Political Tidbits – January 24, 2025

Email from The Hamilton Consulting Group

January 24, 2025

Wisconsin political news for clients and colleagues.

In this edition of Political Tidbits, we explore key developments shaping Wisconsin’s policy landscape. Highlights include Gov. Evers’ State of the State address and the Republican response, the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s JCRAR case, and the latest on the Act 10 case. We also break down the Democratic package "Lowering Costs, Improving Lives" bill package and a new Wisconsin Policy Forum report on the state’s tax burden.

 

If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Hamilton Consulting team.

Evers Declares 2025 the "Year of the Kid" in State of the State Address  

On January 22, in his seventh State of the State address on Wednesday, Governor Tony Evers declared 2025 the "Year of the Kid," outlining a series of proposals aimed at addressing the needs of children and families in Wisconsin.


Continue reading this article

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos: Republican Response to Governor Tony Ever' State of the State Address

Though Speaker Vos (R-Rochester) expressed his hope that Governor Evers’ wants to find common ground with Legislative Republicans to solve Wisconsin’s most pressing issues, Republican response to Gov. Evers’ proposals was pointed. Speaker Vos said, “What we heard tonight was Gov. Evers’ longest State of the State address and it was chock full of liberal wishes, empty promises and a whole lot of things that are not going to happen in Wisconsin.” 


Continue reading this article

Legislative Oversight of Rulemaking Challenged

January 16, 2025, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held oral arguments on a case contesting the Joint Committee for Review Administrative Rules’ power over the administrative rule promulgation process. 


Continue reading this article

Wisconsin Democrats Propose "Lowering Costs, Improving Lives" Bill Package

On January 16, Wisconsin Democrats announced their "Lowering Costs, Improving Lives" legislative package, aimed at addressing affordability issues for families across the state. The package focuses on lowering prescription drug prices, expanding access to affordable insulin, providing free school meals, and offering property tax relief for low-income residents.


Continue reading this article

Dane County Judge Stays Ruling Overturning Act 10 Pending Appeal

A Dane County judge has temporarily stayed his decision overturning portions of Act 10, Wisconsin's 2011 law limiting public employee collective bargaining, to prevent potential chaos during the appeals process. 


Continue reading this article

Wisconsin Policy Forum: Wisconsin's State & Local Tax Burden Drop to Another Record Low in 2024

According to a report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, state and local taxes as a share of income fell again in 2024 hitting a low of 9.62% of personal income. That's down from 9.92% in 2023, which was also a record low after state and local taxes accounted for 9.9% of personal income in 2022.


Continue reading this article

News Clips

Politics

$50 million to change how kids learn to read could end up in state surplus without action

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 24, 2025


Gov. Tony Evers outlined priorities to support kids during 2025 State of the State address

Wisconsin Examiner, January 23, 2025


GOP bill would bar foreign adversaries from acquiring ag, forestry land in WI

WisBusiness, January 22, 2025


Assembly committees this session are different — and smaller

Wisconsin Examiner, January 22, 2025


Lawmakers renew push for black specialty license plate in Wisconsin

Wisconsin State Journal, January 21, 2025


Most of Gov. Tony Evers’ Cabinet is unconfirmed. Here’s why it matters

The Capital Times, January 21, 2025


Lawyers debate power of legislative committee to block agency rules

Wisconsin Examiner, January 17, 2025


Wisconsin Democrats signal starting priorities with healthcare, school lunch proposals

Wisconsin Public Radio, January 17, 2025

 

Utilities & Energy

Wisconsin power line protest; Sheboygan County residents head to Pewaukee

Fox 6 News, January 23, 2025


Wisconsin solar farm plan leaves some residents cold

Pioneer Press, January 18, 2025



Environment

How do Trump’s executive orders affect climate and clean energy funding in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin Public Radio, January 22, 2025


Wisconsin's Stewardship conservation program could become a casualty of Capitol politics

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 17, 2025

Legal

Karofsky calls conversion therapy ‘beyond horrific’ as court debates JCRAR power to block ban

WisPolitics, January 17, 2025

Employer & Consumer

DWD announces available Fast Forward funding

In Business, January 17, 2025

Transportation & Infrastructure

Wisconsin municipalities receive more than $141 million in quarterly transportation aids

Tomahawk Leader, January 21, 2025

Health

As more Wisconsin dentists retire, getting new providers to rural areas is a challenge

Wisconsin Public Radio, January 23, 2025


Doctor shortages plague parts of Milwaukee. A new Medical College of Wisconsin program hopes to change that

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 21, 2025

 

Republicans and Democrats agree on postpartum Medicaid expansion — Robin Vos says it’s unlikely

Wisconsin Watch, January 20, 2025

Education

With the new budget year, Evers and advocates try again to garner major state child care support

Wisconsin Examiner, January 24, 2025


As state education agency cuts costs, DPI superintendent race heats up

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 24, 2025


DPI candidates weigh in on top issues ahead of Feb. 18 primary

WisPolitics, January 21, 2025

Click here for more news clips

Political Tidbits is a free newsletter on Wisconsin political and policy developments, written and compiled by the Hamilton Consulting Group. Please forward it to others who may wish to receive this service.


If you require additional information about a topic addressed in Tidbits for your organization's board meeting or trade publication, please do not hesitate to contact a Hamilton Consulting Group lobbyist.


To ensure that Political Tidbits never gets caught in your spam filter, please add publications@hamilton-consulting.com to your address book/contacts list. If you are receiving these emails via a workplace email account, please advise your IT service desk to do this for you.

Hamilton Consulting Group | (608) 258-9506 | www.hamilton-consulting.com

10 E. Doty Street, Suite 500, Madison, WI 53703

Twitter  Linkedin