Gov. Walker’s 2013-15 budget bill was introduced to a joint session of the Assembly and Senate on February 20th. Walker’s budget, which focuses on growing the economy, developing the workforce, transforming education, reforming government, and investing in infrastructure, proposes an operating budget of $33.652 billion in FY2013-14 and $34.347 billion in FY2014-15. Highlights Walker has […]
Roggensack, Fallone Win Supreme Court Primary
Date Thu, Feb. 21, 2013 - 10:50am By Hamilton
On April 2, incumbent Justice Patience Roggensack will face Marquette Law professor Ed Fallone for her chance to win another 10-year term on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. According to unofficial results from the Associated Press, with 99 percent of precincts reporting, Roggensack received 64 percent of the primary vote and Fallone, 30 percent, to lemon […]
Walker Budget to Include Investments in Infrastructure
Date Fri, Feb. 15, 2013 - 5:00pm By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has announced his budget will include an investment of $6.4 billion in Wisconsin’s transportation infrastructure, including $824 million in new state funds. Walker’s plan will prioritize existing revenue streams, replace the raids of the past with state taxpayer funds, and make operational reforms so Wisconsin can continue to maintain and develop existing infrastructure […]
Mobile Weather Lab Takes on a Whole New Meaning
Date Thu, Feb. 14, 2013 - 1:15pm By Hamilton
File this under cool stuff the government is doing that nobody knows about. The NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, in partnership with the University of Oklahoma, has launched a free app for users to anonymously report precipitation from their Apple or Android mobile device, allowing the members of the public to become part of a […]
White House Releases Enhanced State of the Union
Date Thu, Feb. 14, 2013 - 1:03pm By Hamilton
Pres. Obama delivered his fifth State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on February 12. In his speech, Obama outlined his policy goals for the coming years, asking Congress to send him legislation to reform immigration, combat climate change, increase the minimum wage, and reduce gun violence. The White House has […]
Walker’s Medicaid Plan
Date Wed, Feb. 13, 2013 - 5:00pm By Hamilton
Gov. Walker has announced several plans for entitlement reforms in his upcoming budget, including requiring worker training for food stamp eligibility, increasing required work searches for unemployment insurance eligibility, and reducing the number of individuals dependent on government-run health care. The Governor’s Medicaid proposal will: reduce the number of uninsured individuals in the state by […]
Medicaid Expansion a Hot Topic
Date Mon, Feb. 11, 2013 - 12:43pm By Hamilton
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provides incentives for states to expand their Medicaid programs. Gov. Walker has said he will decide whether Wisconsin will expand its program by the time he delivers his budget address on February 20. In states like Wisconsin, that had a relatively expansive Medicaid Program prior to PPACA, […]
Walker’s $132 Million Workforce Development Agenda
Date Sun, Feb. 10, 2013 - 4:52pm By Hamilton
Over the weekend, Gov. Walker announced the details of his workforce development agenda. In total, the plan invests $132 million in programs aimed at equipping workers with the skills they need to find jobs in the modern workforce. “Our goal is to help our state and our workers become among the most prosperous and innovative […]
Mining Bills Headed to Joint Finance Committee
Date Fri, Feb. 8, 2013 - 4:28pm By Hamilton
On February 6 the Senate Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue and the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economy and Mining both met to amend the mining bill, AB1/SB1, and move it forward in the legislative process. Numerous amendments were made to the bill in response to concerns raised during hearings on AB1/SB1 and […]
Democrats Release Detailed Jobs Agenda
Date Fri, Feb. 8, 2013 - 2:28pm By Hamilton
Democrats in the state legislature have released a package of bills they say will create jobs quickly, close the skills gap and rebuild Wisconsin’s middle class. Workforce Growth Skills Training Program SUMMARY: Creates a competitive grant training program based on the needs of Wisconsin businesses aimed at closing the skills gap facing our state. DETAILS: […]