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Content referencing Fred Risser

State High Court Asked to Rule On Marsy’s Law

State High Court Asked to Rule On Marsy’s Law

Appeals court won’t decide suit, citing little case law whether voters on ballot question fully informed.

The State of Politics: Democrats Lose Experience In Legislature
The State of Politics

Democrats Lose Experience In Legislature

10 years of Republican control helps creates Legislature with less experienced Democrats.

The State of Politics: Legislature Often a Family Affair
The State of Politics

Legislature Often a Family Affair

Lawmakers Devin LeMahieu, Greta Neubauer and others had parents who served before them.

The State of Politics: Where Are Act 10 Players Today?
The State of Politics

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

Governor and three-fourths of legislators engaged in 2011 battle over law crushing public unions have moved on.

Risser ending 64 years in Wisconsin Legislature
The State of Politics: Pandemic Ends Holiday Traditions
The State of Politics

Pandemic Ends Holiday Traditions

It's a special time in Wisconsin’s grand Capitol. But not this year.

Back in the News: Judge Rules Against Marsy’s Law
Back in the News

Judge Rules Against Marsy’s Law

Circuit Court rules amendment passed by referendum didn't fully inform voters of constitutional changes.

Court Watch: Chisholm Calls Marsy’s Law ‘Unfunded Mandate’
Court Watch

Chisholm Calls Marsy’s Law ‘Unfunded Mandate’

County budgeting $224,000 for new staff to comply with requirements.

The State of Politics: GOP Once Bypassed Governor on Redistricting
The State of Politics

GOP Once Bypassed Governor on Redistricting

That was in 1960s and high court struck it down. Will we see repeat of this battle next year?

The State of Politics: Half Of Legislative Seats Already Decided?
The State of Politics

Half Of Legislative Seats Already Decided?

Probably. And why? Gerrymandering.

Primary Results Set Stage for November

Primary Results Set Stage for November

Newcomers in many races. Kelda Roys will replace Fred Risser, nation's longest serving legislator.

Mail-In Ballots Indicate Huge Turnout for August Primary

Mail-In Ballots Indicate Huge Turnout for August Primary

Already, the absentee ballots requested surpass the total turnout for the 2016 primary.

Back in the News: Suit Challenges ‘Marsy’s Law’ Amendment
Back in the News

Suit Challenges ‘Marsy’s Law’ Amendment

Opponents of victim rights amendment argue voters were deceived about its provisions.

Senator Jennifer Schilling Calls It Quits

Senator Jennifer Schilling Calls It Quits

Resigning Friday to take an unidentified job that would create a conflict of interest.

The State of Politics: Can Democrats Retake State Senate?
The State of Politics

Can Democrats Retake State Senate?

An uphill fight. Retirements by seven incumbents make races hard to call.

Janet Bewley Is New State Senate Minority Leader

Janet Bewley Is New State Senate Minority Leader

Sen. Bewley sets her sights on overcoming GOP opposition, re-taking the senate.

Many Democratic Legislators Resigning

Many Democratic Legislators Resigning

But Assembly Minority Leader Hintz seeks reelection to his post.

Sen. Fred Risser Retires After 64 Years

Sen. Fred Risser Retires After 64 Years

He is the longest serving legislator in the United States.

Supreme Court Case Could Affect Abortion Access in Wisconsin

Supreme Court Case Could Affect Abortion Access in Wisconsin

The High Court weighs case that could effectively overturn Roe v. Wade.

Assembly Health Committee Fails to Act on Sexual Assault Kit Legislation
Op Ed: Lessons Learned in 2019
Op Ed

Lessons Learned in 2019

It’s not divided government, it's shared government. Or should be.

Lawsuit Would Take Marsy’s Law Off April Ballot

Lawsuit Would Take Marsy’s Law Off April Ballot

Advocacy groups, attorneys argue victims rights constitutional amendment leaves voters in the dark on its sweeping impact.

Republican’s Proposed Constitutional Amendment “Risky and Full of Unintended Consequences”
Press Release

Republican’s Proposed Constitutional Amendment “Risky and Full of Unintended Consequences”

“If taken literally, this would prohibit a governor from reversing irresponsible cuts made by a vindictive legislature.”

Senate Votes to Kill Governor Veto Power

Senate Votes to Kill Governor Veto Power

Approves putting constitutional amendment on ballot to restrict partial veto power.

Rep. Stubbs, Lt. Gov. Barnes Announce Legislation Decriminalizing Marijuana
Press Release

Rep. Stubbs, Lt. Gov. Barnes Announce Legislation Decriminalizing Marijuana

"The mass incarceration of African American men who have been disproportionately charged and imprisoned for low-level marijuana offenses is something that must be urgently addressed."

Risser Calls for Decriminalizing Marijuana
Press Release

Risser Calls for Decriminalizing Marijuana

Wisconsin marijuana laws have a disproportionately negative effect on communities of color.

Pipeline Bill Opponents Hope for Veto

Pipeline Bill Opponents Hope for Veto

Republican-created bill would limit protests of oil, water, fuel pipelines. If it passes, will Evers veto it?

Senate Targets Governor’s Veto Power

Senate Targets Governor’s Veto Power

Pushes constitutional amendment to limit partial veto. Legal group WILL will pursue Supreme Court review.

