The Department of Health Services projects Wisconsin’s Medicaid program will exceed its 2025–27 budget by $144.1 million in GPR, about 1.5% over the nearly $9.7 billion allocated. DHS Secretary Kirsten Johnson told lawmakers that $100 million of the gap stems from the budget providing less than what the agency estimated was needed to maintain services. […]
Missy Hughes Announces Resignation From WEDC
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2025 - 2:22pm By Hamilton
Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, has announced she is leaving her position effective September 19. After joining the Evers Administration in 2019, Hughes was unanimously confirmed by the Wisconsin State Senate in 2021 and again in 2023. During Gov. Evers’ tenure and since Secretary Hughes was appointed, WEDC has […]
Democratic Field for Governor Expands
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2025 - 2:17pm By Hamilton
The Democratic primary for Governor is growing, with State Rep. Francesca Hong and State Sen. Kelda Roys both entering the 2026 race this week. Hong, a Madison restaurateur and the first Asian American elected to the Legislature, is emphasizing progressive policies such as universal childcare, paid leave, and working-class issues. Roys, also from Madison, is […]
Vos Unveils Four New Task Forces to Tackle Key Issues
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2025 - 2:14pm By Hamilton
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) has announced the creation of four bipartisan legislative task forces this fall. Each task force will begin its work in the coming months and will hold public hearings to hear directly from agencies, experts, and the public before making recommendations to the Legislature. The task forces will focus on four […]
Gov. Evers Files Lawsuit Over Rulemaking Dispute with Legislature
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2025 - 2:12pm By Hamilton
Gov. Tony Evers has filed a lawsuit against the Republican-controlled Legislature, asking a court to enforce recent Wisconsin Supreme Court rulings on administrative rulemaking. On July 8, the Court, in a 4–3 decision, struck down key legislative powers over rulemaking. Previously, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) could block, suspend, or permanently […]
Separation of Powers and Rulemaking Dispute Continues
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 10:02am By Hamilton
A July 8 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling reshaped the balance of power between the governor and the Legislature over administrative rulemaking. In a 4–3 decision, the Court struck down the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules’ (JCRAR) authority to block or suspend rules, calling it an unconstitutional legislative veto. Going forward, lawmakers can only […]
PBM Legislation Advances Out of Senate Committee
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 10:00am By Hamilton
SB 203/AB 173 was introduced this session by Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R–Irma) and Rep. Todd Novak (R–Dodgeville) to further regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill is largely the same as last session’s proposal, with a new provision requiring PBMs to pay pharmacy claims within 30 days. On August 18, Sen. Felzkowski offered an amendment […]
Dems Circulate Legislation to Reauthorize the Stewardship Program
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 9:57am By Hamilton
This week, Democratic lawmakers announced their version of bill to extend the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (KNSP) for six years at $72 million annually. Their plan would also create a 17-member oversight board to review large projects, with safeguards to keep projects moving if the board does not act on time. The lead authors, Sen. Jodi […]
Gov. Evers Signs Bipartisan Bill Expanding Nurse Licensure
Date Thu, Aug. 14, 2025 - 3:04pm By Hamilton
Governor Tony Evers signed a bipartisan bill Friday, August 8, 2025, aimed at expanding healthcare access across Wisconsin by creating new licensure opportunities for nurses. AB257, now enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 17, allows registered nurses (RNs) to become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), offering more independence in practice and increasing the […]
Justice Susan Crawford Sworn To Become New Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice
Date Thu, Aug. 14, 2025 - 3:02pm By Hamilton
On August 1, 2025, Susan M. Crawford officially began her term as a Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, succeeding retiring Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. Crawford previously served as a judge in Dane County’s Circuit Court, a position she held from August 1, 2018, to July 31, 2025. Crawford, a judicial liberal, was elected on […]