Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced August 4 that he had taken action on 18 bills passed by the Wisconsin Legislature, signing eight into law and vetoing ten others. Aside from his partial vetoes of the 2023-25 state budget, these were the first vetoes issued by Gov. Evers in 2023. The new laws, numbered 2023 Wisconsin […]
Gov. Evers Acts on 18 Bills, Vetoing Energy Source and Workforce Legislation
Date Thu, Aug. 17, 2023 - 9:44am By Hamilton
Joint Finance Committee Budget Votes: May 23 and 25, June 1
Date Thu, Jun. 8, 2023 - 11:41am By Hamilton
The Joint Committee on Finance (Joint Finance Committee or JFC) of the Wisconsin Legislature continues its work on the 2023-25 state budget, taking votes to reshape the budget as initially proposed by Gov. Tony Evers (D). The committee began the process on May 2 by voting to remove many new programs and significant changes to […]
Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: June 7
Date Thu, Jun. 8, 2023 - 11:22am By Hamilton
Senate (floor calendar) The Senate met on June 7 to consider a variety of measures. The chamber passed 17 Senate Bills, including transportation-related bills on driver contact records, snowmobile trail signs, probationary licenses, temporary license plates, agricultural road grants, and safety, mapping, and communication aids for ATV/UTV organizations. The Senate also passed natural resources-related bills […]
WEC Energy Group, Consumer Advocates Negotiating “Ability to Pay” Pilot Program
Date Thu, Jun. 8, 2023 - 11:09am By Hamilton
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a utility bill relief program for low-income households could soon be put to the test in Wisconsin. Organizations that advocate for utility customers are working with WEC Energy Group, a large investor-owned electric utility, to develop a pilot program that would cap utility costs at six percent of household […]
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 […]
PFAS Update: Senate Natural Resources Committee Holds Informational Hearing
Date Wed, Feb. 8, 2023 - 10:35am By Hamilton
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy held a public hearing on PFAS on January 31. The hearing was for information only (no specific bills were discussed) and featured select speakers invited by committee chair Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay). During the hearing, Sen. Cowles stated that the Legislature will take action on PFAS […]
Where the Gubernatorial Candidates Stand on Environmental and Energy Policy
Date Tue, Oct. 25, 2022 - 3:13pm By Hamilton
A recent poll of Wisconsin voters found that 69 percent are “very” or “somewhat concerned” about climate change, an issue affecting many aspects of environmental and energy policy. This year’s gubernatorial candidates, incumbent Gov. Tony Evers (D) and challenger Tim Michels (R), have addressed these issues in various public appearances throughout the campaign. Although neither […]
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, […]
Federal Officials Approve Wisconsin EV Infrastructure Plan
Date Tue, Sep. 20, 2022 - 4:58pm By Hamilton
Federal officials have approved Wisconsin’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure plan, which outlines how the state will spend millions in federal funds. The Federal Highway Administration notified the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on September 14 that the state’s plan was approved. At the time, Wisconsin and 33 other states had their plans approved. WisDOT submitted […]
PFAS Update: State Rules Move Forward; New EPA Health Advisories; Judge Stays Ruling
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2022 - 1:15am By Hamilton
Legislature Will Allow PFAS Rules to Take Effect This Year Rules regulating certain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in drinking and surface water, developed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), could go into effect as soon as next month, with large public water systems required to begin testing for the compounds as early […]