Mark Born

Republicans Reject Funding for Wisconsin Supreme Court Security

There were 22 threats against judges in just the first three months of this year.

Cost Savings for Families and Protections for Consumers Blocked by Republicans in State Legislature

Wisconsin Working Families Continue to Pay the Costs for GOP Obstruction and Partisanship

Prison Reform Advocates Push for Corrections Ombudsperson

Seeking a GOP sponsor for bill, but 'nobody’s willing to stick their neck out.'

Wisconsin Republicans Abandon Their Jobs and Wisconsin Families

Wisconsin families will face the cost of inaction as Republican lawmakers skip out on their jobs this budget season

State Budget Talks Called Off

Gov. Evers, Republican lawmakers hit impasse. Legislators will now write the budget.

Assembly Republicans Statement on Budget Negotiations

First Votes Cast on Wisconsin’s Budget

Republicans on finance committee endorse far fewer positions at licensing agency than Evers proposed.

Gov. Evers Optimistic State Budget Is on Track

Despite federal funding uncertainty and differing with legislators on tax cuts.

Gov. Evers Again Urges Legislature to Invest in Child Care Counts as New Survey Finds Child Care Costs Skyrocket for Second Consecutive Year

Second consecutive annual state report shows average cost of infant care increased over 10 percent as Republican lawmakers gut child care funding from governor’s proposed budget

Parties Still Apart on State Budget

Republicans want a meeting with Evers. Democrats criticize GOP Senate bills as minor items.

Revenue Re-estimates Require Cautious Budgeting

GOP Lawmakers Not Worried About Federal Funding Cuts

They should be, Democrats warn. Evers suggests setting aside $500 million fund.

Meet the Legislature’s Fiscal Big Shots

16 members of Finance, mostly Republicans, decide what's in the state budget.

Voucher Expansion Could Bankrupt Public Schools

Budget-busting proposal could benefit 'subprime' voucher operators.

In A Single Vote, Republicans Strip More Than 600 Items From Evers’ Budget

The cuts include a child care subsidy and funding for a new state Office of Violence Prevention.

Republican Lawmakers Poised to Gut Most Pro-Kid Budget in State History During 2025 the Year of the Kid

Republicans to reject middle-class tax cuts, property tax relief to prevent property tax increases statewide, plans to lower out-of-pocket costs for child care, medication, and household goods, measures to crack down on prescription price gouging and health insurance transparency, investments to improve kids’ reading and literacy outcomes, support for Wisconsin’s farmers and veterans, efforts to get harmful contaminants out of Wisconsinites’ water, statewide plans to improve public safety and keep kids and families safe, and measures to bolster high-need sectors of the workforce, among other key priorities

Republicans Poised to Cut 600 Provisions From Evers’ Budget

Crafting a 'responsible budget' or 'not willing to negotiate'?

Action! Bipartisan Proposal Calls For 30% Film Tax Credit

Wisconsin is 1 of 13 states without tax incentives for film or TV productions.

Gov. Evers, GOP Legislators Say Tax Cut Talks Are ‘Productive’

Evers says cuts can't be separate from state budget. Republicans seem open to that.

Education Funding Is Big Issue at West Allis State Budget Hearing

57 local school referendums passed in April election but many other districts hurting.

GOP Lawmakers Question Budget Requests by UW System, State Prisons

Joint Finance Committee grills leaders of each about requests for increased funding.

Republican Legislators Divided on Land Stewardship Program

Top GOP legislators threaten to end popular Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

Evers’ Capital Budget Funds $4.1 Billion in Building Projects

Includes $189 million to merge UWM's health sciences program into one building.

Prison Reforms Impact Many Legislators

One-third of all districts affected. Evers 'take it or leave it' plan likely to get lots of discussion and review.

Evers’ Prison Plan Receives Mixed Reviews

Lawmakers divided on $500 million plan, but local officials, advocacy groups like it.

Evers Calls For $2 Billion Tax Cut, Historic School Funding

But Republicans said most of his budget proposal would be 'dead on arrival.'

Wisconsin Surplus Is Nearly $4.3 Billion. How Much Will Be Spent?

Fights over the surplus have become common, a big change from years ago.

It’s Groundhog Day in State Capitol

New budget surplus estimate triggers GOP tax cut pledge. Again.

Revenue Estimates Show Growth, Require Sound Budgeting 

Collections remain strong, cost-to-continue remains high

Funding For Wisconsin Reading Law Goes to State Surplus If Not Used by June 30

Republican legislators won't release funds, saying they don't trust how DPI will spend it.

Parents Disappointed By Delay in Switch to Phonics Teaching

DPI and lawmakers blame each other.

