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September 18, 2024
Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.
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Bits & Pieces
Governor Evers Announces New Cabinet Members
Gov. Tony Evers has appointed Kristina Boardman as the first female Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT). She succeeds Craig Thompson, who stepped down on September 11 to become the Vice Chancellor of University Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Boardman’s tenure with the DOT includes roles such as Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Director of Field Services, and Deputy Secretary.
Also leaving the Evers administration is Emilie Amundson, the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF). Jeff Pertl has been appointed to succeed Amundson. Pertl previously served as the department’s Deputy Secretary for six years. Before his role at DCF, Pertl was the Senior Policy Advisor at the Department of Public Instruction and also served as a county supervisor.
DOR Releases FY2024 Tax Collections Figures
On Aug. 28, the Department of Revenue (DOR) released the Fiscal Year 2024 General Purpose Revenues report. According to preliminary information, collections for the year increased 1.7 percent in FY 2024 to $21,329.6 million. This amount is 1.3 percent higher than the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s modified estimate of $21,053.9 million. The increase is mainly attributed to a 3.2 percent rise in individual income taxes. The Department of Administration's Annual Fiscal Report will be released October 15, 2024.
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State Senate Race Preview | |
Wisconsin’s new state legislative maps will very likely result in a narrowing of Senate Republicans’ current 22-11 majority. Running on staggered four-year terms, 16 of the Senate’s 33 seats are up for election. Three of those seats are considered toss-ups, two of those seats are “lean” to “likely” Democrat while the other 11 seats are not considered competitive. While it is not possible for Democrats to capture the majority in the Senate in 2024, they have the possibility to significantly narrow the gap putting the majority in play in 2026. Making gains won’t be easy though as Republicans have incumbent senators running in two of the three toss-ups.
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State Agencies Submit 2025-27 Budget Requests | |
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The 2025-27 state budget development process is now underway. On September 16, Wisconsin state agencies submitted their 2025-27 state budget requests to the governor and Department of Administration (DOA). In his June budget instructions to the state agencies, Governor Evers directed agencies to assume zero budget growth (with a few exceptions like exceptions for K-12 school aids and cost-to-continue programs including Department of Health Services institutions and the state Medical Assistance program).
During fall and early winter 2024, the DOA State Budget Office develops a budget based on the governor’s agenda and agencies’ requests. The governor then presents his budget to the state legislature for its consideration at the beginning of the next legislative session – typically January or February 2025.
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Legislative Study Committee on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Continues Work | |
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The Legislative Council Study Committee on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence continues to meet and learn more about the use of AI in a variety of industries. Chaired by Sen. Julian Bradley, the committee includes legislators and members of the public. The Committee has met three times since it began its work in July. Typically, Study Committees meet in the summer-fall of the even year and generate recommendations, which can turn into legislation in the next session.
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Dane County Judge Upholds Gov. Evers’ Partial Veto of Literacy Bill | |
Late August, Dane County Judge Stephen Ehlke rules Gov. Evers’ partial veto of 2023 SB 971 (signed into law as 2023 Act 100) was consistent with the Wisconsin Constitution granting governors the ability to partially veto appropriation bills.
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Black voters in Milwaukee turned out big for Obama. Will they do the same for Harris?
Wisconsin Public Radio, September 18, 2024
See every city Trump, Harris, Vance and Walz have visited in Wisconsin on the campaign trail
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 18, 2024
What did Kamala Harris do as VP? What Wisconsin voters should know
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 17, 2024
Trump, Harris campaigns move quickly past apparent assassination attempt on GOP nominee
Wisconsin Examiner, September 16, 2024
Judge rules Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s name will stay on Wisconsin ballot
CNN, September 16, 2024
Marquette's poll reveals changes that may help Kamala Harris in Wisconsin
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 12, 2024
Sen. Tammy Baldwin maintains a tight lead over Eric Hovde in newest Marquette poll
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 11, 2024
Kamala Harris nudges to a 4-point lead over Trump in Marquette poll of Wisconsin voters
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 11, 2024
Harris and the Democrats are out-dueling Trump and Republicans in the Wisconsin ad wars
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 10, 2024
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Dane County judge plans to sign revised order on absentee ballot witness addresses
Wisconsin Public Radio, September 17, 2024
Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear case about election chief’s future
Wisconsin Public Radio, September 12, 2024
Wisconsin Supreme Court to hear case with broad implications for PFAS cleanup
Wisconsin Public Radio, September 12, 2024
Wisconsin Supreme Court hears arguments in 2 election-related lawsuits
Wisconsin Public Radio, September 10, 2024
Wisconsin Supreme Court weighs activist's attempt to make ineligible voter names public
Wisconsin State Journal, September 10, 2024
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Transportation & Infrastructure | |
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