The Joint Legislative Council (JLC) recommends special committees to study major issues identified by the Wisconsin Legislature, typically during even-numbered years after the regular session has adjourned. In April 2022, JLC established seven study committees consisting of legislators and members of the public. Those committees held hearings and developed policy recommendations. On March 23, JLC met […]
Legislative Council Approves 2022 Study Committee Bills
Date Thu, Mar. 30, 2023 - 2:10pm By Hamilton
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Study Committees Begin to Consider, Recommend Legislation
Date Tue, Oct. 25, 2022 - 2:28pm By Hamilton
The Joint Legislative Council (JLC) of the Wisconsin Legislature recommends special committees to study major issues identified by the Legislature, typically during even-numbered years after adjournment. This year, seven study committees were established with instructions to gather information and make policy recommendations that could be considered for adoption by the Legislature next year. Bills drafted […]
State Agencies Submit 2023-25 Budget Requests
Date Tue, Sep. 20, 2022 - 8:12pm By Hamilton
On September 15, Wisconsin state government agencies submitted requests for the next state budget to Gov. Tony Evers (D) and the Department of Administration (DOA). The state budgets on a two-year (biennial) basis, with fiscal years beginning July 1 and ending June 30. The 2023-2025 state budget will cover a two-year period from July 1, […]
2021-22 Session Ends With 267 New Laws, Record-Breaking 126 Vetoes
Date Tue, Apr. 19, 2022 - 9:15am By Hamilton
On April 15, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) issued what are likely to be his final signatures and vetoes of the 2021-22 legislative session. With the Assembly and Senate standing adjourned as of their final floor days in February and March, respectively, any outstanding bills passed by both houses were sent to the governor’s desk […]
Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: February 22
Date Wed, Mar. 2, 2022 - 2:32pm By Hamilton
Both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature met on February 22 for floor sessions to vote on bills and resolutions. Below, we review a few notable items that passed each house that day. Senate Floor Calendar, February 22 The Senate passed 64 bills and eight resolutions, including SB 520, which authorizes almost $42 million in general […]