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 […]
Judge Rules Bail, Welfare Reform Questions Can Appear on Spring Ballot
Date Tue, Feb. 28, 2023 - 6:14pm By Hamilton
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 […]
State Budget Issues: Taxes, Medicaid, PFAS
Date Wed, Jan. 25, 2023 - 11:03am By Hamilton
With another legislative session comes another biennial state budget bill, and Wisconsin is expected to have a surplus of $7.1 billion when the current fiscal biennium ends June 30. The 2023-25 state budget will occupy much of the Legislature’s attention for the next few months. In last night’s State of the State address, Gov. Tony […]
Legislature Votes to Put Bail, Welfare Reform on Spring Ballot
Date Wed, Jan. 25, 2023 - 10:56am By Hamilton
Among the first measures to pass both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature this year were two legislative resolutions that will put questions before voters. Both resolutions passed the Senate on January 17 and the Assembly two days later, largely but not entirely along party lines. Both questions will appear on the next statewide ballot, the […]
Supreme Court Candidates Discuss Philosophy and Key Cases at WisPolitics Forum
Date Wed, Jan. 11, 2023 - 9:32am 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. The race will be hotly contested, attracting a significant amount of attention. The four candidates for the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme […]
Gov. Evers Begins Second Term as GOP Legislature Considers Broad Tax Reform
Date Wed, Jan. 11, 2023 - 9:24am By Hamilton
Tony Evers Sworn in for Second Term as Governor Inauguration Day in Wisconsin took place on January 3. Democratic incumbents Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul began their second terms in office, while Sara Rodriguez was sworn in as the state’s new lieutenant governor. Gov. Evers spent the majority of his second inaugural […]