An immigration rights organization revealed a memo Monday that includes legal agreements signed by nearly all Republican state lawmakers promising not to comment publicly about redistricting discussions while new GOP maps were being drafted.  The group, Voces de la Frontera, released an official complaint Tuesday, which included a lawsuit challenging… Read more »

A former county-level staffer for Gov. Scott Walker pleaded guilty to two felony charges on Tuesday as the ongoing 20-month investigation into Walker’s former campaign staff continues.  Darlene Wink, a former Milwaukee County employee under Walker’s tenure as Milwaukee County Executive, entered a guilty plea for two felony charges of… Read more »

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, announced his plans to challenge more than 3,000 recall signatures as the Government Accountability Board simultaneously addressed several issues surrounding the recall petitions Tuesday. The Associated Press reported Tuesday Fitzgerald planned to challenge the legitimacy of the 3,000 signatures, which would be enough to stop… Read more »

State election officials could see a cut in their power to regulate campaign finance if a bill legislators considered Monday makes its way through the House and Senate. According to a Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules report, the bill would remove the Government Accountability Board’s ability to regulate corporation and individual campaign expenditures.  At a… Read more »

With a potential recall election months away, an independent candidate has declared he will join the race for governor.  In two ads aired locally before and after the Super Bowl Sunday night, Brookfield physician and kidney specialist Hariprasad “Hari” Trivedi announced his intentions to run as an independent candidate in… Read more »

Taxpayers throughout the country could see a more leveled rate under a proposal U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., revealed during a conference call Monday. The proposal would would ensure middle class workers do not pay a higher tax rate than those earning more than $1 million annually.  In a statement… Read more »

Possible fraudulent usage of Wisconsin’s FoodShare program has spurred further investigation into the program by the Department of Health Services. The Wisconsin State Legislature Joint Audit Committee released a report of the allegations Friday as part of a comprehensive audit process, and will publish a more detailed audit in the… Read more »

A Republican leader in the state Assembly, in charge of maintaining order during legislative sessions, has carried a concealed gun during sessions in the Wisconsin Legislature. Assembly Leader Pro Tempore Bill Kramer, R-Waukesha, told the Associated Press Friday he has carried a concealed Glock 26, a subcompact semi-automatic gun, on… Read more »

A Republican U.S. Senate candidate has received a number of stimulus grants to fund his business, despite having previously publicly disagreed with a stimulus program. The Associated Press reported Friday that Mark Neumann, a former congressman and solar power business owner, received about $500,000 in stimulus grants and about $250,000… Read more »

After a 20-month investigation into former campaign staff that has resulted in multiple arrests, Gov. Scott Walker has announced plans to voluntarily meet with a district attorney investigating the case. In a statement released Friday, Walker said his campaign and office has cooperated with information requests from Milwaukee County District… Read more »

A Milwaukee County official who faces charges after he allegedly accepted a bribe as part of a sting operation has suspended his campaign for Milwaukee comptroller. The Milwaukee County district attorney’s office filed a criminal complaint Thursday against John Thomas, 18th District Milwaukee County supervisor, saying he received money on… Read more »

State election officials may not have to scan recall petitions for duplicate or fictitious names, according to a recent appeals court decision. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals unanimously overruled a lower court’s decision Friday, deciding that recall committees should have been allowed to participate in a lawsuit filed by Gov.… Read more »

Vice President Joe Biden provided details during a press conference call Wednesday on President Barack Obama’s plan to address the high cost of tuition on campuses across the country. University administrators have questioned ambiguities in the plan to cut federal aid to campuses that do not take actions to reduce… Read more »

With small bands of protesters and rallies calling for the governor’s recall acting as fixtures at the Capitol building, Democratic legislators are criticizing the policies for gatherings, saying they restrict free speech. Proponents say these policies aim to guarantee safety for employees. A Feb. 1 letter sent to the Department… Read more »

A new bill proposed in the Assembly would allow establishments to bring a civil lawsuit against underage drinkers in bars regardless of whether police issued a criminal citation, potentially relying on video footage or a seized ID card as evidence in court. The liquor license holder would have to prove… Read more »

A former legislative aide to a Milwaukee senator has claimed his staff engaged in illegal activities, including working on campaign websites, while being paid by the state. Jana Williams, a former legislative aide to Sen. Spencer Coggs, D-Milwaukee, has filed a complaint with the Government Accountability Board against the senator’s… Read more »

As potential recall elections loom overhead, Wisconsin legislators are circulating a bill that would restructure current campaign finance laws and reestablish public financing. According to a statement, Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison; Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay; and Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, are currently circulating a bill for co-sponsors that would… Read more »

The latest fundraising numbers released for the race to fill U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl’s seat this fall have raised questions about the viability of the campaign of Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald. As Kohl, longtime Democratic senator of Wisconsin, has chosen not to seek reelection, the race has attracted some of… Read more »

Wisconsin medical programs are facing budget shortfalls which could potentially take away health insurance for 30,000 children. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau released a report Thursday that estimates a $141 million shortfall in the budget for Wisconsin Medical Assistance Programs. Stephanie Smiley, Department of Health Services spokesperson, said this estimate is an accurate reflection of the… Read more »

Despite weeks of speculation about Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, seeking to unseat Gov. Scott Walker in a potential recall race, the senator announced today his name will not appear on any ballot tickets because he would not be able to financially compete with the other candidates. Cullen said in a… Read more »

U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson unveiled a new policy proposal Wednesday that would order federal workers to contribute more to their retirement pensions and health insurance.  According to a statement released by the Thompson campaign, Thompson, a Republican, cited a report released by the Congressional Budget Office that said federal… Read more »

As Republican state senators facing recall elections review petition signatures for the possibility to challenge them in court, three Democratic candidates have launched campaigns to run against them. At a rally at Monona Terrace Tuesday evening, Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller, D-Monona, introduced the three candidates and said the recall… Read more »

State election officials publicly released the recall petitions for Gov. Scott Walker online Tuesday night, reversing their original decision to postpone publication amid privacy concerns. Government Accountability Board spokesperson Reid Magney said the board gave Walker’s campaign electronic copies of the petitions containing an estimated one million signatures Friday, and promised to post… Read more »

As the state election season approaches, the League of Women Voters voiced concerns over a possible bureaucratic quagmire surrounding the identification documents necessary to receive an ID that will be accepted to vote at the polls. A statement released by the League said citizens could be caught in a Catch-22… Read more »

With a primary more than seven months away, Democratic candidates for the Second Congressional District race are beginning to rake in thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.  Dane County Treasurer Dave Worzala; Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison; Rep. Kelda Roys, D-Madison; and Matt Silverman, a local attorney and Iraq War veteran,… Read more »

U.S. Senate candidate Sen. Frank Lasee, R-De Pere, announced Sunday he will drop out of the race for Herb Kohl’s Senate seat in Washington, saying it was not the right time to run. “After much consideration and prayer with my wife, Amy and I have determined this is not the… Read more »

With a potential election to recall Gov. Scott Walker on the horizon, another state senator, Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, has emerged as a potential candidate in the race. While Vinehout has yet to announce her decision to run, Voters for Vinehout filed a campaign registration statement with the Government Accountability… Read more »

After a 50-year struggle to rebuild a population in Wisconsin, the gray wolf has been taken off the federal endangered species list in the Midwest and has become the center of a hunting controversy in light of numerous problems with wolves interfering with livestock and homes.  Last Friday, federal officials… Read more »

After hours of debate Thursday, the Wisconsin Assembly passed a controversial mining bill, which supporters say will create more jobs in Wisconsin, but which opponents argue will create more secrecy in the permit process. According to the Wisconsin Legislature’s website, the bill, which passed along party lines in a 59-36… Read more »

The words “trust” and “respect” seemed to be on a loop Thursday night during a lecture led by a historic Wisconsin politician which commemorated a former University of Wisconsin professor. Nearly 100 people gathered at Union South to hear the lecture, held in honor of former UW professor John Commons,… Read more »

Check out the full video interview here. Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, is one of two Democrats to have announced a run against Gov. Scott Walker in a possible recall election. Cullen served as senate majority leader in the 1980s and as former Gov. Tommy Thompson’s secretary of health and human… Read more »

In light of recent controversy surrounding possible redistricting legislation, three Wisconsin political insiders appeared before an independent consumer advocacy board Thursday to push for redistricting and campaign disclosure reform. The State Governing Board for Common Cause in Wisconsin heard testimony from University of Wisconsin political science professor Barry Burden, Sen.… Read more »

As the John Doe investigation into a number of Gov. Scott Walker’s former affiliates continued Thursday, two more former Walker aides were arrested by the Milwaukee District Attorney’s office for improper political fundraising.  The DA’s office filed complaints against two former Milwaukee County employees, Kelly Rindfleisch and Darlene Wink, for… Read more »

Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, is one of two Democrats to have announced a run against Gov. Scott Walker in a possible recall election. Cullen served as Senate Majority Leader in the 1980s and as former Gov. Tommy Thompson’s secretary of health and human services. He came out of retirement in… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker delivered his State of the State address Wednesday night, emphasizing his efforts to create jobs and balance the state’s budget during his tenure as governor. Upon entering the Assembly, legislators on the Assembly floor and observers in the gallery greeted Walker with a mix of boos and… Read more »

A rally outside the Capitol Wednesday night drew activists and citizens to protest proposed mining legislation which would limit regulations and streamline the process for building sand mines in the state. There was also a strong presence at the rally from several Native American tribes from Wisconsin, including the Bad… Read more »

A recent poll suggests although Gov. Scott Walker leads his Democratic contenders in a possible recall election, Wisconsin citizens remain polarized on the recall effort and on recent legislative actions now being implemented. A Marquette Law School poll released Wednesday shows Walker leading six to 10 percentage points over four… Read more »

State elections officials received a 30-day extension on the amount of time they will have to verify and validate more than 1 million reported signatures for the recall of Gov. Scott Walker and separate petitions for four Republican senators. In a Wednesday hearing before Dane County Judge Richard Niess, the… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker joined forces with state Superintendent Tony Evers this week, announcing they will lead a collaborative effort with other educators, policymakers and parents to develop a new statewide accountability system for education. In a statement, Evers said it was made clear that the overall goal of the proposal… Read more »

Tensions erupted in the Senate chambers Tuesday afternoon after Democratic and Republican members of the legislature lashed out at one another. Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller, D-Monona, said it was appropriate to assess how Wisconsin fared under the past 12 months as the anniversary of Gov. Scott Walker’s contentious budget… Read more »

Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, who recently unveiled her plans to run against the governor in a possible recall election, addressed students on campus Tuesday about her 30-year tenure in government, highlighting issues likely to be at the forefront of the campaign. Falk focused her speech on her experience… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign announced Tuesday it has raised more than $4.5 million in recall funding throughout the last five weeks, including millions in contributions from out-of-state donors. A statement released by spokesperson Ciara Matthews said there were 21,443 total contributions. 16,406 donations were $50 or less, representing 76.5 percent… Read more »

