Wisconsin held its 2023 spring general election on April 4. Spring elections in Wisconsin are officially nonpartisan and include offices such as judges, mayors, local legislative bodies, and school boards. Several notable races and referenda were on the ballot this year. Wisconsin Supreme Court In the race for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme […]
State Building Commission Deadlocks on Gov. Evers’ Capital Budget
Date Thu, Mar. 30, 2023 - 2:42pm By Hamilton
The State Building Commission (SBC) met March 23 (agenda) to review Gov. Evers’ (D) 2023-25 capital budget recommendations. The capital budget (highlights) includes plans for purchasing, constructing, maintaining, and disposing of state-owned buildings, facilities, and other properties. Gov. Evers proposed spending $3.8 billion on capital projects over the next two fiscal years, including nearly $1.8 […]
Legislative Council Approves 2022 Study Committee Bills
Date Thu, Mar. 30, 2023 - 2:10pm By Hamilton
The Joint Legislative Council (JLC) recommends special committees to study major issues identified by the Wisconsin Legislature, typically during even-numbered years after the regular session has adjourned. In April 2022, JLC established seven study committees consisting of legislators and members of the public. Those committees held hearings and developed policy recommendations. On March 23, JLC met […]
Tracking the Senate Confirmation Process for the Evers Administration Cabinet
Date Thu, Mar. 30, 2023 - 1:57pm By Hamilton
In a January interview, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said that the Senate would work to hold confirmation hearings on department secretaries and other agency heads appointed by Gov. Tony Evers (D). During Gov. Evers’ first term, the Senate chose not to take confirmation votes on about 185 of the governor’s appointments, including many […]
VIDEO: Wisconsin Legislature Recognizes American Red Cross Month (March 2023)
Date Thu, Mar. 23, 2023 - 12:55pm By Hamilton
The Wisconsin Legislature, by unanimously adopting Assembly Joint Resolution 14, has recognized March 2023 as American Red Cross Month in Wisconsin. AJR 14 passed the Assembly on March 14 and the Senate concurred in the resolution on March 22. The resolution was authored by Rep. Donna Rozar (R-Marshfield) and Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan).
Fiscal Bureau Issues Budget Analysis; Finance Committee Schedules Agency and Public Hearings
Date Fri, Mar. 17, 2023 - 8:43am By Hamilton
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau has released its plain-language summary (tables, agency-by-agency) of Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) executive budget proposal for the 2023-25 fiscal biennium. The document explains, in plain narrative terms along with simple financial tables, how state agencies, programs, and policies currently work and how the budget would affect them. Legislators rely on this […]
Assembly and Senate Floor Sessions: March 2023
Date Thu, Mar. 16, 2023 - 5:25pm By Hamilton
The 2023-24 legislative session has been off to a relatively slow start, with the Assembly and Senate each holding only one day of floor votes each in January and none in February. The Assembly voted earlier this week and each house is expected to meet one day next week. Assembly: March 14 (floor calendar) The […]
Tracking the Senate Confirmation Process for the Evers Administration Cabinet
Date Thu, Mar. 16, 2023 - 5:18pm By Hamilton
In a January interview, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) said that the Senate would work to hold confirmation hearings on department secretaries and other agency heads appointed by Gov. Tony Evers (D). During Gov. Evers’ first term, the Senate chose not to take confirmation votes on about 185 of the governor’s appointments, including many […]
Rep. Knodl Wins Republican Primary in SD 8
Date Tue, Feb. 28, 2023 - 6:18pm By Hamilton
In Wisconsin’s spring primary, held February 21, Rep. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) defeated two other candidates in a Republican primary for the 8th Senate District. The seat is currently vacant after Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) retired on December 1 last year, in the middle of her eighth term. Gov. Evers ordered a special election, coinciding with the […]
Judge Rules Bail, Welfare Reform Questions Can Appear on Spring Ballot
Date Tue, Feb. 28, 2023 - 6:14pm By Hamilton
Dane County Judge Rhonda Lanford ruled February 20 that two questions, a constitutional amendment on bail reform and an advisory referendum on welfare eligibility, will appear on the April 4 spring ballot in Wisconsin. A lawsuit filed January 31 argued that the questions were sent to county clerks one day past the deadline required under […]