by Chris Kulow | Jun 19, 2019 | State Issue
On June 18, the state Assembly met in floor session to act on a number of bills. K-12 education-related bills to expand the minority teacher loan program, include parent/guardian names as directory data under the state’s pupil records law, allow schools to provide prior notice of school safety drills to certain students and require certain information on school report cards were each approved on a voice vote (unanimously). A bill requiring the DPI to create a guidebook on dyslexia and related conditions for use by school districts and parents was approved on a vote of 76-21. These bills now head to the state Senate for consideration. (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Jun 18, 2019 | State Budget
The Capital Times has reported that Gov. Tony Evers will make no decisions on budget vetoes (full or partial) until both houses of the legislature pass the budget bill.
Other news of note from the story is that the governor has not met with legislative leaders to negotiate any changes to the budget that was approved by the Joint Finance Committee but plans to do so before the houses convene on the budget next week. The Assembly plans to take up the bill a week from today (on June 25) with the Senate to follow a day or two later.
Capital Times: Evers says no decision on partial, full vetoes until budget passes Assembly, Senate
by Chris Kulow | Jun 13, 2019 | State Budget
The legislature’s powerful Joint Finance Committee (JFC) finished its work on the 2019-21 state budget on June 13. The budget now heads to each house of the state legislature–Assembly first, then Senate–for consideration before heading to Gov. Evers.
The Assembly plans to take up the budget on Tuesday, June 25 with the Senate following on the 26th or 27th according to Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald in a press conference touting the JFC proposal. (more…)
by Chris Kulow | Jan 8, 2019 | State Issue
State Assembly committee membership has been set for the 2019-20 legislative session. As we previously shared here, Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt is returning as chairman of the Assembly Committee on Education. Included in the committee membership are two newly-elected members who are also sitting school board members: Rep. Timothy Ramthun (Kewaskum) and Rep. Robert Wittke (Racine Unified, not running for reelection in April). Rep. Don Vruwink is also a sitting school board member (Milton) and Vice-chair Rep. Joel Kitchens is a former school board member (Sturgeon Bay) and chaired the Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding.
Below are the other committee members including the school districts represented by each. If you are a board member or administrator in one of these districts you are in a prime position to influence committee action on K-12 legislation this session. (more…)
by Chris Kulow | Jan 7, 2019 | State Issue
From WisPolitics.com …
“– Tony Evers’ inaugural ceremony is set to kick off at 11 a.m. as the Dem becomes Wisconsin’s 46th guv.
“Along with Evers, Mandela Barnes will be sworn in as lt. guv, Josh Kaul will be take the oath as attorney general, and Sarah Godlewski will be sworn in as the new treasurer. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Doug La Follette will begin his 11th term as Dems hold all of the state’s constitutional offices for the first time in more than 30 years.
“Lawmakers will be sworn in early this afternoon as Republicans start their fifth straight session with majorities in both houses. The GOP advantage in the Senate will increase by one seat to 19-14. Meanwhile, the Republican majority in the Assembly will drop one to 63-36. (more…)
