March is Red Cross Month, a time to remind everyone of the work of the American Red Cross in communities across the country and around the globe. The American Red Cross was created in 1881 by Clara Barton and officially chartered by Congress in 1900 to provide national and international relief during disasters, and […]
The Legislative Response
Date Thu, Feb. 21, 2013 - 3:32pm By Hamilton
After Gov. Walker’s budget address, members from both parties and both houses were eager to share their opinions on the governor’s proposals. Wisconsin Eye collected responses from legislators on the floor immediately following the address. Both parties held press conferences following the address. Written statements from legislators, and others, are available in […]
Mining Bills Headed to Joint Finance Committee
Date Fri, Feb. 8, 2013 - 4:28pm By Hamilton
On February 6 the Senate Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining, and Revenue and the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economy and Mining both met to amend the mining bill, AB1/SB1, and move it forward in the legislative process. Numerous amendments were made to the bill in response to concerns raised during hearings on AB1/SB1 and […]
Democrats Release Detailed Jobs Agenda
Date Fri, Feb. 8, 2013 - 2:28pm By Hamilton
Democrats in the state legislature have released a package of bills they say will create jobs quickly, close the skills gap and rebuild Wisconsin’s middle class. Workforce Growth Skills Training Program SUMMARY: Creates a competitive grant training program based on the needs of Wisconsin businesses aimed at closing the skills gap facing our state. DETAILS: […]
Mining Bills Introduced
Date Wed, Jan. 23, 2013 - 10:13pm By Hamilton
It’s only the third week of the legislative session but already two separate mining bills have been introduced and a 12-hour marathon hearing held over one of the proposals. Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) and Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) have introduced comprehensive iron-ore mining legislation designed to streamline the approval process for iron mines […]
Mining Bill Introduced
Date Wed, Jan. 16, 2013 - 7:15pm By Hamilton
Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford) and Senator Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) have introduced comprehensive iron-ore mining legislation designed to streamline the approval process for iron mines while protecting the environment. Video of the press conference where legislators provided details on the bill is available from WisconsinEye. The bill is similar to last session’s joint finance […]
Gov. Walker’s 2013 State of the State: Bold Vision and Bright Hope for the Future
Date Wed, Jan. 16, 2013 - 6:25pm By Hamilton
Gov. Scott Walker’s 2013 State of the State Address, “Bold Vision and Bright Hope for the Future,” outlined the governor’s policy priorities for the coming year. Walker focused on the five points he had previously highlighted in his call for agency budget requests: create jobs, develop the workforce, transform education, reform government, and invest in […]
101st Legislative Session Begins
Date Thu, Jan. 10, 2013 - 5:12pm By Hamilton
The 101st session of the Wisconsin Legislature came to order on January 7, 2013 at the State Capitol to inaugurate newly elected members. The leaders of all four legislative caucuses, Speaker Robin Vos, Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, and Minority Leader Chris Larson made comments expressing their goals for the […]
Leadership & Committee Assignments
Date Wed, Jan. 9, 2013 - 6:36pm By Hamilton
A new legislative session means new leadership and new committees. Each party’s leadership makes the final determination on which members will serve on what committees. Legislators make their preferred committee choices known to their leadership team, but their desires may not match the needs of the caucus; so assignments come after much behind-the-scenes horse trading […]
Profile of the 2013 Wisconsin Legislature
Date Wed, Jan. 9, 2013 - 5:34pm By Hamilton
The Legislative Reference Bureau has prepared and interesting summary of the characteristics of the Wisconsin Legislature. It includes information about party affiliation, marital status, legislative experience, occupation, gender, age, educational background, and military service for this and the past 6 legislatures. The Senate Profile The senate has 33 members, including 18 Republicans and 15 Democrats. […]