Gov. Tony Evers (D) released his 2023-25 capital budget recommendations on February 28. The capital budget includes plans for purchasing, constructing, maintaining, and disposing of state-owned buildings and other facilities, including University of Wisconsin System properties. Gov. Evers proposes spending $3.8 billion on capital projects over the next two fiscal years, financed by $1.9 billion […]
Alliance of Health Insurers Urges CMS Not to Cut Medicare Advantage
Date Thu, Mar. 16, 2023 - 4:05pm By Hamilton
The Alliance of Health Insurers (AHI) recently urged the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider deep cuts to the Medicare Advantage program which CMS had proposed. If the cuts take effect, AHI expressed concern that over 608,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Wisconsin alone will experience major premium increases and lose many of […]
Supreme Court Candidates Kelly, Protasiewicz Win Primary
Date Tue, Feb. 28, 2023 - 6:20pm By Hamilton
In Wisconsin’s spring primary, held February 21, four candidates were on the ballot for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Former Justice Daniel Kelly, a judicial conservative, and Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz, a judicial liberal, were the top two vote-getters. They will face off in the general election on April 4. Over […]
Rep. Knodl Wins Republican Primary in SD 8
Date Tue, Feb. 28, 2023 - 6:18pm By Hamilton
In Wisconsin’s spring primary, held February 21, Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) defeated two other candidates in a Republican primary for the 8th Senate District. The seat is currently vacant after Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) retired on December 1 last year, in the middle of her eighth term. Gov. Evers ordered a special election, coinciding with the […]
Judge Rules Bail, Welfare Reform Questions Can Appear on Spring Ballot
Date Tue, Feb. 28, 2023 - 6:14pm By Hamilton
Dane County Judge Rhonda Lanford ruled February 20 that two questions, a constitutional amendment on bail reform and an advisory referendum on welfare eligibility, will appear on the April 4 spring ballot in Wisconsin. A lawsuit filed January 31 argued that the questions were sent to county clerks one day past the deadline required under […]
Gov. Evers 2023-25 Executive Budget Highlights
Date Thu, Feb. 16, 2023 - 11:48am By Hamilton
Gov. Evers gave his third biennial budget address on February 15, unveiling his 2023-25 executive budget. He proposes an operating budget of $103.8 billion over the next two fiscal years, adding a net 816.55 FTE positions. For comparison, the 2021-23 state budget spent $87.5 billion with a net reduction of 174.19 FTE positions. The complete […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Race: Endorsements and Fundraising
Date Wed, Feb. 8, 2023 - 10:40am By Hamilton
Currently, judicial conservatives enjoy a 4-3 majority on Wisconsin’s elected supreme court. Justice Patience Roggensack, a judicial conservative, is not seeking reelection, creating a vacancy which will decide control of the court. Four candidates are facing off in the primary election on February 21. Early voting for the primary started February 7. The top two […]
Kirsten Johnson Appointed DHS Secretary as Agency Releases State Health Plan, Equity Report
Date Wed, Feb. 8, 2023 - 10:38am By Hamilton
Kirsten Johnson Appointed DHS Secretary On Monday, Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced the appointment of Kirsten Johnson as secretary of the Department of Health Services (DHS). Most recently, Johnson was the Milwaukee Commissioner of Health for two years and previously spent 10 years as the director and health officer of the Washington Ozaukee Public Health […]
PFAS Update: Senate Natural Resources Committee Holds Informational Hearing
Date Wed, Feb. 8, 2023 - 10:35am By Hamilton
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy held a public hearing on PFAS on January 31. The hearing was for information only (no specific bills were discussed) and featured select speakers invited by committee chair Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay). During the hearing, Sen. Cowles stated that the Legislature will take action on PFAS […]
In Fifth State of the State, Gov. Evers Announces Budget Proposals
Date Wed, Jan. 25, 2023 - 11:07am By Hamilton
Gov. Tony Evers (D) delivered his fifth annual State of the State address on the evening of January 24 before a joint session of the Wisconsin Legislature. The address was delivered in the Assembly Chambers of the Wisconsin Capitol Building. The governor’s office has released the full text of his prepared remarks as well as […]