Elections Commission rejects West for Wisconsin’s presidential ballot

The state Elections Commission voted 5-1 Thursday to deny entertainer Kanye West a spot on Wisconsin’s presidential ballot this November, ruling he turned in his nomination papers late. The commission also denied presidential ballot access to the Green Party’s ticket and granted access to the Libertarian Party. GOP appointee Bob Spindell was the only commissioner who supported keeping West on the ballot even though his campaign didn’t turn in his nomination papers until after 5 p.m. on Aug. 4. Spindell sided with the West campaign’s argument that the deadline of “no later than 5 p.m.” actually means 5:01 p.m. was

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THU PM Update: Kaul says Trump wants to destroy the postal service to win reelection

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — AG Josh Kaul touted his joining of a lawsuit against controversial postal service changes and accused President Trump of seeking to “destroy the post office” in hopes of creating an unfair election so he can win a second term. “This is not acceptable in a democracy, and we are not going to stand for that,” Kaul said during a vi… 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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Sargent campaign: Announces endorsement from Wisconsin Conservation Voters

MADISON– Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) released the following statement announcing an endorsement from Wisconsin Conservation Voters for her candidacy for Wisconsin’s 16th Senate District: “I am incredibly proud to share an endorsement from Wisconsin Conservation Voters. They have been active and dedicated proponents for clean water, clean air, accessible public lands, equitable democracy, and the pursuit of clean energy,” said Sargent. “I am honored to have earned their support, and I look forward to continuing to fight for a cleaner, more equitable Wisconsin.” Wisconsin Conservation Voters advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and

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Rep. Neubauer: Receives top spot on Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ 2020 legislative honor roll

MADISON – This week, the Wisconsin Conservation Voters released their 2019-2020 Legislative Scorecard, which reviews the performance of Wisconsin Legislators on conservation issues, bills, and votes each legislative session. Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) was named to the top of the “Conservation Honor Roll” for the session for her innovative Forward on Climate legislative package, released in December 2019. Rep. Neubauer released the following statement in response: “I am deeply honored to receive the top spot on the Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ 2019-2020 Conservation Honor Roll,” Neubauer stated. “Climate change is a defining issue of our time and will increasingly impact each and every

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Kaul says Trump wants to destroy the postal service to win reelection

AG Josh Kaul touted his joining of a lawsuit against controversial postal service changes and accused President Trump of seeking to “destroy the post office” in hopes of creating an unfair election so he can win a second term. “This is not acceptable in a democracy, and we are not going to stand for that,” Kaul said during a virtual voter protection rally today. In addition to suing over postal se… 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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Sierra Club: Applauds PSC decision to extend shut off moratorium

MADISON, WI –– The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted today to once again extend the utility disconnection moratorium for residential customers until October 1, 2020. The commission decided 2-1 to extend the moratorium in order to safeguard the public health of Wisconsin residents during the COVID-19 health crisis. The PSC had voted on June 11 to end the moratorium on utility disconnections on July 25, but then voted on July 23 to extend the moratorium due to the risk to people’s lives from the rising COVID cases in the state. The Sierra Club has been working with Wisconsin environmental and

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WisDems: VP Mike Pence dodges question on diverted testing supplies in Wisconsin

(WISCONSIN) — After holding an in-person campaign rally that saw very few attendees wearing masks and zero social distancing, Mike Pence was questioned this week about the administration diverting COVID-19 resources away from Wisconsin. After avoiding the question, Pence stated he was “not aware of a shortage of supplies.” “Donald Trump and Mike Pence ignoring the supply shortages facing Wisconsin is the exact kind of failed leadership that has led to over 170,000 Americans dying from this pandemic,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman said. “Wisconsin leaders have been shouting for months that we need more PPE and testing, but instead

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Dept. of Justice: AG Kaul & 23 AGs defend nondiscrimination laws and the rights of same-sex couples to be foster parents

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul and 23 attorneys general filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the City of Philadelphia’s nondiscrimination law and the right of same-sex couples to be foster parents (Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, No. 19-123). The brief argues that Philadelphia is entitled to require its own publicly contracted foster care agencies to follow the City’s nondiscrimination law and consider all qualified families seeking to care for children in need, without regard to prospective foster parents’ race, religion, or sexual orientation. “If successful, this challenge would harm foster care services

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Dept. of Military Affairs: 115th Fighter Wing first sergeant names Air National Guard’s outstanding first sergeant of the year

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. — Master Sgt. Chontelle R. Southworth, of the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, was selected as the Air National Guard 2020 Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year. Southworth, the 115th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, earned her diamond in 2017, but her military roots run back to childhood. Southworth’s father was a member of the Wisconsin ANG and encouraged her to enlist for the education benefits. Nearly 17 years later, Southworth has found her own “why” for serving, and it is the Airmen she encounters every day. “I’ve always been motivated to help others,

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WHEDA: Expands financing options for homebuyers

MADISON – The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority has expanded its single-family financing options to help more Wisconsin residents achieve the dream of homeownership. The new financing options include loans with increased down payment assistance of up to 6% of a home’s purchase price and an expanded number of lenders that may originate WHEDA Advantage FHA loans. Meanwhile, the current shortage of move-in ready homes has increased the utility of WHEDA’s Homestyle Renovation loans, which allow borrowers to finance all costs associated with purchase and renovation through a single 30-year, fixed rate mortgage loan. “For many prospective homebuyers, the lack of

