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 […]
Department of Transportation Budget Ignites Funding Debate
Date Mon, Sep. 26, 2016 - 11:52am By Hamilton
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 […]
Assembly Republicans Release Legislative Agenda
Date Sun, Sep. 25, 2016 - 8:59pm By Hamilton
In early September, Assembly Republicans released their plans for the 2017-2018 session in their Forward Agenda. While the November election is still weeks away, the Assembly majority outlined their main goals for next session and beyond. Their policies include simplifying the tax code, addressing the transportation budget shortfall, giving laptops to high school freshman and […]
Wisconsin’s Primary Day To Be Held, Tuesday, August 9
Date Tue, Aug. 9, 2016 - 3:13pm By Hamilton
August 9, 2016 will mark the earliest primary day in Wisconsin for fall elections in the modern era. Whether or not this will have an effect on turnout remains to be seen as summer vacation is still in full swing and the highly charged presidential primary elections have ended and switched their focus to November. […]
Long-term Care Reforms on Hold
Date Fri, Jun. 17, 2016 - 9:30am By Hamilton
After no action by the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to approve the Family Care/IRIS 2.0 concept paper, Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Kitty Rhodes withdrew the concept paper from the committee’s purview. In her letter, Secretary Rhodes stated that given JFC has not convened to act on the proposal and may not do so […]
85th Assembly Seat (Open): Pat Snyder vs. Mandy Wright
Date Fri, May. 27, 2016 - 9:21am By Hamilton
Somewhat surprisingly, freshman Republican Dave Heaton decided not to run again for his Wausau-based Assembly seat after only serving one term. Heaton’s departure makes way for round two between Republican Pat Snyder and Democrat Mandy Wright, in what is expected to be a close race. Snyder is a former conservative talk show host and current […]
12th Senate District: Incumbent Tom Tiffany
Date Fri, May. 27, 2016 - 9:19am By Hamilton
Updated June 17: The Democrats have avoided a primary in the race to unseat Sen. Tom Tiffany (R – Hazelhurst). Dave Polashek has dropped out and decided to throw his support behind Van Stippen, leaving him as the only Democrat in the race. Senate Republican incumbent Tom Tiffany sits in a good place heading into his […]
State Defers Debt Payment
Date Fri, May. 27, 2016 - 8:58am By Hamilton
At the beginning of May, the Department of Administration (DOA) announced their decision to defer the payment of $101 million commercial paper principal. Under the 2015-17 biennial budget, the state was expected to retire $131.7 million in commercial paper on May 1, 2016. With this delay of the $101 million payment, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau […]
Court of Appeals Puts a Hold on Dane County Right to Work Decision
Date Thu, May. 26, 2016 - 4:05pm By Hamilton
On May 24, a state court of appeals reversed Dane County Circuit Judge William Faust’s ruling not to grant a stay of his controversial decision that the state’s new right-to-work law was unconstitutional. The appeals court decision allows the right-to-work law to be in effect and enforceable pending appeal of Faust’s underlying decision. Wisconsin became […]
Senate District 32: Shilling vs Kapanke
Date Fri, May. 6, 2016 - 9:05am By Hamilton
As the spotlight burns on what has been an extraordinary Presidential election, Wisconsin’s state legislative races are starting to take shape, albeit with much less attention. One of those races has turned out to be more interesting than expected as former Sen. Dan Kapanke has decided to challenge sitting Minority Leader Sen. Jennifer Shilling (D-La […]