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February 26, 2024
Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.
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Articles in this edition of Political Tidbits:
- Gov. Evers Signs New Legislative Maps Into Law
- Assembly Floor Session: February 22, 2024 (PFAS, EV Infrastructure, Health Policy)
- Assembly Floor Session: February 20, 2024 (Education, Natural Resources, Economic Development)
- Senate Floor Session: February 20, 2024 (Health, Education, Transportation, Executive Appointments)
- Assembly Floor Session: February 15, 2024 (ROFR, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement)
- Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: February 13, 2024 (Redistricting, Taxes, Economic and Workforce Development)
Other updates in this edition:
If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Hamilton Consulting team.
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Gov. Evers Signs New Legislative Maps Into Law | |
On February 19, Gov. Evers signed into law his own redistricting proposal after the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature adopted it. Late last year, the liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the previous state legislative maps were unconstitutional. Under the governor’s maps, more than 40 incumbent legislators, mostly Republicans, are paired with one another, meaning they now find themselves residing within the same legislative district.
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Assembly Floor Session: February 22, 2024 (PFAS, EV Infrastructure, Health Policy) | |
The Assembly passed 89 bills addressing a wide variety of subjects including several aspects of health policy. Notably, the Assembly concurred in two bills to encourage the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Wisconsin. Also, the Assembly concurred in legislation to implement $125 million in PFAS remediation funding set aside in the 2023-25 state budget. Gov. Evers has stated that he will veto the bill over concerns from environmental groups.
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Assembly Floor Session: February 20, 2024 (Education, Natural Resources, Economic Development) | |
The Assembly passed 68 bills. The bills on the calendar dealt with a variety of subjects including education policy, environmental and natural resources policy, and economic and workforce development.
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Senate Floor Session: February 20, 2024 (Health, Education, Transportation, Executive Appointments) | |
The Senate confirmed eight appointments to various state boards and commissions, mostly related to oversight of higher education. Senate Republicans, with a handful of dissenters, voted to reject four appointments, one to the Natural Resources Board (Todd Ambs) and three to the UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority Board (Barbara Lawton, Candice Owley, and Sondy Pope). The Senate also passed 64 bills and six resolutions.
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Assembly Floor Session: February 15, 2024 (ROFR, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement) | |
Notable items that cleared the Assembly included AB 470 (“right of first refusal” for utility transmission projects), a package of bills to increase the privacy and security of state judges (ABs 965, 966, 967), SB 462 (certification process and grant program for crisis urgent care facilities), SB 573 (increasing the law enforcement officer training reimbursement rate), and SB 789 (allowing law enforcement agencies to charge a fee for redacting video and audio content in public records requests).
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Senate and Assembly Floor Sessions: February 13, 2024 (Redistricting, Taxes, Economic and Workforce Development) | |
Most notably, both houses voted to amend and pass SB 488, related to legislative redistricting. The updated bill consisted of new Senate and Assembly maps drafted by Gov. Evers for consideration by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Gov. Evers subsequently signed the bill into law, establishing new state legislative districts that will be in place for the 2024 election.
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ICYMI: Key Issues as 2023-24 Session Nears Conclusion: Budget Surplus, Redistricting, Abortion | |
As we approach the end of the 2023-24 legislative session in Wisconsin, several key political and policy issues are dominating conversations among the Republican-led Wisconsin Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
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Legislature approves $740M for UW system, including a new engineering building
Wisconsin State Journal, February 23, 2024
Gov. Tony Evers’ request for new congressional maps draws GOP criticism
Wisconsin State Journal, February 23, 2024
Businessman Eric Hovde enters U.S. Senate race against Tammy Baldwin
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 20, 2024
Wisconsin GOP senators fire more Evers appointees from state boards
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 20, 2024
Senate sends $2.1 billion in tax cuts aimed at low and middle earners to Gov. Tony Evers
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 20, 2024
Paired incumbents weigh political futures under Gov. Tony Evers’ maps
Wisconsin State Journal, February 20, 2024
Wisconsin’s Democratic governor signs his new legislative maps into law after Republicans pass them
Associated Press, February 20, 2024
Gov. Tony Evers signs his legislative maps into law, giving Dems boost in Legislature
Wisconsin State Journal, February 20, 2024
Effort to allow for early processing of Wisconsin absentee ballots stalls out
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 19, 2024
Robin Vos says ‘professional grifters’ from outside Wisconsin are running recall effort
