League of Wisconsin Municipalities, ETF at odds over health insurance

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities isn’t waiting for any possible changes from state officials on local employees’ health care. Instead, the League is partnering with the insurer WEA Trust to launch a new product next year for cities and villages to cover their employees. The move represents the latest tension between the League and the state Department of Employee Trust Funds, which last week… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password * Remember Me    

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Draft Clarke super PAC paid for Trump inaugural tickets, raised little from Wisconsin

A super PAC Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke last month slammed as a “scam” in its efforts to push him into a U.S. Senate bid covered a key individual’s expenses for attending President Trump’s inaugural ball, according to a WisPolitics.com check of its FEC filing. The group, which billed itself as the “official draft campaign” for Clarke, reported pulling in $1.97 million over the first half… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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FRI REPORT: Draft Clarke super PAC paid for Trump inaugural tickets, raised little from WI

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers TABLE OF CONTENTS Quotes of the week Political stock report Draft Clarke super PAC paid for Trump inaugural tickets, raised little from Wisconsin League of Wisconsin Municipalities, ETF at odds over health insurance Week ahead Political TV Names in the news Lobbyist watch QUOTES OF THE WEEK There’s a whole lot of people out there scrambling to try and… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

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AG Schimel: Seventh Circuit grants state’s en banc petition in Dassey v. Dittman

MADISON, Wis. – Today, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has granted the State’s en banc petition in Dassey v. Dittman. Previously, a panel for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the grant of Mr. Dassey’s habeas petition, and the State requested review of that decision from the entire court. With today’s order, the entire Seventh Circuit will rehear the case for habeas. Oral arguments have been scheduled for Tuesday, September 26, 2017. Relevant court filings can be found here.

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Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation: Statement on U.S. Secretary Perdue’s visit to Wisconsin

Contact: Amy Eckelberg, Executive Director of Public Relations 608.828.5706 MADISON – Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Jim Holte hosted U.S. Secretary Sonny Perdue on his farm for a private event Friday, August 4. In attendance were more than 40 Farm Bureau members, Senator Ron Johnson, Congressman Sean Duffy and representatives from various commodity groups. Holte released the following statement following the event on Friday: “Thank you to Secretary Perdue for taking time to talk with the people who are impacted most by Washington’s decisions. His ‘Back to Our Roots’ tour gave many Wisconsin farmers a chance to explain the realities they

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Senate Democrats: Weekly democratic radio address- “Celebrate the Wisconsin State Fair”

Contact: Sen. Carpenter- 608-266-8535 WEST ALLIS, WI – Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) offered the following Democratic Weekly Radio address today regarding the opening of the Wisconsin State Fair. “The State Fair first started in 1851 in Janesville, and has a long tradition of bringing Wisconsinites together for unique entertainment and incredibly good food. Whether your focus is the first-class musical entertainment on the Main Stage, or seeing award-winning farm animals with your kids, the State Fair is a fun way for the family to enjoy all the great things in Wisconsin.” – Sen. Tim Carpenter The audio file of this

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Wisconsin Hospital Association: Urges Washington to act on health care

Contact: Mary Kay Grasmick 608-274-1820 MADISON (August 4, 2017) —– With the news that California-based health insurance company Molina Healthcare is abandoning Wisconsin’s insurance exchange, Wisconsin Hospital Association President & CEO Eric Borgerding called on Congress to act immediately to stabilize insurance markets and preserve coverage in Wisconsin: “Affordable coverage is critical to ensuring people can access health care. Continuing inaction by Congress is leading to uncertainty and turmoil and now threatening Wisconsin’s great progress in extending coverage to the uninsured. WHA agrees with the National Governors Association Health Committee, who in a statement yesterday urged the Administration to ‘fully

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Gov. Walker: Wisconsin’s financial outlook receives historic upgrade

Contact: Tom Evenson (608) 266-2839 Madison – Today, for the first time since 1973, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the state of Wisconsin’s General Obligation rating to Aa1, up from Aa2. “Since taking office in 2011, we focused on fiscal responsibility and our state’s finances have significantly improved as a result,” Governor Walker said.  “The upgrade in rating reflects our fiscal stability driven by bold reforms and accountable stewardship of the taxpayer’s dollar.  Moody’s decision to upgrade our rating, for the first time since 1973, shows that Wisconsin is working.” According to Moody’s report: Moody’s upgrade reflects the reserves and other

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Wisconsin Dept. of Children and Families: Child Support Awareness Month- a time to celebrate parents

Contact: Joe Scialfa or Gina Paige 608-266-9000 (MADISON) – In recognition of National Child Support Awareness Month, Governor Scott Walker has proclaimed August as a time to celebrate parents who provide the financial and emotional support children need to thrive, and to increase public awareness of the importance of the Wisconsin Child Support Program. Children are Wisconsin’s greatest resource and providing them the backing they need to become successful is the best investment any parent can make. In 2016, more than $938 million was invested into the well-being of children thanks to Wisconsin’s county and tribal child support agencies. “Children

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U.S. Sen. Johnson: Statement on Seventh Circuit Court

Contact: Ben Voelkel WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this regarding the president’s nomination of Judge Michael Brennan to join the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals: “The White House made a great decision in nominating Mike Brennan. He is eminently qualified and was the only candidate who received bipartisan support from the federal judicial nominating commission. Wisconsin, the Seventh Circuit, and our nation’s judicial system will be well served once he is confirmed by the Senate.”

