Tony Evers signed an executive order calling the Wisconsin Legislature into a special session on April 14, 2026, to consider a constitutional amendment aimed at banning partisan gerrymandering. Under the proposal, lawmakers would consider language prohibiting the drawing of legislative districts in a way that gives an unfair advantage to a particular political party. To […]
Governor Calls Special Session to Address Gerrymandering
Date Fri, Mar. 6, 2026 - 9:41am By Hamilton
Assembly Floor Session 2-19-26
Date Mon, Feb. 23, 2026 - 9:27am By Hamilton
It was expected to be the final night of the Assembly’s legislative session; however, the body did not complete its work and reconvened on Friday, February 20, for one last day. Still, Thursday’s floor session featured several significant moments — including a rare bipartisan celebration of the passage of legislation extending Medicaid coverage for postpartum […]
Governor Evers Delivers Final State of the State
Date Mon, Feb. 23, 2026 - 9:19am By Hamilton
On Tuesday February 17, Governor Evers gave his final State of the State speech to a joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly and declared 2026 the “Year of the Neighbor.” He called for action to modernize Wisconsin’s aging prison system, increase state support for the FoodShare program to avoid federal penalties, and reach agreement […]
Speaker Vos Announces His Retirement
Date Thu, Feb. 19, 2026 - 7:40pm By Hamilton
Robin Vos announced he will not seek reelection, bringing to a close his record-setting tenure as Wisconsin’s longest-serving Assembly speaker. He said a heart attack in November helped confirm his decision to step away after more than two decades in office. First elected in 2004 and speaker since 2013, Vos played a key role in […]
Assembly Floor Session 2-12-26
Date Fri, Feb. 13, 2026 - 11:45am By Hamilton
On February 12, the Assembly convened to consider a range of bills affecting policies within the state’s university system, including high-profile issues such as campus free speech, admissions policies, and faculty governance appointments. Most of these measures are divided along party lines. However, the chamber also approved several bills by voice vote, including legislation aimed at […]
Senate Floor Session 2-11-26
Date Fri, Feb. 13, 2026 - 9:48am By Hamilton
While the Assembly plans to use nearly all of its available February floor days, the Senate plans to convene for only two days this month. The first of those sessions occurred on February 11, when the upper chamber met to pass a series of administrative rules along party lines and took up several controversial transgender […]
Senate Floor Session 1-21-26
Date Fri, Feb. 13, 2026 - 9:46am By Hamilton
On January 21, the Senate held its first floor day of 2026. The Senate took several partisan votes, including legislation prohibiting foreign adversaries from acquiring agricultural or forestry land in Wisconsin and the so-called “tax on tips” bill, which creates an income tax exemption for cash tips received by employees. The Senate also passed several […]
Assembly Floor Session 1-22-26
Date Fri, Feb. 13, 2026 - 9:45am By Hamilton
On January 22, the Assembly continued its work to advance legislation as the number of remaining calendar days in the session grows limited. The most notable action of the day was passage of legislation to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which advanced along partisan lines amid disagreements over funding levels and proposed limitations on land […]
Who’s Leaving and Why It Matters: Open Legislative Seats to Watch in Wisconsin
Date Fri, Feb. 13, 2026 - 9:26am By Hamilton
As Wisconsin heads into the 2026 election season, a growing number of state lawmakers have publicly announced they will not seek another term, setting the stage for significant turnover in both chambers of the Legislature. While retirements are not unusual in an election year, the number of open seats already confirmed could have meaningful implications […]
Assembly Starts 2026 with Two Floor Days
Date Fri, Jan. 16, 2026 - 9:50am By Hamilton
The Wisconsin State Assembly jumped right into 2026 with two floor days this past week. On January 13, the Assembly adopted two proposed constitutional amendments addressing freedom to gather during emergencies and governmental discrimination, both passing mostly along party lines. In addition, representatives passed numerous Assembly bills related to public safety, criminal justice, housing and […]