Speaker Vos Announces Assembly Standing Committee Membership

With Budget Debate Looming, Assembly Fills Remainder of Powerful Finance Committee

Rep. Mark Born and Sen. Howard Marklein will continue to chair JFC.

Speaker Vos Names Assembly Joint Finance Committee Co-Chair and Vice Chair

DNR Approves 12 Stewardship Projects After Court Blocked Legislative Interference

Including one in Milwaukee. Supreme Court ruled legislative vetoes by Legislature's finance committee violated separation of powers.

DNR Requests Surge in Funding To Address Backlog, Increase Stewardship

Agency proposes reauthorizing Stewardship program for a decade with $100 million annually.

Staffing, Medicaid Rates Put Wisconsin’s Long-Term Care Providers in Crisis

Gov. Evers’ $258 million plan will temporarily help, but more needed providers say.

Following Counselor Death, Staff, Family Plead for Help At Lincoln Hills 

Counselor's family tells Senate death could have been prevented and state failed.

Evers Bypasses Legislature in Battle Over Funding Long-Term Care

Governor using federal funds to revive blocked plan to aid struggling care providers.

Lawmakers Approve Funding, Positions for Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center

Joint Finance Committee finally acts after holding up request for six months.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Limits Legislature’s Authority To Block Governor

6-1 decision rules that legislators wrongly blocked DNR stewardship funding.

UW, Prisons, MPS Now Capitol’s Top Issues

Evers and GOP legislators disagree. Issues could figure in fall elections.

Lawmakers At Odds Over Releasing Health, PFAS Funds

GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee won't release funding, citing legal risk.

Evers Requests Release of $25 Million for Child Care and Tourism

Yet another battle between governor and Republican legislators over funding allocations.

Ron Johnson Calls on GOP to Set Aside ‘Squabbles’ on Abortion

Republicans at annual convention endorse Hovde, worry about new legislative maps.

Legislators Agree on Opioid Plan, Still Withhold PFAS, Hospital Funds

Standoff between Republicans on Joint Finance Committee and Gov. Evers continues.

Voters Worried About PFAS in Water  

69% are worried, poll shows. But Evers and Legislature can't agree on how to address problem.

Evers Won’t Rule Out Court Challenge to Force Release of PFAS Funds

Nine months after Legislature set aside $125 million to address PFAS, funding still stalled.

Committee Blocks $258 Million Home Health Care Pay Plan

Providers fear losing workers, while others fear providers themselves will drop out.

Gov. Evers Vetoes PFAS Bill, Calls Special Meeting of Budget Committee

Governor urges GOP legislators to release budgeted funds for PFAS and hospitals.

GOP Leaders Urge Gov. Evers to Sign Divisive PFAS Bill 

It provides funding but restricts Wisconsin DNR's enforcement powers against polluters.

Visiting Eau Claire, Evers Chides Legislators for Blocking Hospital Funds

As Republicans withhold aid, hospital closings create health-care gap in western Wisconsin.

Lawmakers Release $32 Million They Previously Withheld From UW System

Money was previously cut by GOP legislators as part of DEI fight.

Marquette University School of Dentistry Statement on release of funding for dental general practice residency program

Evers Seeks Compromise on Republican PFAS Bill

Threatens veto of GOP plan, saying 'I'm not signing bill letting polluters off the hook.'

State of the Tribes Speech Emphasizes Diversity

Potawatomi chairman James Crawford notes diversity of 11 tribes and their common needs.

Department of Public Instruction Asks Lawmakers To Approve New Reading Curriculum

Proposal overrides the Literacy Council, which DPI says failed to meet deadlines.

Republicans Again Deny Funds for Stewardship Project

Joint Finance Committee nixes $1 million request for public boat launch in Ashland.

State Budget Surplus Shrinking But Still Huge

Latest projection says surplus will be $3.25 billion at end of current, two-year budget cycle.

Revenue Re-estimates Support Tax Relief

Collections remain strong, surplus over $3 billion

GOP Legislators Battle Lac du Flambeau Tribe

Reacting to tussle over access to tribal land, Finance Committee withholds gaming revenue.

Supreme Court Justice Pushes For Judicial Protection Police Force

Proposal from Justice Annette Ziegler comes after retired Wisconsin judge was murdered.

Graying Demographics Drive GOP Tax Cut

Tax cut for retirees, who have the highest turnout in elections, adds new wrinkle.

Following Speed Improvements, State Licensing Agency Wants Longterm Funding

Stimulus funding will run out next year, imperiling continued operation of DSPS.

Republican Proposal Cuts State Income Taxes By Nearly $3 Billion

GOP legislators claim it targets middle class. Democrats dispute this.

Kaul Announces Funding for Office of School Safety

Attorney General reallocates federal ARPA dollars to provide temporary funding.

Governor’s Veto Gives $20 Million For Land Stewardship Program

Evers' partial budget veto releases funding for wide variety of DNR efforts.

