Barbara Dittrich

Waukesha County Lawmakers Secure Funding to Strengthen County Prosecutor’s Office

GOP Legislators Push Mandated School Access for Military Recruiters

'They have been prohibited from doing meaningful recruitment.'

Widespread Opposition at Hearing to Bill Requiring Parental Approval for Pronoun, Name Changes

GOP-bill draws opposition from legislators, those testifying.

Ron Johnson Reintroduces Bill To Ban Transgender Athletes From School Sports

Legislation was blocked by Democratic U.S. Senate majority last year, but GOP now controls Legislative and Executive branches.

Pro-Palestinian Protests Begin at UWM

National protest movement and tent encampments reach UW system's Milwaukee and Madison campuses.

Evers Vetoes Bill Restricting Transgender Athletes in School Sports

Governor blasts 'hateful' rhetoric by Republicans, who say he's 'against women.'

Wisconsin Paraprofessionals Would Get Lifetime Teaching Licenses Under Republican Proposal

Bill aims to shrink teacher shortage, but would eliminate many requirements like four-year degrees.

GOP Proposal Requires Libraries To Tell Parents What Their Kids Are Reading

A separate proposal would repeal librarian protection for distributing obscene materials.

Partyline Vote Approves Ban On Gender-Affirmation Procedures, Sports Participation For Transgender Kids

Gov. Evers has pledged to veto GOP-backed proposals.

Bills Targeting Transgender Youth Draw Heated Hearing At Capitol

Gov. Evers has vowed to veto bills.

Assembly Approves Tax Cut Bill And 2 Constitutional Amendment Proposals

Legislation would next go to state Senate.

Bill Would Increase Penalties For Those Supplying Drugs That Lead To Death

But some legislators, including Ryan Clancy, speak out against increasing reckless homicide penalty.

Legislature Weighs Constitutional Amendments To Take Control of Federal Grants

1930s law has given Governor Evers control of how American Rescue Plan Act funding is used.

Bill Would Require Armed School Resource Officers

Republican proposal requires all schools to track crimes, hire officer after enough incidents.

State Has Many Uncontested Legislative Races

Why newcomers Ryan Clancy on East Side, Dave Maxey in New Berlin face no opponent.

Republicans Offer Slate of Election Bills

They won’t suppress votes, Bernier and other GOP legislators promise. Democrats skeptical.

Legislature Passes Raft of Law Enforcement Bills

14 bills increase funding, restrict local control; some directly target Milwaukee.

Bill Could Terminate Prisoners’ Parental Rights

Courts could take away parental rights of anyone sentenced to at least four years in prison.

GOP Bills Make It Easier to Terminate Parental Rights

Likely impact greater on Native Americans, families of color, bills’ opponents say.

Bill Lets Families Switch Schools Based on Vaccine Mandates

Students would be able to transfer if they are for or against COVID-19 policies, including mask mandates.

State Republicans Pushing Abortion Restrictions

Gov. Evers has previously vetoed four of the bills being advanced.

Legislature Plans Culture War Against Evers

Fall session could include “born alive” abortion bill, forbidding teachers from discussing race and more.

AG Kaul Joins Fight Against Texas Abortion Law

Kaul filed an amicus brief supporting a challenge of the new abortion ban.

School Boards Across State Face Arguments, ‘Bullying’

Three Oconomowoc board members resign, citing a “toxic” environment.

Bill Allows Lifetime Restraining Orders for Sexual Assault Survivors

Survivors would have legal protection from assailant even after the offenders probation ends.

State Assembly Passes Transgender Athlete Bill

Legislation would bar transgender women from playing on female athletic teams.

Legislature Considering Bills Restricting Transgender Athletes

Legislation would ban transgender women and girls from participating in athletics on female teams.

About The CDC’s New Mask Guidance

It’s not ‘masks off’ for everyone, say state public health experts.

GOP Legislators Want Pandemic Aid for Tax Rebate

They propose $1 billion property tax rebate with aid based on value of homes.

Legislators Pass Bill Blocking Vaccine Mandates

And giving Legislature oversight over federal stimulus funds. Veto by Evers likely.

GOP Bills Bar Transgender Athletes

Prevents them from competing with school teams that align with their gender identity.

Rep. Dittrich Calls for Election Reform

Representative Responds to State Hearing on Fraud and Abuse

Republicans Flip-Flop on Local Control

First demanded local control of COVID-19 rules, now oppose county restrictions.

Wisconsin’s Lousy Record for Women in Politics

Two politicos talk about getting more women in elected offices.

Catholic School Tax Change Would Cost City

Archdiocese seeks legislation whereby schools leased for profit would still be tax exempt.

Bill to Impound Cars Costly for Cities

Republican bill could cost local governments $50 million per year and charge owners of autos that are stolen.

Assembly Republicans Fail to Override Evers’ Veto

First floor session of 2020 saw partisan attacks and the passage of controversial legislation.

Rep. Robyn Vining Appointed to Task Force on Adoption

This committee will focus on addressing the barriers facing biological and adoptive parents in the adoption process.

GOP Bill Targets Race, Sex-Based Abortions

Doctors punished for abortions done solely because of race, ancestry, sex, conditions like Down syndrome.