Gov. Tony Evers has filed a lawsuit against the Republican-controlled Legislature, asking a court to enforce recent Wisconsin Supreme Court rulings on administrative rulemaking. On July 8, the Court, in a 4–3 decision, struck down key legislative powers over rulemaking. Previously, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) could block, suspend, or permanently […]
Gov. Evers Files Lawsuit Over Rulemaking Dispute with Legislature
Date Thu, Sep. 18, 2025 - 2:12pm By Hamilton
Separation of Powers and Rulemaking Dispute Continues
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 10:02am By Hamilton
A July 8 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling reshaped the balance of power between the governor and the Legislature over administrative rulemaking. In a 4–3 decision, the Court struck down the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules’ (JCRAR) authority to block or suspend rules, calling it an unconstitutional legislative veto. Going forward, lawmakers can only […]
PBM Legislation Advances Out of Senate Committee
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 10:00am By Hamilton
SB 203/AB 173 was introduced this session by Sen. Mary Felzkowski (R–Irma) and Rep. Todd Novak (R–Dodgeville) to further regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill is largely the same as last session’s proposal, with a new provision requiring PBMs to pay pharmacy claims within 30 days. On August 18, Sen. Felzkowski offered an amendment […]
Dems Circulate Legislation to Reauthorize the Stewardship Program
Date Thu, Aug. 28, 2025 - 9:57am By Hamilton
This week, Democratic lawmakers announced their version of bill to extend the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (KNSP) for six years at $72 million annually. Their plan would also create a 17-member oversight board to review large projects, with safeguards to keep projects moving if the board does not act on time. The lead authors, Sen. Jodi […]
Gov. Evers Signs Bipartisan Bill Expanding Nurse Licensure
Date Thu, Aug. 14, 2025 - 3:04pm By Hamilton
Governor Tony Evers signed a bipartisan bill Friday, August 8, 2025, aimed at expanding healthcare access across Wisconsin by creating new licensure opportunities for nurses. AB257, now enacted as 2025 Wisconsin Act 17, allows registered nurses (RNs) to become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), offering more independence in practice and increasing the […]
After Evers v. Marklein Decision, Wisconsin’s Updated Building Code Takes Effect
Date Thu, Aug. 14, 2025 - 3:01pm By Hamilton
Wisconsin’s first major upgrade to its Commercial Building Code in more than a decade takes effect Sept. 1, 2025, adopting 2021 International Building Code standards with state-specific adjustments. The update applies to commercial and multi-family residential buildings. The change follows a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling in Evers v. Marklein that struck down as unconstitutional key […]
Wisconsin Supreme Court Overturns Legislature’s Rule-Review Powers
Date Thu, Jul. 17, 2025 - 1:05pm By Hamilton
July 8, the 4-3 liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned key powers the Legislature had over administrative rulemaking. Under Wisconsin law, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules could temporarily stop a rule from taking effect, permanently prevent a rule from taking effect, and suspend a rule already in effect. Ultimately, it […]
Gov. Evers Signs into Law $111.1 Billion State Budget Bill
Date Thu, Jul. 3, 2025 - 9:08am By Hamilton
Early in the morning on July 3, the Wisconsin legislature passed a $111.1 billion budget bill for the 2025-27 biennium and Gov. Evers quickly signed it. Overall, the plan is a 12 percent increase in spending. The vote came just days after the state’s fiscal year closed on June 30. With new legislative maps resulting […]
Supreme Court Issues Rulings on Several Cases
Date Thu, Jul. 3, 2025 - 8:34am By Hamilton
Supreme Court Strikes Down Partial Veto of Non-Appropriation Bill June 25, 2025, a unanimous Supreme Court of Wisconsin struck down Gov. Evers’ use of partial vetoes in literacy-related legislation, with Republicans arguing the vetoes were unconstitutional because the bill wasn’t a true appropriations bill and therefore not subject to a partial veto under the […]
State Budget Progress Stalls as JFC Cancels Meeting
Date Fri, Jun. 20, 2025 - 9:24am By Hamilton
After a slower start than previous budgets, the Joint Committee on Finance (commonly called the Joint Finance Committee or JFC) abruptly announced on Thursday, June 19, that they are hitting pause. The announcement followed the committee’s postponement of a major vote on the University of Wisconsin System on Tuesday, June 17. The committee had been […]