Politics & Government
Tiffany’s tweets cited in report naming GOP reps who supported effort to overturn election
Social media posts from Wisconsin Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany are included in a report of more than 120 congressional Republicans who joined former President Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election. The report, released by Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren, lists the public statements between Election Day and Jan. 31 of every Republican who voted […]
‘Spring is coming. It’s been a year of coping with COVID-19’
With COVID-19 vaccinations soaring and new cases continuing to diminish, Julie Willems Van Dijk is urging Wisconsin residents to guard against one particular side effect: Covid fatigue. “We are all tempted to just be done, right?” Van Dijk, Wisconsin deputy health secretary, said Thursday afternoon at the week’s second media briefing on the state’s COVID […]
Researchers argue for strong state, local aid in federal COVID plan
Attacks on proposed new federal aid to state and local governments are based on misinterpreting the data and minimizing the depth of national need, according to two researchers. Republicans — including Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson — have criticized the $1.9 trillion federal COVID-19 relief package now in the Senate because it includes long-sought additional aid […]
Senate imposes limits on aid for state, local governments in COVID relief bill
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to begin debate on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill, after drafting a number of revisions that, among other changes, tweak the aid intended for state and local governments. The legislation approved in the House outlines $350 billion in direct aid to state, local governments, territories […]
OMB deputy nominee Young praised for bipartisan work
Shalanda Young went through another confirmation hearing as the nominee for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), as House leaders and caucuses are pushing the Biden administration to nominate her instead to lead the agency. “This position requires someone with a history of looking beyond partisanship,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R- Louisiana) […]
Bill would publicize which facility performed each abortion
A bill was introduced Thursday by anti-abortion legislators that would create additional information that needs to be reported to the state Department of Health Services for every abortion, as well as making public the facility where the abortion was performed. Under current law the identity of the patient, doctor and facility is kept confidential. The […]
Senate panel advances Deb Haaland’s historic nomination to lead Interior Department
WASHINGTON — Deb Haaland has moved a step closer to becoming the first Native American to serve as a federal Cabinet secretary, with a Senate committee on Thursday advancing her nomination to lead the Department of the Interior. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources voted 11-9 to send her nomination to a vote by […]
Sex crimes and holding public officials accountable
In recent months, two Wisconsin law enforcement officials have been charged with sex crimes stemming from the inherent power imbalance between government officials and civilians or supervisors and subordinates. Yet in neither case will the official face consequences specifically for a violation of the public trust through Wisconsin’s misconduct in public office statute. Marshfield Police […]
Mississippi River mayors push for national program, infrastructure support
The mayors of Mississippi River towns from Minnesota and Wisconsin down to Louisiana are lobbying the federal government to provide relief funding to help fill the gaps caused by the COVID-19 tourism downturn. They are hoping to build infrastructure to make the region more resilient to increased flooding caused by climate change and establish a […]
GOP opposition to state and local aid remains as Senate heads toward vote on COVID bill
WASHINGTON — As Democrats seek to send President Joe Biden their latest $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill, federal lawmakers remain deeply divided on the question of whether state and local governments need another infusion of federal aid. Supporters of the bill — including numerous Republican mayors — say the answer is a clear “yes.” They […]
Senate panel splits over Xavier Becerra, Biden’s pick to lead Health and Human Services
Senate panel splits over Xavier Becerra, Biden’s pick to lead Health and Human Services
Con Con is back: Wisconsin GOP’s move to amend the Constitution
The testimony below was given by Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Executive Director Matthew Rothschild before the Assembly Committee on Constitution and Ethics on Wednesday in opposition to Joint Resolution 9 calling for an Article V convention of the states. Rep. Chuck Wichgers (R-Muskego) chairs the committee. Chair Wichgers and members of the committee, My name is […]