am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Senate and Assembly were in session on Tuesday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 10 to take up a variety of bills. Notable in the Senate’s May 2 session was passage of the REINS Act. [link] The REINS (Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny) Act, SB 15, would require approval from the […]
Wisconsin Rural Water Association, Others Hold Municipal Government & Utility Day
Date Fri, May. 12, 2017 - 9:05am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA), joined by other municipal government and utility organizations, held the annual Municipal Government & Utility Day at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Wednesday. Local officials and utilities met with their legislators about issues impacting local governments and municipal utilities. Kicking off the day, Rep. Mike Kuglitsch, chair of the […]
LFB Maintains January Revenue Estimates
Date Fri, May. 12, 2017 - 8:26am By Hamilton
On Wednesday May 10, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau released their revenue projections for the current fiscal year (2016-17) and for the upcoming biennium (2017-19). This May release is timed with the Joint Finance Committee’s budget votes, allowing for JFC to utilize updated revenue numbers. In their memo, LFB Director Bob Lang explained that their January […]
Assembly Republicans Release Transportation Plan
Date Thu, May. 11, 2017 - 5:00pm By Hamilton
On Thursday, May 4, the Assembly Republicans held a press conference to announce a transportation budget proposal. The proposal, authored by Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) aims to reduce the level of bonding in Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed transportation budget by $300 million and to increase tax revenues to the transportation fund. Additionally, the proposal aims […]
JFC Plans to Reject the Governor’s Self-Insurance Proposal
Date Thu, May. 11, 2017 - 4:47pm By Hamilton
On Monday May 8, the Department of Employee Trust Funds submitted signed contracts to self-insure the state’s health program to the Joint Committee on Finance. This submission begins the 21-day passive review period for JFC to decide if they will act. The three-year contracts include contracts with a statewide/nationwide vendor and four regional vendors. The […]
Bills of Note: Clinician Training Grants
Date Thu, May. 11, 2017 - 4:31pm By Hamilton
Rep. Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake) and Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) recently introduced AB 227/SB 161, relating to clinician training grants. The bill would provide training grants to advanced practice clinicians (APCs) such as physician assistants and advanced practice nurses, especially in rural areas. The bill provides $750,000 per year for the next two years […]
DHS Releases Proposed Medicaid Waiver
Date Fri, Apr. 28, 2017 - 10:45am By Hamilton
The Department of Health Services (DHS) recently released a waiver for public comment that would make changes to the state Medicaid program. DHS intends to submit the Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver or “BadgerCare Reform Demonstration Waiver” to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for review on May 26. The proposed changes will […]
Josh Kaul to Challenge AG Brad Schimel in November 2018
Date Fri, Apr. 28, 2017 - 10:32am By Hamilton
Josh Kaul, attorney in Madison and son of former state Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, announced on Monday, April 10 that he will challenge Brad Schimel for his position as Wisconsin Attorney General. The election will be held on November 6, 2018. Lautenschlager resigned from her position with the Wisconsin Ethics Commission on Friday, April 7 […]