WISCREPORT.COM (08/01/2010) - A new state administrative rule regarding political campaign advertisements is now in effect in the State of Wisconsin. The new rule uses a common-sense test in determining whether an ad has a political purpose and is subject to statutory disclosure and disclaimer requirements. The old rules led to campaign ads by independent groups that skirted regulation by avoiding the use of certain words. Read more by clicking on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (06/07/2010) - Smokers in Wisconsin will be unable to light up in the workplace state-wide by state law beginning next month. The new Wisconsin Smoke-Free Workplace Law will go into effect July 5th. The law is designed to help workers quit smoking and to protect customers and non-smokers from inhaling second hand smoke in restaurants and other consumer frequented businesses. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says radio, print, and internet advertising is in the works to educate people about the new law. Read more by clicking on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/01/2010) - Today is the first day for Wisconsin candidates and supporters to legally circulate nomination papers, marking the official start of the Fall 2010 campaign season. Many candidates planning to run in the November 2, 2010 election have been organizing their campaigns and raising money for months, but now is the time to get serious. If you are thinking about entering a race to win a seat in state government, the Government Accountability Board office is the place to find out what you legally need to do and when you need to do it. Click on the headline above for more information at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/19/2010) - Marshfield, Wisconsin alderman John Spiros is running for the Wisconsin 70th Assembly District seat held by Amy Sue Vruwink (D-Milladore). Spiros is also a Roehl Transport Vice President of Safety and Claims Management. Spiros says he will work to undo, what he calls, the Wisconsin reputation of being a state that is not friendly toward employers, blaming 10.3 unemployment on Democrats raising taxes and fees. To read more at WisconsinReport.com click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/11/2010) - One of the Democrats talked about as a possible replacement for retiring Dave Obey has endorsed Julie Lassa, who yesterday announced she is in the race, while a Republican already running says if elected he will limit himself to eight years. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) has endorsed Julie Lassa in her bid for the Wisconsin 7th District seat held in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 40 years. Republican Dan Mielke (R-Rudolph) says Lassa and his Republican opponent, Sean Duffy (R-Ashland), are career politicians, unlike himself. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (05/10/2010) - State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) has entered the race for the Congressional seat that Dave Obey is giving up after more than 40 years. Last week Obey announced he will retire from the Wisconsin 7th Congressional Seat in the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of his current term. Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Reince Priebus says Lassa has apparently emerged as the hand-picked successor to Dave Obey. Priebus added the usual opposing party rhetoric, indicating Lassa won't necessarily have an easy campaign. For more at WisconsinReport.com click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/30/2010) - Governor Jim Doyle has signed into law Senate Bill 484, the BadgerCare Plus Basic Bill. This bill creates a new, entirely self-funded health care plan option for nearly 43,000 adults without dependent children who are on the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan waiting list. For 130 dollars a month, people enrolled in BadgerCare Plus Basic will be able to go see a doctor, get the generic prescriptions they need, and receive catastrophic coverage, without costing taxpayers a dime. Click on the headline above to read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/28/2010) - A Wisconsin Democracy Campaign review released today shows eleven contributors to Wisconsin candidates for statewide office and the legislature exceeded the annual $10,000 limit on individual contributions in 2009. The Democracy Campaign findings are based on state campaign finance reports filed by legislative, judicial and statewide candidates and political parties that show the sources of their campaign contributions and spending. The contributions were to both Democrats and Republicans. Click on the headline above to read more about this story and others at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/23/2010) - The Wisconsin State Assembly has passed a Senate Bill designed to increase public safety. Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says it creates a process to compel offenders who have failed to fulfill their legal obligations, to submit DNA specimens to the data bank. By having a more complete data bank of DNA information it is expected that the job of law enforcement will be swifter and more accurate. In a related matter, Van Hollen says there is no longer a DNA case backlog at the state crime lab. For more on this story at WisconsinReport.com click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/21/2010) - Menomonee Falls Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has introduced a U.S. House bill that would require all candidates for federal office to publicly disclose campaign donations online before gaining access to the funds. Meanwhile, State health officials have praised Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle (D) for signing Act 209 (Assembly Bill 659). State Health Secretary Timberlake says it is a long-overdue modernization of state law governing HIV testing. For more on both of these stories at WisconsinReport.com, click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/20/2010) - This morning at the Capitol in Madison, a group of the largest businesses in Wisconsin, labor unions, farm organizations and other groups called for passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act being considered by the state legislature. The groups are among nearly 300 businesses, labor unions and other organizations that are supporting the legislation. As the legislature considers the Clean Energy Jobs Act, citizens from across Wisconsin have created short videos to show why Wisconsin should pursue a clean energy future. For more click on the headline to go to WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (04/19/2010) - The Wisconsin Farmers Union is urging the Wisconsin legislature to pass legislation that will create jobs in the state, boost farms and support a foundation for clean energy. The Wisconsin Clean Energy Jobs Act is scheduled for a vote in the state Assembly Tuesday. A Wisconsin Public Service Commission study shows that there would likely be a 1.4 Billion dollar savings for the state if the legislation is enacted, contrary to what opponents of the bill have been saying, according to a Farmers Union spokesperson. For more at WisconsinReport.com click on the headline above. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (03/25/2010) - The United States Senate has approved a package of Fixes to the historic health care reform bill that President Obama signed into law Tuesday. The Senate vote on the Fixes was 56-43. The Fixes were sent to the Senate by the House following House approval of the Senate Health Reform bill last weekend. The Senate sent the Fixes package back to the House for a final Fixes vote due to some technical glitches in the Fixes that were uncovered in the Senate. Meanwhile, some Wisconsin Republicans want to authorize a lawsuit over the new federal Health Care Law. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/04/2010) - Wisconsin is not among the top 15 Phase One finalists in the running for federal Race To The Top educational dollars. Some Badger State elected officials are saying the debate over what was required to qualify may have been a factor. An Assembly Representative says the announcement does not lend credence to the argument by some that the legislature must approve a Mayoral takeover of Milwaukee Public Schools. Governor Doyle blames it on the legislature and Milwaukee not wanting to make needed reforms. A Ripon legislator says there is a second chance coming. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/19/2010) - Wisconsin State Senate Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston) is upset with accusations leveled at Democrats by Republican State Senator Scott Fitzgerald (Juneau). Fitzgerald says Democrats are raiding millions of dollars from the State Transportation Fund to use on what he calls Pet Projects, including fish fries. Senator Decker suggests that Fitzgerald should start using real facts, backed up with proof, if he can. The hub bub seems to be over a recent report on a Madison television station. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/05/2010) - Governor Doyle was in Wisconsin Rapids today to sign a bill that will pool federal recovery zone bonds to fund job-creating projects statewide. The Governor signed Senate Bill 440, authored by State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point), and Assembly Representatives Marlin Schneider (D- Wisconsin Rapids), and Louis Molepske, Jr. (D-Stevens Point), at a ceremony at Energy Composites. The bill will clear the way to fund projects like the company proposed wind turbine blade manufacturing plant in Wisconsin Rapids, projected to create 600 jobs. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/01/2010) - Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin (ABC WI) filed an injunction Friday, January 29, 2010, in Dane County Circuit Court to prevent the implementation of a new law requiring contractors to electronically file extensive payroll data when working on public works projects. The law, adopted last May as part of the budget bill, became effective this January. The association says it unfairly treats non-union contractors differently than union contractors. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/21/2010) - Governor Jim Doyle unveiled a new self-funded health care plan today for adults without dependent children who are on the state health care waiting list. BadgerCare Plus Basic will provide enrollees with limited access to physicians, hospital services, generic prescriptions and catastrophic coverage, and will be paid for entirely through a monthly premium of $130. The Basic plan is designed to be a bridge plan to keep individuals healthy while they wait for space in the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/14/2010) - People in the United States and in countries around the world are looking to assist in the recent earthquake disaster in Haiti. Many are unable to actively go to the country to help in digging out citizens from under the rubble of the buildings, but money and goods are needed to help survivors cope with being without lodging, food, water, and other basic needs. InterAction has a list of member organizations online that accept donations. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/05/2009) - Governor Jim Doyle (D-WI) has appointed State Assembly Representative Gary Sherman to the District IV Court of Appeals, following the retirement of Judge Bridge. The state Republican Party director suggests the Sherman appointment was payback for past vote switching, and the Republican running for his seat alleges Sherman accepted the judgeship because he would have a hard time defeating his opponent. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/17/2009) - Former State Representative Terri McCormick of Appleton has announced her bid to become the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in the Wisconsin Eighth Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Representative Steve Kagen, M.D. (D-Appleton). Kagen has represented the 8th District since 2007. He was preceeded by Republican Mark Green (1999-2006), Democrat Jay Johnson, and Republican Toby Roth (1989-1996). WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/12/2009) - State Representatives Amy Sue Vruwink (D-Milladore) and Marlin Schneider (D-Wisconsin Rapids) have requested that the Attorney General, the Government Accountability Board, and the Board of Regents investigate the possible violation of state law at various campuses of the University of Wisconsin system by gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker (R-Wauwatosa). Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/11/2009) - State of Wisconsin elected legislative representatives are observing Veterans Day in various ways today. Many of them are letting their sentiments be known during these hours of thanks and remembrance. WisconsinReport.com has published a few of the Veterans Day comments by State Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville), Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Reince Priebus, and Assembly Representative Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire). Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/28/2009) - Expressing concern that state government is hampering job creation and failing to protect seniors in a down economy, Ed Thompson (R-Tomah) has announced he will run as a Republican against incumbent Kathleen Vinehout for the 31st State Senate district. Vinehout (D-Alma) says she welcomes Thompson into the race to represent Trempeauleau, Buffalo, Jackson and Pepin counties and parts of Monroe, Pierce, Dunn, Eau Claire, and Clark Counties. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/23/2009) - The new State of Wisconsin Electronics Recycling Bill becomes the law of the state January 1, 2010. On that date, manufacturers of electronic items such as computers, televisions, printers, and fax machines, will be required to be responsible for collection and proper handling of disposing of the products. Also, beginning September 1, 2010 the landfilling or incineration of certain electronic devices will be prohibited. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/22/2009) - A State Assembly committee today heard landmark legislation aimed at protecting victims of sexual abuse by removing the civil statute of limitations in sex assault cases involving children. The Child Victims Act would eliminate limits on how long after a sexual assault on a child the suspect can be brought to trial. Similar legislation has been enacted in other states. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/14/2009) - The State of Wisconsin has created or saved over 22,000 full time jobs through the use of federal recovery funds allocated to the state to help ease the downturn in the economy, according to the State Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan of Janesville. Sheridan is predicting the ultimate creation of 70,000 jobs in Wisconsin. Read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/13/2009) - The Restore the Vote Wisconsin NOW! (RTV-WIN) Coalition members are testifying to the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs Tuesday, October 13, 2009 in support of a voting rights bill. The Wisconsin Democracy Restoration Act would enfranchise more than 42,000 Wisconsin citizens who live, work, go to school, raise families and pay taxes in our communities. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/22/2009) - The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a motion before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on behalf of five same-sex couples asking that the couples be allowed to participate in a lawsuit that will decide whether the newly enacted Wisconsin domestic partner law violates the State anti-gay marriage amendment. Click on headline above to read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/12/2009) - The State of Wisconsin has formed a task force to look into possible Wisconsin Shares fraud among childcare providers. The Wisconsin Shares Task Force is a state, local, and federal law enforcement collaborative that is designed to aggressively investigate possible abuses within the Wisconsin Shares Program. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/07/2009) - While all of the debate and rhetoric in Congress and on television and cable shows and radio talk programs continues, the State of Wisconsin is continuing to build what has been labeled BadgerCare. Click on the headline above for more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/01/2009) - Wisconsin starts collecting a new 75 cents per-pack cigarette tax today. The tax, according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, is estimated to prompt 17,000 Wisconsin smokers to quit while preventing 33,000 Wisconsin kids from ever starting. