Sens. Pfaff, Agard: Let’s get back to the Wisconsin way

Contact: Senator Brad Pfaff, 608-266-5490 Senator Melissa Agard 608-266-9170 It’s time to confirm Governor Evers’ appointees now MADISON, WI – Today, the Wisconsin State Senate voted to confirm incoming Sergeant-at-Arms Tom Engels despite short notice and a process that limited the input of the minority party. Despite this, Senator Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) and Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison) voted to confirm Engels to try and bring about a better way of politics in Wisconsin and to highlight the need for Senate Republicans to bring forward votes on numerous gubernatorial appointees awaiting confirmation. Throughout Governor Evers’ term in office, Senate Republicans have

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WED PM Update: Appeals court rejects GOP request in lawsuit over redistricting law firms

Exclusively for WisPolitics Subscribers From WisPolitics.com … — A 3rd District Court of Appeals judge has rejected a request by GOP legislative leadership to stay a lower court ruling that voided contracts with private law firms in anticipation of a redistricting lawsuit. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, had asked to put the Da… 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     Forgot Password

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Susan B. Anthony List targets Kind over Hyde Amendment

The anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List launched an ad campaign today targeting U.S. Rep. Ron Kind and seven other members of Congress for supporting elimination of the Hyde Amendment, which would mean tax dollars could go towards funding abortions. The 30-second digital ad, which airs on Facebook and other streaming platforms in Kind’s district, says the La Crosse Dem “and his radical allies want to force you to pay for abortions, even painful late-term abortions.” A spokeswoman for the group did not say how much money was spent on the campaign against Kind, but the entire campaign, including ads

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U.S. Rep. Fitzgerald: Passes first bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald’s (WI-05) bill, H.R. 3239, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote. This is Congressman Fitzgerald’s first stand-alone bill to receive floor consideration and pass in the House of Representatives. After passage of the bill, Congressman Fitzgerald made the following statement: “My bill would clean up certain portions of United States Code in order to make laws easier to read and interpret, and would also have the significant benefit of preventing frivolous lawsuits that may arise when the wording of statutory language is unclear, thereby saving taxpayer dollars. I’m proud of the

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Senate passes bill to allow transfer students to participate in interscholastic sports

The state Senate passed a bill that would allow transfer students to participate in school sports. The bill would prohibit school districts from participating in the state’s interscholastic sports unless they make an exception to allow transfer students to play sports in the 2021-22 school year. No lawmakers spoke ahead of the vote. The bill passed the Assembly yesterday along party lines. After today’s voice vote, it now goes to the governor for final approval. An Evers spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, the ruling body over interscholastic sports in the state,

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Senate sends opioid settlement bill to Evers

Senators today nearly along party lines passed a bill that would give the GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee final say over opioid lawsuit settlements. AB 374 puts in place guidelines on how the state should handle lawsuit settlements from opioid manufacturers. It would also require 30 percent of the settlements to go to state coffers, with the remaining 70 percent split between local governments. The bill passed the Legislature’s upper chamber 19-11 and now goes to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk. No lawmakers spoke ahead of the vote. Dem Sen. Lena Taylor, of Milwaukee, broke with Dems and joined the majority in

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Owens campaign: Receives Wisconsin Right to Life endorsement

MADISON, Wis. — The Ryan Owens campaign continues to pick up key endorsements. Today, Wisconsin Right to Life released the following endorsement statement regarding Owens and the Wisconsin Attorney Generals’ race. “Dear Mr. Owens, I am pleased to inform you that the Wisconsin Right to Life Political Action Committee has enthusiastically endorsed your candidacy for election to the Attorney General of Wisconsin. We deeply appreciate your strong advocacy for the right to life. Over the course of your time on the campaign trail, we have been privileged to witness your vocal support of legislative measures that protect the sanctity of life and

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Evers signs four police bills as eight others head to Senate

Today’s Midday podcast covers four police policy overhaul bills signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers that primarily deal with police use of force and transparency. Eight other bills dealing with police policies, including no-knock warrants, are past the Assembly and headed to the Senate. wispolitics · Evers signs four police bills as eight others head to Senate

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Senate sends Evers bill prohibiting enforcement of certain future federal gun laws

