Eric Wimberger

Environmental Groups, Community Advocates Push for PFAS Deal

Funding approved but stalled by clash between Gov. Evers and GOP legislators.

Legislature’s Budget Committee Unanimously Boosts Clean Water Funding By $732 Million

Wisconsin communities are expected to submit applications for $1.6 billion worth of projects.

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

Lawmakers, Evers At Odds Over Control of $171 Million in Interest

Whether the interest is considered federal or state money is 'open and novel legal question' according to a nonpartisan state attorney.

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

Meet the Legislature’s Fiscal Big Shots

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

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 Face Big Questions at State Convention

Big loss in spring election, party divisions, and who will run for governor?

Fishing Group Backs Governor’s Proposed Fee Increases, But GOP Lawmakers Aren’t Sure

Gov. Tony Evers has proposed increasing long-stagnant license fees to cover $17 million shortfall.

GOP Audit Chair Calls DEI Spending ‘Rebranded Discrimination’

Cabinet official says efforts are about recruiting and retaining a workforce that resembles Wisconsin.

Exonerated Prisoners Released Get Little Support in Wisconsin

Parole and probation agents give more help to guilty inmates released from prison.

UW-Madison Diversity Officer Gone, But New Position Has Similar Duties

Special advisor role works 'to create a welcoming and inclusive community.'

Who Will Pay for PFAS Pollution?

Governor, GOP lawmakers wrestle over cleanup liability and 'innocent landowners.'

Evers Announces $145 Million Plan to Address PFAS

His new budget will fund new grant programs, staff, testing and research.

Legislature Will Try Again On Regulating Forever Chemical Contamination

Communities have waited more than 500 days to access $125 million set aside for PFAS remediation.

Coalition of 30 Groups Calls for $953 Million Funding For Safe Drinking Water

Pushing WI Legislature for water infrastructure upgrades and preventive measures.

Insurers Add PFAS Exclusions to Liability Policies

Will state's businesses and farms be more careful about polluting if losses not covered?

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

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

Rothman, Republican Legislator Disagree on UW Funding

Does Wisconsin need to spend as much as other states to 'win the war for talent'?

As DEI Efforts Targeted, DPI Leader Wins Diversity Award

Superintendent Jill Underly notes challenges facing minority, LGBTQ+ students.

Senate Members of Legislature’s Powerful Joint Finance Committee Announced

The 16-person panel is responsible for how Wisconsin spends tens of billions of dollars. Assembly up next.

Dems Need To Win Three Key Senate Races For Control of Wisconsin Government

Races could create pathway for Democratic control of Senate or lock-in Republican control for years.

Wisconsin Democrats Outspend GOP By 2-to-1 in New Filing

Both parties pouring cash into state Assembly and Senate races, but Democrats far ahead.

How Milwaukee’s Giant Anti-Poverty Agency Unraveled

Government agencies gave SDC big contracts even after it ended internal auditing.

State Audit of DPI Prioritized Over Fish and Wildlife Analysis

Evers calls GOP-led audit 'ridiculous,' legislators say its needed.

2017 Law Resulting in Long List of Outdated DNR Water Standards

Nearly 50 groundwater standards for PFAS, pesticides, metals and other compounds remain unaddressed.

MPS Failures Result In GOP-Called Audit of DPI

GOP-controlled committee moves to audit DPI practices, DNR fish and wildlife account.

Despite Decline in Reported Crime, Wisconsin’s Prison Population Is Surging

Crowding is impacting the safety at state's aging prisons. Advocates, opponents talk solutions, pitfalls.

Audit Finds Slow Turnaround on Forensic Evidence by Wisconsin Crime Labs

AG Kaul says it shows need for more staff he requested from Republican Legislature.

One-Fourth of Assembly Will Be Newbies

Fair maps drawn by both parties for first time in 12 years could transform the Assembly.

Parties Target 5 State Senate Seats With No Incumbent

More competitive races will mean fierce battles and huge spending.