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/22/2009) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has issued a statement saying he will not represent the State of Wisconsin in defending domestic partnerships against a recent legal challenge filed with the State Supreme Court. The Attorney General's decision has brought forward disappointment from several quarters, including Governor Jim Doyle, as well as Fair Wisconsin, and One Wisconsin Now. The Executive Director of One Wisconsin Now says Van Hollen is flip-flopping on the issue, citing statements made by Van Hollen during the 2006 election season. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (08/18/2009) - Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle has announced that he will not seek a third term as Governor. Governor Doyle says he has decided to limit himself to two terms and is ready to go to accomplish as much as possible during his second and final term. Doyle's Republican opponents are suggesting that a self-imposed term limit has nothing to do with Doyle's decision not to seek a third term. The Republican Party of Wisconsin Chair says low approval ratings, a budget mess and embarassing stories may be the real reasons Doyle is quitting after his second term, but supporters disagree. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/29/2009) - State of Wisconsin officials are reminding people that the first day to apply for a Declaration of Domestic Partnership begins on August 3, 2009. The Declaration is a new vital record created under state law that the Department of Health Services (DHS) will maintain, along with other vital records such as birth and death certificates. The Department has been providing training and technical assistance for county clerks in preparation for August 3rd. Two unmarried adults of the same sex who are living together may apply for a Declaration at their local county clerk office. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/30/2009) - Governor Jim Doyle signed into law basic legal protections for same-sex couples, as part of the 2009-11 biennial budget. This makes Wisconsin the first state in the Midwest to legislatively enact basic legal protections for same-sex couples. The co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee is calling it a historic development in the lives of thousands of gay and lesbian families across the state, and, a step toward true equality in Wisconsin. It starts August 3rd. Opponents say its not a Constitutional move. Read more on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/29/2009) - State Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) says Wisconsin has now succeeded in what he calls a long struggle to bring mandatory auto insurance to Wisconsin. Governor Jim Doyle signed into law legislation that requires drivers in Wisconsin to carry auto insurance. Wisconsin joins the 48 other states that have what Carpenter calls a commonsense requirement. Meanwhile, some Republicans are voicing objections to some of the auto insurance requirements. Read more on this story and others at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/29/2009) - Joined by local officials, business and education leaders and Wisconsin citizens, Governor Jim Doyle signed into law today a state budget that builds upon the commitment to expand access to affordable health care coverage, invests in Wisconsin businesses that will create jobs and lead to future growth, and continues to protect priorities like education and police and fire protection, in the face of unprecedented national economic challenges. For the first time since 1977, the budget is being enacted before the start of the new biennium. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/18/2009) - The Wisconsin State Senate has passed a biennial budget bill for 2009-2011. As usual, there are misgivings by Republicans that majority party Senate Democrats were able to get the budget passed. However, Majority Leader Russ Decker says the version passed has no general sales or payroll tax increases, yet, it still protects working families, schools, and police and fire services from cuts. Another provision invests in highways, airports, bridges and harbors, and is expected to create about 10,000 jobs. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/9/2009) - In an outpouring of opposition, more than 2,100 business executives have signed petitions urging the Wisconsin Legislature to reject a state budget with $3 billion in higher taxes and expanded liability. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC) has declared that many members are opposed to a number of provisions in the state budget that would increase the cost of doing business in Wisconsin. The WMC says the items at issue would hamper job creation. Read more about it on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/20/2009) - State Representative Joe Parisi (D-Madison) and Senator Pat Kreitlow (D) Chippewa Falls) announced today they will be introducing a bill designed to protect the right of a journalist to keep sources and material gathered during the reporting process confidential. The legislation, which is currently being circulated for co-sponsors, is called the Whistleblower Protection Act, and has already been passed by 32 other states in some form. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/01/2009) - As of mid-morning today the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports 141 Swine Flu cases (H1N1) have been confirmed in 19 of the country's 50 states. However, there still has been only one death in Texas that has been attributed to the strain of flu virus that has caused illness in a large number of people in Mexico. So far Wisconsin seems to be spared from the CDC statistics, but there is news today that there may be two cases in Milwaukee. Meanwhile the ACLU has issued a caution. More information is on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/21/2009) - Legislation introduced today by State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) and Representative Spencer Black (D-Madison) would create stiff penalties for Wisconsin lawmakers who take jobs with special interests after leaving office. The bill seeks to close the so-called Revolving Door between government and special interests, which critics have decried as a major factor in government corruption. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/15/2009) - A Wisconsin State Senator is saying today is a great day to be a citizen of Wisconsin. Senator Neal Kedzie says what is being called the Taxpayer Tea Party taking place in Madison and elsewhere is more than a demonstration against high taxes. However, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chairman Joe Wineke says the Republican tea bag party is being bankrolled by special interest groups fighting to protect the Bush tax cuts for multi-millionaires and big corporations. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/10/2009) - What does a former Wisconsin State Senator do after he becomes a private citizen again? More than 300 individuals attended a landing party on April 4, 2009 in New Berlin, Wis. to witness the successful completion of former Wisconsin State Senator Dave Zien's one million mile ride on the same Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The feat earned him a world record from the Iron Butt Association. Read more about this story at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/07/2009) - Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) joined U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and UW Chancellor Biddy Martin to talk to UW-Madison students on campus about student credit card issues. The event was hosted by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG), which is part of the U.S.PIRG federation. 76 percent of undergrads have credit cards and, on average, leave school with 22-hundred dollars in credit card debt. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/04/2009) - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says the first priority of any government should be public safety. He made the statement while attending a get together of law enforcement professionals in Cambridge friday. Van Hollen is concerned about possible sentencing changes being discussed by State officials in Madison. Read more details at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/27/2009) - Governor Jim Doyle has signed into law legislation that will protect traveling sales crews from abuse by employers and sets regulations that also protect consumers and homeowners. Malinda’s Act, SB4, is a response to the tragic traveling sales crew van crash on March 25, 1999 in Janesville, which killed 7 people, including 18-year-old Malinda Turvey from Verona, and severely injured 5 others. