DWD Announces Worker Training Grants
Date Thu, Oct. 22, 2020 - 2:06pm By Hamilton
The Department of Workforce Development’s Office of Skills Development (OSD) will begin accepting applications for a worker training grant opportunity next week. The “Industry Sectors Worker Training Grant” is a redesigned opportunity in the Wisconsin Fast Forward program. According to OSD the “grant program is designed to help fund the development of innovative and collaborative […]
PFAS Update: DNR Stakeholder Meeting and WisPac Releases Draft Plan
Date Thu, Oct. 22, 2020 - 2:02pm By Hamilton
Stakeholder Group for PFAS Rules On Friday, October 9, the Department of Natural Resources held another Stakeholder Group for PFAS Rules. The meeting focused on the background regarding the economic impact analysis (EIA), the EIA conceptual framework for Water Quality Standards rule and wastewater and drinking water sampling efforts. From a high-level perspective, the DNR […]
Lawsuit Filed to Stop Release of Businesses Connected to COVID-19 Cases; Temporary Restraining Order Issued
Date Fri, Oct. 2, 2020 - 10:57am By Hamilton
On Oct. 1, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) filed suit in Waukesha County seeking an injunction to prevent the Evers’ administration from releasing names of businesses who have had at least two employees test positive for Covid-19 – regardless of where the employees contracted the virus. Later that day, a Waukesha County circuit judge issued […]
Wisconsin UI Program Continues to Confront Delays; DWD Secretary Resigns
Date Fri, Oct. 2, 2020 - 10:56am By Hamilton
Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance Program (UI) continues to be front and center as COVID-19 impacts layoffs in Wisconsin. Initial reports of call center failures were confirmed last week by an audit done by the Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB). The audit briefing sheet shared that the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), the cabinet agency that administers […]
Current Fiscal Year Savings Targets Announced
Date Fri, Oct. 2, 2020 - 10:55am By Hamilton
On July 22, Gov. Evers announced a directive for state agencies to identify $250 million in additional savings for the current fiscal year (FY 20-21). This is the second round of cuts by the administration to manage state expenditures, as state revenues are down due to pandemic. In April, the governor ordered a five percent cut to state agency […]
PSCW Extends Shut-off Moratorium to November until Annual Winter Moratorium Takes Effect
Date Fri, Oct. 2, 2020 - 10:53am By Hamilton
On September 17, the Public Service Commission (PSC) voted 2-1 to again extend the utility shut-off moratorium until November 1, 2020. Starting on November 1, 2020, the annual winter moratorium for gas and electric customers will go into effect. The annual winter moratorium runs until April 15, 2021. Since the annual winter moratorium does […]
Biden’s Lead in Wisconsin Polling Echoes Clinton’s in 2016
Date Fri, Oct. 2, 2020 - 10:53am By Hamilton
*Disclaimer: This article was written before the President tested positive for COVID-19. In 2016, state polling in Wisconsin resulted in one of the biggest misses leading into what many considered an Election Day surprise when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton both in Wisconsin and nationally to win the election. Not a single poll tracked on […]
Governor Evers Issues Emergency Order to Provide Flexibilities for Health Care Workforce
Date Fri, Oct. 2, 2020 - 10:51am By Hamilton
On Oct. 1, Governor Evers issued Emergency Order #2 to provide make it easier for out-of-state health workers to work in Wisconsin. The order provides temporary interstate licensure reciprocity, extends licenses that may expire during the federal emergency declaration for 30 days after it ends, and allows health care providers with a recently lapsed license […]
State Agencies Submit 2021-23 Budget Requests
Date Fri, Oct. 2, 2020 - 10:50am By Hamilton
The 2021-23 state budget development process is now underway. On September 15, Wisconsin state agencies submitted their 2021-23 state budget requests to the governor and Department of Administration (DOA). In his June budget instructions to the state agencies, Governor Evers directed agencies to assume zero budget growth (with a few exceptions like exceptions for K-12 […]
Governor Evers Declares New Public Health Emergency Extends Statewide Requirement to Wear Masks until November 21
Date Tue, Sep. 22, 2020 - 4:18pm By Hamilton
On September 22, Governor Evers declared a new public health emergency in response to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin. Executive Order #90 proclaims a new public health emergency, effective immediately and remaining in effect for 60 days, or until revoked by the Governor or by joint resolution of the Legislature. Litigation is ongoing […]