In near zero degree temperatures and after officials declared a citywide snow emergency, more than 50 protesters gathered outside Kastenmeier Federal Courthouse Friday as part of a nationwide protest against unlimited corporate spending in elections. The protest commemorates the second anniversary of the Jan. 21, 2010 Supreme Court decision in… Read more »

As a potential governor recall election looms in the near future, Democratic candidates are already declaring their intentions to run for the party’s nomination. Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk made her mark as the first official candidate in the race against Republican Gov. Scott Walker, filing papers to run… Read more »

Amid allegations Gov. Scott Walker has not met the job creation goals he promised since taking office, the governor recently established a workforce readiness council, which aims to create degree programs to move people into the workforce. Walker signed an executive order Jan. 13 creating the College and Workforce Readiness… Read more »

State lawmakers are calling for the ousting of a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice after allegations surfaced in December that several state ethics codes had been violated. A joint resolution, drafted by Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, D-Madison, said Justice Michael Gableman violated the state’s ethics codes while presiding over cases involving… Read more »

While supporters of new mining legislation say the initiative as a way to streamline Wisconsin’s iron mining permit process, the bill likely to be one of the key issues of the upcoming legislative session has vocal critics. According to the Wisconsin Legislature’s website, the mining bill was introduced to the… Read more »

As clerks around the state work to correct errors that placed voters in the wrong district, a recent federal court order characterized the redistricting legislation as an attempt to conceal what actually transpired in the bill’s introduction.Madison City Clerk Maribeth Witzel-Behl said the system for voter registration is going through… Read more »

Recall campaigns turned in more than enough signatures to trigger special elections against four Republican senators who found themselves under fire last spring after voting in favor of a controversial bill set to curb collective bargaining rights.  Petitioners attempting to recall Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, turned in an… Read more »

After receiving an estimated 1.9 million signatures meant to trigger various recall elections throughout the state, Wisconsin’s chief election official said he did not know how long it would take to review and verify signatures for elections that could cost the state millions of dollars.  Typically, the Government Accountability Board… Read more »

In the new session of the Wisconsin Legislature, lawmakers are planning to take up four bills proposed in early December that would create harsher penalties for drunken driving. Rep. Josh Zepnick, D-Milwaukee, introduced legislation that would establish a pilot program where three counties in Wisconsin would create a sobriety checkpoint. The… Read more »

With more than a million signatures in tow, recall organizers turned over the petitions gathered to trigger a recall election for Gov. Scott Walker, making it the most participated-in recall effort per capita in American history. United Wisconsin Vice Chair Ryan Lawler said the milestone marks the end of a 60-day… Read more »

Despite the cold temperatures, the race for the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin’s 2nd Congressional District is heating up as local politicians gain key endorsements. Former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle endorsed Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, to replace Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, who is leaving Congress to seek election in the Senate. “In… Read more »

The race for United States Sen. Herb Kohl’s soon-to-be vacant Senate seat is heating up with Kohl announcing his endorsement of Rep. Tammy Baldwin and Mark Neumann receiving an endorsement from Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina. A statement released from Baldwin’s campaign on Jan. 9 announced Kohl’s endorsement. The endorsement… Read more »

As the state buzzed with news of recall petitions being filed against Gov. Scott Walker, three men with ties to Walker were arrested Jan. 5 on embezzlement charges as part of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office. According to the criminal complaints filed by the… Read more »

Amid statewide concern regarding the place for concealed carry in Wisconsin courthouses, the state’s Supreme Court has delayed discussion on weapon policy in courtrooms.After hearing testimony at its Jan. 11 meeting, Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson said the court will wait to investigate issues around concealed carry before making a decision… Read more »

A group attempting to recall Gov. Scott Walker has collected more than 500,000 signatures, about forty thousand less than the amount they need to trigger his recall. United Wisconsin said in a statement Thursday that they have collected 507,533 signatures in their effort to recall Walker. Recall supporters need to… Read more »

A new piece of legislation would require physicians to ensure that a woman seeking an abortion gives full consent before receiving one. Under current state law, a woman who requests an abortion must give voluntary and informed written consent to the abortion. The bill, coauthored by Sen. Mary Lazich, R-New… Read more »

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson was handed a prominent endorsement Wednesday in his race for the soon-to-be vacant seat in the U.S. Senate. Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee announced his endorsement yesterday as he praised Thompson’s career as governor and his recent work as U.S. secretary of health and human… Read more »

A controversial bill introduced in the Legislature Wednesday that would open an iron mine in northern Wisconsin was met by a sea of conflicting responses as advocates stressed job creation and opponents looked to detrimental environmental effects. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, was introduced to the Wisconsin… Read more »

The voter ID law has created much controversy since its passage last spring, and both Wisconsin’s government and its voters have faced substantial challenges with the law in light of the potential upcoming spring recall elections. The law was upheld in court despite a lawsuit earlier this semester from the… Read more »

After massive protests at the Capitol last spring, Gov. Scott Walker’s opponents jumped at the chance to begin collecting signatures to trigger his recall. Starting at midnight on Nov. 15, recall supporters held pajama parties throughout Wisconsin to kick off the official recall effort. Four days later, one official recall… Read more »

On May 13, four-term incumbent Sen. Herb Kohl announced he would retire at the end of his term and not seek reelection in 2012. Kohl, a Democrat who owns the Milwaukee Bucks and is a founder of the Kohl’s department store chain, will be 77 in 2012. The seat has… Read more »

Farm advocates and several lawmakers in the state are worried new federal changes to child labor laws will prevent minors from fully working on farms. This past year, there have been several attempts to change child labor laws in Wisconsin, specifically relating to youths working in the farming industry, said… Read more »

The top elections officials in the state decided Tuesday to allow only signers and circulators of recall petitions to prepare the petitions and to allow technical college students to use their student IDs to identify themselves at the polls. At their meeting Tuesday, the Government Accountability Board voted to reverse… Read more »

A Wisconsin civil liberties activist group has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Scott Walker alleging the new voter ID law unconstitutional. On Tuesday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin filed a lawsuit against the voter ID law, which goes into effect in February. They argue that besides being unconstitutional,… Read more »

Wisconsin government oversight officials are preparing to educate voters on new requirements at the polls before next year’s state elections bring the implementation of controversial voter ID laws. The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board plans to promote public awareness leading up to the enacting of the voter ID law next year,… Read more »

Assembly Republicans introduced a mining bill Thursday that environmentalists say would detrimentally affect Wisconsin’s green protections and stifle citizen input in the mining permit process. Sam Weis, spokesperson for the environmental advocacy organization Clean Wisconsin, said the introduced bill outlines a streamlined process for mining companies to obtain permits. Weis… Read more »

School districts across Wisconsin have made strides toward reforming the state’s teacher evaluation process by implementing new merit-based salaries for teachers under new powers provided by the budget repair legislation. Under Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial legislation, bargaining units for teachers are still able to negotiate base wages, but cannot negotiate other… Read more »

Republican Party of Wisconsin officials are investigating claims of recall petition fraud after a man in Milwaukee said Thursday night he signed various recall petitions 80 times. According to Ben Sparks, spokesperson for the Republican Party of Wisconsin, state GOP officials have also been alerted to multiple instances of misconduct… Read more »

The majority of bargaining units representing teachers across the state voted to recertify last week, even in light of extensive limits to their bargaining abilities due to legislation approved by Gov. Scott Walker last spring. Around 85 percent of school district unions who sought recertification this year succeeded in an… Read more »

In the midst of opponents to the recall effort raising allegations of fraud, the Government Accountability Board recently announced it would need more time and additional workers to review the petitions. The GAB released a memo Thursday that said the body would need an additional month and 50 temporary workers… Read more »

A week after Gov. Scott Walker’s administration unveiled new requirements for holding events at the Capitol and other state buildings, a Wisconsin lawmaker is introducing a piece of legislation that would weaken the power of the executive branch to make Capitol event policy decisions. On Wednesday, State Sen. Lena Taylor,… Read more »

After a battle almost two years in the making, the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents made the final call to demolish the block of buildings on University Avenue, which includes Brothers’ Bar, to make room for a new UW School of Music performance facility. The regents also evaluated the… Read more »

Several lawmakers are officially calling for Wisconsin’s unemployment benefits to be extended before they expire for citizens on Dec. 31. A statement released by 34 state Democrats urged Congress to extend the benefits because of the current recession. According to the statement, 234,000 Wisconsin residents are currently unemployed, and approximately… Read more »

The composition of the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents could be significantly altered after Gov. Scott Walker signed a law Tuesday requesting the state appoint at least one member from every congressional district to the governing body. According to UW spokesperson David Giroux, the bill, introduced by Sen. Sheila… Read more »

The Department of Administration and the Capitol Police hosted a public forum Tuesday morning to inform members of the public about the newly drafted rules for holding an event or rally at the Capitol. Chris Ahmuty, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin, said he felt many… Read more »

A legislative committee approved a bill that would suspend several of the Department of Justice emergency rules for concealed carry, including the rule requiring a minimum time for training. On Tuesday, the Wisconsin Legislature Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules held a meeting regarding the training requirements to obtain… Read more »

State officials approved new ID cards some University of Wisconsin System campuses will issue students in light of the new voter ID law.  The Government Accountability Board’s decision Tuesday to approve new voter identification cards will have a large impact on students’ ability to vote in the upcoming spring elections.… Read more »

Parents’ rights could be expanded under a newly introduced proposal that would allow uncertain parents to relinquish custody of their newborns who are under the age of one month old. Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, proposed a bill amending Wisconsin’s current Safe Haven Law to allow parents to relinquish custody of… Read more »

A group of bipartisan legislators introduced a bill Monday that would increase the yearly-allotted funds to free innocent convicts up to the federal level of $50,000 per year. According to a statement released by the bill’s supporters, this would be an increase from the current compensation levels of $5,000 per… Read more »

Amid a heated recall atmosphere with accusations of damaged petitions, a state senator has emerged as a potential candidate to face Gov. Scott Walker if a recall election is triggered. Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, recently expressed interest in running against Walker in a recall election if enough signatures are collected.… Read more »

An Assembly resolution introduced last week would allow citizens in the public viewing areas of floor meetings in the Assembly galleries to carry some signs as well as use some recording devices. State Rep. Kelda Roys, D-Madison, introduced a resolution on Thursday that would allow the public in the Assembly… Read more »

The state has yet to pay a Wisconsin representative’s lawyer for his work on a lawsuit concerning the passage of the collective bargaining bill last spring. Bob Jambois, attorney for Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, has not yet been paid for his legal services for the case, Barca’s spokesperson Erik Greenfield said in… Read more »

A series of public hearings on the substantial cuts to state health care programs is set to kick-off next week in northeastern Wisconsin. According to a statement from Sen. Jim Holperin, D-Eagle River, the hearing is the first in a series held around the state to allow the public to ask… Read more »

Two new policy changes announced earlier this week by Gov. Scott Walker’s administration would restrict open carry as well as gatherings and other events on Capitol grounds. The decision made Wednesday would prohibit the open carry of weapons in the Capitol and other state buildings, Mike Mikalsen, spokesperson for Rep.… Read more »

A public grant program which provides funding and help to victims of sexual assault in Wisconsin is scheduled for a significant cut in 2012, posing a threat to its available services. According to a statement from the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the funding for the Sexual Assault Victim Services… Read more »

