Last week, the Study Committee on Alcohol Beverages Enforcement met for the third time. The Committee heard from Department of Revenue (DOR) Secretary Rick Chandler on agency enforcement and Donovan Borvan a former executive director of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission then discussed various drafts being considered by the study committee. Chandler told the committee […]
Unpacking DHS’s Budget Request
Date Thu, Oct. 4, 2018 - 4:15pm By Hamilton
On Sept. 17, state agencies submitted their 2019-21 biennial budget requests that, in total, included roughly $2.5 billion dollars in additional funding (according to Wispolitics). Accounting for the bulk of the increase in state general purpose revenue (GPR) are the usual cost drivers – education, health care and corrections. Coming in a distant second to […]
Legislature to Meet in Extraordinary Session on Kimberly-Clark
Date Thu, Oct. 4, 2018 - 3:52pm By Hamilton
This week, legislative leadership called for an extraordinary session of the legislature to take up an incentive package to keep open a Kimberly-Clark manufacturing plant in northeast Wisconsin. A Senate committee will hold a public hearing on the bill on Nov. 12, and the full Senate could vote on the bill later that month – […]
Election Update: Walker vs. Evers with a Month To Go
Date Thu, Oct. 4, 2018 - 3:47pm By Hamilton
October will be the most important month in the race for governor in Wisconsin as both candidates will attempt their final positioning toward a victorious Election Day. Much has been made of the potential “blue wave” and whether or not it will run into a red wall in Wisconsin. While history tells us it should […]
Gov. Scott Walker Declares PA Week Oct. 6-12
Date Thu, Oct. 4, 2018 - 3:43pm By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker has declared Oct. 6-12, 2018, as Physician Assistant (PA) Week in Wisconsin. The governor’s proclamation recognizes PAs as valuable assets to medicine, especially in underserved rural areas of the state. PA Week also recognizes PAs for contributing “to the well-being and quality of life for all patients of Wisconsin.” Over 2,700 PAs […]
Plaintiffs Refile in Gill v. Whitford Redistricting Case
Date Mon, Oct. 1, 2018 - 2:33pm By Hamilton
Democratic plaintiffs in Gill v. Whitford, the legal challenge to Wisconsin Republicans’ 2010 redistricting map, have refiled their case in district court. A three-judge panel (Chief U.S. District Judge James Peterson, appointed by President Barack Obama; 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Kenneth Ripple, appointed by President Ronald Reagan; and U.S. District Judge William […]
Direct Primary Care Committee Will Not Recommend Legislation, Kapenga/Sanfelippo To Reintroduce Bill
Date Mon, Oct. 1, 2018 - 2:29pm By Hamilton
The Study Committee on Direct Primary Care (DPC) met for the final time on Sept. 18 to make their final recommendations from their work this summer. The committee concluded without recommending any legislation but agreed that DPC is a positive part of the health care system and that the Group Insurance Board (GIB) should explore […]
Agencies Submit 2019-21 Budget Requests
Date Thu, Sep. 20, 2018 - 4:41pm By Hamilton
This week, Wisconsin state agencies submitted their 2019-21 state budget requests to Gov. Scott Walker and the Department of Administration. Under Wisconsin’s biennial budget process, DOA’s State Budget Office and the Governor’s Office will review the agency requests and develop the biennial budget. The governor will then present his budget to the state legislature for […]
Marquette Poll: Evers Takes Lead Over Walker, Vukmir Trails Baldwin
Date Wed, Sep. 19, 2018 - 3:02pm By Hamilton
The latest Marquette University (MU) Law School poll, released Sept. 18, is the most indicative evidence so far of the “blue wave” that some are predicting will shift Wisconsin elections to the left in November. The poll, conducted Sept. 12-16, showed favorability numbers dropping for almost every Republican politician and Democratic candidates gaining significant leads. […]
Study Committee Update: Body Cameras Committee Discusses Retention of Records, Privacy Issues
Date Fri, Sep. 14, 2018 - 9:49am By Hamilton
The Study Committee on the Use of Police Body Cameras met for the second time on Sept. 13. The focus of the meeting was to receive some additional presentations and spend time discussing the committee’s assignment and next steps. The meeting began with a presentation from the Milwaukee Police Department. Sergeant Doug Wiorek outlined the […]