Wisconsin State Journal, February 15, 2024
Banning state diversity efforts could be on the ballot in Wisconsin
The Capital Times, February 15, 2024
Republican Scott Mayer walks back claims about hiring staff for Senate run
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 14, 2024
How Wisconsin is drawing political lines through people’s lives
The Capital Times, February 14, 2024
How big policy wins put Cavalier Johnson and David Crowley in the political driver’s seat
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 14, 2024
Vacant Milwaukee Senate seat will have a primary as Rep. Drake announces campaign
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 13, 2024
Green Bay Congressman Mike Gallagher will not seek reelection
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 10, 2024
Green Party candidate will appear on Wisconsin’s presidential ballot
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 9, 2024
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Wisconsin Assembly backs buildout of statewide electric vehicle charging network
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 23, 2024
Utilities weigh power demand from AI amid clean energy transition
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 22, 2024
Power line legislation favoring in-state companies passes Assembly
Wisconsin Examiner, February 15, 2024
Bill limiting competition for transmission lines passes state Assembly
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 15, 2024
Milwaukee, We Energies propose solar projects to help city reach 25% renewable goal
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 15, 2024
Federal money could supercharge state efforts to preserve nuclear power
Stateline, February 12, 2024
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PFAS bill goes to skeptical Gov. Evers, who says it's pro-polluter
The Capital Times, February 22, 2024
Evers signals he won't sign bill to fight PFAS as legislative session nears end
Channel 3000, February 21, 2024
Will Milwaukee County ever be able to afford parks system?
Urban Milwaukee, February 19, 2024
Senate committee advances 3 NRB appointees after rejecting 4 previous Evers picks
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 19, 2024
GOP bill would let standards move forward for PFAS in groundwater
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 19, 2024
Great Lakes ice cover reaches record low for mid-February
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 16, 2024
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Planned Parenthood files suit alleging Wisconsin Constitution guarantees abortion rights
Wisconsin State Journal, February 23, 2024
AG Kaul intervenes in Clean Air Act litigation to defend federal rules
Wisconsin Department of Justice, February 21, 2024
Republican DA asks WI Supreme Court to decide abortion suit without lower court ruling
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 20, 2024
Milwaukee County will sue insulin companies for price-fixing
Urban Milwaukee, February 20, 2024
Evers signs new maps into law, effectively ending Wisconsin redistricting lawsuit
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 19, 2024
Wisconsin Legislature adopts Gov. Tony Evers' maps in bid to end legal challenge
Wisconsin State Journal, February 14, 2024
Nearly 40 people in Wisconsin charged with defrauding COVID funds
Urban Milwaukee, February 11, 2024
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Wisconsin’s biohealth tech hub garners $7.5 million supporting grant
Milwaukee Business News, February 22, 2024
How healthy is the Wisconsin economy?
Urban Milwaukee, February 21, 2024
Wisconsin's legislative session is wrapping up. What have lawmakers done on child care?
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 19, 2024
Some want Wisconsin to use AI, but state workers fear replacement
The Capital Times, February 18, 2024
Wisconsin lost 10% of farms, 30% of dairies in 5 years, U.S. agriculture census shows
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 15, 2024
Bill to eliminate Wisconsin work permit requirements for young teens heading to governor
Wisconsin State Journal, February 14, 2024
Democrats renew push for paid family leave in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 14, 2024
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Move to tighten law on sexual assaults by doctors hits snag in the Senate
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 23, 2024
Legislature taking up bills to help western Wisconsin communities facing loss of hospitals
Wisconsin Examiner, February 20, 2024
Wisconsin weighs anti-obesity drug coverage for state workers
Wisconsin State Journal, February 18, 2024
Health care providers complain about fee schedule in worker's comp bill
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, February 15, 2024
Op-ed: Repeat history - Create health care public service commission
Greater Milwaukee Today, February 14, 2024
Governments can erase your medical debt for pennies on the dollar — and some are
Stateline, February 13, 2024
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Dane County school districts continue to struggle with absenteeism after COVID
Wisconsin State Journal, February 22, 2024
Department of Public Instruction asks lawmakers to approve new reading curriculum
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 21, 2024
Wisconsin's top high schoolers now guaranteed UW system admission
The Capital Times, February 20, 2024
Bills advance to ease licensing requirements for some Wisconsin educators
Wisconsin Public Radio, February 20, 2024
State universities admit more out-of-state students for the tuition bump
Stateline, February 15, 2024
Judge rules for plaintiffs in school choice suit
Greater Milwaukee Today, February 10, 2024
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