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 […]
In Fifth State of the State, Gov. Evers Announces Budget Proposals
Date Wed, Jan. 25, 2023 - 11:07am By Hamilton
State Budget Issues: Taxes, Medicaid, PFAS
Date Wed, Jan. 25, 2023 - 11:03am By Hamilton
With another legislative session comes another biennial state budget bill, and Wisconsin is expected to have a surplus of $7.1 billion when the current fiscal biennium ends June 30. The 2023-25 state budget will occupy much of the Legislature’s attention for the next few months. In last night’s State of the State address, Gov. Tony […]
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. […]
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, […]
State Supreme Court Rules Against WMC in Business COVID Records Case
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2022 - 1:03am By Hamilton
Last week, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state in a case involving the release of a list of businesses with multiple COVID-19 cases among employees. The case originated during the early months of the pandemic during a time of much greater uncertainty surrounding the disease, and before the Wisconsin Legislature enacted […]
Governor Calls for Special Session to Repeal Abortion Law
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2022 - 1:01am By Hamilton
Gov. Tony Evers (D) has called on the Wisconsin Legislature to convene a special session to consider repealing an 1849 law limiting abortion in the state. Gov. Evers issued an executive order on June 8 directing the Legislature to convene on June 22. The Legislature adjourned its 2021-22 regular session on March 8. Senate Majority […]
U.S. to Extend COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration
Date Thu, May. 26, 2022 - 6:14pm By Hamilton
The federal government’s ongoing public health emergency (PHE) is expected to be extended again. Last month, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced the renewal of his department’s PHE determination with respect to COVID-19 in the United States. Wisconsin, like other states, has been working towards a potential July expiration […]
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 […]
58 New Laws: Gov. Evers’ Signatures and Vetoes in March
Date Thu, Mar. 31, 2022 - 8:19pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) has signed 58 bills into law since our early March update on gubernatorial actions. Although the Wisconsin Legislature has adjourned for the remainder of the year, there are still dozens of bills that passed both houses but have yet to be formally presented to Gov. Evers. Once Senate or Assembly […]
Legislature Adjourned After Final Senate Floor Session: March 8
Date Thu, Mar. 10, 2022 - 10:37pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature stands adjourned following the Senate’s final planned floor day on March 8. The Assembly adjourned two weeks earlier after its final votes on February 23 and 24. Barring any unusual circumstances, the Legislature will not convene again until the next legislative session begins in January 2023. Also on March 8, Republican leaders […]