Two Democratic legislators reintroduced controversial legislation giving patients the right to use medicinal marijuana with a prescription. At a press conference Wednesday, Representative Mark Pocan, D-Madison, reintroduced the Jacki Rickert Medical Marijuana Act. The legislation, sponsored by Pocan and Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, would give patients with certain debilitating diseases… Read more »

Two Wisconsin unions filed a motion with a Madison judge Tuesday challenging the governor’s collective bargaining law and deeming it unconstitutional. According to the Dane County Clerk of Courts office, Madison Teachers Inc. and Public Employees Local 61, AFL-CIO initially brought the lawsuit against Gov. Scott Walker in August. The… Read more »

Allegations of possible recall-related crimes are increasing as the effort to collect signatures to recall the governor enters its second week. The Madison Police Department has received multiple reports about recall petition-related crimes since the effort began including an alleged assault, the removal of a campaign sign and petition destruction.… Read more »

Several state agencies have unveiled guidelines created in congruence with University of Wisconsin researchers to promote the continued use of biomass energy in Wisconsin, despite the state’s current categorization as a leader in the field of biomass crop planting. A statement released Tuesday by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and… Read more »

A program that plans to improve the transportation options of low-income workers will receive more than $3 million in funding following approval from the governor Tuesday. The $3,676,667 grant for the “Transportation to Jobs” program is meant to connect low-income workers with jobs through enhanced local transit services. The Wisconsin… Read more »

A fresh face has decided to enter the race for Wisconsin’s second congressional district, while new endorsements may even the playing field in the race for Wisconsin’s open U.S. Senate seat. Matt Silverman, a University of Wisconsin graduate and decorated Army veteran, will formally announce his intention to run against… Read more »

The effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker has gathered more than 300,000 signatures since it began 14 days ago, United Wisconsin announced Monday evening. According to an email to its volunteers, United Wisconsin collected more than 300,000 signatures to recall Walker in the 14 days since the recall effort began.… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker is taking a hard stance against the practice of granting pardons, with some on the left concerned that taking a stance against pardons in general could prevent convicts involved in poorly executed trials from seeking justice. Walker recently announced he will not be granting gubernatorial pardons, Walker’s… Read more »

Democrats are planning to fight a Republican lawsuit filed in the state Supreme Court which would utilize the redistricting lines approved earlier this year for potential recall elections next year. The Democratic Party will file a motion today to intervene in the lawsuit on behalf of recall committees across the… Read more »

After accusations of groups organizing to destroy recall petitions surfaced, a group mobilizing the recall effort of Gov. Scott Walker has established a reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone responsible for destroying or damaging a recall petition. Progressive organization One Wisconsin Now, a strong supporter of the… Read more »

Weeks after sexual abuse allegations embroiled the Penn State campus, Wisconsin legislators are seeking to reintroduce legislation providing broader opportunities for childhood victims to prosecute their perpetrators in court. At a press conference held Tuesday, Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, and Rep. Sandy Pasch, D-Whitefish Bay, proposed reintroducing the Child… Read more »

In a move that would make all forms of abortion illegal, including in cases of rape and incest, Wisconsin Republicans recently proposed an amendment to the state constitution that would extend the definition of personhood to include embryos.According to the Legislative Reference Bureau’s analysis of the bill, this amendment would… Read more »

As the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker begins its 60-day push to get enough signatures to trigger a special election, organizers are concerned about the harassment several recall workers have received in the first week. Sun Prairie resident and United Wisconsin recall worker Heather DuBois Bourenane said she received… Read more »

Former Gov. Tommy Thompson revealed plans to supporters over the weekend to run for the U.S. Senate in the upcoming election to fill the seat of Democratic Sen. Herb Kohl. Thompson plans to formally kick off his campaign Dec. 1 with an event in the Weldall Manufacturing building in Waukesha,… Read more »

Just days after Gov. Scott Walker introduced an anti-recall television advertisement and the state gears up for what could be a series of special elections, legislation was introduced this week that would require political ads to show who is financing them. The Legislative Reference Burueau’s analysis of the bill, introduced… Read more »

In a scene reminiscent of last spring’s demonstrations over collective bargaining, tens of thousands of supporters of a recall against Gov. Scott Walker gathered at the Capitol Saturday to express frustrations with his policies and sign petitions for his removal. An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people descended on Capitol Square… Read more »

With the brisk November air of a Wisconsin autumn, camouflage and blaze orange become not only permissible, but encouraged for hunting season.Nov. 19 at dawn is considered akin to Christmas morning for avid deer hunters. Men, women and children pack up the car and head north for a relaxing weekend… Read more »

Officials from the Government Accountability Board estimated they would need more than $650,000 to fund the recall against Gov. Scott Walker and other legislators in the upcoming months, providing a stark figure of the size and gravity of the recall efforts.  According to the GAB budget summary for processing the… Read more »

A plan that provides several changes for state workers’ benefits and freezes their wages for the next two years was passed by a legislative committee Thursday, potentially weakening the hiring power of University of Wisconsin System schools. On Thursday, the Joint Committee on Employee Relations approved the compensation plan created… Read more »

The top election officials in the state issued warnings this week against individuals planning to destroy or not turn in circulating petitions to recall Gov. Scott Walker. The Government Accountability Board said Thursday any claims or complaints of crimes or conspiracy to commit crimes in relation to tampering with official… Read more »

Several months after legislation was passed curbing a majority of public sector unions’ collective bargaining rights, six groups voted for recertification with the state this week.The vote allows six union groups to effectively reclaim their status as a bargaining unit in the state of Wisconsin. According to a statement from… Read more »

The state of Wisconsin has once again become the stage for political drama as efforts to recall the governor and four Republican legislators start moving, and members from both parties say they are confident they can get the momentum needed for victory. On Tuesday, Democrats in the state began handing… Read more »

A legislative committee asked state election officials to turn their motions on electoral issues into formalized rules to be approved by the governor Tuesday, a move critics say takes away the group’s independence from the Legislature. In a 6-4 vote split down party lines, the Joint Committee for Review on… Read more »

After the efforts to recall Gov. Scott Walker kicked off Tuesday night, the Democratic Governors Association took a stance to financially support the recall if enough petition signatures are collected. On Monday, DGA Chair and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a statement the association plans on becoming financially involved,… Read more »

State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, proposed legislation to establish a condominium owners’ bill of rights to protect condo owners from being faced with exorbitant costs from developers. The legislation will be based on similar laws in Florida and Washington, D.C., Mason said. The laws allow condominium owners more rights regarding… Read more »

A memorial held for a longtime and influential political reporter brought many together in the Capitol to pay their respects to his memory, his family and his contributions to Wisconsin’s political atmosphere. Dick Wheeler, who worked in the press corps at the Capitol for 39 years, died Friday. The memorial… Read more »

With less than a year until the 2012 presidential election, a prominent candidate in a seemingly up-for-grabs Republican primary field made multiple public stops in Wisconsin Monday.Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain held a fundraising event Monday at the Milwaukee Athletic Club, according to his website. Cain also held a rally… Read more »

A Republican senator asked the governor to return $49 million in federal funds intended for President Obama’s health care plan he administration accepted earlier this year for the second time Monday. Sen. Frank Lasee, R-De Pere, released a statement Monday asking Gov. Scott Walker to return funds allocated to Wisconsin… Read more »

The petition process to recall Gov. Scott Walker began Tuesday, although Democrats have yet to find a candidate to run against him. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin launched its recall campaign against Gov. Walker at midnight Monday with a variety of themed events to celebrate the effort’s kickoff. A local… Read more »

Dick Wheeler, longtime Capitol fixture, respected journalist and founder of The Wheeler Report, died Friday morning in his apartment. Although Wheeler’s cause of death has not yet been reported, his daughter said he had a heart attack 24 years ago and that he had congestive heart condition, according to Mike… Read more »

While it is still a year until the race for Wisconsin’s soon-to-be open Senate seat takes place, stem cell research is already being brought to the forefront as a potential hot-button issue in the election. Former Republican governor Tommy Thompson spoke at the Vatican last week to advocate for adult… Read more »

The State’s Joint Finance Committee passed a proposed change in Medicare and Medicaid aimed at reducing the budget deficit that may leave tens of thousands of Wisconsin residents uninsured. Approved after a lengthy debate at a hearing Thursday, the plan, proposed by the Department of Health Services, would restrict BadgerCare… Read more »

Although Gov. Scott Walker’s budget cuts on school districts early this year may be the cause of significant losses in educational positions, the cuts could also have allowed many school districts to keep or add programs, according to a recently released survey, which could assist the governor in fending off… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Young Progressives deputized students to register others to vote Wednesday and informed students about upcoming opportunities in the on-campus effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch. Young Progressives Vice President Sam Gehler said the organization aims to maximize student involvement and bring… Read more »

State election officials reversed a previous decision Wednesday by voting to allow Wisconsin Technical College students to use their student ID cards at the polls as photo ID, provided they meet state requirements. By a vote of four to two, the Government Accountability Board also decided to uphold a previous… Read more »

The possibility of restoring collective bargaining rights to Wisconsin public employees was reopened Wednesday after a Democratic senator called for a statewide review of the budget repair legislation, in light of a recent vote in Ohio against instating a similar law. According to the Legislature’s website, Sen. Bob Wirch, D-Pleasant… Read more »

Security costs for protection of Gov. Scott Walker and Lieutenant Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch have doubled in comparison to the price marks on security when the pair took office in January, which some experts are attributing to the turbulent political climate in Wisconsin and the consequent increase in death threats. According… Read more »

Months after the contentious passage of the budget repair bill in Wisconsin, residents of another Midwest state voted against a measure similar in its attempt to curb rights of public employees. On Tuesday, Ohioans voted to repeal the controversial collective bargaining law that originated in the state’s Senate, which would… Read more »

President Barack Obama’s plan to make healthcare available to all Americans has received support from the United States Court of Appeals. A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued a split opinion upholding the lower court’s ruling that found Congress did not overstep its… Read more »

At a committee meeting aimed to increase employment for graduates, members of the Legislature and higher education groups recommended expanding the number of degree programs in the University of Wisconsin System and getting more students to apply to college directly after high school. The main focus of the Joint Committee… Read more »

This Week in Madison: The Race to Recall Walker Begins by The Badger Herald Matt Huppert breaks down the unique beginnings of the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker, capping off a landmark year in Wisconsin history.… Read more »

In a somewhat controversial move, a Legislative committee voted late last week to eliminate the four-hour training requirement that accompanied the approval of  concealed carry permits.  According to a statement released by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules voted 7-3 on Monday… Read more »

The state Assembly will meet Monday to weigh a bill that aims to give several University of Wisconsin System schools the ability to create and add differential tuition to the schools’ budgets. Differential tuition is additional tuition that is separate from base tuition level and serves to supplement student services… Read more »

State officials questioned an individual Monday responsible for a death threat toward Gov. Scott Walker posted on the social networking site Facebook.According to Andrew Welhouse, spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, Walker received a death threat through a Facebook event page for a recall against the governor. “I… Read more »

