On Feb. 8, Gov. Scott Walker gave his biennial State Budget Address to the legislature. The governor’s budget focused on three themes: Student Success, Accountable Government and Rewarding Work. Republicans were generally pleased with Walker’s proposal, but both parties agreed that the budget did not go far enough to address Wisconsin’s transportation budget shortfall. Republicans […]
Gov. Walker’s 2017-19 State Budget Address: Legislators Respond
Date Fri, Feb. 10, 2017 - 11:53am By Hamilton
Gov. Walker’s 2017-19 Biennium Budget Highlights
Date Fri, Feb. 10, 2017 - 11:51am By Hamilton
On Wednesday, Feb. 8, Governor Walker presented his 2017-19 budget. Overall, the governor’s $76.1 billion budget invests in education and provides tax relief. The governor increased K-12 funding by $649 million and put $140 million in the University system, including $35 million to offset a five percent tuition cut. Balancing his other major priority, the governor’s […]
Gov. Walker’s 2017 State Budget Address: Full Transcript
Date Wed, Feb. 8, 2017 - 5:07pm By Hamilton
As Prepared for Delivery – Speaker Vos, Speaker Pro Tem August, President Roth, Majority Leader Fitzgerald, Minority Leader Shilling, Minority Leader Barca, Supreme Court Justices, Constitutional Officers, tribal leaders, members of the Cabinet, members of the Legislature, distinguished guests, and most importantly, fellow citizens of the great State of Wisconsin, it is an honor to […]
Gov. Walker Unveils Welfare Reform Plan
Date Fri, Feb. 3, 2017 - 10:18am By Hamilton
Last week, Gov. Scott Walker unveiled Wisconsin Works for Everyone, a new welfare reform plan that will be included in his 2017-2019 budget. Joined by former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, Walker said he would expand reforms Thompson started in his term in the 1990s. The plan consists of nine parts and is intended to incentivize […]
Governor Calls for Special Session to Combat Opioid Abuse
Date Thu, Jan. 12, 2017 - 4:45pm By Hamilton
On Thursday, Jan. 5, Governor Walker issued Executive Order 230, calling the Wisconsin State Legislature into special session to combat opioid abuse. In addition to calling for a special session, the governor directed his state agencies to take various administrative actions. The announcement came after the release of a report from the Governor’s Task Force […]
Governor Walker’s 2017 State of the State Address
Date Thu, Jan. 12, 2017 - 4:43pm By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker focused his seventh State of the State address Tuesday on “working and winning for Wisconsin.” Walker highlighted successes in the economy, education, healthcare since he took office in 2011, and laid out his plans for his upcoming budget and next two years as governor. Walker emphasized growing the Wisconsin workforce as a […]
Governor’s Opioid Abuse Task Force Convenes
Date Fri, Dec. 2, 2016 - 10:26am By Hamilton
The governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse convened for their first meeting on Oct. 28 in Green Bay and their second meeting on Nov. 22 in Weston. In September, Gov. Walker issued Executive Order 214 to establish a task force to gather data, analyze actions of Wisconsin and other states, and recommend additional action items […]
Leak of John Doe Documents Being Looked at by AG
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 11:55am By Hamilton
In what appears to be a targeted leak aimed at Gov. Walker, the Guardian US published sealed Wisconsin court documents from the controversial John Doe investigation. It has been reported that over six million records were seized in the politically driven investigation. The leak involved 1,350 records. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and other GOP leaders […]
Department of Transportation Budget Ignites Funding Debate
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 11:52am By Hamilton
As anticipated, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) agency budget request includes no increases to taxes or fees to increase transportation revenues, fulfilling Gov. Walker’s directive to the agency. Walker and Assembly Republicans have been publicly at odds over the agency budget request, with Walker stating he is “willing to consider any specific alternatives from Assembly […]
Governor Announces Task Force on Opioid Abuse
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 9:58am By Hamilton
On Sept. 22, Governor Walker announced creation of a Governor’s Task Force on Opioid Abuse, to be co-chaired by Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Rep. John Nygren (R – Marinette). In doing so, Governor Walker ordered the Wisconsin State Health Officer to issue an advisory regarding the serious public health problem that has been created […]