Natural Resources Board Restarts Rulemaking for PFAS Groundwater Standards

On April 9, The Natural Resources Board approved starting a new rulemaking effort to establish groundwater standards for six PFAS compounds, following an earlier attempt initiated in fall 2022 to regulate four PFAS at levels as low as 4 parts per trillion (ppt). The previous proposal stalled because its estimated implementation and compliance costs exceeded […]

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Audit and Public Hearing on DEI Initiatives at UW System

Last Friday, the Legislative Audit Bureau delivered an audit to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee which reviewed certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities at the University of Wisconsin system and select state agencies. The audit was requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee last May and found that certain Wisconsin state agencies and the […]

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Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds “400-Year” Veto

Friday, April 18, the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision upheld Gov. Tony Evers’ 2023 partial veto that extended annual school funding increases until the year 2425 by striking numerals and punctuation in the budget bill. The GOP-controlled legislature had passed a two-year increase in schools aids. Gov. Evers used his partial veto authority to, […]

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Gov. Evers 2025-27 Executive Budget Highlights

Gov. Evers gave his fourth biennial budget address on February 18, unveiling his 2025-27 executive budget. He proposes an operating budget of $ $118.9 billion over the next two fiscal years, adding a net 880.94 FTE positions. For comparison, the final 2023-25 state budget spent $97.4 billion with a net reduction of 175.51 FTE (GPR) […]

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Wisconsin Democrats Propose “Lowering Costs, Improving Lives” Bill Package

On January 16, Wisconsin Democrats announced their  “Lowering Costs, Improving Lives” legislative package, aimed at addressing affordability issues for families across the state. The package focuses on lowering prescription drug prices, expanding access to affordable insulin, providing free school meals, and offering property tax relief for low-income residents. The centerpiece of the package is a […]

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Legislative Oversight of Rulemaking Challenged

January 16, 2025, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held oral arguments on a case contesting the Joint Committee for Review Administrative Rules’ power over the administrative rule promulgation process. Under Wisconsin law, JCRAR has the power to halt rules from taking effect by indefinitely objecting to a rule. If JCRAR indefinitely objects to a rule, the […]

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County Judge Strikes Down Parts of Walker-Era Collective Bargaining Reforms

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Frost has struck down key provisions of a 2011 law, including provisions barring general employees from negotiating for anything other than base wage increases capped for inflation and prohibiting public employee unions from forcing employees to pay dues. The reform has saved state and local units of government $17 […]

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Study Committee Update: Direct Primary Care Committee Discusses Employer Models, Physician Burnout, Legislation

The Study Committee on Direct Primary Care (DPC) met for the second time on Aug. 29. The committee heard from several presenters and engaged in discussion on what the future work from the committee might look like. First, Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R-New Berlin) and Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) gave the committee an overview of the […]

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Study Committee Update: School Trust Funds Committee Discusses Fund Management Strategy

The Study Committee on Investment and Use of School Trust Funds met for the second time on Sept. 5. The meeting focused on how and by whom the school trust fund should be managed. Areas of interest to committee members included adopting new strategies to increase the fund’s returns and reexamining the Board of Commissioners […]

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Study Committee Update: Alcohol Beverages Enforcement Committee Discusses Three-Tier, Agency Enforcement

The Study Committee on Alcohol Beverages Enforcement met for the second time on Aug. 22. The hearing started with attorneys from Wisconsin Towns and Wisconsin Municipalities Associations discussing how they handle inquiries from their members as to what is and is not allowable under Wisconsin law. Both groups said that they predominantly deal with the […]

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