Employer Issues Update: Federal Unemployment Benefits Have Ended; Class Action Lawsuit Filed by Disabled Residents
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 3:28pm By Hamilton
Effective September 6, several federal programs providing new or additional unemployment insurance (UI) benefits have ended. Notably, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program provided recipients of UI benefits with $300 per week in addition to the state benefits they were eligible for. The supplemental benefit was created in 2020 as part of the first […]
State Tax Collections $319 Million More Than Expected For 2020-21
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 3:24pm By Hamilton
A new report shows the state of Wisconsin collected $319 million more in general fund taxes than previously expected for the 2020-21 fiscal year, which ended June 30. A memo released September 2 by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB), a nonpartisan government agency that serves the Wisconsin Legislature, summarizes preliminary tax data from the Department […]
PFAS Update: State Hires California Firm to Litigate PFAS Claims; Other Lawsuits in Progress
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 2:26pm By Hamilton
On August 25, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul (D) and Governor Tony Evers (D) announced that the state had hired a law firm, Sher Edling LLP, to litigate against companies responsible for discharging PFAS compounds in Wisconsin. According to a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Sher Edling “represents state and local governments […]
Senator Asks Legislative Leaders to Sue UW System, Seeking Legislative Oversight of COVID Rules
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 12:57pm By Hamilton
The Legislature’s Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) held an executive session on August 3 to vote on the University of Wisconsin System’s COVID-19 policies. On a 6-4, party-line vote, the committee ordered the UW System to submit its COVID-19 protocols as an emergency rule within 30 days, arguing that measures such as […]
DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk Has Retired
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 11:01am By Hamilton
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk has retired as of September 10. Governor Tony Evers (D) announced one week earlier that Willems Van Dijk would retire and that Deb Standridge would take her place starting September 13. Previously, Standridge directed Wisconsin’s temporary care site for COVID-19 patients at State […]
Wisconsin COVID-19 Update: Three Million Fully Vaccinated; Case Rates Have Risen Since June Lows
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 9:52am By Hamilton
As of September 7, Wisconsin had administered about 6.17 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with just over 3 million Wisconsin residents or 51.9 percent of the state’s population fully vaccinated. About 84.9 percent of Wisconsinites aged 65 and older have received at least one dose. All U.S. adults are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine […]
Governor, Legislators Introduce Prescription Drug Package
Date Thu, Sep. 9, 2021 - 9:43am By Hamilton
On August 4, Governor Tony Evers (D), Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), and Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-West Point) announced a package of bills that they argue will reduce the cost of prescription drugs in Wisconsin. Called the “Less for Rx” prescription drug plan, the package includes a variety of proposals recommended by the Governor’s Task Force on […]
Political Update: Two Key 2022 Congressional Races Shaping Up in Wisconsin
Date Fri, Aug. 13, 2021 - 11:17am By Hamilton
In 2022, Wisconsin will host at least two key congressional races affecting the political balance of power in Washington, D.C. First, one of the state’s two seats in the U.S. Senate will be on the ballot statewide. The seat is currently held by Republican Senator Ron Johnson, who has yet to announce whether he will […]
Election Policy Update: Eight Election Bills Vetoed; Census Data Released; Investigations Proceeding
Date Fri, Aug. 13, 2021 - 11:16am By Hamilton
So far during the 2021 session, the Wisconsin Legislature has passed eight bills related to election law and administration, all of which have been vetoed by Governor Tony Evers (D). On August 10, Gov. Evers announced that he had vetoed six election bills in a public ceremony at the Wisconsin Capitol Building: Senate Bill (SB) […]
Legislative Update: Special Session and Veto Override Attempt End Without Changes
Date Fri, Aug. 13, 2021 - 11:15am By Hamilton
On July 27, the Wisconsin Assembly met in extraordinary session to vote on a veto override of Assembly Bill 336. The bill would have ended Wisconsin’s participation in federal programs to provide or supplement unemployment benefits. It also would have prohibited the state from waiving the work search requirements for unemployment benefits for any reason […]