Gov. Evers Sues Republican Legislators for Continued Obstruction of Investments Intended to Address Pressing Challenges Facing Wisconsin

Governor’s countersuit comes as Republican lawmakers refuse to release nearly $200 million in already-approved investments to fight PFAS, improve kids’ literacy, respond to hospital closures in Western Wisconsin

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

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

Gov. Evers Again Calls Republican Lawmakers into Special Meeting to Urge Immediate Release of $140 Million to Fight PFAS Statewide, Respond to Hospital Closures in Western Wisconsin

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.

Republican Lawmakers No-Show at Special Meeting to Release Statewide PFAS Funding, Stabilize Healthcare Access in Western Wisconsin

Governor implores Republicans to expeditiously release $140 million in already approved funding to address pressing challenges facing Wisconsin communities

Future of Lincoln Hills Remains In Limbo

Troubled youth prison needs to meet consent decree terms, or compliance monitoring will follow system to new facility.

Gov. Evers Calls Joint Finance Committee into Special Meeting to Release Critical Funds to Fight PFAS Statewide, Stabilize Healthcare Access in Western Wisconsin

Ballot Questions on Election Administration Too Vague, Officials Say

Wisconsin residents will vote Tuesday on two proposed constitutional amendments.

State Agencies Could Save Half a Billion Dollars By Moving To More Remote Work

But administrators first need to tighten up policies to track remote, in-person work.

Gov. Evers Slams Republicans for Continued Delays Releasing Critical Funds to Fight PFAS Statewide, Stabilize Healthcare Industry in Western Wisconsin

Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee set to meet Monday without taking any action to release funding to fight PFAS, address urgent healthcare industry needs in Western Wisconsin

State Appeals Court Blocks DNR’s Regulation of PFAS

2-1 decision upholds lower court ruling limiting agency's authority to clean up PFAS.

PFAS Ban Wouldn’t Start Until 2028 Under New Bill

New legislation by western Wisconsin Democrats would ban products with added PFAS, offer alternative approach to spending state PFAS trust fund

Evers Seeks Compromise on Republican PFAS Bill

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

Gov. Evers Urges Lawmakers to Support Compromise to Release $125 Million to Fight PFAS Contaminants Statewide

Governor submits compromise to Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee to immediately release funding to fight PFAS without controversial provisions benefitting polluters contained in Republican-backed bill

Legislature Passes PFAS Bill, But Evers Likely To Veto It

$125 million is set aside in trust for addressing forever chemicals, but bill would limit DNR authority.

Republican Proposal Moves Forward PFAS Standards

But Democrats, DNR sought different path for forever-chemical regulation.

GOP Bill To Limit John Doe Cases Against Police Passes Legislature

Officers involved in shootings can currently face charges from judges after prosecutors decline.

GOP Bill Ends John Doe Cases Against Police Involved in Fatal Shootings

Law being 'abused' by vengeful families, activists, and lawyers, legislator says.

Hoping To Avoid Court Drawing Them, GOP Approves New Legislative Maps

But Gov. Tony Evers said he will veto proposal, which leaves Wisconsin Supreme Court in control.

Gov. Evers Again Urges Wisconsin Republicans to Release $125 Million in Already-Approved Funds to Fight PFAS Statewide

More than 200 days since the biennial budget was enacted, Republicans have yet to release $125 million in already-approved funds to address PFAS contamination across the state 

Evers Says Republican Firings Make It Hard to Find DNR Secretary

Stop blocking his appointees, governor pleads. GOP lawmakers defend their actions.

Health Leaders Say Wisconsin Isn’t Moving Fast Enough on PFAS

Concern remains about new state legislation, while sponsors call it a balancing act.

Gov. Evers Urges Legislature to Release $125 Million to Address PFAS, Act to Protect Wisconsin’s Groundwater

With rulemaking on PFAS standards stalled until GOP acts, governor calls for urgent legislative action and the release of $125 million in already-approved funds

GOP Legislator Indicates Support For Wisconsin PFAS Ban

State Sen. Eric Wimberger says he would consider phaseout. Paper companies have concerns.

Anti-Election Grant Amendment Could Appear on April Ballot

Proposal is Republican response to perceived issues with private grants 2020 from Facebook founder.