More severe handling of student athlete concussions will be at the forefront of athletic department policies around the state after a bill requiring more intense and rounded education of the risks associated with concussions passed the Assembly last week.Under the bill passed Friday, players involved in a youth sporting event… Read more »

The state Assembly approved legislation early Friday morning that would allow school districts to use student performance on standardized test scores as a factor to discipline or fire teachers. The bill, passed at the last meeting of the regular session, will also allow for school boards to bypass class size… Read more »

A Muskego man filed the first recall effort against Gov. Scott Walker Friday, a move some suspect to be a ploy by supporters to allow Walker to raise campaign funds earlier. According to paperwork filed with the Government Accountability Board, it was filed by a committee called “Close Friends to… Read more »

The Wisconsin State Assembly erupted into chaos during what were meant to be the final hours of a special session on jobs early Friday morning after a long democratic caucus and repeated disturbances from observers in the gallery. After being called back early from caucus, the second of the session,… Read more »

A controversial bill that gives homeowners strong legal protection if they attack an intruder on their property they deem threatening is headed to the governor to be signed into law. The bill, also known as the “castle doctrine” and introduced in the Assembly by Rep. Dean Kaufert, R-Neenah, was approved… Read more »

A bipartisan bill that would give homeowners more legal protection if they injure or kill an intruder may be taken up by the Wisconsin Senate today. The legislation, known as the Castle Doctrine and passed during Tuesday’s floor meeting of the Assembly, gives homeowners the right to shoot an intruder… Read more »

Democrats in the state Assembly managed to temporarily stall a vote on a controversial surprise amendment on affirmative action brought into Tuesday night’s floor meeting, which flowed into the early hours of Wednesday morning. The original bill provides grants to students who are in poverty and are non-traditional. For a… Read more »

In one of their final meetings before the the end of the fall session, the Wisconsin Legislatures narrowly and divisively passed a bill which promotes the teaching of abstinence instead of contraceptive methods in public schools. In a 17-15 partisan vote Wednesday, the Senate passed a bill that eliminates a… Read more »

In the last week of the regular session, Democratic legislators in the Assembly introduced a package of bills they say will help create jobs in the state. According to a statement released by Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, and Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller, D-Monona, the package, introduced Tuesday,… Read more »

In a marathon Assembly meeting Tuesday night, House members were split along party lines as contention rose surrounding a last minute proposal which would make it harder for minority students to receive a higher education grant. Late into Tuesday’s Assembly meeting, an amendment proposed by Rep. Peggy Krusick, D-Milwaukee, to… Read more »

Although state senators introduced a bill Monday that would put controversial district redraws into play for potential senator recall elections in the coming months, one Republican senator has spoken out against the bill, posing a potential roadblock for its smooth passage in the body. Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, announced… Read more »

An immigrant advocacy group in Wisconsin has filed a lawsuit against state election officials on the basis that the newly drafted district map unfairly weakens the voice of a growing minority group in the Milwaukee area. On Monday, Voces de la Frontera — a Wisconsin leading immigrant rights group —… Read more »

Bipartisan legislation proposed in the governor’s special legislative session on jobs would allow for the creation of vocational diplomas for high school students, which would effectively lower mandatory course requirements for graduation.The bill, currently circulating, was proposed by Gov. Scott Walker and Rep. Mark Radcliffe, D-Black River Falls, would allow… Read more »

A month after its initial implementation, the Wisconsin Legislature’s special session on jobs continues to be a divisive issue between Republicans and Democrats. The “Back to Work” special session that Gov. Scott Walker called on Sept. 27 consists of 24 bills from both parties. The bills are directed toward lowering the… Read more »

Citizens who meet the requirements of the concealed carry law will be allowed to bring a handgun to most state facilities, including the Capitol, when the law goes into effect this week. By making concealed weapons available in nearly all state facilities, Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch said the… Read more »

Two bills concerning jobs and employers’ rights which caused disagreement between Democratic and Republican senators were eventually passed at a floor meeting that addressed both special session and regular session legislation. The first bill addressed at Thursday’s meeting, introduced by Sen. Rich Zipperer, R-Pewaukee, is a part of the special… Read more »

Before the concealed carry law goes into effect next week, officials at the state Capitol are hoping to clarify whether citizens will be allowed to bring handguns into the building. The Department of Administration is scheduled to release their findings on Gov. Scott Walker’s new policy plan Friday morning. The… Read more »

Legislators heard testimony and addressed how recently passed legislation could affect recall elections, as well as Wisconsin voters at the polls at a public hearing Wednesday. At an open hearing for the Senate Committee on Transportation and Elections, Kevin Kennedy, director and general counsel of the Government Accountability Board, said… Read more »

The State Assembly passed a bill Tuesday to legalize alcohol sales earlier in the day, expanding the number of hours Wisconsinites can purchase alcohol each day. Under current law, a Class A liquor license allows establishments such as liquor or grocery stores to begin selling alcohol at 8 a.m.. The… Read more »

A committee in the Wisconsin Legislature held a hearing Wednesday on a Senate bill state environmental groups say would negatively impact environmental protection. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to approve or deny an application for a permit to conduct activities near navigable waterways within approximately 115 days.… Read more »

A bill that would allow Wisconsin landlords to begin showing properties earlier was not voted on during the floor meeting of state legislators in the House Tuesday. During Tuesday’s power session, the Wisconsin State Assembly met for the purposes of both a regular and special session. The special session was the… Read more »

A proposal made by the governor would freeze the wages of public workers in the state for the next two years. Gov. Scott Walker proposed a “compensation plan” Tuesday that was outlined by the Office of State Employment Relations and sent to legislative leaders for consideration. The compensation plan would… Read more »

A bill passed during a special session hearing of the Senate Thursday that makes changes to current education laws was met with opposition and proposed changes from Democrats, who argued the bill could take away spots in schools from children who may really need them. The bill, introduced by Sens.… Read more »

Two bills currently being considered in Gov. Scott Walker’s special jobs session could drastically weaken the public’s ability to protect state’s lakes and streams, a new report released Monday shows. According to the Wisconsin Legislature website, the two bills aim to repeal statutes that give the Department of Natural Resources… Read more »

The state of Wisconsin owes the federal government about $1.18 billion in funds used to pay for unemployment benefits during the recession. During the recession time period, Wisconsin received an unusually large amount of claims for unemployment benefits, John Dipko, spokesperson for the Department of Workforce Development, said in an… Read more »

In the midst of a potential recall and a recent government report stating his job promises during his campaign were far-fetched, Gov. Scott Walker’s office launched a website last week to show the necessity and results of this year’s reforms. According to the reforms.wi.gov website released last Friday, under the Walker… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker announced Friday his support for an Assembly bill which would curb “double dipping,” a practice that allows employees to collect both pensions and paychecks. Current law allows a participant in the Wisconsin Retirement System to receive both annuity and wages after he or she has terminated her… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker may not create the 250,000 jobs by 2015 as promised as a keystone of his campaign, according to a Department of Revenue report released Friday. The report said the government will have created 136,000 private sector jobs by 2014. Since the recovery period began in February 2010,… Read more »

A proposed bill in the Legislature could mean significantly lower interest rates for Wisconsin consumers compared to corporations that file suits to gain monetary reimbursement in civil action cases of a similar nature.  The interest rate bill would retain the current interest rate on civil judgments for businesses such as… Read more »

Residents of more than two dozen states will be able to legally carry handguns into Wisconsin when the state’s concealed carry law goes into action Nov. 1. On Thursday, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen released a list of 25 states and two territories whose residents will be allowed to carry… Read more »

The state’s top election officials announced that recall elections will not be held in the districts recently drawn by Republicans in the Legislature when they go into effect later this year and early next year. The Government Accountability Board released a memo sent to the chief clerks of the Assembly… Read more »

In the latest flare up surrounding the voter ID law, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin announced Thursday they are suing the state on the grounds that the new rule violates the state’s constitution. The lawsuit, which lists Gov. Scott Walker and the Government Accountability Board as the defendants,… Read more »

Former convicts may soon be restricted from suing their employers for termination or rejection based on discrimination resulting from their criminal records as a result of a bill that is currently moving from the Assembly to the Senate. The Wisconsin State Assembly passed a bill Thursday afternoon that would restrict… Read more »

Abortions would only be covered in circumstances when a woman’s life or health was at risk under a bill the Senate passed Thursday. The bill, which limits coverage of some abortions under federal health care law, has spurred conflicting responses from party members and invested organizations. Introduced by Senator Rich… Read more »

The state Supreme Court voted Tuesday to delay deciding on a proposal that would require judges to provide lawyers on cases where basic human needs are at stake. The court first heard testimonies on the petition brought by Civil Action for Wisconsin last Tuesday, which aims to establish a right… Read more »

Legislators, special interest groups and citizens weighed in on a controversial bill that would allow local school districts to decide what they want to include in their sexual education program, including abstinence-only education Wednesday. At the Senate Committee on Education hearing, held in conjunction with Gov. Scott Walker’s special session,… Read more »

Hunters in the state would no longer have to shoot an antler-less deer before killing a buck, a policy enforced by the Department of Natural Resources, under a bill recently passed in the Assembly. On Tuesday, the Assembly voted in favor of a bill which would repeal the Earn-A-Buck Bill, which is now… Read more »

In their second regular floor meeting of the fall session, Assembly members voted in favor of a bill that would implement the health care reforms of the Affordable Care Act into Wisconsin law, but Democrats contend it includes provisions that would weaken transparency in the Legislature. By a vote of… Read more »

The Wisconsin Senate approved former Sen. Jeff Plale as the new commissioner of railroads on Tuesday, with some opposition from Democrats. The Senate approved Gov. Scott Walker’s appointment of Plale by a bipartisan 29-4 vote, said Andrew Welhouse, spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau.The primary responsibility of the… Read more »

A bill that would repeal the 2010 Wisconsin Healthy Youth Act is being met with criticism from Wisconsin Democrats and organizations that support the act. The bill, introduced Friday by Sens. Mary Lazich, R-New Berlin, Pam Galloway, R-Wausau, Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, and Joe Leibham, R-Sheboygan, would repeal several parts… Read more »

United Council held a conference at the Capitol Monday to protest its exclusion from a legislative hearing involving university admissions and followed the conference by marching down State St. to Memorial Union. United Council, a statewide organization established to represent University of Wisconsin System students, voiced anger that the Center… Read more »

The Wisconsin Senate and Assembly will meet Tuesday for regular session to consider bills promoting job creation including a bill allowing tax credits from 2010 to be refunded this tax year. The proposed bill, which will be voted on during Tuesday’s session, will permit businesses to recoup credit for employees… Read more »

The Joint Finance Committee unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would provide a $400,000 increase in manufacturing grants for state technical colleges. Under Senate Bill 40, the existing Workforce Advancement Training Grant program, which received $2 million for the 2010-2011 school year, would receive $2.4 million for 2011-2012, according to… Read more »

The Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate are working toward a compromise in an effort to pass a bill that would move fall primary elections back and change state policy on email absentee ballots for those serving overseas. The bill would move the state’s fall primary election from the second Tuesday… Read more »

