Hearing Held on Aircraft Tax Exemptions

On November 21, the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 438, which would expand the existing aircraft sales and use tax exemption. Discussion of the bill starts at the 27 minute mark in this video from WisconsinEye.   Supporters say the bipartisan bill would benefit companies like Gulfstream […]

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UW System Audit Evaluates Funding Reserves

During this spring’s budget hearings, it was revealed that the University of Wisconsin System had large cash balances sitting in reserve. In response, the legislature froze tuition for two years and directed the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) to audit the UW System’s program revenue balances. LAB found that the UW System’s program revenue balances totaled […]

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Supreme Court Hears Act 10 Oral Arguments

On November 11 the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the most hotly anticipated case of the year – Madison Teachers, Inc. v. Scott Walker. The case centers on the constitutionality of 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, also known as the budget repair bill, which sparked massive protests at the state capitol in the spring […]

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DWD Seeks Applicants for Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is now accepting applications for Wisconsin Fast Forward grants. Wisconsin Fast Forward includes $15 million in grants for employer-led worker training programs. The intent is to provide essential assistance that cannot be met through an existing program. Grants will be awarded to maximize the impact of funds in catalyzing […]

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Last Floor Sessions of 2013

The Senate and Assembly have adjourned their last regular sessions for 2013. Both houses had busy agendas as they moved to get bills passed before the end of the calendar year. Elections and Politics The most contentious issues involved elections – from voting to recalls and redistricting. Party line votes and long debates were abundant. […]

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An Update on the Proposed Penokee Mine

WisconsinEye’s Steve Walters sat down with Ann Coakley and Larry Lynch of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to get an update on the application for the Gogebic Taconite mine proposal in Ashland and Iron counties.     In the interview, Coakley and Lynch discuss the boring of test holes and the bulk sampling plan […]

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Regional Numbers Show Job Growth Varies Across the State

A new study from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX) takes a look at job growth rates across the state rather than considering the state as a whole. The study paints a clearer picture of where Wisconsin is at jobs-wise and how it compares to the rest of the nation.   “A Closer Look at Wisconsin’s […]

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DFI Offers Tips to Avoid Charitable Donations Scams

The devastation caused by Super Typhoon “Haiyan” in the Philippines and tornadoes in the Midwest has prompted many relief organizations to ramp up their efforts to raise funds to help the storm victims. But in times of such a tragedy, legitimate relief organizations aren’t the only ones that ask for donations, warns the Wisconsin Department […]

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Special Election Results

Republicans Jessie Rodriguez (R-Franklin, 21st AD) and Bob Kulp (R-Stratford, 69th AD) won their special election races for the State Assembly on November 19. Meanwhile the winner of the special Republican primary special in District 82, Ken Skowronski (R-Franklin) will prepare to face John Hermes (D-Greendale) in the general special election on December 17.   21st Assembly […]

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One Year Out

Last week appeared to be the unofficial kick-off to the November 2014 campaign season. It marked a year out from 2014’s November 4 Election Day, it saw the end of the 2013 off-year elections around the United States, and we got our latest glimpse of the Marquette Poll, which explores statewide races and issues in […]

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