Howard Marklein

Is Vos Allowing ‘Bipartisan’ Compromise?

Budget and shared revenue bills don't quite match vision articulated by Assembly Speaker.

Evers Vision Trashed by Republicans

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

DNR Leader Says State Budget Needs More Money For Clean Water

Republican-controlled Legislature will determine funding, with some members indicating support.

Can Bipartisan Effort Save State Arts Funding?

Wisconsin ranks 50th in arts support. Group of 'heavy hitters' hopes to change that.

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.

One Third of State Prison Jobs Are Vacant

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

Senator Agard Statement: JFC Co-Chair to Remove Firearm Safety Proposals from State Budget

Analysis Details Evers’ Paid Leave Plan

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

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.

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.

Dan Kelly Makes His Case for High Court

'Where do our rights come from?' asks former state Supreme Court justice. 'God!'

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.

The Top Donors to Wisconsin Political Parties in 2022

Billionaires and millionaires, most supporting Democrats, continue to dump huge sums into Wisconsin politics through a loophole left open by state Republicans.

The Vast Gulf Between Evers, Legislators

A difference of at least $2.8 billion on how they want to spend historic surplus.

State Surplus Projected to Hit $6.5 Billion!

Wisconsin's fiscal condition the 'strongest in state history,' says DOA report.

Legislators Still Sitting on Opioid Funding

Democrats, health officials says lives could be lost if settlement funds not used to fight drug epidemic.

Joint Finance Committee Meets, Refuses to Discuss Knowles-Nelson Grants

Republicans Demand Transparency While Hiding Behind “Anonymous Objections”

GOP Lawmakers Far Ahead in Campaign Cash

Four times more money than Democratic legislators going into 2022 year.

Robin Vos ‘Selling Out Democracy’?

Hintz looks back at four years as Assembly minority leader and how Republicans ‘lost their way.’

DPI, Legislators Clash On Federal Pandemic Aid

$77 million for state’s schools at stake. Republican rule violates federal law, US Education Secretary says.

Federal-State Battle Over School Pandemic Aid

US Education Department nixes GOP plan to favor schools that stayed in person in 2020-21.

Most Will Get Lower Property Tax Bill

Average homeowner in state will see 3% reduction.

State Tax Revenues Exceed Expectations

Wisconsin saw 12% revenue increase over previous year.

Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council Announces Membership, Sets Ambitious Goals

Evers Offers GOP a Second Chance to Fund Schools

Newly revised federal guidelines could take away pandemic aid to state unless education funding increased.

Dental Medicaid increases in state budget represent Wisconsin’s first significant investment in oral health in two decades

State Legislature Passes Biennial Budget

Lawmakers cut billions from the Governor's budget.

Republican Lawmakers Advance $3.4 Billion Tax Cut

State legislators propose cuts to income, property and business taxes.

Legislators Approve $125 Million for Broadband Expansion

But Gov. Evers allocated money for it. Republican proposal uses borrowed money.

Can We Please Discuss Criminal Justice Reform?

Democratic legislators plead with Republicans, who cut off any attempt to discuss reforms.

Surplus Leaves Evers, Legislators Even Further Divided

Unprecedented $4.4 billion surplus is huge opportunity. But for what?

Budget Surplus Offers ‘Golden Opportunity’

Report details how $4.4 billion state surplus could be used to improve Wisconsin.

Republican Plan Loses $2.3 Billion for Schools

State lawmakers slashed education funding below federal minimum requirements.

State Now Projects $4.4 Billion Windfall

Fiscal bureau projects far more tax revenue than expected for 2021-2023.

Can We Talk About Marijuana? Democrats Ask

GOP legislative leader won’t allow a vote or even discussion of medical marijuana.

GOP Lawmakers Reject Unemployment System Improvements

Republicans in State Legislature vote down $15 million to fix unemployment system.

Are Employers ‘Competing With The Couch’?

GOP legislators say jobless benefits causing worker shortage. Studies don’t back them up.

Republicans Slash Evers Education Budget

Reduction in spending could mean state loses $1.5 billion in federal pandemic relief funding for education.

Evers Credited for Budget Surplus

Federal stimulus money, new Foxconn contract, Evers call for state agency cuts all credited by nonpartisan analysis.

GOP Legislators Refuse Special Session on Medicaid Expansion

The Republican-controlled Senate and Assembly both adjourn sessions without debate or votes.

Rep. Tony Kurtz and Sen. Howard Marklein Disappointed in Governor’s Political Games in Reedsburg

Legislators given 59 minutes of notice for press conference about pork barrel project

Republicans Gut Housing, Homeless Aid

Finance committee rejects Evers' proposals, legislator calls it “embarrassing.”

GOP Legislators Target Jobless Pay

Bill restores work-search requirement, ends supplemental pandemic aid to unemployed.

Marklein, Vos Author Workforce Recovery Legislation

Bill to encourage individuals to return-to-work amid massive worker shortage

Voces Protests GOP Cutting ID’s for Immigrants from Budget

The group and other activists also protested the elimination of tuition aid for immigrant students.

Republicans Cut Billions from Evers’ Budget Proposal

Medicaid expansion, marijuana legalization and unemployment reform all gone.

GOP Sends Mixed Message To Evers

Republican legislators trash his budget, then ask to meet with him.

Are State’s Schools Rolling In Dough?