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Waukesha Co. Dept. of Public Works: County Trunk Highway F (Main St.) to close August 7 at CN railroad crossing in village of Sussex

Contact: Gary Evans, DPW-Engineering Services (262) 548-7746 [email protected] (SUSSEX, WI) – A segment of Main Street (County Highway F) is scheduled for a closure on Monday, August 7 at 7 am until Friday, August 11 at 5 pm approx. for repair of the railroad crossing. The closure of Main Street is from Waukesha Avenue to 200 feet east of Waukesha Avenue. (map). A posted detour will route traffic around construction via CTH V and CTH VV (map). Throughout construction, access will be maintained to emergency and police officials, local residences, and businesses. With questions, please contact Gary Evans at 262-548-7746

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U.S. Sen. Johnson: Wisconsin senators provide recommendations to White House for district court vacancy

Contact: Ben Voelkel (Johnson) (202) 228-0071 John Kraus (Baldwin) (202) 224-6225 WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin announced on Friday their agreement to recommend to the White House four Wisconsinites for consideration to fill the open seat on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  The candidates, Michael Aprahamian, Gordon Giampietro, Kevin Martens and Richard Sankovitz, were recommended by a bipartisan federal nominating commission that the Wisconsin senators established in April 2013 to move federal nominations forward, including nominations to vacant federal judgeships in Wisconsin.  The full text of the Wisconsin senators’ letter of

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U.S. Congress: Reps. Sensenbrenner and Conyers urge AG Sessions to reconsider DOJ policies on asset forfeiture

Contact: Nicole Tieman, 202-225-5101 Shadawn Reddick-Smith, 202-225-6906 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and John Conyers (D-Mich.) sent the following letter to United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions to express concerns and objections to his proposal to expand the Department of Justice’s civil asset forfeiture program. The letter also urges AG Sessions to reconsider his newly-announced policies. Congressman Sensenbrenner: “Expanding the federal civil asset forfeiture program is a step in the wrong direction and I urge Attorney General Sessions and his Department of Justice to reconsider. I am a supporter of criminal asset forfeiture – the seizure of property after

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Kohl campaign: Will Grothman speak out against health care sabotage?

Contact: Rick Coelho (262) 236-6918 [email protected] Recent news reports have indicated that the Trump Administration is actively seeking opportunities to undermine crucial elements of the health care system. If pursued, these steps would lead to exorbitant increases in premiums, and make health care less accessible for working families across the 6th District. Voices across the political spectrum and many healthcare stakeholders have spoken out against this effort to undermine the system. “I am calling on Glenn Grothman to speak out against any Administration effort that will increase costs and reduce access for working families. People send their elected leaders to

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Wisconsin Hospital Association: Urges Washington to act on health care

Contact: Mary Kay Grasmick 608-274-1820 MADISON (August 4, 2017) —– With the news that California-based health insurance company Molina Healthcare is abandoning Wisconsin’s insurance exchange, Wisconsin Hospital Association President & CEO Eric Borgerding called on Congress to act immediately to stabilize insurance markets and preserve coverage in Wisconsin: “Affordable coverage

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Gov. Walker: Wisconsin’s financial outlook receives historic upgrade

Contact: Tom Evenson (608) 266-2839 Madison – Today, for the first time since 1973, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded the state of Wisconsin’s General Obligation rating to Aa1, up from Aa2. “Since taking office in 2011, we focused on fiscal responsibility and our state’s finances have significantly improved as a result,”

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U.S. Sen. Johnson: Statement on Seventh Circuit Court

Contact: Ben Voelkel WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said this regarding the president’s nomination of Judge Michael Brennan to join the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals: “The White House made a great decision in nominating Mike Brennan. He is eminently qualified and was the only candidate who received bipartisan

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U.S. Congress: Reps. Sensenbrenner and Conyers urge AG Sessions to reconsider DOJ policies on asset forfeiture

Contact: Nicole Tieman, 202-225-5101 Shadawn Reddick-Smith, 202-225-6906 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and John Conyers (D-Mich.) sent the following letter to United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions to express concerns and objections to his proposal to expand the Department of Justice’s civil asset forfeiture program. The letter also

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