Caleb Frostman

State Labor Secretary Touts Wins in 2023

Record year for apprenticeships and much improved unemployment insurance system.

State Cites Progress Fixing Unemployment System

Department of Workforce Development now paying 84% of claims within three days.

State Modernizing Unemployment System

State spending $16.5 million to fix system after it was overwhelmed by pandemic unemployment.

DWD Wants A Modernized Unemployment System

Secretary was in "complete shock" the first time she saw the antiquated systems.

State Losing Top Health Official To Biden Administration

Andrea Palm named deputy secretary of Department of Health and Human Services.

State Unemployment System ‘Very Broken’

Citizens decry delays. DWD officials say outdated computer system causes massive problems.

State Clears Unemployment Claims Backlog

Evers promotes Amy Pechacek to secretary designee of Department of Workforce Development.

Unemployment System Audited After Pandemic Failures

Massive delays in claims, duplicate payments and an unreliable call center among issues found in report.

State Official Promises End to Unemployment Insurance Backlog

Department of Workforce Development’s new director hopes to end backlog by late December.

Will Unemployment Backlog Be Cleared By End Of Year?

70,000 people in Wisconsin are still waiting for their unemployment to come through.

Thousands Still Await Jobless Aid

Some 93,000 applications for pandemic aid have yet to be processed or adjudicated by state.

99% of Unemployment Calls to DWD Unanswered

38.3 million calls regarding unemployment insurance weren't answered.

Milwaukee Unemployment Higher than National Average

County slightly higher, but city well above national average.

Evers Fires Workforce Development Secretary

Sec. Caleb Frostman asked to resign over unemployment system delays.

Gov. Evers Asks for Resignation of Workforce Development Secretary

Resignation effective immediately, DOC Deputy Secretary Pechacek to lead transition

$300 Unemployment Boost Excludes Thousands

A requirement for the program will bypass thousands of Wisconsinites.

Unemployment Protest Outside Sen. Ron Johnson’s Office

Unemployed workers demand congress reinstate $600 weekly assistance.

Wisconsin Getting $300 Weekly Unemployment Boost

FEMA approved the state Tuesday, but funds could take four to five weeks to reach people.

New Unemployment Aid Will Take 6 Weeks

State DWD Secretary predicts 6-8 week wait till recipients get $300 supplement.

Wisconsin Applies for Lost Wages Assistance Grant​

Wisconsin Unemployment at 7%

Service industry is beginning to recover from devastating job losses.

Johnson’s Attacks on Unemployment Aid Lack Evidence

The pandemic, not unemployment insurance, is keeping people out of work.

DWD Releases Information on Unemployment Data

Disabled Workers Okayed for Pandemic Aid

State gets federal permission to reverse its policy. Problem arose due to Walker-era restrictions passed.

State Overpaid $21 Million for Unemployment

Audit Bureau finds unknown number of participants received incorrect unemployment benefits.

Assembly GOP Pitches Unemployment Loans

Instead of convening and legislating, Republican legislators pitch a personal loan program.

State Unemployment Insurance System Failing Many

The pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of the current system, and left many without help.

Minority Workers Get Less Unemployment Aid?

National studies shows Black, Latino workers typically get less aid. Wisconsin has no data by race.

Unemployment Benefits Extended by 13 Weeks

Unemployed workers who have exhausted their benefits can apply for an additional 13 weeks of support.

Baldwin, Moore, Kind, Pocan Urge Trump Administration to Make Disabled Wisconsinites Eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

State Wants Pandemic Aid for Residents on Disability Insurance

State officials are seeking permission from the federal government.

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.

Far More Businesses Using Work Share

Up 17-fold in state since pandemic, as companies avoid layoffs by switching workers to part-time.

State Budget Needs Major Repairs

Everything has changed since two-year budget passed in July.

State Launches Programs To Aid Business

Loan and grant programs intended to provide bridge for businesses hurt by pandemic.

WEDC, DWD host “Veteran-Ready Wisconsin Summit”

Event brings together businesses, community groups to support service members

New Push to Fix State Workforce Crisis

Business, civic and government leaders will convene to discuss looming worker shortage.