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Marsy’s Law: Kalpic reappointed to Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse

MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers recently reappointed Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin Outreach Director Nela Kalpic to continue to serve as Domestic Abuse Knowledge Representative of the Council on Domestic Abuse effective August 17, 2020 to serve a term expiring on July 1, 2023. A survivor herself, Nela is devoted to helping other survivors, and has been recognized for her advocacy for victims of domestic abuse. She was awarded the Courage Award by former Governor Scott Walker and also serves on the Wisconsin Crime Victims’ Rights Board (CVRB), an independent body that oversees the application of Wisconsin’s victims’ rights laws. “I am

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Public Service Commission: Votes to further extend COVID-19 utility disconnection moratorium

MADISON – On Thursday, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) voted 2-1 to continue to stay a portion of its June 26 order, extending the moratorium on utility residential customer disconnections and refusal of service for nonpayment until October 1. The additional time will allow PSC staff to collect more data and information from utilities on their disconnection plans and collections, and monitor further the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The move comes as COVID-19 positive cases in Wisconsin continue to be reported in high numbers across the state. “We continue to base our decisions on the data

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Dept. of Workforce Development: Wisconsin adds 30,500 total non-farm, 25,500 private-sector jobs in July

MADISON – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) today released the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) preliminary employment estimates for the month of July 2020. The data shows that Wisconsin added 30,500 total non-farm and 25,500 private-sector jobs in the month of July. Wisconsin’s unemployment rate for July was 7.0 percent, down from June’s revised rate of 8.6 percent. Place of Residence Data: Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate in July was 64.9, 3.5 percent higher than the national rate of 61.4 percent. Wisconsin’s unemployment rate in July was 7.0 percent, while the national unemployment rate in July was 10.2

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Weekly Dem Radio Address: First Lady Evers on centennial celebration of women’s suffrage

  Audio file of radio address. MADISON — First Lady Kathy Evers delivered the Democratic Radio Address today on the centennial celebration of women’s suffrage and the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The first lady chairs the Wisconsin 19th Amendment Centennial Celebration Committee. Hello, Wisconsin, First Lady Kathy Evers here. This August, I am excited to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment and 100 years of women’s suffrage. As many of you may know, Wisconsin was the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment in 1919, and that milestone was reached after more than 70 years of constant effort by

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Dept. of Justice: New data available from the sexual assault kit initiative

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced updates detailing Wisconsin’s progress in obtaining justice for survivors of sexual assault and the prosecution of perpetrators now that all sexual assault kits designated for testing have been tested. Additional data has been updated and added to wisaki.doj.wi.gov. “The important work on cases involving previously backlogged sexual assault kits is continuing to move forward,” said Attorney General Kaul. “The Wisconsin Department of Justice is dedicated to working with law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim advocates to fight for justice for survivors.” As of August 19, 2020, 1,087 kits with foreign DNA identified have

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Elections Commission rejects West for Wisconsin’s presidential ballot

The state Elections Commission voted 5-1 Thursday to deny entertainer Kanye West a spot on Wisconsin’s presidential ballot this November, ruling he turned in his nomination papers late. The commission also denied presidential ballot access to the Green Party’s ticket and granted access to the Libertarian Party. GOP appointee Bob

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Sargent campaign: Announces endorsement from Wisconsin Conservation Voters

MADISON– Melissa Sargent (D-Madison) released the following statement announcing an endorsement from Wisconsin Conservation Voters for her candidacy for Wisconsin’s 16th Senate District: “I am incredibly proud to share an endorsement from Wisconsin Conservation Voters. They have been active and dedicated proponents for clean water, clean air, accessible public lands,

Read More »

Rep. Neubauer: Receives top spot on Wisconsin Conservation Voters’ 2020 legislative honor roll

MADISON – This week, the Wisconsin Conservation Voters released their 2019-2020 Legislative Scorecard, which reviews the performance of Wisconsin Legislators on conservation issues, bills, and votes each legislative session. Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) was named to the top of the “Conservation Honor Roll” for the session for her innovative Forward on Climate

Read More »

Sierra Club: Applauds PSC decision to extend shut off moratorium

MADISON, WI –– The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted today to once again extend the utility disconnection moratorium for residential customers until October 1, 2020. The commission decided 2-1 to extend the moratorium in order to safeguard the public health of Wisconsin residents during the COVID-19 health crisis. The PSC

Read More »

WHEDA: Expands financing options for homebuyers

MADISON – The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority has expanded its single-family financing options to help more Wisconsin residents achieve the dream of homeownership. The new financing options include loans with increased down payment assistance of up to 6% of a home’s purchase price and an expanded number of lenders

Read More »

Dept. of Justice: New data available from the sexual assault kit initiative

MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced updates detailing Wisconsin’s progress in obtaining justice for survivors of sexual assault and the prosecution of perpetrators now that all sexual assault kits designated for testing have been tested. Additional data has been updated and added to wisaki.doj.wi.gov. “The important work on

Read More »