On Sept. 18, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers joined a bipartisan group of 14 other governors in asking congressional armed services committees to include several provisions related to PFAS in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are manufactured chemicals that are found in many everyday products, including nonstick pans, cleaning products, paints, […]
Survey Shows Dental Insurance Enrollees Are Highly Satisfied with Coverage
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 3:18pm By Hamilton
A survey recently released by America’s Health Insurance Plans shows dental insurance enrollees are highly satisfied with their providers and coverage. Overall, the survey found consumers were happy with their ability to find in-network, high quality, and affordable dental care. Highlights of the survey included: 83 percent of respondents said they are extremely/very satisfied or […]
Medicaid Budget Projected to End in the Red
Date Mon, Oct. 7, 2019 - 3:12pm By Hamilton
On Sept. 30, the Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted an updated projection for the state’s Medicaid budget to the Joint Finance Committee. DHS estimates the Medicaid expenditures will exceed the budget by $21.4 GPR at the end of the 2019-2021 biennium. The main reason cited for the negative projection is a decrease in the […]
Bills of Note: Direct Primary Care
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2019 - 10:27am By Hamilton
The Assembly Committee on Small Business Development held a public hearing on Sept. 4 on a bill that would establish parameters for the practice of direct primary care (DPC) in Wisconsin. The bill (SB 28/AB 26), authored by Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) and Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin), is largely the same as the version […]
PSCW Releases Summary Memo on Investigation of Electric Vehicles
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2019 - 10:23am By Hamilton
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) has released a summary memorandum of initial comments in its docket to investigate electric vehicle (EV) policy and regulation. Comments were submitted by 24 parties, six utilities, and 12 members of the public in response to 28 questions categorized under the eight investigation topics initially laid out by PSCW. […]
Gov. Evers Announces New WEDC CEO
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2019 - 10:19am By Hamilton
On Sept. 5, Gov. Tony Evers announced his appointment of Missy Hughes as secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Hughes replaces former WEDC CEO Mark Hogan, who left the agency at the beginning of the month. As part of the 2018 extraordinary session legislation, 2017 Act 369 gave the governor the […]
EPA Finalizes WOTUS Revisions
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2019 - 10:15am By Hamilton
On Sept. 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the final rule repealing the 2015 definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The revised rule is intended to increase predictability and stability in water pollution enforcement. Since the Clean Water Act was originally enacted, there has been ambiguity […]
Water Quality Task Force Meets in Northern Wis. to Discuss PFAS
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2019 - 10:08am By Hamilton
After meeting in 15 locations around the state, the Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality has likely wrapped up its public hearings. Below is an update on the last four meetings in northern Wisconsin, where the task force discussed several topics, including PFAS. Green Bay On Aug. 28, the task force met in Green […]
PFAS Update: Evers EO, DNR Scope Statements, Hearing on Fire Fighting Foam Bill
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2019 - 9:54am By Hamilton
Regulation of PFAS compounds is quickly moving forward in Wisconsin at both the legislative and administrative rule levels. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals that are found in many everyday products, including nonstick pans, cleaning products, paints, and firefighting foam. PFAS are present in the bloodstream of 98 percent of Americans. Competing studies […]
Latest MU Poll Evaluates Wis. Politicians, Shows Dem Candidates Head-to-Head with Trump
Date Mon, Sep. 16, 2019 - 9:39am By Hamilton
Marquette University (MU) Law School recently released its third poll of 2019. Along with its standard questions evaluating voter opinions on Wisconsin politicians, the poll looks ahead to the Democratic primary for president, posing head-to-head matchup questions between potential candidates and President Donald Trump for the first time. The Sept. 4 poll surveyed 800 Wisconsin […]