by Dan Rossmiller | Jan 26, 2023 | Legislative Update Blog, State Budget, State Issue
In his fifth State of the State address as governor, Gov. Tony Evers outlined proposals to spend nearly $1.3 billion on mental health initiatives, addressing PFAS and bolstering the state’s workforce, among other things. Evers also called for a big boost in state aid to local governments and schools. In his speech, Evers noted the record state budget surplus as well as the record balance in the state’s Budget Stabilization (a/k/a “Rainy Day”) Fund.
Previewing the two-year state budget proposal he will unveil on Feb.15, Evers used his annual State of the State address to tout a proposal to make the “Get Kids Ahead” a permanent state program by investing more than $270 million to ensure every student has access to mental health services.
Details of Evers’ plan were released along with the speech and call for providing:
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by Dan Rossmiller | Dec 19, 2022 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
When the Wisconsin Legislature holds its Inauguration ceremony on January 3, 2023, 31 new members will take the oath of office for the first time in their new roles, representing nearly a quarter of the total membership of the Legislature. This unusually high turnover was largely due to sitting legislators retiring or seeking other offices following a redrawing of legislative district boundaries.
The 33-member state Senate will swear in seven new members: five Republicans and two Democrats. Senator-elect Cory Tomczyk (R-Mosinee) will be brand new to the Legislature; the other six new members currently serve or have served in the state Assembly. New Senate members are as follows: (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Dec 12, 2022 | Legislative Update Blog, State Budget, State Issue
On Friday (12/9), Gov. Tony Evers announced the dates and times for his 2023 State of the State Address and his 2023-25 biennial budget message.
2023 State of the State Address
Tues., Jan. 24, 2023 | 7 p.m. CT
Assembly Chamber
Wisconsin State Capitol
2023-25 Biennial Budget Message
Wed., Feb. 15, 2023 | 7 p.m. CT
Assembly Chamber
Wisconsin State Capitol
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by Dan Rossmiller | Nov 28, 2022 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
The Joint Legislative Council Study Committee on Shared School District Services will meet Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 10:00 am in Room 300 Northeast, State Capitol. The meeting agenda can be found here.
The study committee will discuss its assignment as well as the following proposals which have been distributed to committee members and are available online:
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by Dan Rossmiller | Nov 23, 2022 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue, Uncategorized
Republican state Sen. Alberta Darling announced this morning that she will retire effective Dec. 1., ending a 32-year career in the state Legislature. The resignation means that Senate Republicans will not begin the January 2023 legislative with a “veto-proof” two-thirds supermajority in the State Senate and likely will not hold such a super majority until a special election is held to fill Darling’s seat, which leans heavily Republican.
A former teacher, Darling, 78, was a long-time member of the Senate Education Committee and chaired the committee for the past two years. She previously serving as the vice-chair of the committee in the 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2019-20 sessions. She also served as a member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding. Her departure means a new chairperson will take over the Senate Education Committee.
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