A proposed change to the concealed carry law that would require a four-hour training period before a Wisconsin resident could obtain a concealed carry permit is causing contention between Republican and Democratic leaders. Rep. Evan Wynn, R-Whitewater, said he believes the four-hour training period, proposed by the Department of Justice,… Read more »

Organizers seeking support for the removal of Gov. Scott Walker from office have yet to decide whether they will pursue the recall of Lieutenant Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, a constitutional question currently up for review by the attorney general. The Government Accountability Board sent an opinion request to the state attorney… Read more »

A bill that could potentially alter the influence of Wisconsin voters in presidential elections began being circulated for support in the Legislature Wednesday. The proposal, introduced by Rep. Dan LeMahieu, R-Cascade, would segment the state’s electoral college votes and give the congressional districts in the state a separate vote in… Read more »

Issuing new student ID cards to out-of-state students could run a cost of up to $700,000 for the University of Wisconsin System as officials continue to weigh how to meet the requirements of the Voter ID law.The University of Wisconsin System is weighing the possibility of issuing a second ID… Read more »

A study released Tuesday by the Great Lakes Committee shows despite some long term progress, the mercury pollution in certain areas of the Great Lakes remains a large-scale problem that poses potential threats to human and environmental health. According to the study, mercury levels have declined over the past four… Read more »

As the effort to recall the governor begins to take shape, two Democratic state legislators are attempting to reverse the recently imposed limits on collective bargaining powers. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Madison, and Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, introduced legislation Tuesday that would reinstate the collective bargaining rights of public employees removed… Read more »

As a part of the governor’s call for a special session to promote job creation in the state, an Assembly committee considered and proposed revisions to a bill that would create tax credits for environmentally friendly businesses. Assembly Bill 61 was addressed at a meeting of the Committee on Jobs,… Read more »

After announcing the recall petition effort against Gov. Scott Walker will start Nov. 15, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin has begun fundraising, and already possibilities for a candidate to replace the governor have begun to circulate. As of press time early this morning, the party had raised nearly $100,000 toward… Read more »

State Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, announced Tuesday he will run for Sen. Herb Kohl’s soon-to-be-vacant U.S. Senate seat. Fitzgerald was one of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s key supporters throughout the collective bargaining rights reform, and he believes his involvement with passing the controversial legislation will be his biggest advantage… Read more »

This week in Madison: Bar IDs, Occupy Madison by The Badger Herald Ryan Rainey and Pam Selman break down the Occupy Madison protests and some new rules at city bars prohibiting patrons from using state ID cards for valid entry.… Read more »

On Thursday, state election officials retracted changes which could have circulated recall petitions for the possible upcoming recall efforts more efficiently, including the effort to recall Gov. Scott Walker. At a meeting Thursday, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules oversaw several of the Government Accountability Board’s retracted plans… Read more »

A new hunting bill introduced by GOP lawmakers is causing disagreement between Republican and Democratic representatives over economic and environmental concerns. The Sporting Heritage Bill includes several provisions including reduced first-time license fees, adult hunter-trapper education course operations and high school credits for DNR safety programs, according to a statement… Read more »

The private school voucher expansion passed earlier this year as part of Wisconsin’s budget is in the process of being amended to restrict voucher schools to only Milwaukee and Racine. At the time of the budget’s approval, the only city in Wisconsin that had a parental choice program was Milwaukee.… Read more »

View “Occupy Wall Street” Points of Interest in a larger map University of Wisconsin students and Madison residents will rally in Reynolds Park Friday in protest against corporation-run government as a part of the OccupyMadison movement. Friday’s protest represents the Wisconsin branch’s contribution to the OccupyWallSt. protests that have been… Read more »

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is considering a rule change that would require circuit court judges to provide taxpayer-funded attorneys in certain civil cases involving basic human needs. The court held the first portion of its rules hearing Tuesday at the State Capitol. During the hearing, the Court heard more than… Read more »

Democratic legislators began circulating a bill Wednesday to increase the funding for technical colleges in Wisconsin through an income tax raise on millionaire Wisconsinites. The bill, called the Wisconsin Jobs Initiative, could increase funding to the Wisconsin Technical College System by $70 million, which would offset the $34.2 million cut… Read more »

Legislation giving school districts the authority not to hire an employee if he or she has been convicted of a crime, regardless of its nature, was approved by the Committee on Education Tuesday. The bill, proposed by State Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt, R-Fond du Lac, and Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills,… Read more »

Several Democratic state legislators proposed a bill that would re-establish legislative control over finances of state health programs Monday, according to a joint statement released by their offices. The proposal comes in the wake of last week’s Department of Health Services announcement that the state will be cut $554 million… Read more »

Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson filed his paperwork for candidacy for the U.S. Senate Tuesday, bringing him one step closer to running in the election, according to an email Thompson sent to supporters.   Thompson served four terms as governor of Wisconsin, during which time he initiated the BadgerCare program… Read more »

A new report released this week shows dozens of Wisconsinites were victims of domestic violence-related homicide throughout 2010. Throughout the previous year, 58 people were killed in connection with domestic violence incidents, a report released by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence said. The report found that domestic abuse-related deaths decreased… Read more »

On Thursday, the Wisconsin state Legislature officially kicked off a special session on jobs called by Gov. Scott Walker, whose claims of bipartisan motives drew question from some Democratic representatives. Members of the Senate and Assembly briefly convened Thursday morning to “gavel off” the special session on jobs called by… Read more »

Citizens contributing to state political campaigns could no longer be required to disclose their employer if a proposal from a conservative lawmakers alters current Wisconsin law. Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, called Thursday to end the requirement from the state that says individuals donating more than $100 to a candidate… Read more »

Leaders from technical colleges in Wisconsin are asking for the reconsideration of new amendments to the controversial voter ID law that exclude technical college IDs from eligibility in state elections. In a letter to the Government Accountability Board, Wisconsin Technical College System President Daniel Clancy said the board should reconsider… Read more »

Citing a rise in Wisconsin’s unemployment rate rising over the past nine months, Gov. Scott Walker called for a special legislative session on jobs set to begin Thursday. Walker signed an executive order on Wednesday that will create his term’s second special session on jobs and will require the Wisconsin… Read more »

Republican legislators proposed to give the governor’s office more power over how recall petition signatures are collected and the methods by which people may vote in elections next year. In a hearing held Tuesday, the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules recommended the Government Accountability Board make its interpretations… Read more »

Mail carriers across the state gathered with Democratic politicians on Capitol Square Monday to protest a bill that would implement significant cuts to the United States Postal Service. Monday’s rally, which drew approximately 60 people, was a part of a nationwide effort on the part of postal worker unions to… Read more »

A Wisconsin state senator who gained national attention as a staunch opponent to Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill last spring will not run for higher office next fall. In a statement posted on his Facebook page Monday, Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, announced he will not seek his party’s nomination… Read more »

Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Fort Atkinson, introduced a proposal Monday to re-establish the Wisconsin Election Campaign Fund’s budget for public financing of elections, according to a statement from Jorgensen’s office. If enacted, the proposal would allow money collected last year to go to candidates running in elections for the state Senate… Read more »

The Wisconsin Department of Justice said Thursday it will not take up the investigation of a former aide of Gov. Scott Walker, a decision which political opponents have charged as motivated by partisanship. While items were recently seized from the house of Cindy Archer, a former deputy secretary of the… Read more »

Republican Senator and co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee Alberta Darling called for the removal of Democratic JFC member Senator Lena Taylor, D-Milwaukee, on Wednesday, calling her behavior during meetings disrespectful. Darling, R-River Hills, on Charlie Sykes’ conservative Milwaukee radio program, said Taylor’s actions during meetings have been disrespectful to… Read more »

Madison government officials are struggling to draft legislation to address the concealed carry law’s implications for private and public buildings and private property before the law goes into effect Nov. 1. Wisconsin Act 35, which was enacted and published last July, made it legal for residents to carry concealed firearms… Read more »

Although Gov. Scott Walker addressed the state last week assuring the unemployed that 32,000 private sector jobs were available to Wisconsinites through the Jobs Creation Website, the Associated Press revealed Wednesday that nearly a fifth of those opportunities are not actually located in Wisconsin. On Sept. 15, Walker gave his… Read more »

A Republican bill introduced last spring that would work to expand charter schools in the state has been received cautiously by several members of the party concerned about its effect on local school districts. Republicans in the Senate and Assembly have been hesitant to support the bill, which was introduced… Read more »

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is looking to roll back some tax benefits for religious leaders through a lawsuit filed in a Wisconsin district court last week. The suit lists the Internal Revenue Service and Secretary Treasury Timothy Geithner as the defendants and cites Tax Code 107, which excludes members… Read more »

The state’s Joint Finance Committee suggested it might not reimburse the city of Madison or Dane County for expenses incurred during the Capitol protests last spring because local officials advocated on a partisan viewpoint that pushed the rallies onward.  A statement from the JFC said operating decisions of the Madison… Read more »

Pro bono law efforts at the campus level are expected to boost in the coming months after the University of Wisconsin Law School announced its receipt of federal funds to bolster its mission. The Pro Bono Program at the Law School announced in a statement yesterday it received a grant… Read more »

Residents in some Wisconsin counties may be feeling the health effects of an expansive forest fire Wednesday, although the fire itself continues to rage miles away in Minnesota. The Department of Natural Resources issued a “red” level air quality advisory Wednesday, cautioning residents in Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker and several other governors are joining the federal government and Canada in demanding New York reconsider shipping regulations that protect waters from invasive species but could damage Wisconsin’s economy. In a letter sent to New York’s Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week, Walker joined forces with the… Read more »

In the only meeting of the Assembly and Senate scheduled this month, the Legislature voted in favor of moving the state’s presidential primary election to April and the Senate swore two new members into office. In its first meeting of the fall session and what will also likely be its… Read more »

JUSTIN POPEAP Education WriterColleges and universities are cutting budgets by the tens and hundreds of millions of dollars. But what exactly are they cutting - fat or lean? Johns Hopkins professor Benjamin Ginsberg has buttressed his acerbic attacks on higher education’s “bureaucracy gone wild” with a new book. But a… Read more »

The first legislative meeting to be held since the hotly contested recall elections of the summer will be the only time legislators will sit together at the Capitol this month.    Today’s Senate and Assembly meetings will be the only time the Legislature will meet in September, Andrew Welhouse, spokesperson… Read more »

The controversial law that requires voters to provide photo identification at the polls will now allow school-issued IDs as proper identification, provided they meet the required specifications. On Monday, the Government Accountability Board released the decision to allow colleges and universities to issue stickers that can be placed on student… Read more »

Mounting concern over an invasive species of fish making its way to Minnesota and Wisconsin has prompted a meeting between government and environmental officials from the two states. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton called the summit today with Wisconsin officials to discuss the rising population of Asian carp in Wisconsin and… Read more »

A scientific funding proposal written by Republican members of the state Legislature is receiving bipartisan support, but has some concerned it would exclude stem cell research. On Thursday, state Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, and Rep. Dale Kooyanga, R-Brookfield, announced their plan to introduce the Next Generation Jobs bill this fall… Read more »

