3M held their annual legislative day in Madison this week. With four plants in Wisconsin and as the manufacturer of products the state uses, 3M makes it a priority to have routine communication with legislators and policy makers on issues that are important to the company and the Wisconsin plants. Tuesday evening 3M had an […]
2018 WACVB Day at the Capitol
Date Fri, Feb. 2, 2018 - 10:06am By Hamilton
On Jan. 30, Wisconsin Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (WACVB) held their annual legislative day at the Capitol. WACVB members met with their legislators to discuss issues including creative economy grants, talent attraction, school start date, and local exposition districts. To start the day, WACVB Executive Director Julia Hertel welcomed the attendees and Rep. […]
Gov. Walker Delivers 2018 State of the State Address
Date Thu, Jan. 25, 2018 - 8:38am By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker delivered his 2018 State of the State address in the Assembly chambers on Jan. 24. Walker’s eighth State of the State focused on “getting positive things done for the people of Wisconsin” and an “Ambitious Agenda” for 2018. Walker began his speech by highlighting successes of 2017, including Wisconsin’s record-low unemployment, increased […]
2018 State of the State Address: Full Transcript
Date Wed, Jan. 24, 2018 - 5:17pm By Hamilton
REMARKS OF GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER – AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY 2018 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS Governor Scott Walker Wednesday, January 24, 2018, 3:00 P.M. Wisconsin State Capitol Speaker Vos, Speaker Pro Tem August, President Roth, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader Shilling, Minority Leader Hintz, Supreme Court Justices, Constitutional Officers, tribal leaders, members of the […]
Gov. Walker Issues Executive Orders on Opioid Crisis
Date Fri, Jan. 19, 2018 - 3:53pm By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker issued two executive orders on Jan. 19 based on a new report from the Task Force on Opioid Abuse. Executive Order 273 implements several agency actions based on recommendations from the Task Force’s co-chairs Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette). The order directs the Department of Health Services (DHS) […]
Wisconsin Special Election Results Draw National Headlines
Date Fri, Jan. 19, 2018 - 10:35am By Hamilton
While only 15 percent of voters turned out to elect a new senator in Wisconsin’s open 10th state Senate District last Tuesday, the results have caused a stir nationwide. Democrat Patty Schachtner won the western Wisconsin seat with 55 percent of the vote over Republican Assembly Rep. Adam Jarchow (R-Balsam Lake). Schachtner’s margin of victory […]
Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse Meets, Reviews Pew Recommendations
Date Fri, Jan. 19, 2018 - 10:21am By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse met at North Central Technical College in Wausau on Jan. 5. The meeting began with a recognition of the Department of Health Services’ (DHS) recent announcement of nearly $500,000 in grants to 63 community groups for opioid abuse prevention. The committee then heard from Drug Free Communities […]
EPA Designates Much of Southeastern Wisconsin as Nonattainment for 2015 Ozone Standards
Date Fri, Jan. 19, 2018 - 10:17am By Hamilton
In November 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated most of the country as either attainment/nonattainment under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone. Nonattainment areas are those that do not meet (or contribute to ambient air quality in a nearby area that does not meet) the national primary or secondary ambient […]
LFB Projects Surplus at the End of the 2017-19 Biennium
Date Fri, Jan. 19, 2018 - 10:13am By Hamilton
On Jan. 17, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released their latest projections for the 2017-19 biennium. LFB increased their ending general fund balance projection assumed in the state budget by $137.5 million, leaving the state with a net balance of $385.2 million. The 2017-19 biennium ends on June 30, 2019. LFB reports that the $137.5 […]
CMS to Allow States to Implement Medicaid Work Requirements
Date Fri, Jan. 19, 2018 - 10:09am By Hamilton
On Jan. 11, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new guidance to allow states to incorporate work requirements in their Medicaid programs. States pursue changes to Medicaid eligibility through Section 1115 Demonstration Waivers. As outlined in the guidance, CMS requires state proposals to describe strategies to assist individuals in meeting work […]