Bob Wirch

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

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

Senator Bob Wirch Endorses Angela Cunningham in Race for Circuit Court Jodge

Kenosha County Pfizer Facility To Supply Vaccines

Company’s facility in Pleasant Prairie may distribute vaccines to western U.S.

Evers Offers Disaster Help to Kenosha

No-interest loans for businesses hurt by burnings, looting, vandalism.

A City Divided Gets a National Spotlight

Kenosha was already divided. Then Trump started tweeting about it.

Half Of Legislative Seats Already Decided?

Probably. And why? Gerrymandering.

Ten Years After Act 10

Most of those who voted for it are gone. How has the Capitol changed?

272 Candidates Running for State Legislature

Highest number since 2012, many contested primaries.

GOP, Dems Battle Over Unemployment Backlog

Democrats say Walker administration failed to update the system, now it can't handle unprecedented wave of unemployment claims.

Bill to Ban “Sanctuary Cities” Returns

GOP proposal penalizes cities, counties that don't cooperate fully with immigration enforcement.

How Homeless Got Frozen Out

With no explanation, Fitzgerald stopped bipartisan bill providing grants to homeless shelters.

Vinehout Is Different Kind of Democrat

A policy wonk, populist and hunter, whose stance on guns annoys some party members.

AFP-WI Applauds Gov. Walker for Signing Civil Asset Forfeiture ReformLandmark reform protects constitutional liberties, strengthens rule of law

Landmark reform protects constitutional liberties, strengthens rule of law

GOP Legislative Districts Heavily White

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

Legislation Would Eliminate Local Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Laws

Joint press release from Sen. Janis Ringhand and Sen. Robert Wirch.

Democrats Introduce Bill to Support Working Families, Increase Minimum Wage to $15

Legislation introduced today would increase Wisconsin’s minimum wage, tie minimum wage to inflation

Leaders from Southeast Wisconsin announce support for Judge Rebecca Dallet

These leaders join more than 200 judges and other elected officials from across the state in endorsing Judge Dallet for Supreme Court.

Democratic State Legislators Endorse Randy Bryce

Endorsements boost ironworker in bid to topple Speaker Paul Ryan

Big Agriculture Rewards Legislators

Industry wants high capacity wells, gives $220,000 to key committee members.

Senator David Craig Authors Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Legislation

This legislation shares many of the reforms sought at the federal level by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner in the DUE PROCESS ACT OF 2016.

Walker “Listening Sessions” Not for All

Invitations are closed to media and for invited guests only.

Governor Scott Walker Signs 49 Bills Into Law

Governor Scott Walker signed 49 bills into law today at the Wisconsin State Capitol.

Walker Faces Tough Choice on Kenosha Casino

Any decision he makes will anger some, and could affect his potential run for president.

Important information from Alderman Michael J. Murphy

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

Important information from Alderman Jim Bohl

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

Important information from Alderman Joe Dudzik

Dear residents, The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that’s of critical importance to our future. Since 1938, Milwaukee has required all city employees to live within its municipal boundaries. The residency requirement has helped maintain a strong middle class in our neighborhoods, bolstered property values and ensured that municipal employees live among the people they serve. But now, Governor Scott Walker is proposing in his state budget to do away with residency laws, potentially thwarting the local control of cities, villages, towns and counties. If the state legislature signs off on his proposal, it could further destabilize Milwaukee neighborhoods. Right now, our goal is to ask members of the Joint Committee on Finance to recognize the provision as non-fiscal policy and to require that it be heard through the regular legislative committee process, because: 1. Residency is not fiscal policy and should not be included in the state budget. This issue should be fully vetted in the regular committee process so that Milwaukee and other affected communities can fully testify to the impact. 2. Residency concerns are a matter of local control and should be fashioned according to local market conditions and local economic factors that state legislators may not be fully aware of. 3. Residency requirements are a condition of employment. The state would never dictate the terms of employment for a private employer (e.g. Drug testing). Private employers (e.g. Consulting firms) and other public employers (e.g. Military) set location and relocation requirements all the time. 4. In Milwaukee, residency requirements are a valuable economic provision in collective bargaining contracts with Police and Fire employees. If the unions get this change legislatively for free, city taxpayers (including businesses) stand to lose millions of dollars of value that could have been exchanged at the bargaining table. The city is at the table with all three public safety unions right now. 5. The health of the Milwaukee-area economy and the health of the City of Milwaukee’s economy are interdependent. Milwaukee has done a good job of retaining population and middle class residents in comparison with its peer cities. The residency policy helps stabilize and build confidence in our neighborhoods and promotes public safety and property value for our residents and businesses. This serves to strengthen our region as a whole. 6. This is bad timing given the impact of the foreclosure crisis on city property values. Milwaukee has already lost $5 billion in value. Why run the risk of pushing values further down? City property values have a ripple effect on the values of the entire region. 7. Many local business leaders lead companies that are invested in the City through their corporate real estate holdings and client bases. We have a collective responsibility to ensure that the full impact of important policies affecting our region is understood by our policy makers. 8. Police-community relations have recently been strained in Milwaukee with a couple of high profile events. Removing the police officers from living in the community […]

Important Information from Alderman Willie C. Wade

The City of Milwaukee needs your help with an issue that's of critical importance to our future.

The Rise of Chris Larson

Is he a young liberal heavyweight? Or a punching bag for Republicans?