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April 18, 2025
Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.
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This week in Tidbits, we take a closer look at pending cases before the State Supreme Court, examine findings from the recent UW System DEI audit, and track the NRB’s movement on PFAS groundwater rulemaking. We also highlight JFC public hearings and recap WECA’s impactful lobby day at the Capitol.
If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Hamilton Consulting team.
| | Wisconsin Supreme Court Upholds “400-Year” Veto | | |
Friday, April 18, the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision upheld Gov. Tony Evers’ 2023 partial veto that extended annual school funding increases until the year 2425 by striking numerals and punctuation in the budget bill. The GOP-controlled legislature had passed a two-year increase in schools aids.
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| | Audit and Public Hearing on DEI Initiatives at UW System | | |
Last Friday, the Legislative Audit Bureau delivered an audit to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee which reviewed certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities at the University of Wisconsin system and select state agencies. The audit was requested by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee last May and found that certain Wisconsin state agencies and the University of Wisconsin system have failed to track millions of dollars they spent on DEI initiatives, making it difficult to determine the effectiveness of these efforts.
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| | Natural Resources Board Restarts Rulemaking for PFAS Groundwater Standards | |
On April 9, The Natural Resources Board approved starting a new rulemaking effort to establish groundwater standards for six PFAS compounds, following an earlier attempt initiated in fall 2022 to regulate four PFAS at levels as low as 4 parts per trillion (ppt).
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| | Joint Finance Committee Continues State Budget Hearings Across Wisconsin | |
Next week, the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) will hold the final two public hearings on the 2025-27 biennial state budget.
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Monday, April 28 – Hayward High School Auditorium, 10320 Greenwood Lane, Hayward
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Tuesday, April 29 – Northcentral Technical College – Center for Health Sciences, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau
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| | Child Care Groups Hold Advocacy Day | |
Earlier this week, the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA), in conjunction with Raising Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Head Start Association, hosted its Advocacy Day in Madison. Over 350 child care educators and administrators, Head Start leaders, parents, and business owners gathered to hear from policymakers about the ongoing discussions for the 2025-27 state budget. Following the program, advocates from across the state had the chance to meet with their local legislators, advocating for a state investment in child care.
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Army Corps fast-tracks permitting process for Enbridge Line 5 tunnel
Wisconsin Public Radio, April 16, 2025
Wisconsin utility’s data center–driven gas expansion meets skepticism
Canary Media, April 14, 2025
Republicans push new power line competition bill; opponents say it's more of the same
Wisconsin State Journal, April 10, 2025
MGE partners with We Energies, WPS to purchase more solar capacity, battery storage
InBusiness, April 11, 2025
Could the Wisconsin Supreme Court weigh in on the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline rerouting?
Wisconsin State Journal, April 10, 2025
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Bipartisan housing programs have little to show. Legislators are working on fixes.
Wisconsin Public Radio, April 18, 2025
Wisconsin jobs, employment remain strong in the face of economic worries
Wisconsin Examiner, April 17, 2025
New report highlights importance of exports for Wisconsin manufacturers, farmers
Wisconsin Public Radio, April 17, 2025
Trump says tariffs will bring back manufacturing, but Wisconsin’s labor shortage may stand in the way
Wisconsin Public Radio, April 14, 2025
GOP bills revamping unemployment rules get Assembly hearing
Wisconsin Examiner, April 10, 2025
| | Transportation & Infrastructure | | |
Higher education leaders ask lawmakers for state funding as federal cuts loom
Wisconsin Examiner, April 18, 2025
Wisconsin legislators want to renew pre-kindergarten learning program
Wisconsin Public Radio, April 18, 2025
Providers, parents bring the call for child care support to the Capitol
Wisconsin Examiner, April 17, 2025
Bill to make Medicaid eligibility harder paused after flurry of opposition
Wisconsin Examiner, April 16, 2025
Survey of child care providers forecasts closures, tuition hikes without state support
Wisconsin Examiner, April 11, 2025
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