WED PM Update: Kind not tipping his hand on impeachment ahead of expected vote tonight

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — U.S. Rep. Ron Kind has not yet indicated how he intends to vote on articles of impeachment against President Trump mere hours ahead of the expected vote. The La Crosse Dem is the only member of the Wisconsin delegation and one of only four in the House who have not yet taken a position on impeachment. A Kind spokeswoman indicat… 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 *

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State Senate Democratic Committee: Senator Darling approves self pay raise at the expense of Wisconsin State Troopers

MADISON, WI – The Joint Committee on Employment Relations (JCOER), which approves state employee compensation plans and contracts with represented state employees met today for the first time since February, 2018. Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) along with other Republicans on the committee approved a motion to increase their own salaries while also blocking action to increase the starting wage for Wisconsin State Troopers.   “There is no one more out of touch than Senator Darling when it comes to doing what’s right for Wisconsin law enforcement,” said SSDC Executive Director Katie Iliff. “Wisconsin State Troopers put their lives on

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Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association: Cheers lawmakers working to streamline dairy regulations, supporting farmers and processors

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today thanked Wisconsin State Senators André Jacque (R-De Pere) and Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire), and State Representatives Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City), Dave Considine (D-Baraboo), and Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) for introducing LRB 5012 to streamline dairy industry regulations. “Dairy farmers and processors have suffered great strain due to trade instability, a labor shortage, and poor weather conditions,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director.  “In eliminating some of the bureaucracy of running a dairy business, Sens. Jacque and Smith and Reps. Tranel, Considine, and Tauchen are taking meaningful action to sustain and spur

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Rep. Myers: Urges law enforcement to proceed with caution regarding operation relentless pursuit

MADISON – Representative LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee) urged state and local law enforcement agencies to act equitably and proceed with caution with regard to implementation of Operation Relentless Pursuit (ORP).  Operation Relentless Pursuit announced earlier today by Attorney General William Barr is an initiative aimed at combating violent crime in seven American cities, of which Milwaukee, WI, was one of the cities listed. According to Barr, the operation will involve increasing the number of federal law enforcement officers to the selected cities, as well as bulking up federal task forces through collaborative efforts with state and local law enforcement partners.  The surge

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U.S. Sens. Johnson and Booker: “Ban the Box” heads to President’s desk

Bipartisan legislation authored by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) that helps individuals with previous convictions find a better chance of employment passed the Senate Tuesday as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation now awaits President Trump’s signature. “Getting people back to work improves the safety of our communities, strengthens families, and reduces government dependence – goals that all Americans share,” said Sen. Johnson. “If someone getting out of prison wants to work and be a productive member of society, we should do everything possible to facilitate that. Today’s passage of the Fair Chance Act is

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U.S. Sens. Johnson, Grassley and Graham: Senators seek interviews with former Obama Administration officials regarding Burisma Holdings and Hunter Biden

WASHINGTON – Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are seeking records from and transcribed staff interviews with five former Obama administration officials: Antony Blinken Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Amos Hochstein Former senior advisor on international energy affairs to Vice President Joe Biden Catherine Novelli Former Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Victoria Nuland Former Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs David Wade Former Chief of Staff to Secretary of State John Kerry These

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Church campaign: Statement on impeachment

(Hudson, WI) – Jason Church, Republican candidate for Congress in Wisconsin’s Seventh Congressional District released the following statement on today’s impeachment vote: “With Democrats set to vote to impeach President Donald Trump today, it is clear we must rally behind our President. Democrats and career politicians are voting to impeach because they are simply trying to preserve their political power. By doing so, they are dismissing the votes of millions of Americans, particularly those of us in Wisconsin, who voted for President Trump in 2016. But we will not be silenced. I supported Trump from day one. I will continue

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Sen. Feyen: Pay increases for state employees approved

Note: If this post has anything to do with Evers, the Evers administration or lame-duck legislation and related lawsuits, please tag it as Evers Administration. Please delete this note before publishing…. 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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Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association: Applauds Senate committee approval of food labeling bills

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) applauds members of the Wisconsin State Senate Committee on Agriculture, Revenue and Financial Institutions who today approved two bills to protect consumers from misleading labels on imitation “dairy” products. “Our dairy processor members are deeply gratified that our state leaders recognize the basic unfairness of competing beverages and food companies brazenly taking and using timeless dairy terms like milk and cheese,” said John Umhoefer, WCMA Executive Director. Authored by State Senator Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green), Senate Bill 463 bans the labeling of foods as dairy products or dairy ingredients if the

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Sen. Shilling: Republicans abandon state troopers

MADISON, WI – The Joint Committee on Employment Relations that oversees employee compensation plans and contracts with represented state employees met to consider the 2019-2021 Compensation Plan. Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) and Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statements after legislative Republicans refused to approve a state contract for Wisconsin State Troopers: “Wisconsin State Troopers work tirelessly and put their lives on the line every day to keep families and communities safe,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse). “For years, State Troopers haven’t seen a wage increase because Republicans have prioritized tax

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Wisconsin Property Taxpayers: Sen. Testin presented with 2019 Property Taxpayer Champion Award

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, John Jacobson, the Government Relations Director for Wisconsin Property Taxpayers Inc., set aside time to visit the State Capitol to present Senator Patrick Testin (Stevens Point) with the 2019 Property Taxpayer Champion Award.   “It’s important for us to recognize legislators who go above and beyond in their service to the taxpayers, and Senator Testin has a great record of doing just that,” said Mr. Jacobson. “We appreciate his efforts to give farmers new opportunities with the reintroduction of hemp, as well as his sensible approach to pro-growth, reasonable tax policies.”

