A new grant program adopted for the first time in the recent state budget, 2013 Wis. Act 20, provides that the Public Service Commission may award up to $500,000 in grants during Fiscal Year 2014 to improve broadband communications services in Wisconsin. Grant funds can only be used to reimburse the construction of broadband facilities. […]
Applications Available – Broadband Expansion Grants for FY 2014
Date Wed, Jan. 22, 2014 - 4:33pm By Hamilton
Sen. Johnson v. OPM and the ACA Health Insurance Subsidy for Congress
Date Fri, Jan. 10, 2014 - 11:41am By Hamilton
Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson has made the latest move by the Republicans against the Affordable Care Act, taking his issue to the courts. This move to stifle what he sees as overreaching power by the act is generating tension within the Republican Party however, and the repercussions of both the suit and party politics have […]
Wisconsin Represented in the United States Cabinet
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 10:03pm By Hamilton
Nine Wisconsin citizens have served in the United States Cabinet over the nation’s history, including three former governors. The most recent Wisconsinite to serve in the Cabinet was former Governor Tommy Thompson, as Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2001 to 2005, who most famously in this position included dealing with public health issues […]
Weak Recovery & Health Care Costs Top List of Business Leaders’ Concerns for 2014
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 9:59pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce has released the most recent iteration of its annual survey of business leaders in Wisconsin. The data shows business leaders in the state are optimistic about the growth potential of their individual businesses, but still face significant challenges, namely the slow recovery from the Great Recession and cost increases related to […]
New Legislators Receive Committee Assignments
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 9:55pm By Hamilton
The three legislators who were elected to the Assembly in special elections this fall have now received their committee assignments for the coming year. Speaker Vos has assigned committees for the new legislators. They are as follows: Rep. KulpTransportationLaborWorkforce DevelopmentJudiciaryWays and Means Rep. RodriguezJobs, Economy, and MiningHealthEducation Criminal JusticeLegislative Council Rep. SkowronskiHealthNatural ResourcesUrban and Local […]
Walker Outlines Priorities for Coming Year
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 9:51pm By Hamilton
WisconsinEye Senior Producer Steve Walters, sat down with Gov. Walker for a year-end interview at the Executive Residence on December 19. The 15 minute interview covers a wide variety of topics, beginning with the governor’s interest tax reform.
2013: A Good Year for Wisconsin Agriculture
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 5:50pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Sec. Ben Brancel sat down with WisconsinEye’s Steve Walters to discuss the Wisconsin’s Ag industry, and was happy to report 2013 was good year for the $59 billion industry. With a drought in 2012, and above average rainfall in 2013, Wisconsin agriculture held its rankings: #1 in […]
Wisconsin Commissioner of Insurance Warns Consumers About Federal Exchange Glitches
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 5:43pm By Hamilton
Wisconsinites who have purchased health insurance on the federal exchange need to look out for two issues plaguing consumers. First, for some plans, the exchange is not displaying the correct information about deductibles. Other consumers are finding they are not actually enrolled because their information was never sent from the exchange to the insurance company […]
Legislature Considering Sales Tax Holiday
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 5:21pm By Hamilton
The future of the state’s tax system is a hot topic this spring. While Lt. Gov. Kleefisch and Dept. of Revenue Sec. Chandler gather new ideas from the public with their series of tax roundtables, the legislature is considering proposals already on the table. On January 7, 2014 the Assembly Committee on Small Business Development […]
It’s That Time of Year
Date Thu, Jan. 9, 2014 - 4:58pm By Hamilton
Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution says, “[The President] shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient…” This cause, and Pres. Wilson’s decision to give his updates in person, is what we […]