MON PM Update: Bill would no longer require guvs call special elections ‘as promptly as possible’

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — Guvs would no longer have to call special elections “as promptly as possible” to fill legislative vacancies under a plan GOP leaders introduced today to undercut a Dane County judge’s order. The bill, which would apply to the open 1st SD and 42nd AD, also would create a new requirement that would mean legislative vacancies occur… 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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AG Schimel: Encourages Schools to Participate in School Safety Grant Program

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Brad Schimel released the following statement in response to Governor Walker signing school safety legislation today. “I credit the bipartisan group of Wisconsin State legislators and Governor Walker for quickly turning our proposed School Safety Program into action items. The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of School Safety will be established immediately and staffed by existing agency personnel until a permanent director is hired. I look forward to providing necessary training and resources to make our children safer and welcome these significant responsibilities because I know that DOJ is best suited to provide public safety

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Dept. of Transportation: State driver licenses and IDs are the most common forms of proof of identity to show at the polls

Anyone who doesn’t have an ID needed to vote in the Wisconsin Spring Election should start the process now Wisconsin driver licenses or IDs are the most common forms of proof of identity. There is no separate “voter ID.” Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) encourages voters to check and be sure that they have the proper identification needed to vote in the Wisconsin state election, Tuesday, April 3, 2018. DMV offices will be open onFriday, March 30 and those service centers with Saturday hours, will be open on Saturday, March 31. The Wisconsin Elections Commission notes other forms of identification are

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Board of Commissioners of Public Lands: $35.7 million for Wisconsin’s public school libraries

Contact: Board of Commissioners of Public Lands Jonathan B. Barry, Executive Secretary (608) 266-8369 WISCONSIN DELLS – Wisconsin’s K-12 public school libraries will receive $35.7 million thanks to earnings from Common School Fund investments, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) announced today.  BCPL board members Attorney General Brad Schimel and Secretary of State Doug La Follette presented Dr. Tony Evers, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, with a ceremonial check at the Wisconsin Educational & Media Technology Association’s (WEMTA) annual conference at the Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.  BCPL board member Matt Adamczyk, State Treasurer, was not able to attend.

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Speaker Ryan: Prague, Day One: Solidarity of Western Alliance, Stronger U.S.-Czech Ties

CONTACT  AshLee Strong, Doug Andres 202-225-0600 PRAGUE—House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) today underscored the importance of the solidarity of the Western alliance and stronger U.S.-Czech ties during a visit to mark the centennial of diplomatic relations between our two nations. At a meeting with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, the two leaders discussed a range of defense and economic issues as well as the decision by the U.S. and NATO allies to expel Russian diplomats following the attack on British soil. In the evening, Speaker Ryan took part in a working dinner with Prime Minister Babiš and Ambassador Stephen B. King at the Ambassador’s

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U.S. Sen. Baldwin: Hosts Roundtable with La Crosse County Officials on Fighting the Opioid Epidemic

Contact: [email protected], 202-224-6225 Baldwin helped secure a $3 billion increase in federal funding to fight the opioid epidemic in the bipartisan spending legislation signed by President Trump LA CROSSE, WI – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today hosted a roundtable with La Crosse County law enforcement and health officials to get an update on the county’s efforts to address drug abuse in the community and ensure that La Crosse County officials have the tools they need to combat the opioid epidemic and save lives. Senator Baldwin has been pushing for expanded resources to help fight the opioid epidemic that is devastating

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Rep. Shankland: To Hold Office Hours on Saturday

Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland, office: (608) 267-9649 Location will be at the Stevens Point Area Winter Farmers’ Market STEVENS POINT – Representative Katrina Shankland (D–Stevens Point) is pleased to announce her upcoming office hours on Saturday, March 31. Rep. Shankland hosts office hours every month around the 71st Assembly District to hear from her constituents. Members of the public are invited to join Rep. Shankland to share their questions and concerns about any matters facing state government. Saturday, March 31 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Redeemer Lutheran Church 900 Brilowski Road Stevens Point, WI 54482

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Monsanto using weather-monitoring system from Madison startup

Monsanto is using a weather-monitoring system from a Madison-based startup to improve farming operations in Argentina. Understory’s weather network relies on a distributed system of sensors that provide insight to customers on rainfall, temperature, humidity and evapotranspiration — a measure of moisture loss in plants. It can also display where plants are in their life cycles. Monsanto will use this information to inform decision-making related to irrigation, seed production and harvesting. Giovanni Piccinni, Monsanto’s global supply chain field optimization lead, says: “We anticipate this being an important and valuable partnership.” “Understory provides the only technology necessary to make hyper-local weather

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Sen. Shilling: Statement on extraordinary session

Contact: Kate Constalie, [email protected], 608-266-5490 MADISON, WI – Following Senator Fitzgerald and Speaker Vos’s call for extraordinary session to further rig special elections in Wisconsin, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement: “Gov. Walker and legislative Republicans are so desperate to maintain their grip on power that they are changing laws to silence voters. The Republican-led efforts to prevent court-ordered special elections from being held is the height of corruption and the public should not accept this abuse of power.”

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GOP bill drops requirement guvs have to call special elections ‘as promptly as possible’

Guvs would no longer have to call special elections “as promptly as possible” to fill legislative vacancies under a plan GOP leaders introduced Monday to undercut a Dane County judge’s order. The bill, which would apply to the open 1st SD and 42nd AD, also would create a new requirement that would mean legislative vacancies occurring after early December of odd-numbered years would not be filled until the regular November election the following year. Rep. Keith Ripp, R-Lodi, and Sen. Frank Lasee, R-De Pere, resigned Dec. 29 to join the Walker administration. Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling blasted Republicans, saying

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AG Schimel: Encourages Schools to Participate in School Safety Grant Program

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Brad Schimel released the following statement in response to Governor Walker signing school safety legislation today. “I credit the bipartisan group of Wisconsin State legislators and Governor Walker for quickly turning our proposed School Safety Program into action items. The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office

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Board of Commissioners of Public Lands: $35.7 million for Wisconsin’s public school libraries

Contact: Board of Commissioners of Public Lands Jonathan B. Barry, Executive Secretary (608) 266-8369 WISCONSIN DELLS – Wisconsin’s K-12 public school libraries will receive $35.7 million thanks to earnings from Common School Fund investments, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) announced today.  BCPL board members Attorney General Brad Schimel and

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Rep. Shankland: To Hold Office Hours on Saturday

Contact: Rep. Katrina Shankland, office: (608) 267-9649 Location will be at the Stevens Point Area Winter Farmers’ Market STEVENS POINT – Representative Katrina Shankland (D–Stevens Point) is pleased to announce her upcoming office hours on Saturday, March 31. Rep. Shankland hosts office hours every month around the 71st Assembly District

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Monsanto using weather-monitoring system from Madison startup

Monsanto is using a weather-monitoring system from a Madison-based startup to improve farming operations in Argentina. Understory’s weather network relies on a distributed system of sensors that provide insight to customers on rainfall, temperature, humidity and evapotranspiration — a measure of moisture loss in plants. It can also display where

Read More »

Sen. Shilling: Statement on extraordinary session

Contact: Kate Constalie, [email protected], 608-266-5490 MADISON, WI – Following Senator Fitzgerald and Speaker Vos’s call for extraordinary session to further rig special elections in Wisconsin, Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) released the following statement: “Gov. Walker and legislative Republicans are so desperate to maintain their grip on power

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