Republicans Outraged By Evers’ Vetoes

Blasting 'trickery' of 'radical governor,' they vow to 'stand up and fight.'

Assembly Passes Budget, Sends To Governor For Possible Vetoes

Evers could veto entire budget or portions of it, with all legislative Democrats voting against agreement.

State Leaders, Educators Push Legislators to Fund School Safety

Republicans resist this, though Office of School Safety created in 2018 under Gov. Walker.

Republicans Approve $3.5 Billion Income Tax Cut

GOP legislators also approve cutting $32 million from UW System budget as part of DEI cut.

GOP Legislators Boost Road Funding By $1.5 Billion

Budget committee approves proposal that also hikes fees on electric vehicles.

Have Republicans Put Milwaukee Transit On Chopping Block?

Milwaukee legislators oppose move by GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee.

Kaul Charges Republicans Gutted School Safety Office

Democratic AG says budget decision leaves less resources 'for keeping our kids safe.'

GOP Won’t Staff Crime Lab, Licensing Department At Requested Levels

Bipartisan push for more staffing to resolve problems."You own any issues," says Rep. Goyke to GOP.

Milwaukee Sales Tax Deal Reached, Referendum Dropped

Deal at Capitol requires Common Council, County Board to pass new taxes with two-thirds votes. Includes substantial policy measures.

Assembly, Senate Could Strip Milwaukee Funding From Revenue Bill

Speaker Vos and Majority Leader LeMahieu threaten to remove sales taxes for city and county.

Republicans Block UW-Madison Engineering Building

Finance committee approves approximately half of proposed UW System projects. But, engineering building was top priority.

Evers, Republicans Find Common Ground

Better relations between governor and Legislature helps create three major proposals.

Republicans Vote to Create $125 Million Fund To Address PFAS

Specifics on how the money would be spent to clean up contamination remain to be worked out.

GOP Legislators Approve Pay Hike for Prosecutors, Public Defenders

Evers budget called for $35 per hour. Joint Finance plan goes $1 higher.

State Budget Surplus Dips… To $6.9 Billion

Legislative Fiscal Bureau finds tax revenues dropped by $365 million in 2022-23 fiscal year.

Evers Vision Trashed by Republicans

It's governor's vision vs. 12 Republicans on Joint Finance Committee. Who's right?

GOP Legislators Gut Evers’ Budget

On party line vote Legislature's budget committee cuts 545 proposals from governor's proposed budget.

Wisconsin’s Largest Conservation Project Stuck in Limbo

Republicans have blocked access to $4 million to finance $15.5 million project.

Legislative Committee Rejects Funds for State’s Largest Land Conservation Plan

Republicans spike proposal to preserve 70,000 acres of forest in northern Wisconsin.

DNR Secretary Promises Review of How Agency Works With Local Governments

Potential changes coming as a result of Pelican River Forest mix-up.

GOP Legislators Bash Evers ‘Reckless’ Budget

DOA Secretary defends 'prudent' fiscal decisions at Joint Finance Committee hearing.

DSPS Secretary, Republicans Debate Licensing Staffing, Backlog

Secretary-designee wants to use its revenue to hire staff, Republicans question backlog, push for fewer licenses.

One Third of State Prison Jobs Are Vacant

Legislative hearing discusses state corrections budget, pay hikes proposed by Gov. Evers.

Analysis Details Evers’ Paid Leave Plan

$243 million state spending starts trust fund, payroll tax on employers and employees would sustain it.

Evers Predicts State Shared Revenue Changes

More money coming, 'I don't care if you’re a 300-people township or the city of Milwaukee.'

Speaker Vos Downplays $7 Billion Surplus Size As Budget Debate Begins

Vos says Gov. Evers lives in "fantasyland" with his plans for spending.

Republicans Giving Up On Flat Tax?

Top GOP legislators say they don't expect it to be passed in the state budget.

Evers Proposes $3.8 Billion in Building Projects

Nearly $1.8 billion of spending on public buildings is for UW System.

DNR Member Warns Wisconsin Needs Money To Maintain Its Conservation Land

The state has acquired approximately 1.5 million acres of land through stewardship programs.

Republicans Hide Details on Stewardship Fund

Legislators reduce project grant without revealing who objected or what exactly is funded.

Gov. Evers’ Budget Includes Tax Cuts, Increased School Funding

Republicans blast budget, call it 'devoid of reality.'

State’s Budget Surplus Hits $7.1 Billion

Projected total up by $500 million in two months, on top of $1.7 billion rainy day fund.

Republican Lawmakers Oppose Record-Breaking Wisconsin Land Conversation

Sen. Felzkowski leads opposition to preserving 56,000 acres of forest near Rhinelander.