The Senate voted today to send Gov. Tony Evers a bill that would prohibit Wisconsin law enforcement from enforcing certain future federal gun laws. AB 293, concurred in through a voice vote, would prohibit enforcing federal laws that take effect on or after Jan. 1 this year if they ban or restrict assault weapons or magazines, or if they require registration of firearms, magazines or other firearm accessories, among other things. It would also prohibit any state or local agency from spending money or using other resources to confiscate lawfully possessed firearms. Also under the bill, Wisconsin-made firearms would bear

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Fair Elections Project: Statement on Senate passage of AB 369

MADISON — Fair Elections Project Director Sachin Chheda released the following statement in response to the 18-12 vote on AB 369 in the Wisconsin State Senate. “The Senate repeated the mistakes of Assembly Speaker Vos and Assembly Republicans, and failed to solve the underlying concerns of local government. A fair, transparent, bottom-up redrawing process can be accomplished in weeks, but legislative Republicans would rather put our election timeline at risk here in Wisconsin and unconstitutionally deprive Wisconsinites of their right to vote. We stand with the overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites who do not trust the tactics of Speaker Vos and

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Senate approves delay for local redistricting, now heads to Evers

The Senate voted today to send Gov. Tony Evers a bill that would delay redrawing of boundaries for city councils and county boards. Under AB 369, the February 2022 primary and April 2022 general election for local offices would be held under current maps drawn in 2011. The bill, concurred in 18-12 along party lines, would not affect the timing of redistricting for congressional or legislative districts, which must be redrawn before the 2022 election. It also would require municipalities to draw wards that take into account any legislative or congressional maps drawn off the 2020 census numbers. Sen. Jeff

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Sens. Pfaff, Agard: Let’s get back to the Wisconsin way

Contact: Senator Brad Pfaff, 608-266-5490 Senator Melissa Agard 608-266-9170 It’s time to confirm Governor Evers’ appointees now MADISON, WI – Today, the Wisconsin State Senate voted to confirm incoming Sergeant-at-Arms Tom Engels despite short notice and a process that limited the input of the minority party. Despite this, Senator Brad

Read More »

Susan B. Anthony List targets Kind over Hyde Amendment

The anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List launched an ad campaign today targeting U.S. Rep. Ron Kind and seven other members of Congress for supporting elimination of the Hyde Amendment, which would mean tax dollars could go towards funding abortions. The 30-second digital ad, which airs on Facebook and other

Read More »

U.S. Rep. Fitzgerald: Passes first bill

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Scott Fitzgerald’s (WI-05) bill, H.R. 3239, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote. This is Congressman Fitzgerald’s first stand-alone bill to receive floor consideration and pass in the House of Representatives. After passage of the bill, Congressman Fitzgerald made the following statement: “My

Read More »

Senate sends opioid settlement bill to Evers

Senators today nearly along party lines passed a bill that would give the GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee final say over opioid lawsuit settlements. AB 374 puts in place guidelines on how the state should handle lawsuit settlements from opioid manufacturers. It would also require 30 percent of the settlements to

Read More »

Owens campaign: Receives Wisconsin Right to Life endorsement

MADISON, Wis. — The Ryan Owens campaign continues to pick up key endorsements. Today, Wisconsin Right to Life released the following endorsement statement regarding Owens and the Wisconsin Attorney Generals’ race. “Dear Mr. Owens, I am pleased to inform you that the Wisconsin Right to Life Political Action Committee has enthusiastically endorsed

Read More »

Evers signs four police bills as eight others head to Senate

Today’s Midday podcast covers four police policy overhaul bills signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers that primarily deal with police use of force and transparency. Eight other bills dealing with police policies, including no-knock warrants, are past the Assembly and headed to the Senate. wispolitics · Evers signs four

Read More »

Fair Elections Project: Statement on Senate passage of AB 369

MADISON — Fair Elections Project Director Sachin Chheda released the following statement in response to the 18-12 vote on AB 369 in the Wisconsin State Senate. “The Senate repeated the mistakes of Assembly Speaker Vos and Assembly Republicans, and failed to solve the underlying concerns of local government. A fair,

Read More »