While President Obama’s health care law continues to face strong opposition nationally, a bill recently proposed to both houses of state Legislature would keep health insurance companies from refusing clients because of pre-existing conditions. Senator Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, and Rep. Jon Richards, D-Milwaukee, plan to introduce a companion bill to… Read more »

As students across Wisconsin prepare for school this fall, Gov. Scott Walker went on the radio to address the school reforms he passed last spring. On Thursday morning, Walker’s first ever weekly recorded radio address was played on stations throughout Wisconsin. In the address, titled Back to School, Walker said… Read more »

U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin’s recent decision to join the U.S. Senate race has opened the door for two Wisconsin Democratic representatives to run for her soon-to-be-vacant seat in Congress. Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair Kelda Roys, D-Madison, and Assembly member Mark Pocan, D-Madison, each announced plans to run for the Madison-encompassing… Read more »

View Cuts and additions to state education funding in a larger map A new study found Wisconsin students are among the nation’s hardest hit by cuts to education made in the state biennial budget, an issue which has proved a political flashpoint across the state in recent months. The recent… Read more »

Wisconsinites enrolling at colleges and universities in Minnesota next year will no longer have the advantage of paying lower prices than Minnesotans for comparable education due to a new reciprocity agreement between the neighboring states. The State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education… Read more »

Documents containing police interviews with the members of the state’s highest court addressing the details of a physical altercation between two justices in June provided conflicting accounts of the incident. The documents, released by Dane County Sheriff’s Office and obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reveal varying accounts of the… Read more »

Earlier this summer, Gov. Scott Walker signed concealed carry into law for Wisconsin, allowing citizens to apply for a permit to carry a concealed weapon in many public and private places. Yet politicians remain divided on whether concealed carry will make Wisconsin safer. Open carry, concealed carry and constitutional carry… Read more »

Even before an independent agency created guidelines for state and municipal unions that want to continue to collectively bargain over wages, a prominent University of Wisconsin-based instructors’ union rejected recertifying with the state.At its general membership meeting Aug. 18, the Teaching Assistants’ Association voted against seeking certification, citing high costs… Read more »

A recently passed state law requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls will face a court challenge on allegations it violates the Wisconsin Constitution. On Aug. 18, the League of Women’s Voters of Wisconsin announced it would challenge the voter ID law in Dane County Circuit Court within… Read more »

In what marked the first of the summer’s four rounds of recall elections, six Democratic Senate candidates won their primary recall elections against Republicans posing as contenders. After controversy erupted surrounding Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill to end collective bargaining for state employees, enough signatures were gathered to trigger… Read more »

Two state senators announced earlier this month they plan to introduce a bill in that would effectively end the election of Supreme Court justices in Wisconsin.  The proposed legislation would replace Supreme Court elections with merit-based appointments to be reviewed by a committee and referred to the governor for a final… Read more »

Throughout the past several months, legislators in Wisconsin have participated in countless hours of debate surrounding solutions to the state deficit. According to figures from Gov. Scott Walker’s office, the state faces a $3.6 billion debt. Experts around Wisconsin agree the 2011-13 biennial budget, signed on June 26, makes serious… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker took a step in reinstating the popular, but recently terminated Minnesota-Wisconsin tax reciprocity program by paying back the roughly $60 million in overdue bills that was owed to Minnesota earlier this month. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty canceled the program in 2009 because Wisconsin skirted its duty… Read more »

The longest shutdown in Minnesota state history could end this week after the Democratic governor and Republican lawmakers struck a budget compromise following more than two weeks of standstill and a price tag of millions of dollars. “This government shutdown had a rippling effect on individuals, families and businesses all over Minnesota.… Read more »

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday to uphold the legislation that eliminates collective bargaining rights for most public unions. The 4-3 decision, announced around 4:30 p.m., eliminated the need for GOP legislators to pass the provisions limiting collective bargaining for a second time.Even though the court has ruled, the logistics… Read more »

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The University of Wisconsin’s flagship Madison campus would receive more flexibility in how it operates but will remain part of the university system under changes expected to be approved by the Legislature’s budget committee Friday.Republicans have said for weeks they did not intend to go along… Read more »

Fifty-six days after the official Supreme Court election came to a close, Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg conceded the seat to incumbent Justice David Prosser Tuesday. During a press conference Tuesday, Kloppenburg said she called Prosser earlier in the day to inform him she would not pursue legal action on… Read more »

A Dane County judge ruled the legislation to repeal the collective bargaining rights of public employees was approved in violation of open meetings laws when a state committee met to abruptly add amendments to the bill.Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi said Thursday in a 33-page decision that legislative… Read more »

The state’s highest bipartisan budget committee approved a plan from the governor to begin phasing out a program aimed at encouraging students from low-income backgrounds to begin planning for college before entering high school. Members of the Joint Finance Committee voted to support Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to end the Wisconsin Covenant program, despite… Read more »

In a contentious meeting, the senate passed legislation that would require voters to present photo identification at the polls on Thursday.The Senate clerk called roll over continuing objections from Democrats and minutes later the Senate passed the Voter Identification bill with a vote of 19 to 5.The president adjourned the… Read more »

Senate Democrats blocked a final vote early Wednesday morning on a controversial bill that would require voters to present photo IDs at the polls. Before pushing the bill to Senate chambers, Assembly Republicans voted last week against 50 proposed amendments. Republican Senators voted against another 25 amendments Tuesday night. The… Read more »

Two Wisconsin Republican lawmakers released drafts of a bill Wednesday that would allow citizens to conceal and carry firearms, which have a chance at passing considering the Legislature’s Republican majority. Sen. Pam Galloway, R-Wausau, and Rep. Jeff Mursau, R-Crivitz, co-authored the legislation. They drafted two versions of the bill, one… Read more »

Both supporters and opponents Thursday sounded off on a lawmaker’s proposal to end a program that allows inmates who show good behavior in prison to leave before serving their entire sentence. The bill, authored by Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, and Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, would repeal a provision within former… Read more »

The Supreme Court responded Wednesday to an April request by the Department of Justice for the judicial body to review the legal issues surrounding the alleged open meetings violation and has decided to hold oral arguments. The original request made by the DOJ on behalf of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch… Read more »

A legislative committee on natural resources will hold a public hearing Thursday on a bill that would prohibit the Department of Natural Resources from making rules stipulating the beginning of the deer season, causing some outdoorsmen to say they are concerned too much power is being given to lawmakers. The… Read more »

A University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh professor is under fire this week from Republicans after a recording of the professor discussing the recall campaign against a senator with his students aired on a radio station. The recording included UW-Oshkosh professor Richard Stephens during lecture introducing two students who would be collecting signatures… Read more »

Republican members of the state’s budget writing committee voted to dismantle Wisconsin regional transit authority systems Wednesday, a move that went against the governor’s proposal and upset local officials in Dane County. RTAs are public bodies run by a board of directors with the duty of operating or contracting a… Read more »

(AP) — Wisconsin Democrats managed to take one Assembly seat from Republicans in a low-key special election where the GOP held two other contested seats. In District 94, which covers rural La Crosse County and parts of Monroe County, Democrat Steve Doyle beat Republican challenger John Lautz, 54 percent to… Read more »

The campaign to recall a Green Bay state senator filed a temporary restraining order against the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Tuesday morning in a Brown County court, alleging the party made harassing phone calls. The campaign filed their petition against Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, on April 21 with nearly… Read more »

Parents, educators, consultants and attorneys voiced unanimous support of a Senate bill that would require all public school employees to report incidences of child abuse and neglect at a public hearing Tuesday. “The origin of this bill comes from an incident that occurred to a constituent of mine in Caledonia,”… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker announced Tuesday afternoon a plan to upgrade a central highway in Wisconsin to an interstate, a move which opponents said would be a misuse of funds during a time of economic hardship and sharp cuts in state funding for local programs. A 142-mile stretch of U.S. Highway… Read more »

Legislators will hold a hearing Thursday to gauge public opinion on a bill that would repeal the prisoner early-release program established under former Gov. Jim Doyle’s 2009-11 biennial budget. Under the current early-release program, inmates can be released for good behavior before serving their full prison sentence. The new bill,… Read more »

After several cases of child abuse in Wisconsin schools went unreported, a new bill making it mandatory for all public school employees to report cases of child abuse will be part of a public hearing today. Currently, state law only requires teachers, counselors and administrators to report instances of child… Read more »

The decibel level inside Capitol Square was heightened Saturday afternoon by the clamor of more than 300 motorcyclists revving their engines in opposition to Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial plan to limit public union collective bargaining rights. Sponsored by AFL-CIO and Milwaukee Ironworkers Local 8, the event, dubbed “Thunda Around the… Read more »

After many students raised concerns Wisconsin college students would be negatively affected by voter ID legislation being debated in the Legislature, a substitute amendment was released Friday containing language that would include student IDs on the list of identification accepted by election polling staff. The voter ID bill would require… Read more »

After receiving recall petitions for eight state senators, the Government Accountability Board will have more time to review the petitions after a Dane County Circuit Court judge struck down a ruling Friday.  A Dane County Circuit Court judge Friday granted the Government Accountability Board more time to review recall petitions… Read more »

Two state senatorial recall campaigns could have combined signatures to force a special election of the Senate minority leader, but one campaign decided against collaborating due to irreconcilable differences. The Recall Mark Miller campaign came up 268 signatures short of the required 20,352 necessary to trigger a special election. A… Read more »

Although Gov. Scott Walker has been an opponent of Wisconsin’s high-speed rail since before his tenure began, Democrats and train and environmental advocates held a conference Thursday to release a report on the Midwest rail project that predicted high job and economic impact in the region. Rep. Brett Hulsey, D-Madison,… Read more »

With the controversial budget repair bill currently stuck in the court system, Republicans have been discussing ways to ensure Wisconsin municipalities still receive the tools Gov. Scott Walker said were contained in the bill which limited collective bargaining authority for public employees, including adding that provision to the biennial budget… Read more »

Despite the voter ID bill’s author’s statements to the contrary, the hearing held Wednesday on the controversial measure saw members of the voting public testify that requiring photo identification at the polls would disenfranchise many vulnerable citizens across Wisconsin. Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, testifying with Sen. Joe Leibham, R-Sheboygan, before… Read more »

After touring across the state to hear lengthy and impassioned testimony from the public, the state’s budget-writing committee sat down Wednesday to scour over provisions within the biennium budget proposed by the governor. The Joint Finance Committee began its budget vetting process Tuesday. The process will likely end in May… Read more »

Petitions to recall yet another Republican senator are expected to be handed in Thursday, while the campaigns collecting signatures against three Democrats have been unable to reach the required amount before the 60-day deadline.Sen. Robert Cowles, R-Green Bay, could face a special recall election in his district this summer if… Read more »

(AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court recount will cost at least $500,000, as county election officials feel their way through the third statewide recount in Wisconsin history, an Associated Press survey of clerks found.The AP asked clerks in all 72 counties how much it would cost to do the recount… Read more »

