On July 14, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) held a public stakeholder meeting on a rulemaking to establish groundwater standards for several PFAS compounds. Notably, DNR staff announced that the proposed rule will only seek to regulate two compounds, PFOA and PFOS. The scope statement for the rule included the possibility of regulating PFBS […]
PFAS Update: DNR Proposes 20 ppt Groundwater Standard for PFOA, PFOS
Date Thu, Jul. 20, 2023 - 3:23pm By Hamilton
WEC Energy Group, Consumer Advocates Negotiating “Ability to Pay” Pilot Program
Date Thu, Jun. 8, 2023 - 11:09am By Hamilton
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a utility bill relief program for low-income households could soon be put to the test in Wisconsin. Organizations that advocate for utility customers are working with WEC Energy Group, a large investor-owned electric utility, to develop a pilot program that would cap utility costs at six percent of household […]
Environmental Policy: DNR Budget, PFAS Legislation, NRB Appointments
Date Fri, May. 19, 2023 - 8:57am By Hamilton
There have been several significant updates on environmental policy in Wisconsin, including PFAS, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the 2023-25 state budget. Finance Committee Approves DNR Budget Motions The Joint Committee on Finance held an executive session May 18 to vote on budget motions related to DNR, the Environmental Improvement Fund (EIF), and […]
Tracking the Senate Confirmation Process for the Evers Administration Cabinet
Date Thu, May. 4, 2023 - 9:19am By Hamilton
In a January interview, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said that the Senate would work to hold confirmation hearings on department secretaries and other agency heads appointed by Gov. Tony Evers (D). During Gov. Evers’ first term, the Senate chose not to take confirmation votes on about 185 of the governor’s appointments, including many […]
Tracking the Senate Confirmation Process for the Evers Administration Cabinet
Date Wed, Apr. 19, 2023 - 9:39am By Hamilton
In a January interview, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said that the Senate would work to hold confirmation hearings on department secretaries and other agency heads appointed by Gov. Tony Evers (D). During Gov. Evers’ first term, the Senate chose not to take confirmation votes on about 185 of the governor’s appointments, including many […]
Tracking the Senate Confirmation Process for the Evers Administration Cabinet
Date Thu, Mar. 30, 2023 - 1:57pm By Hamilton
In a January interview, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said that the Senate would work to hold confirmation hearings on department secretaries and other agency heads appointed by Gov. Tony Evers (D). During Gov. Evers’ first term, the Senate chose not to take confirmation votes on about 185 of the governor’s appointments, including many […]
Tracking the Senate Confirmation Process for the Evers Administration Cabinet
Date Thu, Mar. 16, 2023 - 5:18pm By Hamilton
In a January interview, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said that the Senate would work to hold confirmation hearings on department secretaries and other agency heads appointed by Gov. Tony Evers (D). During Gov. Evers’ first term, the Senate chose not to take confirmation votes on about 185 of the governor’s appointments, including many […]
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 […]
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 […]
Kicking Off Second Term, Gov. Evers Names Several New Agency Heads
Date Wed, Jan. 11, 2023 - 9:00am By Hamilton
Following the November 2022 election, three members of Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) cabinet announced they were leaving the administration. Sec. Preston Cole of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Sec. Mary Kolar of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) have both retired, and Gov. Evers has since appointed their replacements. To lead DVA, Gov. […]