Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) announced the rest of the Assembly GOP members of the Joint Committee on Finance. He had previously announced Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) as the Assembly co-chair.  Rep. Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg) and Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) return to serve another term on the committee. He also appointed two new JFC members: Rep. Tony Kurtz (R- Wonewoc) and Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek).

That fills out the full committee roster as follows: (more…)

From a release from the governor’s office: Gov. Tony Evers today announced he will deliver the upcoming State of the State address and biennial budget message virtually as COVID-19 continues to surge across the state. The State of the State address will be delivered at 7:00 p.m. on Tues., January 12, 2021, and pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 16.45, the governor has requested to deliver his budget message at 7:00 p.m. on Tues., February 16, 2021.

“I have spent the better part of the last year encouraging Wisconsinites to stay home as often as possible, practice social distancing, and limit interactions and gatherings with people outside of their immediate households. As you both know, I believe elected leaders must lead by example,” said Gov. Evers in a letter to legislative leaders. “To this end, and consistent with our continued recommendations to Wisconsinites, I will deliver my State of the State address and budget message to Wisconsinites virtually next year.” (more…)

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) has appointed Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) as Assembly co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) replacing Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) who abruptly resigned his Assembly seat this week. Born’s appointment takes effect at the the end of the day (12/2).  Rep. Born represents the 39th Assembly District to which he was elected in 2012 and has served as a member of JFC since 2017.  Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) will be reappointed as vice-chair.

The Speaker’s release indicates the remaining Assembly GOP members of the JFC will be announced soon.

One of the most influential legislators in state government has announced his resignation.  State Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette), co-chair of the powerful budget-writing Joint Finance Committee (JFC), has resigned his Assembly seat to pursue private sector opportunities. It was recently announced he would be reappointed to the JFC post but now Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) will be in search of a new co-chair. 

Rep. Nygren has been a key figure in budget discussions including school funding and championed initiatives such as increasing the low revenue ceiling to help low-spending school districts.  Rep. Nygren and his office have always been more than willing to work with the WASB and our members on education issues and we wish him well in his future endeavors.