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/19/2009) - The Institute for Wisconsin’s Future (IWF) is applauding Governor Jim Doyle and the Legislature for the tax reform ideas contained in both the budget-repair bill, which passed the Legislature February 18th, and the governor’s budget proposal for the 2009-2011 biennium, released February 17th. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/30/2009) - The Wisconsin Senate Labor, Elections and Urban Affairs Committee has passed a bill authored by Senator Russ Decker (D-Weston) to increase the minimum wage from $6.50 to $7.60 and then index it for inflation. If it gets through the legislative process the new wage would go into effect on June 1, 2009 and be indexed annually for inflation. Another bill that also made it's way through the committee is called the Wage Potection Act. The Wage Protection Act protects workers wages when a company goes bankrupt. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/27/2009) - Two bills intended to spur economic growth and create jobs in Wisconsin passed the State Assembly this afternoon, during the first working session day of the new Democratic majority. The American Jobs Act and the Wisconsin First legislation are both aimed at supporting companies that create jobs in the state. Both bills passed with strong bipartisan support. The Wisconsin First legislation passed with a 77 to 22 vote; the American Jobs Act passed with a 69 to 30 vote. More on the legislation can be found on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/05/2009) - The Wisconsin Joint Legislative Council has announced the formation of the Special Committee on Justice Reinvestment Oversight. The committee is a bipartisan, inter-branch body. The group's mission is to examine why Wisconsin’s prison population is growing and how the state can reduce recidivism and increase public safety. Governor James Doyle, Supreme Court Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, and legislative leaders requested such a study be made to determine how the criminal justice system in Wisconsin can be more effective. Doyle was Wisconsin Attorney General before becoming governor. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/8/08) - Government Accountability Board Director and General Counsel Kevin J. Kennedy has received the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) Award for Distinguished Service. COGEL is an international organization comprised of hundreds of governmental members who administer and enforce elections, campaign finance, ethics, lobbying and freedom of information laws. Each year, the organization recognizes an individual for outstanding long-term contributions to the organization. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/15/08) - The Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) has recognized a select group of legislators for their work on behalf of county government during the 2007-2008 Legislative Session with the WCA Outstanding Legislator Award. A number of Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly staffers were also recognized by the Wisconsin Counties Association. WCA Executive Director Mark O'Connell says the legislators proved that they were committed to issues that the association believed were important to the member counties. For more about the assembly representatives and state senators and legislative staffers recognized see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (07/31/08) - Biodiesel, a renewable fuel made in Wisconsin, is safer and better for the environment than conventional diesel, according to information from the U.S. Department of Energy. In other news, Governor Jim Doyle has announced a $2,880,128 project that will support improvements to the Burger Boat Company’s facility at the Port of Manitowoc. And, Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), is applauding the restoration of $250 million in federal funds for job training in the second Senate economic stimulus plan. For more on these stories, see WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/24/08) - Wisconsin U.S. Senator Russ Feingold has announced his endorsement and support for Stan Gruszynski in his bid to represent the people of the 36th Assembly district. Gruszynski is stressing the need for northeast Wisconsin to have a greater voice and more influence in the decision-making process in Madison. Gruszynski is re-entering state politics after leaving the Assembly several years ago when he represented Portage County. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/16/08) - A former Stevens Point, Wisconsin area State Assembly Representative is readying himself to re-enter the world of Republican vs. Democrat in Madison. Stan Gruszynski is now a resident of Marinette County and intends to seek the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin Assembly District 36. Prior to moving back to Eastern Wisconsin he represented the 71st Assembly District in Central Wisconsin. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/06/08) - Wisconsin consumers are now able to sign up their cell phone numbers to be added to the Do Not Call list starting today. The new list will be sent to telemarketers on September 1, 2008. To make that list consumers must sign up before the end of August. Adding cell phone numbers to the Do Not Call list became possible by including it in a recent Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill. Those wishing to be part of the Do Not Call cell phone list may register online at Wisconsin.Gov. WisconsinReport.com has more details on this story and many more added often on the internet at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (06/05/08) - Wisconsin Assembly Representative Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) says the federal Department of Energy’s Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management made progress toward its overdue legal obligation to secure a federal spent nuclear fuel storage area by submitting a license application to construct the Yucca Mountain repository. Montgomery is the current chair of the Assembly Energy and Utility Committee and served as the chairperson of a 2006 Wisconsin Legislative Council Special Study Committee on Nuclear Power. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will have three years to review the application. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/27/08) - Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is urging Wisconsin lawmakers to address the state's drunk driving problem as they consider law reforms following the outcry from people demanding change. The outrage stems from the April 25, 2008 crash in Oconomowoc that killed a pregnant woman and her daughter by a repeat drunk driver. The offender, Mark Benson, had three prior OWI convictions and was driving impaired on prescription medication without a license when he slammed his SUV into the rear of Jennifer Bukosky's car, killing Jennifer, her unborn child and 10-year old daughter and injuring her son. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/19/08) - Governor Jim Doyle has announced the appointment of State Senator Roger Breske of Eland, Wisconsin as the new Commissioner of Railroads. Breske’s term will begin June 4, 2008 and expire on March 1, 2011. Breske will leave the State Senate after 18 years to take the job as Commissioner of Railroads. Senator Breske will supervise five staffers in his new position. The office oversees a variety of highway rail crossing issues involving more than 4,000 crossings over public roadways throughout Wisconsin. Democrat Breske's appointment leaves the 12th State Senate District without an incumbent. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (05/17/08) - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen met friday, May 16, 2008 with law enforcement leaders, elected officials, community leaders, judges, and public safety officials from throughout Portage County at a law enforcement roundtable hosted by State Senator Julie Lassa and State Representative Louis Molepske, Jr. Topics discussed included internet crimes against children, prosecutor shortages, juvenile justice, alcohol and other drug addiction treatment program needs, and public safety funding. WisconsinReport.com, the place to read about people, places, politics, events and activities that matter, has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (04/02/08) - Partisan politics is still going strong in the state of Wisconsin, according to comments made by Republican Party of Wisconsin chairman Reince Priebus following the Spring Election, April 1st 2008. Wisconsin conservatives are claiming what they call convincing victories, replacing Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler, taking away Governor Doyle’s Frankenstein Veto power and winning key local government races including Scott Walker’s win in Milwaukee County. Butler, meanwhile, is concerned about the negative advertising of his opponent and groups outside of Judge Michael Gableman's campaign. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/29/08) - The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) is predicting a twenty percent turnout, or approximately 875,000 voters, to participate in the Tuesday, April 1st Spring Election. The election will include a state Supreme Court race and a statewide referendum regarding limiting the Governor’s veto power. The choices for Supreme Court are current Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler, and, Burnett County Judge Mike Gableman. There have been numerous, contentious commercials from both Supreme Court candidates' and from third parties. Tuesday it will be up to voters to decide what and who they believe. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/24/08) - A Wisconsin Assembly Representative who counts legislation about organ donation, drug assistance for seniors, and working on a statewide spending cap, as meaningful during the time he has served in the Assembly, is retiring. 57th Assembly District Representative Steve Wieckert has decided to not seek re-election this year. Republican Weickert is from the Appleton area, and expects to return to work there upon his retirement from public service. Wieckert is currently Assembly Housing Committee chairperson, and part of the narrow Republican majority in the Assembly. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/21/08) - The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin is encouraging all Wisconsin legislators to say no to Real ID. The ACLU position is that Real ID is an expensive, pointless, and overly invasive federal mandate. When President George W. Bush signed the Real ID Act a couple of years ago, it became mandatory that states become involved. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation currently must comply with Real ID rules by 2010. Even though Real ID is a federal law, states must finance the Real ID program, so the Wisconsin legislature is considering ways to do that. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/17/08) - The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV) is hailing the passage of the Safe Housing Act, SB 269, a bill designed to remove barriers facing domestic violence victims in housing. Last Wednesday, the Assembly unanimously backed the bill, and the Senate gave its final concurring and also unanimous vote on Thursday, last week. The Safe Housing Act allows victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to terminate a lease if they are in imminent physical danger and have an accepted form of documentation of the abuse. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/14/08) - A growing group of Wisconsin businesses, community groups and health care providers have announced a new coalition supporting the proposed Wisconsin hospital assessment. StopTheShift.org members say it’s time that the State Legislature do something about what is called the hidden tax that businesses have paid for too many years because of significant underfunding of Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. The coalition's broad-based membership includes Wisconsin Hospital Association, Aurora Health Care, Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, and other organizations. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/13/08) - When Wisconsin voters go to their polling places in April, among other things, they will be voting on a statewide referendum affecting the so-called partial veto that has been exercised from time to time by Governors from both sides of the aisle. The veto power of Wisconsin’s governor is one of the nation’s strongest, but a question on the April 1 ballot asks voters if that power should be limited. In addition to selecting a supreme court justice, voters will be asked if they want to amend the state constitution to limit the governor’s partial veto authority. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/13/08) - The Wisconsin State Assembly passed what is called a Budget Repair Bill Wednesday night, March 12th. Democratic Majority Leader in the Wisconsin Senate, Senator Russ Decker of Weston, Wisconsin, is calling the so-called Budget Repairs, Bush Budgeting At It's Worst. Decker suggests the Republican controlled State Assembly is favoring Wal-Mart over school kids, other businesses and residents of the state in some of the items included in the Budget Repair Bill. Wisconsin Assembly Republicans currently outnumber Democrats 52 to 47. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/10/08) - A new report from Citizen Action of Wisconsin documents large health care cost savings for Wisconsin families if a Wisconsin initiative called Healthy Wisconsin is enacted. The release of the report coincides with a hearing by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on a revised version of the comprehensive health care reform plan. Healthy Wisconsin, which has received national attention as a health care reform model, was passed by the State Senate this summer as a budget amendment, but was blocked by the State Assembly. The revised version, SB 562, is sponsored by Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), who is Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (03/03/08) - A Wisconsin judge is challenging a state provision that does not allow judges to be members of the political party of his or her choice. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge John Siefert has filed a constitutional challenge in federal court in Madison against a Wisconsin regulation barring judges from belonging to political parties. Judges are elected in Wisconsin on a non-partisan basis, and a provision of the Wisconsin Code of Judicial Conduct prohibits individuals from belonging to a political party while serving as a judge or running for judicial office. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/28/08) - In a move that brings Wisconsin closer than ever to implementing comprehensive campaign finance reform, the Senate Committee on Campaign Finance Reform, Rural Issues and Information Technology today passed Special Session Bill 1, which was introduced as part of Governor Doyle’s call for a special session on campaign finance reform. The bill is a combination of several proposals, including SB 12, which was offered by Senators John Erpenbach of Middleton and Mike Ellis of Neenah, and SB 171, which was authored by committee chairman Senator Pat Kreitlow of Chippewa Falls. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/28/08) - State Assembly Democrats yesterday rallied in support of an amendment written by Senator Spencer Coggs to divest Wisconsin from companies doing business with Sudan’s government. The argument for the amendment to Assembly Bill 623 points out that companies such as PetroChina give Sudan’s government ready access to the funds they need to continue committing unspeakable atrocities in Darfur. The Assembly Bill seeks to modernize the investment standards of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/19/08) - A Wisconsin legislative bill to add cellular phones to the highly popular Wisconsin “Do Not Call” list passed another hurdle today with positive action from the State Senate. Senate Bill 99 from Senator Jon Erpenbach does not cost taxpayers a dime, since Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection creates and maintains the list and charges fees to telemarketing companies to pay for the list. The Bill not only adds cell phones to the Do Not Call List, it also increases penalties, and has provisions for businesses. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/19/08) - The Wisconsin Senate has passed legislation that is aimed at creating Child Product Safety regulations. The bill was authored by Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point). Senate Bill 37 creates a system to ensure that state licensed and certified child care providers remove recalled children's products. It also gives the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection added teeth to penalize retailers who do not stop selling recalled child products. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/18/08) - Wisconsin State Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker of Marathon County has chosen to endorse U.S. Senator Barack Obama over U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton in tomorrow's Democratic Primary. Decker says Obama is the candidate best suited to address the challenges that America faces in today's global economy and bring real change to the broken system in Washington. The North-Central Wisconsin State Senator believes Obama stands for the issues that matter most to the residents of the State of Wisconsin. Decker says Obama has demonstrated he can unite the country. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/15/08) - State Representative Marlin Schneider of Wisconsin Rapids has introduced legislation to open the deliberations of the State Supreme Court and to provide criminal penalties against those who use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program otherwise known as CCAP to discriminate against employment and housing. The veteran Wisconsin Assembly Democrat is trying to do something for the numerous people who have contacted him about being victimized by the online Internet availability of court information that sometimes is misleading to users when incorrectly interpreted. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/15/08) - State Assembly Representative Gary Sherman of Port Wing, Wisconsin, has joined the growing list of state leaders who have issued statements of endorsement for Senator Barack Obama. Sherman, a past president of the State Bar of Wisconsin, has been representing the 74th Assembly District in the Ashland - Bayfield area of the state since 1998. He was elected vice chairman of Wisconsin Assembly Democrats in 2003 and 2005. Sherman says Obama can bridge the partisan divide and change federal lawmaking to be a positive force toward the quality of lives in Wisconsin and the United States again. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/14/08) - Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were in a virtual tie following a poll among members of the Wisconsin Counties Association. In the first ever presidential straw poll taken during last week's Wisconsin Counties Association Legislative Exchange, John McCain easily won on the Republican side, while on the Democratic side, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were in a tight race. Senator Obama won the Wisconsin Counties Association straw poll by just one percentage point over Hillary Clinton. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/13/08) - The man who says he defeated the Clintons several times while running for office in Arkansas wants to repeat the string of victories by becoming the Republican presidential candidate and defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November election. But, first, Huckabee must get past Senator John McCain in the Republican primary process. Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee brings his campaign against Republican primary leader John McCain to Wisconsin this week, hoping to do well in the Wisconsin Primary next Tuesday, February 19th. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/09/08) - Governor Jim Doyle signed nine bills into law Friday (February 8, 2008), including one that involves screening for military members who may have been exposed to uranium. Another bill signed into law by Governor Doyle makes it possible for an elected official to not be paid for their services, if they wish to do so. Still other legislation signed by Doyle affect child abuse and neglect, as well as hunting, fishing and game trapping in Wisconsin by members of the military. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/07/08) - State legislators from all corners of Wisconsin are rallying around Senator Barack Obama in the run up to Wisconsin’s presidential primary election on Tuesday, February 19th. Building on the growing momentum of the campaign and yesterday’s launch of a significant statewide TV and radio campaign in the state, 16 Wisconsin legislators have announced their endorsement of Senator Obama. The latest to join Governor Jim Doyle and others in the state who are endorsing Obama for President represent northern, southern, eastern and western areas of Wisconsin. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/05/08) - Republican State Representative Steve Wieckert of Appleton is introducing legislation that will help to stimulate the Wisconsin housing industry. The bill would allow individuals who have capital assets to sell that asset and use 100 percent of the funds to purchase a primary residence, without a tax consequence at that original point of sale. Taxes would be deferred. The portion of the home sale financed by the tax deferred sale of the original capital asset, would be payable when the home is sold. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/04/08) - Veteran Senator Roger Breske (D-Eland) has come under attack for his opposition to a unilateral, state-wide smoking ban. The Northwoods Democrat has successfully fought a ban to date because he fears hundreds of small taverns will be forced to close their doors if not given ample time to prepare to any statewide law prohibiting smoking. Breske believes his real world experience running a family owned tavern/restaurant for over 20 years gives him some insights on what government regulations and mandates can do to small business. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (02/01/08) - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen testified yesterday at a public hearing on partial birth abortion held by the state Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics. Van Hollen said Assembly Bill 710, which relates to partial-birth abortion, is carefully patterned after a federal statute that was upheld as constitutional by the United States Supreme Court in Gonzales v. Carhart. Van Hollen concluded that in his opinion, AB 710, if enacted into law as introduced, would also survive a constitutional challenge. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/30/08) - On the day after the Florida Republican Presidential Primary won by John McCain, a Wisconsin State Senator is announcing that he is supporting the candidate that McCain defeated in Florida. State Senator Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield) has announced his endorsement of Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States. With most of the votes counted from the January 29th Florida Primary, McCain had 36 percent of the votes, compared to 31 percent for Romney. Political commentators think McCain can go all the way to become the Republican nominee, however, Senator Kanavas disagrees. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/30/08) - Wisconsin State Senate Democrats unveiled their economic development plan today. The plan, Wisconsin Invests Now (WIN), focuses on investing in Wisconsin’s businesses, workers and infrastructure. Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston) said the plan’s focus on putting people to work now is critical to getting the economy going immediately. The plan is funded by closing the so-called Las Vegas Loophole, which has been called a tax scam that would save Wisconsin about 90 million dollars a year. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/24/08) - State Senator Kathleen Vinehout, who serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education, announced her support for a Cheese Cooperative Tax Credit brought forward by Governor Doyle in his State of the State address Wednesday evening. Senator Vinehout points out that in Wisconsin we’re known as Cheese Heads but this may not be the case if the government fails to give Wisconsin cheese co-ops the tools to stay on top of the competition. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/16/08) - Republican State Senator Sheila Harsdorf of River Falls applauded a sweeping 94-1 bipartisan vote in the State Assembly that will enable Wisconsin voters to ban the so - called Frankenstein Veto this April. The Frankenstein Veto was named after specific partial vetoes in which Governor Doyle cobbled together unrelated words amongst many other sentences to create altogether new sentences and new laws without legislative approval. Harsdorf says no governor should have the power to change the intent of legislators. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/10/08) - The Wisconsin State Senate Public Health Committee has taken an important step in advancing Senate Bill 150, legislation that would make all public places and workplaces in the state smoke-free. However, the Smoke Free Wisconsin group is unhappy that amendments were added to the bill by the committee that create loopholes for Big Tobacco and delay health protection for restaurant and bar workers for nearly two years. A coalition of public health and business groups is urging a vote on the Senate floor as soon as possible to correct and pass SB150. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/10/08) - State Senator Roger Breske (D-Eland) has announced he will not support the amended smoking ban bill which has passed out of the Senate Public Health Committee. The vote was 3-2, including bipartisan opposition from Senator Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) and Senator Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center), on Senate Bill 150 as amended. After Senator Kreitlow’s proposed amendment to delay the effective date for taverns and restaurants to April 1, 2011 failed, the Committee verbally amended the delay date to January 1, 2010, giving taverns and restaurants about one and one-half years instead of three years to adjust to the proposed change. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (01/09/08) - The Wisconsin Council on Children and Families is approving the decision by a key committee of the State Senate to recommend passage of a bill that would index the state’s minimum wage to inflation. Tieing Wisconsin's minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index would create automatic raises for those workers who are paid minimum wage. This would help people, especially those with families, keep up with the constantly rising prices of health care, and at the grocery and other stores people shop at for the necessities of life. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/26/07) - Just before the long Christmas weekend, Governor Jim Doyle signed legislation designed to provide Wisconsin consumers with more cable service choices, and potentially make consumer rates lower than might otherwise be possible. The Governor also preserved protections for cable customers through several vetoes. Under the new law, video service providers will continue to pay a fee to municipalities to support Public, Educational and Government (PEG) channels now available on local cable systems. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/12/07) - The Video Competition Act has been passed by the Wisconsin State Assembly. The Assembly voted to approve Assembly Bill 207 (12/11/07) and is being credited for taking decisive action to pass the legislation. TV4US Wisconsin, which has been working hard toward getting the Video Competition Act through the legislative process, and TDS Telecommunications, are two of the interested parties that are pleased Wisconsin viewers will now have the opportunity to choose from competing cable services. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/12/07) - Barriers to cable competition which have been in place since the 1970’s will be torn down following final legislative approval of the Video Competition Act according to state Representative Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon) and state Senator Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee). The Video Competition Act redefines the current cable franchising process by addressing new video technology and streamlining and centralizing the application process at the state level. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/12/07) - The Senate lead author of the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims bill applauded Assembly adoption of the bill and commended the Assembly author for his leadership on the bill. Former Senate Democratic Leader Senator Judy Robson says the vote shows it is not a partisan issue. The bill passed the Assembly 56 to 41. However, because of a procedural objection to a third reading in the Assembly, the bill will receive final Assembly approval in January and then will return to the Senate for concurrence. The bill then goes to the Governor. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/12/07) - Two key legislative priorities for domestic violence victims have passed legislative hurdles with unanimous support. The state Senate approved SB 269, the Safe Housing Act, to improve safety in housing for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Assembly passed AB 499, the Strangulation Prevention Enforcement Act. Both bills must still be approved by the respective other houses. The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence is hailing both pieces of legislation as critical efforts toward ending domestic violence in Wisconsin. WisconsinReport has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/11/07) - Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) announced that legislation she authored to create a fraud, waste and mismanagement hotline at the Legislative Audit Bureau has been passed by the State Senate. Senate Bill 86 requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to create a waste, fraud and mismanagement hotline where state employees and the general public can call anonymously 24 hours a day to report misuse of state funds. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/11/07) - The Wisconsin State Senate voted 33-0 to ban what has been called the Frankenstein Veto; wherein Governor Jim Doyle, or any Wisconsin Governor can cobble together unrelated words to create new sentences and laws never passed by the state legislature. State Senator Sheila Harsdorf (R – River Falls) has led a bipartisan effort to prohibit what Republicans are calling this abuse of the partial veto. Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald says he is pleased the Senate voted to send the constitutional ammendment to an April referendum. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/8/07) - State Senator Michael Ellis says Governor Doyle’s support for comprehensive campaign finance reforms is encouraging news for all who have long advocated such reform. Ellis added that he was particularly pleased that the special session bill to be introduced by Doyle will incorporate all of the provisions of Senate Bill 12, the comprehensive bipartisan legislation that he, Democratic Senator Jon Erpenbach and others have been pursuing for years. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/1/07) - Governor Jim Doyle has issued a call for a Special Session of the Wisconsin Legislature to take up campaign finance reform. The Special Session is set to convene on December 11th. The Governor is basically calling for the enactment of the bipartisan Ellis-Erpenbach legislation, Senate Bill 12, with a few tweaks. The Common Cause organization supports both Governor Doyle's decision to call the Special Session, and, the bill itself. WisconsinReport.com has more on this story. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/29/07) - Many Packer fans are upset about the Packers vs. Cowboys game only being available through the NFL Network, which most people in Wisconsin don't currently have access to. State Senator Spencer Coggs wants to do something about it for future games. Coggs says he is exploring legislation that would limit current and future taxpayer funded subsidies to the Packers, Brewers, University of Wisconsin Badgers and other teams if they play more than a quarter of their games on subscriber based TV networks. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/27/07) - When the Green Bay Packers play the Dallas Cowboys in a historic contest this week, most Packers fans will not be able to view the game on tv. The game between two teams with 10 wins and just one loss for the season will only be seen on the NFL Network. In most of Wisconsin, the NFL Network is only available by satellite. Wisconsin fans who have cable won't see the NFL Network, because some cable companies do not have an agreement to carry the network. A non-profit group called TV4US believes if the state assembly puts their approval on a senate bill called the Video Competition Act, the No-Packers dilemma could be eased for fans in the future. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (11/23/07) - Wisconsin Assembly Representative Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) and Representative Bill Kramer (R-Waukesha) have unveiled legislation that will repeal Wisconsin’s Unfair Sales Act which was put into effect nearly 70 years ago. If passed, the Competitive Marketplace Act would replace the Unfair Sales Act, also known as the Minimum Markup Law, which dictates that sellers of goods are forbidden from selling at prices below cost, and further requires that prices for gasoline, tobacco, and alcohol reflect a minimum percentage increase. The proposed legislation is expected to foster competition. WisconsinReport.com has more. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/10/07) - Legislation aimed at saving snowmobilers’ lives has passed the Wisconsin State Senate. Assembly Bill 526 extends a maximum speed limit of 55 miles per hour for snowmobile operation during hours of darkness in order to improve snowmobile safety efforts. The bill was authored by Representative Dean Kaufert (R—Neenah). When it is signed into law, it will extend the nighttime snowmobile speed limit that expired after last season for three more years. More on this and other stories at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/8/07) - Senator Julie Lassa (D – Stevens Point) has announced that Senate Bill 260, “Angie’s Law”, to strengthen the penalties for strangulation, received a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Corrections yesterday (11/7/07). “Angie’s Law” will strengthen the law to allow prosecutors to charge batterers with felonies instead of misdemeanors. This loophole is widely known among inmates in correctional facilities as a way to attack or control their partners without being charged a felony. More at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/8/07) - State Senator Roger Breske (D-Eland) has been elected Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. Breske succeeds Sen. Mark Miller who was appointed Senate Co-Chair of the Joint Finance Committee. The Senate Democratic Caucus consists of all eighteen Democratic Wisconsin State Senators. The Caucus meets regularly to discuss pending legislation and strategy, as well as any other issues the Senators wish to discuss. Read more at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/7/07) - After being passed by the Assembly in May and the Joint Finance Committee last week, the controversial “Video Competition Act” (Assembly Bill 207/Senate Bill 107) is scheduled to be debated by the Senate this Thursday (November 8th). Over the course of the past several months, a number of concerns have been raised regarding the impact that this bill will have on Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) channels as well as the public’s access to the affairs of its government. State Representative Louis Molepske, Jr. (D-Stevens Point), wants the PEG matter adequately addressed by the Wisconsin State Legislature. More details can be found at WisconsinReport.com. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/5/07) - Ag Day at the Capitol will be January 30 at the Monona Terrace in Madison. Ag Day at the Capitol is the largest gathering of farmers from across the state representing a variety of farm groups to learn more about state issues, and meet with their state representatives. More than 700 farmers attended last year’s Ag Day at the Capitol. The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation said Ag Day at the Capitol will likely include discussion on protection of the Right to Farm law, health care, renewal energy and nutrient management. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/3/07) - The Video Competition Act, which would open up the Wisconsin cable market to competition, recently passed on an overwhelming 13-3 bipartisan vote in the State Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance. The State Assembly has already passed the bill, and a vote on the State Senate floor is expected on November 8th. TV4US Wisconsin hopes passage will create better service and rates for consumers. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (11/1/07) - The new Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston) has appointed Senator Mark Miller (D-Monona) Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Finance. Joining Miller on the Joint Committee on Finance will be Senator Judy Robson (D-Beloit) and Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point). Robson and Lassa will be serving on the committee for the first time and will make the Senate membership fifty percent female legislators. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/24/07) - Last night the Wisconsin State Legislature finally passed a budget that took many long and arduous tries to come to something satisfactory to both Republicans and Democrats. The compromise budget was passed on what has been called a a bipartisan vote, sending the bill to the Governor’s desk for his review. The budget acted on by the legislature came out of a committee charged with the duty of coming up with the compromise announced last weekend. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/24/07) - Democrats in the Wisconsin Senate have decided to change the person who serves as Majority Leader. In a secret ballot they have turned over the leadership role to Senator Russ Decker from the Wausau suburb of Weston. Decker replaces Senator Judith Robson of Beloit. This brings the Senate Majority leadership position to a Senator from Wisconsin's Northwoods. Decker is expected to provide a stronger leadership role and message that many Senate Democrats would like to see from their Leader. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/15/07) - The Wisconsin State Senate has passed a budget compromise. After voting for the compromise budget, Senator Russ Decker (D-Weston) urged his colleagues in the State Assembly to meet the Senate in the middle and pass the bill soon. The budget passed by the Senate is the result of months of give and take from both sides. He says he hopes Assembly Republicans will put the rhetoric aside and pass the budget. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/13/07) - As gridlock continues over passage of a state budget, State Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) is proposing an overhaul of the Wisconsin's budgeting process designed to prevent future impasses. Under Darling’s proposal, the Legislature would assign portions of the Governor’s proposal to a number of joint legislative committees able to amend the bill yet still required to adhere to a set appropriation level. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/9/07) - State Representatives Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford), Frank Boyle (D-Superior), and Suzanne Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee Falls) have introduced bipartisan legislation at the State Capitol that would create a public information system and online registry of violent felons living in Wisconsin. The lawmakers’ legislation has been named “Leah’s Law” after a Superior woman, Leah Gustafson, who was brutally murdered last year by a neighbor with a violent criminal past. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/3/07) - In response to a state budget stalemate that is now dragging into its fourth month, State Representative Louis Molepske, Jr. (D-Stevens Point) will begin circulating legislation for co-sponsorship that will set budget benchmarks and hold state legislators accountable for unnecessary delays in passing a budget. Molepske hopes the Budget Accountability Act will correct the practice of late budgets. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (10/2/07) - Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson (D-Beloit) says there is no more time for excuses, Wisconsin needs the budget bill passed. She is urging Assembly Republicans to let the Assembly Speaker get the budget done, while Speaker Huebsch says Republicans are ready to do their part, but he has reservations. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM (9/28/07) – State Senator Roger Breske (D-Eland) has asked Assembly Republicans to get serious about working on an entire and complete budget package while Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Mark Jefferson called on Breske to stop being a pawn for Senate Democrat leadership and start fighting for the property taxpayers. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM - The Wisconsin Coalition Against the Death Penalty (WCADP) has expressed disappointment at the introduction of SB115, Sen. Alan Lasee’s bill to reinstate the death penalty in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Coalition Against the Death Penalty is a coalition of organizations and individual leaders dedicated to educating the people of Wisconsin about the fiscal and moral cost of re-establishing the death penalty. (read more)...
WISCREPORT.COM - Senator Julie Lassa (D - Stevens Point) voiced her support for Governor Doyle’s economic development, pro-family and clean energy initiatives as outlined in his fifth State of the State address. Sen. Lassa says is looking forward to working with Governor Doyle to make his vision a reality. (read more)...
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