Republican legislators think Milwaukee Public Schools getting away with something.

Public Testimony Backs Evers Budget

Hearings held only in state’s smaller cities but Evers budget favored 284 to 30 by speakers.

Democrats Call for Virtual Joint Finance Hearing

Pandemic created 'significant barriers’ for many citizens who couldn’t attend in-person hearings.

Historic Frank Lloyd Wright school to get new life as arts center

WEDC investment helps historic renovation of the Wyoming Valley School

Parties Bash Heads on State Budget

Evers budget and Republican proposals are miles apart. A compromise won’t be easy.

Republicans Miffed By MPS Pandemic Aid

MPS gets 16 times more per pupil than Wauwatosa schools under federal formula awarding more to low-income students.

DNR Secretary Says PFAS Efforts Need Funding

PFAS identification and cleanup and public land purchases are budget priorities for the agency.

Legislators Resist Plans to Help Workers

GOP sniping at Evers plans for workforce training, minimum wage hike, funding to fix UI system.

GOP Pushes Stimulus Approach Evers Already Vetoed

11 Republican bills try to dictate how governor allocates federal pandemic aid.

GOP Legislators Question Federal Pandemic Aid for MPS

MPS getting 36% of $2.2 billion for state schools under federal formula prioritizing high poverty districts.

Village of Argyle receives $250,000 state grant to support redevelopment of former Ford building

WEDC investment to help fund renovations for commercial space and apartments

Legislature’s Budget Roadshow Coming Soon

Since 1985 regional budget hearings have been held. Planned for April, all in small towns.

Thousands of Wisconsinites Sign Petition in Support of Cannabis Legalization

Where Are Act 10 Players Today?

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

The Hammer of Student Testing

Republican legislators may use tests as a way to force schools to reopen.

GOP Legislators Cast Doubt on Evers’ Plans

Resistance to school funds hike, local sales tax, upping minimum wage, legalizing pot.

Evers Pushes New Programs, Spending

Republicans warned him not to include budget items they oppose. He will anyway.

GOP Plan Puts Students, Teachers At Risk?

Legislators require federal education aid to be used to push in-school instruction.

Federal COVID-19 Aid Funneled to In-Person Schools

State GOP lawmakers' plan penalizes school districts that provided virtual instruction.

PPP Business Expense Tax Break Approved by Committee

Democrats tried to narrow the tax break on expenses paid for with federal relief money.

State Revenue Surplus Higher Than Expected

State officials will begin next budget with a projected balance of $1.9 billion.

LeMahieu Struggles in Vos’s Shadow

New Senate majority leader a surprise choice who's trying to resist the dictates of Robin Vos.

New Finance Co-Chair Expects Challenges

Republican Rep. Mark Born expects partisan disagreements, expects compromises will be reached.

Wisconsin Republicans Join New Federal Election Lawsuit

Suit seeks to toss results from five states in advance of Electoral College.

Pandemic Ends Holiday Traditions

It's a special time in Wisconsin’s grand Capitol. But not this year.

$1 Million Legislative Races Now Common

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

City of Lancaster receives $250,000 state grant to assist in the development of a new hotel

WEDC investment to help fund the construction of a Sleep Inn & Suites

Legislature Hasn’t Met in 100 Days

No action since April 15 on pandemic, police reform, budget shortfalls.

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order Creating Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access

Will Senate Act on Assembly-Passed Bills?

160 bills passed by Assembly haven’t gotten consideration by state Senate.

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.

Farm Pollution Rules May Get Killed

Big business lobby WMC and Big Agriculture donors oppose the rules.

The Path to Brad Pfaff’s Firing

Why GOP legislators shot down Agriculture Secretary. And why Evers was incensed.

A World Without Scott Fitzgerald

Capitol insiders wonder who will be senate majority leader if Fitzgerald wins race for Congress.

School Groups Push Tobacco, Vaping Laws

In response to vaping crisis, bill restricts tobacco products sales to those 21 and older.

Evers Touts $75 Million Local Grants Fund

Competitive grants for local transportation replace state roads fund, includes mass transit.

Why the Minimum Wage Won’t Rise

It's all about the stories we’re told and who is getting paid to tell them.

Legislators Okay $1 Billion for UW Projects

Budget committee approves some 40 projects, including UWM Chemistry Building.

Factory Farms Oppose Clean Water Fees

Evers wants fees to fund pollution oversight. GOP legislators oppose this and got $1.4 million from Big Dairy.

10 Evers Proposals GOP Will Kill

Top priorities for the governor which Republicans aim to kill.

Republicans Call for Reset of Evers’ Budget

Governor’s cabinet members get hammered on many issues by GOP legislators.

Evers Budgets $78 Million for High Speed Internet

Expansion of broadband key issue for small towns, rural areas.

$35.8 Million Spent on Legislative Races

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

8 Ways to Increase Highway Funding

Lots of possible taxes and fees, but can legislators agree on any?

Secretive Fund Spent $715,480 On Democrats

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

Governor Evers Announces Transportation Stakeholder Task Force

Together, this group will discuss the state’s critical transportation issues and seek solutions to these challenges.

Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald Statement on Republican Plans to Cut Taxes

"Middle-class families in Wisconsin should keep more of what they earn."

Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald Announces Senate Standing Committees, Chairs

"I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate this session as we continue to pass reforms that put hard-working families first."