Four Democrats on the state’s highest finance committee said they would oppose proposed changes to tuition reciprocity, a measure that could cause tuition spikes for Wisconsinites studying in Minnesota. Members of the Joint Finance Committee sent a letter in objection to the passive review of a proposal to eliminate the… Read more »

County clerks from across the state were instructed Monday to begin the recount process for the Supreme Court election Wednesday morning and report results to the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board by May 9. During a conference call between the GAB and the state’s county clerks Monday morning, officials provided instructions… Read more »

While the results of climate change might not be noticeable in the short run, a recent report is attempting to show how climate change could potentially have negative effects on the economies of every state in America.  The American Security Project, a non-profit, bipartisan research organization focusing on national security… Read more »

A Wisconsin lawmaker is circulating a bill among legislators that would prohibit people convicted of drug-related or violent felonies from owning a dog deemed vicious by police officers. According to the bill authored by Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, officers would determine the viciousness of a dog based on whether… Read more »

With half of the eligible senators facing the prospect of a special recall election this summer, a challenger has announced his candidacy to replace Republican Sen. Luther Olsen. Rep. Fred Clark, D-Baraboo, released a statement announcing he will run against Olsen, a Republican from Ripon. Clark said he hopes to… Read more »

According to recently released polling data, Gov. Scott Walker would only barely survive a special election where recall petitions filed against him. The study, commissioned by Wisconsin Public Radio and conducted by St. Norbert College, interviewed 400 adults by phone between April 5 and April 18. Part of the interview… Read more »

Senate Democrats are busily drafting a bill that would prevent changes proposed in the governor’s budget to SeniorCare’s eligibility and enrollment requirements that would force the elderly to pay more for prescription drugs. Five Democratic senators are drafting the bill, which they said would prevent Gov. Scott Walker from “raiding”… Read more »

Organizers submitted recall petitions Thursday against three Democrats and one Republican, upping the amount of petitions filed against Wisconsin state senators in light of votes on Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial budget repair bill to eight. Petitions against Sens. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, Robert Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, Jim Holperin, D-Conover, and… Read more »

After announcing she would request a statewide recount in the Supreme Court election earlier this week, challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg and incumbent Justice David Prosser argued in court Thursday to reach a decision as to how the recount would be done. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Richard Ness approved a recount… Read more »

An Assembly committee heard testimony Thursday from lawmakers, police officers and concerned citizens regarding two bills that address what information law enforcement officials write down at traffic stops and a possible ban on synthetic marijuana. Assembly Justice Committee co-chair Rep. Garey Bies, R-Sister Bay, authored the synthetic drug bill that… Read more »

Wisconsin Supreme Court challenger candidate JoAnne Kloppenburg formally called Wednesday for a statewide recount done by hand and also asked for another formal investigation of the discovered votes in Waukesha County. “There are legitimate and widespread anomalies and legitimate questions about the conduct of this election, most visibly in Waukesha… Read more »

With another recall petition scheduled to be handed in Thursday, the agency responsible for clearing signatures is expected to request an extension from the Dane County Circuit Court to allow more time to finish their validation process. The non-partisan Government Accountability Board has 31 days to examine signatures on petitions… Read more »

After a non-partisan governmental agency outlined a list of items in the governor’s budget that would have no impact on the state’s economy, lead members of the budget committee removed some of those items they felt should not be addressed in the budget process Tuesday. Joint Finance Committee co-chairs Rep.… Read more »

With tensions wearing thin in the dispute over the New Badger Partnership, one legislator proposed delaying consideration of the plan until after the passage of the budget bill. Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, offered a plan for resolution between University of Wisconsin-Madison and UW System officials that included removing all provisions… Read more »

The Assembly Committee on Education heard opposing testimonies Tuesday regarding two bills that would expand the K-12 voucher school program in the city of Milwaukee. Currently, schools participating in the voucher program — which allows parents and guardians to send their children to a private school with state funds —… Read more »

After a four-day investigation, the state agency in charge of validating election results announced Tuesday it found no significant irregularities in the vote totals reported in Waukesha County. The Wisconsin Supreme Court race between challenger JoAnne Kloppenburg and incumbent Justice David Prosser ended too close to call on the night… Read more »

A report released Tuesday by the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign said financing sources both in and outside the candidates’ campaigns in Wisconsin’s April Supreme Court election spent over $5 million in advertisements and grassroots campaigning measures. The total amount spent over the election was $5.4 million and includes contributions made by… Read more »

A lead member of the state’s powerful Joint Finance Committee said Sunday he thought the governor’s plan to allow the University of Wisconsin to spin off from other state schools is a complicated issue that may require more than one budget cycle to decide. JFC co-chair Rep. Robin Vos, R-Burlington,… Read more »

Another Republican Senator risks removal from office after a recall committee handed in the required amount of signatures Monday. The Committee to Recall Luther Olsen filed their petition to recall Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, with the Government Accountability Board after collecting around 23,000 signatures, roughly 9,000 more than they needed,… Read more »

Cycling advocates will express their concerns over the state’s bicycle laws with Capitol lawmakers today as part of a statewide bike summit held by the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. Tuesday will be the third time the non-profit federation has hosted the bike summit, and event organizers are expecting some 400… Read more »

While Gov. Scott Walker’s contentious collective bargaining bill that ignited weeks of demonstrations remains stuck in the courts, Tea Partiers and counter-protesters gathered on Capitol Square Saturday to renew the fiscal battle that has been polarizing the state. The third annual Tea Party tax day event, hosted by Americans for… Read more »

Justice David Prosser declared victory in the contentious Supreme Court election Friday, despite escalating scrutiny over votes in Waukesha County. Prosser declared victory after canvasses of Wisconsin’s 72 counties confirmed he was ahead by 7,316 votes. A statewide certification, which adds up the county results, will be delayed until a… Read more »

Two Wisconsin breweries were recently moved up on national lists of top breweries. Both the New Glarus Brewing Company and Stevens Point Brewery moved up on the list of Top 50 Craft Brewing Beers and Top 50 Top Brewing Beers.The Brewers Association defines a craft brewer as a small, independent… Read more »

After dust from weeks of protests against the governor’s collective bargaining bill has started to settle, a figurehead of the Tea Party movement is coming to Madison to boost support for the conservative cause. Matt Seaholm, the Wisconsin state director of Americans for Prosperity, said former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin… Read more »

The governor spent more than three hours Thursday fielding questions from members of the federal House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on the actions he took during his first months in office to deal with the state’s budget troubles. Gov. Scott Walker, along with Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont, were… Read more »

The Wisconsin Assembly took up a host of items on the chamber floor Thursday, including a constitutional amendment to create a rainy-day fund. During freshman Rep. Travis Tranel’s, R-Cuba City, maiden address to the Assembly, he introduced a resolution to amend Wisconsin’s constitution in order to create a fiscal responsibility… Read more »

The Department of Natural Resources proposed new recommendations for the 2011 deer hunting season to allow hunters to shoot more deer. The changes include removing the Earn-A-Buck program that requires hunters to shoot a doe or fawn before shooting a buck and limit or eliminate the early antlerless hunt in… Read more »

Due to concerns that SeniorCare would change for the worse under Gov. Scott Walker’s new budget proposal, Assembly Democrats and Wisconsin senior citizen advocates held a press conference Wednesday to announce the circulation of a statewide petition to ensure the continuation of the program in its current form. Rep. Andy… Read more »

A defendant’s lawyer in the Dane County district attorney’s lawsuit wrote a letter Tuesday objecting to a request by the attorney general’s office asking the Supreme Court to decide to take up the case before Thursday, the last day the Department of Justice can file an appeal. Robert Jambois, lawyer… Read more »

While Supreme Court candidate JoAnne Kloppenburg’s campaign sifts through papers documenting the vote process in Waukesha County, the clerk responsible for making the error that caused the incumbent justice to take the lead in the race has rebuffed Democrats who called for her resignation earlier this week. The Waukesha County… Read more »

Tuesday marked Scott Walker’s 100th day as governor — a period of time characterized by a special legislative session on jobs that saw numerous bills passed he said would buoy Wisconsin’s economy, although experts said the impact has yet to be realized. Walker said he committed the first 100 days… Read more »

A contested bill recently introduced by the state Senate aims to ease the process of starting charter schools, allowing educators room to innovate in exchange for meeting strict expectations. Wisconsin Charter School Association Executive Director John Gee said the climate for charter schools is ripe because of available federal grants.… Read more »

The possibility of unseating current lawmakers in the Senate became that much more real over the weekend as one candidate announced her plans to run against a senator in a recall election, while another challenger is expected to publicize her campaign Wednesday. Just eight days after petitions to recall Sen.… Read more »

A legislative committee voted along partisan lines Tuesday to accept a bill that would change how Wisconsin municipalities treat their drinking water, a decision which concerned clean water advocates. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Hills, and Rep. Erik Severson, R-Star Prairie, would alter current rules requiring city… Read more »

After a game-changing discovery last week of uncounted votes in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, a U.S. representative recently sent a letter to the country’s highest prosecutor asking him to conduct a federal investigation. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder over the weekend… Read more »

A major donor to Gov. Scott Walker’s campaign was charged Monday with two felonies after an investigation discovered he illegally contributed more than $50,000 to political campaigns throughout the state. Wisconsin & Southern Railroad Company CEO William Gardner will plead guilty to the felonies after he violated two state laws.… Read more »

New legislation that proposes making synthetic marijuana illegal has stopped circulating the Capitol and will now be the subject of a public hearing in committee later this month. The bill, authored by Rep. Garey Bies, R-Sister Bay, would extend current Wisconsin restrictions against marijuana to the plant’s lab-made, synthetic variety. Synthetic… Read more »

Despite Gov. Scott Walker’s commitment to providing tools for cities and municipalities to offset cuts to state-funded programs proposed in the biennium budget, many local governments are finding they are not enough. The savings from local workers’ increased contributions to health care and pensions would cover about 61 percent of… Read more »

The Dane County district attorney’s lawsuit alleging an open meetings violation took place in the passage of the collective bargaining bill became more convoluted Thursday after a couple parties and non-parties to the case filed papers requesting further review of the case proceedings. Secretary of the Department of Administration Mike… Read more »

The highly contested Wisconsin Supreme Court election will move into its third day of uncertainty after officials in Waukesha County discovered yesterday that mechanical errors left more than 14,000 votes unaccounted for because of human error. The reconfigured votes for Waukesha, a predominantly Republican voting county, brings the incumbent Justice… Read more »

Another Republican senator could be at risk of being unseated after petitioners Thursday afternoon handed in the required amount of signatures to trigger a recall election in May. The efforts of two separate but cooperative campaigns collected 22,500 signatures among some 3,100 pages, in the recall campaign for Sen. Randy… Read more »

The Joint Finance Committee held a public hearing on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus Thursday, and despite a smaller than expected turnout, testimony on the governor’s new budget proposal for the next biennium was filled with passion. The hearing began at 10 a.m. inside the Quandt Fieldhouse, where the… Read more »

Despite a winning margin of less than 500 votes, Supreme Court candidate JoAnne Kloppenburg declared victory Wednesday and said she believes the totals reported by news agencies would hold even if a recount takes place. Kloppenburg released a statement Wednesday afternoon that said every precinct in Wisconsin had reported their… Read more »