Senate Sends $82 Billion Budget to Evers

Senate Sends $82 Billion Budget to Evers

Governor can reject, approve or partially veto the Republicans' revised version of budget.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Applauds Abortion Access Protection Act
Press Release

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Applauds Abortion Access Protection Act

'The Abortion Access Protection Act is an important step to safeguard abortion care in Wisconsin.'

City Hall: Oh, Those Dreaded Plastic Bags
City Hall

Oh, Those Dreaded Plastic Bags

Council debates what to do with bags that clog up recycling process.

The State of Politics: A New Generation of Political Leaders
The State of Politics

A New Generation of Political Leaders

GenXers and Millennials are replacing Baby Boomers in political office.

AFP-WI Backs Expungement Reform Bill
Press Release

AFP-WI Backs Expungement Reform Bill

The bill makes smart reforms to Wisconsin’s criminal justice system to help provide second chances to people who have paid their debt to society.

Op Ed: The Remarkable Tenure of Fred Risser
Op Ed

The Remarkable Tenure of Fred Risser

Now 91, he’s served 62 years in the Legislature as its greatest proponent of open government.

Legislature Works Overnight To Curb Evers Power

Legislature Works Overnight To Curb Evers Power

Limits on early voting, constraints on Evers campaign promise on health care.

Op Ed: Extreme Partisanship Prevents National Solutions
Op Ed

Extreme Partisanship Prevents National Solutions

Could political reforms improve the state and national political system?

The State of Politics: Democrats Rejected Redistricting Reform
The State of Politics

Democrats Rejected Redistricting Reform

Legislative leaders rejected reforms proposed in 2009-2010 session.

Governor Walker Signs Bills on Improving Family Access to High-Quality Child Care, Creating Transitional Jobs Program for Wisconsin Veterans, and Increasing Funding for Watershed Protection Grants
Court Watch: Bill Could Expunge More Criminal Records
Court Watch

Bill Could Expunge More Criminal Records

Overrides state Supreme Court ruling, allows offenders to request this after completing sentences.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign: Senate “Hatchet Job” Removes Haas, Bell
Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

Senate “Hatchet Job” Removes Haas, Bell

What did they do wrong? “I have no idea,” Fitzgerald admits, but demands firings.

GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White

GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White

Republican assembly districts are up to 96% white, senate districts as high as 95% white.

With Elections Just a Year Away, Legislature Abandons Wisconsin Families
Press Release

With Elections Just a Year Away, Legislature Abandons Wisconsin Families

Industrial Acid Mining Bill Will Put Public Health at Risk for Generations

Biking: Walker Ignores Biking on State Committee
Biking

Walker Ignores Biking on State Committee

No biking, pedestrian representatives on autonomous vehicles committee.

Sen. Taylor stands with 91% of Wisconsinites and against GOP repeal of training and permits for conceal carry gun owners
Press Release

Sen. Taylor stands with 91% of Wisconsinites and against GOP repeal of training and permits for conceal carry gun owners

GOP legislators seemed determined to move forward regardless of the will of the people.

Biking: Lobby Day on the Way
Biking

Lobby Day on the Way

On April 13th advocates will lobby legislators for pro-biking measures.

Legislators Introduce the Jail Death Transparency Act
Press Release

Legislators Introduce the Jail Death Transparency Act

Current law is only applicable to law enforcement officers and does not hold correctional officers in city, county, and state correctional facilities to the same investigatory standards.

The State of Politics: Will Lawmakers Dare Raise Beer Tax?
The State of Politics

Will Lawmakers Dare Raise Beer Tax?

Two Democrats propose first increase in 47 years. It may be a lonely crusade.

Sen. Taylor calls for special session on juvenile corrections and more funding
Press Release

Sen. Taylor calls for special session on juvenile corrections and more funding

In a letter dated today, Senator Taylor urged Governor Walker to call a special session of the Legislature to take up Senate Bills 803 and 804.

The State of Politics: What Powerball Losers Pay For
The State of Politics

What Powerball Losers Pay For

Those losing $2 lottery tickets pay for property tax relief -- and quite a few other things.

What will it take to get Republican leaders to intervene?
Press Release

What will it take to get Republican leaders to intervene?

Reports of child abuse, sexual assault not enough to spur GOP investigation

Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats call for hearing about correctional facility safety
Press Release

Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats call for hearing about correctional facility safety

"We were alarmed to learn of very serious allegations of abuse at Lincoln Hills through the media," the letter reads.

Op-Ed: Why We Need Term Limits
Op-Ed

Why We Need Term Limits

Shirley Abrahamson has served 39 years. Fred Risser has served 60 years. Maybe that's too long.

Peter Barca for Governor?

Peter Barca for Governor?

Some Democratic insiders see Assembly minority leader Peter Barca as the best hope to run against Scott Walker.

Republicans Will Oppose Gun Controls

Republicans Will Oppose Gun Controls

There may be national outrage on the issue, but Gov. Walker and others oppose changes.

Plenty of Horne: Brewpub Owners to Protest “Brewpub Tourism Development” Act
Plenty of Horne

Brewpub Owners to Protest “Brewpub Tourism Development” Act

Who could oppose a bill with the apparently forthright name of “Brewpub Tourism Development Act”?