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Democratic Party of Wisconsin: WisDems chair on voter purge: “No matter where it goes, we’ll keep fighting”

(MADISON, WI) — Donald Trump and his right-wing henchman are already hard at work trying to rig the 2020 election as they try to purge 234,000 voters from the rolls. “Trump and his right-wing allies know that after three years of broken promises to lower prescription drug costs, raise wages, and improve trade markets for our farmers and manufacturers, Wisconsinites can’t afford four more years of this president,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman said. “Now, he and his right-wing lackeys are trying to rig the election by kicking Democratic voters off the rolls instead of winning fair and square.

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Rep. Dittrich: Adoption bills head to Assembly floor

Madison – Today, State Representative Barbara Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) is pleased to share the news that all 8 bills introduced by the Speaker’s Task Force on Adoption were passed by the Assembly Committee on Family Law on Tuesday, December 17th. “I am exceptionally delighted to see these bills move through the committee process. These bills are the result of many long hours listening to families, judges, corporation counsels, adoption organizations, and agencies during the many hearings held around the state this summer. I am incredibly grateful to Speaker Vos for naming me chair of this task force, as well as for the

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Legislative Audit Bureau: Announces the release of Report 19-29, State Investment Fund

We provided an unmodified opinion on the financial statements of the State Investment Fund for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. The financial statements and our audit opinion are published separately in the State of Wisconsin Investment Board’s State Investment Fund Annual Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. On the basis of generally accepted accounting principles, the net position of the State Investment Fund increased from $9.3 billion as of June 30, 2018 to $12.9 billion as of June 30, 2019. Briefing Sheet A mobile-friendly version of the briefing sheet is also available: Mobile Briefing Sheet

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Rep. Vining: Asks for families to share their stories – why are universal changing stations important?

MADISON – Yesterday, State Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa), State Representative Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg), Representative Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) and State Senator Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) introduced the “Universal Changing Stations” bill, LRB-3453, that would install adult sized changing stations in certain buildings and create a tax credit for small businesses to install these stations. Today, Rep. Vining is asking for families and residents across the state to share their stories about why Wisconsin needs Universal Changing Stations: “I am so thrilled by the positive feedback we have received for our Universal Changing Stations legislation. People in my district and across the state

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Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association: Cheers lawmakers working to streamline dairy regulations, supporting farmers and processors

MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association (WCMA) today thanked Wisconsin State Senators André Jacque (R-De Pere) and Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire), and State Representatives Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City), Dave Considine (D-Baraboo), and Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) for introducing LRB 5012 to streamline dairy industry regulations. “Dairy farmers and processors

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Rep. Myers: Urges law enforcement to proceed with caution regarding operation relentless pursuit

MADISON – Representative LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee) urged state and local law enforcement agencies to act equitably and proceed with caution with regard to implementation of Operation Relentless Pursuit (ORP).  Operation Relentless Pursuit announced earlier today by Attorney General William Barr is an initiative aimed at combating violent crime in seven American

Read More »

U.S. Sens. Johnson and Booker: “Ban the Box” heads to President’s desk

Bipartisan legislation authored by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) that helps individuals with previous convictions find a better chance of employment passed the Senate Tuesday as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation now awaits President Trump’s signature. “Getting people back to work improves

Read More »

U.S. Sens. Johnson, Grassley and Graham: Senators seek interviews with former Obama Administration officials regarding Burisma Holdings and Hunter Biden

WASHINGTON – Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are seeking records from and transcribed staff interviews with five former Obama administration officials: Antony Blinken Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Amos Hochstein

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Church campaign: Statement on impeachment

(Hudson, WI) – Jason Church, Republican candidate for Congress in Wisconsin’s Seventh Congressional District released the following statement on today’s impeachment vote: “With Democrats set to vote to impeach President Donald Trump today, it is clear we must rally behind our President. Democrats and career politicians are voting to impeach

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Sen. Feyen: Pay increases for state employees approved

Note: If this post has anything to do with Evers, the Evers administration or lame-duck legislation and related lawsuits, please tag it as Evers Administration. Please delete this note before publishing…. Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free

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Sen. Shilling: Republicans abandon state troopers

MADISON, WI – The Joint Committee on Employment Relations that oversees employee compensation plans and contracts with represented state employees met to consider the 2019-2021 Compensation Plan. Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling (D-La Crosse) and Assembly Democratic Leader Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) released the following statements after legislative Republicans refused to

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Rep. Dittrich: Adoption bills head to Assembly floor

Madison – Today, State Representative Barbara Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) is pleased to share the news that all 8 bills introduced by the Speaker’s Task Force on Adoption were passed by the Assembly Committee on Family Law on Tuesday, December 17th. “I am exceptionally delighted to see these bills move through the committee

Read More »

Rep. Vining: Asks for families to share their stories – why are universal changing stations important?

MADISON – Yesterday, State Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa), State Representative Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg), Representative Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) and State Senator Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) introduced the “Universal Changing Stations” bill, LRB-3453, that would install adult sized changing stations in certain buildings and create a tax credit for small businesses to install

Read More »