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #52 Relating to Climate Change in Wisconsin

"For too long we've been ignoring science, and frankly, we can't afford to do it any longer."

Evers Blasts Trump “Tweet” Trade Wars

The approach “just sucks,” governor says on new state podcast.

State Targets Payroll Tax Fraud

50 investigations by Department of Revenue of companies suspected of cheating workers on pay.

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #41 Recreating the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

Gov. Evers Announces Task Force on Payroll Fraud and Worker Misclassification Appointments

The task force will report to the governor on or before March of each year on their activities.

Senator Taylor Acknowledges Clean Communities Week

Senator Taylor looks forward to the week’s remaining events including Thursday’s Hemp Small Business and Financing Session with State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski.

Legislators Resist Many Evers Proposals

GOP push back on minimum wage, water quality, corrections worker wages, unemployment compensation and more.

$35.8 Million Spent on Legislative Races

New record set: 2018 spending was 27% more than in 2016, double that in 2014.

Secretive Fund Spent $715,480 On Democrats

High Ground Political Fund, connected to Nation Consulting, funded six state senate races.

Workforce Development Head Wants Better Wages

Caleb Frostman, new state director, says family supporting jobs should be key concern.

Evers Taps Barca, Former Obama Official

Rep. Barca will run revenue department, Andrea Palm will run Health Services.

Statement by IBEW Local 494 Business Manager on Cabinet Appointments to Secretaries of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and Wisconsin Workforce Development

"Dawn brings a wide range of expertise on licenses and regulations issues and will be a very valuable asset for the Evers administration and for policymaking in Wisconsin."

Governor-elect Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Barnes Announce Cabinet Members

"This talented group of leaders will help our administration address the issues Wisconsin residents asked us to focus on."

The Short Career of Caleb Frostman

Democratic state senator served just five months before his defeat— the shortest tenure for a legislator in state history.

State Democrats Buried by Outside Funding

GOP express advocacy groups have spent $17.3 million compared to just $6.6 million by Democratic groups.

Liberal Outside Groups Spend Big

More spending for Democrats in five of six key state senate races.

6 Senate Races Will Decide Party Control

Stakes are high, including control over 2020 redistricting.

Sen. Carpenter: ‘Frostman Deserves Appointment to WEDC Board’

"Given his background and expertise, Senator Frostman is a perfect appointment to the WEDC Board."

Walker Protected Polluters Who Illegally Dumped Human Waste

Fourth Entry in ‘Walker’s Wisconsin’ Series

Outside Groups Spend $4 Million on State Elections

Leading spenders are liberal Greater Wisconsin Committee and two conservative groups.

Fall Election Could Be Fascinating

More contested seats, tough campaign tactics could make for tighter, intense races.

DPW Response on Special Election Victory

"Tonight is a good night for Wisconsin Democrats."

Out of District Money Pours into Special Elections

87% of 42nd district candidate Jon Plumer's contributions are from outside of the district.

Spending Tops $1.2 Million on Two Special Elections

In the 1st Senate District race alone seven special interest groups spent a total of $700,000.

André Jacque: an enemy to women’s health care

"His extreme record shows no regard for the health, safety and dignity of Wisconsin women or vital, life-saving research"

Special Election Spending Builds

In one race, Democratic groups are outspending a Republican group at almost 2-to-1.

Andre Jacque votes against local schools

Local schools blindsided by "Jacque Shock"

Dem Groups Pour Money Into Special Elections

League of Conservation Voters PAC is spending $170,750 supporting Democrat Caleb Frostman

Republicans Divided in Two Special Elections

Dueling ads in 1st Senate District slam both GOP candidates.

GOP Not Backing Republican Legislator

Rep. Andre Jacque running for 1st Senate seat, but GOP backing newcomer Alex Renard.

Special Elections Attract Local Interest

Milwaukee Democrats raising money for outstate special elections Walker resisted calling.

Dark Money Funds Special Election

GOP primary for state's 1st Senate District attracts independent expenditures.

Conservationists Endorse Candidates in Special Elections

These upcoming special elections on June 12 are critically important to conservation in Wisconsin.