Wisconsin joins Texas and nine other states challenging the Obama Administration’s new Title IX transgender guidance. Several local school districts are also participating. Under the guidance, schools must allow transgender students access to bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their self-professed gender identity. In his May 25 press release, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel states […]
Wisconsin Joins Other States in Suit to Overturn Obama’s Transgender Guidance
Date Thu, May. 26, 2016 - 4:22pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Department of Tourism Releases New Ads
Date Wed, Mar. 30, 2016 - 11:39am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Department of Tourism recently released two new television commercials promoting the state’s tourism interests before the upcoming summer season. The first commercial titled “Dogs are Always Welcome in Wisconsin” highlights Wisconsin’s pet friendly culture and the possibilities of bringing pets on vacation. The second video showcases the typical Wisconsin supper club and the […]
Regulatory Reform Legislation Dies in Senate
Date Wed, Mar. 16, 2016 - 9:32am By Hamilton
Legislation that would have been a big win for the business community died after the Senate did not take up Assembly Bill 251 on the last day of session. Key provisions in the bill would require legislative approval of rules costing over $10 million and allow for independent economic impacts of rules. This legislation, authored […]
Wisconsin Joins New Affordable Care Act Challenge
Date Thu, Mar. 3, 2016 - 6:39pm By Hamilton
In what Governor Walker characterized as a challenge to an “unconstitutional and coercive tax”, Wisconsin joined five other states, including Texas, Kansas, Louisiana, Indiana and Nebraska, suing the federal government over a provision in the Affordable Care Act. The states filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on […]
DNR Continues to Move Toward Reorganization of Agency
Date Thu, Mar. 3, 2016 - 6:12pm By Hamilton
The Department of Natural Resources is finalizing a plan to reorganize portions the agency, in order manage dwindling staff levels and improve the quality of the DNR’s work with citizens. The DNR originally announced its plan to reorganize in July 2015. During a recent announcement to DNR employees, Deputy Secretary Kurt Thiede announced the final […]
Governor Walker Urges Legislature to Release $200 Million in Additional Bonding for Transportation
Date Thu, Oct. 29, 2015 - 9:52pm By Hamilton
The recently-enacted biennial state budget bill reduced the level of bonding from Governor Walker’s recommended $1.3 billion in new bonding to $500 million, and allows for an additional $350 million in general obligation bonds to be issued upon approval by the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC). This $350 million in contingent bonding may be used […]
Waters of the U.S. Rule
Date Thu, Oct. 1, 2015 - 2:29pm By Hamilton
On May 27, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its finalized Waters of the United States rule just over a year after it released its proposed rule. This rule was proposed to clarify the EPA’s jurisdiction over the nation’s waterways under the Clean Water Act after the Supreme Court’s decisions in Solid Waste Agency […]
Gov Appoints New CEO to WEDC
Date Fri, Sep. 4, 2015 - 11:10am By Hamilton
Governor Walker has appointed a new CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Governor Scott Walker today announced the appointment of banking executive Mark R. Hogan as CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Hogan replaces Reed Hall, who announced his retirement last month. “Mark Hogan is a proven and respected leader in finance […]
EPA Releases Final Draft of Clean Power Plan Rule
Date Thu, Aug. 13, 2015 - 4:24pm By Hamilton
Last week the White House and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final version of the Clean Power Plan rule, which regulates carbon dioxide emissions, and various pollutants, by power plants in the United States. As widely expected, the final draft of the rule is stricter than the proposed regulation released last year. The compliance […]
Gov. Makes Appointments to DNR Board
Date Sun, May. 31, 2015 - 7:48pm By Hamilton
Governor Scott Walker has announced two appointments to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB), Julie Anderson and Dr. Frederick Prehn. Julie Anderson has served for over 24 years in the Racine County government in several positons including Planning Director, Land Information Officer, Highway Commissioner and Board Member of the Racine County Economic Development Corporation. Anderson […]