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Brewers stadium deal will likely need changes to pass the Senate
By: Baylor Spears - October 26, 2023
Wisconsin lawmakers are considering changes to a deal that would fund renovations and maintenance of American Family Field using $546 million in public money to extend an agreement between the state and the Milwaukee Brewers through 2050. The Assembly passed bills to fund the deal with bipartisan support last week, but the deal is facing […]
Wisconsin would restart driver education program under bipartisan bill
By: Baylor Spears - October 25, 2023
The state of Wisconsin would begin funding driver education for the first time since 2004 under a bipartisan bill advancing in the Legislature. During a Senate Transportation & Local Government committee hearing, lawmakers and supporters said a bill that would direct the Department of Transportation to establish a driver education grant program would help increase […]
Opposition to the Brewers deal remains as it moves into the Senate
By: Baylor Spears - October 23, 2023
A deal to dedicate $546 million in public money toward repairs at American Family Field and to extend the Milwaukee Brewers’ lease through 2050 is advancing quickly through the Legislature. The plan remains divisive among Democrats, Republicans and other stakeholders as opponents say the current deal gives too much taxpayer money to stadium renovations without […]
Democrats and members of the public criticize Republicans’ ‘Iowa-style’ redistricting plan
By: Baylor Spears - October 20, 2023
Democratic lawmakers and members of the public said Republicans’ current proposal to implement an “Iowa-style” legislative redistricting process in Wisconsin falls short of what is needed during the first official hearing on the bill Thursday. The hearing by the Senate Shared Revenue, Elections and Consumer Protection committee is the first on AB 415, which would […]
Evers declares “Rise Up For LGBTQ Youth Day”
By: Baylor Spears - October 18, 2023
Gov. Tony Evers issued a proclamation Tuesday declaring “Rise Up For LGBTQ Youth Day,” explaining that the symbolic act was an effort to support LGBTQ children and their families as Wisconsin Republicans continue to advance bills that target transgender youth. In his announcement, Evers acknowledged the state’s history of LGBTQ activism and advocacy, including Black […]
Wisconsin Assembly approves $546 million Brewers stadium deal on Tuesday
By: Baylor Spears - October 18, 2023
Wisconsin Assembly lawmakers approved a deal that would dedicate $546 million in public funding to maintenance and renovations at American Family Field and extend the Milwaukee Brewers’ lease of the stadium through 2050. The pair of bills — AB 438 and AB 439 — passed in a bipartisan 69-27 vote. The current plan includes contributions […]
Senate GOP passes tax cut, abortion bills and transgender restrictions in contentious floor session
By: Baylor Spears and Erik Gunn - October 18, 2023
The Wisconsin Senate’s Republican majority passed their rewrite Tuesday of workforce legislation that Gov. Tony Evers proposed in August, leaving nothing of Evers’ original bill and guaranteeing its eventual veto. That vote came first in a cluster of contentious debates over legislation destined for the governor’s veto pen. It was followed by a confrontation over […]
Lawmakers approve raises for all but UW employees
By: Baylor Spears - October 17, 2023
A Republican-controlled committee approved 6% wage increases for all state employees on Tuesday morning except for the University of Wisconsin’s over 36,000 full-time employees. State employees, except for those in the University System, will receive a 4% pay raise in 2024 and 2% for 2025. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), who […]
Assembly to vote Tuesday on modified Brewers stadium deal
By: Baylor Spears - October 16, 2023
The Wisconsin Assembly will vote this week on a slightly modified plan for funding renovations of American Family Field and keeping the Milwaukee Brewers in the city through 2050. The changes to the bills — including a reduction in required contributions from Milwaukee and Milwaukee County — were adopted last week during an Assembly State […]
Transgender restrictions pass Assembly with GOP votes, get hearing in Senate
By: Baylor Spears - October 13, 2023
Wisconsin Republican lawmakers pushed forward bills on Thursday that would affect the lives of transgender youth, despite opposition from Gov. Tony Evers, Democratic lawmakers and members of the public, including transgender Wisconsinites. Assembly Republicans passed three bills that would ban transgender women and girls from participating in women’s sports and ban gender-affirming medical care for […]
Wisconsin Assembly condemns Hamas attack on Israel
By: Baylor Spears - October 13, 2023
The Wisconsin Assembly voted unanimously Thursday to pass a resolution condemning Hamas’ deadly attack against Israel. Assembly Joint Resolution 82, authored by Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison), passed 95-0 in a bipartisan vote. It comes as President Joe Biden denounced the attack and urged Congress to take action to support Israel. The resolution calls for Hamas, […]
Mixed reviews for GOP plan to fund the Brewers stadium
By: Baylor Spears - October 6, 2023
Wisconsin lawmakers heard testimony on a pair of bills that would spend about $600 million in public funds on maintenance and renovations at American Family Field and extend the Milwaukee Brewers’ lease through 2050 on Thursday — the day after the Major League Baseball team was ousted from its wildcard series. “I’m not blaming you […]