Assembly Undermines Access to Higher Education, While Senate Attacks Freedom to Vote

State Republicans Now Pushing Agenda Through Constitutional Amendments

The GOP seeks to lock in policy wins by bypassing courts, governor.

Bill Ends Race-Based College Aid, Retention Programs In Wisconsin

Republican bill bars consideration of race in scholarships, grants and loans.

Despite Environmentalist Objections, Senate Advances PFAS Bill

Republicans call the forever-chemical bill a compromise, but opponents said it would limit DNR's enforcement ability.

State Reviewing Milwaukee Business’s Suspicious Use of Pandemic Grant

Owner Cynthia Brown has connections to state Sen. Lena Taylor.

Bipartisan Legislation Would Prevent Strip Searches In Wisconsin Schools

Proposal is response to Oconto County incident where 6 girls were forced to strip down to underwear.

Wisconsin Conservation Voters calls on key legislators to remove the poison pill from the PFAS legislation

DNR Offers To Test Municipal Sewage Sludge For PFAS

60% of 580 wastewater facilities in state spread treated biosolids on land and farms.

GOP Bill Addresses PFAS Pollution

Republicans support a municipal PFAS grant program, but add restrictions on state DNR.

Audit Report Finds State Lags in Monitoring Parolees

But Wisconsin Department of Corrections disputes the findings.

Audit Finds Millions of Medicare Funding Unclaimed By Wisconsin

Republican legislators call for tighter oversight by state departments.

GOP Legislators Vote For Audit of State’s Licensing Agency

They cite backlog in approving licenses. Democrats blame inadequate funding and staff.

Legislators Tackle National Guard Sexual Misconduct

Years of reported mishandling leads to bipartisan legislative effort.

Jobs First Coalition Backs Republicans

Brookfield-based conservative group has spent $2.6 million since 2010, mostly on legislators.

Liberal Group One Of Top Outside Spenders

A Better Wisconsin Together, backed by unions, spent $5.2 million on 2020-2021 races.

Bradley, Wichgers Unveil Legislation to Rein In Low Bail for Repeat Offenders

Bill Ends Criminal Penalties for Minors Engaging in Prostitution

Sen. Alberta Darling wants minors being trafficked to be treated as victims.

Elections Commission Head Saw No Problems in Green Bay

Republican legislators claim election tampering, but Wolfe testified she saw no evidence of this.

As State Looks to Bounce Back from Pandemic, Gov. Evers Urges Bipartisan Support for $2.38 Billion in Capital Budget Investments to Provide Estimated 29,000 Family-Supporting Jobs, $4.3 Billion in Economic Impact 

Governor's 2021-23 capital budget to be taken up by State Building Commission this week includes major projects in both Republican and Democratic districts

Bill Blocks Vaccine Priority for Inmates

Rep Wangaard seeks to correct ‘mistake’ by Gov. Evers.

Outside Groups Spent $10 Million on Legislative Races

Special interest groups backing Democrats spent more of it, about $5.5 million.

No Veto-Proof Majority for Republican Legislators

They flipped two of three seats needed to get two-thirds majority in Senate.

Liberal Groups Far Outspend Republicans

$5.3 million spent on legislative races by Democratic advocacy groups, $2.9 million by GOP groups.

$1 Million Legislative Races Now Common

For a job paying $52,000. This year the Democrats are out-spending Republicans.

Outside Liberal Groups Lead in Legislative Races

Groups backing Democrats have spent $2.9 million versus $1.8 million for Republicans.

$2.3 Million Outside Spending on Legislative Races

On 96 of 115 legislative races in state, with slightly more for Republicans.

Rebecca Kleefisch Will Run for Governor

Former Lt. Governor hasn’t announced, but is clearly organizing for 2022 campaign.

Koch Group Leads Outside Spending

63% of special interest spending on state legislative races backs Republicans.

Primary Results Set Stage for November

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

Can Democrats Retake State Senate?

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

Leah announces 300+ Wisconsin endorsements

Leah has also been endorsed by former White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, Maggie’s List, RightNOW Women PAC and VIEW PAC.