When an anonymous University of Wisconsin junior was a senior in high school, she was an honor student who volunteered and played sports. Like so many other bright students in the state, she set her sights on attending UW, where she was accepted. But as enrollment and her eventual attendance… Read more »

The Joint Finance Committee listened to testimony from the Department of Health Services secretary Wednesday morning about the agency’s proposed budget, which committee members probed for answers about changes to important medical programs. Committee members questioned DHS Secretary Dennis Smith about SeniorCare, family planning services and legislative oversight, all of… Read more »

While some Democrats have grumbled over the locations and times selected by the Joint Finance Committee, the first public hearing on the governor’s proposed budget for the next biennium will be held Thursday on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point campus. The Committee will hear public testimony on Gov. Scott Walker’s… Read more »

The race between a conservative-leaning justice and his liberal challenger was too close to call early Wednesday, and a recount seemed possible, if not likely.With 99 percent of precincts reporting, incumbent David Prosser had 733,074 votes compared to JoAnne Kloppenburg’s 732,489 — a difference of just 585 votes out of more than… Read more »

After an almost two-month process that brought political drama to the state of Wisconsin, the few remaining fiscal elements of the budget repair bill were passed by both the Senate and Assembly Tuesday. The budget repair bill, introduced by Gov. Scott Walker Feb. 11, started a controversial debate regarding whether… Read more »

Wisconsin’s political environment meant one thing Tuesday: High voter turnout in local and state elections. Although some figures were not available early Wednesday, others showed just how much of an affect the highly publicized controversies of Gov. Scott Walker had: The Madison clerk said 54 percent of registered voters cast… Read more »

The University of Wisconsin Teaching Assistants’ Association held a brief gathering atop Bascom Hill Monday featuring two campus unions and Rev. Jesse Jackson before marching down State Street to the Capitol building where a rally commemorated Martin Luther King Jr.’s death and his fight for workers’ rights. A group of… Read more »

Members of the University of Wisconsin Faculty Senate weighed a new approach to funding for the university under the public authority model and approved a resolution in support of academic freedom during a meeting Monday. Vice Chancellor for Administration Darrell Bazzell said while current levels of state funding in some… Read more »

The several-month-long race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court will come to an end today when voters across the state make a decision that experts said might be shaped by a historical influx of third party money for advertisements. The increased interest around the usually sleepy Supreme Court… Read more »

After University of Wisconsin officials complied with an open records request from the Republican Party of Wisconsin, members of the campus community weighed in on the perceived threat to academic freedom. The request came less than two days after UW history professor William Cronon published a “study guide” in a… Read more »

Despite a local blogger’s complaints, a local attorney said Monday that some political signs are permitted within city buildings. While Isthmus blogger David Blaska denounced signs displayed in the windows of the City County and Madison Municipal buildings Sunday and staged a protest Monday morning in response, City Attorney Michael… Read more »

Inmates in Wisconsin’s correctional system received more than a quarter of a million dollars in misallocated welfare benefits from 2009 to 2010, according to an audit released Friday. According to the Legislative Audit Bureau, 59 inmates received unemployment benefits during May 2010. Of the 37 inmates already investigated, the LAB… Read more »

(AP) — Gov. Scott Walker’s budget calls for doing away with registration stickers on vehicle’s license plates.Walker, a Republican, estimates the move would save about $800,000 over the two-year spending plan through printing and mailing costs.State Transportation Secretary Mark Gottlieb told the Legislature’s budget committee on Monday that the stickers… Read more »

A Dane County judge said the temporary restraining order prohibiting publication of the bill limiting collective bargaining rights for public employees would stay in place, despite the continued absence of the Republican defendants. Judge Maryann Sumi made the ruling Friday, since the Republican legislators involved in voting on the bill,… Read more »

The recall campaign against Sen. Dan Kapanke, R-La Crosse, announced Friday members had acquired the necessary amount of signatures to trigger a special election, becoming the first of the 16 campaigns to do so. The Democratic Party of Wisconsin and volunteers collected 21,700 signatures, well above the roughly 15,000 signatures… Read more »

A Wisconsin woman is facing two felony charges after an investigation found her responsible for emailing death threats and bomb scares to Republican senators during debate of the collective bargaining bill. The criminal complaint alleged Katherine Windels of Cross Plains threatened to shoot Republican senators and, “because [that] just isn’t… Read more »

The Department of Administration agreed to cease implementation of the governor’s union bill Thursday after a Dane County circuit court judge declared in an amended order the bill’s publication did not make it a law. DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch said the newly amended order contained language that would require his… Read more »

The Department of Justice announced Thursday it was concerned about the Dane County district attorney’s lack of action regarding a referral the agency sent detailing a threat made to a lawmaker during the tumultuous weeks surrounding the passage of the budget repair bill. The Division of Criminal Investigations within the… Read more »

After a substantial clean up effort, portions of the Fox River have seen significant decreases in chemical pollution according to a recently released study conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Agents from the DNR and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began a clean up of the Little Lake Butte… Read more »

The Department of Administration said Wednesday it would continue to implement the bill limiting collective bargaining rights, while the governor reintroduced the fiscal components stripped from the original budget repair bill. The DOA began the process of updating their payroll system to account for the increased public employee contributions toward… Read more »

In the wake of statewide test results showing the opposite, a University of Wisconsin professor released a study Wednesday on Milwaukee’s voucher program that showed enrolled students did benefit from the system. The study was coordinated by the School Choice Demonstration Project, a national research organization that evaluates school choice… Read more »

In a quick hearing Wednesday, legal counsel for two local labor unions withdrew a request to combine two cases currently before the Dane County court system regarding the governor’s collective bargaining bill. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk filed a lawsuit against the state of Wisconsin on March 11 alleging the… Read more »

Members of the University of Wisconsin student government said Monday they are deliberating the best procedure to appoint a student representative to the new governing board for the period after the campus becomes a public authority. The topic of how the proposed sole Board of Trustees student member will be… Read more »

A Dane County Circuit Court judge Tuesday reinforced her previous order prohibiting the publication of the governor’s bill that would curtail collective bargaining rights for public unions and said those who continue to implement the law could face sanctions. Judge Maryann Sumi heard testimony in a case filed last week… Read more »

Following a 2010 United States Supreme Court decision to consider corporations to be citizens with free speech rights in campaign financing, a corporation plans to run for Congress to test the decision. In an action of part satire, part initiative, Murray Hill Incorporated, a public relations firm based in Maryland,… Read more »

Students enrolled in voucher schools performed the same or worse than Milwaukee Public School students in statewide education testing, further dividing supporters and opponents of the expansion of the school choice program proposed by Gov. Scott Walker. The test results of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination were released Tuesday… Read more »

Gov. Scott Walker announced Tuesday morning that Wisconsin will apply for $150 million in federal funds to improve the Hiawatha Amtrak railroad connecting Milwaukee and Chicago. “Upgrading the Hiawatha line will save the state money and improve rail service for Wisconsin customers,” Walker said in a statement. “The state will… Read more »

With the April 5 elections drawing near, the two candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court justice faced one another on experience and the value of impartiality Monday in a debate held by the State Bar of Wisconsin. Supreme Court Justice David Prosser and Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg defended their nonpartisan,… Read more »

Adding to the confusion around its publication Friday, the state’s Department of Justice said Monday morning the budget repair bill is in fact law and asked that the current court cases be dismissed, prompting a critical response from the Dane County district attorney later in the evening. The DOJ said… Read more »

The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced Monday they will not file charges against a former district attorney who allegedly sent “sexts” to a domestic abuse victim, among other women. In October 2010, Calumet County DA Kenneth Kratz resigned from his post when former Gov. Jim Doyle appointed prosecutors to start a removal… Read more »

Funding for candidates running in future Supreme Court elections who chose to participate in the public financing system to pay for their campaigns would be provided with voluntary financing contributions instead of tax dollars under Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed 2011-’13 biennial budget. Walker’s budget would remove public funding for the… Read more »

After a University of Wisconsin professor posted a blog article calling for further investigation of a conservative advocacy organization, the Republican Party of Wisconsin filed an open records request for his university emails, a move some say poses a threat to faculty members’ academic freedom in research. Republican officials filed… Read more »

Two University of Wisconsin-Whitewater professors upset with the Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed cuts to higher education made their message unique and walked 43 miles from their campus to Madison to hand-deliver a letter to lawmakers Saturday. James Hartwick, a UW-Whitewater associate professor in the College of Education, and geology and… Read more »

The Legislative Reference Bureau published Gov. Scott Walker’s controversial budget repair bill online Friday afternoon, prompting discussions as to whether the publication meant the bill had become law. As articulated by the Wisconsin statutes, LRB is required to publish a bill 10 days after it is signed by the governor.… Read more »

After the referral of a controversial bill to the state Supreme Court, experts said the upcoming Supreme Court election would intensify partisan battles that have the potential to politically charge the fundamentally non-partisan branch of government. A state appeals court referred the case investigating an alleged violation of open meetings… Read more »

Items in Gov. Scott Walker’s new biennial budget would cut programs that provide aid and support to immigrants, a move that has drawn outrage among immigrant advocacy groups. Walker’s 2011-2013 budget contains proposals that would end access to in-state tuition for undocumented immigrant college students and eliminate the FoodShare program… Read more »

Two state legislators announced Thursday their intentions to introduce a bill that would provide assistance to parents seeking to enroll their children in alternative schools. The bill, authored by Sen. Glenn Grothman, R-West Bend, and Rep. Andre Jacque, R-Bellevue, would offer parents of first and ninth graders enrolling in parochial… Read more »

As Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget cuts agency budgets across the board, Dane County officials said Thursday the county’s child support agency would lose almost $1 million throughout the next two years. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk said in a statement the county is preparing to take $840,000 in cuts… Read more »

A Wisconsin appeals court referred the controversial ruling blocking publication of the collective bargaining bill to the state’s Supreme Court Thursday, whose decision to hear the case could be impacted by the upcoming judicial elections. The appeals court declined to make a ruling on the case regarding an alleged violation… Read more »

An Indiana deputy prosecutor and Republican activist resigned Thursday after the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism uncovered an email in which he suggested faking an attack on Gov. Scott Walker to discredit union protesters. Carlos F. Lam submitted his resignation shortly before the Center published a story quoting his Feb.… Read more »

Emails recently released by Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald show just how far his office was willing to go in order to compel the missing Democrats to return. The emails were obtained by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a political transparency advocacy group, after the group filed an… Read more »

The Senate Committee on Education heard hours of testimony Wednesday on a bill that would remove limits on the number of publicly funded charter schools allowed in the state of Wisconsin and for the number of students allowed to enroll. Authored by Sen. Alberta Darling, R-River Hills, and Rep. Robin… Read more »

Following closely on the heels on the Board of Regents’ endorsement of a plan for greater autonomy for all University of Wisconsin campuses, 13 UW System chancellors signed a letter submitted to the state Legislature urging policymakers to consider the Wisconsin Idea Partnership and to retain the system as a… Read more »